Thomas a Kempis

Nasljeduj Krista

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis is the most widely read Christian devotional book next to the Bible. It was written in Latin five hundred years ago and now brings comfort to millions of readers in over fifty languages. The Imitation is based on meditations on the life and teachings of Jesus, and emphasises the interior life and the centrality of the Eucharist rather than an active imitation of Christ. This version has an index of Biblical references, an index of names and an index of subjects.

The Imitation of Christ - With Indexes of Biblical References, People Names and Subject Matter

Aeterna Press

The treatise “Of the Imitation of Christ” appears to have been originally written in Latin early in the fifteenth century. Its exact date and its authorship are still a matter of debate. Manuscripts of the Latin version survive in considerable numbers all over Western Europe, and they, with the vast list of translations and of printed editions, testify to its almost unparalleled popularity. One scribe attributes it to St. Bernard of Clairvaux; but the fact that it contains a quotation from St. Francis of Assisi, who was born thirty years after the death of St. Bernard, disposes of this theory. In England there exist many manuscripts of the first three books, called “Musica Ecclesiastica,” frequently ascribed to the English mystic Walter Hilton. Aeterna Press

The Imitation of Christ

Of The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis, is a widely read Christian spiritual book. It was first published anonymously, in Latin, ca. 1418; several other authors have been proposed, but Kempis' authorship is now generally accepted. Imitation of Christ is a writing of the mysticist German-Dutch school of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries and is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in Christianity.

Of The Imitation of Christ

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis and translated by Rev. William Benham. The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis is a Christian devotional book. It was first composed in Latin ca. 1418-1427. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the Devotio Moderna movement, of which Kempis was a member. The Imitation is perhaps the most widely read Christian devotional work next to the Bible, and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic. Its popularity was immediate, and it was printed 745 times before 1650. Apart from the Bible, no book had been translated into more languages than the Imitation of Christ at the time. The text is divided into four books, which provide detailed spiritual instructions: "Helpful Counsels of the Spiritual Life", "Directives for the Interior Life", "On Interior Consolation" and "On the Blessed Sacrament". The treatise "Of the Imitation of Christ" appears to have been originally written in Latin early in the fifteenth century. Its exact date and its authorship are still a matter of debate. Manuscripts of the Latin version survive in considerable numbers all over Western Europe, and they, with the vast list of translations and of printed editions, testify to its almost unparalleled popularity. One scribe attributes it to St. Bernard of Clairvaux; but the fact that it contains a quotation from St. Francis of Assisi, who was born thirty years after the death of St. Bernard, disposes of this theory. In England there exist many manuscripts of the first three books, called "Musica Ecclesiastica," frequently ascribed to the English mystic Walter Hilton. But Hilton seems to have died in 1395, and there is no evidence of the existence of the work before 1400. Many manuscripts scattered throughout Europe ascribe the book to Jean le Charlier de Gerson, the great Chancellor of the University of Paris, who was a leading figure in the Church in the earlier part of the fifteenth century. The most probable author, however, especially when the internal evidence is considered, is Thomas Haemmerlein, known also as Thomas a Kempis, from his native town of Kempen, near the Rhine, about forty miles north of Cologne. Haemmerlein, who was born in 1379 or 1380, was a member of the order of the Brothers of Common Life, and spent the last seventy years of his life at Mount St. Agnes, a monastery of Augustinian canons in the diocese of Utrecht. Here he died on July 26, 1471, after an uneventful life spent in copying manuscripts, reading, and composing, and in the peaceful routine of monastic piety.

De Imitatione Christi

The Imitation of Christ (Latin: De Imitatione Christi, 1418–1427) by Thomas a Kempis is a Christian devotional book. It is a handbook for spiritual life arising from the Devotio Moderna movement, of which Kempis was a member. For five hundred years, this gentle book, filled with the spirit of the love of God, has brought understanding and comfort to millions of readers and provided them with a source of heart-felt personal prayer. These meditations on the life and teachings of Jesus, written in times even more troubled and dangerous than our own, have become second only to the Bible as a guide and inspiration. Thomas Hammerken (or Hammerlein -- both mean "little hammer") / Thomas de Kempis is known almost entirely for composing or compiling a manual of spiritual advice known as The Imitation of Christ, in which he urges the reader to seek to follow the example of Jesus Christ and to be conformed in all things to His will.

