A Topic of Moral Theology
The Desire of Perfection
The will to be perfect as the beginning of perfection: what the desire is worth, and what it must not be mistaken for.
The works themselves ask 10 questions under this heading — see them together with their answers.
See also Charity — in The Theological Virtues
Also asked about as…
striving for holiness · wanting to be a saint (ed.)
In the index as EXAMPLE: we should profit by the good example and give it to others · PERFECTION, every Christian must strive to attain it · Perfection · LOVE, DIVINE · DEATH: one dies more confidently in religion · DETACHMENT from creatures · RULES: obedience to the Rule · Saints · Aspiration to perfection · Dependence on God · Heroic virtue · Jesus Christ the Redeemer and Messias · Love of God · MENTAL PRAYER, its moral necessity · Necessity of salvation · SPOUSE of Jesus Christ: a virgin consecrated to God becomes the spouse of Jesus Christ · Virtue
In the manuals
Pastoral Questions
Ch. III, Question II: Concerning the Perfect and Contemplatives, nn. ¶2764, ¶2765, ¶2766, ¶2767, ¶2768, ¶2769 & ¶2770 (7 passages — hover a number to read it)
The Catechism Explained: An Exhaustive Exposition of the Christian Religion
Pt. II, Vice and Virtue, Perfection, C. CHRISTIAN PERFECTION, I. THE ASPIRATION AFTER CHRISTIAN PERFECTION, nn. ¶1, ¶2, ¶3, ¶4, ¶5, ¶6, ¶7, ¶8, ¶9, ¶10 & ¶11 (11 passages — hover a number to read it)
The True Spouse of Jesus Christ
Chapter III: The Religious Should Belong Entirely to God, nn. ¶300, ¶301, ¶302, ¶303, ¶313, ¶321, ¶334, ¶338, ¶347, ¶348, ¶351, ¶356, ¶359, ¶365, ¶368, ¶370, ¶371, ¶374, ¶375, ¶376, ¶377, ¶378, ¶379, ¶380, ¶381, ¶382, ¶383, ¶385, ¶386, ¶387, ¶388, ¶389, ¶390, ¶391, ¶392, ¶393, ¶394 & ¶397 (38 passages — hover a number to read it)
Chapter IV: The Desire of Perfection, nn. ¶398, ¶399, ¶402, ¶403, ¶411, ¶417, ¶418, ¶421, ¶425, ¶428, ¶429, ¶430, ¶435, ¶439, ¶440, ¶441, ¶442, ¶445, ¶446, ¶451, ¶458, ¶461, ¶463, ¶465, ¶466, ¶467 & ¶470 (27 passages — hover a number to read it)
You and Yours: Practical Talks on Home Life
Scott, You and Yours, XIV: Young Men and the Higher Life, nn. ¶594–¶631 (38 passages)
Scott, You and Yours, XV: Young Women and the Higher Life, nn. ¶632–¶651 & ¶653–¶669 (37 passages)