xvi

FOREWORD

Sublime indeed is the thought that Christian charity brings to our
minds. We reach up to God, and God reaches down to us, and in
divine love we are made sharers of the Divinity. All things we love
in God, and because we love them in God we seek to realize in our
use of them and relations with them the harmony of the divine will.
Of its very nature charity is not quiescent but operative. The soul
in the pursuit of the way of perfection labors tirelessly according
to its state in life to bring all men to God. Were it to content itself
with its own perfection, it would lose the very thing it seeks. How
can we love God and not love with God? How can we find God
without searching in love for the things which God loves? Cer­
tainly one of the fruits of the spiritual life is peace, but this peace
postulates our conforming our wills with the divine will. All the
noble aspirations of the heart of man, aspirations which so often
seem unrealizable in our condition of human weakness, are answered
in our seeking to be ever more and more perfect in the spiritual life.
Men are talking much these days about realism, and they tell us
that in life idealism must yield to compromise. Yet in every circum­
stance in life we can be sons of God in supernatural union with
Him. This fact is the very basis of true Christian realism. We must
not and dare not be defeatists. What human nature can never do
can be done in the supernatural power of divine grace. It is there­
fore opportune in these times to give us this translation of this classi­
cal work of the spiritual life because it strengthens us in our effort
to work out more perfectly our vocation of sons of God. We can
build a better world. Human weakness is not an impassable barrier.
The Savior died on the cross for us and rose to glorious life. With
the graces of Redemption we are strong enough to labor for the
realization of God’s plan and on our way to heaven to love with an
operative love all those whom we meet on our pilgrimage of life.
We hope that pious souls will read this book, ponder over its
pages, and gain new strength from it. It is a challenge to Christians
to arise and labor unceasingly for the kingdom of Christ—wherein
there is peace and true progress.
Samuel Cardinal Stritch
Archbishop of Chicago

Contents

Preface.................................................................................................... ,A°v

Translator’s Preface.............................................................................xiü
Foreword................................................................................................. xv
Introduction...........................................................................................

PART I

THE SOURCES OF THE INTERIOR LIFE AND ITS END
Prologue...................................................................................................... 28
CHAPTER

I.

The Life of Grace, Eternal Life Begun....
A. Eternal Life Promised by the Savior to Men of
Good Will...................................................... 3O
B. The Seed of Eternal Life in Us.................. 33
C. An Important Consequence........................ 37

II.

The Interior Life and Intimate Conversation with
God...............................................................................40
A. Conversation with Oneself.............................. 40
B. Interior Conversation with God...................43

III.

The Spiritual Organism......................................... 48

29

ARTICLE I

The Natural Life and the Supernatural Life of
the Soul.............................................................................. 48
article

π

The Theological Virtues............................................... 52
article hi

The Moral Virtues........................................................... 57
A. The Acquired Moral Virtues................................... 58
B. The Infused Moral Virtues....................................59
xvii

CONTENTS
C. Relations Between the Infused Moral Virtues and
the Acquired Moral Virtues............................. 62
ARTICLE IV
PAGE

The Seven Giftsof the HolyGhost.............................. 66
A. The Teachingof Scripture.................................... 66
B. Tradition...................................................................... 66
C. The Gifts of the Holy Ghost According to St.
Thomas.......................................................................70
appendix

The Superhuman Mode of the Gifts of the Holy
Ghost...................................................................................78
A. In What Sense Can the Gifts Have Two Modes,
That on Earth and That of Heaven? .... 79
B. Whether the Superhuman Mode of the Gifts
Can Be Latent........................................................... 81
C. Are There Degrees in Detachment from Crea­
tures? ....................................................................... 82
D. Are the Passive Purifications Necessary to Elimi­
nate Moral Defects?........................................ 84
article v

Actual Grace and Its Divers Forms............................. 88
A. The Necessity of Actual Grace............................. 88
B. The Different Actual Graces................................... 90
C. Fidelity to Grace..................................................... 93
IV.

The Blessed Trinity Present in Us, Uncreated
Source of Our Interior Life............................... 97
A. The Testimony of Scripture................................... 97
B. The Testimony of Tradition................................... 99
C. The Theological Explanation of This Mystery . 101
D. Spiritual Consequences of This Doctrine . . .105
E. Our Duties Toward the Divine Guest . . .106

V. The Influence of Christ the Redeemer on His
Mystical Body............................................................... 109
A. How the Savior Communicates to Us the Graces
Which He Formerly Merited for Us .
. 109
B. The Sanctifying Influence of the Savior Through
the Eucharist......................................................... 112
C. Progressive Incorporation in Christ and Sanctity 117

CONTENTS
CHAPTER

xix
PAGE

VI.

The Influence of Mary Mediatrix........................... 119
A. The Meaning of UniversalMediation
. . .120
B. Mary Mediatrix by Her Cooperation in the Sacri­
fice of the Cross.................................................... 122
C. Mary Obtains and Distributes All Graces
. .126

VII.

The Growth of the Life of Grace by Merit,
Prayer, and the Sacraments........................................129
A. Why the Life of Grace and Charity Should
Grow in Us until Death........................................ 129
B. The Increase of Charity by Our Merits . .
133
C. The Increase of the Life of Grace Through
Prayer...................................................................... 138
D. The Increase of the Life of Grace Through the
Sacraments................................................................ 141

VIII.

The True Nature of Christian Perfection . . .144
A. Erroneous or Incomplete Ideas of Perfection
. 144
B. The Essence of Perfection According to St.
Paul’s Interpretation of the Gospel
. 149
C. Some Exact Theological Statements on the Na­
ture of Perfection.............................................. 153
D. The Superiority of Charity to the Knowledge of
God in This Life.................................................... 155
E. The Love of Charity Cannot Be Absolutely Con­
tinual on Earth as It Will Be in Heaven . . .159

IX. The Grandeur of Christian Perfection and the
Beatitudes...................................................................163
A. The Beatitudes of the Deliverance from Sin . .165
B. The Beatitudes of the Active Life of the Christian 168
C. The Beatitudes of Contemplation and Union
with God................................................................ 169

X.

XI.

Perfection and Heroic Virtue........................................174
A. Does Perfection Necessarily Require Great
Charity?...................................................................... 174
B. Does Perfection Require the Heroic Practice of
the Virtues?................................................................ 179
Full Christian Perfection and the Passive Purifi­
cations ........................................................................ 183
A. Acts of the Other Virtues Required for Perfec­
tion
...................................................................... 183

CONTENTS

XX
CHAFIKB

PAGE

B. The Purifications Required for the Full Perfec­
tion of Christian Life....................................... 186
C. Full Christian Perfection and Contemplation
. 193

XII. Perfection and the Precept of the Love of God
. 196
A. Is the First Precept Without Limit? .
. .196
B. The Duty of Advancing on the Way to Eternity 202
XIII.

Perfection and the Evangelical Counsels .
. 206
A. The Three Evangelical Counsels and the
Wounds of the Soul............................................. 206
B. The Three Evangelical Counsels and the Restora­
tion of Original Harmony................................. 210

XIV. The Special Obligation of the Priest and the Re­
ligious to Tend to Perfection .......................... 214
A. The Nature of the Special Obligation for Re­
ligious
............................................................... 214
B. The Special Obligation of the Priest to Tend to
Perfection...............................................................218
C. The Ideal of Episcopal Perfection According to
St. Isidore................................................
.223

XV.

The Three Ages of the Spiritual Life According to
the Fathers and the Great Spiritual Writers .
225
A. Statement of the Problem....................................... 225
B. The Testimony of Scripture................................. 228
C. The Testimony of Tradition
. . . . .230
D. The Three Ages of the Spiritual Life and Those
of the Corporeal Life............................................. 238

Spiritual Reading of Scripture, of the Works and
Lives of the Saints......................................................... 247
A. Holy Scripture and the Life of the Soul . . . 247
B. The Spiritual Works of the Saints
.... 249
C. The Lives of the Saints............................................. 252
D. Dispositions for Profitable Spiritual Reading
. 253
XVII. Spiritual Direction........................................................ 256
A. The Necessity of Direction................................ 256
B. The Direction of Beginners..................................258
C. The Direction of Proficients and the Perfect
. 260
D. The Qualities of the Director and the Duties of
the One Being Directed....................................... 261
XVI.

CONTENTS

™

PART II

THE PURIFICATION OF THE SOUL IN BEGINNERS
CHAPTER

XVIII.

PAGE

The
A.
B.
C.

Spiritual Age of Beginners.............................. 267
Self-Knowledge and Knowledge of God . . . 267
The Love of God in Its Early Stages .... 268
The Generosity Required in Beginners . . .271

XIX.

Practical Naturalism and Mortification According
to the Gospel................................................................... 275
A. Practical Naturalism: of Action and of Inaction . 275
B. Mortification According to the Gospel .
.281

XX.

Mortification According to St. Paul and the Rea­
sons for Its Necessity..................................... 285
A. The Consequences of Original Sin
.... 286
B. The Consequences of Our Personal Sins . . . 290
C. The Infinite Elevation of Our Supernatural End
Demands a Special Mortification or Abnegation 294
D. The Necessity of Imitating Jesus Crucified . . 295

XXL

A.
B.
C.
D.

XXII. The Predominant Fault.....................................
Definition of the Predominant Fault ...
,,
’ * *4
How to Recognize the Predominant Fault . . 3^
How to Combat the Predominant Fault . .
, ,0
5 *0
Note...................................................................
320
Passions to be Regulated....................................
. .
A. The Passions from the Psychological Point of
View...................................................................
B. Passion from the Moral Point of View . .
•
·
* 3*5
C. The Passions from the Ascctical Point of View
, _

A.
B.
C.
D.

XXIII.

Avoided; Their Roots and Their Con­
............................................................ 299
The Roots of the Capital Sins.............................. 299
The Consequences of the Seven Capital Sins . . jO2
The Examination of Conscience........................
Sins of Ignorance, Frailty, and Malice ....
1. Sins of Ignorance..........................................
2. Sins of Frailty................................................ ....
3. The Sin of Malice.......................................... jIO

Sins to be
sequences

CONTENTS

xxii
CHAPTER

XXIV.

PA0E

The Active Purification of the Senses or of the
Sensible Appetites........................................ 332
A. The Principles to be Applied.............................. 332
B. The Mortification of Sensuality........................... 334
C. The Mortification ofthe Irascible Appetite . .338

XXV. The Active Purification of the Imagination and
the Memory.....................................................................342
A. The Active Purification of the Imagination . . 343
B. The Active Purification of the Memory . . . 345
XXVI. The Active Purification of the Intellect . . .353
A. The Necessity of This Purification: the Defects
of Our Intellect....................................
353
B. The Principle of the Active Purification of the
Intellect................................................................. 359
XXVII.

