Catholic Thought discussion

The best way to give a summary for each part of the book is to list the chapters. There are twenty-four chapters in Part 1.

Part I: Attaining a Firm Resolution to the Devout Life
1. What True Devotion Is
2. The Nature and Excellence of Devotion
3. Devotion is Suitable to Every Vocation and Profession
4. The Need of a Guide for Those Who Would Enter Upon and Advance in the Devout Life
5. The First Step Must be Purifying the Soul
6. The First Purification, Namely, From Mortal Sin
7. The Second Purification, From All Sinful Affections
8. How to Effect This Second Purification
9. First Meditation - On Creation
10. Second Meditation - On the End for Which We Were Created
11. Third Meditation - On the Gifts of God
12. Fourth Meditation - On Sin
13. Fifth Meditation - On Death
14. Sixth Meditation - On Judgment
15. Seventh Meditation - On Hell
16. Eighth Meditation - On Paradise
17. Ninth Meditation - On the Choice Open to You Between Heaven and Hell
18. Tenth Meditation - On How the Soul Chooses the Devout Life
19. How to Make a General Confession
20. A Hearty Protest Made with the Object of Confirming the Soul's Resolution to Serve God, as
a Conclusion to its Acts of Penitence
21. Conclusion of This First Purification
22. The Necessity of Purging Away All Tendency to Venial Sins
23. It is Needful to Put Away All Inclination for Useless and Dangerous Things
24. All Evil Inclinations Must be Purged Away

The first four chapters are in essence an introduction to the book. It speaks to what is devotion and why we need devotion. Chapters five through eight gives us instruction on purifying the soul. Chapters nine through eighteen provide ten meditative exercises to strengthen yourself for purifying oneself. Chapters nineteen twenty-one provide the culmination of Part 1, what each chapter has been building to, that is the act of penitence as the means of purging mortal sins. Chapters twenty-two through twenty-four provide reason to do away with either venial sins and harmful inclinations.

In short, Part 1 provides the instruction for the first step to a devout life, the cleansing of one’s soul.

Madeleine Myers
I am only a few chapters in, but paused to reflect on St. Francis's suggestion to have a spiritual adviser, or have a single confessor. Decades ago I did have one priest for a time until he left the parish and my confessions became less frequent. I believe I now confess to at least five different priests in the course of a year, and while I see many advantages to bring a member of a large parish, having access to one who really knows me, or even knows my name, would be very difficult, and if there is a priest I would choose and he would be ok with it, he is subject to frequent transfers from one diocese after another. Also few priests today have that kind of time to devote to single parishioners. A nice idea, but perhaps might it be just as valuable to be in my situation? I have been impressed with some of the younger priests and their suggestions as well as a few creative penances, not those three Hail Mary's you can rattle off before heading to the parking lot but something to be worked on through the week.

Madeleine wrote: "Madeleine Myers
I am only a few chapters in, but paused to reflect on St. Francis's suggestion to have a spiritual adviser, or have a single confessor. Decades ago I did have one priest for a time ..."

I've never had a spiritual director or a priest who focused on me. I don't think I would like it actually but I do think it would make one more devout. As it is I kind of bristle when a priest gives me advice during confession. I know I did wrong or I wouldn't be there. Just give me absolution.

Part One should be included in any curriculum that teaches the Universal Call to Holiness. It makes holiness accessible and appealing. I've found thus far that this book is easier to read compared to other spiritual classics. I'm going to have to review my notes on specific points from this section to bring to the discussion.

Blake wrote: "Part One should be included in any curriculum that teaches the Universal Call to Holiness. It makes holiness accessible and appealing. I've found thus far that this book is easier to read compared ..."

Welcome Blake, if this is your first time commenting in our book club. I have a terrible memory for these things. Yes, it is easier than I thought it would be. de Sales seems very practical, clear, and straightforward. I like the writing. I'll try to put up some comments in the next day or two myself. But please go ahead. Sometimes it just takes a person to get a discussion moving.

It never occurred to me to specifically define devotion. It seems like it would have been a rather obvious word not requiring definition. But as a superb writer of non-fiction, de Sales defines the key word in the very first chapter on which his book hinges.

…all true and living devotion presupposes the love of God;--and indeed it is neither more nor less than a very real love of God, though not always of the same kind; for that Love one while shining on the soul we call grace, which makes us acceptable to His Divine Majesty;--when it strengthens us to do well, it is called Charity;--but when it attains its fullest perfection, in which it not only leads us to do well, but to act carefully, diligently, and promptly, then it is called Devotion…. In short, devotion is simply a spiritual activity and liveliness by means of which Divine Love works in us, and causes us to work briskly and lovingly; and just as charity leads us to a general practice of all God's Commandments, so devotion leads us to practise them readily and diligently. And therefore we cannot call him who neglects to observe all God's Commandments either good or devout, because in order to be good, a man must be filled with love, and to be devout, he must further be very ready and apt to perform the deeds of love.

