Classic Work on Catholic Phenomena Forms Readers in Discernment and Contemplation

Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. Visions and Revelations. Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 2022. Paperback $14.95. Ebook $9.99. Available from the publisher.

Would you like to grow in prayer but have questions about how to deepen your relationship with God? Do you wonder if what you’re experiencing in the spiritual life is normal? How can you open your heart more to receive all that God wants to give you?

In Visions and Revelations, Saints Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross will help guide you. 

“Teresa the Great and John of the Cross have traced out the itinerary of the soul in its spiritual ascension up to the loftiest peaks of sanctity,” writes Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D., an expert in the spiritual and mystical doctrine of St. Teresa of Ávila and of St. John of the Cross. 

This book answers questions, such as: “What is the place assigned in this itinerary to visions and revelations?” Readers will learn the role of supernatural wonders, the right attitude to possess regarding mysticism and how avoid falling into pride. They will understand the place of phenomena in the spiritual life and problems arising out of visions, along with ways to cultivate authentic prayer and spirituality.

“Even in his spiritual life man cannot lay aside his good common sense and prudence,” notes Fr. Gabriel. This book also explains how spiritual directors should guide souls receiving such favors.

He goes on to emphasize, “St. John of the Cross, the great Doctor of Union with God, has shown, with incomparable clarity, that the way to such intimate divine union is faith, whereas visions and revelations are shown to be secondary elements, full of danger. Souls must be warned off a way exposed to delusions. Esteem and love of the way of faith does not lead to credulity.”

Readers will learn about the difference between mental prayer (meditation) and contemplation. They will find what is meant by types of ecstasies, raptures, and visions. Significantly, they will discover ways to predispose themselves, by God’s grace, to move from the Purgative stage to the Illuminative stage and the Unitive stage. Best of all, readers will read about the “gentle recollection,” beatitude, and peace that await the soul as it progresses in prayer, when God draws “it into His love.”

Fr. Gabriel further explains how St. Teresa was raised to the heights of Spiritual Marriage. “A keen observer, endowed with no common skill in introspection, and remarkable clearness in expressing herself, Teresa possessed all the requisite qualities to enable her to describe perfectly the development of the supernatural life, as she knew it from her personal experience and observed it in her daughters, whose confidences she received.”

“Her descriptions are admittedly so rich and precise that Teresa has truly renewed one of the basic studies of mystical science, that is the clear determining of the phenomena experienced by mystical souls,” shares Fr. Gabriel. This book will help you to attain wisdom and holiness wherever you are on your spiritual journey.

Members of the media may send an email to Sophia Institute Press’ Director of Publicity, Sarah Lemieux at slemieux@SophiaInstitute.com to receive a physical or digital copy of Visions and Revelations, and/or to schedule an interview.