The Active Purification of the Will........................... 365
A. The Principal Defect of the Will: Self-Love
366
B. The Purification of the Will by Progress in the
Love of God...........................................................372
C. The Spirit of Detachment................................... 374

XXVIII. The Healing of Pride...............................................379
A. The True Nature of Pride...................................379
B. The Different Forms of Pride............................ 381
C. The Defects Born of Pride.................................. 384
D. The Remedy for Pride........................................ 385
XXIX. The Healing of Spiritual Sloth, or Acedia . . . 389
A. The Nature of Spiritual Sloth, or Acedia . . . 389
B. The Gravity of Spiritual Sloth and Its Results . 393
C. The Cure for Spiritual Sloth................................. 395
XXX.

Sacramental Confession............................................. 397
A. Preparation for Confession....................................... 397
B. The Confession Itself.............................................400
C. The Fruits of Confession.......................................402

XXXI.

Assistance at Mass, the Source of Sanctification 406
A. The Oblation Ever Living in the Heart of Christ 407
B. The Effects of the Sacrifice of the Mass and Our
Interior Dispositions
409
C. I low to Unite Ourselves to the Eucharistic Sacri­
fice
.................................................................. 411

CONTENTS
CHAPTER

XXXII.

FAQfc

Holy Communion....................................................... 414
A. The Eucharist, the Living Bread Come Down
from Heaven............................................................. 414
B. Conditions of a Good Communion
....
4’7
C. The Conditions of a Fervent Communion .
417
D. Examination of Conscience: Communions with­
out Thanksgiving.........................................
42 I

XXXIII. The Prayer of Petition................................................
A. The Necessity of a Strong Belief in the Efficacy
of Prayer...................................................................
B. The Source of the Efficacy of Prayer ....
C. The Particular Petitions We Should Make .
XXXIV. Liturgical Prayer.......................................................
A. Deformed Psalmody...........................................
B. Contemplative Chant..........................................
XXXV.

:

The Mental Prayer

428

428
43o
43$
437
437
439

Beginners: Its Progressive
Simplification........................................
444
A. The Nature of Mental Prayer; Our Attitude
Toward Methods................................................ 44s
B. The Essential Acts of Prayer.............................. 446
C. The Prayer of Simplicity....................................
of

XXXVI.

How to Attain to the Life of Prayer and Persevere
in It....................................................................................... 454
A. How to Attain to This Life................................. 4$^
B. How to Persevere in the Life of Prayer . . . 4j6

XXXVII.

Retarded Souls.............................................................46,
A. The Neglect of Little Things................................. 46,
B. The Refusal of Sacrifices Asked........................ 46
C. The Tendency to Derision....................................... 46^
D. The Unhappy Results of This State .... 4^
E. The Inclination to Egoism that Remains in Us . 4(55
F. How to Bring About the Predominance of the
Other Inclination Which Is in the Image of God 469

Bibliography............................................................................................... ...
Index...........................................................................................................
Some Terms Used in This Book................................................................... ....

Bibliography
General Historical Works
P. Pourrat. Christian Spirituality. London, 1922.
M. Viller. La spiritualité des premiers siècles chrétiens. Paris, 1930.
F. Vernet. La spiritualité médiévale. Paris, 1929.
G. Bardy. La vie spirituelle d'après les Pères des trois premiers siècles.
Paris, 1935.

Collections
J. de Guibert, S.J. Documenta ecclesiastica Christianae perfectionis
studium spectantia. Rome, 1931.
Rouet de Journel-Dutilleul, S.J. Enchiridion asceticum (2d ed.). St.
Louis: Herder, 1936.
Periodicals
Revue d'ascétique et de mystique. Toulouse, 1920La vie spirituelle. Paris, 1920Vida sobrenatural. Salamanca, 1921Vita cristiana. Fiesole, 1929Etudes carmélitaines. Paris, 1911Zeitschrift fur Aszese und Mystik. Innsbruck, 1934—
Dictionnaire de spiritualité. Paris, 1932-

Spiritual Writers
Patristic Period

Greek Patrology
St. Clement. Letter to the Church of Corinth (about the year 95) on
concord, humility, and obedience.
Clement of Alexandria. The Pedagogue (after the year 195), through
asceticism to contemplation; Stromata, notably: VI, 8, 9, 12; V, 11,
12; VII, 7; IV, 3, 13.
St. Athanasius (297-373). Life of St. Anthony, in which he describes
the spirituality of the patriarch of monks and ccnobitcs.
47 J

474

THREE AGES OF THE INTERIOR LIFE

St. Cyril of Jerusalem (315-86). Catecheses, which contain the portrait
of the true Christian.
St. Basil (330-79). On the Holy Ghost, His influence on the regen­
erated soul; Rules of the monastic discipline of the Orient;
Homilies.
St. Gregory of Nyssa (335-95). Life of Moses, in which he treats of
the ascent of the soul toward perfection.
St. Gregory of Nazianzus (330-90). Sermons, notably XXXIX, chaps.
8-10.
St. John Chrysostom (344-407). Homilies; On the Priesthood.
St. Cyril of Alexandria (d. 444). Thesaurus; Homilies; Commentary on
the Gospel of St. John, particularly Bk. IV on the Eucharist, and
Bk. V on the indwelling of the Holy Ghost in souls.
Pseudo-Dionysius (eir. 500). The Divine Names; Mystical Theology;
The Ecclesiastical Hierarchy; Letters.
St. John Climachus (d. 649). Scala paradisi, a summary of asceticism
and mysticism for the monks of the Orient.
Diadochus (bishop of Photike). De perfectione.
St. Maximus Confessor (580-662). Scolia on Dionysius and his Liber
asceticus. He explains the doctrine of Dionysius on contemplation.
St. John Damascene (675-749). Lie virtutibus et vitiis; Sacra parallela;
De Nativitate Domini.
St. Ephrem (fourth century), in Syriac literature, wrote works that
are essentially mystical by their lofty inspiration. Cf. J. Lamy,
S. Ephraem syri Hymni et sermones, 4 vols., 1882-1902.

Latin Patrology
St. Cyprian (200-58). De habitu virginum; De dominica oratione; De
bono patientiae; De zelo et livore.
St. Ambrose (337-97). De officiis ministrorum; De virginibus; De vir­
ginitate; De viduis; De Isaac et anima, chaps. 3, 8; In Ps. 118,
sermo 6.
St. Augustine (354-430). Confessiones, IX, 10; X, 40; Soliloquia; De
doctrina Christiana; De civitate Dei; Epist. 211; De quantitate
animae, chap. 33; De Sermone Domini in monte, Bk. I, chaps. 3
and 4; Enarr. in ps., 33:5.
Cassian (360-435). Collationes; cf. especially Conferences qf.
St. Leo the Great (d. 461). Sermones.
St. Benedict (480-543). Regula, critical edition by Butler, 1912; a rule
which is full of discretion and which became that of almost all
the monks of the West up to the thirteenth century.
St. Gregory the Great (540-604). Expositio in librum Job, sive
Moralium libri XXX V; Liber regulae pastoralis; Homiliae in
Ezechielem, especially Bk. II, horn. 2, 3, 5.
St. Bede the Venerable (673-735).
Lucam.
St. Peter Damian ( 1007-72). On the Perfection of Monks, chaps. 8 and
10.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

475

The Middle Ages

Benedictine and Cistercian Spirituality; Contemplative and Liturgical
Spirituality
St. Anselm (103 3-1109). Meditationes; Orationes; Cur Deus homo.
St. Bernard (1090-1153). Sermones de tempore; de sanctis; de diversis;
In Canticum Canticorum; De consideratione; De gradibus humili­
tatis; De conversione, chaps. 12-14; De diligendo Deo. Cf. E. Gil­
son, La théologie mystique de saint Bernard, 1934.
St. Hildegard (d. 1179). Liber divinorum operum.
St. Gertrude (1256-1301) and St. Mechtilde (d. cir. 1285). Revelations,
which show a great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
St. Bridget (1302-73). Revelations, particularly those on the passion of
our Lord.
Jean de Castel. De adhaerendo Deo, for a long time attributed to Albert
the Great; De lumine increato, 1410.
Garcia de Cisneros (d. 1510). Ejercitatorio de la vida espiritual, a work
which, in a sense, prepares for the Exercises of St. Ignatius.
Dom C. Butler. Benedictine Monachism. New York: Longmans, 1924.
To the above should be added:
St. Lawrence Justinian (1380-1455), reformer of the Canons Regular
in Italy. De humilitate; De perfectionis gradibus; De incendio
divini amoris; De vita solitaria.
The School of St. Victor

Hugh (d. 1141). Homilia I in Eccl.; De anima, Bk. Ill, chap. 49; De
sacramentis Christianae fidei; De vanitate mundi; Soliloquium de
arrha animae; De laude caritatis; De modo orandi; De amore sponsi
ad sponsam; De meditando.
Richard (d. 1173). Benjamin minor, seu de praeparatione ad contem­
plationem; Benjamin major, seu de gratia contemplationis; Expo­
sitio in Cantica Canticorum; De quattuor gradibus violentae cari­
tatis.
Adam (d. 1177). Sequentiae.
Carthusian Spirituality; Contemplative Spirituality and That of the
Eremitical Life
Dom Guignes II. Scala claustralium (lectio, meditatio, oratio, contem­
platio)·, cf. especially chap. 10.
Hugh of Balma (d. 1439). Theologia mystica.
Ludolph the Carthusian (1300-70). Vie de Nbtre-Seigneur par mani­
ère de méditation, a book which was very much read in the Middle
Ages.
Dionysius the Carthusian ( 1402-71). De conversione peccatoris; Specu­
lum conversionis; De fonte hu is; De contemplatione; Tractatus de
donis Spiritus Sancti; De discretione spirituum; Commentar, in

