Contents

PART III

THE ILLUMINATIVE WAY OF PROFICIENTS
CHAPTU

PAGK

I. The Object of the Third Part and the Language
of Spiritual Writers Compared with That of
Theologians..........................................................................3
A. The Language of Spiritual Writers Compared
with That of Theologians..................................... 6
B. The Question Raised by the Language of the
Mystics......................................................................... 6
C. The Theological Bases of the Terminology of
Spiritual Writers....................................................... 9
D. The Principal Terms of the Language of Spir­
itual Writers..................................................... 10
E. Mystical Hyperbole................................................13
F. Comparison of the Language of Spiritual Writ­
ers and That of Theologians............................. 16
G. Which of These Two Terminologies Is the
Loftier?........................................................................ 18
II.

The Entrance into the Illuminative Way . . 21
A. The Fact of the Second Conversion in the Lives
of the Servants of God......................................... 23
B. The Necessity of the Second Conversion .
25

III. The Second Conversion According to Several
Spiritual Writers........................
.... 30
A. The Second Conversion in The Dialogue of St.
Catherine of Siena..................................................... 30
B. The Second Conversion According to Blessed
Henry Suso and Tauler......................................... 33

IV. The Passive Purification

of the Senses and the
Entrance into the Illuminative Way .... 40
A. The Necessity of this Purification .... 40

Hi

CONTENTS

iv
CHAPTK*

FAG1

B. How the Passive Purification of the Senses Is
Produced...........................................................43
C. The Cause of ThisState.................................. 47
D. Note...................................................................... 52

V.

Conduct to Be Observed in the Night of the
Senses......................................................
.54
A. Four Rules ofDirection Relative to This State 54
B. Trials Which Ordinarily Accompany the Night
of the Senses.................................................... 59
C. The Effects of the Passive Purification of the
Senses...................................................................... 61

VI.

The Spiritual Age of Proficients: Principal Char­
acteristics ................................................................... 65
A. The Knowledge of God in Proficients . . . 65
B. The Love of God and of Souls in Proficients . 70

VII.

The Spiritual Edifice

in

Proficients

.

.

.

.72

VIII.

Prudence and the Interior Life................................... 77
A. Defects to Be Avoided......................................... 79
B. Acquired Prudence and Self-control . . .81
C. Infused Prudence ....
.... 84
D. Holy Discretion and the Gift of Counsel . . 86

IX.

The Different Forms of Justice and the Educa­
tion of the Will......................................
90
A. Commutative and Distributive Justice in Rela­
tion to the Interior Life
.92
B. Legal Justice, Equity, and the Formation of
Character................................................................ 93
C. Justice and Charity...............................................96
D. The Virtues Connected with Justice in Chris­
tian Life.................................................... 96

X.

Patience and Meekness........................................ 99
A. Patience and Longanimity, Twin Columns of
the Interior Life.............................................. 99
B. Supernatural Meekness and Its Fruits
. .102

XI. The Value

of

Chastity

and

Its Spiritual Fruit­

108
A. The Motive That Should Inspire Chastity . .108
B. The Spiritual Fruitfulness of Chastity
.111
fulness

CONTENTS
CH APTU

v
FAGE

XII. The Humility of Proficients...................................... 117
A. Humility toward God...................................... u8
B. Humility toward Our Neighbor
. . . .122

XIII.

The Humility of the Word Made Flesh and
What Ours Should Be.................................................... 127
A. The Humility and Magnanimity of Christ .
127
B. The Union of Humility and Christian Dignity 131
Appendix. The Glory of the Cross........................... 136

XIV. The Spirit of Poverty....................................................140
A. The Value of Voluntary Poverty . . . . 141
B. The Fruitfulness of Voluntary Poverty . . 145
C. The Merit of the Vows ...
... 147
XV. The Grandeur of Obedience . .
... 149
A. The Type of Servitude from Which Obedience
Delivers Us................................................................151
B. The Fruits of Obedience........................................154
XVI.

Simplicity and Uprightness........................................158
A. Defects Opposed to Simplicity............................159
B. Veracity and the Interior Life........................... 160
C. Superior Simplicity, the Image of That of God 162

XVII.

The Spirit of Faith and Its Progress
. . . .168
A. The Nature of the Spirit of Faith . . . .168
B. The Growth of Infused Faith in Us . . .
.171
C. The Excellence and the Power of the Spirit
of Faith................................................
172
D. A Practical Manner of Living by the Spirit
of Faith...................................................................... 175

XVIII.

Confidence in God; Its Certitude.......................... 178
A. Defects to Be Avoided........................................178
B. The True Nature of ChristianHope . . .179
C. The Certitude of Hope....................................... 180
D. The Qualities of Christian Hope........................... 181
E. Admirable Effects of Living Hope Confirmed
by Trials................................................................ 184

XIX. The Love of Conformity to the Divine Will .
187
A. The Signs of Imperfect Love .
187
B. The Nature of Charity and the Marks of Its
Progress
..............................
188

vi

CONTENTS
CH APT I*

PAGI

C. The Love of God and Our Natural Disposi­
tions .....................................................
. 192
D. Progressive Conformity to the Signified Di­
vine Will
............................................................... 193

XX.

Fraternal Charity, Radiation of the Love of God 199
A. Why Our Love of God Should Extend to Our
Neighbor.............................................................. 200
B. Efficacy of the Love of Charity........................... 202
C. The Compass and Order of Charity .... 203
D. How to Make Progress in Fraternal Charity . 206

XXL Zeal

for the Glory of God and the Salvation of
Souls.................................................................... 213

A. The Motives of Zeal............................................. 214
B. The Qualities of Zeal............................................. 218
C. The Sources of Spiritual Progress and Divine
Intimacy
.............................................................. 222

XXII. Docility to the Holy Ghost....................................... 223
A. The Inspirations of the Holy Ghost . . . .224
B. The Ascending Gradation of the Gifts . . .225
C. Conditions Required for Docility to the Holy
Ghost........................
....
233
D. Acts Which Prepare the Soul for Docility to
the Holy Ghost................................................... 234
E. The Harmonizing of Docility to the Holy
Ghost with Obedience and Prudence
. .236
F. The Fruits of Docility to the Holy Ghost . .237
XXIII.

The Discerning of Spirits
....................................... 241
A. The Signs of the Spirit of Nature....
243
B. The Signs of the Spirit of the Devil.... 245
C. The Signs of the Spirit of God.................... 246

XXIV.

The Sacrifice of the Mass and Proficients . . . 249
A. Adoration........................................................ 251
B. Reparation........................................................ 252
C. Petition
............................................................... 254
D. Thanksgiving .................................................. 255

XXV.

The Communion of Proficients........................... 258
A. The Holy Table and the Unity of the Mys­
tical Body
................................................... 259

CONTENTS
CKAPTBX

vii
FAGI

B. Communion and the Growth of the Mystical
Body of Christ ...
260
C. Communion and the Gift of Oneself . . . 263
XXVI. Devotion to Mary in Proficients
............................... 265
A. True Devotion to Mary....................................... 265
B. The Degrees of This Devotion........................... 266
C. The Fruits of This Devotion................................. 268
XXVII. The Universal Accessibility of the Mysticism of
The Imitation................................................
..272
A. The Mystical Character of The Imitation .
τ-Ti
B. The Dispositions Required or the Asceticism
of The Imitation................................................... 277

XXVIII.

