By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Only once in Sacred Scripture does Jesus describe the attributes or the characteristics of His Sacred Heart, found only in the Gospel of St. Matthew. (Mt 11:28-30).  “Come to me all of you who find life burdensome, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am MEEK AND HUMBLE OF HEART. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Those are the two essential qualities or virtues that Jesus highlights present in His Sacred Heart: both meekness and humility.  From this passage the Church has formulated one of its most beautiful short prayers or aspirations, that we can take into our hearts and repeat frequently during the course of the day. That prayer is the following: “Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.”

Time and time again Jesus insists on the dire importance of humility if we want to find God’s favor.  God rejects the proud and He lifts up the humble.  The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican illustrates this perfectly.  (Lk. 18:9-14)   The two went up to the temple to pray. The Pharisee pointed out all of his good points and praised himself.   The Publican, on the contrary, situated in the back, would not even lift his eyes and begged God to have mercy on him, as he was a sinner.

Our Lady gave us the perfect example in proclaiming herself the handmaid or servant of the Lord and in her marvelous prayer, the Magnificat she breaks out in praise of God and humbles herself in these words: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the of and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior… for he has looked upon the lowliness (humility) of his handmaid… (Lk. 1:46-56)

Given that this virtue is essential to our growth in holiness, let us point out some practical ways in which we can build a spiritual edifice of holiness striving for the virtue of humility.    What are some of the signposts to climb this spiritual mountain?

1. PRAYER.  It has been said that we are greatest and highest—in the eyes of God—when we are on our knees.  This of course means to be on our knees before the Almighty and Supreme God in prayer.  By praying we are acknowledging our dependence on God and not on ourselves.   In the words of the “Doctor of grace” Saint Augustine, so pertinent to the virtue of humility related to prayer: “We are all beggars before God.”

2. THANK YOU.  How important it is for us in striving for holiness to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and to often say to both God and to the many good people that surround us those all—important two words: “Thank you!”   Humble people go out of their way to give thanks to others.   Jesus was both dismayed and hurt when after healing the ten lepers only one returned to give Him thanks.  The one that returned was not only thankful but humble—recognizing that his healing was a pure gift of the Heart of Jesus the Healer, if you like The Divine Physician.

3. TAKE THE LAST PLACE.   Jesus offers us the Parable of the banquet.  Many were jostling to secure for themselves the best place, the best seat that was closest to the Host.  Jesus gave the warning that when invited we should take the last place and not the first.  Then we will be first in the eyes of God.  This is a sign of a humble heart!

4. CUT OFF IN TRAFFIC: PRAISE AND DO NOT CURSE.   Our natural tendency, when we are on the road and someone cuts us off is to utter some nasty words, maybe even to curse the rude guy.   This is an all to “natural” reaction, but not supernatural.  Jesus wants us to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us.   These commands are expressed by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, the Our Father, as well as when Jesus hung from the cross: “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.”

5. COMPLIMENT AND PRAISE OTHERS FOR THEIR GIFTS.  One of the most poisonous attitudes in the spiritual life is that of both jealousy and envy.  When we capitulate to these ugly feelings, we hurt God, ourselves as well as others.  But, on the other side of the coin, we end up by praising or complimenting another person that perhaps we do not really like we win the spiritual battle. Indeed, it is a victory in humility!

6. GREET THE PERSON FIRST.  Imagine this scene that all of us have experienced and perhaps quite often. You are walking towards someone you know and the distance between both is shortening.  Do you wait to be greeted first or do you take the initiative to greet that the on comer?  It may seem somewhat insignificant but whoever takes the initiative to greet first is practicing a host of virtues. What ate they?  Charity, courtesy, hospitality, affability and of course humility.  We put this person before ourselves and that is humility.

