I take a risk in buying used books. But I just need so many books. Need, you understand. But the risk isn’t only the quality (“like new” has a different meaning for us all), or receiving the wrong edition. Worst of all… it could be highlighted. What kind of heathen writes in their books?

But with books of a religious nature, I find myself not minding the handwritten notes as much. It’s like receiving a book from a friend, and having them point out all the important parts. And in my copy of The Devout Life. I’ve received much guidance from my new and unknown friend, Frank.

Frank has nearly everything underlined. Everything is important: this is St. Francis de Sale’s advice for life. Not only are important parts highlighted, but there are scribbled notes in margins. Frank stresses the importance of Confession. He makes frequent note of the need for morning prayers. Especially important passages will have a star in the margin in addition to underlining the entire paragraph. And I adore it.

But partway through the book… the note-taking stops.

I found myself wondering if he was all right, if he finished the book. Then I realized I had his book, and I prayed it wasn’t because he found no need of it. But with such meticulous notes, I couldn’t see that being the case. Maybe he bought a nicer copy. Maybe he dropped everything to join a monastery. Maybe he passed away, and his children sold off his library. But I like to imagine he did live by all those passages he highlighted.

It’s a reminder that we’re not doing this alone. There are hundreds of thousands of Catholics around the world contemplating the same Bible, hearing the same prayers each week, reading about the same saints. Frank is one of many who desire to live for God, searching for some higher meaning in this current life. I like his notes.

In the latter half of the book, there aren’t any red scribbles across the pages. I almost forget that the first part was littered with them. But every so often, there will be a stray mark. Some chapters have extensive highlighting again. Maybe he skimmed the chapters that weren’t as relevant (I’ll admit to doing the same), but in the end, he did live a devout life. Or at least he tried.