Jesus and Mary! Sacred names, always united in the mind and heart of
every true Christian. Jesus, model of true manhood; Mary, model of true
womanhood. Jesus, begotten of the Father before all ages, the figure of His
substance, by whom were made all things of the Creator; original type,
remaining unfallen when every copy fell! Woman, destined from eternity to
crush the head of the unclean demon. Jesus and Mary! Models of the interior
life, to you is dedicated this new edition of a work of one of your devoted
servants, which is well calculated to lead many souls up the path of
perfection till they reign with you in the Kingdom of Heaven.
The LITTLE OF ETERNAL WISDOM is among the best of the writings of
Blessed Henry Suso, a priest of the Order of St. Dominic, who lived a life
of wonderful labours and sufferings, and died in the Fourteenth century with
a reputation for sanctity which the Church has solemnly confirmed. Gregory
XVI granted to the whole Order of St. Dominic the privilege of celebrating
his office, and of offering the Mass yearly in his honour, appointing the
Second of March for his festival.
The Order of St. Dominic, known in the Church both as the Order of
Truth and the Order of Preachers, so rich in pontiffs, martyrs, and
confessors, is also illustrious for its theologians, its ascetic writers,
its great masters of the Spiritual life. Its mystic theologians stand in the
first rank of those who have sealed the wondrous heights of sublime
perfection. Not only have they stood on the mountain tops of the spiritual
life, but they have pointed out, with a clearness surpassed by no other
writers, the path of ascent, marking for the unwary its every danger. The
wiles of the enemy are exposed; where, when, and how he seeks to accomplish
our ruin. Our defence is first outlined, and then given in detail. The
source of strength is pointed out, and thus the perilous journey may safely
be made.
Among the ascetic writers of the Order, mention may be made of St.
Thomas Aquinas, Blessed Albert the Great, Master Humbert, St. Antoninus, Dom
Bartholomew of the Martyrs, Ven. Louis of Granada, St. Vincent Ferrer, St.
Catherine of Sienna, and St. Catherine of Ricci, whilst the Illuminated
Doctor John Tauler and Blessed Henry Suso are among the first of the great
mystic theologians of the Church.
THE LITTLE OF ETERNAL WISDOM was translated and published for the
Catholics of England years ago, but has long been out of print. It would be
difficult to speak too highly of this little or of its author. In
soundness of teaching, sublimity of thought, clearness of expression, and
beauty of illustration, we do not know of a spiritual writer that surpasses
Henry Suso. He clothes virtue in such lovely garments, the path to the
sublime heights of perfection is so clearly marked out, that the willing
soul is allured onward and assisted upward, till she stands with her blessed
guide in the full light of the Eternal Wisdom.
To this preface it was deemed advisable to add the celebrated "Parable
of the Pilgrim," taken from the writings of Walter Hilton, a Carthusian
monk, and afterwards abridged by the venerable contemplative Father Baker,
of the Order of St. Benedict.
The devout reader is earnestly requested to read this parable again and
again before commencing the study of Suso's golden of Eternal Wisdom.
This parable outlines the whole plan of the spiritual life, it conveys most
useful instructions for those who seriously aim at perfection, which Hilton
designates as the Vision of Peace given to the Soul in Jerusalem. This
parable will be understood and appreciated by those only who are hungering
after Justice. They should read it frequently, and fervently pray for grace
to become true pilgrims and pursue the path here clearly marked out, that so
they may arrive at the glorious end.
C. H. McKenna, O.P.
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