7. “I AM SORRY!”  Here is a big one!  Easier said than done!  When we make a mistake, offend someone or fail in one way or another, it is all too easy to rationalize, to justify or to simply sweep under the rug as if it were nothing, or maybe did not even happen.   How insidious and prevalent the ugly head of pride is!  A humble person is an honest person and is capable of admitting his error and saying those three very difficult words that are imbued with humility: I AM SORRY!   How many relationships have been mended and restored by those simply by exceedingly humble words: I AM SORRY!

8. LISTEN ATTENTIVELY.   Saint James states it very clearly: “We should be slow to speak and quick to listen.   (Read Saint James 3—the sins of the tongue). A person that wants to do all of the talking and unwilling to listen is often a person filled with pride, and self-love.  But a person that makes as concerted effort to listen to the other attentively, encourage and not seek to always get the last word displays great humility and often is very pleasing to Jesus, who was the best of speakers but also the best of all listeners.  (Read Luke 24—Jesus and the disciples of Emmaus)

9. CONFESSION. Most certainly every time we prepare ourselves and make a good sacramental confession, our humility thermometer ascends to a much higher level.   To confess with transparency, sincerity, and honesty our moral failings to another person, the priest who represents Christ demands great humility. None of us like to bring to light our spiritual ugliness. But it must be done if we want to climb the ladder of humility and holiness.

10. DEVOTION TO MARY. Our Lady, Mary most holy is the surest, quickest and most efficacious pathway to Jesus.  In True Devotion to Mary, by Saint Louis de Montfort, this great Marian saint exalts Mary and ten of her most sublime virtues.  Among Mary’s most choice virtues is that of her profound humility.  Of all God’s creatures Mary was the greatest but also, she was by far the humblest. She recognized that all of her gifts, talents, virtues, were pure gifts from God the Giver of all gifts.

In conclusion, in our pursuit of holiness of life we must strive to understand the paramount importance of the virtue of humility. But even more important: let us stive to put into practice this essential virtue. May we lift up our hearts often during the course of the day, longing for holiness and humility with these words: “Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.”

Of all of the actions that we can carry out on earth, on this side of eternity is to receive Our Lord and savior Jesus Christ in Holy Communion.  Nothing can be greater now and for all time until the close of time and entrance into eternity.

Therefore, let us strive with ever fabric of our being to make a concerted effort to receive the Lord Jesus frequently, if possible, on a daily basis, but to receive Jesus with a better disposition ever Holy Communion.  In a word, it should be our goal to receive Jesus with a better, more fervent, more loving, more passionate manner every time we approach the Eucharistic Banquet.

If accomplished our whole life will be an upward ascent in love for Jesus, the Bread of Life and the Son of the living God, and a love for the salvation of immortal souls until God calls us from this life to Judgment and eternal life in the Kingdom of God.

EXTREME NECESSITY OF HOLY COMMUNION.  

With the utmost clarity, cogency and conviction Jesus taught the indispensable urgency and necessity of receiving Him if we want to attain life and eternal life. This we must read, meditate, understand, assimilate, live out and preach to the whole world in THE BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE—John 6.  Time and time again Jesus insist on profound belief that He is truly the Bread of life.  That we must not doubt but truly believe in this essential reality. Furthermore, we must nourish ourselves on Jesus the bread of life.  In a short, succinct summary fashion, this is the essence of this most sublime and important discourse, Jesus says: “I am the Bread of life. Whoever eats my Body and drinks my blood will have everlasting life and I will raise Him up on the last day.”  These words are expressed with the utmost clarity.  Our eternal salvation depends on knowing Jesus, believing in Jesus, obeying Jesus. However, of paramount importance, we also must, and this is not optional but obligatory, consume, eat, receive Jesus the Bread of life into our souls in Holy Communion. This is so serious that it is a matter of eternal salvation of eternal loss.

The essential purpose and thrust of this article will be to help each and every one of us to prepare ourselves better to receive Jesus into our hearts in Holy Communion.  Once again, this is worthy of repetition: the most important action that the human person can carry out on planet earth is to receive Jesus with the best of dispositions in Holy Communion.  Our salvation and the salvation of many other souls depends in great part upon our fervent and loving reception of Holy Communion.

