Asceticism gives Christians a path to follow

The ascetic teachings of great saints and hermits from the early centuries of the Christian era are always relevant. Benedict XVI noted this during the General Audience catechesis, dedicated to explaining the person and works of St. John Climacus, monk and ascetic, who lived between the sixth and the seventh century on Mount Sinai. Climacus was the author of a famous work entitled "Stairway to Paradise." John Climacus shows a spiritual journey in three stages: detachment from material goods, asceticism against the passions, and inner peace in order to contemplate the divine mystery. This text, concluded the Holy Father, can still show the baptized a path to a deeper understanding of the mystery o ...