47$

THREE AGES OF THE INTERIOR LIFE

Dionysium (ed. of the Carthusians of Montreuil-sur-Mer, begun
in 1896).
John Lanspergius (d. 1539). Alloquia Christi ad animam fidelem;
Opuscula spiritualia. These works show his great devotion to the
Sacred Heart.
L. Surius (1522-78). De probatis sanctorum historiis. He translated
Tauler’s sermons into Latin.
Molina the Carthusian (1560-1612). Instrucciôn de sacerdotes; Ejercicios espirituales.
Dominican Spirituality
On a strong doctrinal basis, it unites liturgical prayer and contem­
plation with apostolic action, as one sees exemplified in the life of
St. Dominic.
Hugh of Saint-Cher (d. 1263). De vita spirituali; Ex commentariis
Hugonis de Sancto Charo OP. super totam bibliam excerpta,
under the direction of Father Dionysius Mésard, O.P. (Pustet,
1910). An excellent work, divided by Father Mésard into four
parts: De vita purgativa, de vita illuminativa, de vita unitiva, de
vita spirituali sacerdotum.
Blessed Humbert of Romans (d. 1277), Fifth Master General of the
Friars Preachers. Expositio super Regulam S. Augustini et Con­
stitutiones Fr. Praedicatorum (ed. Berthier, Rome, 1889).
St. Albert the Great (1206-80). Commentarii in Joannem, in Diony­
sium; Mariale; De sacrificio Missae.
St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-74). Commentarii in Psalmos; in lib. Job; in
Canticum canticorum; in Matth.; in Joann.; in Epist. S. Pauli;
Summa theologica, in which he treats at length of the virtues in
general and of each one in particular, of the seven gifts of the
Holy Ghost, of graces gratis datae, of rapture, of the influence
of the good and bad angels; in particular the tract on charity sets
forth the principles of the most solid spirituality. Cf. also his
opuscula: De perfectione spirituali; Expositio in Symbol. Apost;
et in Orat. dominie.; Officium SS. Sacramenti. The saint’s com­
pletely objective doctrine reaches beyond the particular spiritual­
ity of a religious order; here again St. Thomas merits the title
of Doctor communis in the Church.
St. Vincent Ferrer (1346-1419). Treatise on the Spiritual Life (English
translation by D. A. Dixon. Westminster, Maryland: Newman
Bookshop, 1944).
St. Catherine of Siena (1347-80). The Dialogue (English translation by
Algar Thorold. London: Burns, Oates and Washbourne, 1925).
Complete works in Italian published by Girolamo Gigli, Siena,
1707 (ed. Tommaseo, Florence, i860).
Tauler (d. 1361). Sermons (critical German edition of Vetter, 1910).
The Institutions were not written by Tauler, but are extracts from
his sermons and contain a summary of his teaching.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

477

Blessed Henry Suso (d. 1365). Die Schriften des Heiligen H. Suso.
Published by Father Denifle, O.P.

Franciscan Spirituality
It leads the soul to live especially by the love of Jesus crucified,
through the practice of abnegation and in particular of evangelical
poverty.
St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226). Opuscula (critical ed., Quaracchi,
1904).
St. Bonaventure (1221-74). He treated at length of the virtues and the
gifts of the Holy Ghost in his Commentaries on Ecclesiastes, the
Book of Wisdom, the Gospels of St. John and St. Luke, in those
on the four books of The Sentences, and in the works which are,
strictly speaking, spiritual: De triplice via, Itinerarium mentis ad
Deum, Breviloquium (Quaracchi, Vols. V, VIII). Cf. Diet, de
spirit., art. “S. Bonaventure,” by E. Longpré, O.F.M.
Blessed Angela of Foligno (d. 1309). Book of Visions and Instructions.
St. Catherine of Bologna (1413-63). Treatise on the Seven Spiritual
Weapons.
The Flemish School of Mysticism
Blessed John Ruysbroeck (1293-1381). Œuvres, translated from the
Flemish by the Benedictines of the Abbey of Saint-Paul de
Wisques: The Mirror of a Mystic; De septem gradibus amoris;
The Spiritual Espousals.
Gerhard Groote (d. 1384). He wrote several puscula on spirituality.
Gerlac Peterssen (1378-1411). Soliloquium ignitum.
Thomas a Kempis (1379-1471). Probable author of The Imitation of
Christ.1 He composed various opuscula of great piety; Soliloquium
animae; Vallis liliorum; Cantica; De elevatione mentis (ed. Pohl,
Fribourg, 1902-22).
John Mauburnus (Mombaer). Rosetum exercitiorum spiritualium
(1491), a great compilation in which methods of meditation are
discussed.

Toward the close of the Middle Ages, the following also should be
noted:
Gerson (1363-1429). In spite of absolutely subversive nominalist
theses (nullus est actus intrinsece malus ex objecto), he wrote
some good spiritual works: La prière; La communion; La mon­
tagne de la contemplation; La théologie mystique spéculative et
pratique; La perfection du coeur; Considérations sur saint Joseph.
W. Hilton (d. 1396). The Scale of Perfection. Ed. by Evelyn Under­
hill. London: J. M. Watkins, 1923.
Juliana of Norwich (d. 1442). Revelations of Divine Love.
* Cf. Dorn Huybcn, I.a vie spirituelle, suppl., 1923-26.

478

THREE AGES OF THE INTERIOR LIFE

St. Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510). Dialogues; Treatise on PurgatoryAnonymous English Mystic (14th cent.). The Cloud of Unknowing,
with a commentary by Dom Augustine Baker, O.S.B. (ed. by Dom
Justin McCann. London: Bums, Oates and Washbourne, 1924).
The Modern Period

In the modern period, spirituality often takes a more active form
and tends to radiate more beyond the cloister, into the world; new
schools appear, while the older schools continue to show the value of
the traditional teaching.

Benedictine and Cistercian Spirituality
Louis Blosius (1506-66). Institutio spiritualis, an excellent treatise,
which contains the substance of his other works: Œtivres spiritu­
elles (translation by the Benedictines of Saint-Paul de Wisques).
Blosius wrote a defense of Tauler, whom he explains in a way that
makes his teaching more accessible.
Dom Augustine Baker (1575-1641). Sancta Sophia (Holy Wisdom), a
treatise on contemplation. New York: Benziger, 1890.
Cardinal Bona (1609-74). Mamiductio ad coelum; Principia et docu­
menta vitae christianae; De sacrificio missae; De discretione spiri­
tuum; Opuscula ascetica selecta. Herder, 1911.
Schram (1658-1720). Institutiones theologiae mysticae. New edition,
1868.
Dom Prosper Guéranger (1805-75). The Liturgical Year (translation
by Dom Laurence Shepherd. London: Burns, Oates, 1890-1904).
Dom Delatte (of Solesmes). Commentaire de la Règle de saint Benoît.
Dom Vital Lehodey (abbot of the Trappist monastery of Notre-Damede-Grace. The Ways of Mental Prayer (translation by a monk of
Mount Melleray. Dublin: Μ. H. Gill, 1930); Le saint abandon.
1919.
Dom Columba Marmion (abbot of Maredsous). Christ, the Life of the
Soul (1923); Christ in His Mysteries (1924); Christ the Ideal of
the Monk (1926). St. Louis: Herder.
Dom E. Vandeur (of Maredsous). Various spiritual works on the Mass.
Dom Anselm Stolz. Théologie der Mystik. Regensburg, 1936. English
translation, The Doctrine of Spiritual Perfection. St. Louis:
Herder, 1938.

Dominican Spirituality
St. Catherine de Ricci (1522-90). Lettere (ed. Guasti, Florence, 1890).
Luis de Granada (1504-88). Guia de pe cadores; Tratado de la oraciôn
y meditaciôn; Memorial de la vida cristiana.
Blessed Bartholomew a Martyribus (archbishop of Braganza). Com­
pendium doctrinae spiritualis. 1582.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

479
John of St. Thomas (1589-1644). De donis Spiritus Sancti.
Thomas de Vallgornera (d. 1665). Theologia mystica S. Thomae. He
draws considerably on the work of the Carmelite, Philip of the
Blessed Trinity, which appeared shortly before his work.
V. Contenson (1641-74). Theologia metitis et cordis.
Louis Chardon (1595-1651). La croix de Jésus (new edition, 1937);
Les méditations stir la passion.
A. Massoulié (1632-1706). Traité de Γamour de Dieu; Traité de la
véritable oraison (ed. Rousset, 1900); Méditations sur les trois
voies (ed. Florand, 1934).
these works, Massoulié, while re­
futing the errors of the quietists, sets forth the doctrine of St.
Thomas.
A. Piny (1640-1709). Le plus parfait (Pabandon)-, L'oraison du coeur;
La clef du pur amour; La présence de Dieu; L'état du pur amour.
Recent editions, Paris: Lethielleux, Téqui.
A. M. Meynard. Traité de la vie intérieure, 1884. Re-edited and adapted
by Father Gerest, 1923. Paris: Lethielleux.
B. Froget. The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Souls of the Just.
New York: The Paulist Press, 1921.
H. M. Cormier. Instruction des novices (1905); Retraite ecclésiastique
d'après l'Evangile et la vie des saints (Rome, 1903); Trois retraites
progressives.
M. A. Janvier. Exposition de la morale catholique, Vols. IV, V; La
charité.
J. G. Arintero. La evoluciôn mîstica (Salamanca, 1908); Cuestiones
misticas (2d ed., Salamanca, 1920); Cantar de los cantares (1919).
In 1921 Father Arintero, of sainted memory, founded in Spain the
spiritual magazine, La vida sobrenatural.
V. Bemadot. De l'Eucharistie à la Trinité (1918). In 1919 the author
founded in France La vie spirituelle. Notre-Dame dans ma vie
(»937)·
A. Gardeil. La structure de l'âme et Γexpérience mystique (1927); La
viaie vie chrétienne (1935).
G. Gerest. Mémento de vie spirituelle (1923).
F. D. Joret. La contemplation mystique d'après saint Thomas d'Aquin
(1923); Recueillements (1934).
R. Garrigou-Lagrange. Christian Perfection and Contemplation (1923.
English translation by Sister M. Timothea Doyle, O.P. St. Louis:
Herder, 1937); L'amour de Dieu et la croix de Jésus (1929); Les
trois conversions (1932); L'unione mistica in S. Caterina da Siena
(Fiesolc, 1938); Providence (1932. English translation by Dom
Bede Rose. St. Louis: Herder, 1944).
H. Petitot. Introduction à la sainteté. 1935.
V. Oscnde. El tesoro escondido. 1924.
H. D. Noble. L’amitié avec Dieu. 1932.
I. Mcnéndcz-Rcigaila. De direccïôn espiritttal. 1934.

