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Library of St. Francis de Sales #2
Treatise on the Love of God
Masterful combination of theological principles and practical application regarding divine love--the subject of Our Lord\'s first and greatest commandment. Based on Scripture, the Fathers, St. Thomas. An acknowledged classic which goes to the heart of our religion.
608 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1884
About the author
Francis de Sales
708 books204 followersFrancis de Sales, C.O., T.O.M., A.O.F.M. Cap. (French: François de Sales; Italian: Francesco di Sales) was a Bishop of Geneva and is honored as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. His father sent him to a good school when he was young, and he received spiritual formation from the Jesuits. After a disturbing spiritual fear of being condemned, he eventually resolved his problem and decided to dedicate his life to God in 1587. He became a doctor of law at the age of 24 at the Jesuit College of Clermont, Paris, and was ordained a priest by Bishop Claude de Granier and stationed in Geneva in 1593. He became bishop of Geneva in 1602.
Francis de Sales is the author of various collections of sermons on Mary, Lent, prayer and Christmastide. He was known as a spiritually understanding man as well as a friend of the poor. Though known for his great intellect and theological wisdom, he spoke with simplicity and earnestness, so that all could understand. An Introduction to the Devout Life, his best-loved work, is based on notes he wrote for a cousin for marriage, stressing that sanctity is possible in everyday life. He was canonized by Pope Alexander VII in 1665. His feast is celebrated on January 24.
Francis de Sales is the author of various collections of sermons on Mary, Lent, prayer and Christmastide. He was known as a spiritually understanding man as well as a friend of the poor. Though known for his great intellect and theological wisdom, he spoke with simplicity and earnestness, so that all could understand. An Introduction to the Devout Life, his best-loved work, is based on notes he wrote for a cousin for marriage, stressing that sanctity is possible in everyday life. He was canonized by Pope Alexander VII in 1665. His feast is celebrated on January 24.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 26, 2016
For some reason I haven't put this up in GR though I've read it some time ago. But the subject is loving God, connecting to God through contemplation, meditation and prayer, following God's will, practicing nonattachment to the world, and how love of God inspires our virtues.
This book is a companion book to "Introduction to the Devout Life", and it's addressed to another 'reader figure' who is in this case written as a male figure, though again meant for anyone. It's perhaps a little less flowing than that other book, but adds a little more to things. So it is certainly worth a read :)
This book is a companion book to "Introduction to the Devout Life", and it's addressed to another 'reader figure' who is in this case written as a male figure, though again meant for anyone. It's perhaps a little less flowing than that other book, but adds a little more to things. So it is certainly worth a read :)
November 12, 2013
Add this to the ever-growing list of books that should have been assigned in seminary, but wasn't. And place this little volume at the top of that list. St. Francis de Sales knew the depths of the soul and the mysterious love of God with great familiarity. These brief meditations address any searching believer who desires to be filled with the love of God. Along the way, de Sales describes the many ways we resist that love and the practices necessary to cultivate the gift of God's love in Christ.
Writing as a Catholic in Reformation Europe, his theology of grace is remarkably close to continental Reformers, yet he maintains a Catholic consciousness about the life of faith: effort is required though we are saved by grace alone.
A master rhetorician, de Sales is equally important for preachers as they learn the craft of speech. De Sales read the Book of Creation for innumerable metaphors in the spiritual life. Canned and recycled illustrations won't cut it anymore. Spend time in God's creation and listen to him in the silence. The Spirit will speak truths of the heart through the beauty and mystery of creation. Like bees who move from flower to flower 'stockpiling honey,' so Francis says we are called to 'stockpile the love of God.'
If I could recommend a singular book for anyone desperately hungry for God's love, this would be the book I'd recommend after the Bible. If I could recommend any book for one who seeks to lead others as a spiritual friend or director, this would be the book. Church planters and pastors may need to read books on leadership, but they're impoverished for their task without wisdom that is found in a saint like Francis de Sales.
So there's my most impassioned recommendation. Read de Sales slowly. And read him again. Today marks the first of several re-readings that I'll undertake in years to come.
