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The Ascetical Works #III
El gran medio de la oración
Varias son las obras espirituales que he publicado. Citaré las "Visitas al Santísimo Sacramento y a María Santísima", "La Pasión de Cristo" y "Las Glorias de María" Escribí también otra obrita contra los materialistas y deístas, y otras, no pocas, sobre varios temas devotos y espirituales, más, tengo para mí, que no he escrito hasta ahora libro más útil que éste que trata de la oración, porque creo que es el medio más necesario y seguro para alcanzar la salvación y todas las gracias que ella acarrea. Y tengo esto tan cierto que, si me fuera posible, quisiera lanzar al mundo tantos ejemplares de esta obra cuantos son los cristianos que en la tierra viven. A todos gustosamente se la regalaría: a ver si por fin llegan a entender todos la necesidad que tenemos de la oración para salvamos.
Hablo así, porque veo, por una parte, la absoluta necesidad que tenemos de la oración, según doctrina repetida en las sagradas Escrituras y en los libros de los Santos Padres; y por otra, el poco cuidado que los cristianos tienen en practicar este gran medio de salvación.
Hablo así, porque veo, por una parte, la absoluta necesidad que tenemos de la oración, según doctrina repetida en las sagradas Escrituras y en los libros de los Santos Padres; y por otra, el poco cuidado que los cristianos tienen en practicar este gran medio de salvación.
54 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1758
122 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
About the author
Alfonso María de Liguori
1,223 books188 followersSaint Alfonso María de Liguori, CSsR (1696–1787), was an Italian Catholic bishop, spiritual writer, composer, musician, artist, poet, lawyer, scholastic philosopher, and theologian.
He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (the Redemptorists). In 1762 he was appointed Bishop of Sant'Agata dei Goti. A prolific writer, he published nine editions of his "Moral Theology" in his lifetime, in addition to other devotional and ascetic works and letters. Among his best known works are "The Glories of Mary" and "The Way of the Cross", the latter still used in parishes during Lenten devotions.
He was canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1871. One of the most widely read Catholic authors, he is the patron saint of confessors.
He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (the Redemptorists). In 1762 he was appointed Bishop of Sant'Agata dei Goti. A prolific writer, he published nine editions of his "Moral Theology" in his lifetime, in addition to other devotional and ascetic works and letters. Among his best known works are "The Glories of Mary" and "The Way of the Cross", the latter still used in parishes during Lenten devotions.
He was canonized in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1871. One of the most widely read Catholic authors, he is the patron saint of confessors.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 2, 2025
Saint Alphonse has always stood as a ready match to my subjectively intuitive thoughts on prayer. Being on the Spectrum, I agree with him that heartfelt prayer is optimal!
So we ingenuous Aspies have an early push in the right direction.
I have loved this book for so long. I have perused its pages in many unpropitious places: supermarket rest areas; physiotherapy clinics; and cancer check-up offices. It always made me revert back to the prayerful present tense.
It focuses my whole attention on the One I am addressing.
Just read it from the heart: you'll see. Let Liguori's limpid prose comfort you like a warm blanket.
How do we know a prayer is effective? It can only be so, if it's truly us.
Put off your anxiety. Even church-like repetitive prayer can calm you and lull your rapid heartbeat. Continue with your traditional prayers, and work all your intentions into them like you mean it.
Quelling your turbulent spirit reverently will let your prayers be heard.
You'll see results.
Then, you can further progress: through humble obedience to the traditions of your Christian forbears. That obedience, for modern Catholics, is to follow in humility the teachings of the Catechism.
You can become a mere pebble in the ocean of love that is the Cross.
But every wonderful work wrought indirectly by our prayer must be humbled once again by the verbal root of our prayer, which is:
Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!
So we ingenuous Aspies have an early push in the right direction.
I have loved this book for so long. I have perused its pages in many unpropitious places: supermarket rest areas; physiotherapy clinics; and cancer check-up offices. It always made me revert back to the prayerful present tense.
It focuses my whole attention on the One I am addressing.