48o

THREE AGES OF THE INTERIOR LIFE

R. Bernard. Le mystère de Marie. 1933.
A. Lemonnyer. Notre vie divine. 1936.

Franciscan Spirituality
Francis de Osuna. Abecedario espiritual (1528), which St. Teresa
used as a guide.
St. Peter of Alcantara (d. 1562), who was one of St. Teresa’s directors.
La oration y meditation.
John of the Angels. Obras misticas (1590). New ed., 1912-17.
Mary of Agreda. The City of God (1670). (English translation by
Fiscar Marison. Hammond, Indiana: W. B. Conkey Co., 1915.)
Louis-Fr. d’Argentan (d. 1680). Conférence sur les grandeurs de Dieu;
Exercices du chrétien intérieur.
Brancati de Lauria. De oratione Christiana (1687), often quoted by
Benedict XIV.
‘Ambrose de Lombez. Traité de la paix intérieure. 1757.
Ludovic de Besse. La science de la prière (Rome, 1903); La science du
Pater (1904).
Adolph a Denderwindeke, O.M.C. Compendium theologiae asceticae.
1921.
J. Heerinckx. Introductio in theologiam spiritualem. Rome, 1931.
] estât Spiritual Writers

Theirs is a practical spirituality directed toward the sanctification
of souls in the active and apostolic life.
St. Ignatius (d. 1556). The Spiritual Exercises. Cf. also his Constitu­
tions and Letters.
St. Francis Xavier. Letters.
Alvarez de Paz (1560-1620). De vita spirituali ejusque perfectione.
Lyons, 1602-12.
Suarez (1548-1617). De religione.
St. Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621). De ascensione mentis in Deum; De
genitu columbae sive de bono lacrymarum; De septem verbis a
Christo in cruce prolatis; De arte bene moriendi.
A. Le Gaudier (d. 1622). De natura et statibus perfectionis. 1643;
re-edited, Turin, 1903.
Alphonsus Rodriguez (d. 1616). Practice of Christian Perfection, 3
vols. Chicago, 1929.
St. Alphonsus Rodriguez (d. 1617), Jesuit brother, raised to lofty
contemplation. Obras espirituales. Barcelona, 3 vols., 1885.
Luis de Lapuente (Dupont) (d. 1624). Spiritual Directory; The Chris­
tian Life; Meditations on the Mysteries of Our Holy Faith.
Michael Godinez (Wadding) (1591-1644). Practice de la teologia
mistica. New ed., Lethielleux, 1920.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

481

J. Nouet (d. 1680). L'homme d'oraison (1674), an excellent work.
Ven. Claude de la Colombière (d. 1682). Grande retraite. New ed.,
Desclée, 1897.
F. Guilloré (1615-84). Les secrets de la vie spirituelle. New Ed., 1922.
J. Galliffet. De l'excellence de la dévotion au Cœur adorable de JésusChrist. 1733.
L. Lallemant (d. 1635). La doctrine spirituelle (ed. Pottier, 1936), a
remarkable work which shows how the soul, by purity of heart
and docility to the Holy Ghost, ordinarily receives the grace of
contemplation.
J. Surin (d. 1665). Les fondements de la vie spirituelle; La guide
spirituelle; Questions sur l'amour de Dieu (ed. Pottier, 1930).
V. Huby (d. 1693). Ecrits spirituels. Ed. Bainvel, 1931.
P. de Caussade (d. 1751). Abandonment to Divine Providence (English
translation by E. J. Strickland. St. Louis: Herder, 1921), an ad­
mirable book; Progress in Prayer (adapted and edited by J. McSorley, C.S.P. St. Louis: Herder, 1904).
Scaramelli (1687-1752). Direttorio ascetico; Direttorio mistico. He
tends to show that asceticism is not essentially ordained to mysti­
cism, and that acquired prayer does not normally dispose the soul
to receive infused contemplation.
J. N. Grou (1731-1603). Maximes spirituelles; Méditations en forme
de retraite sur l'amour de Dieu; Manuel des âmes intérieures.
Father Grou’s doctrine reproduces and develops that of Father
Lallemant.
J. B. Terrien La grâce et la gloire (1901); La mère de Dieu et la mère
des hommes (1900).
R. de Maumigny. Pratiqtte de l'oraison mentale. 8th ed., 1911.
A. Poulain. The Graces of Interior Prayer (English translation by
Leonora Yorke-Smith. St. Louis: Herder, 1911), a treatise on
mysticism written from the point of view of the descriptive
method.
A. Eymieu. Le gouvernement de soi-même. 1911-21.
J. V. Bainvel. La dévotion au Sacré-Cœur de Jésus (4th ed., 1917);
Le saint cœur de Marie, vie intime de la Sainte Vierge (1918).
Raoul Plus. In Christ Jestts (English translation by Peter Addison.
London: Burns, Oates and Washbourne, 1926); God within Us
(ed. by Cowell. London: Burns, Oates and Washbourne, 1929);
Progress in Divine Union (English translation by Sister Mary
Bertille and Sister Mary St. Thomas. New York: Pustet, 1941).
P. Charles. La prière de toutes les heures.
P. L. Peeters. Vers l'union divine par les exercices de saint Ignace. 2d.
cd., 1931.
J. de Guibcrt. Etudes de théologie mystique ( 1930); Theologia spiritu­
alis ascetica et mystica (1937). Since 1920 the Revue d'ascétique

482

THREE AGES OF THE INTERIOR LIFE

et de mystique has appeared under his direction; since 1932 Le
dictionnaire de spiritualité has appeared under the direction of
Father M. Viller, S.J.
J. Maréchal. Etudes stir la psychologie des mystiques. Brussels-Paris: I,
1924; II, 1937.
Paul de Jaegher. An Anthology of Mysticism (English translation by
Donald Attwater and others. London: Burns, Oates and Wash­
bourne, 1935).
J. de Ghellinck. Lectures spirituelles d'après les écrits des Pères. Desclée
de Brouwer, 1931.
R. de Sinety. Psychopathologie et direction. Paris: Beauchesne, 1934.

Carmelite Spirituality
Its center is the life of prayer, union with God through complete
detachment, with the hidden apostolate by means of prayer.
St. Teresa (1515-82). Obras de Santa Teresa, editadas y anotadas par
el P. Silverio de S. Teresa. 6 vols., Burgos, 1915-20. See especially
the excellent English editions, published by the Benedictines of
Stanbrook Abbey, of The Interior Castle (London: Thomas
Baker, 1921) and The Way of Perfection (ibid.).
St. John of the Cross (1543-91). Obras de San Juan de la Cruz ed. del
P. Silverio de S. Teresa. 5 vols., 1929-31. Works of Saint John of
the Cross (English translation by David Lewis. New York: Benziger, 1909).
John of Jesus-Mary (1564-1615). Theologia mystica (re-edited in
1911, Herder); Instructio novitiorum (1883); De virorum
ecclesiasticorum perfectione.
Thomas of Jesus (1568-1627). De contemplatione divina. Cologne,
1684.
Nicholas of Jesus-Mary. Phrasium mysticae theologiae ven. P. Joannis
a Cruce elucidatio.
Philip of the Blessed Trinity (d. 1671). Summa theologiae mysticae
(3 vols., new ed., Brussels, 1874). Thomas de Vallgornera, O.P.,
reproduces almost integrally the doctrine of this work in his Theo­
logia mystica S. Thomae.
Anthony of the Holy.Ghost. Directorium mysticum (1877), a sum­
mary of the work of Philip of the Blessed Trinity.
Joseph of the Holy Ghost. Cursus theologiae mystico-scholasticae.
Seville, 1710-40; new ed., Bruges: Beyaert, 1924-.
St. 1 heresa of the Child Jesus (1873-97). Lettres; Sœur Thérèse of
Lisieux, the Little Flower of Jesus; a new and complete translation
of L'histoire d'une âme (New York: Kenedy, 1924).
Theodore of St. Joseph. Essai stir l'oraison selon l’école carmélitaine.
Bruges, 1923.
Bruno of Jesus-Mary. Si. John of the Cross (New York: Benziger,
'932)> Vie d'amour de saint Jean de la Croix (Paris: Desclée de

BIBLIOGRAPHY

483

Brouwer, 1934); Madame Acarie (Paris: Desclée de Brouwer,
1936).
Gabriel of St. Magdalen. La Mistica Teresiana (Fiesole, 1934); S. Gi­
ovanni della Croce (Florence, 1936); Santa Teresa di Gesù,
Maestra di vita spirituale (Milan, 1935); Diet, de spiritualité, art.
“Cannes: Ecole mystique thérésienne.”
Since 1911 Les études carmélitaines has been publishing interesting
works on mystical theology and religious psychology in order to make
the teaching of St. Teresa and St. John of the Cross better understood.
See especially the articles by Father Louis of the Trinity, Father Bruno,
and Father Gabriel of St. Magdalen. See also those of Jacques Maritain
on St. John of the Cross. These articles have been reproduced in his
beautiful book, The Degrees of Knowledge (English translation by
B. Wall and M. Adamson. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1938).

Carmelites of the Old Observance
John of St. Samson (d. 1636), a lay brother who was raised to lofty
contemplation. Œtivres spirituelles (2 vols., 1658); cf. La vie
spirituelle, 1925-26.
St. Magdalen de Pazzi (1566-1607). Estasi e lettere scelte. Critical ed.,
Florence, 1924.
Salesian School
St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622). Œuvres published by the Visitation
of Annecy, 1892. St. Francis de Sales shows that union wtih God
is accessible in all states of life. The Introduction to a Devout Life
(1608) describes the purgative way and the beginning of the
illuminative. The Treatise on the Love of God (1616) deals
particularly with the unitive way. His Spiritttal Conferences,
written for the Visitandines, are valuable to all religious souls.
Letters.
St. Jane de Chantal. Sa vie et ses œuvres. Paris: Plon, 1877-93.
Mère de Chaugy. Mémoires sur la vie et les vertus de sainte Jeanne
de Chantel. Paris: Plon, 1893.
St. Mary Mary. Œuvres, published by Msgr. Gauthey, Poussielgue.
P. Tissot. L'art d'utiliser ses fautes, d'après S. François de Sales (3d ed.,
1918); La vie intérieure simplifiée (a work written by a Carthu­
sian).

French School of the Seventeenth Century.

The spirituality of this school, founded by Cardinal Bérulle, springs
from the dogma of the Incarnation and of our incorporation in Christ,
with whom, by abnegation and the virtues, we glorify God living in us.
Cardinal Bérulle (1576-1629), founder of the Oratory in France.
Œuvres complètes (cd. 1657; cd. 1856); his principal work is the
Discours de l’état et des grandeurs de Jésus.

