The Spiritual Combat: Together with the Path of Paradise, or, Of Inward Peace

by Lorenzo Scupoli

Publisher:

Suttaby and Co.

, 1884

Overview

This classic work of Catholic piety offers practical reflections for waging spiritual warfare and securing inner peace. “The earnestness of the religious revival in the south of Europe in the sixteenth century, which was commenced soon after the great schism in the Church, is well illustrated by this marvelous work of Lorenzo Scupoli . . . After many years of the active duties of his calling, during which he had won a great name as a preacher in most of the large towns in Italy, he retired into strict seclusion, in which he remained for 25 years, until his death . . . The fruit of this seclusion was The Spiritual Combat . . . In the Pilgrim’s Progress, the Christian is represented as a traveler to the heavenly kingdom, beset by dangers and snares; in the Spiritual Combat, he is shown throughout as a soldier putting on the armor or righteousness and fighting with the great weapons of faith and endurance against all the powers of spiritual evil. This book is, in fact, a manual of exercises for the soldiers of Christ” (from the introduction).

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Key Features

• An example of enduring Catholic piety
• English translation from the original Italian

Contents

Top Highlights

“The Spiritual Life consists in nothing else than the knowledge of the Goodness and Greatness of God, and our own nothingness and proneness to all evil; in the love of Him and hatred of ourselves; in submitting ourselves, not to Him alone, but for love of Him to every creature; in entirely renouncing our own will, and absolutely resigning ourselves to His Divine good pleasure; and, moreover, doing and willing all these things, simply to glorify God, and solely to please Him, because such is His will, and because He deserves so to be loved and served.” (Page 6)

“He loves and desires us to acknowledge truly and heartily this most certain truth, that all grace and virtue in us is derived from Him alone, the source of all good, and that from ourselves can proceed nothing, no not even a good thought, which may be worthy of His approval.” (Page 9)

“For this reason the open sinner may be more easily converted and brought back, than he who is veiled and hidden from himself by the semblance of virtue.” (Page 6)

“Nevertheless she must not on this account lose her trust in God, nor lay aside her spiritual weapons and exercises, but still fight resolutely on, knowing that in this spiritual combat none is overcome, but he who ceases to struggle and to trust in God. His aid never fails His soldiers, though He sometimes permits them to be wounded. Fight on then boldly, for all depends on this. For there is a ready and effectual remedy to heal the wounds of all combatants, who look to God and to His aid with confidence; and when they least expect it, they shall see their enemies dead at their feet.” (Pages 19–20)

Praise for the Print Edition

Scupoli’s book was the outcome, not only of much experience as a spiritual director, but of a very severe personal affliction. It is helpful, accordingly, to those who feel more acutely than others the cruel and insidious onslaught of the adversary.

—Church Quarterly Review

Product Details

• Title: The Spiritual Combat: Together with the Path of Paradise, or, Of Inward Peace
• Author: Lorenzo Scupoli
• Publisher: Suttaby and Co.
• Publication Date: 1884
• Pages: 251

About Lorenzo Scupoli

Lorenzo Scupoli (c. 1530–1610) was a member of the Theatines, a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church founded by Giovanni Pietro Carafa (later Pope Paul IV). Through many years in the active duties of his calling, he won a reputation as a great preacher in most of the large towns in Italy. He was later accused of breaking orders and deprived of his priestly office which drove him into seclusion. It was not until a few years before the end of his life that he was exonerated. The profound personal suffering, which he endured with humility and patience developed him into an abiding voice of Catholic spirituality who many continue to seek for guidance.