This classic work is a short treatise on peace of heart in a world where restlessness and anxiety too often take the place of the confidence and peace which ought to be ours.
Jacques Philippe was born into a Christian family on March 12, 1947 in Lorraine, France. After studying mathematics in college, he spent several years teaching and doing scientific research. In 1976, he met the then recently-founded Community of the Beatitudes and answered the Lord’s call to follow Him through this vocation (see below for more information on the Community of the Beatitudes). He then spent several years in Jerusalem and Nazareth immersing himself in the study of Hebrew and the Jewish roots of Christianity. In 1981, he traveled to Rome to study theology and canon law and also began his work as a spiritual director, working in the formation of priests and seminarians of the Community. In 1994, he returned to France, where he assumed various responsibilities including spiritual direction, the development of training in the Community, and participation in its General Council. He has also preached retreats regularly in France and abroad and has consolidated his principal retreat themes into five books on spirituality. In recent years, he has devoted himself primarily to spiritual direction, preaching retreats, and working for the development of the Community in Asia and Oceania, where he travels frequently.
FINAL REVIEW: Some books really are life changing. Searching for and Maintaining Peace is one of them. There really aren’t enough accolades I can give this book. If you happen to already be a calm peaceful person who takes whatever happens to you in stride, you may never need this book. As for me, I am still working toward that with the help of God’s Grace and this book. I have found it to be invaluable in that endeavor and have recommended it to many and given it away as a gift more than any other book except Holy Scripture and the Catechism.
Rather than repeat what is below in my earlier post, let me just highlight what I think helped me more than any other part of this book. In Part Two: How to React to That Which Causes Us to Lose Peace, there are 16 Chapters dealing with various situations which frequently lead to stress, confusion, and often, alienation from God (just when we need Him most). There is a gold-mine of help in this entire section, but for me I needed to learn to deal with my frustration with myself (pride) so I benefited from Fr. Philippe’s suggestions here:
1.) God acts in the peace of one’s soul. It is not by our own efforts that we succeed in liberating ourselves from sin; it is only the grace of God which attains this end. Rather than troubling ourselves, it is more efficacious to regain our peace (with His help) and let God act.
2.) Abandoning oneself with confidence to His mercy and pardon, is most pleasing to Him. Thank Him for not allowing you to sin even more grievously.
3.) The sadness and discouragement we feel regarding our failures/faults are rarely pure; they are not very often the simple pain of having offended God, but are in good part mixed with the pride of personal failure.
4.) ‘The sign of spiritual progress is not so much never falling as it is being able to lift oneself up quickly after one falls.�
There is also an excellent section on decision-making which I tried to cut and paste and then to summarize, but you just have to read it in full. I refer back to it and it has helped me immeasurably. At the end, Fr. Philippe includes selections from six saints, two of which were wholly new to me: Juan de Bonilla, Francis de Sales, Teresa of Avila, Marie of the Incarnation, François-Marie-Jacob Libermann, and Padre Pio, as well as plentiful quotes of favorites throughout the text.
A delight to read and own.
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January 20, 2018: It has been exactly 10 years since I wrote my first review of this book. Too weird! Although I have read this book many times, I have not updated this with any additional thoughts, although my copy of the book is heavily highlighted.
This is a mini-masterpiece and its magnificent author, Fr. Jacques Philippe, looks just like his picture in the author profile. It would be impossible to overestimate how much his numerous books have shaped me over the years, even more so since I met him in 2014 (I think).
I started it two days ago this time and am almost finished. I have read it innumerable times and given away many copies. Wonderful book. In my top 10 of favorite books.
January 20, 2008: Apart from Me, you can do nothing, Jesus said (John 15:5).
The best gifts come in small packages; the same thing can often be said about books. Searching for and Maintaining Peace is a powerhouse of a tiny book which packs incredible wisdom into its slim size and mere 110 pages. And yet I have a feeling that if I were to read this classic once @ month for the rest of my life and attempt to live its principals, I probably would not succeed; even so, I shall try.
I'm not sure if I've ever heard Peace described so eloquently or understood its importance as a virtue so well. Clearly, 'all reasons that cause us to lose our sense of peace are bad reasons.' (p13) And yet Peace is not possible without the precursor, Goodwill, as Our Lord said, 'In all things and above all else have goodwill; only this disposition will give your soul the light and special merit of all virtues. Whoever has goodwill, the sincere desire to obtain My glory, to be thankful to Me, to share in My suffering, to love Me and serve Me, as well as all creatures, such a person will undoubtedly receive compensations that are worthy of My generosity and his desire will sometimes be more profitable to him than other people's good works are to them'. (p19)
SfaMP, a Small Treatise on Peace of the Heart, is a quiet meditation which is divided into three parts. The first third of the book is called: Interior Peace and describes the importance of this virtue as well as why and how we usually lose our inner peace. The middle and largest part of the book covers all those instances and circumstances which cause us to forsake peace, as well as how we can overcome these difficulties. The book concludes with what the saints tell us about peace.
