SPRITUAL READING AS A MEANS OF FORMATION An essential element of spiritual formation is the prayerful and meditated reading of the word

of God (lectio divina). Lectio Divina as a method of listening, meditating, praying and contemplating the Word of God is a helpful way in which God forms us in the knowledge, love and following of Jesus as disciples. Each of us is encouraged to develop this intimate relationship with Jesus through this meditative and contemplative method. Reading the Bible should become a regular habit in the Christians life. Starting off your day with a time of reading the Bible and prayer will strengthen your walk with Christ. The Saints say this about spiritual reading. To a spiritual life the reading of holy books is perhaps not less useful than mental prayer. St. Bernard says reading instructs us at once in prayer, and in the practice of virtue. Hence he concluded that spiritual reading and prayer are the arms by which hell is conquered and paradise won. We cannot always have access to a spiritual Father for counsel in our actions, and particularly in our doubts; but reading will abundantly supply his place by giving us lights and directions to escape the illusions of the devil and of our own self-love, and at the same time to submit to the divine will. Hence St. Athanasius used to say that we find no one devoted to the service of the Lord that did not practice spiritual reading. But before all, the Apostle prescribed spiritual reading to Timothy. Attend unto reading. Mark the word Attend, which signifies that, although Timothy, as being bishop, was greatly occupied with the care of his flock, still the Apostle wished him to apply to the reading of holy books, not in a passing way and for a short time, but regularly and for a considerable time. NEW TESTAMENT THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS in the lives of the saints we read what so many holy men and women, who were flesh as we are, have done. Hence, their example, if it produce no other fruit, will at least humble us and make us sink under the earth. In reading the great things that the saints have done, we shall certainly be ashamed of the little that we have done and still do for God. St. Augustine said of himself: My God, the examples of Thy servants, when I meditated on them, consumed my tepidity and inflamed me with Thy holy love. Of St. Francis, St. Bonaventure writes: By the remembrance of the saints and of their virtues, as if they were so many stones of fire, he has inflamed with new love for God. St. Gregory also relates that in Rome there was a beggar called Servolus; he was afflicted with infirmities, and lived on the alms that he collected: he gave a part to the poor, and employed the remainder in purchasing books of devotion. Servolus could not read, but he engaged those whom he lodged in his little house to read for him. St. Gregory says that by listening to these spiritual readings Servolus acquired great patience and a wonderful knowledge of the things of God. Finally, the saint states that at death the poor man besought his friends to read for him; but before breathing his last he interrupted the reading, and said: Be silent, be silent, do you not hear how all paradise resounds with canticles and harmonious music? After these words he sweetly expired. Immediately after his death a most agreeable odor was diffused over the room, in testimony of the sanctity of the beggar, who left the world poor in earthly goods, but rich in virtue and merits. A SHORT HISTORY OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CONVERSATION WITH GOD THE WAY, FURROW, FORGE, FRIENDS OF GOD, CHRIST IS PASSING BY The Way 467 Books. I put out my hand, like one of Christ's beggars, and I asked for books. Books, that are nourishment for the Catholic, apostolic and Roman minds of many young students. 116 Don't neglect your spiritual reading. Reading has made many saints

