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The Life of Blessed Henry Suso by Himself

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The Life of Blessed Henry Suso by Himself The Life of Blessed Henry Suso by Himself. Author(s): Seuse, Heinrich (or Suso, Heinrich) [1295-1366] Publisher: Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library Description: Imagine bearing a cross to remind you of Christ©s sacrifice. This is a common practice in Christianity -- contemplating the pain Christ bore for our sins. But now imagine bearing a cross, literally. This is what Henry Suso did for much of his life. Suso was so adamant about feeling Christ©s pain and being reminded of his own ineptitude that he drove nails and needles into a wooden cross and strapped it to his back.This practice of self-harm for religious purposes is known as mortification, and Suso©s autobiography profiles a perfect example of this unique custom. Along with many chapters on his suffering and how he made it through, Suso writes of his family, his conversion, and how God blessed his work. This autobiography is a provoking look into Suso©s life, and the intensity of his faith and actions will spur many believers to reevaluate their lifestyle and perhaps make some changes. We don©t all have to wear a literal cross, but Suso will inspire many to think of Christ©s sacrifice in a new way. Abby Zwart CCEL Staff Writer i Contents Title Page. 1 Prefatory Material. 2 Translator’s Preface. 2 Contents. 4 Prologue. 7 The Life of Blessed Henry Suso. 9 Chapter I. Introductory. 10 Chapter II. Of the preliminary combats of a beginner. 11 Chapter III. Of a supernatural rapture which befell him. 13 Chapter IV. How he spiritually espoused the Eternal Wisdom. 14 Chapter V. How he inscribed upon his heart the gracious Name of Jesus. 17 Chapter VI. Of the foretaste of divine consolations, with which God sometimes 19 allures beginners. Chapter VII. How one, who had begun well, was drawn onward in his search after 21 divine consolation. Chapter VIII. Of certain visions. 23 Chapter IX. Of the way in which he went to table. 24 Chapter X. How he began the New Year. 26 Chapter XI. Of the words “Sursum corda” 27 Chapter XII. How he kept the feast of Candlemas. 29 Chapter XIII. How he spent the Carnival time. 30 Chapter XIV. How he began the month of May. 32 Chapter XV. Of the sorrowful way of the Cross, which he made with Christ when 33 He was being led forth to death. Chapter XVI. Of the useful virtue called silence. 36 Chapter XVII. Of the chastisement of his body. 37 Chapter XVIII. Of the sharp cross which he bore upon his back. 39 ii Chapter XIX. Of his bed. 42 Chapter XX. How he broke himself from drink. 44 Chapter XXI. How he was directed to the rational school, in which the art of true 48 detachment is taught. Chapter XXII. How painful it is to die interiorly. 50 Chapter XXIII. Of interior sufferings. 55 Chapter XXIV. How he went forth to succour and to save his neighbour 57 Chapter XXV. Concerning manifold sufferings. 59 Chapter XXVI. Of the great suffering which befell him through his sister. 62 Chapter XXVII. Of a grievous suffering which befell him through a companion. 65 Chapter XXVIII. Of a murderer. 68 Chapter XXIX. Of perils by water. 71 Chapter XXX. Of a short interval of rest which God once granted him. 72 Chapter XXXI. How he once entered into a loving account with God. 73 Chapter XXXII. How his sufferings once brought him nigh to death. 75 Chapter XXXIII. How a man should offer up his sufferings to the praise and glory 77 of God. Chapter XXXIV. Of the joys with which God recompenses in this present life 79 those who suffer for Him. Chapter XXXV. Of the Servitor’s spiritual daughter. 82 Chapter XXXVI. Of the first beginnings of a beginner. 85 Chapter XXXVII. Of the first lessons and examples which are suitable for a 87 beginner, and how he should regulate his exercises with discretion. Chapter XXXVIII. Of certain devout practices of a young beginner in his early 92 years. Chapter XXXIX. How he drew light-minded persons to God, and comforted those 95 who were in suffering. Chapter XL. Of a grievous suffering which befell him while thus occupied. 98 Chapter XLI. Of interior sufferings. 107 Chapter XLII. What sufferings are the most useful to men, and bring most glory 109 to God? Chapter XLIII. How he drew certain hearts from earthly love to the love of God. 111 Chapter XLIV. How God multiplied drink for His friends. 115 iii Chapter XLV. Of certain sufferers, who were attached to the Servitor by special 116 ties of friendship and affection. Chapter XLVI. How Christ appeared to him under the form of a Seraph, and 118 taught him how to suffer. Chapter XLVII. How steadfastly he must fight who would win the spiritual prize. 