484

THREE AGES OF THE INTERIOR LIFE

Charles de Condren (1588-1641). Œuvres complètes (1st ed., 1668;
2d ed., 1857). See especially L'idée du sacerdoce et du sacrifice,
on the priesthood of Christ and His holy humiliation of self.
F. Bourgoin (1585-1662). Vérités et excellences de Jésus-Christ. j2d
ed., 1892.
St. Vincent de Paul (1576-1660). Correspondance; Entretiens; Docu­
ments (edited, published, and annotated by Father Coste, 1920).
Cf. Maynard, Vertus et doctrine spirituelle de saint Vincent de
Paul. Paris, 1882.
J. J. Olier (1608-57), founder of the Society of St. Sulpice. Le caté­
chisme chrétien pour la vie intérieure, in which he shows how, by
the practice of mortification and humility, one attains to intimate
union with Jesus; L'introduction à la vie et aux vertus chrétiennes;
La journée chrétienne; Le traité des saints ordres, on union with
our Lord, Priest and Victim.
L. Tronson (1622-1700). Forma cleri; Examens particuliers.
I. A. Emery (1732—1811). L'esprit de sainte Thérèse. 1775.
A. J. M. Hamon (1795-1874). Méditations à l'ïisage du clergé. 1872.
H. J. Icard (1805-93).
intérieure de la T. Ste Vierge (taken from
the works of M. Olier, 1875 and 1880); Doctrine de M. Olier
(1889 and 1891).
M. J. Ribet. La mystique divine distinguée des contrefaçons diaboliques
et des analogies humaines. 1879.
Charles Sauvé. Dieu intime; Jésus intime.
St. John Eudes (1601-80), disciple of Bérulle and Condren. Œuvres
(re-edited in 12 vols., 1905); La vie et le royaume de Jéstts dans les
âmes chrétiennes; Le cœur admirable de la Mère de Dieu; Le
mémorial de la vie ecclésiastique.
P. Le Doré. La dévotion au Sacré-Cœur et le V. Jean Eudes. 1892.
E. Georges. Saint Jean Eudes, sa vie et sa doctrine. 1936.
P. E. Lamballe. La contemplation, or Principes de théologie mystique.
1912.
Blessed Louis Grignion de Montfort (1673-1716). Traité de la vraie
dévotion à la Ste Vierge; Le secret de Marie; Lettre aux amis de
la croix.
St. John Baptist de la Salle (1651-1719), founder of the Brothers of
the Christian Schools. Méditations pour les dimanches et fêtes;
Méditations pour les temps de la retraite.
Ven. Francis Libermann (1803-52). Ecrits sur l'oraison; Lettres.
Ven. Boudon (bishop of Evreux, 1624-1702). Le règne de Dieu en
l'oraison mentale; Les saintes voies de la croix (1926).
C. Gay (1816-92). De la vie et des vertus chrétiennes.

The Liguorian School
St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787). The Eternal Truths (New York:
Kenedy, 1857); The Glories of Mary (New York: O’Shea, 1889).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

485

The following works were published in New York by Benziger:
The Way of Salvation and Perfection (1886); The Great Means of
Salvation and Perfection: Prayer (1886); The Holy Eucharist
(1889); Dignity and Duties of the Priest, or Selva (1888); The
True Spouse of Christ (1888); The Holy Mass (1889); The Pas­
sion and the Death of Jesus Christ (1892). See also the new edition
of his ascetical works in the course of publication at Rome.
Achille Desurmont (d. 1898). La charité sacerdotale; Le Credo et la
Providence; La vie vraiment chrétienne.
Joseph Schryvers. Les principes de la vie spirituelle (1922); The Gift
of Oneself (English translation by a Carmelite. Bettendorf, Iowa,
r934)·
F. Bouchage. Pratique des vertus; Introduction à la vie sacerdotale
(1916).
Karl Keusch. Die Aszetik des Hl. Alfons Maria von Liguori. Pader­
born, 1926.
Congregation of the Passionists
St. Paul of the Cross (1694-1775). Letters (ed. by Father Amedeo,
4 vols., Rome, 1924); cf. Florilegio spirituale (2 vols., 1914-16);
Sa vie, by Blessed V. Strambi (1786); see also Oraison et ascension
mystique de saint Paul de la Croix by Father Cajetan of the Holy
Name of Mary (Louvain, 1930).
Blessed Vincent Strambi, disciple of St. Paul of the Cross (1745-1824).
Dei tesoriche abbiamo in Gesà Cristo.
Father Seraphinus (d. 1879). Principes de théologie mystique. 1873.
A. Devine. A Manual of Ascetical Theology (1902); A Manual of
Mystical Theology (1903).

Additional Writers of No Particular School
L. Scupoli (1530-1610). Le combat spirituel, a work esteemed by
St. Francis de Sales.
Venerable Mother Marie of the Incarnation (1599-1672), an Ursuline
whose life, drawn from her writings, was written by her son,
Dom Claude Martin, 1677. Lettres (1681); new critical edition by
Dom Jamet, Vols. I, II, Ecrits spirituels (1929); Vol. Ill, Corre­
spondance (1935). By the same author: Le témoignage de Marie
de l’incarnation, taken from the preceding work (1932).
Bossuet (1627-1704). Elévations sur les mystères; Méditations sur
l’Evangile; Traité de la concupiscence; Instruction sur les états
d’oraison, second treatise, the common principles of Christian
prayer (1897); Lettres de direction; Opuscules stir l'abandon et
ï’oraison de simplicité, collected in La doctrine spirituelle de
Bossuet, taken from his Œuvres (Téqui, 1908).
Fénelon (1651-1715). Pious opuscula collected in Vol. XVIII of his
works (cd. Lcbcl, 1823); Lettres de direction (Cagnac, 1902).

486

THREE AGES OF THE INTERIOR LIFE

Benedict XIV (Cardinal Lambertini) (1675-1758). De servorum Dei
beatificatione et beatorum canonizatione (1788). On questions of
asceticism and mysticism this work often reproduces De oratione
Christiana (1687) of Brancati di Lauria.
J. H. Newman (1801-90). Meditations and Devotions; Difficulties of
Anglicans.
H. E. Manning (1808-92). The Eternal Priesthood. Baltimore:
Murphy, 1883.
F. W. Faber (1814-63). All for Jesus (London: Bums, Oates and
Washbourne, 1853). The following works were published in Bal­
timore by Murphy: The Blessed Sacrament (1855); The Creator
and the Creature (1857); Bethlehem (i860); The Foot of the
Cross (1897); The Precious Blood; Growth in Holiness.
Cardinal Gibbons. The Ambassador of Christ. 1896.
L. Beaudenom (1840-1916). Pratique progressive de la confession et
de la direction; Formation à l'humilité.
A. Saudreau. Les degrés de la vie spirituelle (6th ed., 1935); La vie
d'union à Dieu (3d ed., 1921); L'état mystique, sa nature, ses
phases, et les faits extraordinaires de la vie spirituelle (2d ed.,
1921).
Msgr. Lejeune. Manuel de théologie mystique. 1897.
Cardinal Mercier. La vie intérieure, appel aux âmes sacerdotales. 1919.
A. Chevrier. Le prêtre selon l'Evangile. Lyons: Vitte, 1922.
Msgr. A. Farges. Les phénomènes mystiques distingués de leurs contre­
façons humaines et diaboliques. 1920.
Robert de Langeac. Conseils aux âmes d'oraison, an excellent book.
Lethielleux, 1929.
A. Tanquerey. The Spiritual Life (English translation by Herman
Brandeis, S.S. Philadelphia: Reilly, 1930). This work, which is
excellent in certain respects, places the passive purification of the
senses very late in the spiritual life, that is, after the entrance into
the unitive way, whereas for St. John of the Cross it marks the
entrance into the illuminative way.
Charles de Foucauld (hermit in the Sahara). Ecrits spirituels. Paris,
1927.

Index
Abnegation, 374-78; see also Mortifica­
tion
Acceleration of charity; see Virtues
Acedia; see Sloth
Activity, necessity of subordination of
natural, 467
Acts, necessity of sanctifying all, 96
Acts, imperfect (remissi) : definition of,
135; not proper to the perfect, 160;
and problem of the increase of char­
ity by,135f.
Acts, meritorious: definition of, 133;
problem of increase of charity by,
133 f.
Acts, result of perfect, 136 ff.
Ages of the spiritual life, three
age of beginners: characteristics of,
243 f., 270 f.; direction of, 258 ff.;
generosity required in, 271-74; hu­
mility in, 274; imagination in morti­
fication of, 342 ff.; intellect and per­
sonal judgment in, 333-64; love of
God in, 268-71; magnanimity in,
273 f.; memory in, 345-52; prayer of,
444-53; self-knowledge and knowl­
edge of God in, 267 f.; the senses
in, 275-84, 332-41; sensible consola­
tions in, 269; spiritual pride of,
383 f.; state of, 240 f.
age of the perfect: characteristics of,
244 ff.
age of proficients: characteristics of,
244; imperfections of, 241
characteristics of, 226 f243-46
comparison with ages of corporeal life,
238 f., 241
differences and transition between the,
239-46
distinction between: preserved by St.
Thomas Aquinas, 237 f.
division made by Scaramclli and his
followers, 16, 227
problem of, 215, 228
reasons for divergence in divisions of,

Ages of the spiritual life (continued)
in spiritual life of the apostles, 229 f.
synopsis of, 245
traditional division of, 14 f., 225 ff.:
testimony of Greek fathers to, 23035; testimony of Latin fathers and
great spiritual writers to, 235-38
Aim of this work, 8 f.
Ambition; see Pride
Americanism, 275-77
Appetites, passions and the, 49; see also
Mortification, Purification
Aridity (sensible) in divine trials, 390 f.
Arrogance; see Pride
Attraction, law of universal, 131 f.
Austerities, attitude of Church toward,
335 note
Austerity of flagellants, Jansenists, Montanists, 280

Beatitude, 30-33, 156
Beatitudes
of the active life of the Christian: of
the merciful, t68f.; of those that
hunger and thirst after justice, 168
of contemplation and union with God:
of the clean of heart, 169 f.; of die
peacemakers, 170 f.; of those that
suffer persecution, 177 ff.
definition of, 172
of the deliverance from sin, 165: of the
meek, 166 f.; of the poor in spirit,
166; of those that mourn, 167
grandeur of Christian perfection
shown by, 163-73
order of, 165
relations of: to gifts of the Holy Ghost
and the three ages, 206-13
Beginners; see Ages of the spiritual life
Blessed Trinity; see Trinity, Blessed
Blessed Virgin; see Mary
Boasting; see Pride