There’s a lot to unpack in that partial paragraph. (1) Devotion is a reflection from the love of God that we shine back to Him. (2) It stems from the grace that God sends out to us. (3) Devotion is a spiritual activity of the Divine Love working in us. (4) And it makes us “ready and apt” to perform the works of love.

In essence, he goes on to say, love and devotion are inextricably linked.

The difference between love and devotion is just that which exists between fire and flame;--love being a spiritual fire which becomes devotion when it is fanned into a flame;--and what devotion adds to the fire of love is that flame which makes it eager, energetic and diligent, not merely in obeying God's Commandments, but in fulfilling His Divine Counsels and inspirations.

How does one conceptualize fire and flame? Isn’t fire composed of flames? Aren’t flames fire? So love and devotion are to de Sales the same as fire and flame. What a brilliant rhetorical flourish.

Manny wrote: "There’s a lot to unpack in that partial paragraph. (1) Devotion is a reflection from the love of God that we shine back to Him. (2) It stems from the grace that God sends out to us. (3) Devotion is a spiritual activity of the Divine Love working in us. (4) And it makes us “ready and apt” to perform the works of love."

This is yet another reminder that God loves us first. It is His stirring in our hearts that makes us respond to Him.

Madeleine wrote: "Madeleine Myers
I am only a few chapters in, but paused to reflect on St. Francis's suggestion to have a spiritual adviser, or have a single confessor. Decades ago I did have one priest for a time ..."

I don't currently have a spiritual director,, but pray regularly that God would lead me to one. I don't think any priest can serve as a spiritual director; I think it is a charism and that the person should be trained. I have had female religious as a spiritual director, but never a priest.

Irene wrote: "Madeleine wrote: "Madeleine Myers
I am only a few chapters in, but paused to reflect on St. Francis's suggestion to have a spiritual adviser, or have a single confessor. Decades ago I did have one ..."

I can understand a woman preferring a woman as a spiritual director. I probably would prefer a man. But there are priests that are qualified to be spiritual directors. Not all, but some. I agree it probably takes special training.

O, absolutely, there are many qualified priests. And, of course, all are qualified to be confessors, although I think some are better at helping a soul with on-going growth and conversion from sin than others. There are also women religious and lay people who have been trained and have the sanctity and wisdom to serve as spiritual directors.

Yes, the point is that a good spiritual director can be of any gender, consecrated or lay person. And just because one is consecrated doesn't by default make them a good spiritual director. Agreed.

These meditations are wonderful! There is so much packed into each one. Though I find that I can't just read one after another. I have to stop after each one and put the book aside.

Kerstin wrote"I find that I just can't read one after another.... " Same here. They are excellent prompts for a real conversation with God. So much to think about from those short paragraphs!

Manny wrote: "It never occurred to me to specifically define devotion. It seems like it would have been a rather obvious word not requiring definition. But as a superb writer of non-fiction, de Sales defines the..."

I picked up Grammar of Assent not too long ago and found Newman's definition of Assent and Belief at the beginning enlightening and helpful. de Sales definition and examples are so inviting that it enkindles in us the flame of devotion. I found both of these works similar in layout and I can't help but contrast these works with many contemporary approaches in all walks of literature.

I found this part consoling on review this week. As we near the end of Lent, it has been a helpful reminder that repentance requires a reordering of life. de Sales doesn't shame anyone but rather encourages remorse and reinforcement to fight against sin in our lives. It is a helpful reminder for us during these last few weeks of Lent of our deepening purification.

Blake wrote: "I found this part consoling on review this week. As we near the end of Lent, it has been a helpful reminder that repentance requires a reordering of life. de Sales doesn't shame anyone but rather e..."

So true. It is his gentleness that makes him so effective.

I have to say Chapter 23 struck a dagger into my heart. Here’s how he starts it:

SPORTS, balls, plays, festivities, pomps, are not in themselves evil, but rather indifferent matters, capable of being used for good or ill; but nevertheless they are dangerous, and it is still more dangerous to take great delight in them. Therefore, my daughter, I say that although it is lawful to amuse yourself, to dance, dress, feast, and see seemly plays,—at the same time, if you are much addicted to these things, they will hinder your devotion, and become extremely hurtful and dangerous to you.

Gee, there is so many interests I have that are not religiously oriented. I love sports. I love literature. I love festivities. There is no way I can give up my beloved baseball. He goes on to say:

The harm lies, not in doing them, but in the degree to which you care for them. It is a pity to sow the seed of vain and foolish tastes in the soil of your heart, taking up the place of better things, and hindering the soul from cultivating good dispositions.

This is my biggest fear of actually getting a spiritual director. The degree of commitment could wipe away all your other interests.

Manny wrote: "... if you are much addicted to these things, they will hinder your devotion, and become extremely hurtful and dangerous to you."

I think what we have here is the Catholic "both/and". There is nothing wrong with feasting, sports, et. al. These are all part of the joys of life and our passions for them are their exuberant expression. However, if we have an unnatural attachment to them, an addiction, as he says, there lies the pitfall. If they take the place of God we're in trouble.

