Books on the Spiritual Life

Christ desires to be our Friend. But how can we respond? Taking up themes from great mystical writers, Benson gives a prophetic corrective for those in the Church who mistake "Christ's gifts for Christ, religiosity for religion, and the joys possible on earth for the joys awaiting us in heaven." Benson steers the soul away from temptations to despair and from presumption upon Christ's friendship, pointing to the consoling truth: "I am in all things His debtor, but He bids me call Him Friend....

In the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries It is hoped with the second edition of the English translation of Petit's classic masterpiece that this hidden jewel of a book will become less hidden. That the people of our day might find inspiration in the amazing story and spirit of the Norbertine Order in its first centuries - the story which Fr. Petit so lovingly unpacks in these pages. And that it may contribute to keeping the Premonstratensian fire burning brightly— nine centuries after it was f...

Reflections on the Sacred Priesthood This book identifies sinful hindrances and spiritual resources for a fruitful and rewarding priestly life in the twenty-first century. These reflections are drawn from the author's traditional priestly formation and from his twenty years of experience as retreat master for clergy and laity, and as vocations promoter.

A Guided Reading of Pope Pius XI's Encyclical Casti Connubii (On Chaste Marriage) - 2nd Edition In 1930, Pius XI published a letter to the world to answer a fundamental question— "What is Marriage?" As even Christians began to accept divorce and remarriage, contraception, and abortion, the Pope eloquently and beautifully defended the ancient understanding of marriage as grounded in Scripture and natural law. This guided reading of the encyclical Casti Connubii will help you, your friends, and...

Mostly written between 1070 and 1080, before he became Archbishop of Canterbury, the prayers and meditations of Anselm of Aosta created a tradition of intimate, intensely personal devotional works written in subtle and theologically daring prose. While the "Prayer to God" is based on the Lord's Prayer, the "Prayer to Christ" is inspired by ardent private emotion and other prayers invest saints with individual attributes, with John the Baptist as the friend, Peter as the shepherd and Mary Magd...

Thomas More (1478-1535) was an English lawyer, philosopher, humanist, and author, most known for his book Utopia (1516) and for his death after refusing to acknowledge King Henry VIII as head of the Church of England. The Sadness of Christ is his last book, wrote by the saint before he was executed in London after being imprisoned for standing firm for his faith. His Devotion to the Lord's Passion was familiar to him therefore he wrote about it in this book giving priceless and valuable refle...

The Little Way to Jesus The prayer of the heart is one of the dearest treasures of Christianity. It transforms any prayer by the fire of God's love, allowing for an immersion in Christ whereby He is able to communicate to us the Holy Spirit. In his new book Praying with the Heart: The Little Way to Jesus, Jean Khoury entrusts to us the secret of the sustainable and successful way of practicing prayer of the heart. While remaining rooted in the living Tradition, the book offers new and abundan...

The English Dominican Gerald Vann, author of many beloved works of spirituality, offers in this compact volume a key to bearing the sorrows, tribulations, and trials that enter our lives as we walk our path from birth to death. This key is found in the life, indeed, in the heart, of the Virgin Mary, she who responded with unfailing faith, courage, and compassion to all God asked of her—an unexpected pregnancy; a flight into Egypt; an uneventful life in the backwaters; separation from her son ...

Besides the graces of the Sacraments, God has another way for us to grow in faith from a mustard seed into a giant tree. And that way is a life of virtue. A virtue is a habit, something that must be practiced daily if it is to increase. At our Baptism, we received the virtues of faith, hope, and love. In this children's book, authors Patrick O'Hearn and Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, with beautiful illustrations by Adalee Hude, describe 15 of the most important virtues for boys and girls. We begin...

