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The Forgotten Way: The Saint James Master Plan
You are standing on the threshold of a new frontier. If you’re not open to undertaking substantial spiritual growth, you should put this book down right now. Walk away.
Some things, once seen, cannot be unseen. There are things that, once heard, cannot be unheard. You will not be able to unsee what you are about to discover. You will not be able to unhear the things that will be whispered in your ear.
The promise of this book is very simple: You can transform your life by changing the way you speak.
Inspired by the often-ignored writings of Saint James, bestselling author Matthew Kelly has crafted a uniquely powerful guide based on one epic spiritual truth: Governing your speech is a sure path to holiness. The simplicity and practicality of this great spiritual truth make it remarkable.
With each turn of the page you will discover insights and wisdom to help you…
Harness the power of positive speech
Eradicate negative forms of speech like gossip and profanity
Flood your life and the lives of others with encouragement
Revolutionize the way you talk to God
Redefine the way you talk to yourself
Grow in discipline and alignment with the truth
The one spiritual truth at the core of this book applies to everyone, everywhere, in every situation—and ignoring spiritual truth is perilous.
The Forgotten Way is a single truth that will reorient your life. The only question left is: Will you let it?
Some things, once seen, cannot be unseen. There are things that, once heard, cannot be unheard. You will not be able to unsee what you are about to discover. You will not be able to unhear the things that will be whispered in your ear.
The promise of this book is very simple: You can transform your life by changing the way you speak.
Inspired by the often-ignored writings of Saint James, bestselling author Matthew Kelly has crafted a uniquely powerful guide based on one epic spiritual truth: Governing your speech is a sure path to holiness. The simplicity and practicality of this great spiritual truth make it remarkable.
With each turn of the page you will discover insights and wisdom to help you…
Harness the power of positive speech
Eradicate negative forms of speech like gossip and profanity
Flood your life and the lives of others with encouragement
Revolutionize the way you talk to God
Redefine the way you talk to yourself
Grow in discipline and alignment with the truth
The one spiritual truth at the core of this book applies to everyone, everywhere, in every situation—and ignoring spiritual truth is perilous.
The Forgotten Way is a single truth that will reorient your life. The only question left is: Will you let it?
116 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2025
151 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Kelly
194 books1,423 followersMatthew Kelly is a best-selling author, speaker, thought leader, entrepreneur, consultant, spiritual leader, and innovator.
He has dedicated his life to helping people and organizations become the-best-version-of-themselves. Born in Sydney, Australia, he began speaking and writing in his late teens while he was attending business school. Since that time, 5 million people have attended his seminars and presentations in more than 50 countries.
Today, Kelly is an internationally acclaimed speaker, author, and business consultant. His books have been published in more than 30 languages, have appeared on The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestseller lists, and have sold more than 50 million copies.
In his early-twenties he developed "the-best-version-of-yourself" concept and has been sharing it in every arena of life for more than twenty-five years. It is quoted by presidents and celebrities, athletes and their coaches, business leaders and innovators, though perhaps it is never more powerfully quoted than when a mother or father asks a child, "Will that help you become the-best-version-of-yourself?"
Kelly's personal interests include golf, music, art, literature, investing, spirituality, and spending time with his wife, Meggie, and their children Walter, Isabel, Harry, Ralph, and Simon.
He has dedicated his life to helping people and organizations become the-best-version-of-themselves. Born in Sydney, Australia, he began speaking and writing in his late teens while he was attending business school. Since that time, 5 million people have attended his seminars and presentations in more than 50 countries.
Today, Kelly is an internationally acclaimed speaker, author, and business consultant. His books have been published in more than 30 languages, have appeared on The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestseller lists, and have sold more than 50 million copies.
In his early-twenties he developed "the-best-version-of-yourself" concept and has been sharing it in every arena of life for more than twenty-five years. It is quoted by presidents and celebrities, athletes and their coaches, business leaders and innovators, though perhaps it is never more powerfully quoted than when a mother or father asks a child, "Will that help you become the-best-version-of-yourself?"
Kelly's personal interests include golf, music, art, literature, investing, spirituality, and spending time with his wife, Meggie, and their children Walter, Isabel, Harry, Ralph, and Simon.
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February 2, 2026
This was one of two volumes released close together from the pen of Matthew Kelly. The other being ‘The Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality’, it was really a tossup for which I would read first. And this one won the flip of the coin. The description of this volume states:
“You are standing on the threshold of a new frontier. If you're not open to undertaking substantial spiritual growth, you should put this book down right now. Walk away.
Some things, once seen, cannot be unseen. There are things that, once heard, cannot be unheard. You will not be able to unsee what you are about to discover. You will not be able to unhear the things that will be whispered in your ear.
