Prayer – Oxygen for the Soul 

by Father Jacques Philippe and Sister Anne of Jesus of the Community of the Beatitudes

Written under the direction of Father Jacques Philippe and Sister Anne of Jesus of the Community of the Beatitudes, this little book is a treatise on personal prayer. Each of the 18 short reflections, authored by Father Philippe and members of the Community of the Beatitudes, invites readers into an aspect of the why and how of mental prayer with a special emphasis on the Carmelite saints. Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of its charming cover — this book digs deep.

Recommended for devout Catholics interested in interior prayer, spiritual directors, and devotees of Father Jacques Philippe.

The Sanctifier 

by Archbishop Luis M. Martinez

Penned by now Venerable Archbishop Martinez and first published in the 1950s, this spiritual classic is a primer for all students of the theology of the Holy Spirit. The book is divided into four parts; devotion to the Holy Spirit, the Gifts, Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the Beatitudes. Archbishop Martinez focuses on the role of the Holy Spirit in the path to holiness of a believer, exhorting readers to both possess and be filled with the sanctifying power of God. It is an antidote to overly academic or, alternatively, simplistic explanations of God, the Holy Spirit. 

Recommended for those curious to understand the role of the Holy Spirit and those building a library of Catholic Classics.

The Confessions of Saint Augustine 

translated by John K. Ryan

An inviting and readable version of this powerful autobiography of St. Augustine of Hippo. The thirteen books within this volume tell the story of this spiritual giant in the form of a humble prayer. In the introduction, Ryan, translator and annotator of the book, encourages the reader to read slowly and carefully, appreciating the different levels of the book, for “the more he brings to his reading, the more he will take from it.” Ryan provides helpful background, timelines and a study guide.

Recommended for those interested in the spirituality of our present Pope, who is an Augustinian, and for readers who did not find The Confessions accessible on a first read but are ready to try again.