Calendar

Priest and Mystic
b. 1380
d. 1471

Author of The Imitation of Christ, a meditative book of devotion which, according to Lesser Feasts and Fasts of the Episcopal Church, has been translated into more languages than any other book, save for the Bible itself.

For an example of how his works influence Christian thought and theology even to this day, see Why Pray for the Dead? in the Sermon Archive.

Collect:

Holy Father, who hast nourished and strengthened thy Church by the inspired writings of thy servant Thomas a Kempis: Grant that we may learn from him to know what is necessary to be known, to love what is to be loved, to praise what highly pleaseth thee, and always to seek to know and follow thy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.