Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade, SJ: Abandon Yourself to this Book

By Dr. Jeff Mirus | www.CatholicCulture.org Published with Permission Ignatius Press has just come out with a new edition of Jean-Pierre de Caussade’s oustanding work of spiritual direction, Abandonment to Divine Providence. This work, written in the 18th century by a French Jesuit, has become one of the great classics of Catholic spiritual reading. Not only does it deserve a treasured place... Read More

When the soul lives in God…

There is a time when the soul lives in God and a time when God lives in the soul. What is appropriate to one of these times is not fitting to the other. When God lives in the soul, it should surrender itself completely to His providence. When the soul lives in God, it must take trouble to obtain for itself regularly and carefully, every possible means to achieve union with Him. The whole procedure... Read More

The Joy of Full Surrender – Abandonment to Divine Providence

Abandonment to Divine Providence By Father Jean-Pierre de Caussade Abandonment to Divine Providence (also known in another translation as the Joy of Full Surrender)  has been a life-changing book for me. Aside from scripture, it is the only book that I have read through multiple times (at least three cover to cover). The great power of the book comes through Lectio Divina or meditation on the... Read More

Abandonment XX – God’s Will Effects Sanctification

It is only because they do not know how to make use of God’s action that so many Christians spend their lives anxiously pursuing a multitude of methods of perfection. These might prove useful if ordained by God’s will, but they actually become injurious the moment they keep us from simply surrendering ourselves to God’s will. These multiplied means cannot give what we find only... Read More

Abandonment XIX – The Present Moment Manifests the Coming of God’s Kingdom

The present moment is like an ambassador who declares the will of God. The heart must ever answer, “Let it be so.” Then the soul will go steadily on by all means towards its target and goal – never pausing in its course, spreading its sails to all winds. All routes and methods advance it equally in its journey toward the great sea, the infinite. Everything becomes an instrument... Read More

Abandonment XVIII – The Ever-Flowing Spring of Holiness

O all you who thirst, learn that you have not far to go to find the spring of living waters! It springs forth quite close to you in the present moment. Therefore hasten to approach it. Why, with the spring so near, do you tire yourselves running after shallow brooks which only tease your thirst? They measure stingily the water they give us, while only the spring itself is inexhaustible. If you... Read More

Abandonment XVII – Especially for Us

We can only be truly instructed by the words which God speaks to us personally. No one grows in knowledge of God either by reading books or by curious historical research. These means give us but a vain and empty knowledge, which serves only to confuse us and inflate us with pride. That which truly instructs us in what comes to us by the will of God from moment to moment. This is the knowledge... Read More

Abandonment XVI – The Hidden Work of Divine Love

What great truths are hidden from the eyes even of Christians who think themselves most enlightened! How few among them understand that every cross, every circumstance, every leading of the will of God gives us God Himself in a way that can best be explained by comparing them with the most august Mystery of all, the Holy Eucharist. Yet what is more certain? Does not reason as well as faith reveal... Read More

Abandonment XV – Christian’s Disregard of God’s Action

What infidelity there is in the world! How unworthy are men’s thoughts of God! We constantly complain of His action in a way we would not use towards the lowest of workmen about his trade. We would reduce God’s action to the limits and rules of our feeble reason. We presume to imagine that we can improve on His acts. These are nothing but complaints and murmurings. We are surprised... Read More

Abandonment XIV – God’s Word Written on the Heart

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and for ever, ” says the Apostle (Hebrews 13:8). From the beginning of the world He was, as God, the source of the life of righteous souls. From the first moment of His incarnation, His humanity shared this prerogative of His divinity. He is working within us throughout our whole lives. The time that will elapse till the end of the world... Read More

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