Author Topic: Spiritual Reading (Read 34001 times)

Gabriella · « **on:** November 10, 2016, 12:51:37 AM »

Anyone reading anything particularly good right now?
I think I'm going to start "The Divine Crucible of Purgatory". I've read parts of it many times before but never the whole thing. It is one that I like to use for the beginnings of mental prayer sometimes.

Nadir · « **Reply #1 on:** November 10, 2016, 02:58:14 AM »

I searched and that book looks very interesting, and sadly out of print. Is the author Mother Mary of St. Austin a Carmelite?

http://www.sistersofcarmel.com/newsletter1311.php

Quote

Marvelous is the mercy of God to have provided sinners with a Purgatory – a place of purification in unchangeable eternity; a robing room for those whose wedding garments are earth-soiled; a period when God Himself, jealous for the beauty of His bride, finishes the life-work which the negligent soul has left undone. “O, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are His judgments and how unsearchable His ways!...”
(The Divine Crucible of Purgatory, now out of print)

I am slowly and meditatively reading "The Imitation of Christ", as well as A History of the Protestant Reformation in England and Ireland by William Cobbett, written in 1824-25. The latter is not really spiritual reading but it helps to-understand history, that's for sure.

Gabriella · « **Reply #2 on:** November 10, 2016, 10:11:00 AM »

Quote from: Nadir

I searched and that book looks very interesting, and sadly out of print. Is the author Mother Mary of St. Austin a Carmelite?

http://www.sistersofcarmel.com/newsletter1311.php

Quote
Marvelous is the mercy of God to have provided sinners with a Purgatory – a place of purification in unchangeable eternity; a robing room for those whose wedding garments are earth-soiled; a period when God Himself, jealous for the beauty of His bride, finishes the life-work which the negligent soul has left undone. “O, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are His judgments and how unsearchable His ways!...”
(The Divine Crucible of Purgatory, now out of print)

I am slowly and meditatively reading "The Imitation of Christ", as well as A History of the Protestant Reformation in England and Ireland by William Cobbett, written in 1824-25. The latter is not really spiritual reading but it helps to-understand history, that's for sure.

Nice quote! I am not aware of the author being Carmelite but it's certainly possible. Yes, it is a very good book that I am lucky to have a copy of it. When I have the chance I'll put a few quotes or at least the poem from the front of the book on here so you can get a taste of it.

The Imitation of Christ is great! That is the book that got me throug college...really. The other book you are reading on the reformation sounds very interesting! Are you very far into it?

songbird · « **Reply #3 on:** November 10, 2016, 11:06:25 AM »

I am into the "Glories of Mary", Tradition and the Church, and The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, by Muller.

AMDGJMJ · « **Reply #4 on:** November 10, 2016, 12:24:05 PM »

I have been reading the full volume set of Th Mystical City of God by Venerable Mary of Argeda, and am looking forward to reading [/i]Devotions to the Nine Choirs of Angels soon! :-)

Nadir · « **Reply #5 on:** November 10, 2016, 07:09:10 PM »

Quote

I am not aware of the author being Carmelite but it's certainly possible

Thanks Gabrielle, Are there any letters after her name? I would be looking for O.C.D. (order of Dicalced Carmelites). Who is it published by?

Quote

The other book you are reading on the reformation sounds very interesting! Are you very far into it?

Just past half way (p220). He goes through the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth, etc., and presently I reading about Elizabeth's reign. It is interesting that it is written by a Protestant, sympathetic to the Catholic cause. It is published by TAN.

poche · « **Reply #6 on:** November 10, 2016, 11:36:09 PM »

I am reading "The Science of the Cross" by St Edith Stein.

poche · « **Reply #7 on:** November 13, 2016, 10:54:53 PM »

I recently finished the Cloud of the Unknowing.

Gabriella · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2016, 12:41:08 AM »

Quote from: songbird

I am into the "Glories of Mary", Tradition and the Church, and The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, by Muller.

Such a good book! I do have a copy.

Gabriella · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2016, 12:42:44 AM »

Quote from: AMDGJMJ

I have been reading the full volume set of Th Mystical City of God by Venerable Mary of Argeda, and am looking forward to reading [/i]Devotions to the Nine Choirs of Angels soon! :-)

My Grandmother has the full volume set as well--she loves them and has read them all the way through three times. I have never heard of the other book you mentioned. It does sound interesting. Can you tell me a little more about it?

Gabriella · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2016, 12:55:07 AM »

Quote from: Nadir

Quote
I am not aware of the author being Carmelite but it's certainly possible

Thanks Gabrielle, Are there any letters after her name? I would be looking for O.C.D. (order of Dicalced Carmelites). Who is it published by?

Nadir,
It says, "By Mother Mary of St. Austin, Helper of the Holy Souls" but it also says: "This book from the pen of Mother St. Austin, who died while she was still Mistress of Novices"

Quote
The other book you are reading on the reformation sounds very interesting! Are you very far into it?

Just past half way (p220). He goes through the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth, etc., and presently I reading about Elizabeth's reign. It is interesting that it is written by a Protestant, sympathetic to the Catholic cause. It is published by TAN.

If you were just beginning this other book I would have tried to get it to read it with you for discussion, but you are pretty far along :)

Also, Here is the beautiful poem at the beginning of "The Divine Crucible of Purgatory":

"O! It were bliss
After life's plenitude of miseries
And death's alarms,
To lie within the everlasting arms
Awakened by God's kiss,
Heaven's joy were all in this,
To lose all pain and dread,
And be thus comforted
By Love's own kiss--the kiss that wakes the dead."

"For He Himself shall wipe away all tears;
The pent-up grief of years
Shall sob itself to rest
Childlike, upon His breast.
With more than mother's love
He shall caress,
And bless
With joys, all joy above,
The comfortless,
Earth could not weep
To pass through death's eclipse,
Could she but know whose lips
Would raise her from that sleep.
Ye, who have understood,
Be not afraid,
Nor dread,
It is God's kiss--God's kiss that wakes the dead."

Gabriella · « **Reply #11 on:** November 14, 2016, 12:56:15 AM »

Quote from: poche

I am reading "The Science of the Cross" by St Edith Stein.

Oh, I have heard of Edith Stein. Isn't she a Jєωιѕн convert? I would love to hear a little about this book. :)

Gabriella · « **Reply #12 on:** November 14, 2016, 12:57:34 AM »

Quote from: poche

I recently finished the Cloud of the Unknowing.

Who is this written by and what is it about? I have never heard of it. Did you like it?

poche · « **Reply #13 on:** November 15, 2016, 03:30:05 AM »

Quote from: Gabriella

Quote from: poche
I am reading "The Science of the Cross" by St Edith Stein.

Oh, I have heard of Edith Stein. Isn't she a Jєωιѕн convert? I would love to hear a little about this book. :)

It is her commentary on the writings of St John of the Cross. under obedience she compiled it while she was in Holland. She was just putting the finishing touches on it when the nαzι police came to the door of the convent to arrest her and her sister.

poche · « **Reply #14 on:** November 15, 2016, 03:33:24 AM »

Quote from: Gabriella

Quote from: poche
I recently finished the Cloud of the Unknowing.

Who is this written by and what is it about? I have never heard of it. Did you like it?

Its author is unknown. It was written during the middle ages. It is about contemplation.