My Daily Bread

by Anthony J. Paone

My Daily Bread is a series of short, daily reflections on the spiritual life. Written with loving care by Father Anthony Paone, this devotional will strengthen your love for Christ and his teachings.

Written as a dialogue with Christ himself, Father Paone leads the reader through the three ways of the spiritual life: Purification, Imitation, and Union.
Arranged for daily reflection this indispensable guide to the spiritual life is now in a FULL SIZE version! My Daily Bread overflows with reflections and prayers specifically designed to help you grow in the spiritual life and overcome failings, including:

• How to cultivate, recognize, and follow your conscience
• A contemplation of the Four Last Things that will help keep our focus on the eternal
• The power of prayer as the first remedy to temptation
• A detailed guide on how to conquer a host of bad habits
• How to overcome our fear of suffering and instead embrace it as Christ embraced it
• How to live for Christ daily through spiritual reading, prayer, overcoming distractions, and cultivating devotions
• Achieving union with Christ through the Eucharist
• And much more…

Each daily reflection begins with Jesus speaking directly to you, kindly, patiently, and with great love. The next part of the reflection asks you to consider the truths presented in the words of Jesus. The final part consists of a prayer asking for God for the help to receive His wisdom and use it fruitfully in your life.



 
 

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Faith, Nonfiction, Christianity, Theology, Spirituality

340 pages, Leather Bound

First published May 28, 1954

About the author

Father Anthony Paone, S.J. was a priest with the Confraternity of the Precious Blood and a beloved teacher at the renowned Brooklyn Preparatory Academy. He wrote two of the most remarkable Christian books in the modern era: My Daily Bread and My Daily Life.

Reviews

[Stephen Heiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid devotional that is often paired in this size and edition with a copy of the Imitation of Christ. A product of 1950s American Catholicism, it reads modern, though the themes of which it treats are as old as Christianity itself. Read a chapter a day (often 1-3 pages at the most) and it will cover most of a calendar year.

"If you had all the satisfactions and enjoyments which this world can offer, how long would they last? The knowledge that they must certainly end, would only make death more bitter and disagreeable to you." (p. 75)

"As long as I am trying my best, I have no reason to be afraid or anxious." (p. 107)

"The man who lives only for what this life can offer him, is due to face great disappointment and bitter self-reproach." (p. 119)

"Falsely they reason: Why think now about Heaven or hell when death is still so far off?" (p. 121)

"One who is eager to be understood and appreciated by men is a weak man." (p. 124)

"Whatever good is in you, it belongs to Me....Without Me you can do nothing." (p. 125)

"I should treat this self as though it were a child which needs to be trained." (p. 131)

"He who loves danger shall perish in it." (p. 135)

"It is better to be great than merely to be considered great." (p. 143)

"How can you find fault with others, you who are so full of faults yourself?" (p. 160)

"Once I am honestly convinced of my limitations and shortcomings, I will find it easier to think well of my neighbor." (p. 161)

"Some people annoy you because you are not minding your own business, or because you have not yet learned patience and understanding." (p. 162)

"The slightest unpleasant experience puts you on the defensive for your rights and for the things you like." (p. 199)

"If you gave all your goods to the poor, without giving your heart to Me, you have done nothing as far as eternal life is concerned. Even great penance means nothing unless you are determined to fight against your faults. There is no substitute for true virtue. The basis of true virtue lies in this - that you accept and prefer My Will in all things." (p. 201)

"Son, the grace of devotion is not just a holy feeling, nor is it a religious mood. It is an intelligent attachment of your will to Me and to whatever I command or desire of you." (p. 250)

"He who believes only what he can understand is limiting himself to a very small portion of the Truth which I revealed. Human reason is weak, and it may be deceived in many things." (p. 268)

"The charitable man is the most perfect reflection of God on earth. When he is near, those around him feel a certain awareness of God's presence. His love for God overflows in his soul and touches the hearts of those around him." (p. 286)

"Whatever happens is foreseen, planned, and permitted by Me. My plan seeks your welfare, not just the welfare which your limited intelligence can see, but your truest and most lasting welfare." (p. 289)

"'Lord, if this is really good for me, please grant it; but if You decide differently, I want whatever You want.'" (p. 290)

"Never think of talking to your Creator as an equal. You are the work of My hands, and without Me you are simply nothing. Your very next breath belongs to Me. It is a gift of Mine to you. Speak to me with the humility of one who acknowledges this truth." (p. 290)

"Forget self and you will find someone far greater - Me. Let Me decide what your life shall be each day. No offering of yours can please Me completely until you have given Me the greatest gift of all - your will. Do this by preferring whatever I send you each day. Do your very best, and then accept the results as My Will." (p. 292)