SORRY BUT TRUE STATISTICS.  

Recently the Archbishop Perez of Philadelphia stated that he wanted to launch and initiative to seek out the many lost and wandering sheep of his Diocese.  He sadly stated that only 18% of his flock—the Catholics of Philadelphia—were practicing Catholics.  Among the Catholics of Germany only 3% presently practice their faith—that is to say, attend Mass on Sundays.  I honestly believe that one of the principle reasons for this vast plummeting of Mass assistance and with it lack of reception of Holy Communion is a widespread ignorance of what Holy Communion really is.  In a very real sense, we might even term this the modern “Catholic identity crisis”—many do not even understand or believe in the “Real Presence” of Jesus in Mass and in Holy Communion. Sad to say, many Catholics, due to a lack of adequate catechetical formation, have a vague and hazy understanding of Mass and Holy Communion. Many Catholics even have a Protestant interpretation of the Eucharist and Holy Communion; this so to say, they believe in a symbolic reality rather than belief in the Real Presence.

This being the case we would like to offer various suggestions on how we can foster and enhance our belief and fervor in our reception of Jesus, the Bread of Life in Holy Communion. Our salvation and the salvation of many others depends upon living out this fundamental Truth of our Catholic faith. May Our Lady, the angels and saints come to our assistance in this most noble and sublime of all our actions on earth!

1. BELIEF.  

“Lord, I believe but strengthen my belief.” First and foremost, we must reaffirm our strong and unshakeable belief and faith in the REAL PRESENCE.  In the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at the moment of the consecration the bread and wine are radically transformed into the REAL PRESENCE.   It is no longer bread and wine but truly and substantially the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus, the Son of the living God.  Theologians, thanks to St Thomas Aquinas, term this TRANSUBSTANTIATION—meaning that after consecration the appearances or accidents, look like bread and wine, but the essence and substance is truly Jesus in His Body, Blood Soul and Divinity.  Many fail to come to Mass and receive Holy Communion because they are ignorant of this essential truth.

2. SUNDAY MASS OBLIGATION. 

As the very center, heart, summit and pinnacle of every week let us all make a firm decision to attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and never be absent, except for sickness or grave necessity. Our salvation depends on it!  Moms and Dads please bring the whole family to the Lord Jesus.

3. ARRIVE EARLY. 

In sports events, academic graduations, work obligations, we are more than punctual. Even more so should be the case in our participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Let us not shortchange the Lord or give him the crumbs from the table; let us give the Lord the best of ourselves, especially in our religious obligations. Let us not be like Cain, giving begrudgingly to God his sacrifice.  Rather, let us be like Abel, giving to the Lord our best. (Gen. 4)

4. FULL PARTICIPATION.  

In sports there are the benchwarmers, the 2^nd or 3^rd string players who participate only to a limited degree.  There are many Catholics in that same category.  They may be present at Holy Mass physically, but they are in another world mentally and spiritually: distracted, using their phone, thinking about lunch, wandering eyes on the attractive women. And of course, many of these do not receive Holy Communion!  The Second Vatican Council Document on the Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium states that in Mass all should participate fully, actively and consciously in this greatest and most sublime of prayers.

5. MODESTY IN DRESS.  

We are created in the image and likeness of God; through Baptism we have been transformed into sons and daughters of God. Saint Paul reminds us that we are “ambassadors of Christ”—we represent the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.  Therefore, let us always recognize both our dignity and our eternal destiny.  We want to reflect the beauty of God in our outward attire and recognize that our destiny is the eternal glory and beauty of our heavenly reward. Unfortunately, many dress immodestly and consequently many others are distracted and even tempted by uncomely apparel.  May Jesus, Mary and St Joseph be our models.