The promise of this book is very You can transform your life by changing the way you speak.
Inspired by the often-ignored writings of Saint James, bestselling author Matthew Kelly has crafted a uniquely powerful guide based on one epic spiritual Governing your speech is a sure path to holiness. The simplicity and practicality of this great spiritual truth make it remarkable.
With each turn of the page you will discover insights and wisdom to help you…
• Harness the power of positive speech
• Eradicate negative forms of speech like gossip and profanity
• Flood your life and the lives of others with encouragement
• Revolutionize the way you talk to God
• Redefine the way you talk to yourself
• Grow in discipline and alignment with the truth
The one spiritual truth at the core of this book applies to everyone, everywhere, in every situation—and ignoring spiritual truth is perilous.
The Forgotten Way is a single truth that will reorient your life. The only question left Will you let it?”
The chapters in this volume are:
Beware: Proceed with Caution
Two Men Named James
The Forgotten Way
The Modern Tragedy
Holiness is Possible
The Power of Speech
A Disciplined Life
The Inner Life
Reality’s First Demand
Positive Speech
Eleven Encouragement
Loving-Kindness
Negative Speech
Gossip: The Everyday Evil
Profanity and Blasphemy
It’s Not Just What You Say
Self-Talk
Talking to God
Talking to the Devil
Humility
Crucial Conversations
The Challenge
Appendix A Scriptural Meditations
Appendix B The Prayer Process
Appendix C The Saint James Master Plan
I highlighted numerous passages while reading the book. So many that I exceeded the limit of what could be exported from the Kindle Edition. Most of the one’s I highlighted are:
“You are standing on the threshold of a new frontier. If you’re not open to undertaking substantial spiritual growth, you should put this book down right now. Walk away.”
“The promise of this book is very simple: You can transform your life by changing the way you speak.”
“This book is based on one epic spiritual truth: Governing your speech is a sure path to holiness. The simplicity and practicality of this great spiritual truth make it remarkable. This is why I feel compelled to caution you.”
“If we choose to ignore great spiritual truths that have been revealed to us, if we refuse to employ them in our daily lives, they torment our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls, because our whole being yearns for truth.”
“The Forgotten Way is a single truth that will reorient your life.”
“One question led to another and for the next hour the old priest explained the relationship between our speech and spiritual vitality. The origins of this forgotten way are found in the Book of James.”
“James planted Christianity on the Iberian Peninsula and it grew like a sequoia forest. It would eventually become one of the most intense concentrations of Christian populations in the world.”
“His body was transported to Spain by his disciples and buried in what would later become the spectacular Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It marks the end of the Camino, also known as the Way of Saint James, the Pilgrimage of Compostela, the Old Road to Santiago, and simply, the Way.”
“The second James offers us The Forgotten Way. It is an inner Camino. This second Camino is in no way less powerful than the first.”
“The Forgotten Way is an inner Camino.”
“The Old Road to Santiago can be walked in thirty days. It takes a whole lifetime to walk this second Camino. The Forgotten Way is more grueling than the first Camino. It demands rigor and commitment, not for thirty days, but every day for the rest of your life.”
“The Forgotten Way—The Saint James Master Plan—is based on eleven words from the Book of James: “Someone who does not trip up in speech has reached perfection.” (James 3: 2)”
“What is James saying? Governing your speech is a path to Heaven. You can become a saint by taming your tongue. That’s what the old priest explained at dinner, “You can become a saint just by governing your speech.” That is The Forgotten Way.”
“Every word we speak aligns us with God and His truth or throws our character off course.”
“Words can change your life. Words can transform your character. The Forgotten Way is a powerful guide. It provides startling clarity in a confusing world.”
“If you take away the goal of the Christian life, you don’t make it easier for people—you make it impossibly difficult. You aren’t leading them to happiness. You are misleading them toward inevitable misery and hopelessness. This is the modern despair that has gripped our society.”
“It’s easy to look at the lives of the saints and get overwhelmed by their holiness. It’s easy to look at their lives and think that holiness is impossible. Their lives can be intimidating if we don’t look at them the way they lived them—one moment at a time. It’s a mistake to think of their lives as one huge yes to God. The lives of the saints were made up of Holy Moments.”
“Holiness is possible. This is a beautiful truth—and truth breeds joy.”
“Words are creative. They don’t just float away into the air. They create. They create within us, and they create in other people. Words act on people.”
“Stories are important. Stories help us discover who we are and inspire us to envision who we still can become.”
“You will only ever be as spiritually healthy as the stories you read, listen to, and tell yourself. We become these stories. That’s how powerful stories are.”
“And how you speak to yourself is quintessentially important. You are writing your own story with the words and narratives you tell yourself. If you don’t like the way your story is unfolding, change the way you speak to yourself.”