Contemplative Prayer................................................... 279
A. The Passage from Acquired Prayer to Initial
Infused Prayer
.
.
.2 79
B. The Passage from Meditation to Contemplation
According to the Traditional Teaching Ex­
pressed by St. Francis de Sales ...
2 79
C. The Principles of This Traditional Teaching
According to St. Thomas
.281
D. The Acquired Prayer of Recollection and Pas­
sive Recollection According to St. Teresa 284

XXIX. The Errors of the Quietists on Contemplation
and Pure Love................................................289
A. The Quietism of Molinos......................................289
B. Semi-Quietism......................................................... 292
C. The Problem of Pure Love................................ 294
D. In What the Practice of Pure Love Consists
297
XXX. The Degrees of Contemplative Prayer in Pro­
ficients
299
A. The Progress of Prayer and the Virtues . . 299
B. The Prayer of Quiet............................................. 300
C. The Prayer of Simple Union................................. 302
D. Contemplative Prayer and Fervent Communion 304
XXXI.

Questions Relative to Infused Contemplation . 307
A. The Principal Problem....................................... 307
B. Accepted Definitions............................................. 309
C. Intimate Nature of Infused Contemplation . . 312
D. The Progress of Infused Contemplation . .315

CONTENTS

viii
CHAFTU

XXXII.

_

JACt

E. What Infused Contemplation Does Not Neces­
sarily Require.................................................. 317
F. The Call to Contemplation................................. 319
G. The Direction of Souls in Relation to Contem­
plation .............................................................. 324
The New Elements inInfused Prayer . . . .327
A. Whether the Character of Newness Always
Appears Clearly................................................... 328
B. The Explanation of This Transition . . . .330
C. Reply to a Difficulty............................................. 333
D. The Special Illumination of the Holy Ghost . 335
E. The Special Illumination of the Gift of Wis­
dom Sufficient for Infused Contemplation . 337

XXXIII. The Agreement and Differences between St.
Teresa and St. John of the Cross........................
342
A. The Cause of These Differences........................... 342
B. Whether These Differences Have a Common
Basis.......................................................................... 343
C. A Recent Objection............................................. 346

PART IV

THE UNITIVE WAY OF THE PERFECT
SECTION I

The Entrance into the Unitive Way through the
Night of the Spirit......................................................... 353

XXXIV. The Necessity of the Passive Purification of the
Spirit, and the Prelude of the Unitive Way . . 356
A. The Defects of the Advanced........................... 358
B. The Depths of the Will to Be Purified . . . 360

XXXV.

Description of the Passive Purification of the
Spirit.................................................................................367
A. The Darkness in Which the Soul Has the Im­
pression of Being...................................
367
B. The Revelation of the Majesty of God in This
Darkness................................................
. 369

XXXVI. The Cause of the Passive Purification of the
Spirit.........................................
. . 375
A. Purifying Infused Light and Spiritual Fire . . 375

CONTENTS
CKxrm

ix
Μ01

B. The Influence of the Gift of Understanding in
This Purification............................................. 378

XXXVII. The Transluminous Obscurity................................. 384
A. The Effect of Too Greata Light . . . .384
B. The Effect of Light on Weak Eyes .... 386
C. The Fear of Consenting or of Having Con­
sented to Temptations....................................... 387
D. Confirmations......................................................... 388

XXXVIII. Conduct

to Be Observed during the Purification
of the Spirit................................................ 392

A. Generous Acceptance............................................. 392
B. Faith in the Mystery of the Cross .... 394
C. The Love of Conformity and of Submission to
God’s Good Pleasure .
. 397

XXXIX.

The Effects of the Passive Purification of the
Spirit in Relation Especially to the Three Theo­
logical Virtues............................................. 400
A. Negative Effects................................................... 400
B. The Positive Effects of This Purification . . 403
C. The Purification of Faith...................................... 406
D. The Purification of Hope......................................410
E. The Purification of Charity............................. .414
F. Sufferings That Sometimes Accompany the Pas­
sive Purification of the Spirit . .
418

XL.

The Spiritual Age of the Perfect, Their Union
with God................................................................ 422
A. Quasi-Experimental and Almost Continual
Knowledge of God............................................. 422
B. Loving God with One’s Whole Mind . . . 425
C. The Indwelling of the Blessed Trinity in the
Purified Soul......................................................... 426
D. The Signs of the Indwelling of the Blessed
Trinity in the Purified Soul................................. 429

XLI.

A Form of Perfect Life: the Way of Spiritual
Childhood............................................................... 433
A. The Innate Qualities of the Child . . . .433
B. The Principal Virtues of the Child of God . 435
C. What Distinguishes Spiritual Childhood from
Natural Childhood................................................... 437

CONTENTS

X
CHArrzB

SECTION II

The Heroic Degree of the Virtues...........................440

XLII.

The Heroic Degree of the Virtues in General . 441
A. The Distinctive Marks of Heroic Virtue
. 442
B. The Connection of the Virtues and Their
Heroic Degree........................................................ 445

XLIII.

Heroic and Contemplative Faith................................ 450
A. The Firmness of Its Adherence........................... 451
B. Promptness in Rejecting Error...........................453
C. The Penetration Which Causes Everything to
Be Seen in the Light of Revelation
453
D. The Victory of Heroic Faith over the Spirit
of the World........................................................ 455

XLIV.

Heroic Hope and Abandonment................................ 457
A. The Invincible Firmness of Perfect Hope . . 457
B. Trusting Abandonment and Unwavering Fidel­
ity
.....................................................
. 460
C. The Heroic Confidence of the Saints Restores
Hope in Their Companions................................ 462

XLV.

Heroic Charity.............................................................. 465
A. Heroic Charity toward God, Perfect Conform­
ity to His Will and Love of the Cross
. 465
B. Heroic Charity toward One’s Neighbor: the
Ardent Desire for His Salvation and Radiating
Goodness toward All..............................
468

XLVI.

The Heroic Degree of the Christian Moral Vir­
tues ....................
472
A. Heroic Humility and Meekness........................... 472
B. Heroic Fortitude andMagnanimity. . . .473
C. Heroic Prudence.................................................. 475
D. Heroic Justice........................................................477
E. The Heroic Degree of the Religious Virtues 479

XLVII.

The Love of Jesus Crucified and of Mary in the
Unitive Way................................................... 4^°
A. Christ’s Victory and Its Radiation . . . .481
B. Devotion to Mary in the Unitive Way . . . 484

CONTENTS
CHAPTE*

xi
PAG»

SECTION III

The Forms
XLVIII.

and

Degrees of the Unitive Life .

. 488

Perfect Apostolic Life andContemplation .
. 489
A. The Eminent Source of the Apostolate . .
. 490
B. The Condition of the Apostolate and Its Fruit­
fulness ............................................................... 494

XLIX.

The Life of Reparation....................................... 497
A. The Life of Reparation in the Priest . . . 498
B. The Life of Reparation in All Those Who
Have a Heavy Cross to Carry........................... 500
C. A Great Example: the Reparatory Night of the
Spirit in St. Paul of the Cross........................... 502

L.

The Influence of the Holy Ghost in the Perfect
Soul............................................................................... 511
A. The Holy Ghost, Uncreated Gift . . . .511
B. The Activity of the Uncreated Gift in Our
Souls............................................................................513
C. Conclusion................................................................517

LI.

