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Cover of Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis

Imitation of Christ

  • 277 pages · about 5 hours
  • First published 1568
  • 394 editions
  • Free to read

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1 About this book

The Imitation of Christ is a Christian devotional book by Thomas à Kempis, composed in Medieval Latin as De Imitatione Christi c. 1418–1427. The devotional text is divided into four books of detailed spiritual instructions: (i) "Helpful Counsels of the Spiritual Life", (ii) "Directives for the Interior Life", (iii) "On Interior Consolation", and (iv) "On the Blessed Sacrament". The devotional approach of The Imitation of Christ emphasises the interior life and withdrawal from the mundanities of the world, as opposed to the active imitation of Christ practised by other friars. The devotions of the books emphasize devotion to the Eucharist as the key element of spiritual life.

The Imitation of Christ is a handbook for the spiritual life arising from the Devotio Moderna movement, which Thomas followed. The Imitation is perhaps the most widely read Christian devotional work after the Bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Good for readers who want: meditation, spirituality, and a book they can read free online.

  • Meditation
  • Spiritual life
  • Inspirational
  • Spiritual life, christianity
  • Mysticism
  • Christian life
  • Devotional literature
  • Perfection

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3 About Thomas à Kempis

1380–1471

Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380 – 1 May 1471; German: Thomas von Kempen; Dutch: Thomas van Kempen) was a German-Dutch Catholic canon regular of the Augustinians and the author of The Imitation of Christ, one of the best known Christian devotional books. His name means "Thomas of Kempen", Kempen, Germany, being his home town.

Bio adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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