A Spiritual Exercise
by Jason Brilhante

Spiritual reading is an effective tool to incorporate into our spiritual growth toward God. It can be an inspiring and profitable exercise of meditation and prayer. Saint Jerome says that when we pray we speak to God, but when we read, God speaks to us.

Spiritual reading is a prayerful method of reading. The objective is to read slowly and with full attention about how other men and women who came before us grew in holiness and cultivated their relationship with God. Spiritual reading can be done by anyone, and it can be done on a regular basis. G iving 15-20 minutes daily is an excellent way to carry out spiritual reading and to enhance one’s prayer life.

The primary sources for spiritual reading include the autobiographies, biographies, and the writings of saints. For example, one can read the works of St. Augustine, who was once chained to his worldly passions and desires, but eventually converted to a faithful, committed love to Jesus Christ. He persevered through prayer, meditation, and pious acts. This is one example of how God works in the lives of his people by blessing them with graces to be converted to him. However, other sources make excellent material for spiritual reading such as the Scripture, a favorite Bible book, or the Pope’s letters and writings, which are an excellent source of the Church’s teachings.

Usually, one reads in order to learn. College students, for instance, spend many hours during their collegiate career doing just that. However, spiritual reading should not solely be an engagement of reading to learn but, according to St. Augustine, to read in order to nourish our souls. When you begin to read, say a prayer. Then set your mind on God and ask Him to en lighten your mind while you read. If you find something has made an impression, reread it as St. Ephrem would recommend. Also, do not be in a hurry to finish reading. This may make your efforts unprofitable. Remember to read slow ly and give your full attention.

Exercising this spiritual tool, reading about the lives of men and women that are saints who once were flesh and blood, and allowing God and his Holy Spirit into this process, one can grow in holiness and in a renewed faith in God.