Arid Mystical Union and Ecstatic Union Accord­
ing to St. Teresa...................................................... 519
A. Arid and Painful Mystical Union . . . .519
B. Ecstatic Union; Its Manifestation and Nature . 521
C. What Distinguishes Rapture from Ecstasy . . 524
D. The Effects of Ecstatic Union........................... 525
E. The Purification of Love....................................... 526

LII.

The Transforming Union, Prelude of the Union
of Heaven................................................................. 527
A. The Graces Which Sometimes Accompany the
Transforming Union....................................
528
B. The Essential Nature of the Transforming
Union......................................................................529
C. The Theological Explanation of This State . . 531
D. The Effects of the Transforming Union
. 533
E. A Note on the Highest Degree of the Mys­
tical Life......................................................... 539
i. The Nameless Depth of the Soul and the
Deity............................................................... 539

CONTENTS
page

1APTFM

2. The Holy Ghost Lifts up the Soul and
Prays in It................................................... 540
3. Detachment from Self and Attachment to
God............................................................... 541
4. Different Meanings of the Title “Spouse” 542
5. The Desire of the Transforming Union . 544
6. The Intimacy of the Transforming Union 546
7. The Equality of Love................................. 546
8. Conclusion................................................... 547
APPENDIX

The Perfection of Love and the Mystical Union 547

I. The Perfection of Love and Infused Contempla­
tion
.......................................................................... 547
II. The Union Described in A Spiritual Canticle Is
Mystical........................................................................... 550
III. The Perfection of Love in the Spiritual Espousals 552
IV. The Perfection of Love in the Spiritual Marriage 557

PART V

EXTRAORDINARY GRACES
LUI.

LIV.

LV.

LVI.

Charisms or Graces Gratis Datae..............................
A. Nature and Division of the Charisms . . . 575
B. Application of This Doctrine by St. John of
the Cross......................................................... 577
Divine Revelations and Visions......................... 580
A. What Should Be Thought of Private Revelations 580
B. Supernatural Visions....................................... 586

Supernatural Words and Divine Touches . . . 589
A. The Different Kinds of Supernatural Words . 589
B. Divine Touches.............................................592
Stigmatization and Suggestion......................... 596
A. The Traditional Teaching................................. 597
B. Ecstasy and Stigmatization................................ 601
C. Levitation............................................................... 604
D. Luminous Effluvia................................................... 605
E. Fragrant Effluvia................................................... 605
F. Prolonged Abstinence.......................................... 606

CONTENTS
CHAPTEK

LVII.

LVIII.

xiii
PAGE

Differences between Extraordinary Divine Facts
and Morbid Phenomena............................... 608
A. Differences on the Part of the Subject . . . 609
B. Differences on the Part of the Phenomena . .610
C. Differences in the Effects .
........................ 611
D. An Examination of Some Particular Facts . .613
E. Note
..................................................................... 615
Diabolical Phenomena.............................................. 617
A. Obsession......................................................... 618
B. Possession.......................................................... 620
1. A Striking Example.................................. 623
2. Note.......................................................... 626
EPILOGUE
I

The Axis of the Spiritual Life and Its Unity . . 628
A. The Distinction between Ascetical and Mystical
Theology as It Has Often Been Proposed Since
the Seventeenth Century....................................... 630
B. Disadvantages from a Wrong Understanding
of the Division between Ascetical and Mys­
tical Theology......................................................... 633
C. Various Forms of Simplified Prayer . . . .634
D. The Axis of the Spiritual Life and Ascetical
Theology Rightly Understood
637
E. The Axis of the Spiritual Life and True Mys­
tical Theology................................................... 638
π

The Beatific Vision and Its Normal Prelude . . 644
A. The Absolutely Immediate Vision of the Di­
vine Essence
.................................... 644
B. The Normal and Immediate Prelude of the
Beatific Union......................................................... 648
ADDENDA

On the Nature of Spiritual Theology .... 652

Synthesis of the Treatise on The Three Ages of
the Interior Life............................................................... 6$ 5

xiv

CONTENTS
TAGI

Summary of the Work in Three Retreats
A. First Retreat: On Spiritual Progress . . . 656
B. Second Retreat: On the Spiritual Organism
656
C. Third Retreat: On Christian Perfection . . 657
Index........................................................................................................ 659

Some Terms Used in This Book.............................................................................. 669

PART III

The Illuminative Way of Proficients

6j6

THREE AGES OF THE INTERIOR LIFE
Summary

of the

Work in Three Retreats

FIRST RETREAT: ON SPIRITUAL PROGRESS

1. The last end of life: celestial beatitude, II, 644-51; the life of
grace, eternal life begun, I, 29-39.
2. Sin, its roots and consequences; the predominant fault, I, 299322; tepidity, I, 389-96.
3. The redemptive love of Christ for us, I, 109-18; II, 128 ff.,
480-87.
4. Charity toward God, II, 187-98, 465-68.
5. Charity toward one’s neighbor, II, 187-98, 468-71.
6. Mortification, I, 275-98.
7. Humility, II, 117-39.
8. Poverty, II, 140-48.
9. Chastity, II, 108-16.
10. Holy obedience, II, 149-57.
11. The cross and purifications in general, II, 40-64, 3 56-99.
12. The prayer of petition and liturgical prayer, I, 428-43.
13. Mental prayer, I, 444-53.
14. Docility to the Holy Ghost, II, 223-48.
15. Devotion to Mary, II, 265-71.
16. How to live profoundly by the Mass, II, 249-64.
17. Holy Communion, II, 258-64.
18. Zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, II, 213-21
SECOND RETREAT: ON THE SPIRITUAL ORGANISM

i. The interior life, intimate conversation with God, I, 40-47
48-51.
The Theological Virtues, I, 52-56
2. Faith, II, 168-77.
3. Hope and its certitude, II, 178-86.
4. Charity, II, 187-212.

The Moral Virtues, I, 57-66
5. Prudence and the interior life, II, 77-89.
6. The different forms of justice, II, 90-98.
7. Fortitude and patience, II, 99-107.

NATURE OF SPIRITUAL THEOLOGY

8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

16.
17.
18.

657

Chastity, II, 108-16.
Humility, II, 117-39.
Actual grace and its different forms, I, 88-96.
The Blessed Trinity present in us, I, 97-108.
The gifts of the Holy Ghost and docility to the Holy Ghost,
I, 66-88; II, 223-48.
The influence of Christ the Redeemer on His mystical body, I,
109-18.
The influence of Mary Mediatrix, I, 119-28.
The growth of the life of grace through merit, prayer, the sacra­
ments, I, 129-43.
Sacramental confession, I, 397-405.
Assistance at Mass, source of sanctification, 1,406-13; II, 249-57·
Holy Communion, 1,414-27; II, 258-64.
THIRD RETREAT: ON CHRISTIAN PERFECTION

1. Christian perfection, its true nature, I, 144-62.
2. The grandeur of Christian perfection and the beatitudes, I,
163-73·
3. Christian perfection and the precept of love, I, 196-205.
4. Christian perfection and the evangelical counsels, I, 206-13.
5. The special obligation of the priest and the religious to tend to
perfection, I, 214-24.
6. The three ages of the spiritual life, I, 225-46.
7. The spiritual age of beginners, I, 265-74.
8. The purification of the senses and the imagination, I, 332-52.
9. The purification of the intellect and the will, I, 353-78.
10. Retarded souls, I, 461-72.
11. The spiritual age of proficients, II, 65-71.
12. The discerning of spirits, II, 241-48.
13. The Sacrifice of the Mass and proficients, II, 249-57.
14. The Communion of proficients, II, 258-64.
15. The mysticism of The Imitation accessible to all, II, 272-78.
16. The crosses of the sensible pan of the soul and those of the
spirit, II, 40-64, 356-99.
17. The spiritual age of the perfect, II, 422-32.
18. The beatific vision and its normal prelude, II, 644-51.