“The right words at the right time can be such a gift.”
“Discipline is intentional. Addiction is compulsive. Discipline is controlled. Addiction is out of control. Discipline is directed toward a long-term good. Addiction is fixated on a short-term pleasure. Discipline liberates. Addiction enslaves. Discipline creates clarity. Addiction creates confusion. Discipline strengthens your sense of self. Addiction undermines your personal identity. Discipline is order. Addiction is chaos. Discipline can be re-learned. Freedom can be reclaimed. Grace can overcome addiction. Live a disciplined life.”
“Decide today to become a person who can consistently hold confidences.”
“Quietly and alone. These are the prerequisites for developing a rich inner life: silence and solitude. Learn to be comfortable in your own company. Learn to enjoy silence.”
“The Forgotten Way is a rule of life. The genius of this rule of life is its simplicity. This simple rule of life brings focus to our efforts to develop a rich inner life amidst the complexities and distractions of daily life.”
“Truth is orderly. Virtue is highly functioning, and vice is complicated and dysfunctional. Virtue is truth in action.”
“The Forgotten Way isn’t just about speaking truthfully. It’s about becoming truth.”
“Your words are either holy or unholy. There is no neutral. Words that may seem mundane and neutral can be made holy or unholy by the other factors of speech. When, where, how, and why you speak can make even the most mundane words take on a positive or negative connotation.”
“Encouraging a person affirms her worth, offers hope, restores courage, and reminds her that life is worth living. But it isn’t enough just to encourage people. It is crucial to encourage them toward the right things. We have a responsibility to encourage people toward God, virtue, character, truth, justice, and toward love and service.”
“The Forgotten Way is an invitation to use your speech to encourage the people who cross your path each day. Let us live in the Holy Spirit and become great encouragers. Who will you encourage today?”
“God is love. God is kindness. God is loving-kindness. You were created in the image of God and so loving-kindness is one aspect of your soul capacity.”
“You were created in the image of God and He invites you to make loving-kindness part of your character too. But to be clear, we are not talking about nice here. One thing loving-kindness isn’t is nice. Loving-kindness is strong, bold, and decisive. Nice isn’t any of these things.”
“The modern conception of nice is centered on maintaining peace at all costs. It’s about not rocking the boat, minimizing friction, avoiding conflict, and working anxiously to smooth everything out. All this is based on the false notion that if you are nice everyone will like you.”
“We’ve made nice a religion, and we’ve made religion nice. Not teaching people that holiness is the goal of the Christian life is the most diabolical example of nice in the history of the world.”
“Loving-kindness and nice are not the same thing. Loving-kindness is dynamic. It is strong when strength is what the soul before you needs, and it is gentle when gentleness is what will best serve the person before you. It is never dishonest, deceptive, avoidant, or manipulative, but it is restrained and chooses the most appropriate moment to confront difficult truths. Loving-kindness is benevolent. It always honors the dignity of the other person in ways that don’t diminish your own dignity.”
“Unintended consequences are the fruit of our arrogance, and they bring us closer to evil than most of us even pause to consider.”
“The Forgotten Way offers a path to beatitude through the words we speak. This path establishes the dignity of each man and woman as God’s image-bearers and helps us each to grow in holiness. Profanity and blasphemy are the antithesis of The Saint James Master Plan.”
“Profanity shapes character over time. It sets a poor example for others, especially the young and innocent.”
“Profanity is impulsive. It demonstrates a lack of creativity, intelligence, and self-control. It is beneath your magnificent sacred human dignity.”
“Blasphemy offends God and dishonors the sacred. It is a personal attack on holiness. It demonstrates a hardness of heart, spiritual recklessness, and rebellion toward the Creator. Speaking irreverently of God corrupts the conscience and diminishes the soul.”
“It can lead to indifference toward the sacred, which is worse than hatred. It weakens a person’s ability to pray and radically undermines the quest for personal holiness. It can make prayer seem superficial and blocks the soul from entering genuine communion with God.”
“Our words are a sacred gift entrusted to us by God. Each word we speak elevates or diminishes ourselves and others. Words are the original Butterfly Effect.”
“When we speak to ourselves harshly, we internalize negativity. This can make it difficult to believe in the new possibilities God is revealing to us. When we are overly critical of ourselves, this makes it difficult to believe in our God-given potential.”
“The internal and external dialogue we have with ourselves can have a profound impact on our spiritual development, relationships, and overall well-being.”
“Worshipping anything other than God knocks our whole life out of alignment.”
“Praise and worship are the purest ways to establish order in our lives. They honor God’s rightful place in our lives and our rightful place in creation as children of God.”
