Saints books/writings on discipline/rules to live by to become saints

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Were does one start with learning discipline in religious life?which saints or philosophers are most helpful and learn discipline on becoming a saint.
 
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas á Kempis is a great spiritual book, but also reading the lives of Saints will help such as St Therese of Lisieux or a biography of a patron Saint will do in the beginning stages. Don’t go too deep on a theological level just yet e.g reading the Confessions of Saint Augustine, as it won’t be as easy to comprehend just yet, especially with the use of old English language, it can be a bit confusing !
Hope all goes by Gods Will on your Spiritual Journey ! Praying for you. Stay Strong in prayer
 
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I second the Imitation of Christ. I think it’s the best to start with because it’s more general, very inspiring and easy to read.
 
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Agreed, and it’s the type of book that could be repeatedly looked back at !
 
It was actually the most read book after the Bible since its publication until the 19th century if I’m not mistaken.
 
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I’d honestly believe it, I’ve read biographies of Saints that favour this book.
 
wow I never herd of this book imitation of christ before just read the wikipedia its scary I have been catholic but not a faithful catholic for 27 years of my life im also Irish and in Ireland its the Devils work that in catholic school they don’t care about the faith any more I had to go and looking and study the saints myself no one ever mentioned there books to me before I was 25 years old the majority of Irish young adults are catholic but id say about 5-10% are practising because they started teaching us Doctrines of Devils by telling us we came from monkeys and that we are basically animals its a very sad reality.
 
And, Thomas á Kempis is not a canonized Saint! He teaches humility and a right relationship with God and those around us. He lived in community and thus has much sage advice regarding the challenges and rewards of communal life. He had a humble heart or else he would not have received the wisdom that is collected in his book. There are several translations available. I prefer Bishop Richard Challoner’s edition, as it is more antiquated - in my mind more pure - but leads us to pay more attention in our reading. Indeed, you may have to look a few words up for their usage. Other translations vary from excellent to a distinctly modern version that strikes me as talking to your neighbor over the back fence. In my mind, such a modern “rounding of the corners” causes it to lose flavor and meaning.

Another, less well known classic, but highly recommended, is Introduction to the Devout Life, a book that Saint Francis de Sales never intended, but which is a compilation of his letters offering spiritual direction which he assembled under obedience to his superior. He thought the letters unworthy of publication!
 
Thanks so much that link with all the books is such a blessing I really need to focus now on patience to read most of them!
 
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