The Furrow 428 Since you want to acquire a Catholic or universal mentality, here are some characteristics you should aim at: a breadth of vision and a vigorous endeavour to study more deeply the things that are permanently alive and unchanged in Catholic orthodoxy. 572 It is as easy now as it was at the time of Jesus Christ to say No, to deny or to put to one side the truth of faith. You who call yourself a Catholic have to start from Yes. Later, after some study, you will be able to explain the reasons for your certainty, and that there is no contradiction there can be none between Truth and science, between Truth and life. 619 When you find studying is an awfully uphill task offer that effort to Jesus. Tell him that you continue poring over your books, so that you may use your knowledge as a weapon to fight his enemies and so gain many souls for him... You can then be sure that your study is well on its way to becoming prayer. The Forge 840 You must always have, in everything, the same sentiments as the Church. For this, you must acquire the spiritual and doctrinal training that you need, which will make you a person of sound judgement in temporal matters, humble and quick to correct yourself when you realise you have made a mistake. Correcting your own mistakes, nobly, is a very human and very supernatural way of using your freedom. 841 There is an urgent need for spreading the doctrine of Christ. Store up your training, fill yourself with clear ideas, with the fullness of the Christian message, so that afterwards you can pass it on to others. Dont expect God to illuminate you, for he has no reason to when you have definite human means available to you: study and work. 976 Quite a considerable proportion of the people who go to Church read bad publications. Calmly and with love of God we need to pray and teach them sound doctrine so that they dont go on reading those diabolical worthless papers, which they claim their families buy for they are ashamed of it though perhaps it is they themselves who do so. THE STORY OF A SOUL St. Teresa teaches us the little way to heaven, which can give hope to all. CONFESSIONS (c. 400) Augustine Long considered the classic of all time, many modern readers will find this book difficult to read with scattered wisdom. The genre itself will seem unfamiliar and slightly wordy to many evangelicals. While every Christian should eventually read this book--it's a literary classic as much as a spiritual one--it's not the one we'd recommend you begin with, though it is the most easy to locate. CITY OF GOD (c. 400) Augustine Very lengthy, but with some incredibly rich passages. Augustine challenges neo-paganism by discussing religious lore, philosophy, theology, and history. This classic is widely recognized by all traditions, and, like Confessions, is one that most Christians should aspire to read at some point. LADDER OF DIVINE ASCENT (c. 640) John Climacus The classic of eastern Christendom, written for monks, this book calls for a high Christian commitment. It's an ascetic handbook, so at times the message may seem harsh, but, read in context, the book is definitely worthy of the attention it has received. ON LOVING GOD (c. 1126-1141) Bernard of Clairvaux Bernard of Clairvaux was a giant among his peers. In many ways, his spiritual journey was stereotypical: harsh asceticism and legalism in his youth, maturing to great love and intimacy with God in his later years. You can't go wrong with a classic that bases the spiritual life on loving God.

THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING (late 14th c.) Author Unknown This work is considered a classic of mystical spirituality, and evangelicals may find the full "program" completely unattainable, of little interest or benefit. However, there are many gems scattered throughout for those who take the time to read it. I once remarked that I read The Cloud more for the quotes than for the general concepts. IMITATION OF CHRIST (c. 1418) Thomas a Kempis This is probably one of the most popular spiritual classics of all time and for good reason. It's a treasure house of insights. A' Kempis focused on rigorous spiritual training as a necessary part of Christian living. His work is thus a good counter to "soft" Christianity, but others might say it goes too far in this regard. THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF ST. IGNATIUS LOYOLA (1548) Ignatius Loyola Full of very practical advice for monks, this book also offers many helpful insights for evangelicals. With some modifications, evangelicals can benefit by systematically going through the exercises. ASCENT OF MT. CARMEL (c. 1587) John of the Cross A mystical classic. John was recognized as a highly gifted spiritual director (he was a follower of Teresa of Avila, but also served as her spiritual director during a three year period). In this work John provides many helpful insights, particularly into the dry stages of the Christian life. One of my favorite authors, John wrote with an unparalleled passion for God. DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL(late sixteenth century) John of the Cross Another classic by John of the Cross. Though published under a different title than Dark Night of the Soul, the two volumes are really companions and should be read together for maximum benefit and understanding. Abridged versions of both works appear in th Paulist Press edition mentioned above. THE INTERIOR CASTLE (1588) Teresa of Avila This is a relatively short book on prayer, emphasizing spiritual visions leading to spiritual betrothal and marriage. A recognized classic on the devotional life and prayer. INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE (1609) Francis de Sales A fantastic, very readable work. This was a unique spiritual book for its time, in that Francis wrote it for laypeople, not for those living in a religious community. His desire was to help the ordinary tradesman grow, recognizing that such a person needed different advice than that generally given to members of a religious community. This book is very practical with several helpful meditations, but some of these meditations will seem very "Roman Catholic" and evangelicals may choose to skip over these. THE PATIENCE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD (1692) Brother Lawrence Brother Lawrence was a very humble man with an extraordinary sense of living in God's presence. This little book is a treasure house of devotion and includes several letters and conversations regarding his wonderful awareness of God's presence. It's an excellent book with which to begin reading the classics. ST ALPHONSUS DE LIGUORI - THE GREAT MEANS OF SALVATION AND PERFECTION I do not think that I have written a more useful work than the present, in which I speak of prayer as a necessary and certain means of obtaining salvation, and all the graces that we require for that object. If it were in my power, I would distribute a copy of it to every Catholic in the world, in order to show him the absolute necessity of prayer for salvation." - St Alphonsus in the Introduction Link to on-line books - http://www.catholictreasury.info/library.php