Browsing in the CTS bookshop the other day, I found "The Spiritual Combat" by Dom Lorenzo Scupoli published by the most excellent TAN books.
In this edition (a reprint of the 1945 edition), the preface is by Fr B F Marcetteau, SS, the spiritual director of the theological college of the Catholic University of America. He tells us that the authorship of the book is in fact disputed; there were several 17th century editions published under the name of John of Castanzia, a Spanish Benedictine. Some Jesuits claimed that it was written by one of their own, Achilles Gagliardi. However, "most critics" now consider the book to have been written by Scupoli who was a Theatine.
This is significant since the Jesuits were modelled to some degree on the Theatines who came to regard the Jesuits as a rival group. One of their co-founders was Giovanni Pietro Carafa. When Carafa became Pope Paul IV, St Ignatius was distraught and went to spend his famous 15 minutes before the Blessed Sacrament to reconcile himself to what he thought was the certain suppression of the Company of Jesus.
I am mortified that I have never heard of this book before. It is a practical, down to earth, and uncompromising manual for the spiritual life and was the favourite book of St Francis de Sales who carried a copy in his pocket for 18 years. It was this recommendation on the back cover which made me decide to buy it. I heartily recommend it.
In fact, I am so taken with the book that I have interrupted my re-reading of Trochu's life of the Curé D'Ars (also published by TAN). St Ignatius (and doubtless Scupoli, would probably regard this as a fault.
Another book I picked up at the CTS was "The Prayer of Love and Silence" by that most prolific contemplative "A Carthusian." It was first published in French in 1948 and in English translation in 1951. The slim volume (145 pages) comprises three parts: the work "An Introduction to the Interior Life", a collection of sermons delivered in chapter, and a work called "The Blessed Trinity and the Supernatural Life". This one will have to wait until I have finished Dom Guillerand. (There is also a quote in this post.)
8 comments:
May I recommend also Fr Jonathan Robinson's book, Spiritual Combat Revisited? Fr Robinson is the provost of the Toronto Oratory, and a doughty fighter for the good.
How do you display those Amazon pictures, Father?
I read the "Orthodox version" of Spiritual Combat, Unseen Warfare. Some Orthodox monks got hold of Scupoli's book and edited it to be more "Orthodox". Still, it is a wonderful book.
sounds awesome...
Interesting - it is about 6 pounds from amazon.uk but amazon.ca is selling it for about 45 dollars - weird eh?
Matt, you need to be in the Amazon Associates programme. It is easy enough to sign up. You can then "build links" like the ones I do - or all sorts of others that they promote to you relentlessly. Then you get some money if someone clicks on a link and buys something from Amazon via your link.
Father,
That book changed my life. I was a Protestant when I read it. Twelve months later I was a Catholic.
It isn't what brought me to Holy Mother Church, but it did help me along, thanks be to God.
Ever since I read it (and I still re-read individual chapters every so often) I have been more aware of the fact that every sinful thought, word, or deed comes from evil spirits. It was the first time in my life that I completely abandoned the satanic concept of the Freudian sub-conscience and the random firing of hormones and electrodes in the brain.
Thank God for this book. It is so very important. I think all Christians should own a copy, Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant alike (of course, some of the things in it may not appeal to those of the Protestant persuasion, such as, invoking the aid of the Mother of God and the Saints)
God bless you
Dear Fr Tim,
Do i get any brownie points? Have had that book for a few years. Also have quite a few on The Cure of Ars. My eldest daughter loves his writings & is always telling her friends about him.
Your other reading lists are interesting. We have a Catholic Woman's Book Club, so are always on the lookout for good novels.
God bless,
Mrs Jackie Parkes MJ
Been reading Christ in the Home by Fr. Raoul Plus S.J. I'll check this out , but then again , EVERYTHING by TAN is great.
I signed up for the Amazon Associatess thingy, too but I cannot get it to work.
Oh, well I'll have to use Hermeneutic of the Continuity and Cafetria is Closed for all my book shopping.
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