Committed Life: An Adaptation of The Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales - Softcover

Meninger, William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0826412858 ISBN 13: 9780826412850

Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic, 2000

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

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

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

Edition details

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0826412858
• ISBN 13: 9780826412850
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 160