Grace Thompson
Spiritual reading is a practice that has been recommended by the Catholic Church and various saints as a way to grow in one's spiritual life and deepen one's relationship with God. It involves reading and reflecting on sacred texts, the lives of saints, and theological works. St. Alphonsus Liguori, a Doctor of the Catholic Church on Moral Theology, advised that one should approach spiritual reading with the right attitude and intention, seeking to advance in divine love rather than acquiring knowledge. The practice is intended to be done slowly and with attention, nourishing the soul with divine teachings. Spiritual reading is seen as a form of spiritual feeding, providing a foundation for meditation and helping individuals to align their judgments, outlook, and conduct with their faith. It is recommended that individuals incorporate spiritual reading into their daily routines and seek spiritual direction to enhance their understanding and growth.
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What You'll Learn
- Spiritual reading is a tool for spiritual growth and transformation
- Recommended spiritual books for Catholics include 'Confessions of St Augustine' and 'The Cloud of Unknowing'
- Saints such as St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Ignatius of Loyola were inspired to convert to Catholicism through spiritual reading
- St. Alphonsus Liguori recommends asking God for help before reading and reading slowly and attentively
- Spiritual reading is an instruction in prayer and virtue, and a way to connect with God
Spiritual reading is a tool for spiritual growth and transformation
Spiritual reading is a way to connect with God and deepen one's understanding of Catholic teachings. St. Jerome and St. Ambrose of Milan both likened spiritual reading to prayer, with the former saying, "We address Him when we pray; we hear Him when we read." Similarly, St. Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church on Moral Theology, interpreted St. Paul's advice to his disciple Timothy as an instruction to devote time to reading holy books, not just passingly, but regularly and for a significant period.
The benefits of spiritual reading are numerous. It can help one develop a strong and clear understanding of the Catholic faith, counterbalancing the evil tendencies of human nature with supernatural tendencies in the soul. It can also lead to holiness and virtue, providing a foundation for meditation and helping to keep one's judgments, outlook on life, and conduct rooted in faith rather than worldliness. Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen emphasized the importance of spiritual reading in defending the principles and teachings of the Catholic Faith, especially in today's world where the Church is often misunderstood and attacked.
Additionally, spiritual reading can be a source of guidance and inspiration. St. Bernard of Clairvaux and St. Josemaría Escrivá both likened spiritual reading to a weapon, saying that "spiritual reading and prayer are the arms by which hell is conquered and paradise won." St. Athanasius observed that those devoted to serving the Lord practiced spiritual reading, and St. Benedict commanded that each monk should engage in spiritual reading daily.
To engage in spiritual reading effectively, one should approach it with the right attitude and intention. St. Alphonsus recommended asking God for help beforehand, recognizing that it is God who speaks to us through reading. He also cautioned against reading with false intentions, such as acquiring knowledge or indulging curiosity, as this can be unprofitable for the soul. Instead, the exclusive purpose should be to advance in divine love. Reading slowly and attentively is also important, as St. Augustine advised, "Nourish your soul with divine lectures."
Some recommended books for spiritual reading include "Confessions of St. Augustine," "The Cloud of Unknowing," "Be Holy: A Catholic Guide to the Spiritual Life," and "Who's Who in Heaven." These books can often be found at online retailers or local religious bookstores.
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Recommended spiritual books for Catholics include 'Confessions of St Augustine' and 'The Cloud of Unknowing'
Spiritual reading is a practice that has been seen to benefit many souls throughout Christian spirituality. St. Alphonsus Liguori, a Doctor of the Catholic Church on Moral Theology, explains that spiritual reading is about regularly and deeply engaging with holy books. St. Bernard of Clairvaux adds that "spiritual reading and prayer are the arms by which hell is conquered and paradise won".
Recommended spiritual books for Catholics include *Confessions* of St Augustine and *The Cloud of Unknowing*. *Confessions* of St Augustine is a classic autobiography of a sinner turned saint. In it, Augustine of Hippo, one of the greatest Fathers of the Church, recounts his conversion to Catholicism and his journey towards God. He writes about his youth, his lustful pleasures, and his eventual discovery of the truth of the Catholic doctrine.
The Cloud of Unknowing is an anonymous work of Christian mysticism written in Middle English in the 14th century. The text is a spiritual guide on contemplative prayer, suggesting that the way to know God is to surrender one's ego and embrace "unknowing". This form of contemplation involves spiritual union with God through the heart, rather than the intellect.