Index
Abandonment to will of God, 195; hope
transformed into, 413; its heroic de­
gree manifested by heroic hope,
460 ff.
Abstinence, prolonged, 606
Affections, chastity and the inordinate,
110
Age of beginners, meaning of term, 4a
note 8; see Vol. I
Age of proficients (see Purification, pas­
sive, of the senses)
beginning of contemplation in, 47
beginning of mystical life in, 70
characteristics of, 65-71
Communion in, 258-64
conduct when one is unable to medi­
tate, 56
continuation of purgative way, 3
correction of defects, 43
defects in, 41 ff., 358 ff.
definition of, 40
degrees of contemplative prayer in,
299-303
desire for God in, 47-50
devotion to Mary in, 265-71
entrance into, 21-29, 4°
experimental knowledge of God in,
61 ff., 65-71
fraternal charity in, 199
gifts of Holy Ghost and virtues in,
symbolized by spiritual edifice, 7276.
heroic acts of virtues in, 441
inability to meditate in, 45, 49
influence of gifts of Holy Ghost in,
47-50
knowledge of God in, 65-70
knowledge of self in, 61
lack of generosity in, 63
love of God in, 70
and the Mass, 249-57
moral virtues in, 75-79
progress in, 3 ff.
and the Rosary, 66
theological virtues in, 72-75

Age of the perfect (see also Purification,
passive, of the spirit)
apostolic life in, 489-96
desire for God in, 399, 417
devotion to Mary in, 484 ff.
entrance into, 353
forms and degrees of unitive life, 489510
heroic degree of the virtues in, 441-79;
see also Virtues
indwelling of Trinity in, 426-32; see
also Trinity
influence of Holy Ghost in perfect
soul, 513-18
life of reparation in, 497-510
love of Jesus crucified in, 480-84, 486
love of God in, 425
peace in, 426, 533, 539 ff., 552-60,
570 ff.
knowledge of God in, 422-25
self-knowledge in, 424
Apostolate: conditions of, 494 ff.; emi­
nent source of, 490-94; a form of the
unitive life, 489-96; fruitfulness of,
. 494 ff·
Aridity: cause of sensible, 44 ff., 317;
purpose of, 227; spiritual, 316
Ascetical, meaning of term, 548 note 2
Asceticism of The Imitation, 277
Autosuggestion: in hysteria, 609; and
stigmatization, 602

Beatitudes
of the clean of heart, 380
highest acts of infused virtues, 443
of the merciful, 88, 230
of the peacemakers, 232
penetration of soul with beatitudes in
passive purification, 397
of the poor, 226
relations to gifts of Holy Ghost, 226of those who hunger and thirst after
justice, 229
of those who mourn, 228

659

13

66ο

INDEX

Betrothal, spiritual, 551; see Espousals,
spiritual
Blindness: physical, 613 ^·> spiritual, 169
Character: definition of, 91; education
of> 95
. ,
Charisms; see Graces gratis datae
Charity; see Theological virtue of char­
ity
Chastity
acquired, 109
infused, 109
loss of, 109
motive of, 109
preparation for contemplation, iij
preservation of, 110
spiritual fruitfulness of, τχι-16
temptations against, 59 ff.
value of, 109
virginity, highest form of, 108
Childhood, spiritual; see Way of spirit­
ual childhood
Communion: conditions of a fervent,
258; and the gift of oneself, 263; and
the mystical body, 259-63; principal
effect of, 258; see also Vol. I, chap.
3»
Confidence in God, voluntary poverty
and, 143
Contemplation, acquired: conclusion in
regard to, 311; confused with initial
infused contemplation, 326 note 57;
definition of, 309; Molinos on, 290
Contemplation, infused
and acquired prayer of recollection,
284
beginning of, 47, 55 ff., 310 ff.
call to, 319-23
character of newness in, 328 ff.
characteristics of, 318
chastity, preparation for, 115
condition of the apostolate, 494 ff.
conditions ordinarily required for, 326
definition of, 281, 287, 308, 310, 312,
34'
description of, 310, 314, 551, 564
desire for, 323
desire for revelations turns soul from,
583
differences in teaching of St. Teresa
and St. John of the Cross on, 342-49
direction of souls in relation to, 324 ff.
distinguished from meditation, 313
distractions and, 50
ecstasy and, 578

Contemplation, infused (continued)
eminent source of the apostolate, 49094
erroneous explanations of, 334
erroneous opinions on, 547
errors of quietism in regard to, 289-94
essence of, 567
explanation of direct acts of, 314
explanation of term “extraordinary,”
276
explanation of transition to, 330-33
and fervent Communion, 304 ff.
flight of, the spiritual betrothal, 552
fruit of, in a mortified soul, 278
general and remote call to, 319 ff.
gifts of the Holy Ghost and, 280, 313,
.33'
hindered by self-sufficiency, 69
impression of darkness in, 381
individual and proximate call to, 322
inspiration of the Holy Ghost in, 281,
312 ff., 334
intimate nature of, 312-15
linked with gifts of Holy Ghost, 313
living faith, radical principle of, 314
means to obtain perfect love and per­
fect purity, 560-63
movements of, 423
necessary for sanctity, 568
need of the soul, 272
normal prelude of life of heaven, 321,
326
in normal way of sanctity, 275, 288,436
not extraordinary, 569
not an immediate perception of God,
3'.8
not in our power, 313
painful presence of God in, 317
part of perfect union with God, 566 ff.
passage from meditation to, according
to St. Francis de Sales, 279 ff.
passive recollection and beginning of,
285-88
of the perfect, 423 ff.
prayer of quiet, 300 ff.
prayer of simple union, 302
principal problem about, 307
and principles of teaching of St. Fran­
cis de Sales, 281
problem of new elements in, 327-35
proceeds from living faith, illumined
by gift of wisdom, 424
progress of, 315
proximate principle of, 314
revelations (improperly so called) as­
sociated with, 585

