PROLOGUE: SPIRITUAL DIRECTION with the saints

Discover in a new way the Good, the True, and the Beautiful, through Divine Mercy and Love

* * * dedicated to Nonna & Sweetie Pie * * *

Without a doubt, Sacred Scripture is the foundation of a strong prayer life. But is this all that we need? Well, I don’t think so. I humbly propose that in addition to Sacred Scripture, spiritual direction is also vitally important. So let’s take a look at the early Church to see what spiritual life was like at the very beginning, after the death and resurrection of Jesus. More specifically, let’s learn from the excellent example of the Fathers of the Church, especially those who knew the apostles personally. St. Ignatius of Antioch received spiritual direction from St. Peter the Apostle, and St. Polycarp received spiritual direction from St. John the Apostle. To put things into perspective, after Jesus Himself, who better to learn from than those who best put into practice the Word of God?

So there is much to learn from the writings and example of the saints. In my own life, there are three saints who have deeply impacted my spiritual journey with their holy wisdom: St. Francis de Sales, St. Louis de Montfort, and St. Faustina Kowalska. The first is a Doctor of the Church, and I think it’s just a matter of time before the other two are declared Doctors of the Church as well (the Church moves slowly in these matters). So let me take the opportunity to explain why these three are so very special and so dear to me.

Let me begin with St. Francis de Sales, who is one of the greatest spiritual directors of all time. He wrote Introduction to the Devout Life, and published it in 1609. It is a spiritual classic, and is also his masterpiece (my preferred version is the one translated by the Rev. John K. Ryan). I typically read no more than one short chapter of it per day. Then, when I get to the end of the book, I start it it all over again, because it’s so tremendously profound. I schedule the readings in such a way that it takes me close to a year to finish it, and the reading time goes by very quickly because it's filled with immensely practical spiritual advice. For people who don't currently have a spiritual director (and most people don’t), then this book is the next best thing. In a very thorough and comprehensive way, he covers every imaginable topic and writes in a very pleasant, engaging style. I cannot even begin to describe the remarkable impact that his book has had on my spiritual life over the years.

The book is broken down into five sections. In the first section he actually does a preparation for consecration that is followed by a consecration prayer, not unlike the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary of St. Louis de Montfort. However, St. Francis approaches things from a rather unique perspective, one that includes meditations on “the four last things,” and this book perfectly complements the consecration according to Fr. de Montfort. But what is magnificent about St. Francis' book is that it doesn’t conclude with the consecration; instead, it essentially begins with it. Then, from sections two through five, he explains how to live it -- a devout life, a holy life, a happy life -- as a lay person. Like other spiritual classics, this work is universal in nature, so although it was written approximately 400 years ago, the same life lessons still apply to us, even in the twenty-first century. 

In addition, let me briefly discuss my manner of reading Introduction to the Devout Life. I begin on August 21 (the birthday of St. Francis de Sales), and then I read the following number of pages per day:

The First Part — two pages per day The Second Part — a half page per day The Third Part — one page per day The Fourth Part — three pages per day The Fifth Part — one chapter per day

The reason the second part is only a half page per day is that St. Francis discusses prayer, and in absolutely splendid detail. It is brimming with holy wisdom, so much so that it really is necessary to slow down to absorb it all. Although it takes me almost a year to complete the book, it is well worth it. Then, when August 21 comes around, I joyfully do it again. When I first read the book in 2007, I read it straight through, pretty much like a novel. However, in retrospect, this was a real mistake. By reading it a little at a time, I am able to learn far more from this great saint.

Next, let’s discuss St. Louis de Montfort’s Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, which comes from his classic book entitled True Devotion to Mary, which was written in 1712. I first made this consecration on January 1, 2007 (ironically, the same year I learned about St. Francis de Sales), and since then I have faithfully reconsecrated my life each and every year. But when I began reconsecrating my life more than once a year (something that St. Louis encourages), then I noticed that I experienced more rapid spiritual growth. So now I try to do it 18 times per year (members of the Association of Mary, Queen of All Hearts can gain 18 plenary indulgences throughout each liturgical year). The initial consecration is 33 days, but the reconsecration is a mere five days. It has helped me to develop a deeper and deeper relationship with Our Lady, and she in turn continues to lead me closer and closer to Our Lord. Like any great devotion, it is not meant to be “one and done.” Rather, true devotion must truly be lived.

