Available at Angelus Press and TAN Books

Length of book: 198 pages

Without a doubt St. Alphonsus ranks among the greatest spiritual writers in the history of the Church. He was prolific, not to win applause from men, but to win souls over to Christ by means of providing them with bread rather stones. Some secular authors have chosen the path of using vague aphorisms and intense verbosity to impress men with their assumed learning; St. Alphonsus has shown these methods to be vain and empty. In literature, as in all other areas of human activity, that which derives itself from the spirit of this world can easy be detected when compared to the example of the saints. By his style, devoid of guile yet luminous, he, like all the great spiritual authors, has proven these words of Holy Writ: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise” (1 Cor. 1:19).

This work, though its content is complied from the large quantity of books he wrote, is presented in such a manner that one entirely new to the writings of St. Alphonsus would not suspect this if they were not told otherwise. The “twelve steps” mentioned in the title refer to the twelve virtues, of which each is granted a chapter of worthy coverage. Everything flows splendidly within each chapter, and a rich abundance of spiritual advice proliferates every page. His guidance is so excellently presented that it will encourage even the most distraught of souls. See, for example, his recommendations for how one can overcome temptations against sins of anger:

Seek to control the emotions of anger at once by remaining silent, or by thinking of something else. Do as the Apostles did when they were tossed about by the stormy sea; they had instant recourse to their Divine Master; He alone can still the storms of the human heart. If in consequence of weakness, anger has entered into your heart, do all in your power to regain your composure and act humbly and meekly towards him who was the angry occasion of your feelings.

(136)

When one is not reading the advice given directly by the sage author, they will inevitably encounter the advice he presents through the quotations of great saints and Church Fathers. Moreover, his choice of utilizing stories from the lives of the saints wisely illustrate his lessons on the virtues.

It is related in the life of St. Francis of Assisi that one day he invited a religious brother to accompany him on a walk, saying he wished to preach. While going along he kept his eyes modestly cast down. After walking for a while he returned home. “When are you going to preach your sermon?” inquired his companion. “It is already preached,” replied the saint; “our sermon today consisted in mortifying our eyes, by which we edified all whom we met.”

(99-100)

Another cornerstone of St. Alphonsus’ profound writing style, which shows itself quite clearly in this compilation, is his way of weaving important spiritual lessons with selected quotes from the Bible. This method not only enlightens the reader in regard to the particular verses the Doctor explains, but also induces them to read the Scriptures with the mind of the Church.

It sometimes happens that, owing to spiritual aridity or the disquiet resulting from a fault we have committed, we feel an absence of that sensible confidence in prayer which we would gladly experience. We must not on that account cease to pray, because God will very likely hear us sooner then than at other times, since we are apt to pray with greater distrust in ourselves and more hope in the goodness and fidelity of God. Oh how pleasing and acceptable it is to God when in fear and dread and every temptation we hope against hope; that is to say, when in spite of a feeling of mistrust arising from our own misery, we nevertheless trust in Him, as did the Patriarch Abraham, whom the Apostle praises because “against hope he believed in hope.” (Rom. 4:18).

(38-39)

Therefore, this book, due to its excellent teaching and moderate length, should be read by all Catholics. For those who are new to the writings of St. Alphonsus to those who know them by heart, this work is one that can be fruitfully and easily returned to again and again.