“Through prayer we discover the-best-version-of-ourselves, and are given the courage to celebrate and defend it in each moment of each day. In prayer we learn how to love and be loved, because we discover that we have been loved, are loved, and will continually be loved by God.”
“If you neglect prayer for a day, you are probably the only person who can tell. But you can tell. You have less patience and you are less focused. If you neglect prayer for a week, several people around you will notice a change in you. But if you neglect prayer for two or three weeks, almost everyone around you will recognize that you are not at your best.”
“Learn to pay careful attention to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to guide your speech.”
“You are extraordinary. Make no mistake about that. You are a child of God, made in His image and likeness. But all that you have, you have received. All is gift. All is grace. Humility is simply remembering who the Giver of the gifts is.”
“A strong sense of self comes from knowing that you are loved, that you matter, that you are here for a reason in this world and that you have something to offer, that you are the son or daughter of a great King who has given you every gift and ability you need to live the unique life He created you to live.”
“Humility is truth: You are amazing because God made you amazing.”
“The goal of the Christian life is holiness. This is our common purpose and our responsibility to each other. I have a sacred calling to help you become a saint, and you have a sacred calling to help me become a saint.”
“Governing your speech is principally concerned with the virtue of temperance. Temperance is the virtue of moderation, balance, and self-control. It helps you to regulate your desires, emotions, behaviors, and speech so as to live in alignment with God’s vision for your life.”
“Holiness is possible. You can become a saint. Let this be your one great thing. It is the one thing you were created for.”
“I want to challenge you, so I implore you to listen closely. I may be the only person who ever issues this challenge to you: Make holiness the primary goal of your life.”
“May the grace of God guide your speech every day for the rest of your life. May all His holy angels and saints accompany you as you set off on this inner Camino.”
I really hope those quotes give you a feel for this volume. I read this volume over several days. I had planned to read a chapters a day, but once I got going I could hardly put it down. I read this volume at a very opportune time. It was a message I really needed. This is one of the best volumes I have read from Matthew Kelly, and maybe one of the most important I have read in years. When I was in university, I was involved with Campus Crusade for Christ, there was a series of booklets by the founder Bill Bright, called Transferable Concepts, and by reading them many times you could almost memorize them and the message so that you could share it. And though I have said that about a few books obey the years, I state it about this one, and not only for Catholics but for any Christian. I truly believe any Christian would benefit from reading this excellent volume.
I love how Matthew Kelly used the theme of Camino and tied it to Saint James, and specifically to way Kelly calls his master plan, James 3: 2b-18. The challenge at the end of the volume is to read this passage twice a day for 30 days. I have set up calendar reminders to pop up in my email to do so. The challenge includes 2 others steps, but you will need to read about them in this great book.
This is a slim volume. But it is packed full of excellent information. It is as stated a book any Christian would benefit from reading. If you only plan on reading one book this year outside the Bible I would challenge you to give this one a read. A fantastic book I can easily recommend.
This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!
“You are standing on the threshold of a new frontier. If you're not open to undertaking substantial spiritual growth, you should put this book down right now. Walk away.
Some things, once seen, cannot be unseen. There are things that, once heard, cannot be unheard. You will not be able to unsee what you are about to discover. You will not be able to unhear the things that will be whispered in your ear.
The promise of this book is very You can transform your life by changing the way you speak.
Inspired by the often-ignored writings of Saint James, bestselling author Matthew Kelly has crafted a uniquely powerful guide based on one epic spiritual Governing your speech is a sure path to holiness. The simplicity and practicality of this great spiritual truth make it remarkable.
With each turn of the page you will discover insights and wisdom to help you…
• Harness the power of positive speech
• Eradicate negative forms of speech like gossip and profanity
• Flood your life and the lives of others with encouragement
• Revolutionize the way you talk to God
• Redefine the way you talk to yourself
• Grow in discipline and alignment with the truth
The one spiritual truth at the core of this book applies to everyone, everywhere, in every situation—and ignoring spiritual truth is perilous.
The Forgotten Way is a single truth that will reorient your life. The only question left Will you let it?”
The chapters in this volume are:
Beware: Proceed with Caution
Two Men Named James
The Forgotten Way
The Modern Tragedy
Holiness is Possible
The Power of Speech
A Disciplined Life
The Inner Life
Reality’s First Demand
Positive Speech
Eleven Encouragement
Loving-Kindness
Negative Speech
Gossip: The Everyday Evil
Profanity and Blasphemy
It’s Not Just What You Say
Self-Talk
Talking to God
Talking to the Devil
Humility
Crucial Conversations
The Challenge
Appendix A Scriptural Meditations
Appendix B The Prayer Process
Appendix C The Saint James Master Plan
I highlighted numerous passages while reading the book. So many that I exceeded the limit of what could be exported from the Kindle Edition. Most of the one’s I highlighted are:
“You are standing on the threshold of a new frontier. If you’re not open to undertaking substantial spiritual growth, you should put this book down right now. Walk away.”
