Thomas a Kempis was an Augustinian monk and mystic of the 15th century.

He is the author of the Imitation of Christ - which is after the Bible the most widespread book of Christendom.

The Imitation of Christ is structured in four short books that according to the content are further subdivided into chapters.

Each chapter contains a series of aphorisms which are thematically grouped.

The Imitation of Christ is a classic of Christian ascetic literature.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola - the founder of the Jesuits - read every day two chapters from it.

In keeping with this observance, the Jesuits allowed their retreatants to use two books only: the Bible and the Imitation of Christ.

The Imitation of Christ was originally written for priests and religious. But every Christian can draw an enormous benefit out of this book.