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Christ the Life of the Soul
Christ, the Life of the Soul is a modern spiritual classic. Drawing upon the Scriptures, the Liturgy, and the Doctors of the Church, Blessed Columba Marmion shows us the path towards freedom from self-bondage and the enlargement of our souls - to realize, with St. Paul, that "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." As Blessed Marmion puts it, "Christ is the Alpha and Omega of all sanctity." The author shows how to die to sin and live for God, and the primary sources of our spiritual nourishment in the Eucharist and prayer, until the consummation of our adoption in Christ Jesus in the mystical body of Christ. Perhaps Pope Benedict XV said it best: "Read this - it is the pure doctrine of the Church ... and singularly conducive to excite and maintain the flame of Divine love in the soul."
"He bequeathed to us an authentic treasury of spiritual teaching for the Church of our time. In his writings he teaches a way of holiness, simple and yet demanding, for all the faithful." - Pope John Paul II
" The works of Marmion] are outstanding in the accuracy of their doctrine, the clarity of their style, and the depth and richness of their thought." - Pope Pius XII
"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 vigor in their striving after God." - Francis Cardinal Bourne
Born in Ireland in 1858, Blessed Columba Marmion became Abbot of Maredsous Abbey, Belgium, and one of the great spiritual masters of the 20th century. His conferences and books have influenced popes, cardinals, priests, monks, and laity alike.
"He bequeathed to us an authentic treasury of spiritual teaching for the Church of our time. In his writings he teaches a way of holiness, simple and yet demanding, for all the faithful." - Pope John Paul II
" The works of Marmion] are outstanding in the accuracy of their doctrine, the clarity of their style, and the depth and richness of their thought." - Pope Pius XII
"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 vigor in their striving after God." - Francis Cardinal Bourne
Born in Ireland in 1858, Blessed Columba Marmion became Abbot of Maredsous Abbey, Belgium, and one of the great spiritual masters of the 20th century. His conferences and books have influenced popes, cardinals, priests, monks, and laity alike.
384 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2005
24 people are currently reading
358 people want to read
About the author
Columba Marmion
64 books30 followersReverend Father Blessed Dom Columba Marmion, OSB, born Joseph Aloysius Marmion a Roman Catholic Benedictine Irish monk and the third Abbot of Maredsous Abbey in Belgium. Beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 3, 2000, Columba was one of the most popular and influential Catholic authors of the 20th Century. His books are considered spiritual classics.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 7, 2023
Blessed Columba here gives us the very essence of the Christian life: that God has predestined us in Christ before the foundation of the world to become His adopted sons through grace, to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has given us through the biter passion of His Beloved Son. Blessed Columba shows us that Christianity consists in Christ: He is the goal to which we go, and the way by which we go. This book is perfect; it is beyond all praise.
January 21, 2015
A very intimate, and thought provoking insight into the love of Christ through the seven sacraments.
October 29, 2022
Honestly one of the best books about Catholicism that I have ever read. I highly recommend it.
May 24, 2021
5 stars for the text; 3 stars for the translator's notes.
The contrast between text and notes is jarring. I stopped looking at any notes early on so as to keep to the style and prayerful reflection of the text. Better to simply read than to be continually interrupted with explanations and clarifications.
This is possibly the best presentation of Catholic teaching I have read. It is a thoroughly doctrinal work while also being a thoroughly spiritually work. All that we do and believe as Catholics is fundamentally rooted in the intimacy of a relationship with Christ. Bl. Marmion writes of doctrine precisely in this way, rather than it being disconnected or merely intellectual. (The same cannot be said for the notes.)
It is a packed read, not so much because of technical theological language but rather due to the amount of content faith Marmion consistently brings together. If it were a pudding it would be thick.
The contrast between text and notes is jarring. I stopped looking at any notes early on so as to keep to the style and prayerful reflection of the text. Better to simply read than to be continually interrupted with explanations and clarifications.
This is possibly the best presentation of Catholic teaching I have read. It is a thoroughly doctrinal work while also being a thoroughly spiritually work. All that we do and believe as Catholics is fundamentally rooted in the intimacy of a relationship with Christ. Bl. Marmion writes of doctrine precisely in this way, rather than it being disconnected or merely intellectual. (The same cannot be said for the notes.)
It is a packed read, not so much because of technical theological language but rather due to the amount of content faith Marmion consistently brings together. If it were a pudding it would be thick.
April 23, 2018
Highly recommended for those who want to learn more about various aspects of the Christian life, in light of our role as adopted children of God.
As you read this book and learn from it, let this be your prayer: “May we merit to be coheirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify you, O God, through your Son, Jesus Christ” (cf. Eucharistic Prayer II, Roman Missal).
As you read this book and learn from it, let this be your prayer: “May we merit to be coheirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify you, O God, through your Son, Jesus Christ” (cf. Eucharistic Prayer II, Roman Missal).
January 24, 2023
This is a book I can read over and over again in the spirit of prayer. I especially enjoyed his teaching on the doctrine of adoption, as well as everything he had to say on Christ, the life of my soul.
May 13, 2025
Czytałem wydanie polskie, którego tutaj nie mogę znaleźć.
December 23, 2020
Beautiful line:
"In each of the saints, the Divine Spirit has respected nature with the particular features which creation has put there. Grace has transfigured those features, has added to them its special gifts of a super-natural order." p290
Several beautiful gems on the faith. A good read!
"In each of the saints, the Divine Spirit has respected nature with the particular features which creation has put there. Grace has transfigured those features, has added to them its special gifts of a super-natural order." p290
Several beautiful gems on the faith. A good read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2014
I found this to be an excellent work on the Christian Life and highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews