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In the School of the Holy Spirit

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A renowned spiritual director unveils the Master of the interior life. In the prayer lives of many Christians there is one person of the Trinity that often goes overlooked – The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is no less involved in our lives than the Father and the Son, yet many are unaware of this. Jesus said about the Holy Spirit, “If I go, I will send you another Comforter.” But are we aware of the Holy Spirit in our lives? This book by renowned retreat master Jacques Philippe will help. It will lead you to be more attentive to the movements of the Holy Spirit in your life as you learn to value the third person of the Trinity as the Sanctifier of your soul. Philippe explains the rewards of being attentive to the Holy Spirit and provides simple and concrete ways to grow in this inner sensitivity. In his clear and simple style, he illustrates his points with many examples from modern life. In the School of the Holy Spirit is a valuable aid in your own spiritual journey.

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

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Fr. Jacques Philippe

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5 stars
1,378 (70%)
4 stars
464 (23%)
3 stars
99 (5%)
2 stars
17 (<1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
Profile Image for booklady.
2,739 reviews181 followers
November 7, 2013
This is the third book by Father Jacques Philippe I’ve read now and each one is as good as the rest. They are each like mini-retreats.

“In the School of the Holy Spirit” begins as follows:
‘My Jesus, it is truly easy to become holy; it just takes a little good will! And if He finds this minimum of good will in a soul, He quickly gives Himself to her. And nothing can stop Him, neither our faults nor our falls, absolutely nothing. Jesus hurries to help that soul; and if the soul is faithful to this grace from God, she can in a short time reach the highest level of holiness that a created being can attain here below. God is very generous and does not refuse His grace to anyone. He gives even more than we ask for. The shortest road is faithfulness to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit.’ (p. 9). p. 142; English ed.: Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul
Easy? Really? If you are like most of us, you might find the saint's words almost too good to be true. After all, the Holy Spirit is the least easy of the three Persons of the Blessed Trinity to conceptualize much less love or learn from. Who is He and where is this ‘school’ alluded to in the title of this book?

Accepting that the task of Holiness is beyond our power and only God knows the road of each soul, we proceed along the path of faithfulness to Grace, seeing that such faithfulness draws down more and further graces (Divine Life). In the second chapter, Fr. Philippe discusses ten ways we can foster the inspirations God wants to give us which lead our souls to perfection. In the third chapter, he gives invaluable advice on how we can know that an inspiration comes from God, including how we progressively acquire a spiritual “sense” and specific criteria for confirming what is of God as opposed to what isn’t—elegantly simple yet invaluable and comforting.

The Appendices include prayers, quotes and further examples from saints and others.

Most highly recommended.
Profile Image for Mark.
68 reviews6 followers
June 28, 2009
Jacques Philippe has become one of my favorite authors. Every book that I've read has been insightful and encouraging.

This book is a very short treatise on how to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He draws from the Bible and the writings of many saints.

I found this book so helpful because it is easy for me to get caught up in a lot of the moral rules involved with following Christ, to the point where I start to lose focus on Christ Himself. Satan would pose a false dichotomy and have us choose one or the other, leading to rigid puritanism on one hand or liberal heterodoxy on the other. But the Truth is One, and there is no opposition between love for Jesus and zeal to do what He says. Fr. Philippe clearly shows how a life of dynamic, joyful obediance to the promptings of the Holy Spirit fits perfectly with obedience to all the Jesus says.

Fr. Philippe's desire is that we follow Jesus with our whole hearts, and that we experience Jesus alive in us, day-to-day.
Maybe you have never aspired to love God as much as He could possibly be loved. If not, I ask that you now beg the Holy Spirit to put that desire in you, and even that you beg Him to leave you restless until you have that aspiration.
Profile Image for Amanda.
1,089 reviews
March 2, 2017
I highlighted a lot! Points to consider:
1. The surest path to holiness is faithfulness to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit
2. We need to not rely on our own efforts to holiness but rather to allowing God to act in us without resistance
3. Those faithful to and thankful for small graces will receive more and larger ones
4. "If we can only obey people when it happens to please us, we are fooling ourselves about being able to obey the Holy Spirit"
5. "We are not being asked to consent to evil, but to consent to the mysterious wisdom of God who permits evil. Our consent is not a compromise with evil but the expression of our trust that God is stronger than evil." We can choose to "want what we have not chosen" and rely on God
6. Obeying God's will produces a true peace
7. "What is freedom? It does not mean giving free rein to whim, but rather enabling what is best, most beautiful, and most profound in ourselves freely to emerge, instead of being stifled by more superficial things such as our fears, selfish attachments, or falsity."
Profile Image for Nick Anderson.
43 reviews6 followers
September 17, 2025
“the main point of spiritual life consists in so disposing ourselves to grace through purity of heart that, of two people who consecrate themselves at the same time to God's service, if one gives himself wholly to good works and the other applies himself entirely to purifying his heart and cutting away what there is in it that opposes grace, this second person will achieve perfection twice as quickly as the first.”

