PUENTE, LUIS de la, Venerable. – Jesuit, ascetical and mystical writer, b. at Valladolid on 11 Nov. 1554, d. there on 16 Feb. 1624.
Having entered the Society in 1574, he taught philosophy at León and theology at Salamanca and Valladolid; but, soon relieved of teaching duties on account of frail health, he devoted himself entirely to spiritual direction and to the composition of his works, which earned him universal esteem that has not yet faded.
He wrote: *Meditaciones de los Misterios de nuestra Santa Fe* (2 vols., Valladolid 1605), in which, beginning with man’s end and the last things and proceeding through the life of Jesus Christ up to the Ascension, he concludes with contemplations on the divine attributes. A most complete series of meditations, remarkable for theological depth, clarity of exposition, and especially for the moving concluding prayers of each point, it spread through numerous editions and translations, even recent ones, and was used by many saints, to which one constantly returns as to a pure source. This was followed by: *Guia espiritual* (ibid. 1609), which teaches the way to meditate and to attain contemplation and even extraordinary divine visitations; *De la perfección del cristiano en todos sus estados* (vols. I–II, ibid. 1612–13; vol. III, Pamplona 1616); *Directorio espiritual para la Confesión, Comunión y Sacrificio de la Misa* (Siviglia 1625). More closely bound to mysticism are the two biographies: *Vida del p. Baltasar Alvarez* (Madrid 1615), where, more than the life of that spiritual master, he sets forth the entire path toward holiness, accompanied by spiritual gifts; *Vida maravillosa de la ven. virgen Doña Marina de Escobar* (completed by Fr. Pinto Ramirez [V. SOMMERVOGEL, CHARLES, VI, 833], published at Madrid 1673), a soul favored with extraordinary graces; and the biblical commentary: *Expositio moralis et mystica in Canticum canticorum* (Cologne 1622). One may also cite: *Tesoro escondido en las enfermedades* (posthumous, Madrid 1672) and the spiritual diary *Memorial*, published only partially under the title: *Sentimientos y avisos espirituales del ven. p. L. de la P.* (Seville 1671, ed. Fr. Tirso Gonçalez).
The cause for his beatification was introduced in 1667, and the heroic nature of his virtues was proclaimed in 1759.