The Soul of The Apostolate

Beautiful book explains how to be a TRUE APOSTOLATE OF CHRIST. Beautiful

Excellent book. Easy to read and understand. Very informative and inspiring.

This has been a very difficult book for me to read. Not a casual quick read. It has given me so much to reflect upon. I found that I was constantly putting the book down to ponder what I had just read. As a result, it has taken me a very long time to complete. Personally, the 5th section of this book was most meaningful. I think that it will become for me a source of inspiration, guidance and insight that I will continually refer back to.

This book is written as an introduction to one who wishes to learn about the interior life of prayer and union with God. Fr. Chautard's main thesis in this book is that the interior life should be sought after much more than a life of works. This runs counter to what our culture would say; that is, the culture (and many nominal Christians) would say that doing good works and acts of charity are the most important activities to be sought after in order for a person to do the most good in their lives. While charity is the highest virtue, it's complete fulfillment is not found in works, but in love of God and union with him. This is seen in the greatest commandment that we are to love God with our whole mind, heart, and strength and secondly to love our neighbor as ourselves. But notice that love of God comes first. So the most important, primary thing one must do in life is to spend time in contemplation with God, growing in love of him. Then everything else follows. Of course, good works are very important and should not be neglected, but in the order of goods, love of God is first.One helpful aspect of this book is the motivation that it provides. It is so strong and forthright about stressing that one must spend time in prayer everyday, that it should be your first priority, and that you must continue to grow in your prayer life, ultimately striving to be in a constant state of prayer. Yet Fr. Chautard pulls no punches and stresses how difficult a life a prayer is. This is not something that can be done with your mind shut off or matter of factly. It requires serious meditation, examination of conscious, and planning your day so that prayer doesn't become an after thought 5 minutes before going to bed. Fr. Chautard gives plenty of advice to accomplish this. Frequent communion, frequent reading of scripture, constant ejaculations, nightly examination of conscious, etc.This is such a beautiful book, one that will keep you devoted to a life of union with God. I will read it several more times in my life.

This was a favorite book of Pope St. Pius X whose motto for his papacy was "To extend the Reign of Christ throughout the world." This extension or continuation of Christ's mission was simply called "The Apostolate." This book was like a textbook or handbook for those who wished to participate in this essential work of the Church. One of the primary stresses the book makes is the necessity of prayer, i.e. the Interior Life or Spiritual Life as that without which there is no success--that prayer is the soul of every apostolic work!In part 4, section "f" Pope Pius X is himself quoted in the book as to what the Church needed to accomplish this work and what the formation of those who would do it should be (see picture for quote).

Part of the many problems with the church these days is just a simple lack of intimacy with the most Holy Trinity. This book brings home that basic truth. If we are hoping for a spiritual effect, we must use a spiritual cause, and that is none other than prayer, the sacraments, a life of mercy, a life of contemplation.

A powerful, beautiful book. Highly encourage for those who want to grow and be more disciplined about balancing their life of prayer with their work in the world, and letting their work in the world radiate out of their life of prayer.

Amazing book. Night and day difference in the depth of my spiritual journey. Eye opener in many ways. Grateful to have found this.

It is a book that emphasizes the importance of interior life over the active life, and how to balance both.

I wish I'd read this book years ago. It has reoriented my entire life and put the Eucharist at the very centre of my work.

Bought this book looking for direction in my spiritual life with respect to "service" and was blown away by the depths the author outlined as true service and commitment. Very pleased!

A very must read book.

I really love this book and those surrounding its production.