Just read it from the heart: you'll see. Let Liguori's limpid prose comfort you like a warm blanket.
How do we know a prayer is effective? It can only be so, if it's truly us.
Put off your anxiety. Even church-like repetitive prayer can calm you and lull your rapid heartbeat. Continue with your traditional prayers, and work all your intentions into them like you mean it.
Quelling your turbulent spirit reverently will let your prayers be heard.
You'll see results.
Then, you can further progress: through humble obedience to the traditions of your Christian forbears. That obedience, for modern Catholics, is to follow in humility the teachings of the Catechism.
You can become a mere pebble in the ocean of love that is the Cross.
But every wonderful work wrought indirectly by our prayer must be humbled once again by the verbal root of our prayer, which is:
Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!
abandoned
August 6, 2025The first part of this book is amazing, and I loved it! St. Ligouri encourages all to pursue a life of prayer. It is essential for growth in the spiritual life, to fall in love with our Savior, Jesus Christ.
However, then St. Ligouri gets into theological arguments refuting the Jansenists and loses me. I am sure these are very important, but I never comprehended that particular heresy to begin with, beyond its tendency to scare devout Catholics that they can never be good enough for God, so they were therefore forbidden to receive Holy Communion. I know this is wrong because, of course, we can never be 'good enough' for God, but that's not the point. We go to Communion to receive His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity to become stronger. Sinners though we are, He wants us to come to Him.
However, it is the actual arguments the Jansenist's used, which have always seemed too esoteric for me. Now our saint's rebuttal of those same arguments is also beyond me, so I am setting this otherwise wonderful book aside for something I can understand and profit from. I still recommend the first part of this book highly!
Recommended for heads wiser than my own.
However, then St. Ligouri gets into theological arguments refuting the Jansenists and loses me. I am sure these are very important, but I never comprehended that particular heresy to begin with, beyond its tendency to scare devout Catholics that they can never be good enough for God, so they were therefore forbidden to receive Holy Communion. I know this is wrong because, of course, we can never be 'good enough' for God, but that's not the point. We go to Communion to receive His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity to become stronger. Sinners though we are, He wants us to come to Him.
However, it is the actual arguments the Jansenist's used, which have always seemed too esoteric for me. Now our saint's rebuttal of those same arguments is also beyond me, so I am setting this otherwise wonderful book aside for something I can understand and profit from. I still recommend the first part of this book highly!
Recommended for heads wiser than my own.
September 2, 2019
This writing makes clear a point about prayer that may be easily neglected, for me at least. It drums in the need to have confidence when we pray that we will be heard. St. Alphonsus presents dozens of quotes from Scripture, both Old and New Testaments and writings of saints and Church doctors that explain how it is that that God is pleased when we pray with confidence in His goodness. Our prayers will not be regarded unless we ask rightly. Jesus Himself told the Apostles “Whatsoever you ask when you pray, believe that you shall receive; and they shall come unto you;” (Mark 11:24) “Ask and you shall receive.” (John 16:24) and again “Amen, Amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in my name, He will give it to you.” (John 16:23) St. Augustine explains that we cannot fear being deceived what “truth promises.” Jesus would not “exhort us to ask, if He did not intend to give.” The prayer that Jesus Himself taught us petitions God as our Father.
