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St. Anthony Mary Claret: The Golden Key to Heaven - Stone - 06-01-2023
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RE: St. Anthony Mary Claret: The Golden Key to Heaven - Stone - 09-09-2026
The Golden Key to Heaven: An Explanation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
by St. Anthony Mary Claret
This work, in its original Spanish and in the edition from which it was translated, bears the following:
Ecclesiastical Approbation:
Nihil obstat: Juan María Gorricho, C.M.F., Censor.
Puede reimprimirse: Pedro Schweiger, C.M.F., Superior General.
Nihil obstat: Dr. Andrés de Lucas, Censor.
Imprimatur: †José María Lahiguera
Madrid, 15 March 1955
In addition, since the author is a canonized saint of the Catholic Church, all his writings, including this one, have undergone a most rigorous examination and have been deemed, by the authorities of the First See of the Church of Rome, "the Mistress and Mother of all the other Churches", to be in conformity with Catholic Truth.
St. Anthony Mary Claret's Introduction to the Reader
Having already given the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius both publicly and privately, we have been asked many times for a book explaining these exercises with the purpose of profiting further, so that individuals can meditate thoroughly and carefully on them, book in hand, and even repeat aloud what they have heard. Not only for this reason, but also when no spiritual director is available, the exercises can be performed without him. Acceding therefore to such wishes, we have determined to make available to the public meditations distributed over ten days; we should recognize that there are eight complete days and two incomplete days, those being the eve of the Communion day* and the concluding day.
The first day has merely one meditation, and the last day two; the other days have four: two in the morning and two for the afternoon and evening.**
But it must be understood that the spiritual masters divide the material of the meditations into three orders, according to the three states of those meditating.
(1) Some are sinners who want to get away from their sins, and they walk on the road called the "Purgative Way." The aim of this road is to purify from the soul all its vices, sins, and faults.
(2) Others go further and increase in virtue and walk on the road called the "Illuminative Way," whose aim is to enlighten the soul with the splendor of the many virtues and increase significantly in them.
(3) Others are already perfect, and they walk in the "Unitive Way," so called because the purpose of this state is to unite our soul with God in a union of perfect love.
St. Ignatius distributes this same matter of the three ways into four weeks: he places the material dealing with the "Purgative Way" in the first week; the "Illuminative Way" is dealt with during the second and third weeks, and the fourth week handles that of the "Unitive Way".
Following therefore, in the explanation of these holy exercises, the thought of spiritual masters and the words of St. Ignatius, we have decided for greater clarity to divide the total plan and material into five sections as follows:
Section 1, The Purgative Way — This section and the next are taken from the first week of St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises. These two sections dwell on the Purgative Way. The first section comprises more suitable meditations designed to inspire sorrow for and confession of sins, and help us keep clear of them.
Section 2 — Consists of meditations fostering the resolution not to fall into sin again and always to preserve that cleanness acquired through the meditations of the first section.
Section 3, The Illuminative Way — This section embraces meditations on the virtues which we should learn and possess from Jesus Christ, spoken of by St. Ignatius in the second week of his spiritual exercises.
Section 4 — Consists of the meditations on Our Lord, but considered in a more elevating and perfect manner, according to the spirit in which St. Ignatius drew up his holy works. In this section we consider Jesus as He suffered so much pain and practised all the virtues. These are the meditations which St. Ignatius places in the third week.
Section 5, The Unitive Way — contains meditations which St. Ignatius calls the fourth week.
This then is the plan we have proposed in explaining these holy exercises; and as we hold the words of the saint in such high esteem, we put them as headings in each meditation, as he wrote them, preserving even the style of his period, and then we follow the explanation of the text.
As for the number of meditations, we should like them to be used as designed for each day; and if this is not possible when they are performed publicly in a church, do them privately at home, for which this book will serve most effectively.
May everything be done for the greater glory of God, in praise of Most Holy Mary and for the salvation of souls.
Amen.
Madrid, January, 1859.
Antonio María, Archbishop of Cuba.
(Saint Anthony Mary Claret)
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* Note — It must be noted that Saint Anthony wrote this previous to the decrees of Pope St. Pius X, who encouraged frequent, even daily, reception of Holy Communion.
* Note — Also see the outline of the schedule of these 35 Meditations for 10 days as proposed by St. Anthony Mary Claret on page iv of this book. Also see the hourly schedule suggested on pages 354 and 355 to complete all these meditations.
