Spiritual Classics Online Book Club

Have you ever wanted to deepen your prayer life and explore the treasures of Catholic spirituality?

We are launching an online Book Club to share fellowship with others on the same journey by reading and discussing one of the lesser-known gems of the Church: 'How to Converse with God' by St Alphonsus Liguori. This short but powerful book offers timeless wisdom on prayer, full of practical tips to help us to strengthen our relationship with God.

The Spiritual Classics Book Club, hosted by the Diocese of Westminster, invites you to join us to discover this and other inspiring books together. Beginning Thursday 30 October, we will gather weekly online to read and reflect together. Don't worry if you miss the first session as there will be the opportunity to catch up using materials you can access online. It also means that if you do miss one or two of the weekly sessions, it's no problem to get back up to date. And will be taking a break over much of the Advent and Christmas period so you don't need to miss any special commitments then.

Why a Book Club?

By reading spiritual classics together, we create space for growth in faith, prayer, and community. Many people long to pray more deeply but are unsure where to start. Others want the encouragement of walking alongside fellow Catholics in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. The book club gives us both: a gentle structure for prayer and reflection, and the companionship of others learning and growing at the same time.

Who Should Join?

The group is open to everyone-parishioners of Westminster Diocese and beyond. We don't want to exclude anyone who feels inspired to join. In fact, we hope that Catholics from other dioceses might be encouraged to start their own local initiatives after experiencing this one. No prior knowledge or study is required, and the sessions are free to join.

How the Meetings Work

Each Thursday evening we meet online for about 45-60 minutes via Zoom. A typical session includes:

- A short opening prayer.
- Reading together from one or two short chapters of How to Converse with God.
- Guided reflection and open discussion in a supportive atmosphere.
- A closing prayer, sending us back into daily life with renewed focus.
- The sessions are friendly and accessible, with the opportunity to share or not as you prefer. The book's chapters are short and manageable, so even those with busy lives can take part! We hope this encourages everyone to shape the life of the group, whether through reading aloud, offering questions, or just listening prayerfully.

Practical Details

Start date: Thursday 30 October
Time: Thursday evenings 8pm - 9pm (weekly) - paused 11 December - resumes 15 January 2026
Book: How to Converse with God by St Alphonsus Liguori (available to purchase, but readings will also be shared during sessions).
Where: Online via Zoom - details sent to registered club members.
Cost: Free

To register your interest or ask questions, please email: bookclub@rcdow.org.uk