St. Alphonsus tells us to persevere and force ourselves in prayer even if lacking enthusiasm or when agitated. Gentile Canaan woman whose daughter was possessed pleaded with Jesus until he heard her pleas. (Matthew 15:27-28)
It should be understood that God will not hear prayers of souls enslaved by the devil. “He that turns away his ears from learning the law, his prayers shall be an abomination.”)Proverbs 28:9) St. Jerome advises to take the example of the prodigal son “Father I have sinned” because God does hear sinners such as the publican whose “God be merciful to me a sinner” obtained God’s pardon. St. Chrysostom said “No sinner has with sorrow asked favors and the benefits of God from Him, without obtaining)
“If you, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father from heaven give the good spirit to them that ask?” (Luke 11:13)
St. Alphonsus tells us to persevere and force ourselves in prayer even if lacking enthusiasm or when agitated. Gentile Canaan woman whose daughter was possessed pleaded with Jesus until he heard her pleas. (Matthew 15:27-28)
It should be understood that God will not hear prayers of souls enslaved by the devil. “He that turns away his ears from learning the law, his prayers shall be an abomination.”)Proverbs 28:9) St. Jerome advises to take the example of the prodigal son “Father I have sinned” because God does hear sinners such as the publican whose “God be merciful to me a sinner” obtained God’s pardon. St. Chrysostom said “No sinner has with sorrow asked favors and the benefits of God from Him, without obtaining)
“If you, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father from heaven give the good spirit to them that ask?” (Luke 11:13)
April 22, 2022
The last third of this book is worth reading (and re-reading), but the first 2/3 are repetitive, dry, and not very beneficial. (in my opinion, I don't actually know anything)
January 11, 2023
The great means of salvation and perfection that the title of this book refers to is prayer. The book explores the necessity of prayer, the power of prayer, and the conditions of prayer before going on to explain how the efficacy of prayer is guaranteed if a certain approach is taken.
I found this approach extremely helpful, and something which I had not truly considered before. The book left me feeling motivated and inspired.
Following a couple of chapters on ‘mental prayer’, another term for Christian meditation, there is also a useful section giving meditations for an eight day retreat. I didn’t read this as I felt that I would use this during my next retreat.
There were, however, parts of the book I found less helpful, including a section on the heresy of Jansenism which was clearly a big issue in St. Alphonsus’ day, and the last hundred pages which relate to a young person’s vocation to the religious life, and which I chose not to read either. I may read it one day, just to truly complete the book.
Overall then four stars...really two or three works mashed up into one, which leaves the book feeling more disjointed than it need be had it concentrated solely on the subject of prayer.
P.S. My edition is subtitled ‘The Aesthetical Works - the observant amongst you will notice that this should be ‘The Ascetical Works’, focussed as the series is on the preliminary stages of the spiritual life.
I found this approach extremely helpful, and something which I had not truly considered before. The book left me feeling motivated and inspired.
Following a couple of chapters on ‘mental prayer’, another term for Christian meditation, there is also a useful section giving meditations for an eight day retreat. I didn’t read this as I felt that I would use this during my next retreat.
There were, however, parts of the book I found less helpful, including a section on the heresy of Jansenism which was clearly a big issue in St. Alphonsus’ day, and the last hundred pages which relate to a young person’s vocation to the religious life, and which I chose not to read either. I may read it one day, just to truly complete the book.
Overall then four stars...really two or three works mashed up into one, which leaves the book feeling more disjointed than it need be had it concentrated solely on the subject of prayer.
P.S. My edition is subtitled ‘The Aesthetical Works - the observant amongst you will notice that this should be ‘The Ascetical Works’, focussed as the series is on the preliminary stages of the spiritual life.
January 11, 2018
This has to be the most perfect book for encouraging people to pray. St. Alphonsus well shows the importance of prayer and that one cannot be saved without it. The work is also filled with great advice about what to pray for and how to practice mental prayer.
March 10, 2020
The ultimate guide to holiness and heaven. Must-read for any Catholic.
November 9, 2021
Typically I give five stars for Catholic classics like this one This volume came from Regis College Toronto as per the ink stamp on the copy I own. (24012 Coll. Christi Regis Bib. MAJ. Toronton)
The “publisher” is the Redemptorist Fathers - St Louis , Brooklyn, Toronto. Edited by Rev. Eugene Grimm (Priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer). Brooklyn, N.Y. March 1927 With book itself written by Doctor of the Church Saint Alphonsus in 1759.
An Ascetical work focused on Prayer, Mental prayer, the exercises of retreat and vocational choices. The only section that I found particularly difficult to read were part II chap. III on confuting Jansenius’s system.
