Understanding the Three Phases of the Spiritual Life

Summary of the Course

Our journey to holiness begins when we sincerely embrace the spiritual life, striving for perfection according to our state in life. That authentic quest for God is life at its best. All the rest is sheer illusion and vanity. 

What prompts souls to put aside worldly futility or a life steeped in sin to pursue this holy goal?  They are prompted by God’s call to holiness, His voice in the depths of their souls, and His Grace making it possible for them to leave their spiritual depravity, apathy or inertia. 

In the process of growing holy, God leads the individual through three main phases, over the years, progressively cleansing and conforming the soul to Himself. Our spiritual journey is, therefore, God’s work, from beginning to end. And what is the end? The end or goal of the spiritual life is full union with Him. 

As God sanctifies us, He expects us to collaborate with His action throughout each phase. Many souls are uncertain as to the appropriate steps and attitudes to take. They lose their focus and give up because they fall prey to some spiritual peril that caught them unaware. 

Why unaware? Perhaps the difficulties they faced seemed inexplicable to them, but were entirely typical of the spiritual phase they were in. If such souls had been better instructed and forewarned, they could have met those challenges with trust and courage, gradually shedding the defects — born of pride and egoism — that separate souls from God.

In this series, Father Steven Schmieder provides vital details about what we should expect in each spiritual phase. He strives to spare souls the typical pitfalls of each age of the spiritual life and to help them take advantage of the little-known benefits God offers to all who seek Him with a sincere heart.

We are individually responsible for our own sanctification and salvation, but we should also support each other and together look to our forefathers in the Faith for counsel, inspiration and example. 

Thus, Father Steven seeks to avail course participants of precious advice from that wealth of truth and inspiration of which Holy Mother Church is Treasuress.  He particularly draws from renown Thomistic theologian, Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, author of a profound and compelling study on our course topic, grounded in the writings of the Saints.