These books can be a source of guidance and inspiration for Catholics, providing insights into the mystical traditions of Christianity and the personal journeys of saints. They are a reminder of the power of pious books to arouse heavenly voices within our souls and lead us towards divine love.
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Saints such as St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Ignatius of Loyola were inspired to convert to Catholicism through spiritual reading
Spiritual reading in Catholicism is devoted to reading the lives of saints, writings of Doctors and the Fathers of the Church, theological works written by holy people, and doctrinal writings of Church authorities. St. Alphonsus Liguori, a Doctor of the Catholic Church on Moral theology, interprets St. Paul's advice to his disciple Timothy, "Attend to reading" (1 Tim 4:13), as meaning that Timothy should "apply to the reading of holy books, not in a passing way and for a short time, but regularly and for a considerable time".
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St. Alphonsus Liguori recommends asking God for help before reading and reading slowly and attentively
St. Alphonsus Liguori, an 18th-century bishop and Doctor of the Catholic Church on Moral Theology, recommends asking God for help before spiritual reading. This is because, through reading, it is God who speaks to us. He suggests praying: "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. Speak, O my Lord, for I wish to obey you in all that you will make known to me to be your will."
St. Alphonsus also recommends reading slowly and attentively. The exclusive purpose of spiritual reading, he says, is to advance in divine love, not to acquire learning or indulge curiosity. To do spiritual reading with false intentions is "a study unprofitable to the soul," and "lost time."
St. Augustine agrees, saying: "Nourish your soul with divine lectures." To be nourished, one must chew and ponder well and apply the teachings to oneself.
St. Alphonsus Liguori's treatise, "Alphonsus Liguori’s Uniformity with God’s Will," illustrates how God wills our good and is working out all things for our sanctification and His glory. Conforming our will to God's will is an act of love, and the more one unites their will with the divine will, the greater their love of God will be.
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Spiritual reading is an instruction in prayer and virtue, and a way to connect with God
Spiritual reading is a practice that has been recommended by many saints and religious figures throughout the history of Christian spirituality. It is a way to connect with God and to grow in one's spiritual life. The practice involves reading spiritual works, such as the lives of saints, writings of Doctors and Fathers of the Church, theological works by holy people, and doctrinal writings of Church authorities.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux sums up the purpose of spiritual reading when he says that "spiritual reading and prayer are the arms by which hell is conquered and paradise won." Spiritual reading is seen as an instruction in prayer and virtue, as St. Bernard explains: "We address God when we pray; we hear him when we read." This idea is echoed by St. Jerome and St. Ambrose of Milan, who both assert that when we pray, we speak to God, and when we read, God speaks to us.
St. Alphonsus Liguori, a Doctor of the Church on Moral Theology, interprets St. Paul's advice to his disciple Timothy, "Attend to reading," to mean that Timothy, despite his many responsibilities as a bishop, should devote himself to the reading of holy books, "not in a passing way and for a short time, but regularly and for a considerable time." St. Alphonsus recommends some principles for spiritual reading, including asking God for help beforehand, as it is through reading that God speaks to us. He also emphasizes that the exclusive purpose of spiritual reading should be to advance in divine love, not to acquire knowledge or indulge curiosity.
Spiritual reading is a tool for spiritual growth and formation, helping to develop a strong Catholic faith. It provides a foundation for meditation and helps to counterbalance the evil tendencies of nature by awakening and sustaining supernatural tendencies in the soul. It is a way to invite God into our daily lives and to connect with Him in humble conversation. By reading about God, what He has done, and what He is doing, we have something to talk about when we pray, and we can develop a deeper understanding of our Catholic faith and teachings.
Spiritual reading can also serve as a guide for virtuous living and protection from the illusions of the devil and our own self-love, as St. Athanasius notes that those devoted to the service of the Lord practice spiritual reading. It is a means to connect with God, grow in our relationship with Him, and align our conduct with the motives of faith rather than worldliness.
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Frequently asked questions
Spiritual reading is devoted to the reading of the lives of saints, writings of Doctors and the Fathers of the Church, theological works written by holy people, and doctrinal writings of Church authorities. It is different from lectio divina, which focuses on the Bible.
Spiritual reading is important for spiritual growth. It helps to develop a strong Catholic faith and provides guidance on how to serve God and bring others to Him.
You can read books on spiritual theology, spiritual advancement, and spiritual progress. Some recommended books include "Confessions of St. Augustine", "The Cloud of Unknowing", and "Treasure in Clay". You can also read writings of the Church Fathers such as Augustine, Chrysostom, and Gregory the Great.