"In spite of a million failures each day, I hope to prove my sincere desire by beginning again after each failure. Amen." (p. 294)

"In My Passion I felt the bitter disappointment of losing My people, the ingratitude for so much good done, the envy of the worldly-minded, the misinterpretation of the selfish, the rejection of the proud and ambitious, the abandonment of the cowardly, and numberless other human faults in those from whom I had a right to demand loyalty." (p. 304)

"One who is not interested in the needs of his neighbor, is not really interested in Me." (p. 309)

"Lord, I admit that You are all-good. You deserve all that I have and all that I possess. How truly I mean these words will be proved by my attitude towards the people and events in my daily life. Let me treat others with the love which You desire of me. Grant that I may reflect Your wonderful patience in life's daily trials." (p. 310)

"God will help me rise above such things if only I give Him a chance to share my life." (p. 314)

"Be convinced that I will take good care of you." (p. 316)

"[S]ome people...are troubled, anxious, ready to do anything for some need or advantage in their earthly life." (p. 317)

"When I have succeeded in wanting only what God wants me to have, I shall know the wonderful peace of Christ." (p. 319)

"Worldly men...are too ready to offend Me for some earthly gain or advantage." (p. 323)

"You can command safely and wisely only if you have learned to obey humbly and promptly." (p. 326)

"Never compare yourself with those who seem worse than you, but reflect often upon My infinite generosity with you." (p. 331)

"[A]dvance in perfection...by breaking away from whatever draws your will toward sin." (p. 335)

"Do not expect to reach Heaven's eternal happiness by a life of ease and contentment on earth." (p. 342)

"Please do not allow me to be a theoretical follower of Yours, but an active one." (p. 343)

"How much of myself do I really want to give to Jesus? My daily life is the answer." (p. 356)

"True greatness is not in the man who is satisfied with himself." (p. 362)

"In your disappointments, difficulties, fears, failures, efforts, and labors, you will unite your will to Mine." (p. 403)

"Not all that you fear is bad for you, nor is all that you desire, good for you." (p. 406)

"I owe you nothing, while you owe Me everything, absolutely every good thing which you have or enjoy." (p. 407)

"Seek to simplify your daily life more and more. Get rid of all unnecessary interests." (p. 417)

"My child, many desire My heavenly kingdom, but few desire My cross." (p. 425)

"How few are those who serve Me without self-interest!" (p. 426)

[Dominika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a guide to the spiritual life. It is split into small chapters making it ideal to read one chapter a day. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking to grow in holiness. It contains many nuggets of wisdom:

"It is your natural pride that makes you afraid to begin, or discourages you when you fail. Pride wants immediate success."

"If you are a true man of God, the doings of others will not make you worse than you are. ... Many times, however, you can do nothing but pray over the misdeeds of others. Do this as one sinner praying for another, not as a superior being, praying for your inferiors."

"On the Day of Judgement, I shall not be asked how much I have learned, but rather how much I have done."

[Ted Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY DAILY BREAD by Fr. Anthony J. Paone, S.J., was copyrighted in 1954 by Confraternity of the Precious Blood. I was gifted a copy some 40 years ago and have periodically prayed random chapters. With the onset of the COVID pandemic, I proceeded to pray a chapter a day, marking each until completely through the book. It is a summary of Catholic spiritual doctrine for knowledge and practice. My Daily Bread is divided into three books which treat respectively of the three ways of spiritual life. 1) Purification 2) Imitation 3) Union. Each chapter within presents a simple literary plan: a) Listen to thoughts of Christ, b) Think c) Answer Him with Prayer. It is a Holy prayer aid at time of Confession, Holy Communion, Missions, Retreats, or any moment of grace. I will continue to reread and pray with this treasured devotional.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is THE best book for any Catholic seeking a deeper relationship with our Lord. One chapter a day to meditate upon will change your life. (Chapters are 2-3 pages and take a few minutes.) It was part of my daily morning prayer time. Highly recommend.

[Ed Wurth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful book on Christian Spirituality. It should be on every bookshelf.

[LadyEstuary]

My grandma gave me this book and I’ve read parts when things in life feel really troubling.

[Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is truly a treasure for the spiritual life. This book was originally published in the 1950s as part of the Confraternity of the Precious Blood's series of everyday spiritual classics for Catholics, and it is a distillation of the great spiritual classics in the Catholic tradition boiled down for the everyday lay Catholic. The books is a series of meditations centered on topics in the spiritual life. It is divided into three sections - the way of conversion, the way of purification and the way of union, each section centered on spirituality for those who are closer to God. Within each section there are a series of meditations that are composed of a short admonition given in the person of Christ, then a "thought" section that interprets what was in the Christ section for everyday Catholics, and finally a prayer based on the spiritual teaching in that meditation. Like all of the Confraternity's publications that I have come across so far, it is a brilliant little work that deserves to be read by everyone.