INDEX

661

Contemplation, infused (.continued)
Ecstasy (.see also Stigmatization)
signs of proximate call to, 322
definition of, 321, 524, 578, 611
special illumination of gift of wisdom
described, 611
sufficient for, 337-41
distinction between false and divine,
superior to discourse, 317
524
in The Imitation, 273-77
distinguished from rapture, 524
what it does not require, 327 ff.
divine imaginary vision and, 587
within reach of interior soul, 306
duration or, 523
Contemplatives, reason for fewness of
effects of, 322, 323
288
hysterical, 610
Conversation of the perfect, 423,426,430
infused contemplation and, 578
Conversion, acts disposing sinner to, 409
and intensity of knowledge and love
note 13
of God, 344
Conversion, second
liberty and merit in, 523
Blessed Henry Suso on, 33
not necessary to reach prayer of
fact in lives of saints, 23 ff.
union, 303
Father Lallemant on, 23-28
in transforming union, 529
fruits of, 28, 37
Effluvia: fragrant, 605; luminous, 603
necessity of, 21 ff.
Egoism, 360
references to, in liturgy, 22
Envy in proficients, 42
St. Catherine of Siena on, 30-33
Espousals, spiritual: impulsion of soul
of St. Peter, 21
toward God in, 534; normal, 552,
Counsel, gift of; see Gifts of Holy Ghost
554; obtained only in mystical way,
Counsels (evangelical), means of attain­
554; state of perfect love, 332, 555 ff.
ing perfection, 140
Evil: God’s permission of, 484; and
Cross: distinctive sign of Christian, 395;
greater good, 211
love of, 398; and mortification, 43; Exorcism; see Phenomena, diabolical
royal way of, 420; and zeal, 216
Faith; see Theological virtue of faith
Favors, extraordinary (see Graces
Dark night, explanation of, 376; see
gratis datae)
Purifications, passive
differences: between morbid phe­
Darkness, gift of understanding and im­
nomena and, 609-16; in effects,
pression of, 381
611 ff.; on part of phenomena, 610;
Desire for God: in the perfect, 399, 417;
on part of subject, 609
in proficients, 47 ff.
purpose of, 379
Detachment: practice of, 147; spirit of,
reasons for, 606
141 ff.
Fidelity, heroic life and, 460
Devotion, definition of substantial, 405
Fire, spiritual, 375-78
Devotion to Mary, 263-71; see Mary, Forgiveness of grave injury, results of,
Blessed Virgin
3»
Discerning of spirits
Fortitude: described, 75; virtues at­
definition of terms, 241
tached to, 75; see also Gifts of Holy
kinds of spirits, 242
Ghost
Friendship, 188 ff.
dominant spirit in soul, 242
principle of the, 243
signs of the spirit: of nature, 243; of Gift of understanding, 230
the devil, 243, of God, 246 ff.
corresponds to beatitude of clean of
heart, 380
Discontent in proficients, 43
Discouragement: opposed to hope, 178;
and divine illumination, 389
and dogma of purgatory, 388
in proficients, 43
Discretion, holy, 86 ff.
impression of darkness given by,
381-88
Docility to the Holy Ghost, character­
istic of mystical life, 320
influence in passive purification of the
spirit, 378-83
Duplicity, opposed to simplicity, 159
light of, 408 note 13
Dying, abandonment ano the, 413

66z

INDEX

Holy Ghost
Gift of understanding (continued)
activity of, in souls, 513-17
special inspiration of Holy Ghost re­
docility to: acts that prepare the soul
ceived through, 280 if., 312
for, 234; conditions required for,
speculative and practical, 314
233, 241; fruits of, 237-40; har­
supplies for imperfection of faith, 230
mony with obedience and prudence,
Gifts of Holy Gnost
236
ascending gradation of, 223-34
Father Lithard on special illumination
connected with charity, 224
connection of virtues and, 364
of. 335
gifts of; see Gifts of Holy Ghost
counsel, 229: and beatitude of the
inspiration, 224, 282, 327 note: defi­
merciful, 88; and heroic prudence,
nition of, 330; dispositions to re­
476; and holy discretion, 86-89; an<^
imperfection of prudence, 230; and
ceive, 310; principle of infused
contemplation, 312 ff.; sufficient for
zeal, 218
difference between infused virtues
infused contemplation, 334, 337-41
source of light and love, 431
and, 333 ff., 337
Hope; see Theological virtue of hope
enumerated, 223
Humility
fear, 226
fortitude, 228: and virtue of fortitude,
connected with theological virtues,
118
474
of Christ, 127-31, 136-39
influence in proficients, 47
infused contemplation linked with,
Christian dignity and union of, 131-36
degrees of, 126, 405
SB
foundation of spiritual life, 117
knowledge, 227
four consequences springing from
lack of indication of, 233
supernatural basis of, 119-22
mode of, 338
and the glory of the cross, 136-39
nature of, 223; see also Vol. I, chap.
heroic degree of, 472
3. a· 4
piety, 227: and meekness, 104
magnanimity and, 132-36
nature of, 118
role of, 638
their superhuman mode characteristic
obedience, sign of, 129
of contemplation, 318
pride and, 129
understanding; see Gift of under­
purification of, in night of the spirit,
standing
403
variety in, 357
removes pride, 117
wisdom, 231 ff.: and contemplation,
result of purification of, 404
spirit of God and true, 246
280; quasi-experimental knowledge
of God, 317, 428; special inspiration
toward God, 118-22
of Holy Ghost, 281, 312; speculative
toward one’s neighbor, 122 ff.: and
and practical, 314
attitude toward praise or reproach,
125; distinguished from human re­
Glory of God, zeal for, 216, 218
spect, 124
Grace
twofold dogmatic basis of, 118
confirmation in, 533 ff.
degree recovered after serious sin, 32 Hysteria, 608-11
increase following repentance, 625
and blindness, 613
life of, seed of glory, 644
characterized, 609
delirium of illusion in, 610
sanctifying: definition of, 19; superior
effects of, 611
to graces gratis datae, 511, 575, 648
nature of, 614
Graces gratis datae
signs of typical, 613
enumerated by St. Paul, 575
true, incompatible with eminent moral
nature and division of, 575
life, 6r6
in the saints, 577
superiority of sanctifying grace and
Illumination, special; see Holy Ghost
charity to, 573, 648
teaching of St. John of the Cross on, Imitation, The: asceticism of, 277; con­
templation in, 273-77
577 ff·

INDEX
Imprudence, 80
Indwelling of the Blessed Trinity; see
Trinity
Inspiration; see Holy Ghost
Jealousy: and fraternal charity, nt; in
proficients, 42
Judgment: deliverance from personal,
152; its maturity in way of spiritual
childhood, 437; rash doubt and rash,
208 note 20
Justice {see also Virtues, cardinal)
and charity, 96
and duties of liberality, 97
and filial piety, 96
forms of: commutative, 91; distribu­
tive, 91, 93; equity, 91, 94; legal or
social, 91, 93
grandeur of, 98
and peace, 96
and rights and duties of friendship,
97
and virtue of religion, 96

Knowledge {see also Gifts of Holy
Ghost)
definition of mystical knowledge of
God, 273
experimental knowledge of God and
self, 61 ff., 66-70
modes of particular and distinct
supernatural, 578
quasi-experimental knowledge of
divine presence, 428
superhuman mode of knowledge,
characteristic of mystical life, 320

Language of mystics, theologians, and
spiritual writers, 6-16: necessity of
scholastic terminology, 20
Levitation, 604
Liberty: of children of God, 431; and
obedience, 156
Life {see Way of spiritual childhood)
axis of the spiritual, 628 ff.: and as­
cetical theology, 637; and true
mystical theology, 638-43
end of interior, 321
inspiration of ascetical, 637
mystical: basic principle of, 319; be­
ginning of, 70; characteristics of,
318 ff.; in normal way of sanctity,
321; and pathological disturbances,
613

