Imprimatur.PREFACEIn the ascetical writings of the holy Bishop and Doctor of the Church, St. Alphonsus de Ligouri, there is a characteristic charm and an irresistible attraction. Whoever reads them with the proper dispositions will discover in them an indefinable something that appeals to the heart and stirs it to its very depths. We imagine we see the loving personality of the holy Bishop before us, and hear the words of eternal life from his very lips. According to a beautiful legend, the visitor at the shrine of St. John at Ephesus can hear the pulsations of the Saint's heart enclosed in the tomb. The heart of Alphonsus still throbs in his ascetical writings, where the whole being of the Saint seems enshrined. Little wonder therefore that the reverence and love entertained towards him in life should have passed to his edifying works, the reflex of his very self. There are few ascetical writers more widely known and more sincerely loved than St. Alphonsus.The present volume is made up of choice selections from the various ascetical writings of the Saint. The order of virtues considered is that followed by the spiritual sons of St. Alphonsus in the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. For each month of the year is assigned a particular virtue to which they are to devote their especial attention. This is a practice highly recommended by the masters of the spiritual life, and is fraught with the happiest results. It is hoped that the faithful will derive spiritual profit and pleasure from this course in "The School of Christian Perfection."C. J. W.ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI 5PREFACE 7Chapter 1 9FAITHChapter 2 36HOPEChapter 3 74THE LOVE OF GODChapter 4 97LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBORChapter 5 113POVERTY AND DETACHMENTChapter 6 137CHASTITYChapter 7 161OBEDIENCEChapter 8 183MEEKNESS AND HUMILITYChapter 9 205MORTIFICATIONChapter 10 224RECOLLECTIONChapter 11 247PRAYERChapter 12 269SELF-DENIAL AND LOVE OF THE CROSS