Casuistry, definition of, 10; see also The­
ology
Charity; w Theological

117 f.
4*7

488

INDEX

Christ
exemplar of evangelical counsels,
210 f.
humanity of: instrument through
which graces are communicated to
souls, 109-12
influence on His mystical body, 109 ff.
as man is Mediator, 120 f.
necessity of imitating the crucified,
295 ff.; see also Mortification
our Mediator and conversation with
God, 47
our sanctity and progressive incorpo­
ration in, nyf.
principal Priest of the Sacrifice of the
Mass, 407 ff.
result of consideration of humanity of,
118
result of hypostatic union on humanity
of, 210 f.
sanctifying influence of, 109-18:
through the Eucharist, 112-17
Church, marks of sanctity of, 211
Communion: conditions of a fervent,
417-20; conditions of a good, 417;
consummation of gift of self, 115;
each Communion should be substan­
tially more fervent, 143, 420 f.; ef­
fects of, 115-17; fruits of, 420;
source of sanctification, 414 ff.;
thanksgiving after, 421-27
Concupiscences, three, 209 f., 301; see
also Self-love
Confession: contrition, 400 ff.; fruits of,
402-5; how to make, 400 f.; prepara­
tion for, 397 ff
Conscience, examination of, 304-7:
based on sins opposed to virtues, 321;
based on virtues, 322; on selfabnegation, 377; time required for,
398
Consolations in prayer: in beginners,
269; detachment from, 375 f.; distin­
guished from divine lights, 259 note;
and spiritual gluttony, 337
Contemplation, infused
and the beatitudes, 169-73
desire for, 87
of God: in mirror of mysteries of sal­
vation, 460; in mirror of sensible
tilings, 460; in obscurity of faith, 460
morally necessary for full perfection,
'94
in normal way of sanctity, 193 ff.
pride removed by, 451
and superhuman mode of gifts, 226

Contention; see Pride
Contrition, sadness of, 405; see also Con­
fession
Counsel; see Gifts of the Holy Ghost
Counsels, evangelical: Christ, exemplar
of, 210 f.; general obligation of,
206; moral maladies opposed to, 208;
nature of, 212 f.; and restoration of
original harmony , 210-13; special
obligation of pries ts and religious to
observe, 206; spirit of, 206; and theo­
logical virtues, 213; useful but not in­
dispensable means for perfection,
184; and wounds of the soul, 206-10
Criticism of superiors; see Pride
Curiosity, definition of, 354 f.; see also
Pride
Derision, 464 f.
Desire for God, 38 f.; see also Contem­
plation, infused
Detachment: in the Blessed Virgin, 83;
in Christ, 83; degrees in, 82 ff.;
prayer for, 377; according to St.
John of the Cross, 375 f.; spirit of,
374ff.
Detraction, 464
Devotion, definition of true, 337 note
Direction, spiritual: of beginners, 258 ff.;
duties of directed soul, 263 f.; neces­
sity of, 256 ff.; of proficients and the
perfect, 260 f.
Director, qualities of spiritual, 261 ff.
Discernment of spirits, whole question
of, 82
Disobedience; see Pride
Disorder, triple: introduced by sin, 209 f.
Dispositions, habitual; see Gifts of the
Holy Ghost
Distractions; see Prayer
Duty of the present moment and actual
grace, 93 f.

Egoism, Tauler on, 468 f.; see also Selflove
Egoist: results of his self-love, 41 f.; sub­
ject of his interior conversation, 41
End, abnegation demanded by supernat­
ural, 294 f.; see also Mortification
Errors, refusal to recognize, 382; see also
Pride
Eucharist, greatest of sacraments, 414;
see also Communion
Examination of conscience; see Con­
science

INDEX
Excellence, inordinate love of one’s; see
Pride
Faith; see Theological
Fault, predominant: definition and de­
scription of, 3i4f.; examination to
discover, 321 f.; how to combat,
318 ff.; how to recognize, 316 ff.
Fear; see Gifts of the Holy Ghost
Fidelity to grace; see Grace
Forgetfulness of God, 345 ff.
Fortitude; see Gifts of the Holy Ghost,
Virtues, moral
Friendship: danger of particular, 336;
frivolous, 336 note; true and super­
natural, 336 f.

Gaze: first intellectual, 363 note; first su­
pernatural, 363 f.
Gifts of the Holy Ghost
in ascetical life, 81 f.
and the beatitudes, 77 note
connected with charity, 77
grow together, 77 f.
habitual dispositions, 71 ff.
necessary to salvation, 73-78, 179
purpose of, 85
according to St. Thomas, 70-78
specifically distinct from virtues, 73
superhuman mode of, 78-82
synoptic table of gifts and correspond­
ing virtues, 76
teaching of Scripture on, 66 f.
teaching of tradition on, 67-70
two modes of, 79 f.
Glory: definition of, 34; proximate per­
fect disposition to receive, 38 f.
Gluttony; see Sins, capital
Gluttony, spiritual; see Consolations
Grace
actual: divine motion and various
forms of, 90 ff.; necessity of, 88 f.;
offered for duty of present moment,
93 f.; see also Motion, divine
efficacious grace to pray offered to
every man, 433 note; see also Prayer
fidelity to, 93-96
life of: develops under form of infused
virtues and gifts, 51 f.
mystery of, 95 note
operating: activity under, 93; defini­
tion of, 92
prevenient, 91
sanctifying, Ji! growth of, 129-43;

489

Grace (continued)
value of, 29 f.; see also Progress, spir­
itual
state of: seed of eternal life, 29, 34-37
Happiness, true and lasting: definition
of, 164; end of the beatitudes, 164;
means to obtain, 164-73
Harmony
original: restored by Christ, 210
triple: before original sin, 209; dis­
turbed by sin, 209 f.; see also Sin,
original
Heaven, union of enjoyment of, 30-33
Holy Ghost: moves souls according
their habitual docility, 137; soul of
mystical body, 107 f.
Hope; see Theological
Humility: in beginners, 274; false, 379;
necessary for mental prayer, 454;
seven degrees of, 177 f.
Hypocrisy; see Pride

Ignorance: invincible, 308; vincible,
307 f.; see also Sin
Imagination; see Purification, active
Imperfection: definition of, 333, 399
note; distinguished from sins of
frailty, 340 note, 399-400; reasons
for avoiding, 334
Inclination: characteristics of evil,
468 f.; characteristics of good, 469 f.;
see also Egoism
Indwelling of the Blessed Trinity; see
Trinity, Blessed
Inspirations, need of special, 85 f.
Insult; see Justice
Intellect
defects of: curiosity, 354 f.; dullness of
mind, 357 f.; spiritual blindness,
356 f.; spiritual pride, 355 f.
and natural knowledge of God, 50
object of, 49
superior to will, 155 f.
and supernatural knowledge of God,
5°
Intellectualism, evil, 467
Intention, purity of: necessary for men­
tal prayer, 454; value of, 468
Jansenism: austerity of, 280; false super­
naturalism of, 280; pessimism of, 280
Joy, foolish; see Pride
Justice, vices opposed to, 464!.; see Vir­
tues, moral

490

INDEX

Knowledge; see Gifts of the Holy Ghost
Knowledge, quasi-experimental: and in­
dwelling of Blessed Trinity, 103 f.; in
normal way of sanctity, 105 f.

Levity of mind; see Pride
Levity of spirit; see Tepidity
Liberty, unbridled; see Pride
Life
active: disposes to contemplative, 217
eternal: and vision of God, 31 ff.
interior: and Blessed Trinity, 97-108;
and intimate conversation with God,
40; nature of, 28, 43-48; sources of,
28; speech of, 46 f.; and spiritual
youth, 44; what it requires, 29
Love
of God: more perfect than knowledge
of God, 447; not in golden mean,
200 f.
interested: condemned by quietists,
368
Luxury, spiritual, 337-38 and note 16
Lying; see Tepidity
Magnanimity in beginners, 273 f.
Man: resemblance to angel, 49 f.· St. Paul
on the inward, 44
Martyrdom, sign of charity, 146
Mary, Blessed Virgin
Mediatrix: ascending mediation of,
122-26; descending mediation of,
126-28; influence of, 119; new Eve,
124 f.; universal, 121
progress of charity in, 132
queen of martyrs, 123 f.
Mass
assistance at, source of sanctification,
406-13
different ways of assisting at, 411 ff.
effects of: relating to God, 409; relat­
ing to men, 409 ff.
source of excellence of, 407 ff.
Mean, golden; see Love of God
Mean, happy: in moral virtues, 64 f.; see
Virtues, moral
Mediation, meaning of universal, 120
Mediocrity, 201 and note: not possible
for certain souls, 457
Meekness, 339 f.
Memory; see Purification, active
Merits, restoration of lost, 142, 403
Method: deductive, 12; descriptive, 11;
union of descriptive and deductive,
12 f.
Missions, divine, 106

Modernism, 275-78
Mortification
exterior: not sufficient, 342; results of
neglect of, 342
according to the Gospel, 281-84
of irascible appetite, 338-41
motives of, 285-98, 332: consequences
of original sin, 286-90; consequences
of personal sins, 290-93; infinite ele­
vation of supernatural end, 294 f.;
necessity of imitating Jesus cru­
cified, 295 ff.
of predominant fault, 314-20
according to St. Paul, 285
of sensuality, 334-38
spirit of, 284
Motion, divine: modes of, 90 ff.; table of
different modes of, 92
Murmuring against neighbor’s reputa­
tion, 464; see Justice
Mystical body: Holy Ghost, soul of,
107 f.; sanctifying influence of Christ
on, 107-18

Naturalism, answer to practical, 298

Oblation, Christ’s interior, 407 ff.
One thing necessary: nature of, 3 ff.;
present status of, 5-8
Organism, spiritual: expressed in table of
virtues and gifts, 51
Parable, reason for Christ’s use of, 343
Passion
antecedent, 309; see Sin of frailty
classification according to St. Thomas,
324
consequent, 309
defined, 323
from three points of view: ascetical,
326-31; moral, 325 f.; psychological,
323 f.
Peace: fruit of purification of will, 376 f.;
true, 172 f.
Penance, end of virtue of, 285
Penance, sacrament of; see Confession
Perfection
austerity and, 146
basis of special obligation of priest to
tend to, 218 ff.
and charity, 149 f.: according to
Suarez, 174 f., 185 note
in charity, according to St. Thomas,
154, 156 ff.
consists secondarily and instrumentally

INDEX

49"