6. PURIFICATION: CONFESSION AND HOLY COMMUNION. 

For us to receive worthily Jesus in Holy Communion we must be in the state of grace. This means that we must be free from being aware of having a mortal sin in our soul.  The two Sacraments of Confession and Holy Communion work together in support of each other. The more pure, clean and transparent the soul the more abundant the graces. Upon the reception of Holy Communion.  This analogy can be helpful!  The windows in our home can easily become dirtied, sullied, smeared, and obscured from the smog, dirt and uncleanness of the environment. WINDEX!   How important is Windex—the well-known window spray and cleaner.  Once we spray the dirty window, rub and dry it with a dry newspaper the window is transformed.  The curtains swing wide open, and the abundance of sun penetrates, permeates, and inundates the whole room. In a parallel sense it is with respect to Confession related to Holy Communion. With the Sacrament of Confession, the Precious Blood of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world cleanses our conscience, mind, heart, and soul so that Jesus the Sun of God can enter into the very depths and core of our being and transform us with His brilliant light, peace, joy and abundant love.  Therefore, confess often so as to enhance the efficacy of your Holy Communions!

7. HUNGER AND THIRST FOR HOLY COMMUNION.  

The angelic Doctor, Saint Thomas Aquinas, stated that one of the most important conditions for receiving Holy Communion is that we have an ardent hunger and thirst for Jesus in Holy Communion.  If you like, this verse from one of the Psalms illustrates the point of hunger that we should have for Jesus, the Bread of Life.  “As the deer yearns for the running streams, so my soul thirsts for you, my God.”  A person dying of hunger and thirst longs to be satiated by food and drink, so it should be for our soul longing for the Face of the living God in Holy Communion.

8. REVERENCE. 

When we have arrived at the sublime moment of receiving Jesus in Holy Communion we should approach Him with the utmost modesty, dignity, reverence, love, devotion and confidence—both in our exterior comportment as well as our disposition of soul.  Our hands should be folded, eyes fixed on Jesus, a reverential bow, and an AMEN before receiving the Lord of Lords, the Kings of Kings, the Creator of the entire universe into the very depths of your soul.  No greater, sublime, exalted actions exists in the life of the human person than receiving Jesus, the Bread of Life, in Holy Communion.

9. BEG MARY FOR HER IMMACULATE HEART. 

One of the secrets of the sanctity of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta was her manner of receiving Holy Communion. This great modern saint would beg Mary to give her Immaculate Heart so that she could receive worthily Jesus in Holy Communion. Never was there a person that ever-received Jesus with greater, devotion, attention, fervor, and love than His Mother, Mary most holy. She can definitely come to our aid and assistance to improve our reception of Holy Communion. 

10. THANKSGVING. 

Upon receiving Jesus in Holy Communion immediately we should open our hearts, minds and souls with the greatest love possible and render to Him THANKSGVING. (In a previous article is written in great detail ways to thank the Eucharistic Lord Jesus). Therefore, we should do all that is possible to prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, but of equal importance we should learn the art of THANKSGIVING upon receiving Jesus our Best of Friends. Praise Him, thank Him, worship Him, implore Him, pour your hearts out to Him, beg pardon and reparation, and cast all your cares upon Him, and much more… 

Finally, in imitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary who received Jesus into her Immaculate Heart at the Annunciation and went in haste to bring Jesus to others, let us bring Jesus to others and bring others to Jesus. Dear friends in Jesus and Mary, let us strive on a daily basis to receive Jesus, the Bread of Life with greater love, fervor and devotion. Our salvation and countless souls depends on this most sublime truth and practice. Our Lady of the Eucharist, pray for us!

The two most important actions that we can carry out on this side of eternity are the following: receiving Holy Communion and going to Confession and receiving sacramental absolution.  Why?  The reason should be clear as day: these are two of the most intimate encounters with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  In the reception of the most Holy Eucharist, we receive Jesus Himself in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity—nourishment and strength for our spiritual journey towards our eternal home, Heaven.

CONFESSION.  

