The Graces of Interior Prayer

This classic of mystical theology was written by Augustin Poulain, S.J. (1836-1919). 


It contains the following chapters: 


I. Principal Definitions 

II. Of the Four Degrees of Ordinary Prayer and of the Last Two in Particular 

III. The Various Kinds of Mystical Graces 

IV. Historical Explanation of the Word Contemplation 

V. First Fundamental Character of the Mystic Union: God’s Presence Felt 

VI. Second Second Fundamental Character of the Mystic Union: The Interior Possession of God: The Manner in Which it is Felt 

VII. The Mystic Union: Its Ten Subsidiary Characters. Description of the First. 

VIII. The Fourth and Fifth Characters of the Mystic Union 

IX. The Sixth Character of the Mystic Union 

X. The Seventh and Eighth Characters of the Mystic Union 

XI. The Ninth Character of the Mystic Union 

XII. The Tenth Character of the Mystic Union 

XIII. The Eleventh Character of the Mystic Union 

XIV. Twelfth Characteristic of the Mystic Union: The Ligature 

XV. The Two Nights of the Soul, the Borderland of the Mystic State 

XVI. Further Details Regarding the Prayer of Quiet (the First Stage of the Mystic Union) 

XVII. Details Regarding the Full Union (The Second Stage of the Mystic Union) 

XVIII. Ecstasy (The Third Stage of the Mystic Union) 

XIX. The Spiritual Marriage (Fourth and Last Stage of the Mystic Union) 

XXI. On Revelations and Visions (Of Created Things) Descriptive 

XXI. Revelations and Visions (continued) Illusions to be avoided 

XXII. Revelations and Visions (continued) Course to be Followed in our Judgments With Regard to Them 

XXIII. Revelations and Visions (continued) Rules of Conduct 

XXIV. Trials 

XXV. On the Desire for the Mystic Union 

XXVI. Qualities Necessary for a Director 

XXVII. On Quietism 

XXVIII. Rarity or Frequency of the Mystic States 

XXIX. Terminology, and That of St. Teresa in Particular 1. Should infused contemplation be called a “gratuitous” grace [gratia gratis data]? 

XXX. Scientific Methods in Descriptive Mysticism 

XXXI. The Mystic Union O life, my thirsting spirit’s hidden need! 

Biographical Index