Practice of Perfection and Christian Virtues

Alphonsus Rodriguez (1583-1616), was a Spanish Jesuit priest and famous spiritual writer. His principle work was this book published under the title, "Ejercicio de perfección y virtudes cristianas."

This book is a collection of spiritual exhortations to Rodriguez's brethren. It was published at the request of his superiors. Although originally written for the use of his religious brethren, he ordered it so as to be profitable for the edification of other religious and laypersons in the world. As such it avoids the loftier flights of mysticism. Instead the book keeps to practical instructions on all the virtues which perfect the Christian life, whether lived in a monastery or in the world. It became popular at once, and remained in use until modern times by all classes of Christians, particularly by those in the religious life. There are more than twenty-five editions of the original Spanish which have been issued.

There are more than sixty editions which have appeared in French in seven different translations, twenty in Italian, more than ten in German, and eight in Latin.

This app version is linked to the World English Bible.