Directorium Asceticum

This is a four volume set of books. This is volume 2. The" Guide to the Spiritual Life," as it is called in this edition, although more immediately addressed to Directors of souls, may be used with advantage by all Christians who aspire to perfection. The author himself makes this remark in his Preface or Introduction. It is essentially a practical work, being intended to supply a defect which the author observed in the treatises of previous writers. These had indeed delivered excellent maxims of perfection, but not in such a form as to be immediately applicable to the needs of individual souls. F. Scaramelli has not failed to set forth the scientific, theological, basis of each branch of his subject, following herein mainly the doctrine of St Thomas; but he has always kept before his eyes the needs of those Priests who would desire to have some assistance in directing souls called to something higher than the ordinary Christian life. Each volume contains a Skeleton outline for sermons for the Sunday s of the year, treating of the material dealt with in that particular volume. Volume 1 contains The Means to Arrive at Christian Perfection, which include the Desire of Perfection, choice of a good director, reading of spiritual books, meditation on the maxims of our faith, mental and vocal prayer, the presence of God, Confession, daily examination of conscience, frequent Communion and devotion to the Saints, especially the Blessed Virgin Mary. Volume 2 contains Hindrances in the path to Christian perfection with the means to overcome them, which include the sense of touch, sense of taste, sense of sight, sense of hearing, sense of smell, the use of the tongue in speech, ill-regulated and unmortified passions, love of worldly goods and riches, love of worldly honor and glory, attacks of the devil and scruples. Volume 3 contains the Immediate Dispositions for Christian Perfection which are found through prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance. These are also found through the virtues of religion, devotion, obedience, patience, chastity, meekness and humility. Volume 4 contains the Essence of Christian Perfection, which comes from the three Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. Charity is divided into love of God, conformity with His holy will and love of neighbor. This volume concludes with an index to the entire set of books.