It fits into the time period of the transition between the middle ages and the renaissance, and is one of the best selling devotional texts of all time, and while the pious. Invites us to follow christ who is the way, the truth and the life. I was drawn to this book after reading st therese of lisieuxs story of a soul. The imitation of christ is a passionate celebration of gods love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for over five hundred years. A few words on thomas claim, once disputed but now hardly so, to the authorship of the imitation of christ. I was rather overwhelmed when i first read this book and stopped taking notes because every word and sentence took me away as if i got hit by lightning.
Here are your answers to nearly every spiritual issue if you use it. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free ebook. Countless saints from therese of lisieux to ignatius of loyola have kept this book on their nightstands, used it to direct their minds during adoration, and carried it in their pockets as a soldier carries his weapon into battle. T he imitation of christ falls into the category of what one might call classic christian devotional. This book does nothing but focus everything on not just the philosophy of christ but the life of christ and how to live it. Temporal sufferings should be borne patiently, after the example of christ. Specializing in publishing pocket devotionals, the confraternity has brought millions of copies of its iconic titles, including my daily bread, my way of life, and my imitation of christ, into catholic parishes. I recomend this book to christians and catholics that have trouble reading the bible. The imitation of christ is the most universal of books. Having this book on your person reminds you to imitate christ always without exception.
The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free at loyal. Do not cast me out forever nor blot me out of the book of life, and whatever tribulation befalls will not harm me. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Eugene peterson, from his book take and read next to the bible itself, the imitation of christ is the mostpublishedand most deeply cherishedbook in any language. Kempiss the imitation of christ is a spiritual classic and a must read for any ardent follower of christianity. These are the words of christ, by which we are taught, how we ought to imitate his life and manners, if we will be truly enlightened, and be delivered from all blindness of heart. It fits into the time period of the transition between the middle ages and the renaissance, and is one of the best selling devotional texts of all time, and while the pious aspect of the text is at the.
The imitation of christ, thomas a kempis, full catholic. After reading the imitation of christ you will want to read the bible. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the imitation became and has remained, after the bible, the most widely read book in the world. My imitation of christ by thomas a kempis 2014, paperback. Having this book on your person reminds you to imitate christ. If you wish to be in the world, but not of the world, there is no better edition of this timeless classic than my imitation of christ. This book is going to forever be in either of two places in my home.
With great personal conviction and deep humanity, thomas a kempis 801471 demonstrates the individuals reliance on god and on the words of christ, and the futility of a life without. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, paperback. My imitation of christ presents this classic guide to the spiritual life in pocket form with inspiring illustrations. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis cyber library. The imitation of christ, image books, 1955 thomas a kempis was born in kempen, prussia in 79 into a family of artisans and metal workers. The book was first issued anonymously 1418 and was soon accorded a wide welcome, copied by different scribes, and attributed to various spiritual writers, among others st. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Its not an easy book, yet the imitation of christ is a necessary, dare i even say, essential book for christians everywhere and those also seeking to understand the tenants of christian ideology.
Anyone looking to increase their spirituality and to get closer to jesus would be well advised to study and read this great book, which is available for free on line. Most popular spiritual book second only to sacred scripture. The book that has made more saints than any other, after the bible. The christian soul is invited to follow christ who is the way, the truth and the life. The imitation of christ is one of the most widely read books in the world, after the bible. Table of contents introductory note the first book admonitions profitable for the spiritual life chapter i of the imitation of christ, and of contempt of the world and all its vanities chapter ii of thinking humbly of oneself chapter iii of the knowledge of. It presents the fundamental principles of the spiritual life. Apr 05, 2018 the imitation of christ thomas a kempis 80 1471, translated by rev. Your tardiness in turning to prayer is the greatest obstacle to heavenly consolation, for before you pray earnestly to me you first seek many comforts and take pleasure in outward things. Prayers of the imitation of christ the following prayers are listed in the order in which they appear in the imitation of christ.
The learned call it a classic, and the simple call it the grandest book ive ever read. It was written by a 15th century monk named thomas a. Confraternity of the precious blood specializing in publishing pocket devotionals, the confraternity has brought millions of copies of its iconic titles, including my daily bread, my way of life, and my imitation of christ, into catholic parishes and homes. Thomas a kempis wrote this devotion in such a way to fan the flame in our soul with beautiful gentle words. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member.