663

Life {continued')
spiritual childhood, a form of perfect,
433-39
_ . .
supernatural: wrong definition of,
642 note 30
Light, purifying infused, 375-78
Locutions, purpose of spiritual, 679 note
25; see Words, supernatural
Love
act of infused love, free and meritori­
ous, 310
desire for equality of, 569
filial, 31
of God: and chastity, 113; and our
natural dispositions, 192; and spirit­
ual maternity and paternity, 114
imperfect or mercenary, 30: signs of,
187
infused: characteristic of mystical life,
320
nature of love and marks of its
progress, 188-92
of neighbor: extension of love of God,
213; and zeal, 213-18
perfect: end of life, 552; erroneous
opinions on, 547; mystical contem­
plation means to obtain, 560-63; ob­
tained in spiritual espousals and
spiritual marriage, 552
perfection of: described in A Spirit­
ual Canticle, 547-68
pure: practice of, 294 ff.; problem, 297
Lying, results of habit of, 162
Magnanimity: definition of, 122 note 15;
its place among virtues, 179;
strengthened by humility, 124;
union of humility and, 132-36
Marriage, spiritual
description of, 114
gifts of Holy Ghost in, 554
mystical, 562, 566
normal, 562, 566
perfect calm of powers and senses
in, 559
perfect purity and equality of love in,
560
perfection: of love in, 557-66; of vir­
tues in, 565
purity of original justice in, 562
solitude of soul with Bridegroom in,
559
state of perfect love, 552 ff., 564 ff.
total death of passions in, 558
Martyrdom, obedience and, 156

664

INDEX

Martyrs: heroic degree of virtue in,
444; true and false, 448
Mary (Blessed Virgin) : act of conse­
cration to, 270; model of reparatory
souls, 497
Mary, devotion to, 265: degrees of,
266 ff.; fruits of, 268 ff.
Mass (see also Vol. I, chap. 31)
and the dying, 250, 254 ft.
ends of, 250: adoration, 251; petition,
254; reparation, 252 if.; thanksgiv­
ing. *55
oblation in union with the, 255 ff.
progress in the interior life and,
249 ff.
source of excellence of, 249
Maternity, spiritual: source in love of
God, 114
Meditation
conduct when unable to make, 56
description of, 279
distinction between contemplation
and, 280
inability of proficients to make, 45,
. 49
in our power, 313
return to discursive, 58
Meekness
fruits of, 102-7
gift of piety and, 104
heroic degree of, 472
preparation for contemplation, 107
note 26
in Scripture, 105
zeal and, 219
Mystical, meaning of term, 548 note 2
Mysticism of The Imitation, 272-78
Mystics: effects of extraordinary favors
on, 61 iff.; growth through con­
templation, 609; inverse of hysteri­
cal subjects, 610

Naturalism, practical, 275-80, 393
Nature: different meanings of word, 7;
spirit of, 243
Neurasthenia, symptoms of, 52
Neuroses, 616 note 14
Night of the senses; see Purification
(passive) of senses
Night of the spirit; see Purification
(passive) of spirit
Nothingness of the creature, 11, 13, 17
Obedience
and events as signs of the divine will,
*53

Obedience (continued)
formal motive of, 151 note 4
fruits of, 154-57
gift of counsel and, 155
glorified by Christ, 129
grandeur of, 149-57
harmonizing of docility to Holy
Ghost with, 236
heroic: from heroic faith, 452
highest of counsels, 149
sign of humility, 129
soul delivered from slavery by,
151-54
spirit of counsel of: necessary for per­
fection, 153
zeal, and, 218
Observances (monastic), reason for, 489
Obsession; see Phenomena, diabolical
Paternity (spiritual), source in love of
God, 114
Patience: aid to practice of, 101; defined
and described, 99; as a solid virtue,
100; temptations against, 59 ff.; zeal
and, 219
Peace: and justice, 96; in the perfect,
426, 533, 539 ff., 557-60, 570 ff.; and
the spirit of God, 247
Perfection: chiefly in charity, 140; dis­
position of religious with regard to,
26; see also Vol. I, chap. 13
Phenomena, diabolical
classified, 617
excesses to be avoided in attribution
of, 617
obsession: defined, 618; diabolical
siege, 619; efficacy of exorcisms
against, 623; manner of dealing with,
619; results of, 618
permission of God and, 617, 626
possession: defined, 620; exorcism and,
623; a punishment, 621; a purifying
trial, 621; remedies for, 622; signs
of, 621; a striking example of, 623;
teaching of St. John of the Cross
on, 624; two states in, 620
Phenomena, morbid, 608-16
Piety; see Gifts of Holy Ghost
Possession; see Phenomena, diabolical
Poverty
confidence in God and, 143
fruitfulness of, 145 ff.
merit of vow of, 147
reasons for Christ’s, 145
spirit of, 140
value of, 141-45

INDEX

665

Prayer: of arid quiet, 316; qualities of, Purification of the senses (continued)
signs of, 43-45, 51
323; of quiet, 300 ff.; of simple
temptations against chastity and pa­
union, 302; simplified affective, 633;
tience in, 59 ff.
various forms of simplified, 634-37;
see also Contemplation
trials ordinarily accompanying, 59
way produced, 43
Predestination: certitude of, 516, 534;
signs of, 395; temptations in regard Purification (passive) of the spirit
to, 413 note 26
anticipated purgatory, 382
cause of, 375-83
Presence of God: painful, 317; quasiconduct during, 392-99
experimental knowledge of, 428
conclusion in regard to, 508
Presumption, 178
darkness and desolation during, 367 ff.
Pride: contrary to humility, 129; re­
decisive struggle, 363
moved by passive purification of the
description of, 367-74
spirit, 399; serious sin, 149; spiritual,
distinguished from neurasthenia, 367
4'. 358, 361
note i
Proficients; see Age of proficients
Prudence, 76
entrance into unitive way, 353
acquired: infused prudence and, 78;
faith in mystery of the cross in, 394
firm hope and constant prayer in,
self-control and, 81-84
defects to be avoided, 79 ff.
395 ff.
generous acceptance and abandon­
docility to Holy Ghost and, 236
false, 80
ment in, 392
gift of counsel and, 86-89
heroic acts and degree of virtues in,
holy discretion and, 86 ff.
44'
infused, 86
influence of gift of understanding in,
negative, 84
378-83
zeal and, 218
love of conformity and submission to
Psychoneuroses and psychoses, 616 note
God’s good pleasure in, 397 ff.
mystical death, 363, 391
Μ
Purgatory: anticipated, 320, 382; com­
nature of, 375
pared with passive purifications,
necessity of, 356 ff.
319 note 22
progress in intensity of knowledge
Purgatory, dogma of: and beatific
and love of God in, 316
positive effects, 403-18
vision, 649; and gift of understand­
ing, 388; and transforming union,
references on description and ex­
planation of, 383 note 34
539
Purification: of charity, 414-18; of faith,
pride and self-love removed by, 399
and reparation, 509
406-10; of hope, 410-14; of humility,
403 ff.; of piety, 405
sadness in, 368
Purification (passive) of the senses
sufferings like those of purgatory, 414
beginning of contemplation in, 47, 314
sufferings occasionally accompanying,
418-21
cause of, 47-51
cause of aridity in, 44 ff.
temptations on mystery of predestina­
conduct in, 54-64
tion, 385
described according to Tauler, 35
Purifications, passive
desire for God, 47-50
advantage of considering, 358
anticipated purgatory, 320, 382
effects of, 61-64
belong to mystical order, 320
entrance into illuminative way, 40
necessity of, 40-43
collective, 401
neurasthenia distinguished from, 52
necessary for perfection, 320, 356
in normal way of sanctity, 35, 55, 63,
in normal way of sanctity, 320
649
Purity: of heart, 28; mystical contempla­
tion as means to obtain perfect,
and progress in intensity of knowl­
560-63
edge and love of God, 316
result of fidelity during, 57, 61-64
Pusillanimity: origin of, 122; description
of, 122, 124; in proficients, 43
rules of direction for, 54-59