“The promise of this book is very simple: You can transform your life by changing the way you speak.”
“This book is based on one epic spiritual truth: Governing your speech is a sure path to holiness. The simplicity and practicality of this great spiritual truth make it remarkable. This is why I feel compelled to caution you.”
“If we choose to ignore great spiritual truths that have been revealed to us, if we refuse to employ them in our daily lives, they torment our hearts, minds, bodies, and souls, because our whole being yearns for truth.”
“The Forgotten Way is a single truth that will reorient your life.”
“One question led to another and for the next hour the old priest explained the relationship between our speech and spiritual vitality. The origins of this forgotten way are found in the Book of James.”
“James planted Christianity on the Iberian Peninsula and it grew like a sequoia forest. It would eventually become one of the most intense concentrations of Christian populations in the world.”
“His body was transported to Spain by his disciples and buried in what would later become the spectacular Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It marks the end of the Camino, also known as the Way of Saint James, the Pilgrimage of Compostela, the Old Road to Santiago, and simply, the Way.”
“The second James offers us The Forgotten Way. It is an inner Camino. This second Camino is in no way less powerful than the first.”
“The Forgotten Way is an inner Camino.”
“The Old Road to Santiago can be walked in thirty days. It takes a whole lifetime to walk this second Camino. The Forgotten Way is more grueling than the first Camino. It demands rigor and commitment, not for thirty days, but every day for the rest of your life.”
“The Forgotten Way—The Saint James Master Plan—is based on eleven words from the Book of James: “Someone who does not trip up in speech has reached perfection.” (James 3: 2)”
“What is James saying? Governing your speech is a path to Heaven. You can become a saint by taming your tongue. That’s what the old priest explained at dinner, “You can become a saint just by governing your speech.” That is The Forgotten Way.”
“Every word we speak aligns us with God and His truth or throws our character off course.”
“Words can change your life. Words can transform your character. The Forgotten Way is a powerful guide. It provides startling clarity in a confusing world.”
“If you take away the goal of the Christian life, you don’t make it easier for people—you make it impossibly difficult. You aren’t leading them to happiness. You are misleading them toward inevitable misery and hopelessness. This is the modern despair that has gripped our society.”
“It’s easy to look at the lives of the saints and get overwhelmed by their holiness. It’s easy to look at their lives and think that holiness is impossible. Their lives can be intimidating if we don’t look at them the way they lived them—one moment at a time. It’s a mistake to think of their lives as one huge yes to God. The lives of the saints were made up of Holy Moments.”
“Holiness is possible. This is a beautiful truth—and truth breeds joy.”
“Words are creative. They don’t just float away into the air. They create. They create within us, and they create in other people. Words act on people.”
“Stories are important. Stories help us discover who we are and inspire us to envision who we still can become.”
“You will only ever be as spiritually healthy as the stories you read, listen to, and tell yourself. We become these stories. That’s how powerful stories are.”
“And how you speak to yourself is quintessentially important. You are writing your own story with the words and narratives you tell yourself. If you don’t like the way your story is unfolding, change the way you speak to yourself.”
“The right words at the right time can be such a gift.”
“Discipline is intentional. Addiction is compulsive. Discipline is controlled. Addiction is out of control. Discipline is directed toward a long-term good. Addiction is fixated on a short-term pleasure. Discipline liberates. Addiction enslaves. Discipline creates clarity. Addiction creates confusion. Discipline strengthens your sense of self. Addiction undermines your personal identity. Discipline is order. Addiction is chaos. Discipline can be re-learned. Freedom can be reclaimed. Grace can overcome addiction. Live a disciplined life.”
“Decide today to become a person who can consistently hold confidences.”
“Quietly and alone. These are the prerequisites for developing a rich inner life: silence and solitude. Learn to be comfortable in your own company. Learn to enjoy silence.”
“The Forgotten Way is a rule of life. The genius of this rule of life is its simplicity. This simple rule of life brings focus to our efforts to develop a rich inner life amidst the complexities and distractions of daily life.”
“Truth is orderly. Virtue is highly functioning, and vice is complicated and dysfunctional. Virtue is truth in action.”
“The Forgotten Way isn’t just about speaking truthfully. It’s about becoming truth.”
“Your words are either holy or unholy. There is no neutral. Words that may seem mundane and neutral can be made holy or unholy by the other factors of speech. When, where, how, and why you speak can make even the most mundane words take on a positive or negative connotation.”
