Timeless spiritual classic "Abandonment to Divine Providence" released ...

... along with the author's practical letters of advice

SAN FRANCISCO, October 3, 2011 – God is to be found in the simplest of our daily activities and especially through total surrender to whatever is His will for each of us. That is the message of this 18th-century inspirational classic by Jean-Pierre de Caussade. Its encouragement to "live in the present moment," accepting everyday obstacles with humility and love, has guided generations of seekers to spiritual peace and holiness.

In this timeless spiritual classic, Father de Caussade presents the simple, profound gospel message that Jesus lived and taught: "My meat is to do the will of my Father in heaven." Father de Caussade explains in his book, "The will of God gives to all things a supernatural and divine value for the soul submitting to it. The duties it imposes and those it contains become holy and perfect because everything it touches shares its divine character."

This special volume of the famous spiritual treatise also includes the many insightful letters of Father de Caussade on the practice of self-abandonment. These numerous letters provide a great additional source of wisdom and much practical guidance for how to grow in abandonment and to deepen our union with God in our daily lives.

De Caussade shows that this practice of self-abandonment to God's will is the key to attaining true peace and virtue, and that it is readily available to all people - from beginners to those well advanced in the spiritual life. He also shows how to determine what God's will is for us. He reveals that it is not extraordinary feats that God expects for our growth in holiness, but rather heroic attention to every detail in our lives and humble acceptance of our daily lot in life as coming from His hand.

The rich spiritual lessons in this book have stood the test of time, offering real and practical assistance to all people because its message is simple and clear, one that the reader will find to be a rare treasure of inspiration and direction to be referred to again and again.

Father Kenneth Baker, S.J., author of Inside the Bible, says, "Father de Caussade makes one point, and illustrates it in many different ways, in his famous classic. That point is: do the will of God in this life to the best of your ability and you will attain peace of soul here and life everlasting hereafter. Extra value of the new Ignatius Press version is found it the inclusion of de Caussade's letters of spiritual advice.  The advantage of the letters is that they offer many concrete examples of how to find God's will in your life and how to put it into practice. This classic belongs in every spiritual library."

• Abandonment to Divine Providence: With Letters of Father de Caussade on the Practice of Self-Abandonment (paperback), by Jean-Pierre de Caussade, S.J.
• Audio book on CD
• Electronic Book format

About the Author
Father Jean Pierre de Caussade (1675-1751) was a French Jesuit priest and author, most well-known for his famous treatise on Abandonment to Divine Providence, and also his letters to the Visitation nuns, where he served as confessor and spiritual director. He also 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.

Ignatius Press Marketing Director Anthony Ryan is available for interviews about this book. To request a review copy or an interview with Anthony Ryan, please contact: Rose Trabbic, Publicist, Ignatius Press, (239)867-4180 or rose@ignatius.com