"There are some people whom God takes and sets apart," observes Venerable Madeleine Delbrêl (1904-1964), but "there are others whom he leaves in the masses and whom he does not withdraw from the world. These are people who do ordinary jobs, who have an ordinary household or an ordinary single life. . . . We, the ordinary people of the streets, believe with all our might that this street, that this world where God has placed us, is, for us, the site of our holiness."French poet, social worker,...

A Summary of the Spiritual Life: Simplified and Arranged for Daily Reading, Reflection and Prayer Written with loving care by Father Anthony Paone, as a dialogue with Christ himself, this devotional will strengthen your love for Christ and his teachings. Father Paone leads the reader through the three ways of the spiritual life: Purification, Imitation, and Union. My Daily Bread overflows with reflections and prayers specifically designed to help you grow in the spiritual life and overcome fa...

Finding True Happiness is the essential guide to achieving true fulfillment and satisfaction in life. Many books attempt to tackle the issue of seeking happiness, but no other book combines such breadth and depth of philosophical knowledge, psychological insight, and spiritual wisdom in a practical guide that can lead your journey towards finding lasting contentment.From understanding self-esteem and taking control of emotions, to harnessing positivity and cultivating purpose, this book leads...

Introducing the Five Pillars of the Spiritual Life, a revolutionary guide written by Fr. Spitzer, President of Gonzaga University and esteemed spiritual teacher and writer. Perfect for those who strive to maintain a regular spiritual life while leading hectic lifestyles, this book offers insights on how to both grow closer to God and stay engaged with everyday life at the same time. Drawing from years of experience in organizing successful retreats and seminars, Fr. Spitzer has distilled key ...

The Hundredfold is a tapestry of hymns, monologues, and short lyrics knit together as one book-length poem in praise of Christ in his startling humanity. Using all the riches of the English poetic tradition--meter, rhyme, music--the poet ponders the mysterious man from Nazareth and the world he came to set on fire with splendor. Having made a career of translating the Italian masters Dante and Tasso, Anthony Esolen puts on the dusty mantle of such English craftsmen as Donne, Milton, and Hopki...

"Grief is like a long valley, a winding valley where any bend may reveal a totally new landscape." C.S. Lewis Lorene Duquin, an experienced grief counselor was no stranger to understanding and explaining grief, and had helped many people work through it. But when she lost her mother she found herself living in an entirely new space. Grieving the Loss of a Loved One contains 52 powerful, one-page meditations that will help you work through the various aspects of grieving as they did for Lorene...

The power of a woman is most concretely observed in the seeds she plants, day after day, in the lives of those around her. Soul Garden is a sizable collection of personal stories, essays, poems, and recipes written to cultivate the motherly role of women by offering inspiration, camaraderie, and encouragement.Contributors from across the country and around the world invite readers to put away their screens and to pick up this lovely, tangible book, in which they can find nourishment for the s...

Discover what it means to become a man of faith through the lives of ten male saints and their experiences pursuing holiness. In Holy Grit, Catholic life coach Paul George invites men to confront the challenges of modern life—struggles in marriage, parenting, suffering, and purpose—and take concrete steps toward the life God created them to live. Many men grow up with an image of masculinity shaped by tough guys on TV—boxers, cowboys, gangsters, fighter pilots—the fastest gun in the West. The...

Catholic theologian Paul Chaloux's follow-up to Why All People Suffer focuses on the natural and spiritual concerns encountered in dying and death. Theologically rich yet easy to read, this book is emotionally charged and will speak to the needs of your heart, whether you are facing terminal illness, caring for a dying loved one, or grieving a loss. Dr. Chaloux uses his own experiences in dealing with Parkinson's disease and the dying and death experiences of his family members going back fou...

Embark on a spiritual journey into God's Heart and experience some of the most powerful and time-tested expressions of prayer. You will find, together in this one book, all the tools you need to form the daily habit of communing with God, to develop a steady prayer life, and to receive the life-giving water that God offers you at every moment.This book is an invaluable resource for use as a Lenten or year-round devotional, a do-it-yourself parish mission, or a guide for families and parishion...

