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Spiritual Theology
In Spiritual Theology Father Jordan Aumann dispels the common misconception that ascetical and mystical theology is for the select few. He reminds us that “the real purpose of the study of the spiritual life is not to produce scholars but to form holy Christians.”
Basing much of his work on St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John of the Cross, and St. Teresa, Father Aumann proves that Christian perfection consists especially in charity, a charity richly rewarded in spiritual graces.
He presents the most complete and systematic treatment of spiritual theology since Vatican II. Comprehensive in scope, it meets the needs of seminarians, professors of spiritual theology, spiritual directors, and retreat masters. This classic will also appeal to the educated reader seeking a richer and fuller spiritual life.
Basing much of his work on St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John of the Cross, and St. Teresa, Father Aumann proves that Christian perfection consists especially in charity, a charity richly rewarded in spiritual graces.
He presents the most complete and systematic treatment of spiritual theology since Vatican II. Comprehensive in scope, it meets the needs of seminarians, professors of spiritual theology, spiritual directors, and retreat masters. This classic will also appeal to the educated reader seeking a richer and fuller spiritual life.
Paperback
First published June 1, 1980
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About the author
Jordan Aumann
41 books11 followersFr. Aumann made his profession of vows as a Dominican Friar in 1939 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1945.
Fr. Jordan Aumann, O.P. was Director of the Institute of Spirituality at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He was also a Consultor for the Sacred Congregation for the Clergy and Catechetics and likewise a Consultor for the Sacred Congregation for Evangelization.
Since 1977 he had been giving special courses in spirituality at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, where he was an honorary professor.
Fr. Jordan Aumann, O.P. was Director of the Institute of Spirituality at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He was also a Consultor for the Sacred Congregation for the Clergy and Catechetics and likewise a Consultor for the Sacred Congregation for Evangelization.
Since 1977 he had been giving special courses in spirituality at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Santo Tomas, Manila, where he was an honorary professor.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 20, 2025
Excellent summary and education of the spiritual life. Applicable for all spiritualities, but I would say it is a meld of the Carmelite Spirituality with a systematic Thomist approach.
November 20, 2022
I've just finished reading Spiritual Theology by Father Jordan Aumann O.P.
Father Aumann was Director of the Institute of Spirituality at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He was also a Consultor for the Sacred Congregation for the Clergy and Catechetics and likewise a Consultor for the Sacred Congregation for Evangelisation.
I read this book as part of my ongoing exploration of Christian spirituality. I've realised that this exploration has been more about 'mapping the territory' and gaining an understanding of the disciplines conducive to spiritual development than about understanding precisely where I am on the journey.
My reading of this work followed on shortly from my completion of the magisterial work of another Thomist and Dominican, Father Reginald Garrigou Lagrange O.P., The Three Ages of the Interior Life.
Reading the two consecutively helped to reinforced many of the ideas from Father Garrigou Lagrange's work, but there was also much new material to consider. Both works sang from the same hymn sheet as it were, being based on the works of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. John of the Cross. And I think that by reading the two together it helped me to develop my understanding of the more difficult or alien concepts.
This book is extremely comprehensive in its own right and thoroughly systematic in its approach. It comprises of two parts in the one volume.
The first part explicates the doctrinal foundations for the discipline of spiritual theology, covering the nature and scope of spiritual theology; the goal of our striving; our life in Christ and Mary; the supernatural organism and perfection in the Christian life and how this relates to mystical experience.
The second part deals with the process of growth in holiness, by considering purgation from sin; progressive purgation; the means of spiritual growth; the theological and moral virtues; grades of prayer, aids to spiritual growth and finally the discernment of spirits.
I would suggest that there is little in the spiritual life that isn't covered in this book. It has served two key purposes for me - one is to reinforce a structure around spirituality that was formed by reading Father Garrigou Lagrange's work, and secondly provide me with a greater understanding of 'what good looks like' on the spiritual journey.
I came away from my read feeling greatly inspired to rededicate myself to the Christian spiritual journey. I'm sure that having read through this work in the space of ten days, I will be rereading it again in future as well as referring to it frequently.
Father Aumann was Director of the Institute of Spirituality at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. He was also a Consultor for the Sacred Congregation for the Clergy and Catechetics and likewise a Consultor for the Sacred Congregation for Evangelisation.
I read this book as part of my ongoing exploration of Christian spirituality. I've realised that this exploration has been more about 'mapping the territory' and gaining an understanding of the disciplines conducive to spiritual development than about understanding precisely where I am on the journey.
My reading of this work followed on shortly from my completion of the magisterial work of another Thomist and Dominican, Father Reginald Garrigou Lagrange O.P., The Three Ages of the Interior Life.
Reading the two consecutively helped to reinforced many of the ideas from Father Garrigou Lagrange's work, but there was also much new material to consider. Both works sang from the same hymn sheet as it were, being based on the works of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. John of the Cross. And I think that by reading the two together it helped me to develop my understanding of the more difficult or alien concepts.
This book is extremely comprehensive in its own right and thoroughly systematic in its approach. It comprises of two parts in the one volume.
The first part explicates the doctrinal foundations for the discipline of spiritual theology, covering the nature and scope of spiritual theology; the goal of our striving; our life in Christ and Mary; the supernatural organism and perfection in the Christian life and how this relates to mystical experience.