666

INDEX

Quiet, prayer of; see Contemplation
Quietism: and abandonment, 393;
Catholic doctrine and errors of
Molinos juxtaposed, 291; and con­
templation, 312 note 19; of Molinos,
289-92; teaching on humanity of
Christ, 480

Rapture, definition of, 525, 578
Religion, virtue of: its purification in
night of the spirit, 405
Reparation, life of, 497: in all who
carry a heavy cross, 500 ff.; conclu­
sion in regard to, 509; in the priest,
498 ff.; in St. Paul of the Cross,
502-8
Repentance and notable increase of
grace, 625
Respect, human: definition of, 124; op­
posed to justice, 93
Retreats, three: summary of this work
in, 656
Revelations
conduct in regard to, 580 ff.
desire for, 582 ff.
divine: definition of, 580
possibility of error in, 581
private, 580, 584
prophetic, 577
public, 580
signs of divine origin of, 582
Rosary, proficients and the, 66
Sacrifice of the Mass; see Mass
Sanctity: definition of, 55, 568, 650;
mystical life in normal way of, 321;
and pathological disturbances, 615
Self-control, 81
Self-seeking, natural eagerness in, 42
Self-sufficiency and contemplation, 69
Self-will: definition of, 151; deliverance
from, 151 ff.
Semi-quietism, 292 ff.: and abandon­
ment, 383
Sensuality or spiritual gluttony, 41
Siege, diabolical; see Phenomena, dia­
bolical
Simplicity, 158
of a child, 433 ff.
of Christ, 164
defects opposed to, 159
definition of, 159
of God, 162
heroic degree of, 475
preparation for contemplation, 162
of the saints, 165 ff.

Simplicity {continued')
of spirit of faith, 169
veracity and, 162-67
teaching of St. Francis de Sales on,
163
in The Imitation, 167 note 31
Sloth, spiritual, 41
Spirit: definition of, 242; kinds of, 242
Spirit, signs of the: of the devil, 245; of
God, 246; of nature, 243
Spouse of Christ: condition of, 114;
meanings of term, 542 ff.; title mer­
ited, 113
State, mystical: definition of, 595; pro­
gressive extension of, 315
Stigmatization, 596-604: and feast of
stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi,
607
Sufficiency, 42
Suggestion: in hysteria, 609; stigmatiza­
tion and hypnotic, 596
Sulkiness in proficients, 43
Symbolism: of tree of evil, 364; of tree
of virtues and of gifts, 364, 366
Synthesis of treatise, 655

Talents, preference for human: in re­
ligious life, 27
Temperance, acquired and infused, 78
Temptation: fear of consent to, 387; and
its causes, 627; and necessity of
energetic acts of virtue, 60; revela­
tion of our misery and need of
grace, 60
Theological virtue of charity, toward
God: heroic degree of, 465-71; see
also Love
Theological virtue of charity, toward
neighbor
compass and order of, 203-6
efficacy of, 202
how to make progress, 206-12
and jealousy, 211
and justice, 96
motive of, 200 ff.
purification of, 414-18
radiation of love of God, 199
and rash judgment, 208 ff.
sign of progress in proficients, 199
and the spirit of God, 247
Theological virtue of faith
aided by gift of understanding, 170
confirmed by gift of understanding,
380
definition of, 406
excellence and power of, 172 ff.

INDEX

667

Union, transforming (continued)
Theological virtue of faith (.continued)
prayer of Holy Ghost in, according to
growth of, 171
Tauler, 540
heroic degree of, 450-55
prelude of heaven, 547
nature of spirit of, 168-71
and purgatory, 539
night of, 393
supreme development of life of grace,
a practical manner of living by, 175 ff.
5*7. 53<5. 539
purification of, 406-10
Tauler’s description of, 539 ff.
source of heroic obedience, 45Z
theological explanation of, 531 ff.
victory of, 455
title of “spouse” and, 542 ff.
and zeal, 218
Union with Mary, call to, 570
Theological virtue of hope
certitude of, 180, 413 note 26: in trans­ Uprightness; see Simplicity
forming union, 535
defects opposed to, 178
Veracity, 160 ff.: simplicity of saints,
definition of, 410
an aspect of, 162-67; see also
and desire for God, 296
Simplicity
effects of, 184®,
Virginity, 108
heroic degree of, 457
Virtues
in night of spirit, 395 ff.
acquired moral: distinction between
prayers expressing, 186
infused virtues and, 77; in man in
purification of, 410-14
mortal sin, 83
qualities of, 181-84
cardinal: eminent degree of, 97; gifts
true nature of, 179
corresponding to, 76; meaning of
Theology: ascetical and mystical,
term, 75, 77; virtues annexed to each
628-33; spiritual, 652 ff.
of the, 75
Touch, divine, 551, 592-95
connection of gifts and, 364
Trinity: indwelling of, 426-32, 517; in­
difficulty in practicing seemingly con­
tellectual vision of, 528
tradictory, 446
heroic degree of: beginning of, 441;
in children, 448; connection of the
Union
virtues and, 445-48; distinctive
letter on life of, 570 ff.
marks of, 442-45; of moral virtues,
mystical: arid and painful, 519 ff.;
definition of, 517, 550; ecstatic
473-79; obedience, 452; in spiritual
espousals, 553
union, 521; painful purification of
love, 526
moral, heroic degree of: fortitude
ordinary conditions of, 325
and magnaminity, 473 ff.; humility
Union, transforming, 527
and meekness, 472; justice, 477 ff.;
in A Spiritual Canticle, 547-68
prudence, 475 ff.; religious virtues,
all souls called to, 568 ff.
479
characteristics of souls in, 538
theological: full development of, in
consummate perfection attained only
transforming union, 533; see Theo­
in, 55°
logical virtues
description by a contemplative, 570 ff. Virtues of religion, 147
desire of, 544
Vision, beatific: ardent desire for, 648;
detachment from self and love of
normal prelude of, 644, 648-51; St.
God in souls approaching, 541
Thomas’ teaching on, 644-48
divine touches in, 594
Visions: definition of kinds of, 577;
ecstasy in, 529
supernatural, 586 ff.
effects of, 533-39
Vows: inspiration of, 148; merit of, 147
essential nature of, 529 ff.
graces sometimes accompanying, 528
intimacy of, 546
Way: distinction between ascetical and
normal, according to St. John of the
mystical, 560; illuminative (see Age
Cross, 549
of proficients) ; unitive (see Age of
not extraordinary, 547
the perfect)

668

INDEX

Way of spiritual childhood
distinction between spiritual and
natural childhood, 437
doctrine of grace in, 438
harmonizing of humility with desire
for contemplation in, 436
harmonizing of seemingly contradic­
tory virtues in, 436
innate qualities of a child, 433 ff.
principal virtues of the child of God,
435 ff.
Weight, bodies having extraordinary,
604
Will: Christian education of, 9I>
need of purifying depths of, 36064

Will, signified divine: and hope, 4T3»
progressive conformity to, 193-98
Words, supernatural
auricular, 589
formal intellectual, 591
imaginary, 589
intellectual, 590
substantial intellectual, 591
successive, 590
Wound: of love, 536; spiritual wound
of the heart, 500

Zeal: and the apostolate, 221; and ardent
love of God, 213; definition of,
214; in normal way of sanctity, 221;
qualities of, 218-21

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 are 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 dead faith.
669

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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.

