My wife and I really appreciate finding one place – Catholic Classics – to find all our (future) favorite Catholic titles. We found Story of a Soul here and read it together as sort of a couples’ prayer. It was great. Thanks!
- The Shepherd of Hermas: An Early Christian Allegory
The Shepherd of Hermas, an early Christian (and somewhat strange) allegory was written sometime in the second century AD. It enjoyed a great vogue in orthodox circles and was even included in some copies of the New Testament — it is found in the Sinaitic Codex, for example. According to A. D. Howell-Smith, the theology of the Church must have been very elastic at a time when such a book could enjoy popularity and implicit, if not explicit, ecclesiastical sanction, for its … Continue reading The Shepherd of Hermas: An Early Christian Allegory - St. Clement of Alexandria: Stromata
Here is a book of far-ranging subjects by St. Clement of Alexandria, one of our most enduring Fathers of the Church: The contents of the Stromata, as its title suggests, are miscellaneous. Its place in the trilogy is disputed – Clement initially intended to write the Didasculus, a work that would complement the practical guidance of the Paedagogus with a more intellectual schooling in theology. The Stromata is less systematic and ordered than Clement’s other works, and it has been theorized by André Méhat that it was intended for a … Continue reading St. Clement of Alexandria: Stromata - St. Ignatius of Antioch: Epistles
One of our greatest patristic fathers, St. Ignatius of Antioch – here are his greatest writings, the “Epistles” or letters he wrote as he was being marched to his martyrdom: Eusebius (Hist. Eccl. 3.36) places Ignatius’ martyrdom in the reign of Trajan (A.D. 98-117), and a date in the second half of Trajan’s reign or somewhat later seems to fit the picture of the conditions reflected in the letters. This group of epistles is found in numerous Greek and Latin manuscripts and … Continue reading St. Ignatius of Antioch: Epistles - The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
Is it time to take your spiritual pulse, re-orient yourself to your Creator, and seek His guidance to live your faith more seriously? The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola outline the rigorous self-examination and spiritual meditations St. Ignatius set forth. Readers will learn how to make a new beginning on the path to holiness, repenting of their sins and attaining freedom from Satan’s power. Though St. Ignatius wrote The Spiritual Exercises as a handbook for a four week guided retreat, this edition … Continue reading The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius - St. Louis de Montfort
Considered by many to be the greatest single book of Marian spirituality ever written, True Devotion to Mary is St Louis de Montfort’s classic statement on the spiritual way to Jesus Christ though the Blessed Virgin Mary. Beloved by countless souls, this book sums up the entire Christian life, showing a way of holiness that is short, easy, secure, and perfect—a way of life chosen by Our Lord Himself. In this beautiful and sublimely inspiring book, de Montfort explains the wonderful spiritual effects … Continue reading St. Louis de Montfort - The Spiritual Combat
St. Francis de Sales always carried this book in his pocket! The Spiritual Combat is the classic manual of spiritual warfare. Its wisdom has helped form the souls of the Church’s greatest saints. Now this book can do the same thing for you.It’s no longer fashionable to speak about the realities of the devil and demons, and so the world has become more vulnerable than ever before. The Christian life is a battle between God and the forces of darkness. This is … Continue reading The Spiritual Combat - Introduction to the Devout Life
St. Francis de Sales spiritual classic Introduction to the Devout Life: As no sensible person would make a long road trip without first consulting a map, so the person intent upon gaining Heaven should first resort to a competent guide to reach that Goal of all goals. And no better guide to Heaven exists than An Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Doctor of the Church. It is at once easy to read, being laid out in short … Continue reading Introduction to the Devout Life - Story of a Soul
The classic Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux! This book, first published in 1898 in a highly edited version, quickly became a modern spiritual classic, read by millions and translated into over fifty-five languages. John Clarke’s acclaimed translation, first published in 1975, is now accepted as the standard throughout the English-speaking world. Here is a great review from Fergus at Goodreads: My wonderful Mom died 40 years ago this year. She was a mere 56. What did it? Smoking and Stress. … Continue reading Story of a Soul - The Rule of St. Benedict
The classic that shaped European history forever! Get your copy of The Rule of St. Benedict! For fifteen centuries Benedictine monasticism has been governed by a Rule that is at once strong enough to instill order and yet flexible enough to have relevance fifteen-hundred years later. This pocket-sized, English-only edition is perfect for individual or group study. The Rule of Saint Benedict (Latin: Regula Sancti Benedicti) is a book of precepts written in 516 by St. Benedict of Nursia (c. AD … Continue reading The Rule of St. Benedict - Diary of St. Faustina – Divine Mercy
The Diary of St. Faustina is the second most important book in the world, after the Bible. It is a record of the inspiring life of St. Faustina, as she experienced the profound supernatural events that shaped her entire life. It reveals the supremely holy and wise personality of the author, not so much in what she said about herself, but in her honest reaction to the ordinary and divine moments of her everyday life. But the true purpose of the … Continue reading Diary of St. Faustina – Divine Mercy
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