The Golden Epistle: A Letter to the Brethren at Mont Dieu

by William of Saint-Thierry

This practical guide to the spiritual life, cherished by monks, beguines, and lay folk for eight centuries, can still lead men and women to God.

Genres: Spirituality, Theology, Medieval

156 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1145

Reviews

[Alex Strohschein · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic work of medieval (ascetical) theology that was for long attributed to other writers, including William of Saint-Thierry's friend, St. Bernard of Clairvaux. William examines the spiritual life, distilling how the believer gradually evolves or progresses from the "animal" to the "rational" to the "spiritual" man. I was struck by this passage:

It is called unity of spirit not only because the Holy Spirit brings it about or inclines a man's spirit to it, but because it is the Holy Spirit himself, the God who is Charity. He who is the Love of Father and Son, their Unity, Sweetness, Good, Kiss, Embrace and whatever else they can have in common in that supreme unity of truth and truth of unity, becomes for man in regard to God in the manner appropriate to him what he is for the Son in regard to the Father or for the Father in regard to the Son through unity of substance. The soul in its happiness finds itself standing midway in the Embrace and the Kiss of Father and Son. In a manner which exceeds description and thought, the man of God is found worthy to become not God but what God is, that is to say man becomes through grace what God is by nature (pp. 95-96).

[Damien Rappuhn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent treatise in mystical theology of the progression of a monk through the spiritual life in the knowledge of God. This should be read by all monks.

[John Medendorp · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful little treatise by William of St. Thierry on how to be a good Christian. Has some good stuff on asceticism and spiritual discipline.