Principles and Practices - May 5

Purify the Soul

It appears that the soul, when it shall have purified and emptied itself from all these intelligible forms and images, will then dwell in this pure and simple light transformed thereto in the state of perfection.

This light is ever ready to be communicated to the soul, but does not flow in because of the forms and veils of the creature that embarrass the soul. Take away these hindrances and coverings and the soul in detachment and poverty of spirit will then, being pure and simple, be trans­formed in the pure and sincere Wisdom of God who is the Son.

For then that which is natural having failed, that which is divine flows supernaturallY into the soul, since God leaves nothing empty that He does not fill.

-St. John of the Cross.
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From Principles and Practices
Compiled by Rev. J. Hogan of The Catholic Missionary Society
Published by Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd., Publishers To The Holy See
Nihil Obstat; Eduardus J. Mahoney, S.T.D. Censor deputatus.
Imprimatur; Edm. Can. Surmont, Vicarius generalis.
First printed in 1930