Thoughts of the Religious Life With an Appendix of Maxims and Counsels of Saints and Spiritual Writers

by Francis Xavier Lasance

Impr. 1907.

Needless to say, devout persons in the secular life may find instruction and edification in the perusal of this rare and unusual book, not just the Religious as the title implies. The virtues are treated clearly and practically, and in a manner that incites the soul to their exercise. We cherish the hope and pray that this book may fall into the hands of many, and, by the grace of God, be instrumental in rousing some from spiritual torpidity due to the blandishments of the world; in opening their eyes to the grandeur of that enclosed garden of the Lord, where the fairest flowers of virtue - above all, the rose of charity - bloom in unsurpassed abundance and splendor of development; and in attracting them to that school of sanctity, where, as St. Bernard says, “Men lead a purer life, fall into sin less frequently, rise again more easily, walk more cautiously, rest more tranquilly, die more happily, and reap a richer reward for eternity.”

927 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1907

About the author

Francis Xavier Lasance [F. X. Lasance] was an American priest and writer of Roman Catholic devotional works.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was the son of Augustine and Philamena (Detert) Lasance. He was educated at St. Mary's School and St. Xavier College (Cincinnati) and St. Meinrad Archabbey (Indiana), and was ordained by the Most Reverend William Henry Elder, Archbishop of Cincinnati, on May 24, 1883.

During the next seven years, Lasance served as curate in various parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati including churches in Kenton, Reading, Dayton, Lebanon, and Monroe, Ohio. He also served as chaplain at Our Lady's Summit, in East Walnut Hills, in Cincinnati. Ill health forced him to relinquish parish work in 1890; from then on, he lived a "retired, semi-invalid existence" at St. Francis Hospital, Cincinnati, writing various books on spiritual subjects and serving as spiritual director of the Tabernacle Society. He wrote thirty-nine volumes, including Thoughts on the Religious Life (1907), My Prayer Book (1913), Reflections for Religious (1920), Our Lady Book (1924), The New Roman Missal (1937, with the Reverend Father Augustine Walsh, OSB), Patience: Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Suffering (1937); Catholic Girl's Guide; Manna of the Soul; Visits to Jesus in the Tabernacle; Road to Happiness; With Saints and Sages; Young Man's Guide; Let Us Pray; Come Holy Spirit: Prayer Book for Religious; Lift Up Your Hearts; Blessed Sacrament Book; My God and My All; Holy Souls Book; Sacred Heart Book; Little Manual of St. Anthony; Rejoice in the Lord; Prisoner of Love; With God; Sweet Sacrament, We Thee Adore; Emmanuel; Holiness and Happiness; Novenas and Devotions in Honor of the Holy Ghost; Thoughts on the Religious Life; Self-Conquest; Remember. He also compiled and edited the Blessed Sacrament Book (1913).

For his devotional works, he was given a special blessing by Pope Pius XI on May 10, 1927. Lasance died at the age of eighty-six, in his native city.