Whereas by going to the Sacrament of Confession once again we encounter Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as our Divine Physician.   Jesus came to both nourish us and to heal us of our iniquities and sicknesses that we contract due to our own personal sins.  Through the messages of Jesus to Saint Faustina we should have a limitless trust in the infinite mercy of God. The worse sin is the lack of TRUST in the limitless mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Saint Paul reminds us in these consoling words: “Where sin abounds the mercy of God abounds all the more.” (Romans 5). From the Diary of Saint Faustina, the greatest sinner can become the greatest saint upon one indispensable condition: TRUST, limitless TRUST in the infinite mercy of Jesus.

OUR DISPOSITION IN RECEVING HOLY COMMUNION.  

As Catholics we have the unique and greatest privilege of being able to receive Jesus, the Bread of life. (Jn 6), the Bread of the angels even on a daily basis. If we so desire.  In the Our Father we actually pray these words related to the daily reception of Holy Communion: “Give us this day our daily bread.”  The graces we receive upon the reception of Holy Communion depends upon our interior disposition. (Theologians term this dispositive grace). The graces we receive can be paltry, mediocre, and limited, or they can be limitless like all the waters of the ocean flooding into our souls.  If you like, the fault is not in Holy Communion but in the recipient of Holy Communion—often our lack of disposition, distractions, and downright laziness.

PREPARATION. 

It is incumbent upon us to prepare our souls to receive the Eucharistic Lord with the best of dispositions. However, this is of paramount importance, we should also make an honest and concerted and constant effort to make a more fervent, passionate, loving and confident thanksgiving after the Eucharistic Lord has deigned to visit our humble dwelling place—our immortal souls.  In the reception of Holy Communion, the Lord, the very Creator of the universe, has entered into our souls, let us strive on a daily basis to improve, to upgrade, to perfect our thanksgiving after He has descended from heaven to earth to dwell in the very depths of our soul. There is no greater action, this side of eternity for us mortal creatures than to receive Jesus, the Eucharistic Lord. One Holy Communion is worth more than the entire created universe. Holy Communion is Jesus, the Bread of Life, God Himself!

THANKSGIVING AFTER RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION.   

This being the case, we would like to offer various suggestions on how to ameliorate our thanksgivings after the Eucharistic Lord has deigned to enter our humble abode.

APPRECIATION

This first point must be emphasized to the highest degree: Never take the Lord for granted; avoid routine and becoming jaded and nonchalant and lackadaisical in the reception of the Bread of Life. The following should be our motto in every reception of Holy Communion: “Receive the Eucharistic Lord as if it were for the first time, the last time, the only time in your life.” This attitude of gratitude and appreciation should characterize our eucharistic state of being always!

THANKSGIVING

Upon the entrance of Jesus into your soul your heart should burst out and explode with a hymn of thanksgiving.  In the words of the Psalmist: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His mercy endures forever.”  May we never imitate the 9 lepers, who after having been healed immediately and totally by Jesus the Divine Physician went their merry old way without a word of gratitude.  But may we be the one leper who ran back to Jesus and thanked Jesus profusely. Let us learn and imitate this grateful leper—who indeed we are! 

PRAISE

Saint Ignatius of Loyola in his consideration, First Principle and Foundation in the Spiritual Exercises (#23) instructs us that the first and primary purpose of our existence is to praise and reverence God our Creator. What better time and manner to praise God then when we have received Him in the depths of our souls in Holy Communion.  Praise Him with songs, canticles, psalms and a great way in the eucharistic prayer of praise, the Divine praises expressed at the conclusion of Eucharistic adoration….”Blessed be God, blessed be His Holy Name, blessed be Jesus Christ true God and true man, blessed be the Name of Jesus, Blessed be His most sacred Heart, blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the altar, blessed be the Holy Spirit the Paraclete, blessed be Mary, the great Mother of God, blessed be her holy and immaculate conception, blessed be her glorious assumption, blessed be Saint Joseph her most chaste spouse, blessed be God in His angels and his saints.”   This Eucharistic hymn of praise and thanksgiving should resound in the very depths of your soul upon receiving the Eucharistic Lord and savior.

