St. Alphonsus Liguori, the Prince of Moral Theologians, was one of the greatest preachers in Church history. A religious founder, consummate theologian, and holy man of God, Saint Alphonsus never fails to utter a stirring word that draws out a lively penitence and redoubled dedication to the work of God from his audience. Culled from his greatest writings, The 12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation contains classic texts of Catholic spirituality that teach you the practical way to Heaven.
In these selections, St. Alphonsus reviews 12 key virtues that lead to sanctity and heavenly glory:
- Love, Faith, and Hope;
- Love of God and Love of Neighbor;
- Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience;
- Meekness and Humility;
- Recollection and Prayer; and
- Mortification and Love of the Cross.
Resonating throughout St. Alphonsus's work, and here no less, is the profound sense of sin and its awfulness that he undoubtedly felt and from which he longs to save his flock. He dwells repeatedly on the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Hell, and Heaven, bringing the reader to consider his own eternal destiny. Above all, St. Alphonsus's words are permeated by what seems a prolonged meditation on the words of Our Lord: "What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul?"
And yet, though St. Alphonsus can be a terrible and grave man to hear, it is only from the most unique tenderness and subtlety of his heart that such words can spring. For "out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaketh," and St. Alphonsus's heart was only filled to the brim with genuine desire for innocence and purity of heart in all his spiritual children. It is worth noting he never refused absolution to anyone.
There is no better teacher on moral theology to ever grace the Church than St. Alphonsus Liguori. Let The 12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation guide you away from the mortal error of indifference to sin and into the joyful light and beatitude of holy suffering, leading you up the 12-step stairway to sanctity.
Imprimateur 216 pages Softbound leatherette book (for lots of use), Published in the USA by Tan Books