One of the most valuable books ever written for Catholic laypeople belongs to the so-called Doctor Caritatis: Saint Francis de Sales (1567–1622). Deeply involved in the pastoral care of his diocese in Geneva, he understood the need for manuals of spirituality and piety for those laypeople who feel called to an intense Christian life amidst the world. Thus were born his most well-known books: An Introduction to the Devout Life (1609) and Treatise on the Love of God (1616).
The first of these is based on correspondence with a cousin of his, Madame Marie de Charmoisy, to whom he gave advices on how to live a life of holiness as a married woman. What is very important is the practical nature of this book. When reading it, we must always consider the particular conditions of that epoch. However, many of its teachings can be applied, with wisdom, even in our days. …
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