Trio of books makes list

"Nobody loved the Church more or could be more critical of it than Dante," he continued. "How could you not love a poet who understood that a man could lead you through hell and purgatory, but it took a woman to show you heaven? It is as readable today as it was when it was written. I never tire of it."

IMITATION OF CHRIST

"The book states as the first condition for the spiritual life a knowledge of oneself," he continued. "This knowledge is acquired only at the cost of turning away from self, which leads the individual to confront one's sinfulness and turn to God in humility and repentance. The 'Imitation' uses the word 'resignation' to designate this dying to self, which means renunciation of the self and total abandonment to God. Perfect resignation to God is preserved by frequent meditation on the passion and death of Christ. Union with Christ is experienced in reception of the Eucharist."

SPIRITUAL EXERCISES

"This remarkable little book centers the attention of the reader entirely on Jesus Christ -- and especially on Jesus as an attractive human being, worthy of our loyalty and love," he explained. "It invites us to use our senses and our imaginations to discover Jesus' offer and call, and to follow that call in using all the resources of our intelligence and freedom. The result is the decision to commit ourselves totally to the coming of God's kingdom. It is a masterpiece of sound psychology, and its theology is solidly rooted in the New Testament." (JB)

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