The present volume is a shorter edition of Christ in His Mysteries, Dom Columba Marmion's profound reflection on the Mysteries of Christ's birth, death, Resurrection, and Ascension as presented in the Gospels and the Liturgical Year. In Blessed Marmion's words, the mysteries that Jesus lived were lived for us. In them He shows Himself as our model and wills to make Himself one with our souls as Head of the Mystical Body of which we are members.

Advent, Christmas, Holy Week, Paschaltide, the feasts of Corpus Christi and the Sacred Heart--following Christ in this way, uniting ourselves to Him, we share more deeply in His Divinity and His Divine life. The Sovereign Pontiff Pius X wrote in his encyclical of November 23rd, 1903, that "the active participation of the faithful in the sacred mysteries and in the public and solemn prayers of the Church is the first and indispensable source of the Christian spirit." There is no surer way, no more infallible means, of making us one with Christ

Christ, the Life of the Soul is a modern spiritual classic. Drawing upon the Scriptures, the Liturgy, and the Doctors of the Church, Blessed Columba Marmion shows us the path towards freedom from self-bondage and the enlargement of our souls - to realize, with St. Paul, that "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." As Blessed Marmion puts it, "Christ is the Alpha and Omega of all sanctity."

The author shows how to die to sin and live for God, and the primary sources of our spiritual nourishment in the Eucharist and prayer, until the consummation of our adoption in Christ Jesus in the mystical body of Christ. Perhaps Pope Benedict XV said it best: "Read this - it is the pure doctrine of the Church ... and singularly conducive to excite and maintain the flame of Divine love in the soul."

"He bequeathed to us an authentic treasury of spiritual teaching for the Church of our time. In his writings he teaches a way of holiness, simple and yet demanding, for all the faithful." - Pope John Paul II

" The works of Marmion] are outstanding in the accuracy of their doctrine, the clarity of their style, and the depth and richness of their thought." - Pope Pius XII

"Abbot Marmion carries us back to a wider and more wholesome tradition, and many will rise up to bless him, as they find in his teaching new strength, and fresh vigor in their striving after God." - Francis Cardinal Bourne

Born in Ireland in 1858, Blessed Columba Marmion became Abbot of Maredsous Abbey, Belgium, and one of the great spiritual masters of the 20th century. His conferences and books have influenced popes, cardinals, priests, monks, and laity alike.

With Christ is an anthology of writings from Blessed Marmion's outstanding trilogy: Christ, the Life of the Soul; Christ in His Mysteries; and Christ, the Ideal of the Monk; as well as from his letters in Union with God and personal notes on his own spiritual life--focused on the theme of suffering and sharing in the Passion of Our Lord.

In the words of his editor, Dom Raymund Thibaut, "It is most important to know how to accept suffering; and surely the supreme work of mercy is that difficult science, that delicate art, of teaching men to carry their cross." Dom Thibaud continues, "Wherever Dom Marmion goes, he sheds light; he lends a helping hand; he calms and comforts; he inflames hearts, strengthens wills, and sanctifies souls."

With Christ is a book to be read especially during the great penitential seasons of the liturgical year, and in times of temptation, trial, and loss--here are words that can restore or strengthen confidence, bestow peace, and stabilize the soul in the supreme security of abandonment to God.

Introduction By Gisbert Ghysens And Thomas Delforge.