R. P. Quadrupani, Barnabite
Fr. Carlo Giuseppe Quadrupani, Barnabite (1740-1807) was a nineteenth century spiritual author from Milan. He is best remembered for his writings on spiritual guidance. His memorable book Light and Peace is published by TAN Books.
The Christian Virtue of Meekness
“Blessed are the meek for they shall possess the land.” -Matthew 5:4 Our Lord offers us in His Divine Person a model of all the virtues. Meekness, however, is the one that He seems to have wished more particularly to propose for our imitation since He said: “Learn of Me for I am meek and…
Confession is the Sacrament of Mercy (PART II)
It is essential to be sorry for our sins—it is not essential to be troubled about them. Repentance is an effect of love of God, anxiety is an effect of self-love. In the midst of the keenest and most sincere repentance we can still thank God that He has not permitted us to become yet…
Confession is the Sacrament of Mercy (PART I)
“I said: I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord, and thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin.” -Ps. 31:5 The sacrament of penance is a sacrament of mercy. We should therefore approach it with confidence and in peace. Saint Francis de Sales assures us that for those who go to confession…
On Meekness
“Blessed are the meek for they shall possess the land.” -Matt 5:4 “Learn of me because I am meek.” -Matt 11:29 Our Lord offers us in His Divine Person a model of all the virtues. Meekness, however, is the one that He seems to have wished more particularly to propose for our imitation since He…
Temptations
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye shall fall into diverse temptations.” -Epist. S. Jas., Cat., c. i, v. 2. If we are tempted, says the Holy Spirit, “it is a sign that God loves us.” Those whom God best loves have been most exposed to temptations. “Because thou was acceptable to God,” said…
The Value of Good Spiritual Reading
“Blessed is the man whom Thou shalt instruct, O Lord, and shalt teach him out of Thy Law.“ –Ps. 93:12 “All scripture divinely inspired, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice.” -2 Timoth. 3:16 Spiritual reading is to the soul what food is to the body. Be careful, therefore, to…
Sundays and Holydays in the Spiritual Life
“The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.” -Mark 2: 27 Every day of our life should be employed in glorifying God, but there are certain days He has particularly appointed whereon to receive from us a more special exterior worship. These are Sundays and holydays. It is therefore obligatory upon…
Exercise Great Care in the Selection of Your Spiritual Reading
“Blessed is the man whom Thou shalt instruct, O Lord, and shalt teach him out of Thy Law.” –Ps. 93:12 “All scripture divinely inspired, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice.” –2 Timothy 3:16 Spiritual reading is to the soul what food is to the body. Be careful, therefore, to…
On Scruples in the Spiritual Life
Having therefore such hope, we use much confidence. (St. Paul, II. Cor., c. III., v. 12.) Fear is not in charity: but perfect charity casteth out fear, because fear hath pain. And he that feareth is not perfect in charity. (St. John, I. Epist., c. IV., v. 18.) There are persons who look upon scrupulosity…
Interior Peace & Sadness
“Always active, always at rest.” -St. Augustine Be on your guard lest your zeal degenerate into anxiety and eagerness. Saint Francis de Sales was a most pronounced enemy of these two defects. They cause us to lose sight of God in our actions and make us very prone to impatience if the slightest obstacle should…
Hope and the Interior Life
“Casting all your solicitude upon Him for He hath care of you.” -St. Petr., Ep. I., c. V., v. 7 “Blessed is the man who hopes in the Lord,” says the Holy Spirit. The weakness of our souls is often attributable to lukewarmness in regard to the Christian virtue of hope. Hold fast to this…
Thoughts on Spiritual Direction
“For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Ghost.” -Mark 13:11 It is absolutely true that in matters of conscience obedience to a spiritual director is obedience to God, for Christ has said to His ministers on earth: “He that heareth you, heareth Me” (Luke, 10: 16.) A soul possessed of this spirit…