An Introduction to the Devout Life is one of the great classics of Catholic spirituality, written by St. Francis de Sales as a series of personal letters to a soul he called "Philothea," or lover of God. Rather than reserving holiness for monks and religious, de Sales insists that a deep interior life is possible—and expected—of everyone, whatever their state in life: married or single, busy with work or family, living quietly in the world.

Across its pages, the "Doctor of Charity" walks the reader through practical meditation, the cultivation of virtue, and gentle strategies for overcoming the ordinary temptations of daily life, all in his characteristically warm and encouraging tone. For four centuries it has remained a trusted guide for laypeople seeking to grow in holiness without leaving the world behind.