ORDINARY PATH TO HOLINESS, THE

How do we work out our salvation? What are we to expect, and anticipate, on this journey through life? When our earthly sojourn has ended, what will we have to account for before God? If we know the goal of our life, is there a map to guide us around the obstacles and pitfalls we may encounter? Centuries of following Jesus — who is the Way, the Truth and the Life — have provided the Church with a number of tried-and-true routes to our ultimate goal. This work provides an overview of this traditional Catholic spirituality which has been tested and proven in the crucible of the lives of the saints. Our spiritual life develops and grows in a way not unlike our physical, emotional and intellectual lives. Certain stages are common to all. Our spiritual life develops in three stages: the beginning, or purgative stage; the proficient, or illuminative stage; and the perfect, or unitive stage. Understanding this traditional Catholic spirituality will give the reader powerful insights into his or her personal pilgrimage. It needs to be rediscovered, respected and put into practice by members of the Church today.

About the Author: R. Thomas Richard, PhD, has earned degrees in ministry and theology as well as in physics. He has taught at the college and high school levels, has served as a Protestant pastor, and in missionary work among migrant farm workers. After returning to the Catholic Church and earning a graduate degree in Catholic theology and ministry, he began work in religious education. He is presently Director of Ministry Formation for the Diocese of Norwich, Connecticut.