Arelius was wont to paint all his pictures with the features and expression of the women he loved, and even so we all colour devotion according to our own likings and dispositions. But seeing that the small errors people are wont to commit in the beginning of any under taking are apt to wax greater as they advance, and to become irreparable at last, it is most important that you should thoroughly understand wherein lies the grace of true devotion - and that because while there undoubtedly is such a true devotion, there are also many spurious and idle semblances thereof and unless you know which is real, you may mistake, and waste your energy in pursuing an empty, profitless shadow. You aim at a devout life, dear child, because as a Christian you know that such devotion is most acceptable to God’s Divine Majesty. Consider with us today de Sales’s assertion that “devotion is simply a spiritual activity and liveliness by means of which Divine Love works in us.” We think he makes a compelling case. On the feast day of Francis de Sales (January 24), we offer up this opening chapter to his masterwork, Introduction to the Devout Life.
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