Since the earliest times in the Church, there have been many great mystics, contemplatives, apologists, Popes and others who have shared their faith journeys and the keys to spiritual success. Many of the leading authors are included which shows the richness and depth of their informative and moving spiritual experiences among the greatest Catholic leaders in the Church.
Websites and Podcasts:
Bishop Robert Barron – Word on Fire
Word on Fire is an exceptional collection of highly relevant Catholic articles, videos and podcasts. In addition to daily Gospel reflections, Bishop Barron offers a weekly Sunday Sermon (usually 12-15 minutes) that is concise, informative and always timely. As creator and director of the Catholicism series, Bishop Barron has turned Word on Fire into a groundbreaking and inspiring website.
Father Jim can be found on many different YouTube channels as a frequent retreat leader all across the world. He is an exorcist, visionary and passionate about the Virgin Mary. We recommend that you simply do a Google search on “Father Jim Blount” and select the topic that you are most interested in. Fr Blount is a friendly storyteller with great insights into what is happening in the world in these times. He constantly reminds us the Rosary is our greatest weapon against evil.
Fr. Mike Schmitz - Ascension Press
Priest, speaker, author, and podcaster. As the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries in the Diocese of Duluth, Minnesota, \ Schmitz is most notable for his social media presence, which mainly consist of his YouTube videos and The Bible in a Year podcast, both of which are produced by the Catholic publisher Ascension Press.
Recommended Books:
The Imitation of Christ, Thomas a Kempis
A classic devotional work with a profound, yet simple, message. It calls us to look away from our self-sufficiency to God who is all-sufficient, then to look back with transformed vision to a world in need where service replaces self-seeking. God becomes central in our lives as we systematically bring ourselves into line with his sovereign control. This will involve self-mortification, a ruthless honesty with ourselves, a determination to change, and plain, hard work. When we have done this we will be following the pattern of Jesus’ earthly life. Second most purchased book (behind the Bible) of all time.
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The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in Daily Life Fr Kevin O’Brien SJ
There is no better guide than St. Ignatius Loyola if one desires to discover how faith and everyday life can thrive together. In The Ignatian Adventure, Kevin O'Brien, SJ, follows St. Ignatius's lead and offers today's time-strapped individual a unique way of "making" the Spiritual Exercises in daily life.
O'Brien's book provides helpful background information, including a brief history of St. Ignatius, an explanation of the Spiritual Exercises and their purpose, and a description of different ways to make the Exercises. The book's core offers 32 weeks of prayer and meditations to draw participants into a deeper encounter with God. The Ignatian Adventure is an ideal resource for spiritual directors, but its user-friendly, down-to-earth style also makes it perfect for any individual seeking a deeper life of prayer.
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He Leadeth Me, Fr Walter Ciszek, SJ
A powerful testimony of faith by Fr. Walter Ciszek, who endured 23 years of Soviet imprisonment during WWII. This moving account reveals how his deep trust in God and prayer became his solace and strength amidst intense suffering. Inspiring readers to embrace unwavering faith, Ciszek's story transforms adversity into spiritual resilience and divine closeness.
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The Soul of the Apostolate, Jean-Baptiste Chautard O.C.S.O
A treasured book of Pope St. Pius X, emphasizes the importance of prayer in apostolic work. This 336-page softcover book provides proven methods for nurturing the interior life amidst daily activities, guiding readers through the pitfalls and essentials of spiritual life and the economy of salvation, as well as the many dead-ends that we fallen creatures tend to follow. A critically important introduction to the spiritual life!
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The Fire Within, Fr. Thomas Dubay SM
Fr. Thomas Dubay is a profound guide to true prayer and deepening one's love for the interior life. The Fire Within synthesizes teachings from St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, and Sacred Scripture, presenting key elements of prayer and holiness for every Christian. This 345-page softcover offers insights from one of the leading spiritual directors of our time.
