The Lord said to us, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Moreover, the apostle Paul made some equally radical exhortations: “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” And another: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

How are we to embrace these radical statements in our daily lives? Saint Paul of the Cross (1694-1775) gives us an example and provides tools to live this life- a life of prayer. He wrote approximately 20,000 letters, and over 2,000 of them have been preserved. His letters are filled with spiritual direction specifically embracing the life of the Cross. The Lord says in His Word that those who lose their lives for His sake will find life eternal. It is in living the crucified life that we thrive in the power of the resurrected life.

Reading the Letters of St. Paul of the Cross has been a key component in learning to thrive in the Spirit-filled life of Christ. This book has arisen from a place of daily reading and meditating on the letters of St. Paul of the Cross for many years. My prayer is that from this book, you will receive a new lens by which to view all of life. Every trial and every bit of suffering in this life can be turned into deep union and intimacy with Christ. Truly, His Word is true when it says that everything works together for our good! How do we access this truth? We must embrace our suffering with a daily habit of meditation on the Passion of Christ. This practice is life-transforming and completely necessary.

Features of the book include:

• Foreword by Dr. Anthony Lilles, professor at St. Patrick’s Seminary
• Brief Bio of Saint Paul of the Cross
• Fifty Devotions based on quotes by Saint Paul of the Cross—perfect for a Lenten daily retreat—as they are based upon the Cross of Christ