“love, of itself, is sweet, gracious, peaceful, and quiet. If it sometimes shoves, if it gives shocks to our spirit, this only happens because it encounters resistance. But when the passages of our souls are open to heavenly love without dispute or contradiction, it makes its way peacefully, with incomparable smoothness.”
Profile Image for Jon.
35 reviews
May 6, 2023
Interior Freedom is better but this one still is 🔥
Profile Image for Allison Dale.
6 reviews4 followers
January 31, 2021
I am giving this book four stars because I wished there were more of it, but also because I had slightly different expectations for the content. Regardless, it was excellent. I have often been confused by the Holy Spirit in terms of who exactly He is. I won’t say I understand the Father and the Son perfectly, but out of the three persons of the Trinity, my relationship with the Spirit has the most room for growth. I won’t go into the depths of my prayer here, but I think I had different expectations as to what this book would provide to me. This book was about how to recognize His voice, follow His inspirations, and begin to experience more inspirations. It was less about the nature of the Holy Spirit and His identity. I am certainly coming away with much to pray about and ponder, though, that is for sure. In fact, the very day I started reading this I had an incredible encounter with the Spirit that left me aching to invite the Him into more of my every day experiences in hopes of hearing Him more clearly more often. I followed His inspiration and was left in utter peace even though this situation did not end as I thought it would. Much is packed into few pages, and I would for sure recommend!
Profile Image for Michal Lukáč.
69 reviews10 followers
April 19, 2025
Vskutku klasika modernej katolíckej duchovnej literatúry.

Je to síce už klišé, ale pravdivé: žijeme v extrémne uponáhľanej a nepokojnej dobe. Aby som to ilustroval na svojom vlastnom povolaní: kedysi pre novinárov platila večerná uzávierka, do ktorej museli stihnúť odovzdať svoje texty, a noviny išli do tlače.

Teraz sú novinovými stránkami zo sekundy na sekundu zmeniteľné internetové portály, ktoré si vyžadujú neustálu správu. A táto hektika sa týka asi všetkých povolaní. V súčasnosti musíme byť viac v strehu, máme menej priestoru na spomalenie a kontempláciu.

Toto nastavenie sa prelieva aj do nášho duchovného života – aj naša služba blížnym či snaha o svätosť je často poznačená naším úzkostným či uponáhľaným postojom, ako píše Philippe v úvode spomínanej knihy.

Božie slovo nám však o Bohu hovorí niečo úplne iné. Náš Boh je Bohom pokoja. Nezjavuje sa vo víchrici, ale v „tichom, lahodnom šume“ (1. kniha kráľov 19, 12).

Za predpokladu, že sme v relatívne dobrej duchovnej kondícii, je teda všetko, čo nás opakovane oberá o pokoj, zlé. (Daný predpoklad som uviedol preto, lebo v zlej duchovnej kondícii môžu „vyrušujúco“ pôsobiť, naopak, pohnútky k dobru, ako o tom písal napríklad sv. Ignác z Loyoly.)

Základom nášho uvažovania o vlastnom úsilí dosiahnuť dobrý život musí byť to, že sami nič nezmôžeme. To nám doslova povedal Ježiš (Evanjelium podľa Jána 15, 5) – nieže bez neho dokážeme málo, ale že bez neho nespravíme nič.

Ako sa však otvoriť Božej vôli? Philippe píše, že odraz vidno iba na upokojenej vodnej hladine. Musíme sa stať pokojnými, pretože vtedy naše skutky môže formovať Duch Svätý.

Preto sa diabol tak veľmi snaží o to, aby sme boli nepokojní. Vie, že keď opustíme stav pokoja, rozladí sa náš prijímač, ktorým sa snažíme počúvať Božiu vôľu.

