The Mystical Evolution in the Development and Vitality of the Church is a work of profound theological and mystagogical importance in the history of the Church. This mammoth work of over 500 hundred pages (itself only the second volume) contains copious quotes from the Bible, Saints, Fathers, and Doctors of the Church, as well as classical spiritual writers. Aiming to describe the mystical theology of the Church as a whole and present to readers a guide in the mystical tradition, author Fr. John G. Arintero, O.P., does a remarkable job of doing so by making the work come alive with simplicity and understanding. Imbued with holiness, he has produced a veritable encyclopedia of what Saints and other mystic souls have told Christians from the beginning through the time of writing at the beginning of the 20th century.

Fr. John (Juan) Gonzalez Arintero was a Spanish Dominican priest who wrote in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His works were numerous and, as befits a Dominican, were written at a high academic level. As a master of mystical theology, he was renowned as a spiritual director and preacher. He died in 1928 in the odor of sanctity, and his cause for sainthood is underway.