Ascent of Man to God

This practical teaching resource of the three stages of the spiritual life is the first pastoral teaching of its type for seminarians. It provides teachings which are often missed but are essential so that common misunderstanding are not made. It is not simply a resource for teaching, but so that the seminarian can also form themselves in the three stages. It demonstrates that Bishops and priests should always binds themselves to the things of Christian perfection. As is demonstrated in the Summa Theologica, a Bishop should be in the Unitive Stage, and a priest should be at the very least in the illuminative stage before leaving seminary. A Bishop is the perfecter of all those beneath him, and a priest is to illuminate the laity. As such, in terms of the Church designated States of Perfection, Bishops and priests should belong to the spiritual order that is befitting them.