Luis de la Puente

Venerable Luis de la Puente (11 November 1554 – 16 February 1624) was a Spanish Jesuit theologian and ascetic writer. A few years after his death, the Sacred Congregation of Rites admitted the cause of his beatification and canonization.

Puente was born in Valladolid. Having entered the Society of Jesus, he studied under Francisco Suarez, and professed philosophy at Salamanca. He was forced by bad health to retire from duties, and took up writing. Ordained priest in 1580, he became the spiritual director of Marina de Escobar, in which office he continued till his death. In 1599 he devoted himself to the care of the plague-stricken in Villagarcia. He died in Valladolid.

Besides a commentary in Latin on the Canticle of Canticles, he wrote in Spanish:

• "Life of Father Baltasar Alvarez" (Vida del P. Baltasar Alvarez. Madrid 1615; Vita P. Balthassaris Alvarez. Coloniae 1616 [1]);
• "Life of Marina de Escobar";
• "Spiritual Directory for Confession, Communion and the Sacrifice of the Mass";
• "The Christian Life" (4 vols.), and
• "Meditations on the Mysteries of Our Holy Faith", by which he is best known.
• "On the perfection of various states of life," (The following links are in Spanish)

Volume One

Volume Two: Of the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation and the Perfection practiced in them

Volume Three: On Virginity and religion and following the Counsels

Volume Three: On the States, Offices, and Ministries of Church Hierarchy