Devotion is Suitable to Every Vocation and Profession

In The Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales beautifully teaches us that devotion is for everyone, no matter who you are or what you do in life. Whether you're a prince or a servant, a father or a bishop, God calls each of us to live devoutly in our own unique circumstances.

Devotion for Every Walk of Life

When God created the world, He made each tree to bear fruit according to its kind, and in the same way, He calls Christians to live lives of devotion in a way that fits their vocation and responsibilities. You don’t need to abandon your duties to follow God closely—on the contrary, devotion should enrich and perfect everything you do.

St. Francis gives wonderful examples of how different kinds of people can live devout lives:

• For the noble or prince, devotion involves leading with justice and kindness, using power to serve others.
• For the artisan or servant, devotion can be expressed through diligence, humility, and joy in daily tasks.
• For the married couple, devotion is shown in loving, patient care for one another and their family.

No matter your role in life, devotion doesn't pull you away from your responsibilities; instead, it makes you even better at fulfilling them. It’s like throwing precious stones into honey—every stone shines brighter without losing its beauty.

True Devotion Makes Life Beautiful

The world often misunderstands devotion, thinking it makes life dull or difficult. But St. Francis reminds us that real devotion doesn’t disrupt or complicate our lives. Instead, it makes every duty more joyful and every task more meaningful.

Devotion brings a special sweetness into everything we do. It lightens the burdens of family life, deepens married love, and makes us better servants of God and others. It’s not a burden to be devout—it’s the very thing that helps us live our best lives!

St. Francis likens devotion to a bee gathering nectar: just as the bee takes the nectar without damaging the flowers, so too does true devotion adorn and beautify our lives without taking anything away from our duties.

Devotion is for Everyone, Everywhere

There’s a common misconception that devotion is only for priests, monks, or nuns. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! St. Francis points out examples of devout people from all walks of life, both in the Bible and throughout history:

• Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David were devout in their family lives.
• Saint Joseph, Saint Anne, and Martha were devoted in their homes.
• Saint Sebastian and Saint Maurice were devout soldiers.
• Even kings and queens, like Saint Louis and Saint Helena, lived lives of deep devotion.

These holy men and women were able to walk the path of devotion while fulfilling their everyday duties in the world. Their examples show us that wherever we are—whether at home, in the workplace, or in positions of leadership—we too can strive for holiness.

Conclusion: Devotion Perfects Our Lives

St. Francis de Sales leaves us with this important message: no matter where we find ourselves in life, we are all called to devotion. Our vocation—whether as a parent, worker, or leader—is not a hindrance to our spiritual growth, but a path to holiness when paired with true devotion.

So, wherever your lot is cast, seek to live a devout life. In doing so, you'll find that your duties become lighter, your relationships more fulfilling, and your heart more open to God’s love.

By embracing devotion, we allow God’s grace to perfect us in every aspect of our lives.