Writing as a Catholic in Reformation Europe, his theology of grace is remarkably close to continental Reformers, yet he maintains a Catholic consciousness about the life of faith: effort is required though we are saved by grace alone.
A master rhetorician, de Sales is equally important for preachers as they learn the craft of speech. De Sales read the Book of Creation for innumerable metaphors in the spiritual life. Canned and recycled illustrations won't cut it anymore. Spend time in God's creation and listen to him in the silence. The Spirit will speak truths of the heart through the beauty and mystery of creation. Like bees who move from flower to flower 'stockpiling honey,' so Francis says we are called to 'stockpile the love of God.'
If I could recommend a singular book for anyone desperately hungry for God's love, this would be the book I'd recommend after the Bible. If I could recommend any book for one who seeks to lead others as a spiritual friend or director, this would be the book. Church planters and pastors may need to read books on leadership, but they're impoverished for their task without wisdom that is found in a saint like Francis de Sales.
So there's my most impassioned recommendation. Read de Sales slowly. And read him again. Today marks the first of several re-readings that I'll undertake in years to come.
May 14, 2013
This is a "Wow!" kind of book, simultaneously accessible and profound. Bernard Bangley did a masterful job of condensing the hefty original work down to 140 coherent and surprisingly practical pages.
Francis de Sales (1567-1622) had a reputation for holiness and for great preaching when he was Bishop of Geneva. Reading this book, it is easy to see why. Fortunately, this treatise is more than a relic from Christian history; it's a gift that keeps on giving, like its subject.
My copy of the book now has perhaps 20 checkmarks in the margins of its pages, because Francis is forever writing things like "Any 'inspiration' that tempts us to quit doing something worthwhile in order to be available for some vague future activity is highly suspect," and "What difference does it make whether God's will is demonstrated to me in suffering or in comfort? The only thing I want is to know God's will. Perhaps it can be seen more clearly when no other beauty is present."
Francis shows from Revelation 3:20 and Song of Songs 2:10 that God makes house calls. The bishop was fond of bees, and a dab hand with arboreal metaphors, too. Part of his sage advice to readers is to "Notch your heart with holy penitence, put the love of God in the cleft, and then graft onto it any virtue you wish."
More examples would only muddy the point, so let me close by saying that this treatise is great stuff, all of it, firmly rooted in the life of Jesus Christ. Saint Francis de Sales himself feels to me like a new friend in heaven, and if that's not recommendation enough to read his writing, I don't know what would be.
Francis de Sales (1567-1622) had a reputation for holiness and for great preaching when he was Bishop of Geneva. Reading this book, it is easy to see why. Fortunately, this treatise is more than a relic from Christian history; it's a gift that keeps on giving, like its subject.
My copy of the book now has perhaps 20 checkmarks in the margins of its pages, because Francis is forever writing things like "Any 'inspiration' that tempts us to quit doing something worthwhile in order to be available for some vague future activity is highly suspect," and "What difference does it make whether God's will is demonstrated to me in suffering or in comfort? The only thing I want is to know God's will. Perhaps it can be seen more clearly when no other beauty is present."
Francis shows from Revelation 3:20 and Song of Songs 2:10 that God makes house calls. The bishop was fond of bees, and a dab hand with arboreal metaphors, too. Part of his sage advice to readers is to "Notch your heart with holy penitence, put the love of God in the cleft, and then graft onto it any virtue you wish."
More examples would only muddy the point, so let me close by saying that this treatise is great stuff, all of it, firmly rooted in the life of Jesus Christ. Saint Francis de Sales himself feels to me like a new friend in heaven, and if that's not recommendation enough to read his writing, I don't know what would be.
February 6, 2017
St. Francis De Sales is the author of the pre-eminent work on Catholic spiritual formation, "The Introduction to the Devout Life." I have read that work several times and it is priceless, so when I came across the "Treatise on the Love Of God", I thought it could never live up to the standard set by St. Francis in the "Introduction." Not only was I wrong about that, I found the Treatise to be even better than the "Introduction" in many respects.
