The Service of Wisdom: The Focus of Dominican Life
Ebook
Dominican life is a service of Wisdom. Such is the teaching of the Italian Dominican Father Raymund Spiazzi. Following the principles of Thomas Aquinas, and drawing upon other Dominican saints as well, Father Spiazzi explains his teaching over the course of many short conferences. Saint Dominic received the grace of a special love and service of wisdom and a charism to "communicate wisdom with joy." Saint Dominic also organized a form of religious life--communal, liturgical, and apostolic--so that others might share in the same grace, charism, and service. The whole form of life established by Saint Dominic for his order has its raison d'etre in the love and service of truth--the incarnate wisdom. The followers of Saint Dominic are called to cultivate wisdom in all of its forms--philosophical, theological, and mystical. The regular life of prayer and study, liturgy and fraternity cultivates the manifold wisdom of God in our souls. Father Spiazzi illuminates how. He discusses the theological virtues, intellectual and moral virtues, the gifts and fruits of the Spirit, the Beatitudes, the sacraments, and much more. All of the elements of Dominican life together give harmonious unity to the mind and the interior life by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Contemplative activity informs our actions, and the Holy Spirit also makes us effective servants, friends, lovers, spouses, worshipers, preachers, and teachers of the eternal wisdom of God. Christ, wisdom, and eternal truth, become the reason for living and working for the salvation of souls.
“Wisdom looks at reality from God the Creator’s point of view.
In articulating the Dominican’s love of wisdom, Spiazzi has also
shown how even the laity can grow in holy wisdom.”
—Basil Cole, OP, Dominican House of Studies
“In an age of confusion and chaos, this call to welcome the
stabilizing dynamism of the Spirit of wisdom is both timely and
needed. Notable in clarity and brevity, this book points to
wisdom’s source—the indwelling God whose creative, redemptive
charity elevates and reorders our thoughts and lives. Anyone who
hungers for the peace this world cannot give will find in this work
an appetizing invitation to taste the sweet knowledge of eternal
wisdom.”
—Mary Madeline Todd, OP, Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia
“Seekers of truth and wisdom will be grateful for this translation
of Fr. Spiazzi’s wonderful little book Il culto della
Sapienza. I recommend to anyone interested not just in a life
of technical know-how, but in a life of that wisdom which orders
the universe to get their hands on this little book. Wisdom rewards
those who pursue her.”
—Joseph-Mary Hertzog, OP, Tangaza University College
“How often do we hear of Christian spirituality or consecrated life
in terms of wisdom? Fr. Raimondo Spiazzi draws from his erudition
and experience to show how the most lofty, necessary, and wondrous
of callings is also the most universal and human—to serve at the
sacred banquet of divine wisdom. This little book offers sumptuous
fare for the mind and heart.”
—Bruno M. Shah, OP, Providence College
“Reflecting the best of the Dominican theological tradition, Fr.
Raimondo Spiazzi unfolds the place of wisdom in the spiritual life
and how the gift of wisdom informs both contemplation and action.
The Service of Wisdom has much to offer, not merely for the
wise, but especially for those who wish to become so. Fr. John
Martin Ruiz has provided a worthy English translation. I hope it
will be widely read.”
—Gregory Schnakenberg, OP, Dominican House of Studies
- Title: The Service of Wisdom: The Focus of Dominican Life
- Authors: Raimondo OP Spiazzi, John MartinOP Ruiz, James DominicOP Brent
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2022
- Logos Release Date: 2022
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781666749694, 9781666749687, 9781666749670, 1666749699, 1666749680, 1666749672
- Resource ID: LLS:9781666749694
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-12-22T07:29:26Z
Raimondo Spiazzi, OP (1918–2002), was an Italian Dominican,
internationally renowned teacher and scholar. He received his
doctorate in sacred theology from The Pontifical University of St.
Thomas Aquinas (the Angelicum) in Rome. His vast activity as a
writer and priest made him one of the most prominent personalities
of the Catholic world in Italy and abroad.