Subject
Spiritual life -- Catholic Church -- Early works to 1800 Books
Best books
à Kempis Thomas
The Imitation of Christ
"The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas à Kempis is a Christian devotional book composed between 1418-1427. Divided into four books of spiritual instruction, this medieval text guides readers toward interior spiritual life and withdrawal from worldly concerns. Emphasizing devotion to the Eucharist and practices from the Devotio Moderna movement, it offers detailed counsels on living a contemplative Christian life. After the Bible, it became the most widely read devotional work in Christianity, with over 745 editions printed before 1650.
à Kempis Thomas
L'imitation de Jésus-Christ Traduction nouvelle avec des réflexions à la fin de chaque chapitre
"L'imitation de Jésus-Christ" by Thomas à Kempis is a Christian devotional book written in Medieval Latin around 1418–1427. Divided into four books of spiritual instructions, it emphasizes the interior life and withdrawal from worldly concerns, with devotion to the Eucharist at its core. Emerging from the Devotio Moderna movement, this anonymous work became immediately popular after its composition. Perhaps the most widely read Christian devotional text after the Bible, it has been translated into more languages than any book except Scripture and printed in over 745 editions before 1650.
à Kempis Thomas
The Following of Christ, in Four Books Translated from the Original Latin of Thomas a Kempis
"The Following of Christ, in Four Books" by Thomas à Kempis is a Christian devotional work composed between 1418-1427. Written anonymously in Medieval Latin within the Devotio Moderna movement, this spiritual handbook guides readers through interior life and withdrawal from worldly concerns. Divided into four books of detailed instructions, it emphasizes devotion to the Eucharist and provides counsels for spiritual living. After the Bible, it became perhaps the most widely read Christian devotional text, with over 745 editions printed before 1650 and translations into numerous languages.
of Magdeburg Mechthild
Matelda and the cloister of Hellfde : $b extracts from the Book of Matilda of Magdeburg
"Matelda and the Cloister of Hellfde: Extracts from the Book of Matilda of Magdeburg" by Frances Bevan is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The work comprises selected and translated extracts from the writings of Matilda, a 13th-century German Béguine known for her spiritual insights and experiences, focusing on themes of divine love, spiritual devotion, and the struggles of the soul in a tumultuous time. The context of Matilda’s life and the life of the convent provides a backdrop against which readers can explore her reflections on faith and spirituality. At the start of the book, the preface introduces Matilda of Magdeburg, linking her to Dante's "Matelda" and setting the stage for her significance in medieval mysticism and spirituality. The opening portion describes the founding and history of the Cloister of Hellfde, detailing the noble lineage of individuals associated with the convent and highlighting its spiritual mission. It also briefly introduces Matilda's character and her decision to renounce worldly comforts for a deeper communion with God, foreshadowing the profound and intricate spiritual experiences that her writings will articulate throughout the rest of the work.
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