The "Treatise" is longer than the "Introduction" and essentially takes the reader past the point where St. Francis left off in the "Introduction" into more advanced topics in Catholic Spirituality. In this work, St. Francis is not trying to get the reader to set aside sin and devote time to prayer. Rather, St. Francis assumes that the reader has a deep spiritual life, and he discusses issues of devotion, total submission to God, ecstasies, virtues and other products of the spiritual life. St. Francis uses his characteristic writing style, using lots of examples from nature, scripture, history and profane literature and philosophy to illustrate his points. This makes even the most difficult topics in spirituality understandable to the reader. It is a pleasure to read and something to which I hope to return many times in future years.
The only caution that I would extend to the reader is that St. Francis uses terms such as complacency and quiet to describe the soul in complete submission to God. These terms were hijacked later by a spiritual heretical movement known as "Quietism". The Quietists believed that the Christian should do nothing in the spiritual life but make oneself available to God's grace. In the extreme, this would mean not even trying to avoid sin or pursue any special devotions. St. Francis was not a Quietist and this movement flourished long after his life. But the reader should not understand these sections of the "Treatise" not as advocating Quietism, but as simply admonishing the Christian to submit completely to God's grace.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to deepen their spiritual life and their relationship to Jesus.
The "Treatise" is longer than the "Introduction" and essentially takes the reader past the point where St. Francis left off in the "Introduction" into more advanced topics in Catholic Spirituality. In this work, St. Francis is not trying to get the reader to set aside sin and devote time to prayer. Rather, St. Francis assumes that the reader has a deep spiritual life, and he discusses issues of devotion, total submission to God, ecstasies, virtues and other products of the spiritual life. St. Francis uses his characteristic writing style, using lots of examples from nature, scripture, history and profane literature and philosophy to illustrate his points. This makes even the most difficult topics in spirituality understandable to the reader. It is a pleasure to read and something to which I hope to return many times in future years.
The only caution that I would extend to the reader is that St. Francis uses terms such as complacency and quiet to describe the soul in complete submission to God. These terms were hijacked later by a spiritual heretical movement known as "Quietism". The Quietists believed that the Christian should do nothing in the spiritual life but make oneself available to God's grace. In the extreme, this would mean not even trying to avoid sin or pursue any special devotions. St. Francis was not a Quietist and this movement flourished long after his life. But the reader should not understand these sections of the "Treatise" not as advocating Quietism, but as simply admonishing the Christian to submit completely to God's grace.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to deepen their spiritual life and their relationship to Jesus.
April 6, 2017
St Francis de Sales Treatise on the Love of God is not only a good source for meditation but a source for inspiration, learning and growth.
This is spiritual writing and St. Francis deals with concepts to reflect on in a prayerful manner. One of the great mysteries he explores is that the soul experiencing Divine Love will eventually become one with God in Heaven. This indicates to me as if some sort of a union is expected. That is a great mystery.
This is spiritual writing and St. Francis deals with concepts to reflect on in a prayerful manner. One of the great mysteries he explores is that the soul experiencing Divine Love will eventually become one with God in Heaven. This indicates to me as if some sort of a union is expected. That is a great mystery.
April 13, 2017
This is a thorough exploration of the effect, nature, and demands of God’s incredible love in a human soul. There were sections that I found dry, overly technical, particularly those dealing with morality. But there were others that were soaringly beautiful, profoundly challenging, deeply insightful. There are parts of this book that I will be thinking about for a very long time.
Want to read
April 18, 2014Fr. Benedict Groeschel said that this was the most moving book he ever read.
March 30, 2019
This is an excellent devotional book. Spiritual and theological, St. Francis de Sales uses the Church Fathers, Scripture, and Classical literature to illuminate points about divine love and living a grace-filled life. Ideally, this book can be read slowly as part of one’s a daily devotions. However, some passages are so sublime that one cannot but keep turning pages. This is the perfect book to read after reading de Sales’s Introduction to the Devout Life.
