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EXCELLENCE OF MENTAL PRAYER

the least degree of glory procured for God as of more worth than all the pleasures of earth. At such a time, the soul trans- formed into Jesus Christ, realizes that dur- ing this short life no greater proof of love can be given to God than suffering for Him, and chooses, instead of earthly joy, poverty, reproach and persecution borne for love of Him. Then at last, following the example of Over Lord when delivering Himself up to His Passion, it learns to say: But that the world may know that I love the Father: And as the Father hath given me command- ment, so do I. Arise, let us go hence!

Spiritual writers, following St. Thomas, distinguish three degrees of Christian per- fection: The purgative life, in course of which the soul purifies itself from sin and imperfection; the illuminative life, in course of which the soul labors to acquire virtue; the unitive life, when the soul transformed into God aspires only to glorify Him and accomplish His divine will; whether it be in prayer or in any other action. From what has been said it is clear that prayer leads the soul to these three stages of perfection.

¹ John 14: 31.