Transformation in Christ_ On the Christian Attitude - Dietrich Von Hildebrand [0]
DIETRICH VON HILDEBRAND
TRANSFORMATION
IN CHRIST
____________________
On the Christian Attitude
IGNATIUS PRESS SAN FRANCISCO
Transformation in Christ was first published in German in 1940 as Die Umgestaltung in Christus. Because Dietrich von Hildebrand was at that time proscribed from publishing by the Nazis, Benziger Verlag (Einsiedeln and Cologne) published the book using the pseudonym Peter Ott for the author. Longmans, Green and Company published the first English edition in 1948. Franciscan Herald Press reprinted it in 1974, and Sophia House printed it again in 1990. This 2001 edition is published by Ignatius Press with permission of Alice von Hildebrand.
© 1948, 1976 Dietrich von Hildebrand
© 1990 Alice von Hildebrand
All rights reserved
As this book was first published long before the liturgical changes instituted by Vatican Council II, it sometimes refers to prayers or other acts that are no longer in use in the Liturgy. However, familiarity with the pre-Vatican II Liturgy is not necessary to understand these passages: their context suffices to explain them.
References to the Psalms are based on the psalm and verse numeration found in the Vulgate.
Cover design, by Roxanne Mei Lum
Reprinted 2001 Ignatius Press, San Francisco
ISBN 978-0-89870-869-1
Library of Congress control number 2001090564
Printed in the United States of America
CONTENTS
Introduction, by Alice von Hildebrand
Author’s Introduction
1. The Readiness to Change
2. Contrition
3. Self-Knowledge
4. True Consciousness
5. True Simplicity
6. Recollection and Contemplation
7. Humility
8. Confidence in God
9. Striving for Perfection
10. True Freedom
11. Blessed Are They Who Hunger for Justice
12. Holy Patience
13. Blessed Are the Peacemakers
14. Holy Meekness
15. Holy Mercy
16. Holy Sorrow
17. Holy Sobriety
18. True Surrender of Self
Biographical Note
Notes
Introduction
by Alice von Hildebrand, Ph.D.
“WE MUST have an unconditional readiness to change in order to be transformed in Christ,” These are the very first words I heard from Dietrich von Hildebrand, the man who was later to become my husband.
His words were a revelation for me. Even though I had been raised a Catholic, I had never been concretely taught how to relate my beliefs to everyday life. There was something sadly lacking in my education: it is not enough for us to believe; we must know how to live our beliefs.
This book transformed my spiritual life
Dietrich von Hildebrand—a layman—gave me the key that was to open for me the treasures of the spiritual life. Thanks to his lecture that day, I understood that my soul should become malleable like wax in God’s hands, so that I could become what He wanted me to become (and what I was so far from being): transformed in Christ.
The impression Dietrich von Hildebrand’s words made on me was so strong that I returned home soberly inebriated. Finally I had found what I had unconsciously been seeking: a concrete way of living my faith. That day—November 27, 1942—was one of the most decisive days of my life.
Alas, I was too soon to learn that enthusiasm for a virtue does not guarantee possession of that virtue; and that a clear perception of the beauty of spiritual transformation can coexist with a deep reluctance to let oneself be re-formed by Christ.
But I also soon learned that “The Readiness to Change” was the title of the first chapter of Transformation in Christ, a book in German by Dietrich von Hildebrand. At the time, Transformation in Christ was available only in German, so I dedicated myself to learning German so I could profit from the treasures contained in this book.
Later, my husband often told me that Transformation in Christ was “the book of his heart” because it considered the theme he loved most: the glow of supernatural virtues made possible through Christian revelation. It also became the book of my heart: reading it opened up for me completely new vistas of spirituality which, until then, had remained totally closed to me.
I could now