Wonderful Books written by Catholic Saints to help you with Contemplative Prayer

1. The Story of a Soul, The Autobiography, by St. Therese of Lisieux

The Story of a Soul

Two and a half years before her death in 1897 at the age of 24, as Thérèse Martin began writing down her childhood memories at the request of her blood sisters in the Lisieux Carmel, few could have guessed the eventual outcome. Yet this Story of my soul, first published in 1898 in a highly edited version, quickly became a modern spiritual classic, read by millions and translated into dozens of languages around the world.

Decades later, in response to growing requests from scholars and devotees of the Saint, a facsimile edition of the manuscripts appeared, along with more popular French editions of what the Saint had actually written. Here, expressed with all of Thérèse’s original spontaneity and fervor, we rediscover the great themes of her spirituality: confidence and love, the little way, abandonment to God’s merciful love, and her mission in the church and world today.

2. The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas Kempes

The Imitation of Christ

This classic of Christian devotional literature has brought understanding and comfort to millions for centuries. Both Protestants and Catholics — as well as mystics and historians of religious thought — have studied these meditations on the life and teachings of Jesus, finding in them a path to prayer and spiritual guidance.

Written in a candid and conversational style, The Imitation of Christ discusses liberation from worldly inclinations, recollection as a preparation for prayer, the consolations of prayer, and the place of eucharistic communion in a devout life.

 

3. The Confessions, by St. Augustine

The ConfessionsAccording to the literary historians, Confessions are one of the biggest and most unique works of late Roman literature. With their inexpressible sincerity and with the glow of personal confessional power, they are also among the unachievable peaks of the ever-present spiritual reading for people who are seeking the truth about life, themselves and God.

Choose from a variety of T-shirts - See more...

 

 

 

4. Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul, by St. Faustina Kowalska

The DiaryThis bestselling book that birthed the Divine Mercy movement, one of the fastest growing movements in world today. This amazing narrrative will stir your heart and soul while it chronicles the experience of a simple Polish nun.

Souls who spread the honour of My mercy I shield through their entire lives as a tender mother her infant, and at the hour of death I will not be a Judge for them, but the Merciful Saviour (Diary 1075). This is what the Lord Jesus promised to everyone who will proclaim His Mercy, spread its honour in any way.

Hardened sinners will repent on hearing their words when they speak about My unfathomable mercy, about the compassion I have for them in My Heart. To priests who proclaim and extol My mercy, I will give wondrous power; I will anoint their words and touch the hearts of those to whom they will speak (Diary 1521).

5. Interior Castle, by St. Teresa of Avila

The Interior CastleWhen Teresa of Avila began writing a book about the adventure of her faith and intimacy with God at the age of 62, she wrote: “Let suppose that the soul is a castle from a diamond or the purest crystal, there are many places in it, as there are many of them in heaven. “In this image, Theresa built a book called the Inner Castle. Theresa wants to lead you to a life of fullness. Before us is the path, which may also be our own. An invitation to travel to the highest peaks of Love. On this path we are all invited by Teresa with her book.

 

 

6. Dark Night of the Soul, by St. John of the Cross

The Dark night

Depression. The Spanish mystic of the 16th century and the reformist of the Carmelite Order John of the Cross, however, described this painful state on the path of spiritual maturation as the dark night of the soul. His doctrine, with which he wanted to help everyone on the path of union with God, begins with a song. This is the doctrine of “climbing on theMount Carmel”.  How “the soul should act in order to unite with God.” At the same time, it is a lesson in how to walk the spiritual path through “the dark night.” The poem describes the journey of a spiritual seeker from the “physical” to God. The journey takes place at night, which symbolically means problems, distress, painful trials that a traveler experiences on the path of spiritual ripening.

7. True Devotion to Mary, by St. Louis de Montfort

The Devotion
The book, did not become obsolete for three hundred years, has not been removed from the bookshelf’s and has not disappeared from the consciousness of the Church. Why not?

Because before this could happen, the image of Mary, would have to disappear from hearts and the minds of the faithful Catholics.. But this, can not and will never happen!

 

8. The Way of Perfection, by St. Teresa of Avila

The way of perfection

The Teresa’s Book of The Way of Perfection is a kind of textbook of inner prayer. The book was written on request by the sisters of the newly founded Reformed Carmelite Monastery of St. Joseph in Ávila. In particular, they wanted to know how a person can come to the contemplation. The first manuscript contains thoughts of prayer in the context of the explanation of the Our Father and the Holy Mary and mouth, and the second manuscript is much more extensive and is divided into 42 chapters.

 

Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!