Recommended Spiritual Reading Lent 2023
Biography, Autobiography, Memoir
Martin, James, S.J. My Life with the Saints
Merton, Thomas. The Seven Storey Mountain.
Nouwen, Henri. Genesee Diary.
Prayer
Barry, William, S.J. A Friend Like No Other.
–Paying Attention to God: Discernment in Prayer.
–(And many other works!)
Green, Thomas, S.J. Opening to God.
–When the Well Runs Dry.
–Darkness in the Marketplace: The Christian at Prayer in the World.
Keating, Thomas. Open Mind, Open Heart.
Meninger, William A., O.C.S.O. The Loving Search for God.
Steindl-Rast, David, OSB. Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer.
Saints
Teresa of Avila. The Life of Teresa of Jesus (autobiography)
Therese of Lisieux
Therese of Lisieux. The Story of a Soul. (autobiography)
Keating, Thomas. St. Therese of Lisieux: A Transformation in Christ.
King, Heather. Shirt of Flame: A Year with St. Therese of Lisieux.
Spiritual Life
Francis de Sales. Introduction to the Devout Life.
Enzler, Clarence. My Other Self: Conversations with Christ on Living Your Faith.
Theophane the Monk. Tales of a Magic Monastery.
Funk, Mary Margaret, OSB. Humility Matters: Toward Purity of Heart.
–One of a series:
–Thoughts Matter: Discovering the Spiritual Journey
–Tools Matter: Beginning the Spiritual Journey.
–Lectio Matters: Before the Burning Bush.
–Discernment Matters: Listening with the Ears of the Heart.
Kelly, Matthew. The Generosity Habit.
Kurst, Ernest and Ketchum, Katherine. The Spirituality of Imperfection.
Matthew, Iain. The Impact of God: Soundings from St. John of the Cross.
Nouwen, Henri J.M. Spiritual Direction: Wisdom for the Long Walk of Faith.
(Henri Nouwen is a spiritual master and author of many insightful books.)
O’Brien, Kevin, S.J. The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius in Daily Life.
Pope Francis. Happiness in This Life: A Passionate Meditation on Earthly Existence.
Rohr, Richard, OFM. Silent Compassion: Finding God in Contemplation.
–The Divine Dancer: The Trinity and Your Transformation.
–(And many other works!)
Rolheiser, Ron. The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality.
–Sacred Fire: A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity
Life of Christ
Catalamessa, Raniero. The Gaze of Mercy: A Commentary on Divine and Human Mercy
-–Remember Jesus Christ: Responding to the Challenge of Faith in Our Time.
Martin, James, S.J. Jesus: A Pilgrimage.
Ratzinger, Joseph (Pope Benedict XVI). Jesus of Nazareth.
Sheed, Frank. To Know Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit
Cantalamessa, Raniero. Come, Creator Spirit: Meditations on the Veni Creator.
The Church
The Truth of Catholicism: Ten Controversies Explored
Spirituality in Aging
Rohr, Richard, OFM. Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life.
Singh, Kathleen Dowling. Grace in Aging: Awaken As You Grow Older.
Spiritualities of World Religions
Konatrul, Dzigar. Training in Tenderness: Buddhist Teachings on Tsewa, the Radical Openness of Heart That Can Change the World.
Nhat Hanh, Thich. Peace Is Every Step.
Priyadarshi, Tenzin. Running Toward Mystery.