Prayer, mental (continued)
Perfection (.continued)
in observance of the counsels, 198 f.;
culminating point of, 450
useful means to attain, 184
definition according to St. Teresa, 444,
duty of all to advance in, 202-5
451
erroneous ideas of: fortitude, barbar­
dependence on grace of God, 454
ians’ idea of, 145 ff.; wisdom, Greek
essential acts of: charity, 449 ff.; faith,
philosophers’ notion of, 147 ff.
448; hope, 449; humility, 448
error of quietists in regard to, 183
how to persevere in, 456-60
mortification necessary for, 454 f.
note
essence of: according to St. Paul, >49movements of contemplation: circular,
460; spiral, 460; straight, 460
53
nature of, 445
full: attainable on earth only in trans­
forming union, 192 note; belongs to
absolutely necessary for some, 457 f.
mystical order, 172; infused contem­
preparation (immediate), 456; prep­
plation morally necessary for, 194;
aration (remote) : frequent prayer
never reached without perfect
during day, 455 f.; grace, 454; humil­
ity, 454; mortification, 454 f.; silence
prayer, 172
in soul, 455
ideal of episcopal, 225 f.
in increasingly generous fulfillment of
purity of intention necessary for, 454
supreme precept, 199
of simplicity according to Bossuet,
451 ff.
loftiness of, 186 f.
Precept, first: obliges all in a general
means to attain, 186
nature of, possible on earth, 159
way, 197 f.; without limit, 196-205
obligation to tend to: of priest, 218-25;
Precipitation: causes of, 329; cure for,
of religious, 214-18
329; definition of, 328; effects of,
a plenitude, 185
330
Presumption; see Pride
prayer to advance in, 377
progress in: and confession, 404
Pride
requirements for: acts of virtues
definition of: according to St. Augus­
which are of precept, 183-86; great
tine, 380 f.; according to St. Thomas,
380
charity, 175-79; heroic practice of
virtues, 179-82; passive purifications,
of life: definition of, 301; introduced
193; spirit of the counsels, 207
by sin, 209 f.; necessity of mortifica­
tion of, 302; root of four capital sins,
Perseverance, final, 140
Pessimism; see Jansenism
302; sins may spring from, 301 f.
nature of, 379 ff.
Piety; see Gifts of the Holy Ghost
opposed to humility, 381
Prayer
remedy for, 385-88
to advance in perfection, 377
St. Catherine of Siena on results of,
difference between prayer of petition
383 note
and merit, 138 f.
St. Gregory on degrees of, 381
efficacy of: necessity of belief in,
428 ff.; source of, 430-35
Pride, defects born of: presumption,
382, 385; vainglory, 385 f.
and final perseverance, 140
petitions we should make, 435 f.: for Pride, forms of, 381-84
temporal goods, 436
Priest: and Divine Office, 221; obligation
qualities of fruitful, 139
to tend to perfection, 218-23; sanc­
tity becoming to, 220
Prayer, liturgical
Problem, religious: relations of man with
contemplative chant, 439-43
deformed psalmody, 437 ff.
God, 6 ft.
Progress: in religious life, 377; summary
distractions in, 438 f.
of spiritual, 247; synoptic table of,
means of union with God, 437
mutual relations of mental prayer and,
»45
Punishment (temporal), the Mass and
442 f.
remission of, 409 f.
Prayer, mental
Purgatory, 38: of sufferings necessary
affective, 450-53
for illumination, 452 f.
attitude toward methodii, 445 f.

492

INDEX

Purification, active: of the imagination,
345 f.; of the intellect, 353-59; of the
memory, 345-52; principles to be ap­
plied to purification of the senses,
332 ff.; of the will, 365-78
Purifications, passive
crises of transition, 240(1.; see also
Ages of the spiritual life
necessary: for full perfection, 190-93;
to eliminate moral defects, 84-88
St. Thomas on necessity of, 187 f.
of the senses: nature of, 191; necessary
before illumination, 452 f.
of the spirit: nature of, 192 f.

Quality, principal natural, 315
Quietism: confusion of spiritual sloth
with divine trial of aridity, 391 f.; er­
ror in regard to perfection, 183 note;
examination of conscience useless
according to, 304; naturalism of in­
action, 277 ff.; results of excessive
fear of, 16 f.; and self-love, 368

Reading, spiritual, 247-55: dispositions
for profitable, 253 ff.; fruits of, 254
and note; importance of, 247 f., 362;
of lives of the saints, 252 f.; of Scrip­
ture, 247 ff.; of spiritual works of the
saints, 249-52
Rebellion; see Pride
Rectitude, lack of, 367
Redemption, essence of mystery of, 123
Religion, virtue of, 153
Sacraments: grace produced ex opere
operato by, 141; and measure of
grace, 141 ff., 397
Sacrifice, lack of spirit of; see Tepidity
Sacrifice of the Mass; see Mass
Sanctification in way of salvation, pro­
gressive, 204 f.
Sanctity
of the Church; see Church
definition of, 23, 339
nature of great, 182
normal way of, 22 f.
one way of, 242 f., note 88
Satisfaction, sacramental, 404
Self-knowledge, 267 f.; see also Ages of
the spiritual life
Self-love, 300 ff.
cure for, 368 f., 372 ff.
good and blamable, 368 note

Self-love (continued)
included in charity, 300
and quietism, 368
results of, 208 f., 300 f.
St. Augustine on cure of, 368 f.
source of all sins, 367
and utilitarianism, 367 f.
wound of malice, 366 f.
Self-love, inordinate: St. Catherine of
Siena on, 371; Tauler on, 468 f.; The
Imitation on, 369 ff.; see also Ego­
ism
Self-will: abnegation of, 372 f.; defini­
tion of, 367; mortification of, 373;
source of sin, 367
Sin
definition of, 300
dissimulation of, 382
of frailty, 307, 309, 399
habit of, 382; see also Pride
of ignorance: invincible, 308; vincible,
307 fof malice, 307, 310 ff.
mortal: sacramental accusation of, 398
original, consequences of, 286-90; see
also Harmony, triple
personal, consequences of, 290-92
remnants of, 291, 302
Sin, venial
deliberate, a serious obstacle to perfec­
tion, 398 f.
disposes to mortal sin, 334
and imperfection, 333 f.; see also Im­
perfection
impossibility of continually avoiding,
83 f.
need of seeking cause of, 399
Singularity, 382; see also Pride
Sins, capital: consequences of, 302; enu­
merated, 299; roots of, 299-302; in
spiritual order, 333
Sloth, spiritual (see also Quietism, Te­
pidity)
a cause of tepidity, 464
confused with aridity by quietists,
391 f.
cure for, 395 f.
definition and description of, 389-93
gravity and results of, 393 ff.
Soul, human: higher faculties of, 49;
parts of, 48; sensitive part of, 48 f.
Souls, retarded, 461-72; see also Tepidity
Stubbornness; see Pride
Studiousness, virtue of, 355 note, 362 note
Temperance; see Virtues, moral

INDEX
Tenacity in judgment, 363
Tepidity
causes of: levity of spirit, 464; lying,
464; neglect of little things, 461 fir.;
refusal of sacrifices asked, 463 f.;
spiritual sloth, 464; tendency to deri­
sion, 464 f.
definition of, 463 f.
loss of zeal in, 463
remedy for, 467 f.
results of, 465-68
Thanksgiving; see Communion
Theological virtue of charity
activity of: in the perfect, 158 note,
160 f.
bond of perfection, 150
definition of, 56
degrees of, 226, 244
should grow until death, 129
growth of: and life of grace, 132-48;
by merit, 133-38; through prayer,
138 ff.; through sacraments, 141 ff.
high degree of: and perfection, 163
law of acceleration, 131 f.
love of: cannot be continual on earth,
159 ff.; God attained immediately
by. '57
necessity of high degree of: for per­
fection, 164
no one excluded, 129
notable increase of: and divine mis­
sions, to6
perfection of: deliberate sin and vol­
untary imperfections excluded by,
>59 f·
result of generous act of, 134 f.
summary of progress of, 247
superior to knowledge of God on
earth, 155-58
true: all the virtues implied by, 151
weak (remissus) act of: and increase
of grace, 155 f.
Theological virtue of faith
acquired: source of, 54
infused: basis of justification, 53
definition of, 52 f., 361
essentially imperfect, 74
how to live by, 361 f.
nature of, 53 f.
preserved in state of mortal sin, 56
principle of active purification of in­
tellect, 359
Theological virtue of hope
definition of, 56
preserved in state of mortal sin, 56
shares imperfection of faith, 74

493

Theological virtue of hope (continued)
subordination of self to God by, 368
note
Theology: branches of, 10; method of,
9-13; object of, 9 f.
Theology, ascetical: defined, 21; and
mystical theology, 13-24
Theology, mystical: and ascetical theol­
ogy, 13-24; defined, 21
Theosophy, heresy of, 148 f.
Time, religious employment of, 396
Tradition, importance of: essentially di­
vine, 99 note
Trinity, Blessed
duties toward, dwelling in soul, 106 ff.
indwelling of: principle of supernat­
ural operations, 106; official teaching
of Church on, 100 f.; and quasiexperimental knowledge of God,
103; spiritual consequences of, 105 f.;
testimony of Scripture to, 97 ff.;
testimony of tradition to, 99 ff.;
theological explanation of, 101-5
Two cities according to St. Augustine,
368 f.
Understanding; see Gifts of the Holy
Ghost
Union, hypostatic: result on humanity of
Christ, 2 to f.
Universalism, true and false: conflict be­
tween, 358 f.; definition of, 358 f.
Utilitarianism, definition of, 367 f.; see
also Self-love

Vainglory; see Pride
Virtues
acquired moral: under direction of
natural reason, 57; in state of mortal
sin, 58 f.; in state of solid virtue, 59;
in state of unstable dispositions, 58 f.
false, 58
heroic: conditions necessary for, 180
infused moral: necessity of, 59-62; ob­
ject of, 57; produced by God, 57
moral: differences between acquired
and infused, 60 ff.; happy mean of,
64 f.; object of, 52, 57; relations be­
tween infused and acquired, 62-66
theological virtues: object of, 52; see
also Theological
three religious: connection with theo­
logical virtues, 218
Vision (immediate) of God surpasses
natural capacity of created intellect,
33 f.; sec also Life, eternal

494

index

Vows, three: end of, 216 f.; of essence of
religious state, 215 f.; reasons for in­
creasing perfection in observance of,
215; three obstacles to, 216; see also
Counsels

Will
active purification of, 365-78: difficulty
of, 373; by abnegation, detachment,
372-78; fruit of, 376 f.; by progress in
love of God, 372 ff.
definition of, 365
object of, 365

Will (.continued')
principal defect of, 366 f.
qualities of true strength of, 373 f.
virtues of, 372
Wisdom; see Gifts of the Holy Ghost
Wound of malice, 366 f.
Wounds of the soul, 306-10
Youth, spiritual: renewed day by day,
44; see also Life, interior
Zeal: bitter, 340 f.; its loss in tepidity,
463

Some Terms Used in This Book
(Added by the Publisher to the 1989 printing.)

SENSIBLE, Sensitive—of the senses. These terms are used in reference either to
the senses proper (external or internal, including the imagination) or to those
movements of the appetites known as passions or emotions.

JUSTICE—1. the state of (Sanctifying) Grace. 2. the moral virtue by which one
gives what is due to God, oneself and one’s neighbor. (It is in the first sense
that the term is usually used in the theology of the spiritual life.)

Justification, Sanctification—entering

the state of grace. Sanctification also
refers to the increase of Sanctifying Grace in the soul.

