Filled with all the Fullness of God: An Introduction to Catholic Spirituality

Description

Filled with All the Fullness of God looks at the truths of Christian faith which pertain to spiritual growth and the 'lived theologies' or spiritualities which have derived from them. McDermott discusses here a variety of issues - human self-knowledge,our understanding of God, our partaking in the divine nature of God and the importance of prayer. He also emphasizes the importance of personal spiritual growth and argues that we should see Christianity not as a matter of just 'getting to heaven' but as a way of participating in the divine life here and now through deifying grace in the sphere of the Church, prayer and the Eucharist. McDermott illustrates his argument with a variety of sources: Scripture, the Church Fathers, Thomas Aquinas, Catherine of Siena, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and contemporary spiritual writers.

Thomas McDermott is a Dominican priest and Regent of Studies of the Province of St. Albert the Great. He obtained a doctorate in spiritual theology from the Angelicum and taught for several years at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis. He wrote Catherine of Siena. Spiritual development in her life and teaching (2008).

Filled with All the Fullness of God, by Thomas McDermott is a short yet engaging introduction to Catholic spirituality, with a particular emphasis on deification. At just over 100 pages, the book's eight chapters are only able to skim over some significant topics, yet the book's outline leads the reader along a useful path towards better understanding Catholic spirituality. -- Kris Hiuser, University of Chester, UK * Theological Book Review * McDermott offers a well-written, classical Catholic spirituality ... I found the book consoling. It reintroduced me to old friends on the spiritual journey whom I had too long neglected. -- Patrick J. Howell, S.J., Seattle University * Theological Studies * The author writes with both humble simplicity and pastoral zeal ... As a practical, enlightening manual to classical Catholic spiritual living, this book is heartily recommended. -- Zachary J. Cole, University of Edinburgh, UK * The Expository Times * Eminently sensible and practical, this book contains a veritable treasure-house of sources and resources. With unaffected simplicity and wisdom, McDermot allows us to hear the voices of many of the great saints and theologians within the Catholic tradition. A most thoughtful and illuminating introduction! -- Fr. Paul Murray OP, Professor of Spiritual Theology at the Angelicum in Rome. Fr. McDermott, O.P. has until now stood out in scholarly circles by presenting Catherine of Siena not only as a saintly mystic but a brilliant theologian as well. Here in his latest work, he draws from his expertise of medieval spirituality (and beyond) to illustrate how true Christian discipleship is not simply a matter of right belief or right action, but to become "filled" with God's very life and thereby become other Christs for the world. McDermott's writing is accurate and alluring, inviting all into this great Catholic transformation. -- Fr. David Meconi, S.J., Assistant Professor of Theological Studies, Saint Louis University Here is a delightfully fresh, clearly expressed vision of Catholicism. It is just what the Church needs today: an invitation to intimacy with God that elicits desire for Him and leaves us in wonder over how blessed we are to be Catholic! This book is perfect for adult faith formation, deacon formation and personal spiritual reading. -- Deacon James Keating, Ph.D, Director of Theological Formation, Institute for Priestly Formation