The Sinner's Guide is the most famous work of one of the most prominent and exceptional spiritual teachers of the sixteenth century. It has been compared to The Imitation of Christ for its breadth, intensity, and usefulness for devotion and has been translated into Italian, French, German, Polish, Latin, and Greek. Covering what many spiritual writers neglect, Venerable Louis discusses both virtue and vice—how to both do good and avoid evil. Included in this volume are chapters on:
- Eleven motives for practicing virtue
- Twelve privileges of virtue
- Cautions against deferring conversion
- Remedies for the seven deadly sins and others
- Virtues and duties of our state
- And far more!
Venerable Louis stands as a master of the spiritual life throughout the whole Christian tradition. Born in extremely poor circumstances, his mother was widowed when he was five, and the pair subsisted on alms gathered from outside the gate of a Dominican priory. Eventually, Louis became a Dominican himself, and began a career of preaching that resulted, at length, in traveling throughout Spain and Portugal. He attained—despite the humble friar's best efforts—various posts in the Order of Preachers and served at courts of nobles and the queen regent of Portugal. He was offered bishoprics and the cardinalate, but declined all offers. He suffered much in his life, accused by the Spanish Inquisition of heresy unjustly; he was later vindicated by the Council of Trent and the witness of subsequent saints. Indeed, he counts among his readers and recommenders such pillars of sanctity as St. Rose of Lima, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Charles Borromeo, St. Louise de Marillac, and St. Francis de Sales, who recommended Venerable Louis's works be read as a "second Breviary."
But Venerable Louis's primary mission, quite unusually for his time, was to write and preach for the laity. Indeed, a disapproving observer said Venerable Louis wrote for "wives of carpenters," maybe forgetting who the Blessed Virgin was. Let, then, the words of this venerable Spanish preacher illuminate your heart with the light of Christ, speaking, as it were, straight from the bosom of the Master.
Learn more on our Blog: The Peace of a Good Conscience
- Author:
- Venerable Louis of Grenada
- Imprint:
- TAN Books
- Pages:
- 496
- Publication Date:
- 12/12/1985
- Product Format:
- Paperbound
- Height:
- 8.50
- Width:
- 5.50
8 Reviews
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Gained a new perspective on virtue. The book makes so much sense and has such a ring of truth. Wonderful experience full of hard truth.
Would recommend it to everyone. It is such a breath of heavenly air!
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Excellent ?
A readable book. Fantastic information. Very helpful.
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In progress
Excellent
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Excellent
This English version of this book was first translated in 1882 by Fr. Charles Hyancinth McKenna, O.P.. The Tan Books edition was released in 2014, and included some updates it was re-typeset, with some revisions in the citations and updating of vocabulary. There are several variations on this book as the source material is in the public domain. But The cover of the TAN edition really caught my attention and from the previews available to look inside, inspired me to choose this edition. I will be honest this was not an easy read. I think in part the material covered. In part the translation. But it was well worth reading. I would be interested if a new translation were undertaken as a new work would make a difference in the accessibility of the volume, but that is a question for publishers and translators. The book was written by Venerable Louis of Granada, O.P. 1504 –1588 who was know as the Writer of the Spanish Empire. The book begins with a brief given by Pope Gregory XIII on the 21st of July 1582. Pope Gregory wrote: “Your sermons and writings, filled with sublime doctrine and practical piety, are unceasingly drawing souls to God. This is particularly gratifying to us, for all who have profited by your teaching (and their number is very great) may be considered as so many souls gained to Christ. You have thus benefited your fellow creatures more than if you had given sight to the blind and raised the dead to life. For the knowledge of the Eternal Light and the enjoyment of the heavenly life, according as they are given to man on earth to know and enjoy, are far above the knowledge and enjoyment of the transitory goods of this world. The charity with which you have devoted yourself to your great and important labor has gained for you many crowns. Continue, then, to devote all your energies to the prosecution of your undertakings. Finish what you have begun, for we understand that you have some works yet incomplete. Give them to the world for the health of the sick, for the strength of the weak, for the delight of God’s servants, and for the glory of the Church both militant and triumphant.” The book contains 48 densely written chapters. Some with only one or two sections, others with up to a dozen. This book was popular and endorsed by several noted saints, including St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Vincent de Paul, etc. St. Teresa of Avila and many others. It has been stated about this book: “This is the most persuasive book we know to encourage people to abandon sin and embrace repentance and virtue. The logic is relentless and effective. For mastery of subject, command of Scripture and total impact on the reader.” And I can state categorically that the book had an immediate impact upon me. In fact, I typically write reviews of books within days of finishing them, but with this volume I have been thinking on the book so much it has taken me nearly 2 months to process the book enough to write down these few thoughts. Even knowing they will not do the book justice. I have read that many believe this book is invaluable. That all priests, religious, and seminarians should read it. Others go even further and state that all Christians should read this volume. I can agree with them that this book will have a definite impact on any who read it. And I strongly encourage you to give it a read.
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Excellent Guide to Developing Virtue
I too saw that this book was recommended by St. Francis de Sales, so I picked it up and I am glad I did. This book is extremely helpful for those who have just begun taking the spiritual life more seriously and want to pursue virtue. The subtitle chosen for the re-publication (resisting temptation and overcoming sin) is actually a bit misleading in that Louis of Granada's approach is much more focused on the positive goal of attaining virtue, which involves the motives for and privileges of virtue, rather than simply avoiding sins. (That said, he does include detailed discussion of all the capital sins.) In other words, first Louis of Granada motivates you to want to lead a life of virtue and then he gives you both theoretical and practical advice for overcoming sin in your life. So, if you are looking to build up a solid spiritual life, this book will give you a lot of great material for you to bring to your daily prayer, especially advice on how to put it into practice.
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Recommended by St. Francis de Sales for growth in Virtues
I found this book recommended in the forward to Introduction to the Devout Life, as being dear to St. Francis de Sales. It is a treasure! Wonderfully encouraging and motivational on practicing Virtues and serving God. Guidance for redemption, the four last things, remedies against Pride, Covetousness, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, ... just so full of wonderful information. If you want to grow in virtue, this is the book for you.
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Very good
Very good
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A must read!
A must read!
