/lit/ - Literature

>>12544284
OP, I am Catholic and I could recommend you all sorts of theological texts from our Doctors of the Church: Augustine, Ambrose, Thomas Aquinas, Bonaventure, Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, etc..

But, instead, I want to recommend to you "The Introduction to the Devout Life" by Saint Francis de Sales. This work has a special place in my heart because Saint Francis de Sales is my Confirmation saint. He has been my companion through many a year, and I rely on him for wisdom and guidance.

But more importantly, "The Introduction to the Devout Life" is not intended for theologians or philosophers or priests or bishops. It is specifically written for laypeople. It is a treatise about how anyone, no matter how humble their status, can achieve holiness and sainthood. It is an expression of the Catholic belief that all men are called to become saints, that we can all, through faithfulness and charity, achieve Heaven through faithfulness to Jesus Christ and belief in the Gospel. I assume that you do not have the intention to go into the priesthood or the religious life, so I recommend it to you because, in your lay life, it will point you towards the beauty of living in accord with Jesus Christ and His Church.

I'm not sure if you speak English, but here's a link to buy my preferred English translation:

https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Devout-Life-Tan-Classics/dp/0895552280/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1549436549&sr=1-1&keywords=francis+de+sales+introduction+to+the+devout+life

>>11408291
>won thousands of souls back to Catholicism from Protestantism
>preached in and around Geneva, literally ground zero for Calvinism

Absolutely based.

>>11300137
Because they're shitty Christians who pick and choose what parts of the religion to follow. Don't pay attention to what they say, seek out the genuine Christians instead.

>>10863709
It's funny, because I was confirmed in high school (I'm a cradle Catholic). Back then, I chose him because I had some interest in writing, and I found out he was the patron of writers; thus, I picked him only knowing what he patronized, and not fully knowing the man himself.

But now, as I've grown older and more devout, I've drawn an immense amount of comfort from his writing and his example. He's known as the "gentleman saint" because of his kindness and meekness of temper. However, he remarked that it had taken him nearly 30 years to master that temper. This inspires me in my own struggle to overcome my failings and sins; if a saint can admit taking a long time to overcome a habitual failing, then I can take hope that I can overcome my troubles in time, as well.

Also, all his writing was directed towards converting recent Protestants back to the Catholic faith. He was bishop of Geneva during the time of Calvin; he was actually unable to live in the city for most of his appointment due to the Protestants there. But he persevered and won thousands of souls back to Catholicism due to his personal preaching and writing. This also inspires me, because some of my writing is analytical and philosophic in nature, and I'm heartened by the example of someone who used their talents to do God's will. He's supposedly a famously excellent prose stylist, though I can't be sure since I can't read French.

"The Introduction to the Devout Life" basically says that holiness isn't just for priests and monks and nuns. It calls laymen to lead lives of holiness also, and instructs them in ways to accomplish this. That also inspires me, because I don't feel called to the religious life, but I still want to be holy and observe the teachings of the Church.

There's a perfectly strong line of Platonic thought in Catholicism, one that runs primarily through Augustine and those influenced by him. Be sure to read Bonaventure.

Also, for some low-key, non-academic reading: read St. Francis de Sales' "Introduction to the Devout Life." It's written specifically for laypeople, and shows how to live a saintly life without being a priest or a consecrated brother. I highly recommend it.

Have you read any of the works of Francis de Sales, /lit/?

>>9876265
Well, then, we're doomed to disagree, aren't we?

>>9673755
Well it seems to me the key is to find some narrative that everyone on Earth, in theory, could subscribe to. One might argue that the mass religions serve this function. Everyone can be Christian or Muslim or Buddhist, it doesn't matter where you come from or what you look like.

So I guess this is a thread for spiritual guidance books?

I'm a big fan of "Introduction to the Devout Life" by Saint Francis de Sales.

>>9275722
Francis, and the rest of the saints, are models for us to follow. If you do it right, if you're truly devoted to God, then you, too can have actual experiences with him. He isn't unknowable, but he wants true believers, not just 'interested' people.

I've become such a serious Catholic that I no longer feel as attached to politics as I once did. I didn't even vote for a real candidate this past election, I just wrote in Pope Francis. I no longer have any concern or worry about who wins or loses elections. I trust in Christ and the Church, and the world of shadows and fancy can do what it wants.