Fr. Ed Broom, OMV
In addition to the providential accident that occurred with a canon-ball in the battle of Pamplona, an inspiring reading of the lives of the saints was instrumental in the conversion of one of the greatest saints in the 16th century. Who was this? None other than Saint Ignatius of Loyola.
As is stated in the title of this article, “A good book or two can change your life. Inspired and anointed words with great spiritual depth can convert individuals; they can also help individuals to move from an average or mediocre life to a fervent and holy life.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION. Good spiritual directors accompany those who they are directing in their pursuit of God and aid them in striving to plumb the depths of a more serious and authentic prayer life. An invaluable tool to get into the hands of those pursuing both holiness and a more profound prayer life is that of the habit of good spiritual reading.
In this short essay we would like to suggest five spiritual classics to help those who are truly pursuing a life of deeper prayer and holiness of life. I will never forget on one occasion one of my young priest friends made this observation. When he was truly captivated in his mind with a fascinating spiritual book, usually he felt that his prayer life was on the upswing.
This being said, let us offer five Books that you can dive into with your mind, heart and soul so as to go deeper in tour relationship with God, the author of all that is good, noble and holy.
BIBLE. Perhaps this first on the list, the Bible, is more than obvious. However, you might be surprised as the numbers and percentages of Catholics who perhaps have a Bible or Bibles in their home but barely ever even open it. On the threshold and entrance of the home is a Granny’s Bible, but it serves nothing more than an ornamental artifact that is opened only on rare occasions. How true the saying of Adrian Rogers, the famous Baptist preacher: “He who has a Bible that is falling apart most likely will not have his life that is falling apart.” By this he meant, morally and spiritually.
CCC—CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. Pope Saint John Paul II was one of the most prolific writers as Popes in the history of the Catholic Church. Indisputably of all of his writings Encyclicals, Apostolic exhortations, Catechesis, the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church was his spiritual masterpiece. Indeed, if we honestly desire to have a true grasp of our Catholic faith, reading and studying the CCC is a “must”. Thanks to the tireless work of Father Mike Schmitz, he explained the entirely of the CCC in one year after explaining the Bible in a year. Father Mike is hitting the nail on the head with respect to spiritual classics and growth.
SAINT TERESA OF AVILA: HER WORKS. The first two women to be declared women Doctors of the Church were both Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint Catherine of Siena. The former, was not only instrumental in the Reform of the women’s branch of the Carmelite Order, but also for her writings, which indeed are spiritual masterpieces and gems. Among Avila’s writings three stand out as spiritual luminaries: Her Life, the Way of Perfection and the Interior Castle. The very heart and essence of all of her writings is the call to deeper union with Christ the Mystical Spouse through knowledge, love and the practice of prayer. Saint Teresa insists on perseverance using these choice words: “We must have a determined determination to never abandon prayer.”
SAINT FAUSTINA KOWALSKA: THE DIARY OF DIVINE MERCY IN MY SOUL. In the year 2000, April 30th Pope Saint John Paul II carried out two of his great goals on this same day. He canonized the first saint of the new Millennium, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, known as “The Secretary of Divine mercy.” On the same day the saintly Pontiff formally instituted a new Liturgical Solemnity—that of Divine Mercy Sunday. From the start of the New Millennium, 2000, and on until the end of time, the Second Sunday after Easter the Church celebrates the infinite mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. May our hearts express in unison with the Psalmist: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His mercy endures forever.”
GLORIES OF MARY: SAINT ALPHONSUS LIGUORI. Of all of the literary gems written on the Blessed Virgin Mary many would claim that the “Glories of Mary” penned by Saint Alphonsus Maria Liguori would be one of the greatest if not the greatest! What does this masterpiece consist of? This might be a surprise to you, but it is a commentary on one of the most known and loved Marian prayers—the Hail Holy Queen. You might consider every word that Saint Alphonsus explains in three different dimensions. First, he takes the word and takes from Sacred Scriptures the Fathers of the Church, and many saints their writings and love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. After explaining this part of the Hail Holy Queen, the saint gives a simple story or example to explain the word. Third, Saint Alphonsus concludes with a Colloquy or if you like a short prayer related to the topic. It would be very difficult for any person of good will and a modicum of intelligence to prayerfully read and meditate upon this Marian Masterpiece, the Glories of Mary, of Saint Alphonsus Maria Liguori, and not fall in love with Mary, “God’s masterpiece of creation.”
In conclusion, may all of us who are seriously pursuing an authentic desire to be holy as our heavenly Father is holy never neglect the all-important practice of spiritual reading. Why not choose from these Big five: The Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the writings of Saint Teresa of Avila, the Diary of Saint Faustina and the Glories of Mary.