There is many practical things in this work that are incredibly useful for spiritual growth. Such as mental prayer. I bookmarked the Devout practices section For the decently long and powerful prayers ( example “Prayer to obtain Confidence in the Merits of Jesus Christ and in the Intercession of Mary”)
From the Thoughts & Ejaculations “If I had died then, I could not have loved Thee any more”
The final part of the book edition contains beautiful and useful methods to discern safely calling to the Priesthood
The “publisher” is the Redemptorist Fathers - St Louis , Brooklyn, Toronto. Edited by Rev. Eugene Grimm (Priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer). Brooklyn, N.Y. March 1927 With book itself written by Doctor of the Church Saint Alphonsus in 1759.
An Ascetical work focused on Prayer, Mental prayer, the exercises of retreat and vocational choices. The only section that I found particularly difficult to read were part II chap. III on confuting Jansenius’s system.
There is many practical things in this work that are incredibly useful for spiritual growth. Such as mental prayer. I bookmarked the Devout practices section For the decently long and powerful prayers ( example “Prayer to obtain Confidence in the Merits of Jesus Christ and in the Intercession of Mary”)
From the Thoughts & Ejaculations “If I had died then, I could not have loved Thee any more”
The final part of the book edition contains beautiful and useful methods to discern safely calling to the Priesthood
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2023
Mais um excelente livro do Santo Doutor, sobre a necessidade absoluta da Oração. Como diz o clássico ditado dele, "quem reza se salva, quem não reza se condena".
Devemos pedir sempre insistentemente, as graças de Deus e nossa salvação.
Refuta as afirmações de Lutero e Jansênio sobre a incapacidade do homem de observar os mandamentos de Deus, enfatizando que, por meio da oração, os indivíduos podem obter a graça e a força de Deus.
Ressalta a necessidade de rezarmos pelas almas do Purgatório e pedirmos a intercessão dos santos, que estão em comunhão constante com Deus, mas especialmente da Virgem Maria, que é mais poderosa do que todos os santos.
Lembra de Santo Tomás as condições para a oração eficaz: devoção, perseverança e humildade.
Tempo estimado de leitura: 3h
Devemos pedir sempre insistentemente, as graças de Deus e nossa salvação.
Refuta as afirmações de Lutero e Jansênio sobre a incapacidade do homem de observar os mandamentos de Deus, enfatizando que, por meio da oração, os indivíduos podem obter a graça e a força de Deus.
Ressalta a necessidade de rezarmos pelas almas do Purgatório e pedirmos a intercessão dos santos, que estão em comunhão constante com Deus, mas especialmente da Virgem Maria, que é mais poderosa do que todos os santos.
Lembra de Santo Tomás as condições para a oração eficaz: devoção, perseverança e humildade.
Tempo estimado de leitura: 3h
September 20, 2024
I really struggle to rate a book by a Doctor of the Church with only 3 stars. The parts that were good were very fruitful for my existing and developing prayer life- I found these to be in the parts of the first and thoroughly the third sections. The second section seemed to be more a defense to different audience instead of one working on a developing prayer life, so in my opinion it didn’t fit within this book. Lots of quotes and references used throughout the book, to the point where at times it was hard to determine if it was St. Alphonsus or the person being quoted that was developing the thought.
July 29, 2025
"A Oração", em português.
Livro fantástico para compreensão do quão profundo pode ser um ato aparentemente simples que é a oração a Deus e aos Santos. Livro essencial para compreensão da fé católica. Realmente, todo católico deveria ter uma cópia desse livro.
Santo Afonso de Ligório, rogai por nós.
Livro fantástico para compreensão do quão profundo pode ser um ato aparentemente simples que é a oração a Deus e aos Santos. Livro essencial para compreensão da fé católica. Realmente, todo católico deveria ter uma cópia desse livro.
Santo Afonso de Ligório, rogai por nós.
April 2, 2018
This work of writing has some good original points. But, the majority of the chapters had too many quotes and citations. Saint Alphonsus quoted too many authors and did not contribute enough original statements. Also, too many abstract ideas permeated the text.
March 30, 2021
"Porque a oração é o meio necessário e certo de alcançarmos todas as graças necessárias para a salvação."