William benham 1831 1910 the imitation of christ is widely considered one of. Countless saints from therese of lisieux to ignatius of loyola have kept this book on their. It is not only the most second most important its the second best book you can read about how to act with you fellow man and woman. Bk 2 of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, a digital book in the international school of theologys cyber library which is a digital library for graduate seminary research, personal, and ministry research. Oct 03, 2016 the imitation of christ falls into the category of what one might call classic christian devotional. Hundreds of topics with every reference in the book cited. My imitation of christ, thomas a kempis, classic, spiritual life, book, catholic books. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis free online ebook. I have had this beautiful book for many years, i read a chapter first thing in morning and during the day when i feel lonely,angry,depressed this has changed my life and gives me hope and peace, i have giving this to some of my friends that are not catholics and they love it. Imitation of christ by thomas a kempis the catholic company. Reading this book this morning was like drinking deep of christs love. The imitation of christ christian book distributors. The imitation of christ he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, says the lord.
It also discusses the importance of the sacrament of eucharist. When dag hammarskjold was killed in an airplane crash in africa, the books found in his briefcase were the bible and the imitation. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, of which kempis was a member the imitation is perhaps the most widely read christian devotional work next to the bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. The spiritual classic the imitation of christ, the second most widelyread spiritual book after the bible, has had an astonishing impact on the spiritual lives of. At the age of thirteen years, he left his family to join his older brother, john, who had ten or twelve years earlier traveled to. I own over 40 christian books and this is my top 5. The book that has made more saints than any other, after the. Feb 07, 20 the imitation of christ is a passionate celebration of gods love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for over five hundred years.
The imitation is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. The imitation of christ is a christian devotional book. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis table of contents. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the devotio moderna movement, where kempis was a member. Imitating christ and despising all vanities on earth 2. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. Merging the straight forward with the deep, speculating while always keeping an eye on the practicalities, kempis is an everyman type of figure. Having this book on your person reminds you to imitate christ always. Book 2 of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis cyber. Bk 2 of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, a digital book in the international school of theologys cyber library which is a digital library for graduate seminary research, personal, and.
The book presents the idea that the study of christ s life and the emulation of his example is the highest pursuit that man can achieve. The imitation of christ, free pdf, ebook global grey. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis, a digital book in the international school of theologys cyber library which is a digital library for graduate seminary research, personal, and ministry research. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis book 4 chapter 4. The imitation satisfies every longing as water satisfies every thirst. The imitation of christ by thomas a kempis has been the most popular book, second only to sacred scripture, for the last five centuries. Reading this book this morning was like drinking deep of christ s love. Thomas a kempis in the middle ages imitation of christ was the most printed book next to the bible.
William benham 1831 1910 the imitation of christ is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in. The core message of the work is humility, and for christians to shut out the world and deny himself. May 01, 2014 this classic and treasured edition, aptly entitled my imitation of christ, is crafted specifically for the busy person in the modern world. Confraternity of the precious blood was founded in 1890, dedicated to supporting the historic monastery of the precious blood in brooklyn, ny, and the religious sisters who call it home. These are the words of christ, by which we are reminded that we must copy his life and conduct if we wish to be truly enlightened and to be delivered from all blindness of heart. The book presents the idea that the study of christs life and the emulation of his example is the highest pursuit that man can achieve. For the mystics, it is mystical, and for the ascetics it is ascetical. Book 2 of the imitation of christ by thomas a kempis. It is his edition that is here rendered into english, without deletion of chapters or. Book four of the imitation, on the blessed sacrament, is also in the. Of the imitation of christ, and contempt of all the vanities of the world he that followeth me, walketh not in darkness, saith the lord.
Covers the fundamental principles of the spiritual life. The imitation of christ consists of four books with short chapters in each book. As editor and translator he was not without faults, but thanks to him the. My child, i am the lord who gives strength in the day of trouble. The imitation of christ by a kempis thomas free ebook. It is his edition that is the imitation of christ thomas, a kempis. The voice of christ my child, you are right, yet my wish is not that you seek that peace which is free from temptations or meets with no opposition, but rather that you consider yourself as having found peace when you have been tormented with many tribulations and tried with many adversities. For five centuries it has been the most popular spiritual book second only to sacred scripture. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Its pocket size makes it easy to carry with you or leave on your bedside table. The life of christ is presented as the highest study possible to a mortal, as jesus teachings far excel all the teachings of the saints. This classic and treasured edition, aptly entitled my imitation of christ, is crafted specifically for the busy person in the modern world. If you wish to be in the world, but not of the world, this revised translation with 117 illustrations will help you along your journey.
173 815 534 1122 729 1355 1121 1335 397 906 567 1496 928 1404 1252 6 1078 68 1071 445 942 1060 784 40 1184 93 985 949 1263 383 851 319