The Practice of the
Love of Jesus Christ


Stories of the Passion of Jesus Christ (Maestą, verso) - by DUCCIO di Buoninsegna - from Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena
(Click to enlarge)


Some people make perfection consist in an austere life;
others in prayer; others in frequenting the sacraments;
others in almsgiving. But they deceive themselves:
Perfect sanctity consists in loving God with our whole heart.
Jesus deserves our love because of the love He has shown us in His Passion and Death.

 

Note Bene: Bible verses quoted in this Book are from the English Douay-Rheims translation commissioned by the Catholic Church. 

 

The Practice of the
Love of Jesus Christ

by Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Because Saint Alphonsus would not lose sight of his Redeemer, all of his works have as their goal a growing union between Christian and Christ. Over and over he reminds us that surface Christianity is not enough. We must surrender to the overwhelming force of the love of Christ and allow ourselves to become transformed into the redeeming Christ.

In an effort, therefore, to bring the force of this most important work of Saint Alphonsus to a wider audience, this edition eliminates the examples and illustrations that are extrinsic to the flow of the saint's doctrine. What remains is truly "the spirit of Saint Alphonsus", a spirit that is uncompromising in its pursuit of the love of Jesus Christ as it is found in the Gospel.

 

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter I - Love is Patient

Chapter II - Love is Kind

Chapter III - Love is not Jealous (Envious)

Chapter IV - Love is not Snobbish (Blind to what is Holy)

Chapter V - Love does not put on Airs

Chapter VI - Love is never Rude (Ambitious or Arrogant)

Chapter VII - Love is not Self-Seeking

Chapter VIII - Love is Not Prone to Anger

Chapter IX - Love does not Rejoice in what is Wrong, but Rejoices with the Truth

Chapter X - Love Beareth All Things

Chapter XI - Love Believeth All Things

Chapter XII - Love Hopeth All Things

Chapter XIII - Love Endureth All Things

Summary of the Virtues Necessary for Growth in the Love of Jesus Christ