Top six basic and classic spiritual reading books you can read for free on the web

“Help yourself during this troubled period by reading holy books,” teaches Padre Pio. “This reading provides excellent food for the soul and leads to great progress.”

"Reading," says St. Josemaria, "has made many saints." He recommended that you take time for spiritual reading for about for 10 to 15 minutes each day.  

Those precious moments are one of your most excellent investments of time for the single most important thing in your life: your relationship with your Creator, Ultimate End and Greatest Lover.    

Here are the top basic and classic spiritual reading books you can read for free on the internet:

1. Walking with God by Kilian Healy.  A friend who is an expert in guiding young people says that this is one of the most basic spiritual reading books everyone should start with. It is written in everyday language. In fact, it starts by telling the story of a train ride and the author's conversation with a young man. Read it here. 

2. This Tremendous Lover by Eugene Boylan. A spiritual classic. Some comments from reviewers: "I can't recommend this book enough to any Christian desiring to explore or deepen their faith." "One of the finest books ever written on the aspect of our Loving Redeemer. Can't read this without coming away with a deeper love of God." Download the book in PDF here. 

3. Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales. Written by a Doctor of the Church, this book has been called “the most popular Catholic self-help bok of all time.” Recently, in his Letter on St. Francis de Sales, Pope Francis quoted from it several times, pointing to its"valuable lesson." All of us, Pope Francis stressed, including those who "live in the midst of the secular city," is called to holiness. Read it here. 

4. The Way by St. Josemaria Escriva. A book for the modern layman, the Way has been called by the official Vatican newspaper as "more than a masterpiece." St. Josemaria "has written straight from the heart." The website escrivaworks.org states: "One of the main attractions of the book is its direct, conversational style," for it is "based on real, living experience" of guiding people. It is a book for meditation that you can use here. 

5. Soul of the Apostolate by Dom Chautard. A book highly recommended by St. Pius X, who made it his bedside book. He said that he "can offer no better guide" for people who want to have a fruitful apostolate. Read the PDF copy here. 

6. True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort. Once you open this book, the first thing you will see is the list of Popes giving this book high acclaim. St. John Paul the Great said: “The reading of this book was a decisive turning point in my life...This ‘perfect devotion’ is indispensable to anyone who means to give himself without reserve to Christ and to the work of redemption...how often I had to reread it to understand it.” Read it here.

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