Learning the Devout Life

Books

• Introduction to the Devout Life
  St. Francis de Sales

  Thorough instructions on living a holy and sinless life in practically every state of life. Often used for spiritual direction by those who have no spiritual directors.

• The Spiritual Combat
  Dom Lorenzo Scupoli

  Highly recommended by St. Francis de Sales who read bits of it every day for almost 20 years, this book uncovers many finer points and subtle dangers of the spiritual life. With a specialty on conquering your vices, it gives five distinct methods. Quite structured.

• Young Man’s Guide
  Fr. Lasance

  A friendly discourse on life, and how to keep virtues in the midst of a corrupted world. Very great for youth, and explains everything from belief in God and self-control to vocation discernment.

• The Salesian Preventive System
  St. John Bosco
• Letters to Persons in the World
  St. Francis de Sales

  Letters written by the bishop of Geneva to various people on various points of practical holiness in everyday life. Could very well be considered a companion to Introduction to the Devout Life.

• How a Saint Corrected Children
  St. John Bosco

  Especially great for parents.

• The Interior Castle
  St. Teresa of Avila

  A very theological course in devotion as ‘mansions’. It gives instruction on many topics all around spiritual converse with God, with instruction on discernment of inspirations/revelations. Very good for nuns, fairly good for contemplative religious, and also good for lay people.

• Blessed Sacrament Book
  Fr. Lasance
• Parochial and Plain Sermons, in 8 volumes
  St. John Henry Newman
• 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.

• Glories of the Holy Ghost: A Series of Studies, a Collection of Tributes, an Account of Certain Movements bearing on The Third Person of the Blessed Trinity
  Rev. W. M. Stadelman, C. S. Sp.

  This book is included because it has good approbations, and looks at least a little interesting, especially in the first third or so.

• A Treatise on Bringing Children to Jesus Christ
  John Charlier Gerson
• The True Story of the Vatican Council
  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.

• The Temporal Power of the Vicar of Jesus Christ
  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.

• The Temporal Mission of The Holy Ghost
  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 Newman. It is included in this library because of its historical and theological interest.

• The Letters of Saint Teresa of Avila
  Georges Bertrin

  This might be missing a fourth volume. I’m not sure. An amazon.com result seems to suggest there is a fourth volume. But I haven’t found one on archive.org yet.

• The Eternal Priesthood
  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.

• Catechism of the Summa Theologica
  R. P. Thomas Pegues, O.P.
• Sin and Its Consequences
  Henry Edward Cardinal Manning
• The Rule of St. Benedict, in Latin and English, with Commentary
  St. Benedict, Dom Paul Delatte
• 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 Ascetical Works, Vol 16 - Abridged Sermons for All Sundays of the Year
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• Practical Piety Set Forth by St Francis de Sales
  St. Francis de Sales
• Letters to Persons in Religion
  St. Francis de Sales
• Guide to a Catholic Church for Non-Catholic Visitors
  W. L. Fox

  Some things in this book may be outdated, since many Catholic practices and the style of explanation of many Catholic beliefs have changed during that time.

• Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism
  Rev. Thomas L. Kinkead

  Also known as Baltimore Catechism No. 4

• Catholic Belief and Practice
  Rev. James E. McGavick

  Some things in this book may be outdated, since many Catholic practices and the style of explanation of many Catholic beliefs have changed during that time.

• The Spiritual Conferences of St. Francis de Sales
  St. Francis de Sales
• God’s Wonder Book
  Marie St. S. Ellerker, O.S.D.
• Essentials and Non-Essentials of the Catholic Religion
  Rev. H. G. Huges
• Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila
  St. Teresa of Avila
• The Ascetical Works, Vol 27 - Miscellany
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• The Ascetical Works, Vol 25 - Preaching
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• The Ascetical Works, Vol 24 - The Divine Office
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• The Ascetical Works, Vol 23 - The Holy Mass
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• The Ascetical Works, Vol 22 - Letters
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• The Ascetical Works, Vol 21 - Letters
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• The Ascetical Works, Vol 20 - Letters
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• The Ascetical Works, Vol 19 - Letters
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• The Ascetical Works, Vol 18 - Letters
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• The Ascetical Works, Vol 03 - The Great Means of Salvation and of Perfection
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• The Ascetical Works, Vol 02 - The Way of Salvation and of Perfection
  St. Alphonsus de Liguori
• The Holy Angels (O’Kennedy)
  The Reverend R. O'Kennedy
• The Holy Angels (O’Connell)
  Rev. Raphael V. O'Connell, S. J.
• The Christian Mother
  Rev. W. Cramer
• Light and Peace
  Fr. Quadrupani

  This book could be considered an update to Introduction to the Devout Life, being written in the same style and spirit, but for more modern times. Very encouraging and instructive.

• Catholic Girls Guide
  Fr. Lasance
• The Life and Letters of St Francis Xavier
  Henry James Coleridge
• 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
• The Life and Letters of St Teresa of Avila
  Henry James Coleridge