The Loving Struggle\Lucha Espiritual Y Amorosa

In this ground-breaking new translation of Juan de los Angeles’ treatise on the spiritual life , one of the great sixteenth-century Spanish mystics becomes accessible to the English-speaking public for the first time. Written for all, this work continues in the authentic Catholic mystical tradition taught through the centuries by Dionysius, St. Anselm, St. Bernard, St. Bonaventure as well as St. John of the Cross. Fray Juan himself promises that: ‘In this book about the divine art of loving, should you read it with the aim of attaining that love and apply yourself as a student does to the study of grammar, I assure you of its profitability and that, before long, you will find yourself a changed person,’ qualifying this encouragement with a warning that if you have loved much you will understand much, and if little, little, and if you have never truly loved, you will understand nothing at all.
By stressing that the self can never be the focus of true mysticism, the author provides a Catholic answer to the excesses of many 16th century charismatics who placed too much weight on subjective experience.
[Juan de los Angeles] is very practical, experienced, and active …the reverse of a dreamer.

• E. Allison Peers.