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Traditional Catholic Faith => The Library => Topic started by: McFiggly on December 02, 2015, 07:06:42 PM

Title: Works of Piety
Post by: McFiggly on December 02, 2015, 07:06:42 PM

I would like suggestions for Catholic works of simple piety.

What I am looking for is not works that are so much deep in theological, philosophical or psychological research, but works designed simply to encourage childlike faith and piety.

 I think I suffer a lot from pride of the intellect, and when I read works of intellectual depth - and there are so many among the writings of the saints - I focus more on vainly testing my intellectual capability than on actually learning holy and practical wisdom. I focus too much on the fine words and difficult concepts, and far too little on keeping them in my heart: "But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)

I have struggled with this for a long time because I was puffed up as a kid for doing well in classes and flattered myself as a teenager for reading philosophy. This has given me a too intellectual approach to the faith where I spend more time struggling with concepts and analysing myself & society in light of the faith, rather than on making simple acts of faith, hope, & charity.

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Any of the Marian works by St. Louis de Montfort (True Consecration to Mary, Secret of Mary, Secret of the Rosary). These are actually quite rich in theology and reflection but the main substance of the work is overwhelmingly a fervent and pious devotion to Our Lady.

The Little Flowers of St. Francis.

St.Thérèse of Lisieux's autobiography (Story of a Soul / L'histoire d'une âme). I've yet to read this but from what I gather it would seem to be the kind of work I'm looking for. Maybe one of you can confirm.

Title: Works of Piety
Post by: Miseremini on December 02, 2015, 07:47:52 PM

Try the Imitation of Christ or better yet the Following of Christ.  It is the complete Imitation with a reflection and then a prayer.
Guaranteed to knock the pride out of you.
I've seen it listed as the most important book after the Bible and before the Lives of the saints.

Title: Works of Piety
Post by: clare on December 03, 2015, 08:03:43 AM

All For Jesus, or The Easy Ways of Divine Love (https://archive.org/stream/allforjesusoreasdlo00fabe/allforjesusoreasdlo00fabe_djvu.txt) by Fr Faber.

Title: Works of Piety
Post by: Croix de Fer on December 03, 2015, 06:41:06 PM

The Ladder of Divine Ascent

http://www.prudencetrue.com/images/TheLadderofDivineAscent.pdf

Title: Works of Piety
Post by: sword of the Spirit on December 04, 2015, 08:01:20 PM

A very simple work of piety is to understand who it is you are talking to when you address Him.

 Another is to address Him often.

Title: Works of Piety
Post by: HiddenServant on December 12, 2015, 01:04:14 PM

  Meditations on the Gospel were very good for
me in my 20's as well those on St Paul the Apostle.