Pursuit of Perfection Archives - TAN Direction - Catholic Spiritual Direction From the Saints and Faithful Modern Authors

Solitude with the Communion of Saints

Thomas à Kempis

Spiritual Delight in the Company of the Saints Indeed, it is possible to enjoy the companionship and friendship of all the saints, even though they

The First Pope’s Instruction on Suffering

Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, STD

Repaying Evil with a Blessing As the universal shepherd is admonishing believers on the Christian way of life, he summarizes the virtues that are expected

Confidence in God’s Providence

St. Albert the Great

True and perfect confidence consists in that tranquil security of mind that arises from the conviction that God never abandons those who love Him. This

Two Kinds of Lukewarm Souls

St. Alphonsus Liguori

There are two kinds of lukewarmness: one which can be avoided, and the other which cannot be avoided. Unavoidable tepidity is that which in the

The Power of a Child’s Prayers

Fr. Michael Mueller

Once the Emperor Henry besieged a certain city for a considerable time. The inhabitants were unwilling to surrender; so he notified them that he would

St. Gertrude Praises the White Lily

Raphael Brown

AFTER ST. MECHTILDE’S holy death, Jesus made this revelation to another nun: “I have done great things in Mechtilde; but I will accomplish still greater

Swift and Perfect Obedience

St. Benedict of Nursia

The first step of humility is obedience without delay. This comes natural to those who, either on account of the holy servitude they have professed,

Loving Christ Without Consolation

St. Catherine of Siena

“Some there are who have become faithful servants, serving Me with fidelity without servile fear of punishment, but rather with love. This very love, however,

The Rosary: Relief for the Poor Souls of Purgatory

Father Francis Xavier Schouppe

We know that the Holy Rosary holds the first place among all the prayers which the Church recommends to the faithful. This excellent prayer, the

St. Gertrude the Great

Gertrude the Great

That one so united to God should have been specially favored with the gift of miracles, is but what we might expect in the ordinary

The Necessity of Adversity

Fr. Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure, S.J.

Imagine the anguish and tears of a mother who is present at a painful operation her child has to undergo. Can anyone doubt on seeing

True Devotion to Our Lady

St. Louis de Montfort

Today, more than ever, we must take pains in choosing true devotion to our Blessed Lady, because, more than ever before, there are false devotions

God’s Care for the Temporal Needs of the Just

Venerable Louis of Granada

The privileges of virtue which we considered in the preceding chapters are the spiritual blessings accorded to the just in this life, independently of the

The Battle For Our Eternal Destiny

Dr. Paul Thigpen

Like it or not, you are at war. No matter who you are — whether or not you know it — you have a mortal enemy

Transforming Despair Into Humility

Fr. Frederick Faber

If we are in earnest about our souls, with a quiet fidelity to those duties, practices and devotions, which obedience sanctions to us, our love

Christ Thirsts for Man’s Charity

Fr. Ignatius of the Side of Jesus, Passionist

The last moments of our dying Redeemer are at hand. His throat being parched, and His whole Body consumed with inward fever owing to the

Three Sources of Spiritual Aridity from St. Teresa of Avila

Fr. Peter Rohrbach

Aridity, which may be defined as the withdrawal of consolation and enthusiasm in loving Christ, is best combatted by attacking its causes. There are three

The Incomplete Repentance of Judas Iscariot

Fr. James Groenings

There is no doubt that Judas was sorry for his treason. Holy Writ tells us that he repented himself. However, let us examine both the

The Forgotten Souls of Purgatory

TAN Books Editors

“As you measure to others,” says our Blessed Saviour, “it shall be measured to you again.” Now, what would you wish to be done for

Blessed Helen Duglioli

Joan Carroll Cruz

Blessed Helen was a member of the Valentini family of Udine, Italy, and was given in marriage at the age of fifteen to a knight

When God Does Not Answer Prayers

Fr. William Rock, FSSP

In the first place, when God does not answer one’s prayer, one should exercise humility. Humility is accurate self-knowledge. One who is humble will recognize that as

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