RE: St. Anthony Mary Claret: The Golden Key to Heaven - Stone - 09-10-2026
Plan of the Meditations of the Exercises
| Day | Meditations |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1. Preparatory Meditation – Explanation |
| 2 | 2. On the End of Man · 3. Concerning Indifference to Created Things · 4. The Sin of the Angels and of Our First Parents · 5. The Malice of Mortal Sin |
| 3 | 6. The Pains of Hell – in Particular, the Pain of Loss · 7. The Pains of Hell – in Particular, the Pain of Sense · 8. The Parable of the Prodigal Son · 9. Fruits One Should Gain from the Preceding Meditations |
| 4 | 10. Our Duty to Separate from Occasions and Dangers of Sin · 11. Venial Sin · 12. Death · 13. The Death of the Sinner |
| 5 | 14. The Last Judgement · 15. The Glory of Heaven · 16. The Reign of Jesus Christ · 17. The Incarnation and Birth of Jesus Christ |
| 6 | 18. Jesus Christ's Hidden Life · 19. The Public Life of Jesus Christ · 20. Conclusion of the Third Section · 21. The Two Standards |
| 7 | 22. Three Classes of Men · 23. Third Degree of Humility · 24. Interior Suffering of Jesus Christ · 25. The External Sufferings of Christ |
| 8 | 26. The Insults and Pains which Jesus Suffered · 27. Jesus Proves on the Cross His Love for His Enemies · 28. Conclusion of the Fourth Section · 29. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ |
| 9 | 30. On the Love of God · 31. On the Lovableness of God in Himself · 32. Proper Devotion to the Blessed Virgin · 33. Love for Neighbor |
| 10 | 34. The Blessed Sacrament · 35. On Perseverance |
Table of Contents
How to Use This Book — Inside Front Cover
Introduction by St. Anthony Mary Claret — i
Plan of Meditations for 10 Days — iv
Time and Method of Making the Meditations — vii
Morning Prayers — ix
Preparatory Prayers before Each Meditation — x
Concluding Prayers at the End of Each Meditation — xi
**Section I — The Purgative Way**
(1) Preparatory Meditation – Explanation — 1
(2) On the End of Man — 19
(3) Concerning Indifference to Created Things — 32
(4) The Sin of the Angels and of Our First Parents, Adam and Eve — 44
(5) The Malice of Mortal Sin — 56
(6) The Pains of Hell – in Particular, Its Pain of Loss — 68
(7) The Pains of Hell, in Particular the Pain of Sense and Its Duration — 79
(8) The Parable of the Prodigal Son — 91
**Section II — The Purgative Way (continued)**
(9) Fruits One Should Gain from the Preceding Meditations — 101
(10) Our Duty to Separate from Occasions and Dangers of Sinning — 107
(11) Venial Sin — 114
(12) Death — 124
(13) The Death of the Sinner — 133
(14) The Last Judgement — 142
(15) The Glory of Heaven — 152
**Section III — The Illuminative Way**
(16) The Reign of Jesus Christ — 162
(17) The Incarnation and Birth of Jesus Christ — 173
(18) Jesus Christ's Hidden Life and His Admirable Obedience — 184
(19) The Public Life of Jesus Christ — 194
(20) Conclusion of Meditations in the Third Section and the Practice of the Virtues Contained Therein — 202
**Section IV — The Illuminative Way (continued)**
(21) The Two Standards – One of Christ Our Lord, the Sovereign Commander; the Other of Lucifer, Mortal Enemy of Our Human Nature — 207
(22) Three Classes of Men — 219
(23) Third Degree of Humility — 229
(24) Interior Suffering of Jesus Christ — 241
(25) The External Sufferings of Christ — 249
(26) The Insults and Pains which Jesus Suffered — 257
(27) Jesus Proves on the Cross His Love for His Enemies — 267
(28) Conclusion of the Fourth Section on the Illuminative Way, and the Step Preparing for the Unitive Way — 277
**Section V — The Unitive Way**
(29) The Resurrection of Jesus Christ — 283
(30) On the Love of God — 291
(31) On the Lovableness of God in Himself — 301
(32) Proper Devotion to the Blessed Virgin — 311
(33) Love for Neighbor — 322
(34) The Blessed Sacrament — 332
(35) On Perseverance — 338
**Appendices**
(1) Conclusion of the Holy Exercises — 352
(2) Prepared Daily Schedules — 354
(3) Particular Examen — 357
(4) Examination of Conscience — 358
(5) Resolutions — 359
(6) Day of Recollection — 361
(7) On General Confessions — 364
(8) Recommended Books by St. Anthony Mary Claret — 370
RE: St. Anthony Mary Claret: The Golden Key to Heaven - Stone - 09-11-2026
Morning Prayers
We begin each day in this way:
Kneeling we say — Through the sign of the Cross deliver us from our enemies, O Lord, our God.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
**Veni, Creator**
Come, O Creator Spirit blest!
And in our souls take up Thy rest;
Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid,
To fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
Great Paraclete! To Thee we cry,
O highest gift of God most high!