Philippe píše, že diabol sa nás snaží dostať na vedľajšie ihrisko, o ktorom vie, že na ňom má väčšiu šancu zvíťaziť. Ak by som napríklad za cieľ svojho duchovného života považoval neprepadnúť už nikdy viac pokušeniu alebo nemať žiadne slabosti, už vopred som odsúdený na prehru a zúfalstvo.

Naopak – máme sa snažiť mať pokojnú dušu, aby sme ani po občasných pádoch neupadali do smútku, ale dokázali vďaka ozajstnej ľútosti používať aj vlastné zlyhania ako odrazový mostík, aby sme zamierili ešte vyššie.

Ako však na to? Philippe píše, že nutnou a zároveň dostatočnou podmienkou dosiahnutia pokoja je dobrá vôľa. Je to postoj človeka, ktorý je radikálne rozhodnutý milovať Boha nad všetko ostatné, vždy uprednostňovať jeho vôľu pred vôľou vlastnou.

To nie je snaha o neustálu dokonalosť. Aj ľudia s dobrou vôľou môžu padnúť, ale tento pád ich vždy veľmi bolí a túžia sa vrátiť k Bohu. A práve dobrá vôľa je tým, vďaka čomu nás Boh môže postupne viesť k dokonalosti.

Neskôr, po všeobecnejšom úvode, autor prechádza ku konkrétnym, zvyčajným ohrozeniam nášho pokoja - neistá budúcnosť, naše vlastné nedostatky, nedostarky blížnych, utrpenie… Častou autorovou pointou je to, že ukáže, že mnohokrát sú naše “cnostné” starosti (napríklad zúfalstvo po spáchaní ťažkého hriechu) len zamaskovanou pýchou, a jedinou prijateľnou cestou je v skutočnosti s dôverou sa obrátiť späť k Bohu.

Nejde o žiadne prevratné, inovatívne myšlienky. Philippe samého seba nevníma ako revolučného mysliteľa, jeho dielo je skôr plné odkazov na známe diela z tradície Katolíckej cirkvi.

Práve v tom však podľa mňa spočíva genialita dobrej duchovnej obnovy: obnoviť v človeku uvedomovanie si základných a dobre známych právd, ktoré síce dokáže formulovať teoreticky, ale v praktickom živote niekedy zapadnú prachom.

A to sa Philippovi naozaj darí. Pridávam sa k zástupom ľudí, ktorí knižku Hľadaj pokoj a zotrvaj v ňom silno odporúčali.
Profile Image for Dominique Rupp.
18 reviews6 followers
January 21, 2021
If we have ever had a conversation for at least five minutes then you already know that the Holy Spirit is basically my best friend. After thinking about it a little bit, I decided to pick up this book in hopes that I could appreciate Him more. It’s often hard to explain to people what He looks like, the tangible ways that He is able to delight in people’s souls — but this book is worth pursuing if you’re ever lost in discernment or what to do. It will help you understand your own faith better and hopefully, introduce you to the Holy Spirit if you don’t know much about Him.
Profile Image for Zrinka Vuksan-Ćusa.
5 reviews1 follower
September 3, 2023
Preporucam, dobra je knjiga. Ne predugacka, prepuna poticajnih misli svetaca.
Iako, moram reci da su mi druge dosad pročitane knjige ovog autora bile još bolje i najtoplije ih preporucam!
Profile Image for BarricadeBoiz.
169 reviews16 followers
August 6, 2022
pretty solid with some really good ideas and thoughts. there were a few spots tho where i did not agree with the theology or i was confused and there was no explanation for certain statements
Profile Image for Annie.
215 reviews2 followers
October 7, 2025
Fr Jacques seems to know my heart: its fears, its inclinations, and just the words needed to fill it with cheer and strength and clarity. His words are always a gift.
111 reviews
May 21, 2024
Několik dobrých rad, které mají pomoci při rozlišování vnuknutí Ducha svatého a poté i jejich přijetí.
Profile Image for Elena.
494 reviews9 followers
December 13, 2023
For such a short book it is full of great insights. I used so many post-its! As a catholic I have heard about the promptings of the Holy Spirit all of my life. I truly believe the Holy Spirit is constantly beside us but how do I know when it is the Holy Spirit urging me to do or say this or that? This book helped me to understand better what that looks and feels like.

