A Topic of Moral Theology
The Three Degrees of the Spiritual Life
Beginners, the proficient and the perfect, according to the degrees of charity: the purgative, illuminative and unitive ways, and how they shade into one another.
Also asked about as…
beginners proficients and the perfect · purgative illuminative unitive ways · three ways (ed.)
In the index as Christian perfection · Perfection
In the manuals
Read the manuals side by side → — each work's whole treatment in its own column
Synopsis of Moral and Pastoral Theology
Vol. I, Matrimony, and Holy Orders, On Penance (Volume I), Moral Part — Chapter II: On the Confessor, n. 551 — 551. (b) Let the confessor keep before his eyes that there are three degrees or states of perfection, according to the diverse degrees of charity, namely the state of beginners, of those progressing, and of the perfect; … Read in context →
Pastoral Questions
Ch. III, Question II: Concerning the Perfect and Contemplatives, nn. ¶2700, ¶2701, ¶2702 & ¶2703 (4 passages — hover a number to read it)