Stages of faith?

[LongingForLight]

Has anyone ever seen or read a good description of common stages that people go through in their faith journey as Catholics? I know that reading about the common stages of marriage was very helpful to me, and I would love to see how people continue growing when they are where I am.

Not because I’m out of ideas, more because there is so much to do and I’m not sure what to focus on first And because I’m curious

 

[MarieVeronica]

Has anyone ever seen or read a good description of common stages that people go through in their faith journey as Catholics? I know that reading about the common stages of marriage was very helpful to me, and I would love to see how people continue growing when they are where I am.

Not because I’m out of ideas, more because there is so much to do and I’m not sure what to focus on first And because I’m curious

Hi “LFL” I think… what you’re talking about are the 3 stages of Christian Perfection. They are… the Purgative Way… the Illumative Way… and the Unitive Way. Fr. Groeschel recently had a series on the steps in the spiritual life… on “Sunday Night Live”. It was quite interesting.

I can only speak from my own experience… but for a simple soul… it can be difficult to tell where you truly are, in this spiritual journey (if not impossible, as it has been for me). But my humble opinion for a plan, to encourage growth in the faith… is frequent reception of the Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist. I would also recommend daily Mass and/or Eucharistic Adoration, for anyone who is able to get there.

Here is a link… where you can read more about the 3 stages of Christian Perfection. I hope this is what you’re looking for. God bless you.

newadvent.org/cathen/14254a.htm

 

[beckycmarie]

Piggybacking on what MarieVeronica said, here’s a link from EWTN that I’ve found helpful:

Mysticism in General This link briefly explains the Purgative, Illuminative and Unitive ways of the spiritual life.

 

[adowcday]

The classic work on stages of faith in human development is “Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development” by James Fowler. Fowler builds on the work of Piaget, Erikson, and others in the field of human psychological development.

A good book tying modern psychology to the classic spiritual path through the Purgative Way, the Illuminative Way, and finally the Unitive Way, see Benedict Groeschel’s “Spiritual Passages: The Psychology of Spiritual Development.”

Both books are classics in their own way.

 

[carmel_quail]

I HAVE FR. GROESCHEL’S CD’S. ON LONG DRIVES I LISTEN TO HIM. THE FIRST CD WAS A LITTLE CONFUSING TO ME. BUT I JUST PLAYED IT OVER AND OVER UNTIL I “GOT” IT! HE IS QUITE A STORYTELLER AND VERY EASY TO LISTEN TO.