Spiritual Reading Quotes from the Saints

Spiritual Reading Quotes

'As the reading of bad books fills the mind with worldly and poisonous sentiments; so, on the other hand, the reading of pious works fills the soul with holy thoughts and good desires.' (St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori)

"Only God knows the good that can come about by reading one good Catholic book." - (St. John Bosco)

"Reading the lives of the Saints is a great means to preserve piety." 
(St. Philip Neri)

'A single bad book will be sufficient to cause the destruction of an entire monastery.' ( St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori)

'Never read books you aren't sure about. . . even supposing that these bad books are very well written from a literary point of view. Let me ask you this: Would you drink something you knew was poisoned just because it was offered to you in a golden cup?' ( St. John Bosco)

"When we pray we speak to God; but when we read, God speaks to us." - (St. Jerome )

"Without good books and spiritual reading, it will be morally impossible to save our souls." (St. Alphonsus Liguori)

'Prayer, good reading, the frequentation of the sacraments, with the proper dispositions, and particularly the flight of idleness - these are, believe me, the means of sanctifying yourself.' (St. Paul of the Cross)

'Spiritual reading and prayer purify the intellect, while love and self-control purify the soul's passible aspect.' (St. Thalassios the Libyan)

'Help yourself during this troubled period by reading holy books. This reading provides excellent food for the soul and conduces to great progress along the path of perfection. By no means is it inferior to what we obtain through prayer and holy meditation. In prayer and meditation it is ourselves who speak to the Lord, while in holy reading it is God who speaks to us. Before beginning to read, raise your mind to the Lord and implore Him to guide your mind Himself, to speak to your heart and move your will.' (St. Padre Pio)

'The crafty enemies of the Church and human society attempt to seduce the people in many ways. One of their chief methods is the misuse of the new technique of book-production. They are wholly absorbed in the ceaseless daily publication and proliferation of impious pamphlets, newspapers and leaflets which are full of lies, calumnies and seduction. Furthermore, under the protection of the Bible Societies which have long since been condemned by this Holy See, they distribute to the faithful under the pretext of religion, the holy bible in vernacular translations. Since these infringe the Church's rules, they are consequently subverted and most daringly twisted to yield a vile meaning. So you realize very well what vigilant and careful efforts you must make to inspire in your faithful people an utter horror of reading these pestilential books. Remind them explicitly with regard to divine scripture that no man, relying on his own wisdom, is able to claim the privilege of rashly twisting the scriptures to his own meaning in opposition to the meaning which holy mother Church holds and has held.' (Pope Bl. Pius IX)