Spiritual Readings in chronological order

1. Thaumaturgus, Gregory. "Oration and Panegyric Addressed to Origen." In Fathers of the Third Century (Ante-Nicene Fathers Series, Vol. 6), edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, pp. 21-39. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrikson, 1886.

This is a lovely and thoughtful accolade for Origen of Alexandria by one of his students, upon the completion of their time of study together. Gregory touches invitingly on the core of what it means to be a teacher, identifying both the honor and the power of those why occupy that office. A must read for all teachers.

2. Augustine. Confessions. Translated and edited by Henry Chadwick. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 1991.

The Confessions is perhaps the most important post-biblical Christian book ever written. Here Augustine creates the western idea of spiritual turmoil in the struggle to know God. In the process, he creates the self whose destiny in life is to seek and be found by God in order to know true happiness. No western person can be well educated without it.

3. Chrysostom, Saint John. Six Books on the Priesthood. Translated by Graham Neville. Crestwood, N.Y.: St. Vladimir's Press, 1984.

John of Antioch was the most gifted preacher of the Christian church both in his own day and far beyond. The story of his resistance to ordination is a fine reminder to all clergy and would-bes of the gravity of the office. The main focus of his warning is that the pastoral office may be, well, really is, dangerous to one's spiritual health. An important tonic.

4. Maximus Confessor. Selected Writings. Translated by George C. Berthold. Edited by John Farina. Classics of Western Spirituality Series. Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press, 1985.

Maximus is important to read because he does not share our world. His Four Hundred Chapters on Love challenges our modern notions of selfexpression as self-fulfillment, and his treatises on the celestial and ecclesiastical hierarchy press us to reexamine our penchant to resist authority. His exposition of the Our Father teaches us to know the triune God through prayer.

5. Bernard, of Clairvaux, Saint. Treatises II: The Steps of Humility and Pride; on Loving God. Kalamazoo: Cistercian Publications, 1980.

These two treatises, St. Bernard's most famous, illustrate that his monastic theology was offered as a corrective to benedictinism. He taught that love is the positive expression of humility that leads to spiritual perfection and happiness. The suggestion that there cannot truly be love without humility is a timely conversation topic.

6. Hildegard. Scivias. Columba Hart and Jane Bishop, eds. The Classics of Western Spirituality Series. New York: Paulist Press, 1990.

Hildegard of Bingen was an amazing woman. She was an orthodox theologian, a reformer, a builder, a dramatist, a musician, an herbalist, and an abbess. Her book Scivias (ways of knowing God) is a woman's theology that remains faithful to the Catholic Church. Her understanding of sex, marriage, and children open theology in new ways that are accessible for those who seek a godly life.

7. Aelred of Rievaulx. Aelred of Rievaulx's Spiritual Friendship: A New Translation. Mark F. Williams. Scranton; London; Cranbury, N.J.: University of Scranton Press; Associated University Presses, 1994.

Aelred, a friend and follower of St. Bernard, defined holy friendship for the monks of his abbey. The treatise christianizes Cicero's great work on friendship. This is an especially helpful text for teens and college students. He advises the reader how to select a friend, test a friend, and most important, how to be a friend in Christ. A great read.

8. Catherine, of Siena, Saint. The Dialogue. New York: Paulist Press, 1980.

Catherine of Siena is another amazing medieval woman. She was a firstrate theologian, a reformer of the church, a political activist, an ascetic, and an innovative letter writer. Her spiritual theology urges climbing up the crucified body of Christ from his feet to his mouth as the bridge to God. Her vision of the ordained ministry, as well as the ministry of the laity, are well worth hearing today.

9. Cabasilas, Nicholas. The Life in Christ. Translated by Carmino J. deCatanzaro. Crestwood, N.Y: St. Vladimir's Seminary, 1974.

Cabasilas is one of those rare Christian theologians who manages to integrate and bridge the gap between eastern and western Christianity. His sacramentology is outstanding, as it beautifully integrates Christology and Eucharist.

10. Luther, Martin. "On the Jews and Their Lies." In Luther's Works, Vol. 47, pp. 123-306. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1971.

Everyone, sooner or later, is bound to encounter the underside of Christian theology. It keeps us honest. Here it is in all its ugliness: a sure antidote to Christian triumphalism. This bad treatise both builds on a presupposed past and presses toward a horrifying future. Be sure to read 'til the end.

11. Francois de, Sales, and John Kenneth Ryan. Introduction to the Devout Life. [Rev.] ed. Garden City, N.Y: Image Books, 1989.