# Francis de Sales' Message to Philothea Part 1
Welcome to our serial reading of St. Francis de Sales's timeless masterpiece, "Introduction to the Devout Life." Written as a series of letters to "Philothea" (lover of God), this work shows how sanctity is not reserved for monastics, but is achievable by everyone in their daily lives.
Who Was St. Francis de Sales?
St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) was a Bishop of Geneva, a Doctor of the Church, and one of the most beloved spiritual writers in Catholic tradition. His gentle, practical approach to spirituality has influenced countless souls over the centuries.
The Universal Call to Holiness
In his introduction, Francis de Sales makes a revolutionary claim: that holiness is not just for priests and religious, but for all people, in all walks of life.
"It is an error, or rather a heresy, to wish to exclude the exercise of devotion from military divisions, from artisans' shops, from the courts of princes, from family households."
This was a radical message in his time, and remains powerful today.
Philothea: The Soul Who Loves God
Francis addresses his book to "Philothea" - a symbolic figure representing any soul that desires to love God more deeply. Whether you're a parent, a worker, a student, or any other state of life, you are Philothea.
The Journey Begins
The "Introduction to the Devout Life" is structured as a spiritual journey with several stages:
1. **Purification**: Cleansing the soul from sin 2. **Illumination**: Growing in virtue and understanding 3. **Union**: Drawing closer to God in prayer and love
In our next installment, we'll explore the first stage: how Francis guides Philothea to examine her conscience and prepare for a life of deeper devotion.
Reflection Questions
- Do you believe holiness is possible in your current state of life? - What obstacles do you perceive to living a more devout life? - How might God be calling you "verso l'alto" - toward the heights?
Stay tuned for Part 2, where we'll dive into Francis's practical advice for beginning the spiritual life.