Selections by Frances La Sales

our actions and frequent recourse to God by pious and confiding ejaculations and interior aspirations. An Introduction to the Devout Life a work intended to lead Philothea the soul living in the world into the paths of devotion that is to say of true and solid piety. Every one should strive to become pious and it is an error it is even a heresy to hold that piety is incompatible with any state of life. In the first part the author helps the soul to free itself from all inclination to or affection for sin; in the second he teaches it how to be united to God by prayer and the sacraments; in the third he exercises it in the practice of virtue; in the fourth he strengthens it against temptation; in the fifth he teaches it how to form its resolutions and to persevere.