The Twelve Steps to Holiness and Salvation

The preface, by Fr. Cornelius Warren, CSSR, says that "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 special attention. This is a practice highly recommended by the masters of the spiritual life, and is fraught with the happiest results." Thus, I began this book in January of 2008 and endeavored to read one of the 12 chapters(virtues) each month of the year. I usually read the chapter during my Holy Hour and afterwards tried to meditate on that particular virtue (the chapters are short, so they did not take long to read). I did find it a fruitful practice; however, though the chapters are short, they contain much and I think it would be good to continually read the same chapter throughout the month while adding in pious practices devoted to that month's particular virtue. I like St. Alphonsus Liguori; his writing style is very direct and full of many pious examples and the witness of earlier Saints. In case you are wondering, this was the breakdown of virtues covered: 1. Faith 2. Hope 3. Love of God 4. Love for our Neighbor 5. Poverty 6. Chastity 7. Obedience 8. Meekness and Humility 9. Mortification 10. Recollection 11. Prayer 12. Self-Denial and Love of the Cross

I have not finished this book, but it has already changed my spiritual life. It breaks down the elements of Christianity in such a simple and user-friendly way that sainthood seems attainable even in this modern age. I love reading it and am going to give it to everyone I love this Christmas. I feel closer to God and to who He wants me to be every time I read it.

St. Alphonusus is one of the most popular and easily readable Catholic authors. Although written in the 18th century his style is still very direct and appealing. Even though he was a great academic and is ranked as THE Doctor of Moral theology by the Catholic Church, he writes in a very understandable and popular style. This books is a collection taken from his books and sermons, grouped around 12 key themes. The one weakness of this book is that it was not written as a whole, and so some of the sections are unequal, for example, the section on chastity was drawn from talks for nuns so is not directly relevant to all Christians. Personally, I find the sections on prayer and recollection in this book to be the most penetrating that I've ever read. It also contains his brief description of how to practice mental prayer.