Gabriele di Santa Maria Maddalena (1893–1953)

Many Catholics feel deficient, if not hopeless, when they read of the many saints who experienced visions and revelations ― mystical phenomena that seem so distant from their own experience. Or worse, those who do experience such visions and consolations can come to feel that they are especially favored by God and consequently become overly confident in their spiritual progress.

This is the book that explains everything you need to know about true Catholic mysticism. Spiritual master Fr. show more Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D., will guide you in understanding contemplative prayer and the preeminence of faith over revelations in the spiritual life. Drawing from the writings of Sts. Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross, he lays out principles of discernment for both spiritual directors and laypersons on the journey to holiness.

Fr. Gabriel invites you to consider souls such as St. Thérèse of Lisieux, arguably the greatest saint of modern times, who wrote of only two visions in her life ― but experienced mystical union with God. The real goal, he explains, isn’t seeking gifts but, rather, opening ourselves to God’s grace to attain a Spiritual Marriage with Him.

St. Teresa elucidates what is really meant by phenomena such as ecstasies and raptures in the spiritual life. Fr. Gabriel unpacks her profound mystical insights from Interior Castle to describe the various stages in the soul’s journey to God and how one’s prayer life develops in each mansion. These teachings are introspective, filled with psychological insights, and reflective of St. Teresa’s personal experiences. In this book, Fr. Gabriel also summarizes the many types of visions and locutions the great saint experienced. show less

This is an excellent book for daily spiritual reading and growth. I have had it for several years, and made a habit of noting the date when I read that particular chapter. What I have ended up with is a record of where I started and, unfortunately, stopped reading this book as part of my spiritual growth. I hope that one day I will fill each page with dates indicating that each page is complete.

The book is set up for an older liturgical calendar than the one we presently use (the book was show more completed in the 1960's), so the Mass readings do not always correspond to ours. Nevertheless, it is still worth it. Each day's readings start with a prayer to put ourselves in the presence of God. The next section consists of a meditation in two parts. The final section is a colloquy, or prayer, which includes a resolution to improve one’s spiritual life in some manner.

Here is part of one of the resolutions, which I find to be a good passage to meditate upon, especially when I find my attempts at prayer or meditation to be interrupted by some task that needs my attention:

"O Jesus, grant that like You I may live in continued union with God and at the same time give myself to my neighbor. May I lead a life of continual recollection, prayer, and contemplation, yet a life wholly devoted to service of others." show less

Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.
padded leather

La espiritualidad de Santa Teresa es la espiritualidad de Divina Intimidad. El hombre se adentra en su alma orando, y siguiendo las diferentes etapas de la vida interior alcanzará las virtudes heroicas y con ellas llegará al estado de *perfecto*.