Easy Catholic Spiritual Reading

With Easter just around the corner, I've been thinking more about spiritual reading — a method of gaining graces and strengthening the prayer life that I don't utilize often enough. Why? Well, the simple truth is that I tend to lose focus when a book doesn't grab my attention right away, even when I know the subject material is good for me. Maybe it's just the writing style of the authors I've tried reading, but so far I haven't found many volumes I wanted to sit and devour.

Yet the fact still remains that it's healthy for the soul; so even if it's something I don't necessarily "want" to do, I've been trying to make time to sit and read for at least fifteen minutes each day (more if I'm in the mood for it).

But that doesn't mean all spiritual reading is a penance. I decided to jump-start this endeavor by making a list of religious books I do like (a lot). Here are the top four, along with a quick summary of of its contents in my own words. Hopefully these recommendations might help others with the same struggles.

Note: There are many books, which I would recommend to everyone, that did not make it onto this list. The reason is that I did not choose these books strictly for content. Although they are devoutly Catholic, I looked more for writing style and how well it held my interest over time without effort on my part. Think of this as a list of spiritual books for folks who need something easy to read and enjoy at a specific moment. If I find others in the future, I'll be sure to share those as well.


Divine Intimacy (By Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen O.C.D.): This is a collection of meditations for each day of the liturgical year, and I would have to say it's my favorite spiritual book so far. Most Catholics have probably heard of it by now; but if anyone hasn't, here are my reasons for including it on my list. Each meditation is short, to the point, honest, and with just enough prose to invoke some uplifting comfort from the reflection without drowning one in poetic sentiment. That's not to say poetic sentiment is always a negative, but sometimes I'm just not ready for it.

Under Angel Wings (The Autobiography of Sister Maria Antonia):  This is the story of Cecy Cony (1900-1939), who grew up with the ability to see her Guardian Angel. Through several short stories, she relates how her special protector guarded her innocence from sin, both venial and mortal, with his guidance. It's been a while since I read the book, but I believe there is one occasion when her angel actually saved her from being kidnapped as well. This was the first spiritual book I ever read as a kid, so maybe that's why I have a sentimental attachment to it.

A Right to be Merry (By Sr. Mary Francis, P.C.): This book's sole purpose is to give the reader a glimpse into the heart and life of cloistered Poor Clare nuns in the modern world. It was published sometime in the late 1950's I believe. Sister starts by explaining why the vocation of a cloistered nun is so important, and then the rest of the book is examples drawn from her own experience that illustrate how much happiness such a life brings it's daughters.The first time I read this book, it made me seriously think about the convent and if I had a vocation (I don't).

Rebuilding A Lost Faith, By an American Agnostic (Written by John L. Stoddard): John Stoddard was a writer and lecturer who traveled the world in the late 1800's early 1900's. Due to what he felt was the inability of religious figures to justify their faith in God, he left behind all attachment to religion when he was in college and spent most of his life as an agnostic. However, during his travels, he became caught in a war zone during World War I and was trapped there for five years. During that time, the horrors he witnessed finally convinced him that something was very wrong with the world the way it was, and this started his journey towards Catholicism. This book is about his reasoning in choosing the Catholic Faith, and why he's come to believe in all its teachings.