The Spiritual Combat: and a Treatise on Peace of Soul (Tan Classics) by Dom Lorenzo Scupoli (1-Apr-2010) Paperback

by Lorenzo Scupoli

English, Italian (translation)

Paperback

About the author

Dom Lorenzo Scupoli was born in Otranto, Italy in 1530 and died in Naples in 1610. Nothing is known about his early life. At about the age of 40, he entered the Theatines and made his novitiate under St. Andrew Avellino. He was ordained in 1577. It is said that he met St. Francis de Sales in Padua between 1589 and 1591 and gave him a copy of The Spiritual Combat. For some reason that has never been revealed, he was laicized in 1585 and lived in retirement in Theatine houses until his death. Some sources say that his name was cleared at the end of his life, though he offered no defense of himself. The first edition of The Spiritual Combat bearing Scupoli's name was published in the year of his death 1610.

Reviews

[Thomas Schumann · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent handbook for dealing with common spiritual struggles. Read this if you're tired of losing the same battles over and over again.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latter portion of this book, "A Treatise on Peace of Soul," was recommended to me by my spiritual director.

I found the first portion, "The Spiritual Combat," to be a little dry in some parts, and the prayers a little too flowery. I prefer The Imitation of Christ instead.

The second portion on interior peace is excellent - specific, direct, and gentle. Whoever wrote it had the heart of a spiritual father and it has greatly helped me during a time of spiritual anxiety / worry. Highly recommended.