“Encouraging a person affirms her worth, offers hope, restores courage, and reminds her that life is worth living. But it isn’t enough just to encourage people. It is crucial to encourage them toward the right things. We have a responsibility to encourage people toward God, virtue, character, truth, justice, and toward love and service.”
“The Forgotten Way is an invitation to use your speech to encourage the people who cross your path each day. Let us live in the Holy Spirit and become great encouragers. Who will you encourage today?”
“God is love. God is kindness. God is loving-kindness. You were created in the image of God and so loving-kindness is one aspect of your soul capacity.”
“You were created in the image of God and He invites you to make loving-kindness part of your character too. But to be clear, we are not talking about nice here. One thing loving-kindness isn’t is nice. Loving-kindness is strong, bold, and decisive. Nice isn’t any of these things.”
“The modern conception of nice is centered on maintaining peace at all costs. It’s about not rocking the boat, minimizing friction, avoiding conflict, and working anxiously to smooth everything out. All this is based on the false notion that if you are nice everyone will like you.”
“We’ve made nice a religion, and we’ve made religion nice. Not teaching people that holiness is the goal of the Christian life is the most diabolical example of nice in the history of the world.”
“Loving-kindness and nice are not the same thing. Loving-kindness is dynamic. It is strong when strength is what the soul before you needs, and it is gentle when gentleness is what will best serve the person before you. It is never dishonest, deceptive, avoidant, or manipulative, but it is restrained and chooses the most appropriate moment to confront difficult truths. Loving-kindness is benevolent. It always honors the dignity of the other person in ways that don’t diminish your own dignity.”
“Unintended consequences are the fruit of our arrogance, and they bring us closer to evil than most of us even pause to consider.”
“The Forgotten Way offers a path to beatitude through the words we speak. This path establishes the dignity of each man and woman as God’s image-bearers and helps us each to grow in holiness. Profanity and blasphemy are the antithesis of The Saint James Master Plan.”
“Profanity shapes character over time. It sets a poor example for others, especially the young and innocent.”
“Profanity is impulsive. It demonstrates a lack of creativity, intelligence, and self-control. It is beneath your magnificent sacred human dignity.”
“Blasphemy offends God and dishonors the sacred. It is a personal attack on holiness. It demonstrates a hardness of heart, spiritual recklessness, and rebellion toward the Creator. Speaking irreverently of God corrupts the conscience and diminishes the soul.”
“It can lead to indifference toward the sacred, which is worse than hatred. It weakens a person’s ability to pray and radically undermines the quest for personal holiness. It can make prayer seem superficial and blocks the soul from entering genuine communion with God.”
“Our words are a sacred gift entrusted to us by God. Each word we speak elevates or diminishes ourselves and others. Words are the original Butterfly Effect.”
“When we speak to ourselves harshly, we internalize negativity. This can make it difficult to believe in the new possibilities God is revealing to us. When we are overly critical of ourselves, this makes it difficult to believe in our God-given potential.”
“The internal and external dialogue we have with ourselves can have a profound impact on our spiritual development, relationships, and overall well-being.”
“Worshipping anything other than God knocks our whole life out of alignment.”
“Praise and worship are the purest ways to establish order in our lives. They honor God’s rightful place in our lives and our rightful place in creation as children of God.”
“Through prayer we discover the-best-version-of-ourselves, and are given the courage to celebrate and defend it in each moment of each day. In prayer we learn how to love and be loved, because we discover that we have been loved, are loved, and will continually be loved by God.”
“If you neglect prayer for a day, you are probably the only person who can tell. But you can tell. You have less patience and you are less focused. If you neglect prayer for a week, several people around you will notice a change in you. But if you neglect prayer for two or three weeks, almost everyone around you will recognize that you are not at your best.”
“Learn to pay careful attention to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Allow Him to guide your speech.”
“You are extraordinary. Make no mistake about that. You are a child of God, made in His image and likeness. But all that you have, you have received. All is gift. All is grace. Humility is simply remembering who the Giver of the gifts is.”
“A strong sense of self comes from knowing that you are loved, that you matter, that you are here for a reason in this world and that you have something to offer, that you are the son or daughter of a great King who has given you every gift and ability you need to live the unique life He created you to live.”
“Humility is truth: You are amazing because God made you amazing.”
“The goal of the Christian life is holiness. This is our common purpose and our responsibility to each other. I have a sacred calling to help you become a saint, and you have a sacred calling to help me become a saint.”
“Governing your speech is principally concerned with the virtue of temperance. Temperance is the virtue of moderation, balance, and self-control. It helps you to regulate your desires, emotions, behaviors, and speech so as to live in alignment with God’s vision for your life.”
“Holiness is possible. You can become a saint. Let this be your one great thing. It is the one thing you were created for.”
