Thomas à Kempis

The Infant Samuel by Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792). 1776, oil on canvas, Musee Fabre / Wikimedia Commons

Thy Will Be Done: True Humility Before God

Thomas à Kempis

The truly humble soul does not trust in himself, but in God. Placing all confidence in the Father’s hands, he finds peace even in life’s

God the Father and the Holy Spirit by Pompeo Batoni (1708-1787). 1740, oil on canvas, National Trust / Wikimedia Commons.

All Goodness Is From God, Not Man

Thomas à Kempis

If you seek humility, meditate on the goodness of God and lowliness of man. In this meditation from The Imitation of Christ, you will be

Saint Conrad Confalonieri, Giovanni Lanfranco (1582–1647), c. 1618. Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, originally from Parme Cathedral. Photographed by user: Rama / Wikimedia Commons.

How to Detach Yourself from Comfort

Thomas à Kempis

Keep the faith through the spiritual desert! With the help of Thomas à Kempis, you’ll learn how to persist in virtue and detach yourself from

The Woman Taken in Adultery, Rembrandt (1606–1669), 1664, oil on oak wood. National Gallery, London. Web Gallery of Art / Wikimedia Commons.

Having a Humble Opinion of One’s Self

Thomas à Kempis

Conquer pride with invaluable counsel from the great Thomas à Kempis! Read this excerpt from My Imitation of Christ. All men naturally desire to know,

Saint Bruno, Philippe de Champaigne (1602-1674), c. 1655, oil on canvas. Nationalmuseum, Sweden, photographed by Erik Cornelius / Wikimedia Commons.

Of the Love of Solitude and Silence

Thomas à Kempis

Thomas à Kempis is one of the most beloved spiritual writers in the Catholic Church. In this excerpt, taken from Solitude and Silence, the renowned

Christ on the Mount of Olives, Josef August Untersberger (1864-1933). Wikimedia Commons.

Holy Advice for Contemplative Living

Thomas à Kempis

While every soul is called to a unique vocation, each is encouraged to embrace a contemplative life within their state of life. In Solitude and

King David in Prayer, Pieter de Grebber (circa 1600–1652/1653), c. 1635-1640, oil on canvas. Museum Caltharijneconvent / Wikimedia Commons

King David’s Holy Silence

Thomas à Kempis

Solitude and silence are two pillars of monastic life that most lay people consider too difficult, confusing, or irrelevant for their own vocation. Thomas à

St. Benedict in Prayer, Master of Messkirch (fl. 1520–1540), c. 1540m mixed media on mood. Staatsgalerie Stuttgart / Wikimedia Commons.

Choosing God Over Comfort

Thomas à Kempis

It is not difficult to trust God when the waves of life are calm. But too often, we abandon ship when the waves threaten to

Tempation of St. Thomas Aquinas, Diego Velázquez (1599–1660), 1632, oil on canvas. Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro Orihuela, Spain / Wikimedia Commons

Useful Admonitions for a Spiritual Life

Thomas à Kempis

Be guided by a master of the spiritual life with these useful admonitions. Excerpted from The Imitation of Christ, Thomas à Kempis here reveals wisdom

The Temptation of Christ by the Devil, Félix Joseph Barrias (1822–1907). 1860, oil on canvas. Philbrook Museum of Art, Google Cultural Institute/ Wikimedia Commons

Resisting Temptation

Thomas à Kempis

After the Bible, The Imitation of Christ is the all-time favorite book of Catholics throughout the world. Thomas à Kempis’s masterpiece speaks to the soul

Two Young Noblemen in the Cloister of a Monastery with Two Dominican Monks, Charles-Caïus Renoux (1795-1846). 1834, Oil on Canvas. Private Collection / Wikimedia Commons

Holy Silence

Thomas à Kempis

Thomas à Kempis’s Solitude and Silence presents two pillars of monastic life to people of any vocation. In this excerpt, à Kempis offers challenging advice

El Greco, Saint Dominic in Prayer, 1610 (Wikimedia Commons)

Where Words Fail, Silence Prevails

Thomas à Kempis

Our world is in great need of silence. In solitude and silence God speaks to the soul, yet many souls are too occupied with excessive

Theophile Marie Francois Lybaert, Simon of Cyrene carries the Cross, 1887 (Wikimedia Commons)

Deny Yourself and Follow Me

Thomas à Kempis

The Imitation of Christ is one of the most beloved Catholic literary works of all time. Here, Thomas a Kempis, writing in a dialogue between

Meditations on Death is a soul-stirring work from Thomas à Kempis, published in English for the first time. To keep eternity before our eyes is one of the greatest secrets to sanctity, orienting our every decision toward Heaven. This excerpt guides readers through three moving meditations on death, the horrors of Hell, and the glories of Heaven.

Workshop of Domenico Fetti, The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man, 1628

The Day of Eternity

Thomas à Kempis

Infinite joy awaits the soul who is welcomed into paradise. As pilgrims in an alien land, we who remain on earth encounter many hardships throughout

Bearing The Defects Of Others

Thomas à Kempis

hy do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3) All too often, we fall into the trap of criticism of others. It can be all too easy to lose patience with the faults of others. Here, Thomas à Kempis teaches us how to bear the defects of others with patience, following in the footsteps of Christ.

A Reflection On The Final Judgment

Thomas à Kempis

Reflection on the Final Judgment is a valuable practice for stirring the soul to true repentance and conversion. Here, Thomas à Kempis urges the soul to meditate frequently on the last judgment and prepare accordingly so that when it comes, we may be counted among the Blessed.

Discover the profound truth about Christ's presence in our lives as pilgrims and exiles. Explore how He is with us now, yet fully revealed only after this earthly journey.

Christ Is With Us Always

Thomas à Kempis

Christ is indeed present to us now, but in a manner which is congruent with our current state of existence as pilgrims and exiles. For it is only after this earthly life has ended that we shall see Him fully, as He really is. Christ is always present to us, but not always in the same way.

TAN Direction Search Results

Thy Will Be Done: True Humility Before God

All Goodness Is From God, Not Man

How to Detach Yourself from Comfort

Having a Humble Opinion of One’s Self

Of the Love of Solitude and Silence

Holy Advice for Contemplative Living

King David’s Holy Silence

Choosing God Over Comfort

Useful Admonitions for a Spiritual Life

Resisting Temptation

Holy Silence

Where Words Fail, Silence Prevails

Deny Yourself and Follow Me

Meditation On Heaven And Hell

The Day of Eternity

Bearing The Defects Of Others

A Reflection On The Final Judgment

Christ Is With Us Always

Three Marian Prayers for Humility

Three Lessons on Humility

Take Up Thy Cross

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