Spiritual reading

So many lives have been altered after reading a book. The discovery that there is something greater than you out there lies in the most memorable pages. A book can be the beginning of an incredible journey or can support you along the way.

You may have never read a spiritual book or you might have only dipped your toe into this genre every once in a while. Like all books, there are great ones and yes, there are lousy ones.

Here, I am just going to outline some books (summarised with links below) which I think help along the way. Some books, like for example, Dietrich Von Hildebrand, Transformation in Christ, is like running 30k uphill. If you have never run before really, it’s a killer so I’m picking books here that are a good jog at 5k.

It goes without saying that the greatest book is the Bible. Nothing can compare to it. 

But if we are to start running, Jacques Philippe’s books (which there are many) are a great beginning to any spiritual life. They’re relatable and insightful, and hugely positive. Henri J.M. Nouwen is similar in that vein but more autobiographical. Cardinal Van Thuan, Testimony of Hope: The Spiritual Exercises of Pope John Paul II is a wonderful read. Imprisoned for years and some of these in solitary confinement, he gives you a beautiful insight into his relationship with Christ and a deepening in his own self-knowledge. And as the title says, it’s truly a testimony of hope. Walter Joseph Ciszek is another person who details imprisonment and his own life with two books, among others, With God in Russia and He Leadeth Me. And another great book, Fr Tom McGovern’s book, Generation of Priests. And one book that left me bowled over by this woman’s fortitude and courage is St Teresa of Avila by M. Auclair. What an amazing woman!  

Many great spiritual books are autobiographical and in many ways, they are great for that reason because their advice comes from deep personal experience, like St Therese of Lisieux, The Story of a Soul, a book that has transformed and inspired many lives or St Augustine’s Confessions (try to get an up-to-date translation otherwise it will be very hard to read). 

It’s really helpful to find a book on the story of Christ’s life like Frank Sheed’s book, To know Christ Jesus or Goodier’s classic, The Public Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Another great book is In Silence with God by Benedict Baur. 

One author I find very endearing is Eugene Boylan, mainly because he was Irish and quite a character. He has some great books: This Tremendous Lover, Partnership with Christ, Difficulties in Mental Prayer. 

There are differences in style to books obviously, some of them are instructive in helping you directly in your interior life, others are biographical and take a more story like form, and then others still are used more for personal prayer - the type that you read one line, meditate upon it and then read another, but not really a book to read speedily. A genre like these are St Josemaria’s collection of The Way, Forge and Furrow, or Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ. 

In any of these books, it is helpful not to rush them because the Holy Spirit does guide you in different ways through them. So reading one line or paragraph and leaving it distil in your mind is just as fruitful as reading a ton of spiritual books. The important thing is to have one on the go as your companion along the way. 

Summary list and others

Alban Goodier, The Public Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Benedict Baur, In Silence with God

Eugene Boylan, This Tremendous Lover

Eugene Boylan, Partnership with Christ

Eugene Boylan, Difficulties in Mental Prayer

Frank Sheed, To Know Christ Jesus 

François-Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận, Testimony of Hope: Spiritual Exercises of John Paul II

Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming

Henri J.M. Nouwen, Life of the Beloved

Jacques Philipe, Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart

Jacques Philipe, Interior Freedom

Jacques Philipe, Time for God: A Guide to Mental Prayer

Jacques Philipe, In the School of the Holy Spirit

Jacques Philipe, The Way of Trust and Love - A Retreat Guided By St. Therese of Lisieux

Jacques Philipe, Thirsting for Prayer

Peter Kreeft, Prayer for Beginners

Marcelle Auclair, Saint Teresa of Avila

Matthew Kelly, Rediscover Catholicism

St Alphonsus Ligouri, The Passion and the Death of Jesus Christ

St Augustine, Confessions

St John Paul II, Crossing the Threshold of Hope

St Josemaria Escriva, The Way 

St Josemaria Escriva, Forge

St Josemaria Escriva, Furrow

St Therese of Lisieux, The Story of a Soul

Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ. 

Thomas J. McGovern, Generations of Priests

Walter J. Ciszek, He Leadeth Me

Walter J. Ciszek, With God in Russia

And it goes without saying that this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are a ton of other books out there but hopefully, this list helps in some way to begin along this journey.