The Three Ways: Purgative, Illuminative, Unitive. Discuss

[MaryJJD]

I was looking at this thread: entry2363894

and a picture of the three ways suggests that most people stay on the common path of purgative (or pre-purgative) way, but for other people, I was wondering if they really go through these stages? or does one have to be a religious? I guess, I am wondering that if one's serious about their spiritual life and faithful, does God give these 'steps'?

Thoughts, comments welcome

excuse me, I mean this thread: [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/113618-looking-for-a-handout-or-diagram-on-the-three-ways/page__pid__2363894#entry2363894"]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/113618-looking-for-a-handout-or-diagram-on-the-three-ways/page__pid__2363894#entry2363894[/url]

[AccountDeleted]

[b] State or Way (Purgative, Illuminative, Unitive)[/b]


The word [i]state[/i] is used in various senses by [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14580a.htm"]theologians[/url] and spiritualwriters. It may be taken to signifya profession or calling in life, as where [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11567b.htm"]St. Paul[/url] says, in [url="http://www.newadvent.org/bible/1co007.htm#vrs20"]1 Corinthians 7:20[/url]: "Let every man abide in the same calling in which he was called". We have, in this sense, states of perfection, classified in the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03744a.htm"]Church[/url] as the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04049b.htm"]clerical[/url] state, the religiousstate, and the secularstate; and among religiousstates, again, we have those of the contemplative, the active, and the mixed orders.
The word is also used in the classification of the degrees or stages of [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11665b.htm"]Christian perfection[/url], or the advancement of [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14153a.htm"]souls[/url] in the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14336b.htm"]supernatural[/url] lifeof graceduring their sojourn in the world. This has reference to the practice of all the virtues, both [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14580x.htm"]theological[/url] and moral, and to all their actsboth external and internal. It includes two elements, namely our own efforts and the graceof [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm"]God[/url] assisting us. This graceis never wanting for those actswhich are positively commanded or inspiredby [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm"]God[/url], and the work of perfectionwillproceed according to the energy and fidelity with which [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14153a.htm"]souls[/url] correspond with its aids.

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[b] Directions[/b]

For the better understanding of the three states or ways in their relationsto each other and their effects upon [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14153a.htm"]souls[/url] tending toward perfectionthe following directions and observations may be useful.
(1) The three states or ways are not so entirely distinct that there may not appear in any one of them something of the other two. In each and all of them is found the effort and care to preserve and guard the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14153a.htm"]soul[/url] from [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14004b.htm"]sin[/url], though this is said to belong (appropriately) to the purgative way; in each, virtuehas to be practiced, and from its practice light and progress result. Again, in each of them the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14153a.htm"]soul[/url] gives itself to [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06608a.htm"]God[/url] to live in Him and for Him the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14336b.htm"]supernatural[/url] lifewhich He imparts to it, and this amybe said to be the commencement of the unitive way. The characteristic and distinctive feature of these states is determined by the formwhich is dominant in the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14153a.htm"]soul[/url] in its efforts toward perfection. When strife and fearpredominate, the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14153a.htm"]soul[/url] is said to be still in the purgative way. If charityis dominant above all the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14153a.htm"]soul[/url] is in the unitive way; but so long as this mortal lifelasts, for the strong and the feeble there will always be the labor and activity of purgation, illumination, and of union in the work of [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14336b.htm"]supernatural[/url] perfection. Francisco Suárezteaches this [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05075b.htm"]doctrine[/url] in very distinct terms. "These three states", he says, "are never so distinct that any one of them may not participate of the other two. Each of them takes its name and {C}character{C} from that which predominates in it. And it is [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03539b.htm"]certain[/url] that no one can attain to such a state of {C}perfection{C} in this life that he may not or cannot make further progress." (De Orat., I. II, c. xi, n. 4).

[url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14254a.htm"]http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14254a.htm[/url]

[BarbTherese]