Of the Imitation of Christ: Four Books

First published in Latin in 1418, this Christian devotional book is considered to be the most widely read Christian text in the world, aside from the Bible. The translators of this version set out to create the most clear and readable version possible, which is updated into modern English. They also removed the original "statement" format, and placed relevant text into paragraphs that connect ideas together more fully, for easier reading. The reason for this book's popularity is due to its personal approach toward the reader. One can focus on self-improvement through inner work, based on Christ's teachings, via prayer and meditation. This process includes lessons that elevate one's spiritual nature toward a Christ-like way of being, rather than following outward rules that often fail. It has been popular throughout the ages with all devout Christians, as well as mystics and religious researchers. This Book Tree published version is highly recommended for those wishing to get the most out of their experience with this great Christian classic.

Modern English Version

Imitation of Christ

For many years the Venerable Thomas à Kempis had charge of the young Religious at Mount St. Agnes. The office of training the Novices was with the Windesheimers usually attached to the sub-priorship, at least in the early days of the Congregation, and a Novice-Master, as such, was not appointed. Twice Thomas was elected Sub-Prior of the Monastery on the Mount. We find him named as holding that post in 1429, in a list of the Brethren who went into exile rather than disobey a papal interdict laid upon the land. As a vacancy had occurred by the promotion of Brother Theodoric from Sub-Prior to Prior in 1425, it is reasonable to presume that our author was appointed at that date. Aeterna Press

Sermons to the Novices Regular

This spiritual classic focuses the contemporary God-seeker on developing a vital connection with God by inviting the spirit of Jesus into our lives. Helpful commentary clarifies the work's biblical and medieval roots and its continuing significance today.

Selections Annotated & Explained

L'imitation de Jésus-Christ

Kern Der S?mmtlichen Scriften Des Ehrw?rdigen Thomas Von Kempen

Thomas

Modern version of the companion volume to the Imitation of Christ

Imitation of Mary

In his dedication1 of the first English translation of this book, “To the Verie Venerable, His most honored deare Lady Marie Tredway First Abesse of Sion. Canonesses Regulars of S. Augustins Order established at Paris. And to her vertuous daughters,” the Rev. “Thomas Carre” (for forty years their chaplain) wrote thus: “I tooke the libertie in the year 1636. To addresse unto you the following of Christ under the name of Thomas of Kempis your brother: where I told you that if that truth should chance to be contested you should rather use prescription then processe &c. … I now returne to you againe with another present of the same Authour and brother, which is contested by none.” Aeterna Press

Prayers and Meditations on the Life of Christ

The Chronicle of Mount St. Agnes is the only work of Thomas à Kempis of which no English translation has yet appeared, and even in its original form the book is not readily accessible to readers, since the only text is that published by Peter and John Beller of Antwerp in 1621. The ordinary collections of the works of à Kempis do not contain the Chronicle, although there is no doubt as to the authenticity of the book, which is of considerable importance to students of the movement known as “The New Devotion,” and to those who are interested in the Brotherhood of the Common Life. The last nine pages of the Latin text have been added by an anonymous writer, and carry on the chronicle from the year 1471, in which à Kempis dies, to 1477, but since this portion of the book is included in the first printed edition, and contains a notice of the author written by a contemporary member of the community, I have included the addition in the present translation of the Chronicle. Aeterna Press

The Chronicle of the Canons Regular of Mount Saint Agnes

The Life of Lydwine, Virgin, is of all the works of Thomas à Kempis certainly the least original and to English readers generally the least familiar. The latter fact is most probably due to the subject matter. That the work is not original, Thomas himself is our authority, when he states in his Prologue that he has read through the "book of the life of the holy and most patient virgin Lydwine," and has now sent it on to his brothers, the Canons Regular of Briel, composed in a style more brief and clear, with certain omissions and his own division of chapters and books. In fact, our venerable Author contented himself with merely editing the biography already published by one John Brugman. A comparison with the latter shows that almost throughout à Kempis has retained even the language of Brugman. This circumstance has rendered the task of translation somewhat ungrateful: but a full compensation has been found in the intense interest which a study of the life itself of this servant of God evoked. Aeterna Press

Saint Lydwine of Schiedam

Toma Kempijski

Meditations and Prayers of the Life, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of Our Saviour Jesus-Christ, Written in Latine by Thomas of Kempis,... and Englished by Thomas Carre,...

Thomas a Kempis

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