These Instructions for Pious Souls , now published in English under the title Light and Peace , were written in 1795 by the illustrious and saintly Barnabite, Padre Quadrupani. They contain a summary of spiritual guidance for earnest Christians in the ordinary duties of life in the world. The author had formed his own spirituality on the model presented by the life and teaching of St. Francis de Sales, and in this little book he reflects the wisdom, prudence and sweetness of that “gentleman Sain

God’s attributes being infinite and our intellects limited and also darkened by the fall, we see these attributes only in part and “as afar off and through a glass.” In contemplating His awful sanctity, we are overwhelmed with fear and forget His ineffable mercy. Our views are also greatly influenced by our natural temperaments, whether joyous or sad, and change with our environments and moods. As the blue firmament is ever the same, so is the great God Himself—“the King of Ages immortal and inv

For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Ghost. ( S. Mark, xiii, 11. ) 1. It is absolutely true that in matters of conscience obedience to a spiritual director is obedience to God, for Christ has said to His ministers on earth: “He that heareth you, heareth Me.” ( St. Luke, x, 16. ) 2. A soul possessed of this spirit of obedience can not be lost: a soul devoid of this spirit can not be saved. (St. Philip Neri.) 3. Saint Bernard says there is no need for the devil to tempt those who ignore obedi

Casting all your solicitude upon Him for He hath care of you. ( St. Petr., Ep. I., c. V., v. 7. ) Let Thy mercy descend upon us according to the trust we have placed in Thee. (Cant. Saint Ambrose.) 1. “Blessed is the man who hopes in the Lord,” says the Holy Spirit. The weakness of our souls is often attributable to lukewarmness in regard to the Christian virtue of hope. 2. Hold fast to this great truth: he who hopes for nothing will obtain nothing; he who hopes for little will obtain little; he

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another. ( St. John, c. XIII., v. 35. ) He who saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, he is in darkness even until now. ( St. John, Ep. I., c. II., v. 9. ) 1. Our divine Lord has said that His disciples should be known by their love one for another. This christian virtue of charity makes us love our neighbor in God, the creature for the sake of the Creator. Love of God, love of our neighbor,—these virtues are