French writer JEAN PIERRE DE CAUSSADE (1675-1751) believed that the present moment is holy and that people should abandon themselves to present, a stance that is it stark contrast to the Catholic focus on the future and life after death. For de Caussade, living in the moment meant having a complete trust and faith in God, for God's will defined and guided all things. The practical advice contained in his guidebook for the faithful was originally a series of letters written for the Nuns of the Visitation of Nancy, meant to help them navigate the confusing and difficult work of spiritual enlightenment, and comes together here in two distinct parts, one for the theoretical foundations of abandoning oneself to the present moment and one with practical advice on how to live such a life. Though a departure from the standard Christian perspective, Abandonment to Divine Providence remains a deeply spiritual work with a message that many Christians may find freeing and inspiring.

God hides behind the simplest of daily activities; finding Him is a matter of total surrender to His will. That's the message of this 18th-century inspirational classic. Its encouragement to "live in the moment," accepting everyday obstacles with humility and love, has guided generations of seekers to spiritual peace.

In this superb new translation of the celebrated spiritual classic of wisdom, hope, and inspiration, Jean-Pierre de Caussade offers guidance for daily living in communion with God. This exemplary devotional work summons readers to holiness, reveals ways to conquer self-love and pride, and points the way for experiencing each moment as a sacrament.

The author shows how God speaks to us through every moment of every day. He encourages a joyous, affirming, selfless abandonment to God. By entering into such active contemplation and facing ourselves honestly and openly, the author assures us, we can achieve the comfort and fulfillment of a life suffused with grace.

These timeless spiritual reflections probe the mystery of faith, illuminate the nature of authentic contemplation, and help us recognize and carry out God's purpose in our own lives. They stand as powerful testimony to de Caussade's conviction "that there is nothing easier, more ordinary, more available to all than saintliness."

This is a new release of the original 1931 edition.

Jean-Pierre de Caussade was one of the most remarkable spiritual writers of the Society of Jesus in France in the 18th Century. His death took place at Toulouse in 1751. His works have gone through many editions and have been republished, and translated into several foreign languages. BOOK I. ON THE VIRTUE OF ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE; ITS NATURE AND EXCELLENCE. BOOK II. ON THE STATE OF ABANDONMENT. LETTERS ON THE PRACTICE OF ABANDONMENT TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE. FIRST BOOK. ON THE ESTEEM FOR AND LOVE OF THIS VIRTUE. SECOND BOOK. THIRD BOOK. ON THE OBSTACLES TO ABANDONMENT. FOURTH BOOK. THE FIRST TRIALS OF SOULS CALLED TO THE STATE OF ABANDONMENT. ARIDITIES, WEAKNESSES AND WEARINESS. FIFTH BOOK. FRESH TRIALS, SUFFERINGS AND PRIVATIONS. SIXTH BOOK. ON THE CONTINUATION OF TRIALS, AND FEAR OF THE ANGER OF GOD. SEVENTH BOOK. THE LAST TRIALS. AGONY AND MYSTICAL DEATH. THE FRUIT THEREOF. Includes letters on the Practice of Self-Abandonment.

This is a new release of the original 1931 edition.

God is to be found in the simplest of our daily activities, through the surrender His. This is the message of Jean-Pierre de Caussade in Abandonment to Divine Providence. To "live in the present moment," accepting everyday obstacles with faith, humility and love, has guided generations to holiness and spiritual peace. Fr. Jean Pierre de Caussade was a French Jesuit priest and author best known for his treatise Abandonment to Divine Providence, and his letters to the Visitation nuns. de Caussade served as the rector of two colleges, and as spiritual director for a Jesuit house. He was deeply influenced by the writings of both St. Francis de Sales and St. John of the Cross.