SUPERNATURAL—divine; pertaining to God or to Sanctifying Grace, which is
divine life in the soul. Sanctifying Grace is described as “living water” in the
Scriptures. By Sanctifying Grace the three Divine Persons dwell in the soul.
The following accompany Sanctifying Grace and arc likewise supernatural: the
three Theological Virtues—Faith, Hope and Charity; the four infused moral vir­
tues: prudence, justice, temperance, fortitude (these four virtues can also exist
on the natural level); the seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost. All these supernatural
gifts except Faith and Hope are lost by mortal sin; they are all regained through
sacramental absolution.

The JUST—a person in the state of Sanctifying Grace.
The Sinner—a person in the state of mortal sin.

Charity—1) the supernatural virtue by which one loves God for His own sake
and one’s neighbor as oneself for the love of God; this virtue is infused into
the soul in Baptism and also in absolution after sacramental confession of mortal
sin. Charity is the highest virtue; it vivifies, “informs,” or “forms the soul of”
every other supernatural virtue. 2) acts of love of God or neighbor as defined
above. A person in the state of mortal sin cannot exercise the virtue of Charity
because he has lost Charity along with Sanctifying Grace. He can only perform
acts of natural love of God and neighbor; these are not meritorious for salvation
and heavenly reward, though God in His mercy may look upon them as a plea
for the gifts of true repentance and return to Sanctifying Grace.

FAITH—the supernatural virtue by which one believes, on the word of God,
all the truths He has revealed. This virtue is infused into the soul along with
Sanctifying Grace. A person in the state of grace has living faith, because his
faith is “informed" by Charity; a person in the state of mortal sin may still
have faith, but it will be only ilrad faith.
495

496

THREE AGES OF THE INTERIOR LIFE

Hope—the

supernatural virtue by which one trusts in God’s promises to give
him eternal life and the means to obtain it. This virtue is infused into the soul
along with Sanctifying Grace.

Sanctity—the possessing of a high degree of Sanctifying Grace, and living by
the supernatural virtues, especially Faith, Hope and, above all, Charity.

Mystical—pertaining

to the higher levels of sanctity, in which the soul’s su­
pernatural acts are carried out in a divine mode, in intimate dependence upon
the seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost. Christians who have not attained to this
degree of sanctity perform their supernatural actions in a more human mode;
in them the seven Gifts are relatively dormant. Mystical prayer is called contem­
plation. Phenomena such as visions and revelations, though often found in mys­
tics, are not of the essence of the mystical life.

Contemplation—the higher of the two forms of mental prayer (the lower be­
ing meditation). Contemplation is an infused loving knowledge of God. In con­
templation, reasoning and discourse are left behind and the mind and will are
fixed on God in a wordless act of love, resulting in close union with Him. Con­
templation is also called mystical or infused prayer. It is a special gift of God
and cannot be acquired by one’s own efforts, even aided by actual grace. Neverthe­
less, one can and should prepare for this gift by humble and persevering efforts
at meditation and by the practice of the virtues.

Meditation—the lower of the two forms of mental prayer. In meditation one
employs his intellect and will in reflections, affections and holy resolutions.
Gifts of the Holy Ghost. The Seven—Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge,
Counsel, Piety, Fortitude, Fear (of the Lord). These Gifts are infused dispositions
which make a man promptly docile to divine inspirations. They have traditional­
ly been compared to the sails of a ship, enabling the ship to be moved by the
wind—which represents the inspirations of the Holy Ghost.

Charisms, or Graces Gratis Datae (“Freely Given”)—extraordinary spiritu­
al gifts of God such as the gifts of miracles, prophecy and tongues. These are
gifts given chiefly for the good of souls other than the recipient; graces gratis
datae are greatly inferior to Sanctifying Grace and the virtue of Charity. The
seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost are not graces gratis datae; rather, they are in the
normal way of sanctity.

Actual Grace—a supernatural help

of God which enlightens the mind and
strengthens the will to do good and to avoid evil. Actual grace is a transient
gift; it does not remain in the soul.

Books by the Author Translated into English
God, His Existence and His Nature: A Thomistic Solution of Certain
Agnostic Antinomies (1914)
Christian Perfection and Contemplation, according to St. Thomas
Aquinas and St. John of the Cross (1923)
The Principles of Catholic Apologetics: A Study of Modernism based
chiefly on the Lectures of Père Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P.,
Adapted and Arranged (by Thomas Joseph Walshe, 1926)

The Love of God and the Cross of Jesus (1929)
Providence (1932)
Our Savior and His Love for Us (1933)
Predestination (1936)
★The One God (1938)
The Three Ages of the Interior Life: Prelude of Eternal Life (1938)

The Three Ways of the Spiritual Life (1938)
*Thc Trinity and God the Creator (1943)
★Christ the Savior (1945)
The Priesthood and Perfection (1946)
Reality: A Synthesis of Thomistic Thought (1946)
Life Everlasting (1947)
*Grace (1947)

The Priest in Union with Christ (1948)
The Mother of the Saviour and Our Interior Life (1948)

★The Theological Virtues—Vol. 1: Faith (1948)
★Beatitude (moral theology, 1951)
Last Writings (spiritual retreats, 1969)

Books by the Author Not Translated into English
Le sens commun: la philosophie de l’être et les formules dogmatiques (1909)
Saint Thomas et le neomolinisme (booklet, 1917)
De Revelatione per ecclesiam catholicam proposita (1918)
De methodo sancti Thomae speciatim de structura articulorum summae
theologicae (booklet, 1928)

Le réalisme du principe de finalité (1932)
Le sens du mystère et le clair-obscur intellectuel: nature et
surnaturel (1934)

Essenza e attualità del Tomismo
Dieu accessible à tous (booklet, 1941)

★De Eucharistia: Accedunt de Paenitentia quaestiones dogmaticae (1942)
Les XXIV Theses Thomistes pour le 30e Anniversaire de leur
Approbation (booklet, 1944)

Verite et immutabilité du dogme (booklet, 1947)
De virtutibus theologicis (1948)
•Commmlarirt on St Thomai Aqutmti' Summa Theologica

About the Author
Father Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P. (1877-1964) was a philosopher and the­
ologian of great wisdom, learning and holiness, one of the greatest theologians of
the 20th century. Born in Auch, France, as a young man he studied medicine at the
University of Bordeaux before entering the Dominican Order in 1897. He completed
his ecclesiastical studies under the direction of A. Gardeil. From 1909 until 1960 he
taught fundamental, dogmatic and spiritual theology at what is now called the Pontifi­
cal University of St. Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum) in Rome, and he served during
the latter part of his career as a consultor to the Holy Office and other Roman congre­
gations. Beginning around age 27 he wrote more than 500 books and articles, many
of which have been translated from the original French or Latin into other languages.
Father Garrigou-Lagrange was a zealous proponent of the doctrine of St. Thomas
Aquinas as expounded by the classical commentators of the Dominican school —
Cajetan (Tommaso de Vio), B.itiez, John of St. Thomas and Charles Billuart. He com­
bined a great respect for the past with an understanding and appreciation of the in­
tellectual and spiritual needs of his own time. His principal theses are set forth
systematically in Ins I >i Synthese thomiste (Reality: .4 Synthesis <»/ Thomistic Thought) In
philosophy his first outstanding work was l.e sens commun, hi philosophie de I'ftre el les
formules dogmatiques sitii'l dime t'lude sur hi valeur tie hi crlthpte moderniste des preut*r< thomistes

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (Cont’d.)
de l’existence de Dieu (1909), a work written against Modernism and its conception of
the evolution of dogma. There he reaffirmed the validity of the philosophy of being,
of moderate realism, and of Aristotclian-Thomistic metaphysics, which is simply the
development of elementary and primordial ideas by natural intelligence. Then turning
to dogmatic formulas, which he did not wish to tie to any philosophical system, he
showed their rational value and stability. Knowledge of dogma and of dogmatic ex­
pressions and formulas can progress, but the dogma remains always immutable in itself.
Father Garrigou-Lagrange’s most important philosophical work was God—His Exis­
tence and His Nature: A Thontistic Solution of Certain Agnostic Antinomies; in this work
he laid great stress on the Thomistic doctrine concerning the identity of essence and
existence in God and the real distinction of essence and existence in the creature.
The major part of Father Garrigou-Lagrange’s work, however, was theological. His
classic work entitled De revelatione ab ecclesia proposita (1918, rev. cd. 1932) presented
apologetics as a theological rather than a philosophical science, as a rational defense
of divine revelation made by reason under positive direction by faith. He endeavored
to protect the notion of faith as an essentially supernatural gift that transcends by
far the elaborations of human thought and cannot be the fruit of a rational syllogism,
which can lead the mind no further than to the judgment of credibility; at the same
time he strove to avoid the pitfall of a fideism that would ignore reason and human
study. Father Garrigou-Lagrange’s masterly commentary (7 vol.) on the Summa Theolo­
giae of St. Thomas Aquinas is a comprehensive development and treatment of the truths
of faith according to the theology of St. Thomas Aquinas.
It is probably for his theology of the spiritual life that Father Garrigou-Lagrange
is most well-known; in spiritual theology the principal points of his doctrine were
established in the light of Thomistic teaching. Adopting the position of Father John
Arintero, O.P., he insisted vigorously on the universal call to holiness, and therefore
to infused contemplation and to the mystical life as the normal ways of holiness or
Christian perfection. Among his most fundamental works in this field are Christian
Perfection and Contemplation; Les Trois conversions et les trois voies (The Three Ways of the
Spiritual Life); The Love of God and the Cross ofJesus; The Three Ages of the Interior Life;
De sanctificatione sacerdotum secundum exigentias tempon’s nostri (The Priesthood and Perfection);
and De unione sacerdotis cum Christo Sacerdote et Victima (The Priest in Union with Christ).
He also wrote a book entitled Mere Françoise de Jésus, fondatrice de la Compagnie de la
Vierge, as well as numerous articles for La Vie Spirituelle and Angelicum.
Other books of Father Garrigou-Lagrange which have been translated into English
(in addition to those whose titles arc given above in English) include: Christ the Savior;
The Theological Virtues—vol. 1: Faith; Grace; Life Everlasting; The One God; Our Savior
and His Love for Us; Predestination; Providence; The Trinity and God the Creator; The Mother
of the Saviour and Our Interior Life; Beatitude (moral theology, on human acts and habits),
and his retreat conferences, published posthumously as The Last Writings of Reginald
Garrigou-Lagrange.
The publishers of this present work look forward to publishing other works of Father
Garrigou-Lagrange, in accord with the response received by this one.

(Grateful acknowledgment to The Publishers Guild, publisher of The New Catholic Encyclopedia,
from which most of the above material was taken, with permission.)