The Spiritual Life: A Treatise on Ascetical and Mystical Theology
By Fr. Adolphe Tanquerey · Published by TAN Books
Overview
If you want a complete, systematic understanding of the spiritual life, not fragments, not trends, but the full Catholic tradition, this is the standard.
The Spiritual Life by Fr. Tanquerey stands as one of the most respected and comprehensive one-volume treatises ever written on ascetical and mystical theology. For generations, it has formed priests, religious, and serious lay Catholics in the principles of authentic spiritual growth.
Clear, structured, and deeply rooted in Tradition, this work presents the entire path of the soul, from initial conversion through purification, growth in virtue, and ultimately toward union with God. It is not speculative theology, it is practical, ordered, and directed toward real transformation.
Drawing from Sacred Scripture, the Church Fathers, the Doctors of the Church, especially St. Thomas Aquinas, and the lived wisdom of the saints, this book provides a complete framework for understanding and advancing in the interior life.
- Gain a complete, systematic understanding of the Catholic spiritual life
- Learn the stages of spiritual growth from purification to union with God
- Draw from Scripture, St. Thomas Aquinas, and the wisdom of the saints
- Apply practical principles for overcoming vice and growing in virtue
- Use as a lifelong reference for serious spiritual formation
From the Book
“The spiritual life is a progressive journey, ordered toward union with God through purification, illumination, and love.”
— Fr. Adolphe Tanquerey
Intended Audience
This work is ideal for priests, seminarians, religious, and lay Catholics who are serious about advancing in the spiritual life. It is especially suited for those seeking a structured, doctrinally grounded guide to ascetical and mystical theology.
FAQs
Is this book practical or purely theological?
It is both. While deeply theological, it is ordered toward practical application, guiding real progress in the spiritual life.
Is this suitable for beginners?
It is best suited for serious readers who are ready to engage deeply with the spiritual tradition, though motivated beginners can benefit with steady reading.
What makes this different from other spiritual books?
Unlike devotional works, this is a complete system of spirituality, integrating doctrine, moral theology, and mystical theology into one coherent path.
Key Themes
- Ascetical and mystical theology as a unified path
- The stages of the spiritual life: purification, illumination, and union
- Growth in virtue and conformity to the will of God
- SKU:
- 2390
- Imprint:
- TAN Books
- Pages:
- 832
- Publication Date:
- 8/1/2013
- Product Format:
- Hardcover
- Pdf:
- https://tanbooks.com/content/2390_Preview.pdf
- Height:
- 8.75
- Width:
- 5.75
3 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Spiritual life
The book is deeply insightful of the spiritual necessities of the mystical state of life. I highly recommend this book for spiritual directors, priests and laity.
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Deserves a slow, prayerful reading-mot-re than once.
Like Bo. Fulton J. Sheen's Life of Christ this book vdeserves more than one reading-slowly prayerfully.
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Excellent Treatise in Christian Mysticism
This may surprise you, but I am a Shi;a Muslim who finds Christian mysticism to be a treasure trove of intimate knowledge of God. This book reflects the Catholic tradition of Christian mysticism and is in depth with how one can be one with God. Why order the TAN version of this book though? The book is printed and bound in a way that is immensely high quality. The printed text is clear, the paper is thick and purely white in color tone, the book is hardcover with gorgeous gold lettering. It even comes with a gorgeous green fabric bookmark attached to the book. I have already found this book very useful in understanding my place in mysticism. The Catholic tradition of mysticism has always had a deep place in my heart, and this book very much reflects in depth knowledge of Catholic mysticism. I feel that this book was well worth the money, and I sincerely recommend it to Catholics and people of other faiths who are very interested in mysticism. You cannot go wrong with this book if you love mysticism! If you want to attempt to come closer with God, internalizing this book will bring you to him. Though internalizing the aspects of this book is a whole spiritual journey in it of itself. However, if you want to start, you cannot go wrong with this book. It has all the information you need from the lens of Catholic mysticism, It's very extensive, which is why I sincerely wholly recommend it. Thank you TAN books for making this available for lovers of God who want to come closer to him.
