The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” -1 Corinthians 11:1 (RSV)

"We must imitate Christ's life and his ways if we are to be truly enlightened and set free from the darkness of our own hearts. Let it be the most important thing we do."¹

About the Author:

Thomas á Kempis was born Thomas Hemerken to a blacksmith and a schoolmistress along the Lower Rhine, near Cologne, Germany, in a town called Kempen, in 1380. He, however, took the surname from his hometown. He was the youngest of two sons, and he received his education in Deventer, Netherlands with the Brethren of the Common Life, which was a community that was devoted to the education of the poor and were open to the laity. This education was significant because it exposed Kempis at an early age the devotional tenets that would shape his outlook later on in his career.

During his studies, Kempis supported himself by being a copyist for the Brethren of the Common Life. Since there was no such thing as a printing press during his time, he copied many important documents for the community and Scripture also. While he was young, Kempis developed studious and pious ways and was greatly influenced by the mysticism of the Brethren which molded him throughout his entire life. The founder of the Brethren of the Common Life was Geert Groote, who on his deathbed suggested his followers to take vows in an established religious order such as Augustinian Canons Regular. In 1399, Kempis was admitted in Mount Saint Agnes monastery in Windesheim, where his older brother John was named the prior. He took his time with his formation, and he took his vows in 1407. He was later ordained to the priesthood in 1413.²

As an Augustinian Canons Regular, he spent most of his time copying Scriptures and also altar books for the use of the monastery. In addition to his masterpiece, The Imitation of Christ, he also wrote many other works that reflect his devotion and learning, which are not so well known today: Prayers and Meditations on the Life of Christ, Spiritual Exercises, The Elevation of the Mind, The Soliloquy of the Soul, and many others. Although he was a prolific writer, he was known for only one book, The Imitation of Christ. His life was quite uneventful, which came to a close in July 25, 1471.

The Imitation of Christ:

There are several theories as to the composition and authorship of the book. It was first submitted anonymously in 1418 and “was soon accorded a wide welcome, copied by different scribes, and attributed to various spiritual writers, among others St. Bernard, St. Bonaventure, Henry de Kalkar, Innocent III, Jean Charlier de Gerson, and John à Kempis. In 1441, Thomas completed and signed his name…containing the four books of the ‘Imitation’ and nine minor treatises.³ According to Sir Francis Cruise, the identity of style which are peculiar in Kempis’ works is evident here. In addition, “The Imitation breathes the whole spirit of the Windesheim school of mysticism…it is impregnated throughout with the Scriptures and the writings of the Fathers, especially St. Augustine and St. Bernard, all favorite founts of inspiration for à Kempis and his fellow Canons of Windesheim.”⁴

It seems impossible to comprehend just how wide and profound this little devotional book has influenced Christendom for the last few hundred years. It has been said that after the Bible, it is the closest in comparison with its wisdom, clarity of thought, and its converting ability. Christians from different time periods and outlook have acknowledged how indebted they are to this book. Some of them are St. Thomas More, St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, and St. Therese just to name a few.

The Outlook of the Book

This devotional classic has been translated in over 50 languages, in numerous editions which are too many to keep track of. It should be pointed out that Kempis was born during a calamitous century. There were constant wars, bouts with the Black Plague which brought down the population significantly. There was the Great Schism which tore the Church apart, and there were two popes with one seated in Rome and the other in Avignon.

In the Augustinian monastery of his community, Kempis became the prior’s assistant, in charge of instructing the novices on spiritual life. Between 1420 and 1427, he wrote four booklets. These four booklets were then collected into a single book and was titled after the first booklet, The Imitation of Christ. This book showed how Kempis accurately analyzes the soul along with a clear vision of the fullness of the divine life.

Book One: In the Life of the Soul. Here, Kempis emphasizes the importance to wean the soul from worldly and material preoccupations. He also talks about controlling passions and overcoming conceit and complacency in order to be spiritually serious. We must have a humble opinion of ourselves in order for us to admit our shortcomings. Humility enables us to embrace the path of suffering.

Book Two: The Interior Life. This is the second stage of the spiritual life; which Kempis calls the way of illumination. In this stage, the soul has made some progress and is gradually illumined by the divine light of the knowledge of God. This involves purity of heart and placing all trust in God.

Book Three: Internal Consolation. This is the longest book and is about Christ calling the disciple to seek Him alone, which is the way to true peace. Kempis talks about cultivating humility, avoiding controversy, and placing all trust in God.

Book Four: On the Blessed Sacrament. Kempis writes on the invitation of Holy Communion. He discusses how the Eucharist can help the faithful draw closer to Jesus Christ.

Throughout the entire book, Kempis’ message is consistent. Do not trust in yourself, do not indulge in yourself, do not put yourself above others, rather, trust fully in God alone. Do everything out of love for God’s will, and to yield all of your life’s circumstance upon which God places you.

 

The Imitation of Christ Quotes:⁵

·      “What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed, it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God. I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it. For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the love of God? Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, except to love God and serve Him alone.”

·      “No liberty is true and no joy is genuine unless it is founded in the fear of the Lord and a good conscience.”

·      “He who clings to a creature will fall with its frailty, but he who gives himself to Jesus will ever be strengthened.”

·      “JESUS has always many who love His heavenly kingdom, but few who bear His cross. He has many who desire consolation, but few who care for trial. He finds many to share His table, but few to take part in His fasting. All desire to be happy with Him; few wish to suffer anything for Him.”

·      “He who considers anything great except the one, immense, eternal good will long be little and lie groveling on the earth. Whatever is not God is nothing and must be accounted as nothing.”

·      “Let Your name, not mine, be praised. Let Your work, not mine, be magnified. Let Your holy name be blessed, but let no human praise be given to me. You are my glory. You are the joy of my heart.”

·      “What am I without grace, but dead wood, a useless branch, fit only to be cast away?

Let Your grace, therefore, go before me and follow me, O Lord, and make me always intent upon good works, through Jesus Christ, Your Son.”

Endnotes

¹ "Thomas á Kempis." Christian History | Learn the History of Christianity & the Church. Accessed March 9, 2018. http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/innertravelers/thomas-kempis.html.

² "Thomas À Kempis | Clergyman." Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed March 9, 2018. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-a-Kempis.

³ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Thomas a Kempis." NEW ADVENT: Home. Accessed March 9, 2018. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14661a.htm.

⁴ Ibid.

⁵ Documenta Catholica Omnia - Multilanguage Catholic E-Book Database of All the Writings of Holy Popes, Councils, Church Fathers and Doctors, and Allied Auctors. Accessed March 9, 2018. http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/03d/1380-1471,_Kempis._Thomas,_The_Imitation_Of_Christ,_EN.pdf.