THE SPIRITUAL COMBAT AND A TREATISE ON PEACE

The Spiritual Combat was first published in 1589.  It provides timeless guidance in spiritual discipline.  St. Francis de Sales (1576 - 1622) read from it himself everyday and recommended it to everyone under his direction.

This book is vigorous, realistic and full of keen insight into human nature.  It consists of short chapters based on the maxim that in the spiritual life one must either "fight or die." Salvation and spiritual perfection should not be sought haphazardly; a strategy is needed to win the battle for our souls.  Fr. Lorenzo Scupoli shows the Christian how to combat his passions and vices, especially impurity and sloth, in order to be victorious.