Author Topic: The Imitation of Christ (Read 976 times)

Iuvenalis · « **on:** May 13, 2013, 01:40:02 AM »

Read it?

Sound doctrine? Sound practice/spirtually beenficial?

Any reservations? Objections? Etc?

poche · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2013, 02:07:37 AM »

I have read it more than once. I recommend it to others.
:cool: :cool: :cool:

Ethelred · « **Reply #2 on:** May 13, 2013, 03:10:52 AM »

Quote from: Iuvenalis

Read it?

Sound doctrine? Sound practice/spirtually beenficial?

Any reservations? Objections? Etc?

It's an excellent book of Thomas von Kempen, but no "light food" so to speak. However, very spiritually beneficial. Also Bishop Williamson quotes it occasionally.

It's definitely sound Catholic doctrine. The book's imprimatur is old; for example my German edition says: Imprimatur: Datum ex Reverendiss. Vicariatu Augustae Vindelicorum die 14. Aprilis, anno 1788.

clare · « **Reply #3 on:** May 13, 2013, 10:32:13 AM »

I read it this last Lent, and it was brilliant. I intend to read it at regular intervals. It's full of wisdom, and I found it easy to read.

MrsZ · « **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2013, 11:14:13 AM »

I have also read it several times over the years and highly recommend it. It is excellent.

Rosarium · « **Reply #5 on:** May 13, 2013, 03:09:38 PM »

It is one of the few books which could be said to have "made Saints".

However, one reservation is that the ideals in it are to be pursued without excuses, but on some occasions, they may not be possible entirely in one's state of life. For that, I recommend people read Introduction to the Devout Life which was written for all states of life.

Too often, people will think holiness is for "other people" and that one is not actually called to follow Christ in truth. But I think everyone, including oneself, will be surprised that the difficulties in changing oneself is just in the choice to change, and that actually being different is easy and joyful.

For example, giving up a particular thing like TV or video games will be met with mental resistance, but actually giving them up and living without them is incredibly easy. The same is true of more spiritual changes. The human weakness is to maintain whatever one has, and to justify it, rather than to convert and imitate Christ.

Capt McQuigg · « **Reply #6 on:** May 13, 2013, 05:40:34 PM »

Quote from: Rosarium

It is one of the few books which could be said to have "made Saints".

However, one reservation is that the ideals in it are to be pursued without excuses, but on some occasions, they may not be possible entirely in one's state of life. For that, I recommend people read Introduction to the Devout Life which was written for all states of life.

I concur wholly with this statement.

I read "The Imitation of Christ" when I was in the novus ordo and completely unaware of the existence of Traditional Catholicism and, whether by default or whether his memory was suppressed by the novus ordo, St. Francis de Sales. When I was planning on purchasing this book, I found a copy from Paulist Press that openly advertised the book as "updated for the modern reader". I wonder what they meant by that?

St. Francis de Sales' book is still accompanying me on my journey.

I recently purchased the Tan Book Co. version of "The Imitation of Christ" and will read it. It will be my second read but since the first copy was from some publisher through Amazon, and now I'm familiar with Catholicism then it will be like the very first time.

Charlemagne · « **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2013, 05:49:12 PM »

I can't recommend Imitation and Divine Intimacy enough. Both are books that I never truly "finish"; I just re-read them.

EDITED TO ADD: Once upon a time, I posted daily readings from Imitation and received quite a few thumbs-up, even from my "separated brethren" friends.

Frances · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2013, 06:56:19 PM »

Excellent! Just realize it is written to male religious. Apply it to one's own state. Required reading for the Ignatiàn Retreat.

ServusSpiritusSancti · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2013, 07:05:44 PM »

I finished reading Imitation of Christ earlier this year. I highly recommend it.

Thomas Kempis also wrote "Imitation of Mary". I started reading that about a month ago, that's worth reading, too.

Sigismund · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2013, 09:02:49 PM »

Quote from: Capt McQuigg

Quote from: Rosarium
It is one of the few books which could be said to have "made Saints".

However, one reservation is that the ideals in it are to be pursued without excuses, but on some occasions, they may not be possible entirely in one's state of life. For that, I recommend people read Introduction to the Devout Life which was written for all states of life.

I concur wholly with this statement.

I read "The Imitation of Christ" when I was in the novus ordo and completely unaware of the existence of Traditional Catholicism and, whether by default or whether his memory was suppressed by the novus ordo, St. Francis de Sales. When I was planning on purchasing this book, I found a copy from Paulist Press that openly advertised the book as "updated for the modern reader". I wonder what they meant by that?

St. Francis de Sales' book is still accompanying me on my journey.

I recently purchased the Tan Book Co. version of "The Imitation of Christ" and will read it. It will be my second read but since the first copy was from some publisher through Amazon, and now I'm familiar with Catholicism then it will be like the very first time.

The Imitation was written for monks, but it has a wealth of good advice for everyone.

I have a copy that I have had since childhood. It has a number of amazing woodcuts in it.

PatrickG · « **Reply #11 on:** May 16, 2013, 06:14:26 AM »

I bought a copy of De Imitatione for five pounds at a second-hand book sale last summer. It's Collins, from the 1950s; and, yes, it is profusely illustrated with devotional woodcuts. It's a splendid little volume and one I can't recommend enough. Albeit it is written for monks.