Revolution of Love.com
Spiritual Reading
by Brian
If you are serious about your relationship with Christ, make spiritual reading a daily part of your spiritual itinerary. According to St. Alphonsus Ligouri, spiritual reading can be classified as that which helps a person advance in divine love and perfection. In other words, its sole purpose is to help a person grow in sanctity. Here are three stories that demonstrate the effectiveness and power of spiritual reading.
John Colombini, was a successful businessman, husband and father. He was not only ambitious and worldly, but was known for his fits of anger and rage. One day after a “passionate outburst,” he read a book on the life of St. Mary of Egypt. After reading the book he was touched by the grace of God and John was a changed man. He repented of his past life and put his faith into practice by - visiting the sick, giving money to the poor and founding a society of laymen who were devoted to “penance and charity.”
In another example, Ignatius of Loyola suffered a leg injury while in battle. While recuperating in the castle of Loyola, he became so bored that he demanded books be brought to him to pass the time. His sister-in-law brought him the only two books in the castle, one was on the life of Christ and the other on the lives of the saints. At first, Ignatius was not pleased, but being his only option, he reluctantly read them. While reading the books, his mind and heart were slowly turned away from worldly things to Christ. He eventually founded the Society of Jesus.
Lastly, St. Benedicta of the Cross, known also as Edith Stein, was on a holiday visiting friends. She found on their bookshelf the autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila. Once Edith opened the book, she could not put it down and she spent the entire evening reading it. The autobiography was not only instrumental in her conversion to Catholicism, but eventually led her to the Carmelite Order.
Each of these stories has one thing in common: the life of each person was transformed by reading a spiritual book(s). Furthermore, the books opened the doorway for John, Edith and Ignatius on their journey toward sainthood.
How does one go about spiritual reading? It’s simple. First begin by saying a short prayer to the Holy Spirit and one Hail Mary for guidance. Spend 10-15 minutes reading the material, not like a newspaper or novel, but attentively and slowly. If something grabs your attention or tugs at your heart, stop, reflect upon it, and pray. It’s that easy.
Although spiritual reading could include the Bible, which should be read daily, I also recommend books and material outside of Scripture that can help us love God more, serve Him better and imitate Him more perfectly. A few books I would recommend are The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis, Introduction of the Devout Life by Francis de Sales, Spiritual Combat Revisited by Jonathon Robinson and The Fulfillment of all Desire by Ralph Martin. I have found these books to be most helpful and instructive in the ways and means of the spiritual life.
There are also numerous books on the lives of the saints, some of my favorites are Faces of Holiness I and Faces of Holiness II by Ann Ball, Edith Stein by Waltraud Herbstrith and St. Gabriel Possenti – Passionist by Gabriel Cingolani. These books, along with many others, will inspire and encourage you to practice your faith more ardently, and love Jesus more passionately.
Personally, I would have to say that spiritual reading has been a real blessing! I have not only grown in knowledge and wisdom by reading good Catholic books, but have also grown closer to Christ. If you do not already practice spiritual reading, I would recommend that you start today. It’s not only easy to do, but more importantly, it will turn your mind and heart towards Christ.
God bless.