Many of us fail to recognize that obtaining the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential to getting to heaven. We often block their reception through our own faults. We fail to see how they are passed on or strengthened in the sacraments. And, sadly, we forget to petition God in prayer to bestow these gifts upon us.In these pages, Dr. Kevin Vost best-selling author of The One-Minute Aquinas provides us with a substantive yet readable introduction to the seven gifts and how we ca...

We all want true friends. But how many of us really know what friendship is, or where to find it? In these pages, philosopher John Cuddeback weaves together the timeless wisdom of Scripture, of the ancient Greeks, and the saints to map out the steep and beautiful path to man's greatest joy--true friendship.Following Aristotle's teachings on the unbreakable connection between happiness and virtuous living, Cuddeback sees friendship at the very center of the human drama. Although there are diff...

Spiritual writer, theologian, and philosopher Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D., tackles the topic of recognizing and overcoming spiritual evil. His focus is the human heart. His goal: our spiritual and moral transformation, which leads to true peace and genuine happiness.The book is divided into two main parts: (1) the realities of God's goodness and of spiritual evil, and (2) recognizing and overcoming the diabolical tactics of deception, temptation, and sin. The author synthesizes the best a...

This book is a collection of homilies crafted for Sundays, solemnities, and significant feasts in the liturgical calendar's Year C cycle. The book begins with an exploration of the Christology of the Gospel of Luke, emphasizing Jesus as the universal and compassionate Savior, deeply rooted in the fulfillment of God's promises. It outlines themes central to Luke's Gospel, such as Jesus' outreach to the marginalized, His Spirit-filled mission, and the role of prayer in His ministry. The homilie...

This book explores the transformative encounters with Christ that shaped the lives of the saints and set them on the path to holiness. Through the lives of Mary, St. Joseph, St. Paul, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Augustine, and others, Kristina Olsen traces how grace works patiently through struggle, conversion, and growth to form mature Christian souls. Rather than presenting idealized figures, the book highlights the real human journey of faith: moments of doubt, interior conflict, mystical exp...

This book explores the transformative power of divine partnership, showing how God works through human imperfections to achieve extraordinary results. Drawing from scripture, personal anecdotes, and life lessons, the book demonstrates that collaboration with God is not limited to saints or the gifted-it is accessible to everyone. The central theme is that faith and trust in God allow ordinary individuals to participate in extraordinary accomplishments while finding fulfillment and simplicity....

Devotional writer Lisa Livezey understands the challenges of full-time caregiving atop an already-full life. Following her father's sudden death, Lisa was plunged headlong into caring for her mother who was battling Alzheimer's. With wisdom and candor, Lisa pairs every day and extraordinary caregiving moments with scriptures, prayers, and reflections. Caregivers will:

or Friendliness and its Relevance in Modern Evangelization This book explores the critical role of affability in contemporary outreach, aiming to bring this often-overlooked virtue into the spotlight. The author engages the writings of Pope Francis and selected saints expressing that affability is a virtue which impacts human relations for the good of the world, propelling evangelization efforts to the fullest level. The reason for its effectiveness is because friendly interactions influence ...

This book offers a gentle and hope-filled meditation on the mystery of death, a reality no one can avoid. Rather than approaching death with fear or abstraction, it invites the reader to place their trust in God’s love, a love that has gone to the greatest lengths to open the way to eternal life. Rhonda Chervin reflects on death through the lens of Christian hope, showing how confidence in God’s mercy and fidelity transforms anxiety into peace. By drawing the reader into deeper awareness of G...

Spanning nearly 500 miles across the Rocky Mountains, the Colorado Trail is an epic, arduous route through some of America's most breathtaking natural grandeur. In the summer of 2022, Fr. John Nepil, priest-theologian and mountaineer, set out to traverse the entire trail as a "thru-hike" with a trio of companions, accompanied along the way by an eclectic rotating cast of priests and young people. This memoir, which is simultaneously a theological reflection on life, Christianity, and the moun...

