R E A D I N G | II

Since about mid-January, I've taken up the habit of reading a little bit each evening before retiring and have quite enjoyed the practice. Daytimes can be a little chaotic and/or overly lazy (just depends) so I don't always get to hit the books, but once the house starts to quiet down I'm generally able to....and man oh man. Reading is so good for the soul.

C U R R E N T   R E A D S 

THE DIARY OF ST FAUSTINA (MARIA FAUSTINA KOWALKSA)-
Though this has been on my bookshelf for two years now, I'm just now getting into it. It is a real treasure that I've unknowingly missed out on for so long! The richness and depth contained within leaves me with no choice but to underline most everything. It's no exaggeration to say that few paragraphs go without being highlighted in one way or another!

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"A soul arms itself by prayer for all kinds of combat.

In whatever state the soul may be it ought to pray. 

A soul which is pure and beautiful must pray, or else it will lose it's beauty; 

a soul which is striving after this purity must pray, or else it will never obtain it; 

a soul which is newly converted must pray, or else it will fall again; 

a sinful soul, plunged in sins, must pray so that it might rise again. 

There is no soul which is not bound to pray, 

for every single grace comes to the soul through prayer."

Saint Faustina | 146

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THE IMITATION OF CHRIST (THOMAS A KEMPIS)-

Well, this too has been on my bookshelf for a number of years without having been given much attention. Since my initial Lent devotional ended up being a flop due to being...um...boring + without challenge (Sorry not sorry, Matthew Kelly...) I decided to pick up this one instead at the suggestion of these two lovely ladies. Can I just say woah? Woah. The first section (there are four) is laid out in a fashion that encourages/demands that the soul disposes of  all worldly preoccupations and instead to focus on the necessity of reliance on God. Perfect for Lent? You better believe it. 

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"What harms and hinders you more than the undisciplined passions of your own heart? 

A good and devout man firstly sets in order in his mind whatever 

tasks he has in hand, and never allows them to lead him into occasions of sin, 

but humbly subjects them to dictates of a sound judgment. 

Who has a fiercer struggle than he who strives to conquer himself? 

Yet this must be our chief concern - to conquer self, 

and by daily growing stronger than self, to advance in holiness."

Thomas A Kempis | Imitation of Christ 

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THERESE, FAUSTINA AND BERNADETTE (ELIZABETH FICOCELLI)-

I've been reading this along with several other young women (heeeyyyy ladies) and so far, has proven to be a down-to-earth, relate-able story of a woman and her discovery of learning about authentic femininity through the Church and the three saints named above.  This is far simpler to read than the other two, and I'm not going to lie...it's nice. Every once in awhile, it's just really great not to have to use brain power but still read something worthwhile. ;) 

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"A subtle attraction towards these individual was growing within me. 

I found myself wanting to be more like them. 

For the first time, I began to feel the desire in my soul: I wanted to be a saint. 

It wasn't for the earthly glory and fame. 

What attracted me was the idea of having such an awesome and intimate 

union with God, even if no one else knew about--especially when no one new about it."

Elizabeth Ficocelli | Therese, Faustina and Bernadette

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And that's all for now! If you'd like to further stalk me + my reading habits, feel free to follow along on Goodreads! :)  What are you reading right now?