121 Chapter XLVIII. How the Servitor’s face was once seen to shine with light while 123 he was preaching. Chapter XLIX. Of the lovely Name of Jesus. 124 Chapter L. A good distinction between a true and false use of reason noticeable 125 in certain persons. Chapter LI. How to distinguish between a well-ordered reason and one which is 127 all flowers and glitter. Chapter LII. A good distinction between true and false detachment. 129 Chapter LIV. Of the high questions which the well-exercised daughter put to her 137 spiritual father. Chapter LV. An explanation where and how God is. 141 Chapter LVI. Of the very highest flight of a soul experienced in the ways of God. 146 Chapter LVII. The conclusion of the contents of this book in a few simple words. 150 Indexes 154 Latin Words and Phrases 155 Index of Pages of the Print Edition 157 iv This PDF file is from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library, www.ccel.org. The mission of the CCEL is to make classic Christian books available to the world. • This book is available in PDF, HTML, ePub, Kindle, and other formats. See http://www.ccel.org/ccel/suso/susolife.html. • Discuss this book online at http://www.ccel.org/node/3811. The CCEL makes CDs of classic Christian literature available around the world through the Web and through CDs. We have distributed thousands of such CDs free in developing countries. If you are in a developing country and would like to receive a free CD, please send a request by email to [email protected]. The Christian Classics Ethereal Library is a self supporting non-profit organization at Calvin College. If you wish to give of your time or money to support the CCEL, please visit http://www.ccel.org/give. This PDF file is copyrighted by the Christian Classics Ethereal Library. It may be freely copied for non-commercial purposes as long as it is not modified. All other rights are re- served. Written permission is required for commercial use. v Title Page. Title Page. THE LIFE OF i BLESSED HENRY SUSO BY HIMSELF Translated from the original German BY THOMAS FRANCIS KNOX, PRIEST OF THE ORATORY LONDON: BURNS, LAMBERT, AND OATES, 17 Portman Street and 63 Paternoster Row. 1865. ii LONDON: ROBSON AND SON, GREAT NORTHERN PRINTING WORKS, PANCRAS ROAD, N.W. 1 Prefatory Material. Translator’sPrefatory Material. Preface. TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE. iii THE Blessed Henry Suso was born at Ueberlingen, near Constance, on St. Benedict’s- day, A.D. 1300. He was of ancient and noble descent both on his father’s and mother’s side. Out of devotion to his mother, who was a person of eminent holiness, he called himself by her maiden name of Seuss, Latinised into Suso, instead of taking his father’s sur name, Von Berg. His baptismal name was Henry; but many years later, when he had attained to great holiness, God changed his name into Amandus, or Beloved. The Blessed Henry did not make this known to any one so long as he lived, but a record of it was discovered among his papers after his death. At the age of thirteen he entered the novitiate of the Dominican Convent at Constance, where he was admitted to the vows of religion, and after some years was sent to the convent of his Order at Cologne, to pursue his studies at that University. While there he made such great progress in learning that he was about to be promoted to the degree of doctor in theology. But he was forbidden to accept this honour by a voice from God within him saying:—Thou knowest well enough already how to give thyself to God and to draw other men to Him by thy preaching. From that time forth he began to preach with great zeal and fervour, and to devote himself to the conversion of sinners and the guidance of souls along the highest paths of mystical perfection. At length, after many years iv of unceasing labours and sufferings, he died at Ulm, on the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, A.D. 1365, and was buried in the cloister of the Dominican Convent in that city. Two hundred and forty-eight years after this, when Ulm had become Protestant, the B. Henry’s body was accidentally discovered, A.D. 1613, by some workmen who were digging the foundations for^a new building. It was quite incorrupt, and lay there clothed in the habit of the Order, and emitted a fragrant odour. The workmen went in alarm to inform the burgomaster, who bade them fill up the grave and say nothing about it; adding, that he had always heard that the dead should be allowed to rest in peace.
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