| A SHORT COURSE ON SPIRITUALITY V. “Salt for the Soul (Must Reads) “The Necessity of Spiritual Reading – Read good literature; get others to read good literature; and later, all of us will do good deeds. We must form a taste for religious literature. It must take a definite place in each day. From it we will acquire an interest in our religion; extend our knowledge of the doctrines of the Church; learn of its history, glories, institutions, opponents, and be able to answer the innumerable questions and objections which constantly proceed from friend and enemy. There is a dearth of good religious libraries. Probably we shall have to buy the books we wish most to read. But let there be a little sacrifice, an occasional book purchased and read thoroughly, and more than once. If an author has put deep thought into his work, this will not be appreciated in one reading. After that, let its mission be not to gather dust, but souls. Send it on a busy apostolic round amongst those friends who can be trusted to return a borrowed book. Some good religious periodical should enter our home regularly – one which will keep us in touch with the wide world doings of the Universal Church. We Must Read the Lives of the Saints – We were taught to read by means of a headline. Unconsciously, we shape our lives by some headlines, too. God’s purpose in bringing about the Canonisation of the Saints was to provide a headline which would draw us on to goodness and heroism. Saints are the doctrines and practices of holiness made visible. If we frequent their company, we will soon imitate their qualities.” Can We Be Saints, Frank Duff (1958) Lectio Divina – deep, reflective reading (especially of the Sacred Scripture). Spiritual Reading – prayerful reading of spiritual books. Prayer before and after. Don’t be afraid to stop, reflect and pray. You can’t love what you don’t know. The greater our knowledge of the Lord through good prayerful reading the more we can love Him. St. Ambrose (340-97) said that there is a way in which spiritual reading is more important than meditation. In meditation, we speak to God. In spiritual reading, God speaks to us. St. Pio (1887-1968): In books we seek God, in prayer we find him. Imitation of Christ (Thomas a Kempis, 1380-1471): “Inquire not who said this, but attend to what is said.” A FEW THINGS TO READ… Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition (RSVCE) (Ignatius Press, USA: 1994) Good News Bible – Australian Edition (The Bible Society, NSW: 1994) Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) Catholicism for Dummies, John Trigilio & Kenneht Brighenti (Wiley, NY: 2003) Spiritual Theology, Jordan Aumann (Sheed & Ward [Stagbooks], London: 1980) Christian Spirituality in the Catholic Tradition, Jordan Aumann (Sheed & Ward (Stagbooks), London: 1985) Confessions, St. Augustine (Trans. Henry Chadwick – Oxford University Press, Oxford 1998) Imitation of Christ, Thomas A Kempis (Confraternity of the Precious Blood, USA: 1982) St. Teresa of Avila, Collected Works (ICS, Washington: 1987) St. John of the Cross, Collected Works (ICS, Washington: 1991) Introduction to the Devout Life, St. Francis de Sales (Image, NY:1972) True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, St. Louis de Montfort (Montfort, NY: 1975) (Self-)Abandonment to Divine Providence, Jean-Pierre De Caussade (Sinag-tala, Manila: 1975) Story of a Soul, St. Therese of Lisieux (ICS, Washington: 1996) Mary MacKillop, Paul Gardiner (E. J. Dwyer, NSW: 1994) This Tremendous Lover; Partnership with Christ, Eugene Boylan (The Mercier Press, Cork: 1946) Can We Be Saints, Frank Duff (Legion of Mary, Melbourne: 1958) The Way; Furrow; The Forge, St. Josemaria Escriva (Scepter, Princeton: 1998) Prayer: Living with God, Simon Tugwell (Templegate, Illinois: 1975) Prayer for Beginners, Peter Kreeft Becoming Fire, Ken Baker (Freedom, Melbourne: 2001) Prayer Primer, Thomas Dubay (Ignatius Press, San Francisco: 2002) Forgiveness – Experiencing God’s Mercy, Richard M. McAlear (Father McAlear’s Ministry, NSW: 2003) http://www.j23.com.au/ |
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