Böcker av Louis de Ponte

"A complete course of Theology for the use of all Christians, where the art of prayer and meditation is taught theoretically and practically." - Fr. Camilo María Abad Puente S.J. (1878-1969)Venerable Father Louis de Ponte, S.J. lived to be one of the most esteemed ascetical writers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. He was born in Valladolid Spain, on 1554. He died a holy death in the same city on the 16th of February 1624, having completed his seventieth year. His cause of beatification was introduced in 1667; all his writings pontifically approved in 1714; and his virtues declared heroic in 1759 by Clement XIII. He spent a great part of his priestly life exclusively devoted to the spiritual formation of younger Jesuits, either as master of novices or as spiritual father. Through his personal experience of labouring in the lord's vineyard, he learned how to direct souls. Leading them in prayer and showing them how to seek God.His first work which issued from his pen was the book of "Meditations" on the principal mysteries of our holy faith, on the Life and Passion of our Lord, of His Blessed Mother, of the Divinity and Trinity etc. It was written in Spanish, and printed in the year 1605. Within one year after its first appearance, it passed through three editions, and was translated into seven languages.It is in truth an immortal work, in which the reader scarcely knows which to admire most, either the extensive learning, or the order of arrangement, or the multiplicity and correctness of the reflections, or the unction with which the mysteries are unfolded. It cannot be read without feeling the will excited to devotion, or without a desire to profit by it. In it he explains admirably the practice of prayer, at the same time furnishing ample materials for it. In it directors and confessors may find wherewith to instruct those committed to their charge. In it religious of every order may find celestial manna for the daily food of their devotion. In it, in fine, every person of every state may learn how to appreciate the eternal truths, and the mysteries of our holy faith, and also how to live well, if they will frequently read and meditate upon them. Emperor Ferdinand II declared that this book had been most useful to him, and knew it almost by heart.

"A complete course of Theology for the use of all Christians, where the art of prayer and meditation is taught theoretically and practically." - Fr. Camilo María Abad Puente S.J. (1878-1969)Venerable Father Louis de Ponte, S.J. lived to be one of the most esteemed ascetical writers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. He was born in Valladolid Spain, on 1554. He died a holy death in the same city on the 16th of February 1624, having completed his seventieth year. His cause of beatification was introduced in 1667; all his writings pontifically approved in 1714; and his virtues declared heroic in 1759 by Clement XIII. He spent a great part of his priestly life exclusively devoted to the spiritual formation of younger Jesuits, either as master of novices or as spiritual father. Through his personal experience of labouring in the lord's vineyard, he learned how to direct souls. Leading them in prayer and showing them how to seek God.His first work which issued from his pen was the book of "Meditations" on the principal mysteries of our holy faith, on the Life and Passion of our Lord, of His Blessed Mother, of the Divinity and Trinity etc. It was written in Spanish, and printed in the year 1605. Within one year after its first appearance, it passed through three editions, and was translated into seven languages.It is in truth an immortal work, in which the reader scarcely knows which to admire most, either the extensive learning, or the order of arrangement, or the multiplicity and correctness of the reflections, or the unction with which the mysteries are unfolded. It cannot be read without feeling the will excited to devotion, or without a desire to profit by it. In it he explains admirably the practice of prayer, at the same time furnishing ample materials for it. In it directors and confessors may find wherewith to instruct those committed to their charge. In it religious of every order may find celestial manna for the daily food of their devotion. In it, in fine, every person of every state may learn how to appreciate the eternal truths, and the mysteries of our holy faith, and also how to live well, if they will frequently read and meditate upon them. Emperor Ferdinand II declared that this book had been most useful to him, and knew it almost by heart.

