Abandonment to Divine Providence

This book is an absolute classic of the spiritual life. The edition here is best recommended for its completeness, since it includes other writings (such as letters) from Fr. J.P. de Caussade. Regarding the most important selection, the short book, Abandonment to Divine Providence, a book almost worth memorizing for Christians, the translation here is not quite as friendly in its wording as in some of the older editions. If you are lucky enough to lay your hands on a translation of the Abandonment by Algar Thorold, edited by Fr. Joyce, S.J., you will have acquired the epitome of this desirable guide to Christian life. However, almost any version can transmit the wonders of "the sacrament of the present moment" as described by the original author. For instance, "The present moment is always the ambassador who declares the order of God. The heart always pronounces its 'fiat.' The soul pours itself forth by all these means into its center and goal; it never stops, it travels by all winds; all routes and methods advance it equally on its journey to the high sea of the Infinite. Everything is a means and an instrument of holiness; everything without any exception. The 'one thing necessary' is always to be found by the soul in the present moment. There is no need to choose between prayer and silence, privacy or conversation, reading or writing, reflection or the abandonment of thought, the frequentation or avoidance of spiritual people, abundance or famine, illness or health, life or death; the 'one thing necessary' is what each moment produces by God's design..... " De Caussade's writing goes beyond platitudes, looking at the subject from many directions, offering exactitude... and encouragement.