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ONLINE BOOK GROUP
The Ladder of Perfection by Walter Hilton (1340-1396)
Tuesdays, over 11 weeks (starting 7 January), 20:00 - 21:00 BST, via Zoom
Walter Hilton is widely regarded as the first among medieval English mystics, and The Ladder has provided continuous inspiration since its appearance six centuries ago.
It is addressed to a ‘ghostly sister in Jesus Christ’ (a solitary and probably well known to the author) and was written to be of immediate practical help to her in her struggle for spiritual growth.
It’s ever-topical theme is that of the search for God through contemplation, and the gradual progress of the soul through purgation to illumination and union. Walter Hilton describes this journey with great insight, in language of considerable beauty and simplicity. Under his guidance modern readers, whose talent for prayer is lying fallow and buried, will discover how to unearth it and develop it into a source of joy and strength.
You are warmly invited to join Canon Emma online each Tuesday evening via Zoom, to reflect and discuss this extraordinary devotional work.
Together, over eleven weeks, we shall read and discuss the complete text - focussing on specific chapters each week.
We will be reading the Penguin Classic version, translated by Leo Sherley-Price. This book is out of print so we will be uploading the relevant chapters onto our website so you can read them ahead of the group meeting.
Whether you can join us for just a few or all of the gatherings, you are most welcome to read together this deeply devotional work which aims to guide us in our walk with God.
The group is free, but any donation you may wish to make to the mission and ministry of the Cathedral will be warmly received.
Please reserve your space to be sent a zoom link. It will be the same zoom link for each week.
Each week Canon Emma will begin with a brief introduction followed by discussion and then concluding with prayer.
Week One - 7 January: Book I, The Contemplative Life: Chapters 1 - 23
Week Two - 14 January: On prayer and meditation: Chapters 24 - 44
Week Three – 21 January: Searching for Jesus: Chapters 45 - 61
Week Four – 28 January: Rooting out Sin: Chapters 62 - 76
Week Five – 4 February: Looking Within: Chapters 77 - 93
Week Six - 11 February: Book II, Reflecting the Image of God: 1- 9
Week Seven - 25 February: The Reformed Soul: Chapters 10 - 20
Week Eight - 4 March: The Pilgrim Path to the City of Peace: Chapters 21 - 26
Week Nine - 11 March: The Radiant Darkness: Chapters 27 - 33
Week Ten - 18 March: Love Himself: Chapters 34 – 40
Monday 24 March - The Feast of Walter Hilton
Week Eleven - 25 March: The Special Grace of Contemplation: Chapters 41 - 46
For future suggestions of spiritual books for the group to read please email Canon Emma at [email protected]
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