The second part deals with the process of growth in holiness, by considering purgation from sin; progressive purgation; the means of spiritual growth; the theological and moral virtues; grades of prayer, aids to spiritual growth and finally the discernment of spirits.
I would suggest that there is little in the spiritual life that isn't covered in this book. It has served two key purposes for me - one is to reinforce a structure around spirituality that was formed by reading Father Garrigou Lagrange's work, and secondly provide me with a greater understanding of 'what good looks like' on the spiritual journey.
I came away from my read feeling greatly inspired to rededicate myself to the Christian spiritual journey. I'm sure that having read through this work in the space of ten days, I will be rereading it again in future as well as referring to it frequently.
November 27, 2011
From time to time on Patrick Madrid’s Open Line show on EWTN or as part of Catholic Answers I have heard him refer callers to a book named Spiritual Theology (Stagbooks)by Father Jordan Aumann, O.P. So I started to look around for it. This book being published in 1980 is not readily available and so is rather pricey in either new or in used condition. I happened to come across that they have this book available online at DomCentral.org and so I downloaded each chapter and created an ebook of it to read.
First off my impression of the book is simply wow! I have been using it for spiritual reading over the last month and I was just totally impressed by it. The late Fr. Aumann takes the categories of Ascetical and Mystical theology and treats it under the category of spiritual theology. This is like a catechism of spiritual theology and provides an in-depth coverage of the subject. Since it was written by an Dominican of course you can expect lots of distinctions, something I really like. The best thing is just how accessible it is considering this is such a complex subject. He refrains from using philosophical technical terms when not required and fully explains them when he does use them. This is a book I think would be beneficial for all and one that can be also used as a reference considering its broad range.
As an interested layman and very amateur theologian I was also very happy to find beyond the accessibility of the book that there was nothing I could consider dubious that would set off my theological spider senses. When a theological proposition is uncertain he says so frankly and so you always know what is Church teaching and what is theological speculation. The book is filled with the wisdom of the Doctors of the Church and you find referenced particularly St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, the Carmelite Doctors, St. Ignatius of Loloya, and St. France de Sales. As such he provides an amazing synthesis of the teachings of these Doctors as it applies to spiritual theology. At 448 pages this is not a quick read, but one totally worthy of study and as a reference to come back to.
Considering that is book is available online and also as a zip file here I don’t think there are any problems with me providing an ebook edition of it. The online edition contains some formatting errors as it was probably scanned in using OCR. Regardless these formatting errors are very minor and infrequent and do not distract from a reading of the text.
http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtje...
First off my impression of the book is simply wow! I have been using it for spiritual reading over the last month and I was just totally impressed by it. The late Fr. Aumann takes the categories of Ascetical and Mystical theology and treats it under the category of spiritual theology. This is like a catechism of spiritual theology and provides an in-depth coverage of the subject. Since it was written by an Dominican of course you can expect lots of distinctions, something I really like. The best thing is just how accessible it is considering this is such a complex subject. He refrains from using philosophical technical terms when not required and fully explains them when he does use them. This is a book I think would be beneficial for all and one that can be also used as a reference considering its broad range.
As an interested layman and very amateur theologian I was also very happy to find beyond the accessibility of the book that there was nothing I could consider dubious that would set off my theological spider senses. When a theological proposition is uncertain he says so frankly and so you always know what is Church teaching and what is theological speculation. The book is filled with the wisdom of the Doctors of the Church and you find referenced particularly St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, the Carmelite Doctors, St. Ignatius of Loloya, and St. France de Sales. As such he provides an amazing synthesis of the teachings of these Doctors as it applies to spiritual theology. At 448 pages this is not a quick read, but one totally worthy of study and as a reference to come back to.
Considering that is book is available online and also as a zip file here I don’t think there are any problems with me providing an ebook edition of it. The online edition contains some formatting errors as it was probably scanned in using OCR. Regardless these formatting errors are very minor and infrequent and do not distract from a reading of the text.
http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtje...
June 26, 2020
Father Aumann provides the best, systematic reference of practical knowledge to aid the Catholic along what St. Teresa calls the "Way of Perfection" - the journey towards sanctity, salvation and union with God. The book compiles and presents the wisdom of the Church and Saints, primarily St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross, regarding the tool and techniques to increase in virtue, to know God and to conform with His will. I cannot recommend the book highly enough; however, the reader should understand that this is a reference book, not a story. I really wish that this book was the basis of religious education classes, for it is clear and practical.
April 1, 2023
Very thorough and yet very practical.
August 8, 2024
To date perhaps the most clear and practical book I have read on the progress in the spiritual life and how to discern God's movement in the soul.
November 27, 2012
I had to download this one to my Nook as an epub file. Those are not always the greatest versions- lots of typo types of mistakes. Despite all that, there is still much to take from this book. I was introduced to Fr. Aumann's writing through a short reflection in a recent Magnificat. He offers sound spiritual advice and much food for spiritual thought. This one I will probably find myself going back to every now and again.
Want to read
January 7, 2010Included in the "Spiritual Reading" section of Fr. John McCloskey's 100-book Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan.
October 14, 2013
I use this as a textbook.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews