Debut Invocation Sample

St. Francis de Sales

From "Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales, bishop
(Part 1, Chapter 3)

Devotion is possible in every vocation and profession
In creation God commanded the plants to produce their fruits , each 'second their kind "(Gen 1, 11). The same command addressed to Christians, who are the living plants of his Church, to bring forth the fruits of devotion, each according to his state and condition.
Devotion must be practiced in different ways by the gentleman, by the artisan, the servant of the prince, the widow, the unmarried woman and the married. This is not enough, it is also necessary for the practice of devotion to the forces, commitments and obligations of every person.
Tell me, Philothea, it would be convenient if the bishop wanted to live in solitude like a Carthusian; And if married women to be no more than a Capuchin? If the man to spend his whole day in church like a religion and religious expose himself to any meeting to serve others as it is the duty of the bishop? This devotion would not be ridiculous, messy and unacceptable? This occurs, however, very often. No, Philothea, devotion does not destroy anything when it is sincere, but rather perfects everything and when someone runs counter to commitments, is certainly false.
The bee draws honey from flowers without creasing, leaving intact and fresh as he found them. True devotion is even better because not only is detrimental to any type of vocation or employment, but instead adds beauty and prestige.
All precious stones, thrown into the honey, they become more brilliant, each according to its color, so each person is perfected in his vocation, if the context of devotion. The care of the family has become more peaceful, mutual love between husband and wife more sincere, the service of the prince more faithful, and all other occupations more pleasant and agreeable.
E 'error, even heresy, to attempt to exclude the exercise by the military devotion to the environment, the workshop of craftsmen, from the court of princes, from the houses of married. It 's true, Philothea, that devotion purely contemplative, monastic and religious identity can be lived only in these states, but in addition to these three types of devotion, there are many others that can make perfect those who live in trees. So wherever we are, we can and must aspire to the perfect life.