Growing in Devotion

Books

• Imitation of Christ
  Thomas a Kempis

  The world-renowned and universally recommended devotional / prayer book. Read often by St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Thomas More, St. Ignatius of Loyola.

• The Sinner’s Guide
  Venerable Louis of Granada

  A masterpiece of spiritual writing. Highly recommended by St. Francis de Sales. According to St. Teresa of Avila, it converted over a million souls.

• The Catena Aurea
  St. Thomas Aquinas and the Fathers of the Church

  Latin for “golden chain”, the Catena Aurea is St. Thomas Aquinas’s masterful weaving together of the commentary of the Fathers of the Church on all four Gospels. This edition was translated by St. John Henry Newman into English.

• The Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Hell, Heaven.
  Fr. Martin Von Cochem, O.S.F.C.

  Excellent treatise on human destinies that doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable and sometimes horrifying. Inspires a lively fear of eternity, and can be effective at making the reader change their life.

• The Dialogue of St. Catherine of Siena
  St. Catherine of Siena

  This book, also known as “The Book of Divine Doctrine”, was dictated by God to the Saint while in an ecstasy. It consists of four treatises, on Providence, Discretion, Prayer, & Obedience.

• Mystical Explanation of the Canticle of Canticles
  St. Francis de Sales

  An explanation of the Song of Songs by a saint, the bride being the Church Militant (or the soul). From this version “This book treats of the way to arrive at a perfect form of mental prayer”.

• The Living Flame of Love
  St. John of the Cross
• Treatise on the Love of God
  St. Francis de Sales

  This saint’s theological and devotional masterpiece. Very heavy on theological and philosophical terms, which can be difficult for some. (e.g. goes into the subject of the Trinity)

• The Dark Night of the Soul
  St. John of the Cross
• Meditations and Devotions, by St. John Henry Newman
  St. John Henry Newman
• A Spiritual Canticle of the Soul: And the Bridegroom of Christ
  St. John of the Cross
• The Imitation of The Sacred Heart of Jesus
  Rev. Peter J. Arnoudt, S.J.
• The Sacred Heart, Anecdotes and Examples to Assist in Devotion
  Rev. Dr. Joseph Keller
• The Spirit Of The Cure Of Ars
  M. L'Abbe Monnin

  This book does not have approbations, but was written by a priest and edited (and probably translated) by another priest. It also says “Authorised Translation” on the title page. It’s also published by Burns, Lambert, and Oates, which are generally safe publishers. So it’s probably safe to read.

• The Internal Mission of The Holy Ghost
  Henry Edward Cardinal Manning

  See also The Temporal Mission of The Holy Ghost.

• The Creed Explained: or, An Exposition of Catholic Doctrine, According to the Creeds of Faith, and the Constitutions and Definitions of the Church
  Rev. Arthur Devine, Passionist

  This book is included because it has good approbations, and generally looks interesting and useful.

• Fountain of Living Water: or, Thoughts On The Holy Ghost For Every Day In The Year
  Rev. A. A. Lambing

  This book is included because it has good approbations, and quotes several other approved authors, and seems useful and good based on its contents.

• The Glories of the Sacred Heart
  Henry Edward Cardinal Manning

  This work has no approbations, but is by Henry Edward Cardinal Manning, who was very zealous in Catholic doctrine, having converted from Anglicanism to Catholicism along with St. John Henry Edward Manning. That said, this book may contain opinions of his which are not necessarily doctrines of the Catholic Church. It is included in this library because of its historical and theological interest.

• Sin and Its Consequences
  Henry Edward Cardinal Manning
• The Secret of Sanctity Revealed
  St. Louis de Montfort

  This is an abridged version of True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin.

• The Imitation Of The Blessed Virgin
  Alexandre Joseph de Rouville, S.J.

  Note: This is not the same as “The Imitation of Mary” sold by Catholic Book Publishing Corp. The content is entirely different.

• The Bread of Life, St Thomas Aquinas on the Adorable Sacrament of the Altar: Arranged as Meditations with Prayers and Thanksgivings for Holy Communion
  Fr. Rawes, D.D.

  Recommended by the authors of With God and Henry Edward Cardinal Manning as a continuation of the mission of his books The Temporal Mission of the Holy Ghost and The Internal Mission of the Holy Ghost.

• St. Anselm’s Book of Meditations and Prayers
  St. Anselm
• Reflections and Prayers for Holy Communion
  Unknown
• Practical Piety Set Forth by St Francis de Sales
  St. Francis de Sales
• With God, A Book of Prayers and Reflections, by Fr. Lasance
  Fr. Lasance
• The Spiritual Conferences of St. Francis de Sales
  St. Francis de Sales
• The Mystical Flora by St. Francis de Sales
  St. Francis de Sales
• Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila
  St. Teresa of Avila
• Sermons of St. Bernard on Advent & Christmas
  St. Bernard of Clairvaux
• Minor Works of St. Teresa of Avila: Conceptions of the Love of God; Exclamations, Maxims and Poems of St. Teresa of Jesus
  St. Teresa of Avila

  Also contains a short account of the Saint’s death and canonization, etc., by the translator

• On the Love of God by St. Bernard
  St. Bernard
• The Ascetical Works, Vol 10 - The True Spouse of Jesus Christ
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• The Ascetical Works, Vol 05 - The Passion and the Death of Jesus Christ
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• The Ascetical Works, Vol 04 - The Incarnation, Birth and Infancy of Jesus Christ
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• Preparation for Death
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• Four Last Things, by St. Thomas More
  St. Thomas More
• Life of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque: or, Revelations of the Sacred Heart
  Msgr. Bougaud, Bishop of Laval
• Treatise On Purgatory
  St. Catherine of Genoa

  St. Catherine of Genoa is often known mostly for this book.

• Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
  Father John Croiset, S.J.
• Abandonment to Divine Providence
  Rev. J. P. de Caussade, S.J.
• Life of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
  St. Bonaventure
• Life of Christ, by Fr. Cochem
  Fr. Martin Von Cochem, O.S.F.C.

  From the preface: “[Fr. Cochem] devoted himself, in addition to his pastoral duties, to the writing of pious books in a popular style. … His best and most popular work was the ‘Life and Sufferings of Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Mother Mary,’ of which this volume is an abridgment and rearrangement.”

• Meditations for Layfolk
  Bede Jarrett, O.P.

  Down to earth explanations of a wide variety of Catholic truths, principles, concepts, and devotions, without watering them down.

• The Little Office of Our Lady: A Treatise Theoretical, Practical, and Exegetical
  Fr. Taunton
• My Prayer Book, Happiness in Goodness: Reflections, Counsels, Prayers, and Devotions
  Fr. Lasance
• Maxims and Counsels of St. Francis de Sales: For Every Day of the Year
  St. Francis de Sales
• Holy Souls Book, Reflections on Purgatory: A Complete Prayer-book, Including Special Prayers and Devotions in Behalf of the Poor Souls in Purgatory
  Fr. Lasance
• Blessed Sacrament Book
  Fr. Lasance
• Parochial and Plain Sermons, in 8 volumes
  St. John Henry Newman
• The Ascent of Mount Carmel
  St. John of the Cross
• The Precious Blood
  Fr. Frederick William Faber