“I want to challenge you, so I implore you to listen closely. I may be the only person who ever issues this challenge to you: Make holiness the primary goal of your life.”
“May the grace of God guide your speech every day for the rest of your life. May all His holy angels and saints accompany you as you set off on this inner Camino.”
I really hope those quotes give you a feel for this volume. I read this volume over several days. I had planned to read a chapters a day, but once I got going I could hardly put it down. I read this volume at a very opportune time. It was a message I really needed. This is one of the best volumes I have read from Matthew Kelly, and maybe one of the most important I have read in years. When I was in university, I was involved with Campus Crusade for Christ, there was a series of booklets by the founder Bill Bright, called Transferable Concepts, and by reading them many times you could almost memorize them and the message so that you could share it. And though I have said that about a few books obey the years, I state it about this one, and not only for Catholics but for any Christian. I truly believe any Christian would benefit from reading this excellent volume.
I love how Matthew Kelly used the theme of Camino and tied it to Saint James, and specifically to way Kelly calls his master plan, James 3: 2b-18. The challenge at the end of the volume is to read this passage twice a day for 30 days. I have set up calendar reminders to pop up in my email to do so. The challenge includes 2 others steps, but you will need to read about them in this great book.
This is a slim volume. But it is packed full of excellent information. It is as stated a book any Christian would benefit from reading. If you only plan on reading one book this year outside the Bible I would challenge you to give this one a read. A fantastic book I can easily recommend.
This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!
September 1, 2025
This is short but excellent, no words are wasted. It’s definitely a book that you will want to reread again. I
am sure each time another point will jump out at you.
I definitely recommend this book.
am sure each time another point will jump out at you.
I definitely recommend this book.
December 29, 2025
Our parish gave these out for Christmas, so I thought I’d see what this was about. The way of St. James the apostle is the famous Camino walk. St. James the lesser wrote the book of James and offers an interior journey, one that asks us to use our words and speech carefully. As one unnamed priest Kelly mentions says, “You can be one a saint by governing your speech.” Quite a promise, but the book not only inspires us to become saints, “holiness is possible,” but it also outlines the ways speech can make or break our achieving that goal. Kelly, moreover, is quick to note, he’s not suggesting we just “be nice.” He reminds us, “nice isn’t a virtue. Niceness will rot your soul.” Anyway, I’m glad I read it.
January 5, 2026
The only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life, is to not become a saint.
The Forgotten Way is a simple, practical call to holiness rooted in the interior Camino of St. James the Lesser. A Matthew Kelly book that I may actually keep on my shelf.
3.5 stars
The Forgotten Way is a simple, practical call to holiness rooted in the interior Camino of St. James the Lesser. A Matthew Kelly book that I may actually keep on my shelf.
3.5 stars
December 18, 2025
This book emphasized the importance of speech and the impact our words (and thoughts) have on others and ourselves in a simple and compact way. Matthew Kelly does a phenomenal job of creating profound understandings of simple truths many of us innately know. He calls the readers to take action to change our current habits with practical adjustments to our daily lives. Many of the topics discussed are not new concepts, but they were great reminders that I will be referencing for years to come. Honestly so good, and such a quick read all Christians, or truly anyone, should pick up!
January 29, 2026
Very easy read, very interesting thoughts. Would highly recommend.
January 13, 2026
I’ve always been kind of hesitant to believe when people say “this book changed my life” when they talk about self help or any other book that isn’t the Bible. Well, I’ve just finished ‘The Forgotten Way’ and although I can’t say for sure that it changed my life (I’ve only lived about 5 minutes of life since I finished it, so it’s hard to tell) I CAN say that I hope it changes my life. Every page in this book had real life, useful advice that can be applied to the spiritual and physical self. It was filled to the brim with wisdom. This is a book I will be revisiting multiple times. Truly a must read for those looking to truly find out who they are spiritually, and find who they want to be. St. James’s plan is simple, “You can become a Saint by Governing your speech”. Check it out
September 28, 2025
Some Matthew Kelly books I keep, others I give away.
This is a keeper, to be reread.
There are many bible verses about the tongue and how hard it is to tame, and this is a whole book about just that subject.
Excellent!
This is a keeper, to be reread.
There are many bible verses about the tongue and how hard it is to tame, and this is a whole book about just that subject.
Excellent!
January 15, 2026
Matthew Kelly has a very straight-forward and down to earth writing style. He keeps hitting with one profound insight after another. Drawing on the Gospel of James, this short book offers a very practical pathway to sainthood (which should be the driving goal in everyone's life) - that is, learn to control your tongue. Be thoughtful about what you say, how you say it, why and when you say it. The truth is that our words can make an eternal difference to others. We can lift them up and affirm them, paving the way to peace, joy and deeper faith. Or we can cripple someone and demoralize them, leading them to darkness and spiritual stagnation. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who wants to see an immediate improvement in their relationships, their work, their family, and their own spiritual formation and peace.
