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St. Francis de Sales’s objective for the whole of Introduction to the Devout Life has been to provide Philothea with the practical means of answering the call to holiness which God makes to every baptized Christian. Part V, then, is the bishop’s conclusion, which ties together the threads he has been weaving since the beginning of the text. He begins by reminding the reader of “the frailty and evil inclinations of the flesh,” which cause humans to struggle to maintain good dispositions. To combat this, the shepherd writes, the soul must be buoyed up by “fervent resolutions”:
For this reason, dear Philothea, you must often renew and repeat your good resolutions to serve God, so that you don’t neglect them and slip back into your former state or rather into one far worse. (V.1)
To this end, De Sales provides Philothea—and for readers in our own day—with a series of daily, seasonal, and annual exercises that foster ongoing conversion and growth, equipping all of us for a solid and sustainable life of discipleship.
Immediately following this initial reminder, De Sales quickly turns to recommend daily habits that lead to seasonal and annual reflection. His main point is that everyone needs to withdraw “a little more into both spiritual and actual solitude” for the sake of an ongoing spiritual renovation project.
Daily exercises will allow Philothea to “often reflect on his condition in order to reform and improve it,” the saint writes, pointing the reader back to earlier segments of the text. In addition to daily exercises, an annual retreat offers the opportunity for Philothea to “take [his or her] life apart and examine every piece in detail, that is, every affection and passion, in order to repair whatever defects there may be” (V.1). Clearly, these are the blueprints for the project De Sales desires any lover of God to undertake in any era, again and again.
The blueprint is followed by what the author refers to as “considerations” and “examinations,” designed specifically for the seasonal and annual retreats. Essentially, these are known facts that foster reflection, meditation, and conversation with the Lord. The very first of these launches from the most basic facts of the life of discipleship: Philothea must remember that he or she has renounced mortal sin; has “consecrated your soul, heart, body, and all their faculties to God’s love and service”; and has committed to beginning again immediately when mistakes are made.
After this first remembrance, De Sales lists other helps especially germane to the layperson’s journey: discipleship is made in communion with the Church Triumphant, the saints; God has provided sweet consolations along the path to spur us along; and it is necessary to take inventory of one’s own transformation, considering where one was in contrast to where he or she currently is. The conclusion of these considerations, De Sales writes, should simply be “an act of thanksgiving and a fervent prayer that you may make good use of [the devout affections provided by God]” (V.2). Essentially, our periods of reflection ought to end with gratitude and commitment to good stewardship of God’s gifts.
In the next five sections, De Sales lays out an exercise for a regular spiritual examination, which includes consideration of one’s duties toward God, self, and neighbors along with consideration of passions. The pastor is keen to direct Philothea that these exercises do not need to be accomplished all at once, but extended over several periods of prayer. The section on the examination of the passions—that is, the inclinations that cause any one of us to lean away from God or toward Him—is perhaps most noteworthy.
Here, the director instructs Philothea on the necessity of moving beyond a simple examination of conscience, which he says is merely “for the confessions of those who have no thought of advancement in devotion.” To clarify, he means that “knowledge of our spiritual progress depends on…an investigation into our passions.” A disciple’s spiritual growth depends on frequent examination of “love, hatred, desire, hope, sadness, and joy in our soul,” and when he or she does this, the heart and will become attune to God’s grace and counsel, enabling a beautiful harmony of life (V.7).
Following the instruction for examining the passions, the author offers a series of five considerations for renewing good resolutions, which he recommends be made in a five-day rotation. These include considerations on the excellence of the human soul, the excellence of virtue, the examples of saints, the love Jesus Christ has for us, and God’s eternal love for each of us.
Philothea’s considerations should remain grounded in some basic facts. “Reflect,” De Sales teaches, “that in this world nothing but virtue and devotion can satisfy your soul” (V.11). Or, perhaps even more poignantly, he quotes the prophet Jeremiah’s message about the heavenly Father’s love: “I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore have I drawn you, taking pity on you” (Jer. 31:3). In his typically matter-of-fact, yet emphatic fashion, the pastor concludes, “For all the world together is not worth one single soul and a soul is worth nothing without these resolutions” (V.14).
At the end of these considerations, De Sales recommends an idea, a prayer containing ideas oft repeated by saints throughout the history of Christianity. This prayer, or one. This prayer, or one with similar themes, has the “ardent words” and passion that maintains a disposition for growth:
No, I am no longer my own. Whether I live or die, I am my Savior’s. I no longer have anything in me or of me; my very self is Jesus and my being is his being. O world, you are always yourself and hitherto I have been always myself, but henceforth I will be myself no more.
These words, and the resolutions that accompany them will penetrate “throughout every part of the soul,” he writes. Thus, the disciple who repeats these or similar words frequently will experience the transformation that is necessary for dwelling in the Kingdom of God. More practically, transformed disciples will seek to turn back quickly to “ordinary concerns and associations” with deepened devotion, thus transforming societies (V.16).
To conclude the Introduction, De Sales makes “three last and principal counsels” that he sees as crucial for lay persons. First, he reminds Philothea of a point he has made so many times: pursue holiness and devotion by the “ordinary, necessary actions,” simple things that accord with her state in life. As a merciful director, he is also quick to consider that Philothea is a fallen human person—as are all of us—with a weakened will. Thus, recalling what he has taught so many times before, perseverance is the key.
The author’s final direction admonishes the reader to keep the final thing—the ends of human life—ever in mind when making decisions: “My Philothea…look up to heaven, and do not forfeit it for earth. Look down into hell, and do not cast yourself into it for the sake of fleeting things. Look upon Jesus Christ, and do not renounce him for all the world” (V.18).
Now that we have traversed the whole of Introduction to the Devout Life throughout Lent, it should be clear how walking its trajectory can be so fruitful during this season, and how it can assist us in learning how to “Live, Jesus” in our daily lives at any point throughout the year.
By this point, we ought to have begun practicing robust and fruitful meditative prayer. Specifically, we have practiced meditating on God’s glory and excellence; on our own sinfulness; on our need and desire for conversion; on accessing grace through prayer and sacraments; on growing in virtuous habits through the ordinary circumstances of the lay state, while always keeping in mind the need for patience and perseverance.
Carrying the blueprints and lessons St. Francis de Sales provides herein—through Lent and Holy Week and into Easter and beyond—will allow us to habituate devotion and holiness, letting Jesus come and dwell in our hearts forever.
Editor’s Note: This is the final article of a Lenten series unpacking De Sales’s rich spiritual wisdom and applying it to the penitential season and to our lives as disciples generally. Read the rest of the series here!
Image from Wikimedia Commons
