In the School of the Holy Spirit (Philippe)

I just finished reading In the School of the Holy Spirit by Jacques Philippe. The book was a gift from my fellow teachers when I retired in June.

It was a good choice.

The book covers listening to and responding to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I had encountered many of the ideas in the book over the years, but it was good to see them all together in one work, and to be reminded of them. The fact that it was concise and well-written helped.

One thing that was new to me was "A Prayer by Cardinal Mercier" included in Appendix I.

I am going to reveal to you the secret of sanctity and happiness. Every day for five minutes control your imagination and close your eyes to all the noises of the world in order to enter into yourself. Then, in the sanctuary of your baptized soul (which is the temple of the Holy Spirit) speak to that Divine Spirit, saying to Him:

O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You. 

Enlighten me, guide me, 

strengthen me, console me. 

Tell me what I should do; 

and order me to do it. 

I promise to submit myself 

to all that You desire of me 

and to accept all 

that You permit to happen to me. 

Let me only know Your Will.
If you do this, your life will flow along happily, serenely, and full of consolation, even in the midst of trials. Grace will be proportioned to the trial, giving you the strength to carry it and you will arrive at the Gate of Paradise, laden with merit. This submission to the Holy Spirit is the secret of sanctity. 

I found the book got me thinking and looking at my own spiritual life - which is exactly what this sort of book should do. 

Thanks former fellow teachers. This is a book I will pull from the shelf again to reread and to re-inspire me.

Pax et bonum