October 5, 2022
Maravilhoso
August 24, 2023
Un tratado de oración escrito por un santo tiene mucho valor. Y realmente tiene ideas muy buenas. Además el autor huye de extender el libro en exceso. Muy recomendable
January 28, 2024
simplesmente muito poggers obrigatório pra todos
September 30, 2024
An indispensable resource on the form, function and necessity of [daily!] prayer.
May 3, 2025
Estraordianrio
August 29, 2022
Nesta pequena obra, o santo doutor apresenta às almas o poder que possui a oração, sempre baseando seu discurso em frases e máximas da vida dos homens e mulheres que se salvaram graças às súplicas que fizeram a Deus. Além disso, ensina que a oração, mais do que recitada, precisa de outras características para que obtenham máximo proveito da graça divina. É um livro que enche o coração de esperança e de gratidão ao Nosso Senhor, que se digna de ouvir as nossas orações e deseja conceder-nos tantas dádivas por esse meio.
November 25, 2022
Livro de importância imensurável e de profundo impacto na minha vida, recomendado a todo ser humano vivo nesta terra. Santo Afonso de Ligório, um dos 36 Doutores da Igreja, explica com simplicidade e precisão a necessidade da oração sobre diversos aspectos diferentes: para resistir as tentações do pecado, para pedir as graças necessárias e para elevar a nossa vontade à vontade de Deus.
“Quem reza pode ser salvo, quem não reza certamente se condena”. (Pg. 42).
“Quem reza pode ser salvo, quem não reza certamente se condena”. (Pg. 42).
April 9, 2019
Com muitas e variadas citações, Santo Afonso insiste que todos recebem a graça de rezar e, se o fizerem com humildade, confiança e perseverança, hão de lograr a salvação. A obra é insistente e repetitiva, a fim que à fina força sejamos convencidos que não são necessárias graças extraordinárias para se rezar.
July 13, 2022
Não consigo recomendar essa exortação à Divina Providência suficientemente: A linguagem é descomplicada mas muito profunda (com muitas referências às Sagradas Escrituras e aos escritos dos Santos) abrangendo todos as facetas da oração; desda eficácia e condições da mesma, até a célebre invocação dos Santos. Santo Afonso de Ligório me ensinou a orar verdadeiramente nesse livro.
May 20, 2023
Aunque es un material muy bueno para los fieles cristianos considero que debería adaptarse, usa un lenguaje muy rebuscado y le da muchas vueltas a una sola cosa en muy pocas páginas, podría ser más claro y sobre todo más amigable con el lector, buenos consejos e interesante información con una ejecución bastante lamentable.
July 20, 2023
El principio es muy bueno, pero el final no me ha gustado mucho.
de todos modos me ha ayudado mucho en mis pensamientos y en ciertos enfoques.
También me ha gustado porque, aunque yo estaba bastante convencido de que la oración es algo esencial en nuestra vida, este libro me lo ha dejado meridianamente claro.
de todos modos me ha ayudado mucho en mis pensamientos y en ciertos enfoques.
También me ha gustado porque, aunque yo estaba bastante convencido de que la oración es algo esencial en nuestra vida, este libro me lo ha dejado meridianamente claro.
May 8, 2015
Exelente explicacion de la oracion para ir al cielo
He aqui como llegar al cielo con la oracion continua, el consejo de los santos y la certeza de que Dios desea mi oracion y mi eterna salvacion.
He aqui como llegar al cielo con la oracion continua, el consejo de los santos y la certeza de que Dios desea mi oracion y mi eterna salvacion.
Want to read
January 7, 2010Included in the "Spiritual Reading" section of Fr. John McCloskey's 100-book Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan.
October 5, 2015
Excelente
Para quien quiere profundizar en el tema es un excelente punto de partida .
Fácil de explicar y puede ser usado como texto de consulta
Para quien quiere profundizar en el tema es un excelente punto de partida .
Fácil de explicar y puede ser usado como texto de consulta
October 6, 2022
Most important book I've ever read.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews