What is meant by the direct acts of contemplation? They are acts which are in no way discursive, but which are made by a simple gaze, above reasoning. And indeed they are at times so peaceful that the soul does not, so to speak, perceive them; in that case they are the contrary of reflective or …
Monthly Archives: June 2016
Necessary Confidence
Confidence in God is a virtue which is very, very necessary for us Christians. Little Brother Marcel Văn CSsR (1928–1959)
According to the Intensity of Charity
All the Gifts of the Holy Spirit come from the root that is love, from charity. According to the intensity of charity, so it will be for the intensity of the seven Gifts, because with charity it is God who comes into the soul. The Holy Spirit comes, and he sends forth his rays everywhere. …
Above Reason, Never Contrary to It
[Christian contemplation is] a knowing which is in no wise, for ever abiding above the reason… above reason, but not contrary to it. Blessed Jan van Ruusbroec (1293–1381)
Suffering Made Joyous
If I have suffering unrelieved by even a gleam of comfort, that is what I manage to make my joy. Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face
If He Hides
If He hides, it is so that we may humble ourselves and look for shelter in the shadow of His wings, and then He will show us His face and gladden our hearts by His love. Saint Paul of the Cross
The Highest Charity
To love sufferings and afflictions for the love of God is the highest degree of holy charity. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange OP (1877–1964)
To “Capture” with Charity
It is charity which allows us to “capture” the Deity in our hearts, to take the Sun within ourselves. Charles Cardinal Journet (1891–1975)
Incomplete Until…
We shall not feel that our lives are in any way complete, nor shall we find any peace in our hearts, so long as we are unable to say that we have done our utmost to become abidingly men of prayer. René Voillaume (1905–2003)
Ruusbroec and the Dark Night: “Suffer, and He Will Teach You Truth”
I like posting different descriptions of the dark night of the soul given by different Christians from the past. This post is about Blessed Jan van Ruusborec. Like Saint Alphonsus Liguori, he treats of sensible and spiritual desolations and darknesses together. That is, he treats of the dark night of the senses, the first dark …
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Contemplative in the Mud 