ANOTHER PRAYER OF PRAISE

Given that praise and adoration are actually the highest forms of prayer that we can offer to Almighty God we offer another one, short but very pleasing to God and this short prayer of praise can be repeated over and over. God never tires of our acts of praise.  “O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine.”  If you like you can even sing this short prayer— “He who sings well prays twice.” (Saint Augustine)

BARTIMAEUS THE BEGGAR

Saint Augustine states that we are all beggars before the Lord. However, Our Lord and God is both munificent and rich beyond measure.  Bartimaeus, the beggar, suffered blindness, he cried out and Jesus, the Divine Physician, healed him. We are beggars and need the Lord Jesus desperately for everything but especially to avoid sin and to live in the state of grace.  As the poet states: “In Him we live and move and have our being.”  When the Eucharistic Lord has descended in the depths of our souls is the prime time to be transformed in the most needy and dependent of beggars.  Many graces we never receive for the simple reason that we are negligent and lazy and fail to ask. (Mk. 10:46)

WORRIES, FEARS AND ANXIETIES

The Eucharistic Lord Jesus loves us and is our Best of Friends in all time, places and circumstances. None of us can say in all honesty that we are free of problems, worries, fears and insecurities.  Quite the contrary, we live with worries.  The fact of the matter is that if we do not bring our problems to the Lord they worsen; often the devil is behind this. He can turn the molehill into the mountain, blowing our problems out of proportion.  The inspired words in the Letter of Saint Peter captures the message: “Cast your cares upon the Lord because He cares for you.”   The Eucharistic Lord can resolve the biggest of your problems and words in a mere bat of the eye. Trust your cares to Him.

REST IN THE LORD

At the Last Supper, Jesus’ best Friend, John the Evangelist, rested his head on the Heart, the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  In our Communions and thanksgivings there is no reason why we cannot simply rest on and in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. These consoling words of Jesus can help you upon receiving Him in Holy Communion: “Come to me all of you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will give you rest. Because my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Mt 11:28-30)

REPARATION: SORRY, LORD JESUS

One of the most important messages that Jesus conveyed to Saint Margaret Mary in His apparitions revealing His Sacred Heart was His suffering at the ingratitude of so many. Jesus, revealing His Sacred Heart complained as such:” Behold the Heart that loves so much and receives only indifference, coldness and ingratitude.” After Holy Communion tell the Lord sorry for our coldness and indifference as well as that of the whole world. He desires fire— “I have come to cast fire on the earth and I am not at peace until that for be enkindled.”

LOVE

When all is said and done, what Jesus wants more than anything else in the world but especially gushing forth from the depths of our own hearts is that of love. Saint John of the Cross, the great mystical Doctor of the Church and Spiritual Director of Saint Teresa of Avila stated: “In the twilight of our existence we will be judged on love.” Perhaps the best prayer that can rush from the depths of our hearts—especially when the Eucharistic Jesus is in our hearts—are these simple but most important words: JESUS, I LOVE YOU!!! After Holy Communion repeat these words over and over again. This will enkindle the fire of love in your hearts and set you ablaze in a cold and indifferent world.

OUR LADY OF THE EUCHARIST

Our reflection would be incomplete if we did not invite Mary, Our Lady of the Eucharist, into our thanksgiving toward Jesus, the Son of Mary.  Mary received Jesus into her most pure and Immaculate Heart upon her Fiat: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word.”  Then she went in haste to bring Jesus to others—her cousin Elizabeth in need.  Our reception of the Eucharistic Lord Jesus and a fervent thanksgiving will necessarily launch us, catapult us, into the world so cold, blind, and indifferent to the love of God and to be true messengers of the love of God. Jesus said: “I have come to cast fire on the earth, and I am not at peace until that fire be enkindled.”

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 16^th 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 30^th 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.

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 13^th 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.