Where you are on the path: Illuminative Way → Initial Enlightenment → Spiritual Age 15
What happens in the soul?
The soul begins to see reality with the eyes of God. It is about beginning to contemplate life in a new light, which makes possible an understanding and an existential transformation of the interior. It not only changes the way you think about God. The way of understanding one’s own existence begins to change. It is simply to begin to: see life with the light of God.
The action of the Good Lord
the Good Lord begins to illuminate the soul with greater depth. Divine grace and wisdom allow consciousness, inner movements, intentions and decisions to progressively begin to be seen in a different light. The soul not only wants to avoid sin: the desire to know what pleases God most grows within it.
How does the soul respond?
The deep desire to do the will of God grows. Daily life begins to be seen in this new light and spiritual zeal, born of sincere devotion, increases. At the same time, the love for the brothers that characterizes this entire state continues: the illumination received does not enclose the soul in itself, but also manifests itself in a deeper and more concrete charity.
The prayer
A growing joy is experienced in prayer and in the Eucharist. The prayer progresses from a verbal prayer to a mental prayer, becoming progressively more interior. The soul thus begins to encounter the Good Lord in a more collected and intimate way.
Signs that may accompany this age
• Begin to see reality with the eyes of God.
• Deep desire to do the soul’s will.
• Greater inner understanding of one’s own life.
• Growth of spiritual zeal.
• Growing joy in prayer.
• Special joy in the Eucharist.
• Progressive step towards mental prayer.
• Deeper charity towards brothers.
A phrase to remember
“See life with the light of God.”
Where does it lead
The illumination received must still become clearer, more stable and more profound. The soul is being prepared to live habitually under an inner light that will allow it to understand more deeply its own movements, the events of its life and the will of the Good Lord. This is how it begins: FULL ILLUMINATION. Age 16 — Spiritual vigilance →