Shelved as 'read-dnf'
July 6, 2016A classic which I am reading off and on.
August 14, 2020
What beautiful reflections on love, on God who is love! This book contains so much wisdom. I'm glad I took my time, only reading one or two chapters (which are usually only a page or two) per day. I hope I remember all I read, but mostly to keep love always in the forefront of absolutely everything.
June 19, 2022
O Tratado do Amor de Deus, um clássico da espiritualidade, foi publicado em 1616. Originalmente escrito para as irmãs da Visitação em Saboia, difere-se de seu livro anterior, Introdução à Vida Devota, por se dirigir às almas mais adiantadas em devoção. Dividida em 12 livros, é uma obra densa e sistemática, às vezes, um pouco árida pelas citações frequentes dos clássicos latinos, especialmente nos primeiros livros, mas muito profunda e um alimento sublime para a alma na leitura espiritual e na oração. Conforme o próprio santo, seu objetivo foi "apresentar simples e singelamente, sem arte e ainda mais sem artifício, a história do nascimento, do progresso, da decadência, das operações, propriedades, vantagens e excelências do amor divino." Os temas passam pela origem do amor divino, seu progresso e perfeição, o que pode nos levar a perdê-lo, como exercitá-lo na oração, a identificação da nossa vontade com a vontade de Deus, como o amor ao próximo deriva do amor a Deus. Aos poucos somos conduzidos da reflexão à prática da união amorosa com Deus.
São Francisco de Sales, bispo e Doutor da Igreja, nasceu em 1567, no Ducado de Saboia, região hoje pertencente à França. De família nobre, estudou em excelentes escolas, em Paris e em Pádua, doutorando-se em Direito e Teologia. Ao regressar a Saboia, seu pai já lhe preparara um cargo de senador e uma noiva de família nobre. Francisco, porém, escolheu seguir sua vocação ao sacerdócio. Em 1593, ordenou-se e quase imediatamente foi nomeado Chefe dos Cônegos na Diocese de Genebra. Em 1602, foi ordenado Bispo de Genebra. Apesar do título, a sede da diocese ficava em Annecy, pois Genebra estava sobre controle calvinista. Ganhou fama como pregador, fundou com Santa Joana Francisca de Chantal, a Ordem da Visitação de Santa Maria, foi diretor espiritual e escreveu, além de cartas, duas obras importantes: Introdução à Vida Devota (Filoteia) e Tratado do Amor de Deus. Faleceu em Lyon, em 1622 e foi canonizado em 1665 pelo Papa Alexandre VII. É patrono dos escritores e jornalistas. A ordem fundada por Dom Bosco em 1859, os Salesianos, cujo nome oficial é Sociedade de São Francisco de Sales, leva esse nome em sua homenagem.
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São Francisco de Sales, bispo e Doutor da Igreja, nasceu em 1567, no Ducado de Saboia, região hoje pertencente à França. De família nobre, estudou em excelentes escolas, em Paris e em Pádua, doutorando-se em Direito e Teologia. Ao regressar a Saboia, seu pai já lhe preparara um cargo de senador e uma noiva de família nobre. Francisco, porém, escolheu seguir sua vocação ao sacerdócio. Em 1593, ordenou-se e quase imediatamente foi nomeado Chefe dos Cônegos na Diocese de Genebra. Em 1602, foi ordenado Bispo de Genebra. Apesar do título, a sede da diocese ficava em Annecy, pois Genebra estava sobre controle calvinista. Ganhou fama como pregador, fundou com Santa Joana Francisca de Chantal, a Ordem da Visitação de Santa Maria, foi diretor espiritual e escreveu, além de cartas, duas obras importantes: Introdução à Vida Devota (Filoteia) e Tratado do Amor de Deus. Faleceu em Lyon, em 1622 e foi canonizado em 1665 pelo Papa Alexandre VII. É patrono dos escritores e jornalistas. A ordem fundada por Dom Bosco em 1859, os Salesianos, cujo nome oficial é Sociedade de São Francisco de Sales, leva esse nome em sua homenagem.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfAD3CxPOzo/
January 26, 2013
This book was so moving. St. Francis de Sales' intense love for God shines out in his writing and is very inspiring. I really enjoyed it. Straightforward enough for a lay person to enjoy (though probably not of interest if you aren't Catholic).
