Ascending the Celestial Hierarchy: The Golden Staircase to Seraphic Glory
About this ebook
Have you ever wondered what it takes to reach the highest heights of heavenly glory? How does one become a saint, fully united to God, beholding His divine essence with the greatest clarity and love?
Ascending the Celestial Hierarchy: The Golden Staircase to Seraphic Glory offers a profound journey into the mysteries of the Celestial Hierarchy and the spiritual ascent every soul is called to make. Rooted in the teachings of Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, the vision of Saint Matilda of Hackeborn, and enriched by the insights of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Bonaventure and other Doctors of the Church, this book explores the connection between the Nine Choirs of Angels and the stages of our own conversion.
The Nine Choirs of Angels, from the simple Guardian Angels to the Seraphim, experience different degrees of participation in the Beatific Vision, as determined by God according to their natural gifts and mission. Human souls are invited to rise through ever-deepening stages of grace, moving from the Purgative to the Illuminative and Unitive Ways, until reaching the summit of holiness, where they share in the glory of the Seraphim—those who burn with the purest love for God.
The Path to Heaven: Christ and the Mysteries of the Rosary
At the heart of this ascent is the life of Christ Himself, Who not only redeemed humanity but also showed us the way to holiness. By meditating on the twenty mysteries of the Rosary, we align our lives to Christ’s journey—from His Incarnation, through His public ministry, to His Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension. Each mystery serves as a point on our spiritual road map, guiding us through Christ's example to the eternal glory that awaits in Heaven.
By following the path modeled on the angelic choirs and the mysteries of Christ’s life, we discover the steps necessary for attaining the fullness of the Beatific Vision—a vision in which the greatest saints participate with the most intense love and clearest understanding of God’s divine essence.
What You'll Discover in This Book:
The Nine Choirs of Angels: Explore the ancient angelology of Pseudo-Dionysius and its spiritual implications, as well as how the choirs reveal different degrees of grace and participation in the Beatific Vision.
Saint Matilda’s Vision of the Golden Staircase: Understand her mystical vision of nine steps as a guide for our own ascent to heavenly glory.
The Mystical Tradition: Delve into the teachings of saints, such as Saint Bonaventure, Saint John of the Cross, and Saint Teresa of Ávila on the spiritual stages of conversion, aligned with the angelic hierarchy.
The Power of the Rosary: Learn how to meditate deeply on the mysteries of the Rosary, using them as a practical guide for daily spiritual growth and deeper union with Christ.
A Practical Path to Holiness: This accessible, practical roadmap to becoming a saint is for everyone: those beginning their spiritual journeys, those seeking to deepen their faith, and seasoned theologians.
With the help of the angelic choirs, the model of Christ’s life, and the grace He merited for us, may you be led along the path to Seraphic Glory!
About the author
“John Paul Thomas” is the pen name this priest has chosen in honor of the Apostles Saints John and Thomas and the great evangelist Saint Paul. This name also evokes the memory of the great Pope Saint John Paul II.
John is the beloved Apostle who sought out a deeply personal and intimate relationship with his Savior. Hopefully, the writings in this book point us all to a deeply personal and intimate relationship with our God. May John be a model of this intimacy and love.
Thomas is also a beloved Apostle and close friend of Jesus but is well known for his lack of faith in Jesus’ Resurrection. Though he ultimately entered into a profound faith, crying out “my Lord and my God,” he is given to us as a model of our own weakness of faith. Thomas should inspire us to always return to faith when we realize we have doubted.
As a Pharisee, Paul severely persecuted the early Christian Church. However, after going through a powerful conversion, he went on to become the great evangelist to the Gentiles, founding many new communities of believers and writing many letters contained in Sacred Scripture. His letters are deeply personal and reveal a shepherd’s heart. Paul is a model for all as we seek to embrace our calling to spread the Gospel.