'Act in such a way that all those who come in contact with you will go away joyful. Sow happiness about you because you have received much from God.' St Faustina Mercy In All Things is a series of prayerful reflections based on the Diary of St Faustina, the Saint of Divine Mercy. Drawing on selected quotations from her Diary, these thoughtful and topical reflections provide an introduction to the prayer of this great saint, who dedicated her life to spreading the message of God's love through...

This Spiritual Life Series title offers minute meditations for each day of the year. Each daily entry provides a quote on the life and legacy of St. Francis from the writings of either the Saint himself or one of his early brothers or from the Papal Bull Mira Circa Nos of Pope Gregory IX, which proclaimed the canonization of St. Francis; a reflection; and a scriptural prayer.

This book presents an integral approach to formation during the vocational synthesis stage, weaving together the human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral dimensions of priestly preparation. It is responsive to the Church's vision articulated in Pastores Dabo Vobis, the Ratio Fundamentalis, and the Program of Priestly Formation (6th edition), offering formators a comprehensive framework for accompanying transitional deacons in their final preparation for priesthood. By providing formators ...

This book explores the deep and often surprising ways humor and metaphor shape communication, spirituality, and human connection. Drawing from Scripture, cultural stories, and theological insight, Fr. Azorji shows how humor is more than entertainment—it is a gift that reveals truth, fosters healing, and helps us face life’s difficulties with renewed perspective. Through an engaging and reflective narrative, the author invites readers to see laughter as a language of grace and a doorway to wis...

Reflecting daily on the completely updated writings of St. John Henry Newman, surrounded by a Scripture verse and brief prayer, will give readers a good deal to ponder and appreciate about the Catholic faith and God's enormous love. This contemporary version of convert, Catholic priest, and recently-canonized Saint's classic and timeless thoughts is for every reader who desires deeper faith and a closer walk with the Lord.

Countless graces flow from the use of Holy Water when you understand its role in God's plan of salvation, and how it brings new graces into your life.In clear, convincing language, Father Theiler lays out for Christians countless surprising, but long-forgotten truths about Holy Water, and explains the interior acts and dispositions that are necessary for this blessed gift of God to have the sanctifying effect our Lord intends for you.Read these pages attentively; consider them thoughtfully; i...

Winner of a 2025 CMA Book Award from the Catholic Media Association: Healing and Self Help (First Place). The wounds we carry from childhood—whether from trauma, neglect, or unmet needs—often remain hidden, yet they continue to affect how we relate to ourselves, others, and God. No matter how much time has passed, our “inner child” remembers. In Befriending Your Inner Child: A Catholic Approach to Inner Healing, licensed marriage and family therapist Brya Hanan offers a gentle and faith-cente...

"Many of us give up on prayer when we don't get the answer we want WHEN we want it." For nearly two decades, Saint Monica prayed for her wayward son. Years and years of prayers, seemingly unanswered. Countless tears shed with no relief. Yet she would not give up. That very act of persistent prayer blessed the entire Church, for we have all benefitted from the conversion of her son, Augustine, who became one of the most revered saints of all time. Parents of any age or at any stage can cultiva...

In his masterful 12th-century work, The Twelve Degrees of Humility and Pride, St. Bernard of Clairvaux--the "Doctor Mellifluus" or "Honey-Sweet Doctor"-- eloquently crafts a soul's guide to spiritual ascent and descent. With his deep understanding of human nature and his own monastic experience, St. Bernard outlines a path that leads away from the self-deception of pride towards the liberating embrace of humility.St. Bernard illustrates humility as the foundation of a life anchored in truth, ...

