If you could only have one spiritual book other than the Bible, what would it be?

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If you could only have one spiritual book other than the Bible, what would it be?

Mine: The Desert Fathers -compiled and translated by Helen Waddell. It collects a bunch of the writings and sayings of the Desert Fathers into one book.
 
theidler said:
If you could only have one spiritual book other than the Bible, what would it be?

Mine: The Desert Fathers -compiled and translated by Helen Waddell. It collects a bunch of the writings and sayings of the Desert Fathers into one book.
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The Liturgy of the Hours.
 
Poor_Soul said:
Great answer.🙂

Now if the OP asked what two books, I would have also put down: The Imitation of Christ.
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Imitation of Christ is a classic. I have always wondered why Thomas a Kempis was not canonized as a saint…
 
Julia_Mae said:
Cloud of Unknowing.
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Now there’s a deep work - though, in my opinion, not entirely an original one. One can find the same kind of writing in authors like Pseudo-Dionysius and St. Gregory of Nyssa.
 
Oneofthewomen said:
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, preferably this particular version.
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I can’t say I empathize with this one - St. Ignatius has never been a favorite of mine. His Exercises are far too militant and rigid for me. I prefer the warmth and depth of the desert monastics. But it could be that I am totally missing something in Ignatius’ writings…:o
 
I thought the same thing for a very long time.
Then I went back to college to study theology.
My first paper had to be about a saint from James Martin’s book, “My Life with the Saints”.
I chose Ignatius because I didn’t really like him, and thought it would be more of a challenge.
Proof positive that God works in mysterious ways! 😃
I found out that my natural inclination is very “Ignatian” and his imagery really spoke to me, on a level that I could really understand.
The Exercises and embracing the Ignatian way have been a life-affirming and life-altering experience. :getholy:
theidler said:
I can’t say I empathize with this one - St. Ignatius has never been a favorite of mine. His Exercises are far too militant and rigid for me. I prefer the warmth and depth of the desert monastics. But it could be that I am totally missing something in Ignatius’ writings…:o
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theidler said:
Imitation of Christ is a classic. I have always wondered why Thomas a Kempis was not canonized as a saint…
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I seem to remember hearing that when he was exhumed there were splinters found underneath his fingernails, showing a) he was (accidentally?) buried alive, and b) he was not resigned to the will of God. Or something.

Other than Bible and Divine Office, if I could only take two books, I would take “Imitation of Christ” and “Story of a Soul” (John Clarke OCD translation).

However, Blessed be God that I don’t have to choose, and I have all 4 on my nook!
 
It’s a toss-up between Confessions by Saint Augustine and The Story Of A Soul by Saint Therese of Lisieux. They’re both up there with my favorite Saints, and these are two wonderful books.
 
theidler said:
Kindles are heresy.😉
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I would have my Kindle, it’s got a lot of good spiritual books on it.

However if I could have one book, I would agree with the poster about the LOTH. Those are so indispensible and are part of my life, I would be at a loss without them.
 
Hmmm probably the Divine Office because I know I’d be lost without it. Or maybe the Revelations of St. Bridget - unabridged. I’ve never read a spiritual work that spoke to me so deeply or profoundly. 🙂
 
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