Discover the Three Ways Catholic Spiritual Journey

    The Three Ways Catholic Spiritual Journey offers an understanding of the Way to live as God intends for every soul He created, by presenting Sacred Scripture, Catholic Teachings and Traditions, and the work of the most spiritually inspiring saints such as Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross in a simple, yet inspiring way.

In addition, the sessions include relatable examples of individuals struggling through the various stages of everyday life today, while maturing spiritually.

Do you see yourself in the crowd?

The Spiritual Journey

Explore the transformative experiences through The Three Ways and learn about its stages.

Purgation

Illumination

Union With God

     The Purgative Stage begins the soul’s awareness that there is more to life than earthly desires and possessions. It is the acceptance of initial conversion in which the soul’s greatest desire is to turn to God and recognize and repent from previous distractions and sin. Self-knowledge and willingness are the keys to Purgation, and the soul, with God’s help, drives its life changes. Purgation is a very lengthy period, sometimes an entire lifetime, so for the sake of this program, it has been divided into “beginner” and “advanced” categories.

     The Unitive Stage is a very rare stage initiated and controlled by God, who transforms the soul into the Image of Jesus Christ. Souls chosen from such a gift do nothing to receive this; it is a gift entirely from God and cannot be asked for, as it is His to bestow upon whomever, whenever He so desires.

     The Illuminative Stage is an “intermediate” stage of spirituality in which the soul is converted to the Gospel Truths of Jesus Christ, and its life begins to reflect an image, though not clear, of Jesus. In Illumination, God does more of the work for the committed soul, and the soul learns to rest in Him and accept additional gifts, such as greater fortitude, knowledge, inspiration, etc. Here, the soul and the Lord work together for His purpose.

About Julie McPhillips

     After completing a Master’s degree in Theology in 2023, which focused on The Three Ways of Catholic Spirituality, Julie McPhillips understood that the Catholic faithful are virtually unaware of the Church’s teaching on the existing spiritual journey. She longed to share this "hidden" gem to help searching souls along their journeys, especially those struggling with their Catholic Faith.

Thereafter, in reviewing her own spirituality, Julie realized that more than four decades earlier, at the age of twenty-eight, she had turned her will over to God. Though unaware of The Three Ways at the time, it was in those early years that she began to recognize God’s desires for her life.  His assistance became evident to her as a wife and mother but most significantly, in growing through many negative childhood experiences that marred her early development.

From those early years, God continuously strengthened Julie's spiritual life throughout all of life’s ordinary challenges. Then, some twenty years after her devotion to God's Will began, the passing of her only son was added to those challenges, yet her faith prevailed.

Through God’s grace, in 2009, Julie became a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites.  She continues to live the Carmelite Rule of St. Albert in her Carmel community, where she enjoys walking in communion with her Carmelite brothers and sisters through daily prayer and monthly gatherings.