Editor’s Note: In the most recent Issue of The Fatima Crusader (#135), several writers explored how Catholics can best live the Fatima Message. The magazine’s length limited the number of articles we could include. In one of the articles, Andrew Cesanek addressed “The Importance of Spiritual Reading.” In the article below, Mr. Matthew Plese provides additional support for this subject. Plese also contributed an article, “Mental Prayer, Lifeline of the Catholic Soul,” to Issue 135 of The Fatima Crusader.
Introduction
Among the many forgotten treasures of Catholic spirituality is the custom of ending the day with prayerful reflection and spiritual reading. How sad that today so many Catholics go to bed to a glowing blue light of an electronic screen. Not only is this unhealthy at the physical level, damaging to the mind, but it also greatly impairs the spiritual life. (Even worse is the habit many people have of “needing a drink” or chemical drugs in order to sufficiently ‘relax’ to fall asleep.)
For centuries, faithful Catholics – clergy, religious, and laity alike – considered the last moments of the evening to be of special importance for the soul. The thoughts with which one goes to sleep can often dominate the subconscious, influence dreams, and even be among the first things we think about once we wake up in the morning. Thus, as the body prepares to rest, so too should the soul recollect itself before God.
The saints and classical spiritual writers constantly emphasized that bedtime is not a trivial interval but a sacred opportunity. St. Alphonsus Liguori counseled: “Let us always make our preparation for death at night before going to bed, for we may not see the next day” (Preparation for Death, Ch. 2).
The Catholic View of the End of the Day
Night is often used in Scripture as a symbol of death and judgment. The Psalmist prays: “I will meditate on Thee in the morning: Because Thou hast been my helper. And I will rejoice under the covert of Thy wings. My soul hath stuck close to Thee” (Ps. 62:7-9).
The nightly routine, then, carries spiritual meaning. It prepares us for the possibility that we may not wake up again. As the Imitation of Christ puts it: “So act, as if you were to die this very day; and so, despise and neglect all things, as if you were presently to be called to judgment” (Book I, Ch. 23).
For this reason, the Church has always encouraged an ordered pattern at day’s end: giving thanks, making an examination of conscience, and engaging in holy reading.
The Practice of Thanksgiving
The first act before sleep is gratitude. The Baltimore Catechism reminds us: “We should thank God for His blessings every day” (Q. 1135). Evening is the natural moment to call to mind the graces of the day – the protection from dangers, the opportunities for virtue, the blessings of family and friends.
St. Francis de Sales recommended that before bed we “thank God for having preserved you during the day past” (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part II, Ch. 6). Gratitude disposes the soul to rest in peace, mindful that all comes from God.
The Examination of Conscience
After thanksgiving, the faithful should briefly review their day. The Roman Catechism urges: “It is of advantage daily to examine our conscience, and by means of this self-examination to correct those sins into which we may have fallen” (Part II, Ch. 5).
The steps traditionally include:
- Invoking the Holy Ghost for enlightenment.
- Reviewing my words, actions, and omissions of this day.
- Repenting of faults committed.
- Resolving to amend.
- Making an Act of Contrition.
This nightly practice ensures that small sins do not accumulate unnoticed, and it keeps the heart humble and vigilant.
The Role of Spiritual Reading
Alongside thanksgiving and examination, Catholics of old often ended the day with a few moments of spiritual reading. This practice feeds the soul with holy thoughts before sleep. St. Jerome famously remarked: “Let holy reading be always at hand; sleep may fall upon you as you look thereon, and the sacred page meet your drooping face.” (A confirmed Catholic can certainly make this part of his nightly routine, and a parent could lead young children in this exercise.)
Fr. Adolphe Tanquerey, in his classic The Spiritual Life, explained the benefit: “Spiritual reading enlightens the mind with divine truth, inflames the heart with holy affections, and supplies the soul with motives for daily fidelity” (no. 155).
In contrast, watching shows or reading novels of vice, news of violence, or worldly chatter before bed distracts the soul, stirs temptations, and deprives the mind of peace. As Our Lord warned, “For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also” (Matthew 6:21).
Recommended Texts for the Evening Hour
Traditional Catholic homes often kept a small shelf of books for nightly use. The following are especially recommended:
- Sacred Scripture – A passage from the Gospels, the Psalms, or the Epistles provides divine light for the heart.
- My Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis – A perennial favorite for its practical wisdom.
- The Spiritual Combat by Dom Lorenzo Scupoli – A guide to vigilance against temptation.
- Preparation for Death by St. Alphonsus Liguori – Especially suited for evening reflection.
- True Devotion to Mary or The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis de Montfort, both of which help foster Marian devotion.
- The Catechism of the Council of Trent – Clear doctrine, suitable even in brief portions.
- The Soul of the Apostolate by Dom Chautard – an essential book for Catholics engaged in parish “ministries” or Catholic action. Pope St. Pius X used it as one of his favorite bedside books.
- Lives of the Saints – Their examples inspire virtue and perseverance.
Reading even a single page with devotion is better than many pages with distraction. Other possible texts worth considering can be found at Traditional Catholic Book Recommendations.
A Pattern for the Faithful Today
To restore this ancient way, Catholics might adopt a simple nightly routine:
- Make the Sign of the Cross and say a brief prayer of thanksgiving.
- Examine your conscience, sincerely acknowledging faults.
- Pray an Act of Contrition with attention and devotion.
- Read a short passage from Scripture or a spiritual classic.
- Commend yourself to Our Lady with three Hail Marys and invoke your guardian angel. (For another option, see “Brief Night Prayers” below.)
This pattern can be done in ten minutes. It sanctifies the end of the day and prepares the soul for either rest or eternity.
Brief Night Prayers
Holy Mother Church provides Compline, which religious are obligated to pray, as do secular priests. The laity can certainly participate in such a laudable exercise, but for families with small children it is better to have simple and brief prayers. Far more important than saying lengthy prayers is developing the habit of praying every night before going to bed. (When one has too many prayers, it is tempting to neglect them when tired, for they appear too overwhelming.)
For example, one might pray an Our Father, three Hail Marys, a Glory Be, the prayers to St. Michael and one’s guardian angel, an ejaculation to the Sacred Heart, and a Marian antiphon. Pious Catholic prayer books usually include a short regimen of night prayers.
Conclusion
Recovering the practice of spiritual reading before bedtime is not a matter of nostalgia but of necessity. In an age filled with noise and screens, Catholics need quiet, holy moments to recollect themselves before God.
As St. Alphonsus exhorts: “Behold, each night is as it were a herald of death; make each night’s rest a preparation for that last sleep” (Preparation for Death, Ch. 19). By uniting thanksgiving, examination, and spiritual reading, we rediscover the wisdom of the ancients and prepare our souls for the day when earthly night gives way to eternal dawn.
Editor’s Epilogue: Continual Growth
Many other spiritual practices that help you live the Catholic life are contained in The Fatima Crusader (Issue 135). It is not necessary to implement all of them all at once. This would surely result in failure and discouragement. Rather, prayerfully discern one spiritual practice (or two at the most) to which Our Lady is calling you. Then make a firm resolution to practice it regularly. Once it has become habitual, repeat the process again and add just one more spiritual practice into your interior life. It is by such small simple steps you will make great advancements towards heroic sanctity!