INTRODUCTION TO THE SPIRITUAL LIFE

A must-read for anyone interested in deepening their faith through the Bible and tradition while answering God's universal call to holiness, INTRODUCTION TO THE SPIRITUAL LIFE unlocks the secrets of meditation and contemplation for Christians and spiritual seekers alike, leading to a deeper, richer spiritual life where Christ offers the peace and hope we're longing for.

Catholicism has a long and storied spiritual tradition. Still, many believers aren't aware of the wealth of practices and exercises that exist to bring the faithful closer to God. In these pages, Dr. Brant Pitre draws on the riches of the Bible, the centuries-old writings of mystics, the diverse forms of prayer and meditation, and the insights of lively thinkers and accessible theologians both past and present to shed light on the mystery of the sacred art of devotion.

Here he covers three kinds of prayer: vocal, meditative, and contemplative; how to pray when life becomes mundane or too challenging; the secret power of the Rosary; how to pray with the Bible; and the two dark nights of the soul many of us experience: the first a purification of the senses, and the next a purification of the spirit. Dr. Pitre explores how we can use these moments in our lives to move us toward sacred fulfillment. He also covers what he calls the three stages of the spiritual life:

• The Purgative Way: the path of spiritual childhood, focused on keeping the commandments, rooting out the capital sins (thus "purgation"), and learning to pray to the Father and practice meditation.
• The Illuminative Way: the path of spiritual adolescence, focused on a deeper understanding of the mysteries of the life of Christ (hence "illumination"), growing in virtues, and contemplation.
• The Unitive Way: the path of spiritual adulthood, focused on union with God (hence "unitive") through the power of the Holy Spirit and the perfection of faith, hope, and love.

These bring a fresh new understanding to living in relationship with God, which in turn will greatly affect all we feel, say, and do.

Previous titles by Brant Pitre have been licensed in Lithuania, The Netherlands, Croatia, Romania, Portugal, Korea, Poland, Brazil, Norway, and Bulgaria.

Brant Pitre is Distinguished Research Professor of Scripture at The Augustine Institute. He is the author of the bestselling books Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist, Jesus the Bridegroom, The Case for Jesus, and Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary. Dr. Pitre is an extremely enthusiastic and highly sought-after speaker who lectures regularly across the United States. He has produced dozens of Bible studies on both CD and DVD, in which he explores the biblical roots of the Catholic faith. He has also appeared on a number of Catholic radio and television shows including Catholic Answers Live and programs on EWTN. He currently lives in Louisiana with his wife, Elizabeth, and their five children.