September 22, 2007
lovely... just like reading Kahlil Gibran's works
Want to read
January 7, 2010Included in the "Spiritual Reading" section of Fr. John McCloskey's 100-book Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan.
April 24, 2020
St. Francis de Sales, as a bishop, saint, doctor of the church, and author is a beacon of Catholic thought and spiritual practice.
This is a big book, with much to offer. I feel like I gleaned a lot from it.
That being said, I find our dear saint and doctor a bit verbose at times and his penchant for trying to illustrate his points from the botanical knowledge of his era can be a detraction for readers of later ages. Far be it from me to say that one of the patron saints of writers could benefit from a good editor, but after spending almost 5 months with this volume, that's one of my impressions.
Most likely it just illustrates that he and I have different temperaments and writing styles.
This is a big book, with much to offer. I feel like I gleaned a lot from it.
That being said, I find our dear saint and doctor a bit verbose at times and his penchant for trying to illustrate his points from the botanical knowledge of his era can be a detraction for readers of later ages. Far be it from me to say that one of the patron saints of writers could benefit from a good editor, but after spending almost 5 months with this volume, that's one of my impressions.
Most likely it just illustrates that he and I have different temperaments and writing styles.
January 29, 2021
I find it spiritually nourishing to find that humanity's desire to connect with our Creator has remained steadfast and true throughout time. I love the nature imbued imagery that de Sales uses to bring home the power of God's continued presence in our daily lives. This is a good book to read with a group--there is a lot packed in that can be a springboard for enriched spiritual discussion for anyone who believes "We need an insatiable desire of loving God." I read this book with a group and we read 2 or 3 chapters at a time for each discussion.
July 7, 2019
Whether it is the translation or the source material, this book is incredibly relevant even today despite being written centuries ago. The book breaks down ideas into smaller chapters and then segments within the chapter to help build the argument slowly and carefully. Also, Francis de Sales loves analogies. It is not as great of a read as Introduction to the Devout Life but it is not necessarily meant to be; rather it is a supplemental that builds on some of the original book’s core ideas.
July 16, 2024
Intense spiritual reading
I liked that it was in easily understandable language for a theological book. You may want to look up the ancient definition of "complacency", however. I would recommend this book for any Christian, albeit a knowledge of Catholicism would be needed.
I liked that it was in easily understandable language for a theological book. You may want to look up the ancient definition of "complacency", however. I would recommend this book for any Christian, albeit a knowledge of Catholicism would be needed.
October 7, 2020
Very good for meditation
Read
August 2, 2024Loving it.
February 5, 2024
A lire de préférence après l'Introduction à la vie dévote adressée à Philothée, l'âme qui aime Dieu.
S. François de Sales adresse ici sont discours à Théotime, celui qui honore Dieu, dans le but d'attiser son amour du Seigneur.
Ce livre, chef d'œuvre de la spiritualité salésienne, source majeure de l'école française de spiritualité, nourrit à la fois la vie spirituelle et intellectuelle de celui qui lira.
Idéal pour accompagner l'oraison quotidienne, notamment par l'abondance d'images bibliques, naturelles ou poétiques.
S. François de Sales adresse ici sont discours à Théotime, celui qui honore Dieu, dans le but d'attiser son amour du Seigneur.
Ce livre, chef d'œuvre de la spiritualité salésienne, source majeure de l'école française de spiritualité, nourrit à la fois la vie spirituelle et intellectuelle de celui qui lira.
Idéal pour accompagner l'oraison quotidienne, notamment par l'abondance d'images bibliques, naturelles ou poétiques.
August 9, 2022
Precioso 😍 todos los católicos deberían leer esta joya
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews