Five Pillars of the Spiritual Life: A Practical Guide to Prayer for Active People [Paperback]

Robert J. Spitzer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2008

Saint Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, espoused the ideal of becoming "contemplatives in action." He was convinced that contemplation (the deep awareness and appropriation of the unconditional love of God) should affect our actions, and that our actions need to be brought back to contemplation.

These five dimensions of the spiritual life: (1) the Holy Eucharist, (2) spontaneous prayer, (3) the Beatitudes, (4) partnership with the Holy Spirit, and (5) the contemplative life itself, generally do not develop simultaneously or even in parallel ways. Some develop very quickly, but do not achieve significant depth; while others develop quite slowly, but seem to be almost unending in the depth of wisdom, trust, hope, virtue, and love they engender. The best way of explaining this is to look at each of the pillars individually.

Before doing this, however, it is indispensable for each of us to acknowledge (at least intellectually) the fundamental basis for Christian contemplation, namely, the unconditional Love of God. Jesus taught us to address God as Abba. If God really is Abba; if His love is like the father of the prodigal son; if Jesus' passion and Eucharist are confirmations of that unconditional Love; if God really did so love the world that He sent His only begotten Son into the world not to condemn us, but to save us and bring us to eternal life (Jn 3:16-19); if nothing really can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rm 8:31-39); and if God really has prepared us "to grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love, and experience this love which surpasses all understanding, so that we may attain to the fullness of God Himself" (Eph 3:18-20), then God's love is unconditional, and it is, therefore, the foundation for unconditional trust and unconditional hope. There can be nothing more important than contemplating, affirming, appropriating, and living in this Unconditional Love. This is the purpose of contemplation; indeed, the purpose of the spiritual life itself.

"The publication of Father Spitzer's book is a happy coincidence, coming soon after Pope Benedict's Jesus of Nazareth. Both are strong statements of New Testament spirituality and provide an escape from the `bleaching of Christ's image', caused by the exclusive use of the historical-critical method. Informed Catholic readers are summoned by this book to take the Christ of the Gospels intelligently and seriously."
--Father Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R., author of Arise from Darkness

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The publication of Father Spitzer's book is a happy coincidence, coming soon after Pope Benedict's Jesus of Nazareth. Both are strong statements of New Testament spirituality and provide an escape from the 'bleaching of Christ's image', caused by the exclusive use of the historical-critical method. Informed Catholic readers are summoned by this book to take the Christ of the Gospels intelligently and seriously."
—Father Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R., author of Arise from Darkness --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 171 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Press (March 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586172018
• ISBN-13: 978-1586172015
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,887 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Catholicism > Inspirational

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound truths most simply stated, January 17, 2009

By 

M. Barker "God bless us all" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Pillars of the Spiritual Life: A Practical Guide to Prayer for Active People (Paperback)

First let me state that I am not a Roman Catholic AND that this my favorite introduction to prayer because Father took a very difficult problem...which is how do we commune with God....and with great love and simple language instructs how we can throw ourselves at the feet of Christ our God. And in doing this, grow in Faith, Hope and Love from His Holy Spirit. He covers all the aspects of different types of prayer and contemplation in a way that is easy to understand and in a way that makes you inspired to pray more and more. I especially appreciated his treatment of delusion and the testing of spirits as to whether or not they are of God. Prayer is not without its pitfalls! If you are not part of the apostolic tradition you may suffer reading this book because of his emphasis on Christ our God in the Eucharist, but suffering is good! This is the foundation you want to build your life on. Just know that this book is a meal for all Christian seekers. In addition to being a great text on prayer, there is a companion video series that goes with this book that is excellent also, but not as thorough. Sometimes you can catch a rerun on television. Thank you Father for your devotion and for the humility of your heart in Christ. Inspired!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, Powerful book on Spirituality, May 14, 2009

By 

Elnora - See all my reviews

This review is from: Five Pillars of the Spiritual Life: A Practical Guide to Prayer for Active People (Paperback)

This is the most compelling, powerful book on our Catholic religion I have ever read. The first chapter alone, on the Eucharist, sent me to attend mass daily, if possible. Fr. Spitzer has a way of stating strong messages without pushing or pressure. This first pillar, the Holy Mass gives us peace, transforms us and makes us one with the whole world. Then he gently leads us to the next four pillars, all equally moving. Thank you, Fr. Spitzer, for your gift of writing and sharing us your life.

Elnora Mercado

Denver, Colorado

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful introduction to Catholic spirituality, October 19, 2009

By 

Kevin Murray (Coronado, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Five Pillars of the Spiritual Life: A Practical Guide to Prayer for Active People (Paperback)

This book is a gem. In it, Father Spitzer gives his suggestions for a sound foundation in spirituality for Catholics. He is an enthusiastic spokesman for the Eucharist, prayer, the Beatitudes, the Holy Spirit, and contemplation, and he discusses each "pillar" with great examples from his own life. This is a great book for any Catholic looking to "jump start" or renew their spiritual life. The appendix on the Four Levels of Happiness is a great summary of this important part of his philosophy.