The Best Catholic Devotionals for Deepening Your Prayer Life

1. Compline

Considering praying the Divine Office (also called the Liturgy of the Hours), but feeling overwhelmed? Start out by just praying Compline, the night prayer of the Divine Office. The ancient nightly prayer will prepare you for a restful night and bring you together with countless monks, priests, nuns, and laity who are also joining in the official prayer of the Church. 

2. The Imitation of Christ

This Catholic classic, written by Thomas a Kempis, has been loved for centuries as a guide for following Christ's example in our daily lives. It can easily be read in small, digestible bits for simple, daily meditation.

3. The Imitation of Mary

The Imitation of Mary, also authored by Thomas a Kempis, is a wonderful companion to The Imitation of Christ. Written in a similar fashion, The Imitation of Mary provides wisdom for following Jesus through Mary's example.

4. My Daily Bread

Arranged as short, daily meditations with Christ as the guide, My Daily Bread is a perfect companion for someone who is looking to jumpstart their spiritual formation. This devotional touches on a whole host of topics, including Eucharistic union with Jesus, the Four Last Things, and forming your conscience. Written in the 1950s, My Daily Bread has consistently been one of the best-selling Catholic devotionals for decades now. 

5. Visits to the Blessed Sacrament

Written by St. Alphonsus Ligouri, this little devotional is meant to accompany the reader on a month-long mediation in front of the Blessed Sacrament. The 31 daily readings and prayers will build your appreciation for Christ's presence before us.

6. Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary

For those who would love to follow the Divine Office but find it daunting, the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary may be the perfect compromise. The office follows all the hours of the Divine Office, but with fewer changeable parts. It's a beautiful way to follow the official prayer of the Church while focusing on Mary's role in Salvation History.

7. Daily Companion for Men

This series, which also includes Daily Companion for Women, Daily Companion for Young Catholics, and Daily Companion for Married Couples, provides quick, daily reflections and prayers for your state in life. It's the perfect companion for a simple, yet tailored, morning meditation.

8. Mother Love

Mother Love has been a classic prayer companion for Christian mothers for over 150 years. This edition is chock-full of prayers for every situation a mother and wife may find herself in, along with beloved litanies, sacramental devotions, and spiritual instruction for both mothers and children.  

9. My Tender Heart Devotions

Nurture your child's prayer life with a devotional book that's all their own! This little prayer book offers a weekly scripture mediation, adapted for young readers with an opening poem, a Bible passage, small activity, and closing prayer. If you lean traditional, consider Jesus, Make Me Worthy or the Latin Mass Children's Missal; both contain prayers for children that accompany the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, as well as all sorts of other common prayers and devotions with which any Catholic child should be familiar.

10. Prayer Books

Thankfully, there's no shortage of Catholic prayer books, so it should be easy to find the one that's right for you! Key of the Kingdom and Catholic Book of Prayers are both wonderful choices if you're looking for compact prayer books with the most popular prayers and devotions of the Catholic faith.