Preparation for Death: A Popular Abridgment: Considerations on the Eternal Maxims - Softcover

St. Alfonsus Liguori, .

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0895551748 ISBN 13: 9780895551740

Publisher: Tan Books, 2010

Synopsis

A popular abridgment of the much larger original that loses none of its punch. Shows that life is short and Hell is real. Discusses the certainty of death, the uncertainty of the time, the death of the sinner, of the negligent Christian and of the just and how different they are. Also the habit of sin, delusions of the Devil, Particular and General Judgments, the pains of Hell and its eternity, the remorse of the damned, etc. Powerful incentives to aim for Heaven! Impr. 165 pgs, PB.

About this title

About the Author

St. Alphonsus Liguori was born in 1696 to Neapolitan nobility at Marianella, Italy. He became a recognizable lawyer after going through law school at the age of sixteen, but later decided to leave law in favor of giving his salvation more attention. Alphonsus joined the Oratory of St. Philip Neri as a seminarian and was ordained in 1726, when he was thirty. The homilies he gave had the special ability of converting those who had fallen away from the faith. He also founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, and authored such works as The Glories of Mary, The True Spouse of Jesus Christ, Attaining Salvation, The Blessed Virgin Mary, Preparation for Death Abridged, What Will Hell Be Like?, The Twelve Steps to Holiness and Salvation, and The Way of the Cross.

After being a bishop for over a decade, St. Alphonsus Liguori died on the first of August, 1787. He was canonized by Pope Gregory XVI in 1839, and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1871. His feast is celebrated on August 1.

From the Back Cover

"Death viewed according to the senses terrifies and causes fear; but when viewed with the eyes of faith it consoles and becomes desirable. It appears terrible to sinners, but lovely and precious to the saints."

~St. Alphonsus Liguori

In this popular abridgment of his monumental Preparation for Death, St. Alphonsus teaches the proper attitude toward Death, which is one of readiness; of always having one's "debts cleared." He cautions against letting even one day pass without reflecting on the certainty of death, the shortness of time and the length of eternity. Each chapter is a short consideration on some aspect of death, divided into three points easily understood by people in every state of life. Each point is followed by affections and prayers to help one persevere in his efforts to lead a holy life. St. Alphonsus prefaces each chapter with a quotation from Scripture designed to touch the heart of every reader.

Death is the one journey every man must go through alone. This book demonstrates how only consistent, thoughtful meditation on this reality can set people on a more resolute path to Holiness.

"The souls of the just are in the hands of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die; . . . but they are in peace." ~Wisd. 3:1

Edition details

• Publisher: Tan Books
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0895551748
• ISBN 13: 9780895551740
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176