"If you wish to learn and appreciate something worth while, then love to be unknown and considered as nothing. Truly to know and despise self is the best and most perfect counsel."

Thomas à Kempis

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"This is the greatest wisdom -- to seek the kingdom of heaven through contempt of the world. "

Thomas à Kempis

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"Whoever wants to stand alone without the support of a master and guide will be like the tree that stands alone in a field without a proprietor. No matter how much the tree bears, passers-by will pick the fruit before it ripens. "

St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church

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 St Augustine   (354-430A.D.)   Father and Doctor of the Church
Apostolic Letter of Pope John Paul II

 

ENCHIRIDION ON FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE

By St Augustine

CONTENTS
 

About the book

Chapter:
1 The Occasion and Purpose of this "Manual"
2. The Creed and the Lord's Prayer as Guides to the Interpretation of the Theological Virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love
3. God the Creator of All; and the Goodness of All Creation
4. The Problem of Evil
5. The Kinds and Degrees of Error
6. The Problem of Lying
7. Disputed Questions about the Limits of Knowledge and Certainty in Various Matters
8. The Plight of Man After the Fall
9. The Replacement of the Fallen Angels By Elect Men (28-30); The Necessity of Grace (30-32)
10. Jesus Christ the Mediator
11. The Incarnation as Prime Example of the Action of God's Grace
12. The Role of the Holy Spirit
13. Baptism and Original Sin
14. The Mysteries of Christ's Mediatorial Work (48-49) and Justification (50-55)
15. The Holy Spirit (56) and the Church (57-60)
16. Problems About Heavenly and Earthly Divisions of the Church
17. Forgiveness of Sins in the Church
18. Faith and Works
19. Almsgiving and Forgiveness
20. Spiritual Almsgiving
21. Problems of Casuistry
22. The Two Causes of Sin
23. The Reality of the Resurrection
24. The Solution to Present Spiritual Enigmas to Be Awaited in the Life of the World To Come
25. Predestination and the Justice of God
26. The Triumph of God's Sovereign Good Will
27. Limits of God's Plan for Human Salvation
28. The Destiny of Man
29. "The Last Things"
30. The Principles of Christian Living: Faith and Hope
31. Love
32. The End of All the Law
33. Conclusion