Divine Intimacy book

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Many of us I’m sure have been hoping to have a spiritual director, but were unsure how to find a good one or even go about it. I have been reading the meditations found in the “Divine Intimacy” by Fr. Gabriel of Mary Magdalen, OCD for the last few days. Just now it occurred to me that this is just like receiving spiritual direction on daily basis by an acclaimed spiritual director. I highly recommend this treasure of a book for anyone wishing to deepen their prayer life. Here’s a short sample from today’s meditation:

“We must not seek the Cross in these extraordinary sufferings, seldom, if ever, encountered; we must look for it in the duties, the life, the difficulties, and the sacrifices of each day and each moment. Here we shall find unfathomable treasures, recognizing them by the light of faith, by the aid of the Holy Spirit who urges us to embrace these daily crosses, not merely endure them - to accept them and offer them willingly, saying with all our heart: ‘Yes, I want this, even though it seems to crush me!’”

Daily readings include two meditations and a colloquy (prayer) and are on average 2.5 pages long. God bless.
 
Hi Dusza, I’ve been thinking about buying this book, but it’s a little pricey for me so I’m on the fence. Would you mind posting a few more passages please?

Thank you. 🙂
 
dusza said:
Many of us I’m sure have been hoping to have a spiritual director, but were unsure how to find a good one or even go about it. I have been reading the meditations found in the “Divine Intimacy” by Fr. Gabriel of Mary Magdalen, OCD for the last few days. Just now it occurred to me that this is just like receiving spiritual direction on daily basis by an acclaimed spiritual director. I highly recommend this treasure of a book for anyone wishing to deepen their prayer life. Here’s a short sample from today’s meditation:

“We must not seek the Cross in these extraordinary sufferings, seldom, if ever, encountered; we must look for it in the duties, the life, the difficulties, and the sacrifices of each day and each moment. Here we shall find unfathomable treasures, recognizing them by the light of faith, by the aid of the Holy Spirit who urges us to embrace these daily crosses, not merely endure them - to accept them and offer them willingly, saying with all our heart: ‘Yes, I want this, even though it seems to crush me!’”

Daily readings include two meditations and a colloquy (prayer) and are on average 2.5 pages long. God bless.
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“Divine Intimacy” is an excellent spiritual book. It is inspiring and gives a lot of wisdom daily, in a short amount of pages. I am so glad I have it.

I just need to mention that if someone is getting into deeper prayer, they may need to have some questions answered by a spiritual director. - if not so on a regular basis, then at a retreat, or when one has an opportunity to ask a priest who has this gift.
 
JaredR said:
Hi Dusza, I’ve been thinking about buying this book, but it’s a little pricey for me so I’m on the fence. Would you mind posting a few more passages please?

Thank you. 🙂
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It is also available in a multiple volume paperback - cheaper.
 
Dorothy said:
if someone is getting into deeper prayer, they may need to have some questions answered by a spiritual director. - if not so on a regular basis, then at a retreat, or when one has an opportunity to ask a priest who has this gift.
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I agree.
 
JaredR said:
Hi Dusza, I’ve been thinking about buying this book, but it’s a little pricey for me so I’m on the fence. Would you mind posting a few more passages please?

Thank you. 🙂
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I didn’t mind shelling out $60 based on the fact that this book is very well made and can last generations.

Here’s an excerpt from tomorrow’s (Monday after Trinity Sunday) meditation:

"*…Although the assiduous practice of the virtues will not suffice to bring the soul to God, the manifestation of good will implied by this practice is very necessary. The sailor who is anxious to reach the port does not lazily wait for a favorable wind, but begins at once to row vigorously; similarly, the soul who seeks God, while waiting for Him to attract it, does not abandon itself to indolence; on the contrary, it searches fervently on its own initiative: making efforts to overcome its faults, to be detached from creatures, to practice the virtues and to apply itself to interior recollection. The Holy Spirit perfects these efforts by activating His gifts. Thus we see how erroneous is the attitude of certain souls who remain too passive in the spiritual life, failing to exert their own initiative to advance in holiness and to meet God. These souls are wasting their time and easily exposing themselves to deception. It is necessary to take up the task vigorously, especially at the beginning of the spiritual life. Only by so doing can one hope to have the aid of the Holy Spirit.

Generally, at the outset of the spiritual life, the influence of the gifts, although never wanting, is rather hidden and rare. At this time, the soul’s initiative - the active exercise of the virtues and prayer - must naturally predominate. But as the spiritual life develops, according to the measure of charity, the influence of the gifts increases too. If the soul is faithful, this influence gradually becomes stronger and more frequent until the soul’s own initiative is eclipsed by it. Thus, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the soul attains sanctity…*"
 
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