People often ask me about a recommended book or reading list for their spiritual journey. Even though it might seem like an easy thing to ask, it is actually a very hard decision for me to choose one or a couple of books for a person. It takes some discernment to listen and hear what the person might need in order to recommend a book that might fit their particular spiritual chapter at the moment. I have many favorite writers, but many of their writings might be a little bit too “dense” for the average reader… and that is why it is just hard to choose one or two books! Thus, I would like to compose a simple list for those who would like to dive a little bit deeper into their spiritual life.
It is very important to remember that all spiritual writings have to complement our appreciation, comprehension, and love for the Sacred Scriptures and Holy Tradition of the Church, else we lose sight of what is truly important for our life of faith and get sidetracked by humanistic desires.
FOUNDATIONAL:
- If you do not know where to start, utilize the Mass readings, especially using lectio divina to read (lectio), meditate (meditatio), pray (oratio), contemplate (contemplatio), and try your best to put the lesson of the readings into action (actio)
- The Church, in her maternal wisdom and care, crafted the Old Testament and Gospel readings to complement one another, and the second reading on Sunday or Solemnity to further exhort and teach us to live the faith
- Bible
- Begin with the Gospels — Mark is the shortest with 16 chapters, Luke with 24, Matthew with 28, and John with 21
- Once you are done with the Acts of the Apostles, Pauline and Apostolic Letters, and save the Book of Revelation until you have done a reading of the Old Testament
- Read the Books of Genesis and Exodus to get an introductory snippet into salvation history, save the rest of the Pentateuch when it comes time for the historical books, because they can be “dry” or too technically overwhelming for many in the beginning
- Follow those two introductory books with the Psalms and writings from the wisdom and poetry section; then you can begin the historical books and the prophets
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, or YouCat and DoCat for younger audiences
- Once you have done a reading of the intended order of the CCC, go back and read it “reversed,” letting the last part on Christian prayer enlighten and deepen our life in Christ by keeping the commandments, understand the sacred mystery through the liturgy and sacraments, and how we can profess our faith more personally and intentionally
CLASSICS:
- Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales
- Imitation of Christ and Imitation of Mary by Thomas a Kempis
- The Confessions by St. Augustine of Hippo
- The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux
- Glories of Mary and Visits to the Blessed Sacrament and the Blessed Virgin Mary by St. Alphonsus de Liguori
CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS:
- Fr. Henri Nouwen with The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, The Wounded Healer, and Adam: God’s Beloved
- Pope Benedict XVI with Jesus of Nazareth (three-part) series, A School of Prayer, Introduction to Christianity, God is Near Us, and his encyclicals on the three theological virtues (Deus caritas est, Spe salvi, and Caritas in veritate)
- Archbishop Fulton Sheen with The Life of Christ, Your Life is Worth Living, The Seven Last Words, and The Priest is Not His Own
- Fr. Walter Ciszek, SJ, with He Leadeth Me and With God in Russia
- Come Be My Light by Mother Teresa
- Cardinal Robert Sarah with The Power of Silence and God or Nothing
- Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV, with The Discernment of Spirits, The Discernment of Spirits in Marriage, Discerning the Will of God, The Examen Prayer, and Overcoming Spiritual Discouragement
- The Holy Longing by Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI
- Falling Upward by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM
There are MANY more books I can recommend to you, but I hope these will give you a little bit of introductory materials for your own spiritual journey. Let us pray for another that we embrace, grow, and become more faithful on our journey as God’s beloved. Just remember to be patient, trust, and keep our focus on Him because life is a long, challenging, and unique adventure of love!
— Books
— Spiritual Reading Recommendations
— Why I am a Military Chaplain
— I Thirst (John 19:28) Spiritual Reflections
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viet nam | united states of america | kansas | texas | congregation of the most holy redeemer | diocese of fort worth | archdiocese for the military services | united states air and space forces | english – español – tiếng việt | may 22 – june 29 | holy trinity seminary | st. mary’s seminary | ba – gcsf – ma – mdiv – stb | university of dallas – creighton university – university of st. thomas – st. mary’s seminary and university