[url="http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/dictionary/index.cfm?id=35914"][b][u][size=4][color=#0000ff][size=4][color=#0000ff]HERE:[/color][/size][/color][/size][/u][/b][/url] PURGATIVE WAY
The primary stage in mental prayer, according to the teaching of Sts. Theresa of Avila ,ad John of the Cross. The soul's chief concern in this stage of perfection is an awareness of its sins, sorrow for the past,and a desire to expiate the offenses against God.
[url="http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/dictionary/index.cfm?id=34078"][b][u][size=4][color=#0000ff][size=4][color=#0000ff]HERE:[/color][/size][/color][/size][/u][/b][/url] ILLUMINATIVE WAY
- The intermediary stage between purification and union of the path to Christian perfection. Also called the "Way of the Proficients," the main feature of the Illuminative Way is an enlightenment of the mind in the ways of God and a clear understanding of his will in one's state of life.
[url="http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/dictionary/index.cfm?id=36994"][b][u][size=4][color=#0000ff][size=4][color=#0000ff]HERE:[/color][/size][/color][/size][/u][/b][/url] UNITIVE WAY
The third and final stage of Christian perfection, beyond the purgative and illuminative. Its principal feature is a more or less constant awarenss of God's presence, and a habitual disposition of conformity to the will of God. Although commonly regarded as the last stage in the spritual life, it is recognized that the three traditional levels of progress in holiness are not chronological. they may be present, in greater or less degree, at any point in a person'sgrowth in sanctity.

I found the above in the Catholic Culture Dictionary. Quoting from that site: "All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's [i]Modern Catholic Dictionary[/i], © Eternal Life. Used with permission."

My thinking is that different spiritual writers may use different terms while meaning the same process, event or stage - whatever. I think it is generally recognized that all the different terms etc. fall into the above somewhere or other.
I think that religious life is focused on the religious travelling on the way of Christian perfection and spiritual directors, leadership etc. will concentrate on a religious moving along that way or path. Religious Life is the state of perfection and this is the first and primary focus of the religious way of life and the whole way of life is structured to assist and support the religious to attain holiness.

However, we are all called to holiness/sanctity and probably will find ourselves somewhere or other in the above if our primary focus is to grow in Love of God and neighbour in a committed spiritual life in the way of The Gospel and perhaps especially if under spiritual direction - but not necessarily. God grants His Graces as He May and it becomes a question of our response to those Graces no matter our vocation or state in life. And "to whom more is given, more will be expected". And rather difficult to know perhaps just how much has been given on the supernatural level and so we all work out our own salvation in a certain 'fear and trembling'. We know how fickle human nature can be. My Dad used to say "life is long and full of pitfalls'. I dont think that this precludes the Peace of Christ in life, just a healthy mistrust of human nature and a recognizing that we do all share a common faulted nature (original sin).
We are all probably something of the saint somewhere - and something of the sinner somewhere.

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

wow that's some jiving razzamatazz.

[BarbTherese]

[quote name='Tab'le Du'Bah-Rye' timestamp='1325926318' post='2364382']
wow that's some jiving razzamatazz.
[/quote]

.............

[MaryJJD]

I was reading some of this in a book on the interior life by Fr Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange OP (available on line) [url="http://www.christianperfection.info/index.php"]http://www.christianperfection.info/index.php[/url]), which is incredibly in depth. I find it hard to read St John of the Cross, but I find Fr Reginalds work a bit easier for me. Its a fascinating topic, though the thought of having these purifications (sense or spirit) kind of give me the creeps in terms in a slightly overwhelming sense-its heavy stuff, but the benefits (growth in virture, love of God etc)-wow, if God draws a person that way!

[BarbTherese]

The first time I read St John of The Cross and St Teresa of Avila too, I thought we had to be on completely different planets speaking totally different languages. I prefer to read sound spiritual theology in contemporary terms, although I am now really fond of St John of The Cross and St Teresa too at times. Many are probably drawn along the way of purifications and do not realize it - that what they are going through is written about in spiritual theology and corresponding authors and in amazing terms, so much so that 'it could not be referring to me'. It is perhaps only hindsight that informs and whatever God ordains, His Grace is faithful and more than sufficient. When I think ABOUT/read about these purifications, it might possibly be my imagination only that that takes over my thinking. What I imagine it would be like. If I am a 'better person today than I was yesterday', then somehow there has been a purification and growth process.
Not so important to know where one is at, as to be where one is at.

Edited January 7, 2012 by BarbaraTherese

[MarysLittleFlower]

You might like the book 'Interior Castle' by St Teresa of Avila, she describes this whole journey (but in more steps) however it's probably best to apply it to yourself with the help of a good spiritual director

I don't know much about it though or who goes to the unitive stage. I know that not all Saints were in religious orders, so I guess whatever your vocation is, there you should strive to grow in holiness and love God.

Edited January 8, 2012 by MarysLittleFlower

[MaryJJD]

I know there is a danger in trying to determine where one is in the spiritual life-i.e-only with the guidance of an sd, so Im not reading it for that purpose. Actually, Im not sure why I started it but it grabbed my attention for a while, though now I've stopped reading it part way. Perhaps I got what I was supposed to get out of a little of it. Who knows Its certainly interesting though.