January 30, 2026
This book is simple and helpful for going back to the basics of virtue seeking & cultivating. I changed my review from 3 stars to 2, only because the writing style was not my favorite. I was actually expecting better writing because of the author’s reputation as a well-known and loved Catholic author. It honestly felt a little AI which just seems the writing was blocky, basic, and redundant. It’s a good book for personal prayer, and I found that helpful. This book would be good for a revert Catholic or someone learning how to pray for the first time or wanting to learn more about how to live out the virtues. As a cradle Catholic, you might want to look for a more “spiritual challengingly” read.
December 29, 2025
Received this as a Christmas gift. Utter garbage. The author repeats the same four sentences dozens of times, never really explaining much of anything. This thing is over 100 pages long and could have been 2. Nothing is said, and yet he takes so long to say it. “You are making yourself miserable, forget all of your wants and feelings and submit to god.” There, I said what the author takes 100+ pages to say. It’s full of non sequiturs, parables that don’t have anything to do with what he’s trying to say, and -to no one’s surprise-a ton of sexist language. Don’t waste your time. If you’re in need of help, seek a professional. Not this garbage.
January 15, 2026
Read on my monastic retreat, provided for free by the monks. While I am not catholic, I enjoyed this and found many things to be true and insightful. I think governing our speech is wise and underrated, and it is something I will be more mindful of going forward. Also, this book proposed the idea that becoming holy is the goal of the Christian faith, something I hadn’t thought of before. I’m not sure where I sit with it, but I’m grateful to have been exposed to new perspectives.
January 20, 2026
Starting off 2026 right with some spiritual sustenance from Matthew Kelly. A concise and well written analysis of the New Testament writings of St. James the Greater and the words of St. James the Lesser. Using the lens of what one can do to be a saint, it is just the inspiration I need for the journey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2025
A short but very helpful read… taming you tongue can help you become a saint! This book walks you through the St. James Master Plan and gives concrete examples of how to implement this in your own life. Definitely worth the read.
December 24, 2025
The idea is great and there are some real nuggets here. It really should just be an essay as it's overlong (even though it's a short book). And the writing is straightforward but lacks depth or elegance.
December 31, 2025
Took a chance on the Christian self help book they gave me leaving Christmas church. Not bad actually. Had a lot of good principles and morals that I felt like you could take as solid advice even in an agnostic life.
Easy read too
Easy read too
January 19, 2026
This is a short book, but an excellent one!! I read about a chapter or 2 a day. I think everyone should read it. It has great advice!
One of my favorite quotes… “The only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint.”
One of my favorite quotes… “The only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint.”
January 21, 2026
Short book but I am a slow reader. I usually don’t underline books I plan to give away, but I decided to keep it so I can ready again. Reminded me of the important lesson my mom taught me. “If you can’t say anything good about someone, do not say anything at all.”
January 24, 2026
It was a good reminder how we could grow more and how we could become saints by simply being intentional on how we speak, what we say, and by cultivating the habit of listening more than speaking. Good job Matthew Kelly.
January 28, 2026
It’s a decent book with a wonderful message, but it’s pretty repetitive.
My biggest problem is that I don’t understand why a Catholic author would bring up rabbinic Judaism, the Talmud, and Islam in a positive light.
My biggest problem is that I don’t understand why a Catholic author would bring up rabbinic Judaism, the Talmud, and Islam in a positive light.
July 17, 2025
I loved this little book that is full of insightful ways to tame your tongue and become holy.
July 22, 2025
The book is a gold mine of great wisdom. Chapter 7 on a discipline life and comparison of discipline and addiction so well said concise and to the point. The book is a life changer!
August 6, 2025
Easy read...thought-provoking and potentially life-changing.
August 18, 2025
increasing patience increases all other virtues. your words matter. the one goal of this life is to become a saint, so speak accordingly.
August 27, 2025
Very good explanation and ways to improve your words when talking to others.
September 8, 2025
This is an amazing book. I copied so many quotes from this book to repeat to our children and to remind myself. Truly an outstanding read.
September 15, 2025
Short, sweet, and to the point , and easy to read.
Full of great nuggets of wisdom !
Full of great nuggets of wisdom !
October 22, 2025
A well written and concise book. It really makes you think about our actions as well as how we use words and our true purpose. I highly recommend.
Read
December 28, 2025Better than most Matthew Kelly books I have read, I may re read this one from time to time (it is also very short!).
December 28, 2025
Absolute great reminder read!
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