Introduction to the Devout Life: Free Audiobook and Listening Guide

Introduction to the Devout Life, credited to Saint Francis de Sales, is available as a LibriVox volunteer audiobook. This guide identifies the recording, its source summary and its audio tracks.

About the work

The LibriVox catalogue summary, preserved with the recording, reads:

LibriVox recording of Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales. Read in English by Phil Chenevert; Beth Thomas; Dylan P. Straub; Sam Isaacson; royalcrowncola; J A Carter; Cameopro77; Jibchmarl; Lisa57; fshort; Kenita; Kathrine Engan; Twinkle; Stephen; TriciaG; John; sbelcher; Sean Lally; Heidi Olson; Cyndy; Mich_elle; Keren Turton; discourser; Gina Eltora First published in the early 17th century, it has proven its value as a daily spiritual guide and helpful reference for living an authentic Christian life. Written specifically for laymen, it began as letters from Saint Francis to a married woman who was seeking holiness amidst the distractions of her life of wealth and status. It contains treasures of wisdom for every reader, from eager beginner to lifelong Christian. Summary by Wikipedia and Phil Chenevert.

Recording facts

• Recording title: Introduction to the Devout Life
• Author credits: Saint Francis de Sales
• Language: English
• Original MP3 tracks: 120
• Listed recording duration: 10:11:23

Opening tracks: first 24 of 120

1. 000 - Preface by the Author — 12:51
2. 001 - Part I COUNSELS FOR THE SOUL'S GUIDANCE Ch 1: What True Devotion is — 5:50
3. 002 - Part 1 Ch 2. The Nature and Excellence of Devotion.. — 5:14
4. 003 - Part 1 Ch 3 Devotion is suitable to every Vocation and Profession — 4:39
5. 004 - Part 1 Ch 4.The Need of a Guide for those who would enter upon and advance in the Devout Life. — 5:54
6. 005 - Part 1 Ch 5. The First Step must be Purifying the Soul. — 4:39
7. 006 - Part 1 Ch 6. The First Purification, namely, from Mortal Sin. — 3:00
8. 007 - Part 1 Ch 7. The Second Purification, from all Sinful Affections. — 3:47
9. 008 - Part 1 Ch 8. How to effect this Second Purification — 4:07
10. 009 - Part 1 Ch 9. First Meditation Of the End for which we were Created — 3:54
11. 010 - Part 1 Ch 10. Second Meditation-Of the End for which we were Created — 3:54
12. 011 - Part 1 Ch 11. Third Meditation - On the Gifts of God. — 3:43
13. 012 - Part 1 Ch 12. Fourth Meditation.- On Sin — 4:41
14. 013 - Part 1 Ch 13. Fifth Meditation - Of Death — 5:33
15. 014 - Part 1 Ch 14 - Sixth Meditation - Of Judgment — 5:07
16. 015 - Part 1 Ch. 15 - Seventh Meditation - Of Hell — 3:50
17. 016 - Part 1 Ch. 16 - Eighth Meditation - On Paradise — 4:16
18. 017 - Part 1 Ch. 17 - Ninth Meditation - On the Choice Between Heaven and Hell — 3:40
19. 018 - Part 1 Ch 18 - Tenth Meditation - How the Soul chooses the Devout Life. — 4:22
20. 019 - Part 1 Ch 19 - How to make a General Confession. — 2:48
21. 020 - Part 1 Ch 20 - A hearty Protest made with the object of confirming the Soul’s resolution to serve God, as a conclusion to its acts of Penitence. — 4:53
22. 021 - Part 1 Ch 21 - Conclusion of this First Purification. — 2:32
23. 022 - Part 1 Ch 22 - The Necessity of Purging away all tendency to Venial Sins. — 4:37
24. 023 - Part 1 Ch 23 - It is needful to put away all Inclination for Useless and Dangerous Things. — 2:49

Listen to this recording

Open the complete recording and player on Internet Archive. The player includes the full track list and available download formats.

Source and rights

This is a record from LibriVox's official Internet Archive collection, with a public-domain licence recorded in its metadata. LibriVox's policy includes its catalogue summaries as well as its recordings. Its public-domain assessment follows United States law; copyright status can differ elsewhere. The summary and track facts are reproduced and reformatted from that record. Dates attached to the archive upload are not treated as original book publication dates.