All in all this book is a mini-masterpiece! I'm going to buy a number of copies of it to give as gifts. The best new book I've read so far this year...after Jesus of Nazareth. God bless you Mary Alice for this suggestion!
It is really interesting to see how God works. I have been a Catholic actively trying to live my faith for more than two decades. This book has helped me more profoundly than any book I've read in the last ten years.
What is a mystery to me is why the message of this book has not sunk into me sooner than it did. It is not as though it is presenting something that is new or alien to the Gospel. But it must have taken all this time for me to get to a point where I could hear and receive it.
The title accurately describes the contents. Fr. Philippe has written a treatise on both the importance of peace of heart and how to maintain it.
I have a strong tendency towards navel-gazing and scrupulosity. I have spent a lot of time over the years feeling bad about my sins and failings, or worrying about what future sins and failings I may stumble into. I trust Jesus very much, but I don't trust myself. I know that way too often that I fail to carry through with my good intentions and firm resolutions. And that awareness has meant that I can never really relax with God. For if I am not vigilant, then I might fall into sin and ultimately fall away from Jesus.
What this book has helped me to see is that the anxiety I would feel about my own weakness is not what God wants. What I had viewed as devotion and careful attention to righteousness has been largely a prideful dependence upon my own goodness.
We need to trust God completely, even when we sin. We need to just ask for forgiveness, and then move on. God knows and loves us. Really. REALLY. We need to abandon ourselves into His loving care.
It is funny in a sense: People who accuse Catholics of practicing "works righteousness" should read this book. Fr. Philippe makes it incredibly clear how we can do NOTHING without God, and only as a result of His grace. We have to be so abandoned to God that we don't even worry about how good or bad we are. We simply keep turning to God, trusting Him, loving him, and looking to Him "both to will and to work" in us. The grace of faith, the ability to ask for God's forgiveness is a pure gift. Nothing we do makes God give it to us---He just does.
I am doing a horrible job is summarizing this book. But I want to stress the change this book has already made in my life. Although far from having perfect peace all of the time, I am much happier, much more peaceful than I used to be. I wish I had come across this work 20 years ago.
Ok yeah this books was really good 🤣 I think its one of those books that details truths that, while they may seem obvious on the surface, when we really comprehend what they entail they create a whole other universe of possibilities.
I was diagnosed with OCD when I was really young and have battled with anxiety my whole life. Yet reading this book gave me a tremendous amount of comfort that a lot of secular methods really can’t do. Ultimately these battles will serve a greater good and it will take time to see that.
I also think the advice on patience was tremendously profound. I often get frustrated with my shortcomings or if I don’t fully understand something or focusing on what I could have done better, etc, and at the end of the day focusing on such things will get me nowhere. I should obviously strive for improvement but not let it upset me or cause me worry when that improvement doesn’t happen right away. God will work the way He sees fit, and I simply need to have trust in Him to know I’m doing my part.
It’s a daily struggle to “Maintain Peace� but this little Treatise can truly help. Will definitely be referring to this treasure again and again. 😊
Fantastic book - just what I needed at my current stage in life. He gives very practical advice on how to be at peace and also includes great quotes from some saints like Padre Pio and Francis de Sales at the end. I honestly think every Catholic should read this book.
At the beginning of "Lockdown" the National Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham in Norfolk,England, produced a programme of spiritual reading by this author which drew my attention to his work.I made sure I was there at 4 o'clock every week day to listen.Since then,I have attended several of his online retreats,one of which was centered around the teachings in this little book which only takes three hours to listen to,but-like all Jacques Philippe's work-needs,ideally, to be pondered on over time.Juan de Bonilla,Teresa of Avila,Padre Pio,Marie of the Incarnation, Francois-Marie Jacob Libermann and Francis de Sales are also included with their own advice on the all-important subject of "Searching for and Maintaining Peace."
Some books are truly life-changing! This is one of them. If you are trying to look for real peace, then this book is definitely for you! It shows us how to find peace when we are hurt, suffering, anxious, unhappy, unpleased, or annoyed by others. shows us what true peace is and how we can maintain it in the midst of difficulties! I learned a lot from this book and am so grateful that I have read it! You will be satisfied with this book!
Hermosa obra espiritual católica, es conmovedor y ofrece una perspectiva cristiana para liberarte de aquello que te esclaviza. Una obra corta (112 páginas) y fácil de entender. Te pone en el buen camino hacia Cristo. Podrás llevar tu cruz más cómodamente si sigues los consejos que aquà se dan. Se explican patrones de comportamiento de personas espiritualmente avanzadas. Lo mejor de todo es que no tienes que ser un mÃstico para ponerlas en práctica. Notarás una menor inquietud en tu vida. Podrás discernir mejor y dar un sentido más profundo al sufrimiento. Puedes aplicar estos conocimientos en tu vida diaria.