This book addresses important moral questions people commonly face when they or their loved ones experience life-threatening injuries, end-stage illnesses, or advanced old age. Due to modern medical technology, patients and their family members often confront such questions as: What medical procedures are morally required, and what procedures are optional? Is providing food and water to a patient an optional medical treatment, or is it basic care necessary for all human beings? What roles do ...

St. Louis de Montfort inspired a spiritual revolution in teaching us about Marian consecration and giving us a thirty-three-day plan to prepare our souls for that big step in our relationship with Jesus. In these pages, Fr. Boniface Hicks guides you through this 'retreat' to help you gain a deeper trust in and childlike dependence on our loving God. "What this consecration teaches us is that we have a sweet, loving, perfect Mother who actually wants to live in this intense relationship with u...

This book introduces the reader to thirteen Christian spiritual classics that illustrate the ordinary steps we can take toward living the Gospel life more fully.Drawing on the rich teaching of a particular saint or mystic, each chapter helps us grow in a different aspect of holiness, of intimacy with God. Archbishop Hughes offers an itinerary for becoming a good disciple of the Lord, giving the reader access to an impressive spiritual library that can support and strengthen progress in discip...

"They should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ" (John 17:3).Sometimes we become so consumed with "activism" that God becomes a mere concept, an uplifting idea we try to wrap our minds around, and we forget that He is really present and in love with us. Far too many souls, even good religious souls, tend to forget that God is a Person -- a Trinity of Persons, in fact -- longing to enter into a relationship with us.Fr. Wayne Sattler awakens us and places us in...

Modern society has forgotten that the joie de vivre and the liturgical life are intertwined. Drawing from his experiences growing up in the Catholic culture of New Orleans, author Daniel Fitzpatrick juxtaposes the beauty of taking time to celebrate the Faith with the ongoing cultural drift toward eliminating the Sabbath. The result is a book that will awaken Christians from their spiritual sloth and enable them to appreciate the Lord's Day more deeply as a means of attaining happiness -- in t...

This is the book you need to master your anger so your anger won't master you. Popular TV host, clinical psychologist, and best-selling author Dr. Ray Guarendi incisively cuts to the heart of the matter to help you determine whether your anger response is justified -- and what to do when it isn't. Dr. Guarendi unpacks for you the many types of anger and the types of people who suffer most from anger. For some, anger is a trait; for others, it is a state. Some are "wired fiery," with an anger ...

Are you ready to stop suffering from fear and unworthiness? To heal the pain in your closest relationships? To finally love and be loved as God intended? For more than a decade, “Scripture Evangelista” Sonja Corbitt has helped Catholics encounter the transforming power of God’s Word. In Love Heals, she draws on her years of biblical study and ministry to reveal how the commandment to love God, neighbor, and self (Mark 12:30) holds the key to total healing—emotional, spiritual, and even physic...

Although the story of our salvation began in the Orient, the richness of the spirituality of our Eastern Fathers and Mothers in the Faith has long remained hidden. The Church is indebted to the East for revealing how Christians from apostolic times lived their faith, from founding Christian monastic life to developing the worship that has helped shape our liturgy.In this spiritual masterpiece, Dr. Alexander Harb offers penetrating meditations on nine themes of the spiritual life, drawing from...

This is a simple, comprehensive guide for men seeking to grow daily in their relationship with Our Lord Jesus Christ. It introduces men to the rhythm of prayer throughout their entire day - from the moment they wake to their last conscious thought. It offers quick insights and prayers for common concerns facing men throughout their day/life. It also introduces men to traditional devotional practices and prayers of the Church. Prayers for Catholic Men supports men in their primary vocations in...

Many faithful Catholics greet God and give Him thanks and praise when they arise in the morning and retire at night. How they stay connected with Him and the Faith throughout the day, however, varies widely. Many forget that He is right there to call upon whenever the need or impulse arises. Others see Him all around, in the flowers of the field, the birds of the air, the smile of a child. Uniquely, Catholicism Everywhere treats the reader to the many expressions of God in the hobbies, foods,...