Letters to Persons in The World by St. Francis De Sales

Practical spiritual guidance from St. Francis de Sales, written for men and women living in the world - not the cloister.

Letters to Persons in the World gathers the timeless counsel of St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church and one of history’s greatest spiritual directors. Unlike writings intended only for religious communities, these letters were composed for laymen and women striving to live devoutly in their ordinary circumstances—amid court life, family responsibilities, and the challenges of society.

In clear, pastoral language, St. Francis offers encouragement, correction, and wisdom on how to sanctify daily duties without retreating from the world. His approach, praised by the Church for its simplicity and depth, emphasizes devotion that is accessible to all: a spirituality that turns ordinary life into a path of holiness.

The Preface situates these letters within the saint’s broader mission: to combat both the rigorism of Jansenism and the laxity of moral indifference, offering instead the warmth, clarity, and balance of true Catholic devotion. For centuries, his writings have been a sure guide to those seeking both virtue and joy, and this English translation opens his voice to a new generation of readers.

For anyone seeking practical direction on how to live faithfully in the midst of worldly occupations, Letters to Persons in the World remains a treasury of Catholic wisdom and a gentle yet firm call to holiness.

Cover photo: “St. Francis de Sales, c. 1898, Attilio Palombi (1860–1913). Oil on canvas. Chiesa del Sacro Cuore di Gesù, Rome. Public domain.”

Author: Rev. Henry Benedict Mackey, O.S.B.

Originally published in 1884. 516 pages.