Thomas Kempis Biography
Early Life and Background
Thomas à Kempis, whose real name is Thomas Haemerken, was born around 1380 in the town of Kempen in the Rhineland, within the Holy Roman Empire (contemporary Germany). As his name suggests, "à Kempis" signifies his association with his birth place, Kempen. Little is learnt about his early youth; nevertheless, it is believed that he came from a modest, devout household.
Education and Religious Calling
In 1395, Thomas was sent out to the Brothers of the Common Life, a spiritual neighborhood in Deventer, Netherlands. This neighborhood was established by Gerard Groote, and it played a crucial role in the motion known as the Devotio Moderna, which stressed personal piety and a direct, heartfelt religious commitment. The school in Deventer provided him with a foundation in the liberal arts, and it is here that Thomas likely established his eager interest in manuscript copying and religious literature.
Monastic Life
After completing his education, around 1406, Thomas signed up with the neighboring abbey of Mount St. Agnes, located near Zwolle in the Netherlands. This abbey became part of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine, an order that aligned carefully with the concepts of the Devotio Moderna. Thomas spent the remainder of his life here, taking his swears and eventually being ordained as a priest. He held different responsibilities within the monastery, including that of sub-prior, and was deeply associated with the spiritual life and community activities of the abbey.
Works and Legacy
Thomas à Kempis is best known for his spiritual classic, "The Imitation of Christ". The work is a devotional book intended to motivate Christians to pursue holiness and replicate the life and teachings of
Jesus Christ. The "Imitation" has been among the most commonly read Christian devotional books, second only to the Bible. It is divided into 4 books, going over the spiritual life and the value of the inner relationship between the soul and God.
While some scholars dispute the authorship of the "Imitation", the prevailing view credits Thomas à Kempis due to corroborative manuscript proof and the stylistic consistency with his other known works. Besides "The Imitation of Christ", Thomas wrote other spiritual works, preachings, and bios, primarily intended for the assistance and edification of his monastic neighborhood.
Influence and Relationships
Thomas belonged to a larger spiritual movement and was influenced by figures such as Gerard Groote, the founder of the Brothers of the Common Life, and Florentius Radewijns, a prominent member of the motion. His life and works were likewise affected by the overarching principles of the Devotio Moderna, identified by inner commitment and individual connection with God, rather than external routines.
His monastic neighborhood and the Devotio Moderna motion impacted different spiritual and religious reformations across Europe. Thomas's works have left a long lasting legacy, inspiring countless Christians through subsequent centuries to lead lives marked by humbleness, piety, and self-questioning.
Later On Life and Death
Thomas à Kempis continued to live at the Mount St. Agnes abbey till his death, which is believed to have actually taken place in 1471. He spent the majority of his life dedicated to prayer, reflection, and monastic responsibilities. He experienced several years of spiritual writing and guidance for his fellow monks and wider Christian community.
Though he lived a life mostly within the boundaries of the abbey, his writings gained extensive dissemination throughout Europe throughout his lifetime and have actually continued to provide spiritual assistance for generations, strengthening his location as a substantial figure in Christian spirituality.
Our collection contains 32 quotes who is written / told by Thomas, under the main topics:
Anger -
Architecture.
Related authors: Jesus Christ (Prophet), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Is Thomas a Kempis a saint
A: He is not officially canonized as a saint in the Catholic Church. - Q: Thomas a Kempis Imitation of Christ
A: The Imitation of Christ is his most famous work, a spiritual classic that focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. - Q: How did Thomas a Kempis die
A: He died of natural causes in 1471 at the Mount St. Agnes monastery in the Netherlands. - Q: Thomas a Kempis quotes
A: One famous quote is, 'All is vanity except to love God and serve Him only.' - Q: Thomas a Kempis beliefs
A: He emphasized humility, devotion, and the imitation of Christ's life, focusing on inner spirituality over external practices. - Q: Was Thomas a Kempis Catholic
A: Yes, he was a Catholic monk and part of the Modern Devotion movement within the Catholic Church. - Q: Thomas a Kempis Protestant
A: Thomas a Kempis was not Protestant; he was a Catholic monk and writer before the Protestant Reformation. - Q: Why was Thomas a Kempis buried alive
A: There is a legend that during the canonization process, signs of Thomas potentially being buried alive were noted. However, this is a subject of historical debate and not confirmed.
Thomas Kempis Famous Works:
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