Since the discussion hasn't been strong on this book, I'm going to post some notable quotes from each of the different parts. I'll start with Part 1. I'll identify the chapter the quote is taken from. It doesn't say who translated the book, but I'm taking the quotes from this translation:
https://www.catholicity.com/devoutlife/

If you want to discuss any of the quotes or provide a quote yourself, I encourage it.

From Chapter 1:

But, in fact, all true and living devotion presupposes the love of God;--and indeed it is neither more nor less than a very real love of God, though not always of the same kind; for that Love one while shining on the soul we call grace, which makes us acceptable to His Divine Majesty;--when it strengthens us to do well, it is called Charity;--but when it attains its fullest perfection, in which it not only leads us to do well, but to act carefully, diligently, and promptly, then it is called Devotion…The difference between love and devotion is just that which exists between fire and flame;--love being a spiritual fire which becomes devotion when it is fanned into a flame;--and what devotion adds to the fire of love is that flame which makes it eager, energetic and diligent, not merely in obeying God's Commandments, but in fulfilling His Divine Counsels and inspirations.

From Chapter 2:

Ponder Jacob's ladder:--it is a true picture of the devout life; the two poles which support the steps are types of prayer which seeks the love of God, and the Sacraments which confer that love; while the steps themselves are simply the degrees of love by which we go on from virtue to virtue, either descending by good deeds on behalf of our neighbour or ascending by contemplation to a loving union with God. Consider, too, who they are who trod this ladder; men with angels' hearts, or angels with human forms. They are not youthful, but they seem to be so by reason of their vigour and spiritual activity. They have wings wherewith to fly, and attain to God in holy prayer, but they have likewise feet wherewith to tread in human paths by a holy gracious intercourse with men; their faces are bright and beautiful, inasmuch as they accept all things gently and sweetly; their heads and limbs are uncovered, because their thoughts, affections and actions have no motive or object save that of pleasing God; the rest of their bodies is covered with a light shining garment, because while they use the world and the things of this life, they use all such purely and honestly, and no further than is needful for their condition --such are the truly devout. Believe me, dear child, devotion is the sweetest of sweets, the queen of virtues, the perfection of love. If love is the milk of life, devotion is the cream thereof; if it is a fruitful plant, devotion is the blossom; if it is a precious stone, devotion is its brightness; if it is a precious balm, devotion is its perfume, even that sweet odour which delights men and causes the angels to rejoice.

From Chapter 5:

The very first step towards spiritual health is to be purged from our sinful humours. Saint Paul received perfect purification instantaneously, and the like grace was conferred on Saint Magdalene, Saint Catherine of Genoa, Saint Pelagia, and some others, but this kind of purgation is as miraculous and extraordinary in grace as the resurrection of the dead in nature, nor dare we venture to aspire to it. The ordinary purification, whether of body or soul, is only accomplished by slow degrees, step by step, gradually and painfully.

From Chapter 7:

Be sure, my child, that if you seek to lead a devout life, you must not merely forsake sin; but you must further cleanse your heart from all affections pertaining to sin; for, to say nothing of the danger of a relapse, these wretched affections will perpetually enfeeble your mind, and clog it, so that you will be unable to be diligent, ready and frequent in good works, wherein nevertheless lies the very essence of all true devotion.

Chapter 19:

When you come to your spiritual father, imagine yourself to be on Mount Calvary, at the Feet of the Crucified Saviour, Whose Precious Blood is dropping freely to cleanse you from all your sin. Though it is not his actual Blood, yet it is the merit of that outpoured Blood which is sprinkled over His penitents as they kneel in Confession. Be sure then that you open your heart fully, and put away your sins by confessing them, for in proportion as they are put out, so will the Precious Merits of the Passion of Christ come in and fill you with blessings.

"The very first step towards spiritual health is to be purged from our sinful humors..." Just yesterday the subject of confessions came up in our Bible study group ( via Zoom video) and we laughed at ourselves because most of us seem to just confess the same old stuff over and over. Perfect purification instantly? How does that work. How does that differ from the absolution we come away with that doesn't last all that long, or is that the difference --that it doesn't last?

Mine are usually the same ones too. I'm fond of quoting Flannary O'Connor in regards to a character description:
"She could never be a saint, but she thought she could be a martyr if they killed her quick."

She could be describing me!

Manny wrote: "Since the discussion hasn't been strong on this book,"
Oh, I'm at fault there too... I still haven't gotten out of chapter two! I enjoy it but find it really hard to push myself beyond bite-size pieces.

This is not as easy a read as I thought it would be at first! It's not designed to be read quickly, though. Someone writing this book today might include blank pages for private journaling about our own spiritual progress. I'm skipping around, myself, looking for chapter headings that signal things I know I need to address....

Madeleine wrote: "This is not as easy a read as I thought it would be at first! It's not designed to be read quickly, though. Someone writing this book today might include blank pages for private journaling about ou..."

I don't find it too hard a read. But there's just so much information packed in there, I'm finding it hard to remember. I'm also reading it on Kindle. I think as a paper book it could serve as more of a manual to keep around and locate a particular chapter.