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The Life of Christ, Fulton J. Sheen, Image Press, Reprint edition, 1977
Widely proclaimed a classic work of Christian faith, Life of Christ has been hailed as the most eloquent of Fulton J. Sheen's many books. The fruit of many years of reflection, prayer, and research, it is a dramatic and moving recounting of the birth, life, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Christ, and a passionate portrait of the God-Man, the teacher, the healer, and, most of all, the Savior, whose promise has sustained humanity for two millennia. An appealing blend of philosophy, history, and biblical exegesis, from the best-known and most-loved American Catholic leader of the twentieth century, Life of Christ has long been a source of inspiration and guidance. For those seeking to better understand the message of Jesus Christ, this vivid retelling of the greatest story ever lived is a must-read. The no. 1 book recommendation from Fr. Matt Guckin, Pastor, OLMC, Doylestown.
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The Confessions of St. Augustine, St Augustine Autobiography
Considered one of the greatest Christian classics of all time. It is an extended poetic, passionate, intimate prayer that Augustine wrote as an autobiography sometime after his conversion, to confess his sins and proclaim God's goodness. Just as his first hearers were captivated by his powerful conversion story, so also have many millions been over the following sixteen centuries. His experience of God speaks to us across time with little need of transpositions.
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Seven Storey Mountain, Thomas Merton Autobiography
Tells of the growing restlessness of a brilliant and passionate young man, who at the age of twenty-six, takes vows in one of the most demanding Catholic orders—the Trappist monks. At the Abbey of Gethsemani, "the four walls of my new freedom," Thomas Merton struggles to withdraw from the world, but only after he has fully immersed himself in it. At the abbey, he wrote this extraordinary testament, a unique spiritual autobiography that has been recognized as one of the most influential religious works of our time. Translated into more than twenty languages, it has touched millions of lives.
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The Fulfillment of All Desire, Ralph Martin, Emmaus Road Publishing, 2006
There are many all-time classic books on the spiritual life. Many of them are summarized in this modern commentary by Ralph Martin. “Drawing upon the teaching of seven Spiritual Doctors of the Church, Ralph Martin presents an in-depth study of the journey to God. This book provides encouragement and direction for the pilgrim who desires to know, love, and serve our Lord.” Ralph is the president of Renewal Ministries an organization devoted to Catholic renewal and evangelization. Pope Benedict XVI appointed Ralph as a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization.
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Diary Of St. Faustina, St. Faustina, Marian Press, 2000
This is the book that sparked The Divine Mercy devotion -- one of the fastest growing movements in the Catholic Church today. Diary is a dramatic telling of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska's amazing encounter with The Divine Mercy -- our Lord Jesus Christ. On Mercy Sunday 2006, Pope Benedict XVI said, "The mystery of the merciful love of God was the center of the pontificate of my venerable predecessor [Pope John Paul II] ... evidencing that the devotion to Divine Mercy is not a secondary but an integral dimension of a Christian's faith and prayer." Diary chronicles God's message given through St. Faustina to the world to turn to His mercy. In it, we are reminded to trust in the Divine Mercy of Jesus and seek His forgiveness. This book chronicles Faustina’s direct conversation with Jesus. A classic and one of the most important of our time.
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Dark Night of the Soul, St John of the Cross, TAN Books
Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross is a long time contemplative Catholic classic which offers a profound spiritual journey through trials to achieve unity with God. Far from divine abandonment, it is a divine favor for those seeking to purify their souls. Despite its rigorous path, the book is infused with the saint's charity and love, guiding readers with 192 pages of insightful, sacred wisdom. Deep spirituality. Not for beginners.
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The Interior Castle, St. Theresa of Avila, TAN Classics
The Interior Castle by Saint Teresa of Avila, a profound guide to the spiritual journey from mortal sin to mystical union with Christ. This classic unveils the soul's beauty as a castle leading to God, offering practical advice for overcoming early spiritual struggles. Experience her inspiring call to prayer and divine love. Deep spirituality. Not for beginners.
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