The Soul of The Apostolate - Hardcover

by J. B. Chautard (Author), Jean-Baptiste Chautard (Author)

In this age of relentless activity, it is easy for Christians, particularly those involved in good works, to fall into the pattern of the activist. But mere activity and material results are not sufficient for a successful apostolate. Dom Chautard demonstrates that the very foundation of all apostolic work must be the Interior Life. The apostle of Christ will grow to become an instrument and true channel of God's graces to the world only through prayer, meditation, and the cultivation of the Interior Life.

When one is involved in works of spiritual or corporal charity, his work can only be truly efficacious when he anchors his Interior Life in Christ. Without Christ, we can do nothing. This classic work reveals the essential truth that the active life must be an overflow of the interior life; otherwise, the "apostle" risks becoming a mere channel that lets the water flow away without retaining a drop, rather than a reservoir that fills first and then pours out its overflow.

This timeless guide warns against the "heresy of works," where feverish activity takes the place of God and human pride replaces supernatural grace. It offers practical advice for developing a life of prayer and the "custody of the heart" amid the distractions of the modern world. It remains a vital tool for anyone seeking to ensure that their outward labor for the Gospel is rooted in a deep, personal union with the Divine.