Holy, wherever we are
By St. Francis de Sales - Some in solitude lost their way, some living in the world became holy. True devotion in no way spoil vocations and affairs of this world, but perfect them
This is the whole chapter III, from the book Introduction to Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales, originally in French
When God created the world He commanded each tree to bear fruit after its kind.
Even so He bids Christians — the living trees of His Church — to bring forth fruits of devotion, each one according to his state of life, kind and vocation.
A different exercise of devotion is required of each — the noble, the artisan, the servant, the prince, the maiden and the wife — and furthermore such practice must be modified according to the strength, the calling, and the duties of each individual.
I ask you, Philothée, would it be fitting that a Bishop should seek to lead the solitary life of a Carthusian? And if the father of a family were as regardless in making provision for the future as a Capucin, if the artisan spent the day in church like a Religious, if the Religious (brother or sister) involved himself in all manner of business for neighbour's as if he was a Bishop, would not such devotion be ridiculous, ill-regulated, and intolerable?
This fault, however, happens very often; and the world, which does not distinguish, or, does not want to distinguish between the devotion and the indiscretion of those who believe themselves to be devout, murmurs and shouts against devotion, which has nothing to do with these disorders.
No indeed, Philothée, the devotion which is true hinders nothing, but on the contrary it perfects everything; and that which runs counter to the rightful vocation of any one is, you may be sure, a spurious devotion.
The bee, says Aristotle, draws its honey from the flowers, without damaging them in any way, leaving them fresh and whole as it found them. But true devotion does even better, for not only does it in no way spoil the vocations and affairs where one finds oneself, but on the contrary it adorns and embellishes them. All sorts of precious stones, being thrown into the honey, become more dazzling, each according to its color: in the same way also each one becomes more pleasant in his vocation, when he adds devotion to it: the care of the family is more peaceful, the the love of the spouses more sincere, the service of the prince more faithful, and all sorts of occupations sweeter and more amiable.
It is an error, and even a heresy, to want to banish the devout life from the company of soldiers, from the shop of artisans, from the court of princes, from the household of married people.
It is true, Philothée, that purely contemplative, monastic and religious devotion is impracticable in these kinds of vocations; but also, besides these three devotions, there are several others, very proper to perfect those who live in the world.
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Job, Tobias, Sara, Rebecca and Judith are proof of this in the Old Testament…
…and as for the New, Saint Joseph, Lydia and Saint Crispin were surely very devout in their shops.
Saint Anne , St. Martha, St. Monica, Aquila, Priscilla, very devout in their household;
Cornelius, Saint Sebastian, Saint Maurice, very devout among arms;
Constantine, Helen, Saint Louis, Blessed Amé, Saint Edward, very devout on their thrones.
It has even happened that many have lost perfection in solitude, which is nevertheless so favorable to the perfect life, and have preserved it in the world, which seems to be so contrary to it.
Lot, says Saint Gregory, who was so chaste in the city, defiled himself in solitude. So, whatever state we have, we can and must aspire to the perfect life.