Authentic Devotion: A Modern Interpretation of Introduction to the Devout Life by Francis de Sales Paperback – September 17, 2002

Bernard Bangley is a Presbyterian and executes his protestant sensibilities when he is editing/translating a book. He is a very good translator/editor if you are a protestant and are open to Catholic titles written by Catholic writers/Saints. However, he is not the best choice if you are Catholic.The fact is that Bernard Bangley is a Presbyterian/protestant is usually not shared in the marketing of his Catholic Title books, but can be sometimes deciphered in the foreward of his books, I thought I'd point this fact out to the largely Catholic readers who would be interested in a title by St Francis DeSales. Furthermore, this specific title's foreward does not specifically indicate that Bangley is a Protestant. So this 'review' serves as notice.I bought the 'Introduction to the Devout Life by St Francis DeSales'(A Catholic favorite) edited/translated by Bangley and found myself sorry for the purchase because I was not aware of his protestant sensibilities, I just assumed Catholic Title Book edited by a Catholic...WRONG! Typically when Bangley translates and edits, he takes out rich poetic or flowery prose and shortens it to more modern sensibilities and the text loses much of its motivating or deep richness. References to the Eucharist while not being entirely taken out are minimized. Similar treatment can be expected when references to priestly confession are present, etc., etc(Abridged). Frequently his versions(abridgement) end up considerably shorter than earlier english language Catholic versions.

This is exactly what I was looking for. The steps religious spiritual life for me. And things I will practice in my daily life

It is written in a manner that is easy to read and understand what St Francis de Sales was saying to us.

Happy with the order.

Bernard Bangley does a superb job in bringing de Sales' classic works to life. Often the Christian classics can be difficult to muddle through with their archaic and out-dated language, though there is a minefield of wisdom to be had. That's where Bangley comes in. Not only does he reinterpret the works for a modern audience, but he offers these writings in a language that is accessible and understood. As someone who has tried time after time to get through many of the original (Christian classic) books only to give up by page ten, Bangley comes as a God-send! I'm grateful I, along with others, can benefit from the wisdom and heart of these writers. I look forward to reading more of Bangley's "translations" in the future.

Just what i wanted to get my teeth in to be fore November the month of the holy souls