Contemplation and the Cross: A Thomistic Analysis of the Spiritual Life

This course examines the nature of the Catholic spiritual life, based on a causal analysis of the spiritual life making use of the theology of Thomas Aquinas and other major theological figures. What is the spiritual life of grace essentially? What are its origins and what is its purpose? What are its effects? How or in what ‘material way’ is it lived? This course looks above all at the revelation of the Trinity in the mystery of the crucifixion as the essence or “formal cause” of the spiritual life, involving in turn our conformity to Christ, in his divinity and his humanity, as it is revealed in his Paschal mystery.