Spiritual Classics Book Club - Reading the Saints Together

Many Catholics desire to go deeper in their faith, and understanding, but often don't know where to begin. The Church has given us an extraordinary treasury of spiritual wisdom in the writings of the saints. Books that have formed generations of Catholics in prayer, love of God, and perseverance in the Christian life. All right there to help us on the journey of deepening our faith.

Yet these great spiritual classics can feel daunting when approached alone. They are rich and profound, but need to be read slowly and prayerfully, with a little encouragement along the way. The Spiritual Classics Book Club exists to help with exactly that.

This friendly online group is for Catholics who wish to deepen their faith and discover these great works in fellowship with others. The Book Club offers a simple and welcoming way to read, reflect, pray, and discuss together.

Our recent book has been St Alphonsus Liguori's 'How to Converse with God' a short but powerful work on prayer and relationship with God. St Alphonsus writes with clarity, warmth, and directness about the call to speak with God, trust in God, and build a more personal life of prayer.

From June, the Book Club will begin its next spiritual classic: The Autobiography of St Thérèse of Lisieux, widely known as 'Story of a Soul'. This much-loved work offers a profound yet accessible vision of holiness through simplicity, trust, love - what St Thérèse called her "little way".

Who is the Book Club for?

The Spiritual Classics Book Club is for Catholics who want to deepen their faith and those enquiring about the Catholic faith. It is for parishioners who would like to grow in prayer but find it difficult to maintain momentum on their own, and for those Catholics who have lapsed but feel they are missing something.

Many people enjoy reading but know that faith often grows more fruitfully when shared with others. We, in the Book Club, are not academics or experts, but we sincerely want to understand more about our spiritual tradition. No specialist knowledge is required to join us. Rather, it is a place of prayerful reading, reflection, and open conversation. Participants can say as much or as little as they feel comfortable sharing. Some may enjoy reading aloud; others may prefer simply to listen and reflect. The important thing is the desire to grow closer to God.

Why read the spiritual classics?

The spiritual classics of the Catholic faith are not museum pieces. They are living companions. In the writings of the saints, we encounter men and women who knew the struggles, the hopes, temptations, joys and longings of the Christian life. They show us that the call to holiness is not abstract. It is practical, personal, and lived day by day to build a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

A text such as How to Converse with God encourages the reader to approach God with confidence, simplicity, and love. We see that prayer is not merely a duty, but an invitation into relationship with Christ. Reading in a group brings an added benefit. Different people notice different things. One person may bring knowledge of Scripture; another may bring experience of parish life; another may see how the reading applies to family, to work, in retirement, and in grief or illness. Together, we discover more than one person might notice alone. As one member reflected after reading St Alphonsus with the group:

"I am thoroughly enjoying the meetings of the Spiritual Classics Book Club. Although I am very familiar with the content of How to Converse with God, I have never read this book by Alphonsus Liguori. I enjoy reading the chapter ahead of our meeting slowly so that I can thoroughly absorb its contents. But the most valuable aspect of the Book Club is the group sharing. The questions and comments of others can surprise me and call me to examine things I have taken for granted."

What happens in the meetings?

The format is simple, gentle, and manageable.

Meetings take place online on Zoom and usually last 50 to 60 minutes. A typical session includes:

-A short opening prayer;
- Reading from the chosen spiritual classic;
-Time for reflection;
- Open discussion in a supportive atmosphere;
- A closing prayer.The readings are kept manageable.

The group reads slowly and reflectively, allowing the text to speak to the heart as well as the mind. The approach is inspired by the ancient Christian practice of prayerful reading of Lectio Divina: reading, listening, reflecting, praying, and allowing the Word to move us.

Another member described the experience in these words:

"Spiritual Book Club has been one of the most spiritually enriching experiences of my year. Through the ancient practice of Lectio Divina, each reading comes alive in a completely new way - every reflection unlocks fresh layers of meaning you simply wouldn't discover alone.

What truly sets this group apart is the people. Members have a wonderfully diverse range of spiritual experiences, and the conversations are genuinely eye-opening. Despite being a devout cradle Catholic, hearing how others experience their faith and their personal relationship with God has deepened my own spiritual life in ways I never expected.

If you're seeking a warm, open-minded, respectful community to help you grow spiritually - this is it. Don't hesitate. Come join us."

That testimony captures something essential about the group. It is not simply about getting through a text. It is about allowing the wisdom of the saints to come alive through prayer, conversation, and fellowship.

Online you can join from across a wide area without the need to travel. For many people, with busy evenings, family responsibilities or mobility limitations, an online group makes participation much easier.

How does the group support fellowship?

Faith deepens through prayer, but also through companionship. Many of us read privately, pray privately, and think privately about the spiritual life. All of that is valuable, but there is also a particular grace in hearing how others respond to the same text. The Book Club creates a sense of fellowship and mutual support as members share their thoughts and reflections in a friendly group.

This does not mean that everyone must speak at length. Listening can be just as fruitful. Sometimes one sentence from another participant can open a new way of seeing a passage. A question asked honestly can help the whole group. Simply being present with others who are seeking God is itself encouraging.

When does it meet?

The Spiritual Classics Book Club meets weekly on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 8pm. The weekly rhythm is important. It gives momentum without being overwhelming, allowing time for reflection between sessions.

The next book will begin on Thursday 4th June, when the group starts reading the autobiography of St Thérèse of Lisieux: "The Autobiography of a Saint" or "Story of a Soul".

St Thérèse is a particularly approachable saint. Her writing is personal, honest and deeply human. She speaks about love, weakness, trust, family and suffering along with the desire to belong wholly to God. Her autobiography has helped countless Catholics discover that holiness is not only for the visibly heroic, but also for those who offer small things with great love.

How can people join?

The Book Club is free to join. Participants may purchase the chosen book if they wish, but the sessions are designed to be accessible.

Those who miss a session should not feel discouraged. Where possible, materials or summaries help participants to catch up. The group is intended to help people grow in faith, not to make them feel guilty about the realities of busy lives.

Those interested can register their interest or ask questions by email: (bookclub@rcdow.org.uk).

Sign up for the Spiritual Classics Book Club.

Once registered, you will receive the necessary joining details.

Why join now?

For anyone who wants to deepen their faith and explore the treasures of Catholic spirituality with others, the Spiritual Classics Book Club may be a very good place to begin. And as we begin St Thérèse of Lisieux's autobiography in June, this is an ideal time to join.