Entre los temas que se abordan están los siguientes: el abandono, confianza en Dios, combate espiritual, sacrificio, sufrimiento, depresión, remordimientos, moderación del deseo, purificación del alma, superación, interacción con el pecado, creación de paz, superación de crisis, la fe, la esperanza, el sosiego, la impulsividad, el amor paciente y dulce, comunicación, apertura de corazón, etc.
Es un mensaje positivo y optimista desde la fe católica. Marca el camino hacia el verdadero amor, la verdadera felicidad. Una lectura sumamente provechosa y recomendable. Te deja la sensación de querer volver a leerlo.
I want to buy this book for everyone I know. Beautifully profound yet simple. Love love!
Just re-read yet again. So much beauty here I highlighted practically the entire book. Interior peace has much to do with humility, trust in God, and abandonment. We should strive to have a confidence in God that, despite what difficulties come, knows God can and will bring good out of our trials. 💙
Just did another re-read: simply one of my favorite spiritual reads!
Searching for and Maintaining Peace is a subtle pastoral treatise on peace in the spiritual life, containing sensible advice and insights on how one can learn to cultivate a more tranquil approach to their faith. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who has a melancholic temperament or suffers from scrupulosity and perfectionism as it can point out some common temptations and traps that the devil attempts to ensnare souls in.
I appreciated the emphasis on contemplative prayer and the excerpts from various Saints, reminding us the importance of detachment and humility ("Perfectionism doesn't have much to do with sanctity"), patience in spiritual growth ("Why be more demanding and impatient than God?"), and the desire to please the Lord in our abandonment to Divine Providence ("A desire that causes us to lose peace, even if the thing desired is excellent in itself, is not of God").
This book also has made me increasingly interested in French-Catholic spirituality as it incorporated several quotes and teachings from St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Francis de Sales, two of my favorite Saints to read.
I started reading this on my 21st birthday, almost a year and a half ago. It’s only 109 pages, but sometimes it took some EFFORT to get through it. At the end of the day, I’m really happy I read it and I plan on rereading it!! Sometimes the jargon was a little complex for me, so I would read the page over and over, that us part of the reason I need to reread it. Overall it was really good, everything I picked it up, there was something I found insightful. This review is poorly written because I am tired, but k needed to review this 100 page book that took me like 500 days to read
A clear and earnest spiritual guidance book with beginner answers to ordering your mind towards God’s will for all the situations that cause us to falter and attempt to become self sufficient. Really enjoyed this, easily the most impactful spiritual reading I’ve done!
I would call this a must-read for all Christians. Truly essential information for anyone endeavoring to know God, especially if you struggle with anxiety, overthinking, worry, etc. You need this in your life. Periodt. Thank you, Fr. Jacques “Fire� Phillipe.
I definitely wanted to soak a whole lot more out of this book than I was able, so I don't really have much to say here except that, even as a lover of audiobooks, I think this book is definitely not meant to be consumed in that medium. I tried two different narrators and the one I ended up with was actually extremely bad, but I still think this book has a lot to offer and I want to revisit it in print. I think this is much more the type of book that should be read slowly, in adoration, digesting and praying with it, rather than in a marathon listen on a one way drive to dallas.
When I first started reading, my friends and I talked about how we don’t know peace. Life is stressful and frantic and void of peace. After reading and implementing many of the practices that Fr. Jacques describes, I know peace. I know how it feels in daily life and where I can find peace in each moment. I know when something threatens to disturb my peace and can identify potential threats. I can even pinpoint certain situations and relationships that cause me to lose my peace on a more consistent basis and have taken steps to not let that happen. I’m still learning, but the beauty of this book is that when I fail, all I need to do is return to peace. It’s crazy how such a small book can be so transformative!!
About as much wisdom as one could hope to put in so small a space. The final section is a collection of excerpts from several spiritual writers, and while it felt a bit tacked-on, a quote from Francis de Sales was the gem of the book:
"The word that I spoke to you so often was that you should not be too particular in the exercise of virtues, rather that you should pursue them briskly, openly, naively, in an old-fashioned way, with liberty, sincerity and grosso modo. It is because I fear the spirit of constraint and melancholy. It is my wish that you should have a large and open heart on the way to our Lord."
There are certain books that, when I find they are full of profound wisdom, I drag out a bit. This short treatise is a quick and logical read, but I didn’t want it to be over. I reread passages rather than trying to get through them quickly, and I eventually had to come to the conclusion that this is a book I will return to time and time again.
“Searching for and Maintaining Peace� is a balm to the worried and anxious souls of the world, among whom I number myself. It clearly lays out steps and practices for finding peace of the heart through Christ Jesus, all while leaving grace for our continual sin and room for God’s love to do the real work. I will strive hard yet imperfectly to live out the lessons shared here. I believe this read may be life-changing for me, and it might be for you too.
“Let us then be convinced of this and it will be for us a source of immense strength: God may allow me to occasionally lack money, health, abilities and virtues, but He will never leave me in want of Himself, of His assistance and His mercy or of anything that would allow me to grow unceasingly ever closer to Him, to love Him more intensely, to better love my neighbor and to achieve holiness.