Taken from the
book
of the same title by DOM LORENZO SCUPOLI
With
Imprimatur
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CATHOLIC
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PREFACE
The Spiritual
Combat is known as one of the greatest classics in ascetic
theology,
along with The Imitation of Christ. In both cases the authors
are
shrouded in mystery. Several 17th century editions were published under
the name of the Spanish Benedictine, John of Castanzia. Some writers of
the Society of Jesus have ascribed the book to the Jesuit, Achilles
Gagliardi,
but most critics however consider Fr. Lawrence Scupoli as the author of
this famous treatise. The first known edition was published in Venice
in
1589 and contained but 24 chapters; later editions appeared with more
chapters,
so it is possible that the Theatines or another religious order may
have
been part of the composition. Whatever may be the solution of the
problem
of the author, doubt of the actual one or ones, can take nothing away
from
the value and efficacy of this "golden book" as St. Frances de Sales
called
it. It was "the favorite, the dear book" of this great master of the
spiritual
life who, for 18 years, carried in a pocket a copy which he had
received
from Fr. Scupoli in Padua himself. The Saint read some pages of it
every
day, entrusted to its supernatural and human wisdom, the guidance of
his
soul, and recommended it to all under his direction. The purpose of the
work is to lead the soul to the summit of spiritual perfection, by
means
of a constant, courageous struggle against our evil nature, which tends
to keep us away from that goal.
The author was
a genius,
the kind that can only be inspired by the grace of God and his book is
a Catholic treasure and one of the greatest gifts God could have given
any age, but most especially this benighted age which has lost its
appreciation
for the kind of simplicity necessary for sanctity.
Catholic Tradition
is presenting here chapters in installments of several per month until
completed, for a total of 66 chapters [8 months].
SPIRITUAL COMBAT: ON LINE IN ITS ENTIRETY
PREFACE
[ABOVE]
1.
PRELIMINARY WORDS ON PERFECTION
2.
CONCERNING DISTRUST OF SELF
3.
CONFIDENCE IN GOD
4.
HOW TO DISCOVER IF WE DISTRUST OURSELVES AND PLACE CONFIDENCE IN GOD
5.
MISTAKE OF CONSIDERING COWARDICE A VIRTUE
6.
FURTHER ADVICE TO ACQUIRE CONFIDENCE IN GOD
7.
THE RIGHT USE OF OUR FACULTIES
8.
AN OBSTACLE TO FORMING A CORRECT JUDGMENT
9.
ANOTHER METHOD TO PREVENT DECEPTION OF THE UNDERSTANDING
10.
EXERCISE OF THE WILL
11.
SOME CONSIDERATIONS TO INLCINE THE WILL TO SEEK PLEASING GOD ONLY
12.
THE OPPOSITION WITHIN MAN'S TWOFOLD NATURE
13.
HOW WE ARE TO ENCOUNTER SENSUALITY
14.
WHAT TO DO WHEN THE WILL IS APPARENTLY OVERPOWERED
15.
FURTHER ADVICE ON HOW TO FIGHT SKILLFULLY
16.
THE SOLDIER OF CHRIST MUST PREPARE EARLY FOR BATTLE
17.
THE METHOD OF FIGHTING YOUR PASSIONS AND VICES
18.
HOW TO CURB THE SUDDEN IMPULSES OF YOUR PASSIONS
19.
HOW WE ARE TO FIGHT AGAINST IMPURITY
20.
HOW TO COMBAT SLOTH
21.
THE PROPER USE OF OUR SENSES TO CONTEMPLATE DIVINE THINGS
22.
HOW SENSIBLE MAY AID US TO MEITATE ON THE PASSION OF CHRIST
23.
OTHER DANGEROUS USES OF THE SENSES IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS
24.
HOW TO GOVERN ONE'S SPEECH
25. THE SOLDIER OF CHRIST MUST AVOID THAT WHICH INTRUDES UPON
PEACE OF MIND
26.
WHAT WE ARE TO DO WHEN WOUNDED
27.
THE METHODS USED BY THE DEVIL TO SEDUCE
THOSE WHO DESIRE TO ACQUIRE VIRTUE
28.
THE DEVIL'S CUNNING DEVICES
29.
