Pursuit of Perfection Archives

Adoration of the Shepherds, Giorgione (d. 1510), between 1505 and 1510, oil on panel. National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. Samuel H. Kress Collection / Wikimedia Commons.

Jesus Offered Himself from the Beginning

St. Alphonsus Liguori

Follow Saint Alphonsus Liguori to the manger with The Road to Bethlehem. Today, contemplate Jesus’s sacrificial love from the moment of His Incarnation. Meditation The

The Adoration of the Name of Jesus, El Greco (1541-1614), between 1577 and 1580, oil on canvas. Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial / Wikimedia Commons.

The Saints and the Holy Name

Fr. Paul O'Sullivan, O.P.

The name of Jesus can be invoked for comfort in times of distress, solace in sadness, gratitude when blessed, or protection against evil spirits. The

Saint Catherine With a Monstrance, Joseph Hasslwander (1812-1878), 1838, oil on canvas. Österreichische Galerie Belvedere / Diocesan Library of Art

The Saints Praise the Eucharist

Dr. Paul Thigpen

A Year with the Saints offers 365 daily meditations drawn from the treasury of saintly writings. Spend each day with the saints this new year,

Soul Carried to Heaven, William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905_, c. 1878, Musé d'art et d'archéologie du Périgord / Wikimedia Commons.

Living for the Pursuit of Heaven

Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis Duke of Richelieu

You were created for Heaven. How often do you ponder this truth? A Treatise on Perfection reveals the necessity of living for Heaven through the

Holy Trinity, Andrei Rublev (d. 1430), 1425-1427, tempera on wood. Tretyakov Gallery / Wikimedia Commons.

Litanies to the Holy Trinity

Fr. Albert J. Hebert, SM

A Prayerbook of Favorite Litanies will lift your prayer life to heavenly heights with unceasing meditation on the Lord. With litanies focused on the Trinity,

Crucifixion, Gabriel Metsu (1629-1667), 1660-1665, oil on canvas. Capitoline Museiums / Wikimedia

The Restorer of Our Souls

St. Alphonsus Liguori

Determined to save mankind from their sins, God sent His only Son into the world to die so that we might be restored by His

Christ on the Mount of Olives, Josef August Untersberger (1864-1933). Wikimedia Commons.

Holy Advice for Contemplative Living

Thomas à Kempis

While every soul is called to a unique vocation, each is encouraged to embrace a contemplative life within their state of life. In Solitude and

Vanitas still life around a grave, Pieter Boel (d. 1674), 1663, oil on canvas. Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lile / Wikimedia Commons

The Last Misery of Man: Death

Venerable Louis of Granada

The following reflection was taken from The Book of Prayer and Meditation by Ven. Louis of Granada, OP. In it, you will find a treasury

Christ and the Rich Young Ruler, Heinrich Hofmann (1824–1911), 1889, oil on canvas. Riverside Church / Wikimedia Commons

The Quickest Path to Perfection

Fr. Jean Pierre de Caussade, SJ

Jean-Pierre de Caussade offers the most sure solution to any spiritual difficulty: abandonment to Divine Providence. Read on for his brilliant counsel on surrendering all

King David in Prayer, Pieter de Grebber (circa 1600–1652/1653), c. 1635-1640, oil on canvas. Museum Caltharijneconvent / Wikimedia Commons

King David’s Holy Silence

Thomas à Kempis

Solitude and silence are two pillars of monastic life that most lay people consider too difficult, confusing, or irrelevant for their own vocation. Thomas à

Saint Augustine in his Study, Sandro Botticelli (1445–1510), before 1480, fresco. Ognissanti Church, photographed by Francesco Bini / Wikimedia Commons

Let Go of the Fleeting World

St. Augustine of Hippo

Of all the autobiographies ever written by mere mortals, Confessions by Saint Augustine of Hippo is the greatest. In this masterpiece, you will find a

King David, Guercino (1591-1666), 1651, oil on canvas. Photographed by Christies / Wikimedia Commons

A Saint’s Sermon on True Humility

Pope Leo XIII

In this excerpt from The Practice of Humility, Saint Augustine’s sermon on true humility and the fear of God are recalled. Here, the saint speaks

Saint Dominic in Prayer, El Greco (1541-1614), between 1605 and 1610, oil on canvas. Museum of Fine Arts Boston / Wikimedia Commons.

Aridity in Prayer

Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis Duke of Richelieu

Do you feel discouraged during dryness in prayer? All serious Christians will experience aridity during prayer throughout their lives. Not even the saints were exempt

Image of a golden chalice, photo by MARI TERE, Image used under license from Shutterstock.com

Offer Yourself at Holy Mass

St. Francis de Sales

Encounter the writings that converted over 72,000 souls. In An Introduction to the Devout Life, the Doctor of Charity presents every necessary aid and medicine

Christ Embracing St. Bernard, Francesc Ribalta (1565-1628), between 1625 and 1627, oil on canvas. Museo del Prado / Wikimedia Commons

A Special Prayer for the Love of God

St. Peter of Alcantara

Join St. Peter of Alcantara in praying this special prayer for the love of God, written by the saint himself. You can find the full

Christ Crowned with Thorns, Caravaggio (1571–1610), between 1602 and 1604, oil on canvas. Kunsthistorisches Museum, image made available by Google Culture Institute / Wikimedia Commons.

A Mystical Vision of the Crowning with Thorns

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich

Experience the crowning with thorns through Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich’s visions. Hear how Our Lord is insulted and mocked and watch as His most innocent

Christ in the Winepress, Hieronymus Wierix (1553-1619), before 1619, engraving. Rijks Museum / Wikimedia Commons

The Cross, The Wine Press

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich

The Dolorous Passion did not only inspire Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of the Christ, but has moved countless souls to sorrowful adoration before the