I have often found great inspiration when reading classic Catholic books. They seem so pure and undiluted. They often came from an earlier time when the world was not yet as secular as it is today.
We find in them truths expressed in a very straightforward way. And their words are backed up by the holiness found in their lives.
Whenever I’m having a writer’s block, I make it a point to read some of these classics. They not only help me find inspiration for writing. More importantly, they help reignite my faith in God.
I have listed some of these classic books in case you need inspiration from them today:
Interior Castle or The Mansions
by St. Teresa of Avila
“...it is presumptuous in me to wish to choose my path, because I cannot tell which path is best for me. I must leave it to the Lord, Who knows me, to lead me by the path which is best for me, so that in all things His will may be done.”
Way of Perfection
by St. Teresa of Avila
“O Lord, all our troubles come to us because we do not have our eyes fixed on you. If only we looked at the path we're walking, we would soon arrive. But, we stumble and fall a thousand times and we stray because we do not set our eyes on the true Way.”
Story of a Soul
by St. Therese of Lisieux
“It seems to me that if everyone were to receive such favours God would be feared by none, but loved to excess; that no one would ever commit the least willful fault—and this through love, not fear.”
Imitation of Christ
by Thomas à Kempis
“For, in regard to that little of your will which you now willingly forsake, you shall forever have your will in Heaven. For there you shall find all that you will, all that you can desire. There you shall enjoy the possession of every good without fear of losing it… There no one shall resist you, no one shall complain of you, none shall obstruct you, nothing shall stand in your way: but every good that you desire shall be present at the same time, and shall replenish all your affections, and fully satiate them.”
Spiritual Exercises
by St. Ignatius of Loyola
“Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my intellect, and all my will—all that I have and possess. Thou gavest it to me: to Thee, Lord, I return it! All is Thine, dispose of it according to all Thy will. Give me Thy love and grace, for this is enough for me.”
Treatise on the Love of God
by St. Francis of Sales
“An ecstasy is called a rapture inasmuch as God does thereby rapt us, and raise us up to himself, and a rapture is termed an ecstasy, because by it we go and remain out of, and above, ourselves, to be united to God. And although the attractions by which God draws us be admirably pleasing, sweet and delicious, yet on account of the force which the divine beauty and goodness have to draw unto them the attention and application of the spirit, it seems that it not only raises us but that it ravishes and bears us away.”
Dialog of Catherine of Siena
by St. Catherine of Siena
“You know that every evil is founded in self-love, and that self-love is a cloud that takes away the light of reason, which reason holds in itself the light of faith, and one is not lost without the other.”
Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary
by Blessed Anne Catheine Emmerich
“I saw in this light a shining white youth, with flowing yellow hair, floating down before her. It was the Angel Gabriel. He gently moved his arms away from his body as he spoke to her. I saw the words issuing from his mouth like shining letters; I read them and I heard them. Mary turned her veiled head slightly towards the right, but she was shy and did not look up. But the angel went on speaking, and as if at his command Mary turned her face a little towards him, raised her veil slightly, and answered. The angel again spoke, and Mary lifted her veil, looked at him, and answered with the holy words: ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to your word.’”
Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ
by Blessed Anne Catheine Emmerich
“He fell on his face, overwhelmed with unspeakable sorrow, and all the sins of the world displayed themselves before him, under countless forms and in all their real deformity. He took them all upon himself, and in his prayer offered his own adorable Person to the justice of his Heavenly Father, in payment for so awful a debt.”
The Prophecies and Revelations of Saint Bridget
“I created all things for the sake of mankind, and placed all things under his authority, but he loves all things except me, and hates nothing but me. I bought back the inheritance for him which he had lost because of his sin. But he is so foolish and without reason that he prefers this passing glory - which is like the foam of the sea that rises up for a moment like a mountain, and then quickly falls down to nothing - instead of eternal glory in which there is everlasting good.”
BONUS TIP!
For more Catholic classic books, you can check the following websites:
You can also search for books at the Internet Archive.