15th-century Dutch priest Thomas a Kempis is best known for his famous Christian devotional book, “The Imitation of Christ.” Influenced by the era of Devotio Moderna, or Modern Devotion, a movement of religious reform which called for a return to the Christian principles of humility, obedience, and simplicity of life, Kempis intended his work to help further this reform. Arguably the most famous of all Christian devotional works next to the Bible, “The Imitation of Christ” is divided into four...
This classic of Christian devotional literature has brought understanding and comfort to millions for centuries. Both Protestants and Catholics — as well as mystics and historians of religious thought — have studied these meditations on the life and teachings of Jesus, finding in them a path to prayer and spiritual guidance. Written in a candid and conversational style, The Imitation of Christ discusses liberation from worldly inclinations, recollection as a preparation for...
A contemporary selection of Catholic classics, curated for the modern reader by Our Sunday Visitor in the spirit of our founder, Archbishop John Francis Noll.
The Imitation of Christ is a Christian devotional book by Thomas à Kempis, first composed in Latin (as De Imitatione Christi) c. 1418–1427. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the Devotio Moderna movement, of which Kempis was a member. The Imitation is perhaps the most widely read Christian devotional work next to the Bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. Its popularity was immediate, and it was printed 745 times before 1650. Apart from the Bible, no book...
Complete and unabridged 15th century text by Thomas a Kempis and translated by William Benham in 1886. This book is a classic for comfort and understanding of living the spiritual life of Christ in a physical world. Find the path to following Christ in this treasured and timeless devotional book. Encouraging the renunciation of worldly vanities and vices, Thomas a Kempis shows us how to lead a disciplined and simple spiritual life modeled on the teachings of Jesus.
“There is no better edition of this classic, than this careful and insightful volume.” —Michael Downey, editor, The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality Published in over 6,000 editions before the twentieth century, this classic work has been called “the most influential work in Christian literature,” “a landmark in the history of the human mind,” and “the fifth gospel.” Now and for the first time comes an exhaustive edition that is bound to become a classic in its own right. Fr....
These thematic collections of spiritual teachings from the best Christian writers in history are sure to be popular with book study groups, Centering prayer gatherings, adult Christian formation, and for individual spiritual reading.