FR. GARRIGOU-LAGRANGE, O.P.
Fr. Reginald Marie Garrigou-Lagrange, O.P. (18771964) was one of the great Catholic theologians of
the 20th century and during his life was undoubted­
ly the greatest living Dominican theologian. (He
is not to be confused with his uncle, Père Lagrange,
the biblical scholar.) Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange initially
attracted attention in the early 20th century, when
he wrote against Modernism. Recognizing that
Modernism—which denied the objective truth of di­
vine revelation and affirmed an heretical concep­
tion of the evolution of dogma—struck at the very
root of Catholic faith, Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange wrote
classic works on apologetics, defending the Catho­
lic Faith by way of both philosophy and theology.
He also taught at the Angelicum in Rome from 1909
to 1960, and he served for many years as a consultor
to the Holy Office and other Roman Congregations.
He is most famous, however, for his writings.
A thoroughgoing Thomist in the classic Domini­
can tradition, Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange had both a deep
appreciation for the enduring vitality of St. Thomas
Aquinas’ work and a real understanding of the in­
tellectual and spiritual needs of his own time. Hav­
ing steeped himself in Thomistic principles, he
thought through virtually every aspect of the Faith
in the light of these principles, producing over 500
books and articles, which give a true theological
view of the doctrines of the Faith, bringing out their
central elements, placing each element in its proper
perspective and relating all the elements to each
other. He thus sheds a beautiful, clear light on the
truths of the Faith and gives a very firm foundation
for understanding them truly. The Catholic Faith
thereby stands out in all its splendor—a divine work
of incomparable beauty, integrity and structure, or­
dered to raise man to the divine life of grace and
bring to flower in him the “supernatural organism”
of Sanctifying Grace and the Seven Gifts of the
Holy Ghost—the wellsprings of all true mysticism.
Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange was best known for his spiri­
tual theology, particularly for insisting on the univer­
sal call to holiness and for zealously propounding
the thesis that infused contemplation—and rhe
resulting union with God—are in the normal way
of holiness or Christian perfection. Thus, Fr.
(iattigou I a grange raises the sights of the soul to
the true greatness planned for it by God. His classic
work tn this field and his overall masterpiece -is
I Ii. I Im. Ages of tin· Interior |j/e Among his other
laiuoiis theologit al works are Die J liter VWtys of the
CMV'I.I" I’ll/.HIon .111.1 I ΙΙΙΙΙιΊΙΙ/Ί.ΙΙΙ'ΊΙ

ratemitas Sacerdotalis Sancti Tetri

‘■Bibliotheca

(Continued from outside back cover.)

transforming union, the role of spiritual childhood
and of True Devotion to Mary, the charisms (visions,
ecstasies, stigmatization, etc.), private revelations, true
mystical phenomena vs. false or diabolical phenom­
ena, and a host of other topics.
Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange explains precisely in what
sanctity consists and clearly expounds and defends
the ancient Christian tradition that ail Christians
are called to holiness. The title of this work refers
to the classic division of the spiritual life into three
successive stages: the Purgative Way, the Illumina­
tive Way, and the Unitive Way. Showing that the
faithful Christian’s life of ascetical practices is meant
to flower into the mystical life, he clearly distin­
guishes between, on the one hand, those graces of
the mystical life that are in themselves extraordi­
nary (such as visions and ecstasies), and on the other
hand, that grace which is often considered extraordi­
nary (because not common among souls) but which
is in fact in the normal way of sanctity, namely,
infused contemplation. In particular, he propounds
the thesis that infused contemplation of the mysteries
of Faith—and the resulting union with God—are in
the normal way of sanctity and are also morally neces­
sary for holiness. Infused contemplation is thus clearly

presented, not as a peripheral phenomenon in the
spiritual life, nor as something reserved for those
in the cloister, but rather as a gift which any Chris­
tian may well desire and beseech of God, since it
is the usual way of reaching eminent sanctity.
The Three Ages of the Interior Life is a great classic
which explains in effect the entire Catholic tradi­
tion on the spiritual life. It is a work for all who
really want to know what the interior life is actually
about, and for all who want to gain a true under­
standing of the great holiness to which Almighty
God is at all times calling souls.

(Continued from inside front flap.)

The Love of God and the Cross of Jesus, The Mother
of the Saviour and our Interior Life, and Christ the
Savior. His most important philosophical work was
God, His Existence and Nature: A Thomistic Solution
of Certain Agnostic Antinomies.

The theological works of Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange
are unlikely to be equalled for many decades to come,
and they cannot be ignored by anyone who wants
to attain a true understanding of the Catholic Faith,
for it is only by understanding her doctrines that one
will truly understand the Catholic Church and the

18045

‘Bib Lio theca
fraternitas Sacerdotalis Sancti Tetn

DATE DUE

OAYl.OfW

*WNΫ()IN UBA

HE Three Ages of the Interior Life is one of the greatest works ever written on

T

the spiritual life, and it is the masterpiece of Father Reginald GarrigouLagrange, O.P. (1877-1964), whom many consider the greatest theologian of the
20th century. First published in English in 1948, The Three Ages of the Interior
Life has been out of print for many years, yet it is widely known and highly es­
teemed by those fortunate enough to own a set.
In this classic work Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange has given a complete and systematic
explanation of ascetical and mystical theology, in the process explaining all aspects
of the supernatural life of grace in the soul and showing how Sanctifying Grace,
along with the Supernatural Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity, and the Seven
Gifts of the Holy Ghost, are meant to grow and develop as a “supernatural organ­
ism” in every Christian soul. Basing his teaching squarely on the principles of
St. Thomas Aquinas and St. John of the Cross, Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange also draws
freely from Sacred Scripture and Tradition, as well as from the teachings of the
great Saints, Doctors of the Church and other Catholic mystical writers.
Composed of 95 chapters, this two-volume work covers a myriad of topics, yet
it is no mere random collection of doctrinal subjects. Rather, it is a work of unity,
structure and purpose, and it is extremely valuable as a roadmap for understanding
the rich but often disorganized writings of the Saints and other mystical writers.
Among the topics explained by Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange are the healing of pride
and of acedia (spiritual sloth), spiritual direction, the.discovering and combating
of one's predominant fault, the active and passive purifications of the senses, in­
tellect and will, the way to draw fruit from Confession and Holy Communion,
retarded souls, preparation for infused contemplation, understanding the language
of mystical writers, the spiritual fruits of chastity, the inspirations of the Holy
Ghost, the discerning of spirits, the degrees of contemplative prayer, the heroic
degree of the various Christian virtues, the errors of Modernism, naturalism,
Americanism, Jansenism and Quietism and how they deform the spiritual life,
the entrances into the illuminative and unitive ways, rhe dark nights of the senses
ami of the spirit anil the conduct to be observed therein, love for the Divine
Will, zeal for the salvation of souls, rhe mystical espousals and the mystical marriage,
(Continued on inside back (Ια(>.)

•BibLiottteca
Soeerdolalis Suncti Trtn

V.

Bibliotheca
iratemitas .Sttcerdoiatis Sancti Tetri