by

Fr. Noel Rebello, msfs

SFS Publications, Bangalore

ISBN: 81-85376-73-5

This Sourcebook of Images and Quotes is being presented as a companion and ready reference for Philothea (the person in love with God) on her/ his journey along the path of holiness, in pursuance of the vocation to which s/he is called.

The Introduction to the Devout Life (IDL) was compiled by St. Francis de Sales, from the personal letters of spiritual direction he addressed to people ‘living in the world’ in response to their request for spiritual direction and guidance. This compilation, undertaken by the saint himself was published in 1608 at the pressing request of a Jesuit friend, who was himself a spiritual guide. Over the next decade, Francis, in response to public demand, prepared five successive re-prints of the IDL with additions and some corrections.

This spiritual classic provided a model of psycho-somatic integration and of psychospiritual harmony, during an era [16th. - 17th. century Europe] rocked by the challenges of Globalization that were undermining the very foundations of the Christian world-view on which European (then considered, world society) was built. No wonder, then, that already during his lifetime, the IDL was translated into several European languages, particularly: Italian (1610), English (1613), Flemish (1618) and Spanish (1618).

Today, when ‘globalization’ imposes a radical transformation of the contemporary world-view of individuals, nations, societies and cultures, there is a pressing need for harmony and balance, integration and explosion. To respond to this search we find numerous translations of the IDL published in India into the English language; notable among them are four editions (1990, 1995, 2002 and 2005) of SFS Publications, India, translated and edited by Frs. Anthony Mookenthottam, Armind Nazareth and Antony Kollencherry, Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS).

The present publication is not a literary translation of the IDL; it only seeks to provide a pictorial presentation of the images, and, a ready reference to the quotes found in this spiritual classic.

This “Sourcebook of Images and Quotes” published during the SALESIAN YEAR 2008 seeks to encourage Philothea to live up to her/his commitment to growing in holiness, and, to share with all and sundry the blessings derived from the devout life. LIVE JESUS