O font of life! O fire of love!
And sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts art known,
The finger of God's hand we own;
The promise of the Father, Thou!
Who dost the tongue with power endow.
Kindle our senses from above,
And make our hearts o'erflow with love;
With patience firm and virtue high,
The weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we dread,
And grant us Thy true peace instead;
So shall we not, with Thee for guide,
Turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow,
The Father and the Son to know,
And Thee through endless times confessed,
Of both the eternal Spirit blest.
All glory while the ages run,
Be to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death; the same to Thee,
O Holy Ghost, eternally. Amen.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray. Lord, Thou hast instructed the hearts of Thy faithful by the brilliant light of the Holy Spirit. Give us the grace, under His divine inspiration, to have a sense of the true and a taste for the good, and always to find our consolation and our joy in Him. This we ask of Thee through our Lord... in the unity of the same Holy Spirit. Amen.
Following, three Hail Marys are said to the Most Holy Virgin.
We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God, despise not our petitions in our necessities: but deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.
Then an Our Father and a Hail Mary in honor of the Holy Angels, one each in honor of Saint Ignatius and again in honor of some other saint to whom you are devoted, as patrons of the holy exercises.
Come Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.
V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray. Lord, Thou hast instructed the hearts, etc.
Say three Hail Marys in honor of the purity of Our Lady.
**Preparatory Prayers Before Each Meditation**
First Prelude, preparatory prayer —
My Lord and My God, I believe most firmly that Thou art here present.
I adore Thee, my God, with complete surrender and affection of my heart, and I humbly beseech Thee to pardon all my sins.
I offer Thee, my Lord and Father, this meditation, and I hope that Thou will grant me the graces necessary for making a good meditation. For this same purpose, I turn to Thee, Most Holy Virgin, to the angels and saints, so that Thou wilt intercede for me and obtain for me what I need in order to make this meditation fruitfully. Amen.
Second Prelude or petition prayer — consists in asking for the grace, not in general, as in the preparatory prayer, but for the special grace, according to the matter of the meditation. This prayer is found at the beginning of each meditation.
Afterwards — the reading of the designated meditation, with frequent pauses, of the meditation, looking at it as coming from God, and applying its contents to the present state of the soul, from which will be seen those points that should be amended, reformed or improved. Thus seeing oneself one makes practical resolutions, and following these, the supplication and colloquies, now to Our Lord, the Son of God, now to the Eternal Father, now to Our Lady, in order to obtain the suitable grace for doing what is intended and for everything desired.
**Concluding Prayers at End of Each Meditation**
Thanksgiving — I give Thee thanks, my God, for the good thoughts, affections and inspirations which Thou hast communicated to me in this meditation.
Offering — I offer Thee the resolutions which I have formed in the meditation, and I beseech Thee, grant me the most efficacious grace to put them into practice, and to this purpose I beg Thee, Mary, my Mother, the angels and saints, especially those to whom I am particularly devoted, that they intercede for me and obtain for me this grace. Amen.
---
**Examination After Each Meditation**
1. Before beginning the meditation, have I reflected on where it was going and for what purpose?
2. Have I begun it with the efficacious desire to perform it well, and profit from it?
3. Have I anticipated beforehand the resolutions I should have been making and the special graces for which I should have been asking?
4. Have I strengthened my faith in the presence of God, believing that I was going to speak with the same God?
5. Have I offered the meditation to Him and have I asked for the grace to perform it fruitfully?
6. Have I neglected the composition of place? (pg. 2)
7. Have I read with care the points, thinking that God was speaking to me, and have I applied what I was reading to the present state of my soul?
8. Have I drawn up practical resolutions?
9. Have I kept suitable composure of body?
10. Have I allowed myself to be overcome by drowsiness or laziness?
11. Have I given place to useless thoughts?
12. Have I become over-proud from feeling holy?
13. Have I become anxious through dryness or desolation?
14. Have I omitted colloquies or supplications?
15. Have I dwelled upon discursive thoughts or other operations of the intellect for too long a time?
16. Have I paused too little in motions of the affections?
17. Have I shortened the meditation for reasons of dryness, temptations, or other pretexts?
18. What resolutions have I drawn up?
19. Have I asked for the grace and other necessities for this purpose?
20. Have I omitted to pray for those to whom I am obligated and for the whole Church?
If we find that we have failed, we should seek forgiveness and make a firm purpose of amendment; and if we do not discover any faults, we will give thanks to God for that. Finally, let us recall whatever in the meditation moved us most, and place it in our heart to be recalled throughout the day.
Examining oneself after the meditation is most useful, in order to gain fruit from our prayer and to learn the practical way of doing it; consequently it is always wise to make this examination, not only at the time of the Exercises, but also every day of the year.