Christian Patience: The Strength and Discipline of the Soul by William Bernard Ullathorne is a beautifully written exploration of the virtue of patience in the Christian tradition. Ullathorne provides deep insights into the importance of patience in a world that is often marked by haste and impatience.
The author delves into the idea that patience is not simply a passive acceptance of circumstances, but rather an active cultivation of inner strength and perseverance. Ullathorne illustrates how patience is essential for spiritual growth and maturity, and how it can lead to a deeper connection with God.
The book is filled with wisdom and practical advice on how to cultivate patience in everyday life. Ullathorne draws on scripture, the lives of saints, and his own personal experiences to offer guidance on how to develop this crucial virtue.
Overall, Christian Patience is a thought-provoking and inspiring read that challenges readers to slow down, trust in God's timing, and embrace the power of patience in their lives. It is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their spiritual journey and find strength in the face of life's challenges.
Book Description:
William Bernard Ullathorne was a Benedictine monk and Roman Catholic priest who ministered in Australia from 1833 until 1840 and then returned to his native England, where he was ordained a bishop in 1847 and served as Bishop of Birmingham from 1850 until 1888. He is best known for his catechetical trilogy: The Endowments of Man, The Groundwork of the Christian Virtues, and Christian Patience, published in the 1880s. Christian Patience is presented in twelve lectures. Bishop Ullathorne teaches that Christian patience is both a special virtue and a universal virtue. As a special virtue, it is opposed to two opposite vices: a vice of excess, and a vice of defect. Patience is the virtuous mean between the excess vice of obstinacy and the defect vice of impatience. As a universal virtue, patience in found in all the Christian virtues, as it strengthens and perfects them. (Introduction by dave7)