The Imitation of Christ »

Thomas a Kempis (ca.1380-1471) was a German monk and a practical mystic. His classic The Imitation of Christ has long been a favorite of Christians of all denominational backgrounds. It is said that Thomas's book has been the most read of any book other than the Bible.

If you seek Jesus in all things, you will surely find Jesus.

The Imitation of Christ has enjoyed an unparalleled place in the world of books for more than five hundred years. 5000 different editions have been published over the centuries, and it has been translated into almost every language in the world. Thomas a Kempis was a late medieval Catholic monk, a simple man, who looked deeply into what it means to know God and have a relationship with Jesus. He wrote about humility, patience, simplicity, and persistence--virtues that are for every age.

" When I graduated from high school, my pastor gave me a book. The book I received as a gift was The Imitation of Christ. On the title page, he wrote: ' You will have a happy life by adhering to the wisdom in this book.' "

--Br. Benet Tvedten, from the Introduction

Publishers Weekly

Thomas A Kempis's four-part treatise The Imitation of Christ is presented in a lovely illustrated edition in The Imitation of Christ: Illustrated with Illuminated Manuscripts. This full-color gift book pairs 40 passages from the 15th-century text with details from one of the British Library's illuminated manuscripts, including the Sherborne Missal, the Luttrell Psalter and the Bedford Hours. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Preface     ix
Useful Admonitions for a Spiritual Life
Following Christ     3
A Humble Sentiment     4
The Doctrine of Truth     6
Prudence in Our Doings     8
The Holy Scriptures     9
Inordinate Affections     10
Flying Vain Hope and Pride     11
Shunning Familiarity     12
Obedience and Subjection     13
Avoiding Superfluity of Words     14
Acquiring Peace and Zeal     15
Advantage of Adversity     17
Resisting Temptation     18
Avoiding Judgment     20
Works of Charity     21
Bearing the Defects of Others     22
A Monastic Life     24
Examples of the Holy Fathers     25
Excercises of a Religious Man     27
Love of Solitude and Silence     30
Compunction of Heart     33
The Misery of Man     35
The Thoughts of Death     38
Punishment of Sins     42
Amendment of Our Lives     45
Admonitions Concerning Interior Things
Interior Conversation     53
Of Humble Submission     56
Of a Good Peaceable Man     57
Of a Pure Mind     58
Consideration of One's Self     60
Joy of a Good Conscience     61
Love of Jesus     63
Of Friendship with Jesus     64
Want of All Comfort     66
The Grace of God     69
Lovers of the Cross     72
Highway of the Cross     74
Of Internal Consolation
Christ to a Faithful Soul     83
Christ Speaks within Us     84
The Word of God     85
Walking in God's Presence     88
Effects of Divine Love     90
Proof of a True Lover     93
Grace and Humility     95
Our Unworthiness     98
All Things to be Referred to God     99
The Service of God     100
Moderation of Our Desires     103
On Learning Patience     104
On Obedience     106
The Judgments of God     108
Our Dispositions and Desires     109
Comfort is to be Sought in God     111
Casting our Care on God     112
The Example of Jesus Christ     114
On Supporting Injuries     115
Our Infirmities and Miseries      117
Resting in God     119
The Benefits of God     122
Things which Bring Peace     124
Curiosity     127
Peace and Progress     128
The Eminence of a Free Mind     130
Self Love     131
On Detraction     133
The Time of Tribulation     134
The Divine Assistance     135
Disregard of All Things Created     137
Renouncing Cupidity     140
Inconstancy of Our Heart     141
The Love of God     142
Insecurity Against Temptation     144
Vain Judgments     146
Resignation of Ourselves     147
Government of Ourselves     149
Eagerness in Worldly Affairs     150
Man Cannot Glory in Anything     151
Contempt for Temporal Honour     153
Peace is Not to be Placed in Men     153
Against Vain Learning     155
Deadness to Exterior Things     156
Men Are Prone to Offend     157
Confidence in God     160
Things to be Endured     162
Of the Day of Eternity     164
Desire of Eternal Life     167
An Offering to God      170
Practice of Humble Works     174
Man Unworthy of Consolation     175
The Grace of God     177
Nature and Grace     178
The Corruption of Nature     182
On Self Denial     185
Evils of Dejection     187
Searching into High Matters     189
All Our Hope in God     193
Of the Blessed Sacrament
How Christ is to be Received     199
The Great Goodness of God     204
On Frequent Communion     207
Benefits to Devout Communicants     209
Dignity of the Sacrament     212
A Petition Before Communion     214
Resolution of Amendment     214
The Oblation of Christ     216
An Offering to God     218
The Holy Communion     220
The Body of Christ     223
Preparation for Communion     226
Desires of a Devout Soul     228
Desire to Receive Jesus     230
Humility and Self-Denial     231
Laying Open Our Necessities     233
Desire to Serve Christ     234
That a Man Follow Christ     236