"No individual knows what his own holiness consists of. Holiness is only revealed to us by degrees, as we journey on, and it is often something very different from what we imagine, so much so that the greatest obstacle on the path to holiness may be to cling too closely to the image we have of our own perfection." As I read this early on in the book I had a 'yes, this!' moment.

"Every motion that comes from God brings both the light to understand what God intends, and the strength to accomplish it: light that illuminates the mind, and strength that gives power to the will."

So, I now know that if it is from the Holy Spirit I will find peace, as I accept and do God's will. God will give me the strength and perseverance to follow the Holy Spirit promptings. I learned that as with every conversation, I have to listen. I must come into a quiet inner place, leave all the busyness of my day aside and truly listen. This one is a keeper :)


Profile Image for Caroline.
3 reviews
June 4, 2025
I likely underlined about half of this book. So much to come back and reflect on!

Jacques Phillipe provides an encouraging read, largely focused on the idea that “the shortest way to holiness is faithfulness to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit.” And holiness is not one specific mold that we all must fall into but individual molds that God has created for each of us, because holiness looks different on each of us.

“We won’t have the grace to do what God is not asking of us. But for what he is asking, he has promised us his grace: God grants what he commands.” Holiness is attainable by everyone, and Phillipe provides wonderful insights for listening to and recognizing motions of the Holy Spirit, as well as distinguishing them from being our own thoughts/desires, etc.

As we submit in humble obedience to God’s voice in our hearts, we’re met with a deep, lasting peace and joy. What an encouraging notion!
Profile Image for Ann Warren.
697 reviews
August 13, 2020
Another short but phenomenal read by Fr Jacques Philippe! This book is about how to better hear the voice of the Holy Spirit in your life, and how to discern whether it is truly the Spirit speaking. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to better recognize and follow God’s will. Excellent food for thought/prayer.
Profile Image for Ricky Stephen.
159 reviews
June 6, 2023
For me, this is one of the single most important works of Christian spirituality. Philippe lays out the primacy of the work of the Spirit in the life of the Christian and then gives straightforward advice on how to increase and discern the inspirations of the Spirit.

Deceptively deep, pragmatic, and invitational, if you’re a serious Christian this is not one to be missed.
Profile Image for Emily.
54 reviews15 followers
June 20, 2020
Simple, short, but so full of wisdom. Fr. Jacques dives into the most common misconceptions about docility to the Holy Spirit and provides practical advice for growing in that area. He pulls from Scripture, the Saints, and the life of Mary, the Mother of God.
146 reviews
January 1, 2021
This was a wonderfully quick, but packed spiritual read.
Profile Image for Danielle Hines.
98 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2022
Beautiful book about how to be open to the Holy Spirit.

“St. Faustina, in the passage quotes above and also in some of the other reflections in her Diary, gives us an indication from her own experience that is worth paying attention to: the shortest way to holiness is faithfulness to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit.”
Profile Image for Miri.
3 reviews
January 14, 2025
Didáctico y claro, sobre todo en relación a las inspiraciones del Espíritu Santo, enseñando cómo identificarlas y cómo el hecho de obedecerlas me hace más libre.
Profile Image for Anne Frain.
18 reviews1 follower
March 24, 2025
So good, Jacques Philippe is just my favorite author. Always has bangers.
Profile Image for emmalee.
144 reviews2 followers
May 22, 2025
fr. jacques does it again! everyone could benefit from reading this little guy, i think!
58 reviews
May 31, 2025
Nothing you haven’t heard before, but so gently presented, and honest, and frank.
Profile Image for Alyssa Massais.
45 reviews
November 10, 2025
Highly recommend as guidance for discerning literally anything, soooo much wisdom in this book!
Profile Image for Bailey L..
270 reviews7 followers
October 18, 2021
This book is such a pithy yet meaty thesis on how to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit. He breaks down common questions we ask about hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit and explains how we can tell whether it is His voice or not. I highlighted big sections of this book, which I will go back to anytime I or someone I know has questions on this important relationship in our faith walks. I also love his definition of freedom in Christ.

We all need this understanding in our spiritual walks, especially if you’re anything like me and recognize your need for better understanding on how the Holy Spirit works!
Profile Image for J. .
380 reviews44 followers
August 1, 2024
Very short book, but also clear and concise. This book gets to the point and one should be able to have a good foundation on preparing and discerning God's inspirations.
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