"A complete course of Theology for the use of all Christians, where the art of prayer and meditation is taught theoretically and practically." - Fr. Camilo María Abad Puente S.J. (1878-1969)Venerable Father Louis de Ponte, S.J. lived to be one of the most esteemed ascetical writers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. He was born in Valladolid Spain, on 1554. He died a holy death in the same city on the 16th of February 1624, having completed his seventieth year. His cause of beatification was introduced in 1667; all his writings pontifically approved in 1714; and his virtues declared heroic in 1759 by Clement XIII. He spent a great part of his priestly life exclusively devoted to the spiritual formation of younger Jesuits, either as master of novices or as spiritual father. Through his personal experience of labouring in the lord's vineyard, he learned how to direct souls. Leading them in prayer and showing them how to seek God.His first work which issued from his pen was the book of "Meditations" on the principal mysteries of our holy faith, on the Life and Passion of our Lord, of His Blessed Mother, of the Divinity and Trinity etc. It was written in Spanish, and printed in the year 1605. Within one year after its first appearance, it passed through three editions, and was translated into seven languages.It is in truth an immortal work, in which the reader scarcely knows which to admire most, either the extensive learning, or the order of arrangement, or the multiplicity and correctness of the reflections, or the unction with which the mysteries are unfolded. It cannot be read without feeling the will excited to devotion, or without a desire to profit by it. In it he explains admirably the practice of prayer, at the same time furnishing ample materials for it. In it directors and confessors may find wherewith to instruct those committed to their charge. In it religious of every order may find celestial manna for the daily food of their devotion. In it, in fine, every person of every state may learn how to appreciate the eternal truths, and the mysteries of our holy faith, and also how to live well, if they will frequently read and meditate upon them. Emperor Ferdinand II declared that this book had been most useful to him, and knew it almost by heart.

"A complete course of Theology for the use of all Christians, where the art of prayer and meditation is taught theoretically and practically." - Fr. Camilo María Abad Puente S.J. (1878-1969)Venerable Father Louis de Ponte, S.J. lived to be one of the most esteemed ascetical writers of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. He was born in Valladolid Spain, on 1554. He died a holy death in the same city on the 16th of February 1624, having completed his seventieth year. His cause of beatification was introduced in 1667; all his writings pontifically approved in 1714; and his virtues declared heroic in 1759 by Clement XIII. He spent a great part of his priestly life exclusively devoted to the spiritual formation of younger Jesuits, either as master of novices or as spiritual father. Through his personal experience of labouring in the lord's vineyard, he learned how to direct souls. Leading them in prayer and showing them how to seek God.His first work which issued from his pen was the book of "Meditations" on the principal mysteries of our holy faith, on the Life and Passion of our Lord, of His Blessed Mother, of the Divinity and Trinity etc. It was written in Spanish, and printed in the year 1605. Within one year after its first appearance, it passed through three editions, and was translated into seven languages.It is in truth an immortal work, in which the reader scarcely knows which to admire most, either the extensive learning, or the order of arrangement, or the multiplicity and correctness of the reflections, or the unction with which the mysteries are unfolded. It cannot be read without feeling the will excited to devotion, or without a desire to profit by it. In it he explains admirably the practice of prayer, at the same time furnishing ample materials for it. In it directors and confessors may find wherewith to instruct those committed to their charge. In it religious of every order may find celestial manna for the daily food of their devotion. In it, in fine, every person of every state may learn how to appreciate the eternal truths, and the mysteries of our holy faith, and also how to live well, if they will frequently read and meditate upon them. Emperor Ferdinand II declared that this book had been most useful to him, and knew it almost by heart.

A Treatise on Mental Prayer is a classic work of spiritual guidance by the Venerable Father Louis de Ponte, S.J, a renowned Spanish mystic and theologian of the sixteenth century. Drawing from the rich tradition of Christian mysticism, de Ponte offers a comprehensive and practical manual on how to pray according to the Ignatian method of prayer, which consists of three stages: the purgative way, the illuminative way, and the unitive way. In each stage, de Ponte explains the nature, means, and obstacles of mental prayer, as well as the fruits and effects that it produces in the soul. He also provides various examples and exercises to help the reader apply the principles of mental prayer to his or her own spiritual life.This book is a condensed and updated version of the introductions to de Ponte's esteemed six volumes of Meditations, which cover the whole liturgical year and various aspects of Christian doctrine and morality. It is intended to serve as a standalone treatise that can be read independently of the Meditations, or as a companion that can enhance their understanding and practice. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced practitioner of mental prayer, you will find in this book a treasure of wisdom and inspiration that will lead you to a deeper union with God.

In his Spiritual Exercises, St Ignatius of Loyola famously encourages us to ask for the grace of an "intimate knowledge" of Our Lord Jesus Christ. This is exactly what God wants for us: Now this is eternal life: that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent (Jn 17:3). Throughout this little book, a saintly disciple of St Ignatius, Venerable Luis de Ponte, develops this salutary thought so that we too may come to an intimate knowledge of Christ Jesus, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3).