The Ordinary Path to Holiness

How does a human person "grow" spiritually? How do we "work out our salvation" and become spiritually mature? What are we to expect, and anticipate, on this journey of searching for, and finding, and following our Lord? This is our path, our pilgrimage - how important it is to have a guide!

This book re-presents in a new way the guide of traditional Catholic spirituality, tested and proven in the crucible of holy saints, over many centuries. The human soul develops, and grows, in a similar way to other aspects of a human person: we grow physically, we grow emotionally, we grow intellectually in stages. So also, our spiritual life develops in stages, three stages: the beginning, or purgative stage; the proficient, or illuminative stage; the perfect, or unitive stage. Understanding this traditional Catholic spirituality will give the reader powerful insights into his or her personal joumey and pilgrimage!

After reading this, you may well exclaim, "Why isn't this taught in every parish in America? Why haven't I heard this before?" The strange answer may be that this traditional Catholic wisdom is receding into obscurity in our times, respected and passed on by a few, but largely unknown or ignored by many. This tradition of the three ways needs to be rediscovered in the Church today!

R. Thomas Richard, Ph.D., 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 farmworkers. After returning to the Catholic Church and earning a graduate degree in Catholic theology and ministry, he began work in religious education and especially the formation of adults. He is author of The Interior Liturgy of the Our Father, and serves the Church today with his wife Deborah in adult faith formation.

Endorsements:

This is a book for life-long Catholics seeking a deeper interior life...



"The Ordinary Path to Holiness will be an immense help in understanding the spiritual journey for anyone who is beginning to make progress in the spiritual life. It will also be a good review for those familiar with the Catholic literature on this important subject." 

             

Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR, Founder of The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal




...and for converts to the Faith...



"Many converts struggle in the transition from their previous spiritualities into the sometimes debilitating width, depth, breadth and height of Catholic mystical spirituality. Where does one begin? I believe that this is the best summary of basic Catholic spirituality I have found yet, and therefore is a great place to begin." 

                          

Marcus Grodi, Founder of The Coming Home Network



...an integral presentation:



"Profound and practical, The Ordinary Path to Holiness shares an approach to the spiritual life that integrates Scripture, liturgy and doctrine. This book feeds both head and heart." 

                            

Dr. Scott Hahn, Founder of Institute of Applied Biblical Studies