Preface by Cardinal Bourne

• “Le Christ, Vie de ’Ame”, has received in its original form such ample commendation both from our Holy Father the Pope and from the learned and much venerated Cardinal Archbishop of Malines that any further praise seems almost out of place. Yet very willingly indeed I add my less authoritative tribute to the more important words that they have written, and I very gladly advise all those who seek in the English language a work that will surely help and guide them on the path of closer union with their Maker, to read and study this translation of the extremely valuable treatise which is the outcome of long thought and labour on ( the pari of the Abbot of Maredsous. Those who have ” been privileged to make retreats under his guidance will know what to expect from his pen, and they will not suffer disappointment. And by his written work and its translation into English his teaching wiil receive a far wider and more permanent diffusion.

Such solid teaching is much needed at the present time. . The number of souls seeking more intimate union with God ts rapidly increasing. But many are held back by the want of simplicity, the discouraging complexity, and the exaggerated refinement and multiplication of detail, which have lessened the value of so many modern spiritual books. The main object of striving has been obscured by too great insistance on the methods of attaining, and the freedom of the soul under the guidance of the Holy Ghost has been impaired. Abbot Marmion carries us back to a wider and more wholesome tradition, and many will rise up to bless him, as they find in his teaching new strength, and fresh vigour in their striving after God.

To the Clergy both in the world and in the cloister, to the religious communtiies of women, active as well as contem- plaitve, and to the devout laity I very earnestly commend this book.

FRANCIS CARDINAL BOURNE Archbishop of Westminster.

Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel

September 29th 1921.

YI.

ONE,

Ill. Iv.

INDEX OF CONFERENCES

THE DIVINE ECONOMY

. The Divine plan of our adoptive predestination in Jesus

@hrist 0 ea lee Bp a ve Sy Ss Christ, the only Model of all perfection. Causa Exem- DUAPIR TOU: BORO aT Or Ce let tay en Nice Go} eae te et ee ee Christ, the Author of our Kedemption and Infinite

Treasury of Grace. Causa satisfactoria et meritoria. . 46

Christ, the efficient Cause of all grace. Causa effictens. 64

. The Church, the mystical body of Christ . . . . . 85

The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus . agian ATR

99 Il.

FOUNDATION AND DOUBLE ASPECT OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

. Faith in Jesus Christ, the foundation of Christian Life 129 ra il.

Baptism, the Sacrament of Divine adoption and Christian initiation : death andlife . . . . . . : 152

A. DEATH TO SIN

Delitia quisxintelligit 2) > Se ae oF

The sacrament and the virtue of Penance. . . . . 187

ORR eg eF

‘

B. LIFE FOR GOD

V. Truth in Charity .

_ VI. Our supernatural growth in Christ. .

VII. The Eucharistic Sacrifice . VIII. Panis vitae IX. Vox Sponsae X. Prayer Sea XI, « Love one another. » . : XII. The Mother of the Incarnate Word

XIII. Coheredes Christz.

2 2n

5 OY; eye - 395 + 325 Ria . 368 - 388

CHRISTUM COMITAMUR, CHRISTUM SEQUIMUR, CHRISTUM HABEMUS ITINERIS DUCEM, LUCIS PRINCIPEM, SALUTIS AUCTOREM, CAELUM PARI- TER ET PATREM QUAERENTIBUS ET CREDENTI- BUS POLLICENTEM. QUOD EST CHRISTUS ERI- MUS, CHRISTIANI, SI CHRISTUM FUERIMUS IMI- TATI.

IT IS WITH CHRIST THAT WE JOURNEY, AND WE WALK WITH OUR STEPS IN HIS FOOTPRINTS: HE IT IS WHO IS OUR GUIDE AND THE BURNING FLAME WHICH ILLUMINES OUR PATHS ; PIONEER OF SALVATION, HE IT IS WHO DRAWS US TO- WARDS HEAVEN, TOWARDS THE FATHER, AND PROMISES SUCCESS TO THOSE WHO SEEK IN FAITH. WE SHALL ONE DAY BE THAT WHICH HE IS IN GLORY, IF BY FAITHFUL IMITATION OF HIS EXAMPLE, WE BECOME TRUE CHRISTIANS, OTHER CHRISTS.

(ST. CYPRIAN. De idolorum vanitate, C. 15.)