THE EFFORTS OF THE DEVIL TO PREVENT CONVERSION
30.
CONCERNING THE DELUSIONS OF SOME WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES BEING PERFECTED
31.
CONCERNING THE ARTIFICES OF THE DEVIL TO MAKE US FORSAKE THE VIRTUOUS
LIFE
32.
THE LAST ARTIFICE OF THE DEVIL IN MAKING EVEN THE PRACTICE OF
VIRTUE AN OCCASION
OF SIN
33.
SOME IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO MORTIFY THEMSELVES
34.
VIRTUES ARE TO BE ACQUIRED ONE AT A TIME AND BY DEGREES
35.
THE MOST PROFITABLE MEANS OF ACQUIRING VIRTUE, AND THE MANNER IN WHICH
WE APPLY OURSELVES TO A PARTICULAR VIRTUE
FOR A TIME
36.
THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUE REQUIRES CONSTANT APPLICATION
37.
CONCERNING THE NECESSITY OF SEIZING EAGERLY ALL OPPORTUNITIES
OF PRACTICING
VIRTUE
38.
THE NECESSITY OF ESTEEMIMG ALL OPPORTUNITIES OF FIGHTING FOR THE ACQUISITION
OF VIRTUE
39.
THE MANNER IN WHICH WE MAY EXERCISE THE SAME VIRTUE ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS
40.
THE TIME TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE ACQUISTION OF EACH VIRTUE AND INDICATIONS
OF PROGRESS
41.
THE NEED OF MODERATION IN THE DESIRE TO BE FREED OF THOSE EVILS
PATIENTLY
BORNE,
AND
THE MANNER IN WHICH OUR DESIRES ARE TO BE REGULATED
42.
THE DEFENSE AGAINST THE ARTIFICES OF THE DEVIL WHEN HE SUGGESTS INDISCREET
DEVOTIONS
43.
THE TENDENCY OF OUR CORRUPT NATURES, PROMPTED BY THE DEVIL,
TO INDULGE
IN RASH JUDGMENT, AND THE REMEDY FOR THIS EVIL
44.
PRAYER
45.
MENTAL PRAYER
46.
MEDITATION
47.
ANOTHER METHOD OF MEDITATION
48.
PRAYER BASED ON THE INTERCESSION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
49.
SOME CONSIDERATIONS TO INDUCE CONFIDENCE IN THE ASSISTANCE OF THE BLESSED
VIRGIN
50.
A METHOD OF MEDITATION AND PRAYER INVOLVING THE INTERCESSION OF
THESAINTS
AND THE ANGELS
51.
MEDITATION ON THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST
52.
THE BENEFITS DERIVED FROM MEDITATIONS ON THE
CROSS
AND THE IMITATION OF THE VIRTUE OF CHRIST CRUCIFIED
53.CONCERNING
THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST
54.
THE MANNER IN WHICH WE OUGHT TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION
55.
PREPARATION FOR HOLY COMMUNION, AND THE ROLE OF THE EUCHARIST
INEXCITING
IN US A LOVE OF GOD
56.
CONCERNING SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
57.
CONCERNING THANKSGIVING
58.
THE OFFERING OF SELF TO GOD
59.
CONCERNING SENSIBLE DEVOTION AND DRYNESS
60.
CONCERNING THE EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
61.
CONCERNING THE MANNER IN WHICH WE ARE TO
PERSEVERE
IN THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT UNTIL DEATH
62.
CONCERNING OUR PREPARATION AGAINST THE
ENEMIES WHO ASSAIL US
AT THE HOUR OF DEATH
63.
CONCERNING THE FOUR ASSAULTS OF THE ENEMY AT THE HOUR OF DEATH-----THE
FIRST
ASSAULT AGAINST FAITH AND THE MANNER OF
RESISTING IT
64.
CONCERNING THE ASSAULT OF DESPAIR AND ITS REMEDY
65.
CONCERNING TEMPTATION TO VAINGLORY
66.
CONCERNING THE VARIOUS ILLUSIONS EMPLOYED BY THE DEVIL
AT
THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH
TOP
OF THE PAGE
The image is of St.
Michael
Fighting the Devil by Guido Reni, circa 1633.
