Ten spiritual literary classics
Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
One of the most renowned conversions in the History of the Church is in the person of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Proud, vain, contentious, sensual and worldly were all; words that described the character of this pompous Spanish soldier until a cannon ball in the battle of Pamplona all but destroyed his legs.
After being transported back to his residence in Loyola and after undergoing excruciating pains due to leg operation, Ignatius had days and weeks of free time in which the process of convalescence took its slow and painful course.
The advantage of literacy served to move him on the sure path to conversion. His preference was to read the romantic and chivalrous novels of the day, so as to fill his mind with sensual images and romantic adventures. To his chagrin none of this literary genre could be found in his domicile. Instead, two other forms of literature were brought to him: the Life of Christ and the lives of the saints. At first Ignatius repelled these works. But given that he had much free time on nothing much to do, he decided to read.
The Holy Spirit intervened and filled his mind and heart with an enormous desire to imitate the lives of these great heroes of God who were called the saints. He was heard to have exclaimed: “If Dominic could do it then so can I; if Francis could do it than so, can I…”. Reading and meditating upon the lives of the saints was truly an impulse and motivation for Ignatius to leave his past life of sin and to follow Jesus, the True Commander and King.
Solid and profound spiritual books and classics can serve as powerful means to convert sinners to long for a life of true holiness. Let us delve into the past world of spiritual classics and offer a list that we can immerse our minds into so as to be filled with spiritual treasures that can move us from a life spiritual anemia and mediocrity to a new life in the pursuit of heroic virtue and holiness. Our purpose and intent will be to give a list of spiritual masterpieces, a brief summary and allow your reading and the Holy Spirit to do the work…
1. CONFESSIONS, of Saint Augustine. Beyond a shadow of doubt Confessions of the “Doctor of Grace” has gone down as one of the greatest literary masterpieces in the history of humanity. It is a person and biographical story that displays in the most elegant language the conversion of a man slave of sin and his passions on becoming a super saint. “O Lord you have mase our hearts for thee and our hearts are restless until they rest in thee.”
2. THE RULE OF SAINT BENEDICT. Saint Benedict, the founder of Western Monasticism, founded a Religious Order, now known as the Order of Saint Benedict or “The Benedictines”. Inspired by the Holy Spirit Benedict composed what is now called a Rule. In this, most famous of Rules for the Religious Life, Benedict outlines the different activities, virtues, and order that a monk should live if he truly wants to pursue of life of authentic holiness. Benedict became the Father of Western monasticism and his Rule has become the foundation and basis of Religious Life as a whole. His classic saying: “Ora et Labora”—pray and work!
3. IMITATION OF CHRIST. Emanating from the literary genre of the Rhineland mystics the Imitation of Christ has become one of the most renowned spiritual classics in the 2000 years of Christianity. The author is Thomas of Kempis. This classic insists upon attaining holiness of life through prayer, penance, mortification, humility and in a very pronounced way a life of detachment from the things of this world so as to have one’s life attached to Christ. It is divided classically into four books. The last Book is a masterpiece on the Mass, the Eucharist, Holy Communion and the love and reverence that we should have towards this greatest of Sacraments. A saying: “It is not important a long life but a holy life.”
4. THE SUMMA THEOLOGICA. Many consider St Thomas Aquinas to be the greatest of all in the history of the Church. In his 49 years of life. Thomas, the Angelic Doctor was one of the most prolific writers in Christianity. Beyond doubt, his greatest masterpiece was the SUMMA THEOLOGICA. It was considered the greatest summary and synthesis of the greatest theological ideas up to that time—the 13th century, the age of Scholasticism. Even to this day, the writings of Aquinas, and especially the Summa are considered the foundation of theological training for seminarians and priests.
5. THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF SAINT IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA. As mentioned in our introduction Ignatius underwent a radical conversion in the battle of Pamplona and through spiritual reading. Then, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the cave of Manresa, this future saint was inspired to compose the masterpiece that would change countless hearts—THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES. The text is basically a manual for the Director of the Exercises and Retreats. It has been proven as and invaluable tool to help the retreat to encounter God, the purpose of his existence, the value of meditation and contemplation, the value of a General Confession, to get to know, love and follow Jesus Christ. And through perseverance arrive at the heights of sanctity of life. Such is the fruit that one truly becomes a “contemplative in action” and is able to see and encounter God in all things, all person, and all places; God becomes all in all! “Man is created to praise God, reverence God, serve God and by means of that save his soul.” (First Principle and Foundation # 23)
6. THE INTERIOR CASTLE. The first woman to be declared woman Doctor of the Church was Saint Teresa of Avila and then Saint Catherine of Siena. The Spaniard Carmelite, mystic and Doctor of the Church, Saint Teresa of Avila is known as “The Doctor of prayer”. Among her spiritual classics is that of titled THE INTERIOR CASTLE. In this masterpiece on prayer Teresa presents a Castle and different mansions, levels or rooms indicating the different levels of prayer: vocal prayer, mental prayer, prayer of affection, the prayer of simplicity, mystical prayer, culminating in the mystical marriage and union of the soul with Christ the Divine Bridegroom. For spiritual directors and those longing for a dynamic and deep union with God in prayer this classic is a “must!”
7. CATECHISM OF THE COUNCIL OF TRENT. As a response to the Protestant Reformation was the Catholic Counter-reform. A Council was convoked by the Holy Father to meet in a southern city of Italy—Trent. After various meetings, discussions, and even quarrels, and through the habile counsels of Satin Charles of Borromeo, the Council was terminated, and the precious fruit of this Council was the first Universal Catechism of the Catholic Church—the Catechism of the Council of Trent. Divided into four basic sections the Catechism explains the teaching and doctrine of the Catholic Church with utmost clarity. The four parts? 1. Dogma—explaining the Creed; 2. The Sacrament—the channels of grace; 3. Morality, an explanation of the ten Commandments; 4. Prayer—the life of union with God. Get to know your faith! Read this Catechism!
8. INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE. Saint Francis de Sales wrote a spiritual masterpiece for all who sincerely desire to learn the art of prayer, meditation/mental prayer. In an extremely clear and concise language Saint Francis offers a series of short chapters on timely spiritual topics to be meditated upon. It serves to enlighten our mind to the truths of the faith, but also to ignite our hearts with the fire of the love of God. The topics? Prayer, death, judgment hell, Purgatory, the angels, the Mass and Holy Communion, sin and Heaven and many more spiritually uplifting topics. As a prayer primer it is essential!
9. THE GLORIES OF MARY. Written by Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church, this would be considered by some as the greatest Masterpiece ever written on the holiness, the majesty, the beauty and the holiness and the power of the most Blessed Virgin Mary. Its theme! Quite simply Saint Alphonsus Liguori takes the Hail Holy Queen, that we pray at the end of the Rosary, and explains it word for word. His sources? The inspired author takes from Sacred Scripture, the Fathers of the Church, scholars and saints and their abundant writings displaying the greatness of Mary, who is truly our Queen and Mother. To read this to fall in love with Mary and Jesus, the fruit of her womb.
10. THE BIBLE: THE WORD OF GOD. Perhaps this is the most obvious but still it should be expressed: THE BIBLE, THE WORD OF GOD. By far, the most important of all books is the Bible itself, the Word of God. The Bible should be first and foremost on our list of Reading material, prominence of place, it is truly the Word of God. Saint Jerome stated sharply: “Ignorance of Sacred Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” May we delve into the infinite treasure and riches of God’s Word—the Bible!
In conclusion, it is our hope that all of us would have a real longing for holiness. May we utilize one of the most efficacious tools to growing in holiness—the methodical, orderly and systematic reading, meditating and pondering on these spiritual classics.
