Author(s): Thomas a Kempis; Bishop Richard Challoner (Translated by)

Spirituality

After the Bible, The Imitation of Christ is the all-time favourite book of Catholics throughout the world. And of the English editions, none can equal for reverence and beauty this inspiring translation of Bishop Richard Challoner. As Fr. John Hardon, SJ says, “Its basic theme is that, since Jesus Christ is true God and true man, by imitating Christ as man, the Christian becomes more and more like Christ who is God.”

This book speaks to the soul of every true Christian, always reminding him of the shortness of time and the length of eternity; the fleeting nature of all earthly joy as opposed to the eternity of happiness with God. The guide of the saints since it first appeared in 1418, it was the sole spiritual reading of St. Therese of Lisieux, who loved it and knew it by heart.

Of the universal appeal of The Imitation, the famous theologian Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange noted that “the true mysticism of which it speaks is accessible to all, if they are willing to follow the way of humility, the cross, continual prayer, and docility to the Holy Ghost.”