Committed Life: An Adaptation of The Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales [Paperback]

William Meninger (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0826412858 | ISBN-13: 978-0826412850 | Publication Date: December 1, 2000

A masterful updating of a classic work.St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), bishop of Geneva and founder of the Visitation Order of nuns, was renowned for his teachings on spirituality. His masterpiece in the field of spiritual literature was "The Introduction to the Devout Life." Revolutionary in its day and noted for its charm, warmth, and clarity of language, it set forth a spirituality oriented toward life in the world, an approach quite different from that of St. Francis de Sales's contemporaries,who saw spiritual perfection as possible only in religious life.While the message of "The Introduction to Devout Life" is still valid today, the fact is that its expression is quite dated. In this book, as in "Bringing 'The Imitation of Christ' Into the 21st Cemtury," Father Meninger is not offering a new translation or paraphrase of a spiritual classic. Rather, he is attempting to express the teachings of the original in a wholly contemporary idiom. Father Meninger has not hesitated to change, omit, or add to the original where necessary, the better to highlight the heart and charisma of St. Francis de Sales's teachings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Meninger captures the essential meaning?but the description is thoroughly modern. Fr. Meninger's rewrite of the ten meditations will be especially helpful to those teaching discursive meditation….[Meninger] demonstrates creative freedom …in writing this book….But when he comes to material that still rings true today…Meninger stays very close to his source. Many of Meninger's updates are welcomed. All the erroneous science is gone…The spiritual vocabulary is more readable…materials is freshly presented. The Committed Life provides the Salesian world with a unique introduction to Salesian thought. This book should appeal especially to those who, up until now, have found the 17th century language of the Introduction difficult to digest….Meninger offers a fresh and modern perspective on St. Francis' great Christian classic and a teaching tool that should be reviewed by all involved in Salesian education."—Bondings, March/April 2001

"Many fine sections on friendship."
-The Living Church, May 13, 2001

"Meninger offers a fresh perspective on St. Francis' great Christian classic and a teaching tool that should be reviewed by all involved in Salesian education."—Bondings, A Newsletter of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

"When the Trappist monk William Meninger decided to adapt St. Francis de Sale's spiritual masterpiece, he did so with some trepidation—and rightly so. The classic Introduction to the Devout Life is hailed not only for its wisdom, but also for the gentle charm of the writing itself. Meninger's wariness served him well, however, for though this edition makes use of 21-century insight and idiom, the heart and tone of the 17th century original is carefully preserved and warmly conveyed. [...] The Committed Life is best approached a little bit at a time, which seems especially fitting. Like the virtuous life it promises, this book calls for patience and a willingness to practice. As in the virtuous life, the rewards handsomely make up for the effort."
—Catholic Digest, December 2001

About the Author

William A. Meninger, O.C.S.O., is a monk of St. Benedict's Monastery in Snowmass, Colorado.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (December 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826412858
• ISBN-13: 978-0826412850
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #457,002 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Commit to This Book, July 4, 2001

By 

John T. Farrell (Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Committed Life: An Adaptation of The Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales (Paperback)

Francis de Sales, the seventeenth-century Roman Catholic Bishop of Geneva -- along with his Anglican contemporaries, Jeremy Taylor and William Law -- was among the first writers of the post-Reformation period to take lay spirituality seriously and accept that perfection is the Christian end for all men and women in their various states and capacities. Francis de Sales saw his ministry as leading people into spiritual life and relationship with God. His work as a spiritual director led to the publication of his greatest work, "The Introduction to the Devout Life."

Fundamental to de Sales is the belief that the spiritual life is not just for monastics and clergy, but for everyone. He considered it a heresy to say that a lay person could not attain sanctity and holiness of life through the grace of God.

In a spiritual tour de force, Fr. William Meninger has taken de Sales masterpiece and reworked it into a classic of his own, "The Committed Life: An Adaption of `The Introduction to the Devout life' by St. Francis de Sales."

In his preface Meninger makes it clear how indebted he is to de Sales' "charm, warmth, and clarity of language." He was motivated, however, to rewrite the original work, rather than merely translate or paraphrase it. Meninger argues that, although the core of what Francis de Sales wrote is still substantially useful, its "ambiance was outdated."

The book is divided into five parts that lead the reader through the milestones of the Christian journey. Each part is comprised of short essays suitable to daily reading. The early emphasis is on "scriptural meditation" and "mental prayer." The latter parts focus on living an active Christian life.

The result is a wonderful set of insights for which we are indebted not only to the original author but to Meninger as his collaborator. If, as Francis de Sales once wrote, "Liberty is a detachment of the Christian heart from all things to follow the known will of God," William Meninger has given us a modern means to achieve that detachment.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A lifelong companion, January 21, 2007

By 

Rebecca Hartman (Harrison, AR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Committed Life: An Adaptation of The Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales (Paperback)

I happened upon this book in our church library and now have my own copy. For me it is the best way for me to begin any prayer or meditation. Each chapter seems to have been written exclusively for me. The book encourages me to continue to keep trying to live my life as God would want me too, in spite of everyday failures and distractions. Reading from it has become my day to day FIX. For over two years it has been daily companion.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Adaptation, April 21, 2001

By 

"bmbfsc" (Yeadon, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Committed Life: An Adaptation of "The Introduction to the Devout Life" by St. Francis De Sales (Hardcover)

Meninger has done a wonderful job adapting thi classic work of St. Francis de Sales. The short reflections in this book cover various topics from religious life to the modern world. The insights if this book are extensive.

One of the more intriguing is on the sacrament of Reconciliation (p. 65). If the sacrament is only intended for those who have commited mortal sin, and a committed Christian does not commit mortal sins, then how often is this sacrament required? This is perhaps the msot thought provoking reflection in the book, but all the topics discussed make this a worthy and re-readable book.