{"product_id":"union-with-god-according-to-st-john-of-the-cross-9781622828586","title":"Union with God: According to St. John of the Cross","description":"\u003cp\u003eChristian perfection consists in the twofold way of charity: \u003ci\u003eservice of neighbor\u003c\/i\u003e and our \u003ci\u003edirect quest\u003c\/i\u003e for God's love. Many of us discover ways to love our neighbor, but few achieve intimacy with God. Why? \u003ci\u003eBecause we don't know how to prepare ourselves properly to reach this exalted goal. \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn these pages, Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen lays out for us a time-tested path toward achieving complete intimacy with God, the path first mapped out centuries ago by the Church's acclaimed master of the contemplative life, St. John of the Cross (1542-1591).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSt. John showed that God hungers for union with each of us but also requires arduous efforts on our part, the many details of which Father Gabriel explains in these enlightening pages.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDo you perceive holiness as an unattainable goal for you?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOr is fear of the fatigue of such an effort holding you back?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAbsorb this book, and allow gentle St. John to take you by the hand and lead you -- as he has led so many others -- to true intimacy with our Lord.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eFather Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. (1893-1953), was a Discalced Carmelite priest, confessor and spiritual director. He was an expert in the writings of venerated Carmelite Mystics such as St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. For the last decade of his life Fr. Gabriel was the spiritual director for the Discalced Carmelite nuns of the Monastery of St. Joseph in Rome. It was with their assistance that he compiled his writings and mystical insight, arranging his material to correspond with the liturgical year, while following the ascent of the soul to transforming union with God.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Sophia Institute Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50647647518994,"sku":"9781622828586","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_43b7824f-167d-421c-b194-a5809df7d877.jpg?v=1734803531","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/union-with-god-according-to-st-john-of-the-cross-9781622828586","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}