A Slice of Catholic Life: Three Spiritual Reading Recommendations

Welcome to my second Slice of Catholic Life! This time around, I’m giving three spiritual reading recommendations that have been especially helpful to me in my spiritual life.

(Oh, and of course, the Bible is a given. Everybody should read the Bible.)

1. The Golden Counsels of Saint Francis de Sales

“Do not look forward to the mishaps of this life with anxiety, but await them with perfect confidence so that when they do occur, God, to whom you belong, will deliver you from them. He has kept you up to the present; remain securely in the hand of His providence, and He will help you in all situations. When you cannot walk, He will carry you.”

This book – a pamphlet, really – is one of the most gentle, comforting spiritual reads you’re likely to find. It’s a compilation of sayings taken from various writings and letters of Saint Francis de Sales. It’s very short, but very rich, and very useful to those of us living life “in the world” (which I’m assuming most, if not all, who are reading this are).

2. The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

“Every young man or boy that met her became her son – even if it was only the boy who brought the meat to her back door. Every girl that met her was her daughter… Every beast and bird that came near her had its place in her love. In her they became themselves. And now the abundance of life she has in Christ from the Father flows over into them.”

I looked at my Teacher in amazement.

“Yes,” he said. “It is like when you throw a stone into a pool, and the concentric waves spread out further and further. Who knows where it will end?  Redeemed humanity is still young, it has hardly come to its full strength. But already there is joy enough in the little finger of a great saint such as yonder lady to waken all the dead things of the universe into life.”

AGHH. THIS BOOK. C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite authors – if not my very favorite – and this is undoubtedly my favorite book of his. You know how there are certain books that just make you feel inspired to get up and go be an awesome person? Well, this book is one of them. It’s so deep, while also being extremely engaging. (Something C.S. Lewis excels at, by the way – giving very deep insights in a way that, while not dumbing things down, is easy to understand.) There are so many great insights in this book, but I think one of the ones that stood out to me the most was how small evil is in relation to good – in comparison to God, the devil is tiny.

3. Consoling the Heart of Jesus by Fr. Michael Gaitley

“After having been rejected by so many in our day, Jesus makes it easier than ever before to become a saint. He offers unprecedented graces. In fact, He Himself will take charge and make you holy. All you have to do is let Him. … He speaks to you such words as these: ‘I see your weakness, but be not afraid. … If only you will trust me and let me do it, I will make you into a saint.’ Such words remind us of what He said to St. Faustina: ‘Be not afraid of your Savior, O sinful soul. I make the first move to come to you, for I know by yourself you are unable to lift yourself to Me.'”

This was one of the most influential spiritual books for me that I’ve read. Another one that’s very easy to read (hm, I’m beginning to wonder if I’m a wimp that way), but very powerful. I also like that it makes clear that you don’t have to be a hermit or give up all enjoyable stuff to be holy; the main “mission” of the book is not about giving up fun things, but about living praise and thanksgiving.

What are some of your spiritual reading recommendations? Have you read any of my recommendations?