Lastly, let’s talk about St. Faustina’s classic book entitled the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul, which was written in the first half of the twentieth century, just before the beginning of World War II. It too is a spiritual classic. I read one paragraph each day, and when I get to the end of the book, then, like Introduction to the Devout Life, I start it all over again, too. The beauty of it is that it takes so little time, yet it is so mystical and so powerful. It reminds me of the importance of not only seeking God's divine mercy for myself, but also living divine mercy with others.

However, let’s pause for a moment. You may ask, "Why do you keep rereading these books over and over again? Wouldn’t that get boring?" Well, no, they actually don’t get boring, and the reason is this: as human beings, we oftentimes need repetition — intentional repetition. For example, I have reread St. Francis' de Sales' book for years, and yet every single time that I have reread it, I have learned beautiful new things from it. Like good navigators, occasionally we may find that we need to make course corrections to our spiritual lives, so that we can stay on track. Therefore, reading the spiritual classics over and over again can be quite productive. 

Also, think of the Sunday mass readings. It's the same thing. We repeat the three-year cycle over and over throughout our lives. Why? Because the reminders can prevent us from gradually getting spiritually lost. This is true also of St. John Paul II. When he wrote and organized his famous Theology of the Body, he didn't write in a linear fashion, from Point A to Point B. Instead, he organized it in the structure of a spiral: he talks about something, then he spirals around and returns to it again later, then he spirals around and returns yet again, each time enriching our understanding of the material more and more. 

While we are in this world, we often live in the Dark Night of Unknowing and the Dark Night of the Cross. However, when we follow the guidance of the saints, they wisely and prudently lead us to the Light, to Jesus, Our Blessed Lord. Like Our Lady at the wedding feast of Cana, they gently and lovingly point out the way that leads us to Divine Mercy and Love.

Therefore, in addition to telling you about St. Francis de Sales’ Introduction to the Devout Life, I will give you the chance to pray St. Louis de Montfort’s Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, and I will also explain new ways in which we can pray the Holy Rosary and both the the Divine Mercy Novena and Divine Mercy Chaplet (the latter four are enhanced with unbelievably beautiful classic sacred art by some of the greatest artistic masters in the history of Christendom).

Then, in “A Journey of Divine Mercy,” I will tell you my own story, and, reminiscent of little Bilbo Baggins in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, I will explain how the God of surprises led me too on “an unexpected journey.” I went from studying for the diaconate to composing morally-responsible poems and prayers.

Next, I will share my complete collection of poetry, broken down by category: Mystical Rose, Mystical Mercy, Mystical Histories, Mystical Reflections, Mystical Memories, Mystical Adventures, and The Dark Night. And in the Epilogue, I will share some of my all-time favorite prayers, many of which are composed by the holy saints themselves.

Now although the holy devotions, poems, and prayers in the web book are primarily for my own prayer life and spiritual growth, I also wish to share them with those who are dear to me, my family and friends, as well as anyone else who might be interested in them.

Well, then. Before we continue our little spiritual adventure, let me say one last thing. I can’t help but share the sentiments of St. Teresa of Avila. When she concluded her masterful book The Interior Castle, she made the following comments: "If you find anything in the plan of this treatise which helps you to know Him better, be certain that it is sent by His Majesty to encourage you, and that whatever you find amiss in it is my own.... If these writings contain any error, it is through my ignorance; I submit in all things to the teachings of the holy Catholic Roman Church.... May our Lord God be forever praised and blessed! Amen, Amen." I feel very much the same way. It is my hope that you will enjoy this collection of holy devotions, poems, and prayers, but I am all too aware of this web book’s defects. It is my sincerest hope that you will discover in a deeper way the Good, the True, and the Beautiful — even if only in a little way. May God bless you, and may the magnificent and dazzling light of Divine Mercy always shine brightly in your hearts!