The meditations in this little book cover everything from turning away from sin to living a more charitable life to time spent in prayer to use of the sacraments. The language in which this work was written is very easy to read. Even if you are not particularly enamored with the prose of the 1950s, this book uses language that you will easily grasp. It really should be read meditation by meditation, and the reader should spend time meditating on each portion so that the lesson truly sinks in. Honestly, I would advise Catholics who do not feel comfortable reading the "Imitation of Christ" or the Church Fathers or Catholic Spiritual heavies like St. Theresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross to read this book and use it repeatedly. You will not be let down.

I highly recommend this book to any Catholic who wants to deepen their spiritual life!

[scott turnbull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Great spiritual food for thought. Simple meditations to help you live a God centered life here and now. I highly suggest this as a must read for anyone interested in deepening their spiritual life.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not done with this book, but I can already say that it is a great devotional. These short reflections have a Baltimore Catechism/Imitation of Christ feel about them, and lead the reader through a definite progression of faith. This is a book I will be rereading every year.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read an entry or two each night. Immensely helpful!

[Merna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me get closer to God and gave me the courage to confess and receive the Eucharist. I love it.

[Michael Rodas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to die with.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read by every human being striving for spiritual wisdom and self-mastery.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are Catholic this is a must for a devotional daily readings!!!

[Lydia D · Rating 3 out of 5]

This being the first 'spiritual life guidebook' that I've read, I can only judge it based on its own merits and not by comparison to other works or my own limited knowledge in this area.

I found it helpful in its explanation of the different stages of the spiritual life, having taught me a bit about striving for holiness, and overall helped me develop a morning prayer time to start the day right.

However, there is a slight tendency for this author to take an all or nothing approach when it comes to the world versus God. At times it seems that he is suggesting that worldly pursuits/pleasures are opposed to sanctity. Now whilst he importantly stresses the need to root out vice and keep our eyes fixed on eternity, especially in the Purgative stage, later in the book such sentiments can deny the 'good' to be found in the world that God has created.

The other problematic thing is the frequent mention of consulting one's spiritual director. For a book which is meant to be a summary/introduction to the spiritual life, this author's assumption can leave those without a spiritual director feeling left out, confused or disadvantaged. Not to mention that books such as these are used by people as a help in the absence of having a spiritual director, given the difficulty of obtaining one these days for a variety of reasons.

All in all, it is not a bad book for daily prayer and a reminder of our ultimate calling to holiness, but be aware of its pitfalls before reading.

[Faith Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little 3.5x5 inches, with 563 pages, My Daily Bread, has taken me almost a year to read. Why? I read it a chapter a day. There are 197 chapters. I read it as my daily meditation. It is very good to read it as spiritual direction.
Every chapter is divided into "Jesus," where advice is given. "Think" is the next section. Here is food for meditation. Lastly, is "pray". This is more resolution to act upon what you've just meditated about.

This is a devotional reading, much like "Cloud of Unknowing,: "Imitation of Christ," "Introduction into the Devotional Life," etc. (more along those lines).

It is written by a priest in the Confraternity of the Precious Blood, Anthony Paone.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought a large leatherette bound copy of My Daily Bread when on a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Wisconsin. I was so blessed to have Cardinal Burke sign the cover page for me. He mentioned when he signed it that he read this book when he was in seminary, and loved it. I have truly been enlightened by the wisdom in this book. Fr. Paone lays out the message of the gospel in digestible, bite-size pieces. Every day there is some message that pertains directly to my life. I will continue reading it every morning one chapter at a time. Thank you, Jesus!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is the perfect way to add depth to your spiritual journey without devoting large amounts of time. Each reading is extremely short. The book progresses through stages along the path to overcoming selfishness and loving God and others more.

[Damos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Perfect devotional.

This will be a perpetual read for me. Keeps me focussed each day.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I’d call a “read it and leave it” but a book to return to as needs in the spiritual life arise. A little gem for a devout Catholic to have in their library.

[Seth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life-changing. I recommend this to all Catholics.

[Jen Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book for daily contemplation and prayer. Powerful messages that take just a few minutes to read.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good little devotional with short chapters for daily pondering. Lots of wisdom to guide the reader through their daily trials and grow closer to God. Highly recommend.

[Nathaniel Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was given this book as a gift, and--in need of a daily devotional--I gave it a shot. In a lot of ways, Fr. Paone's work here really delivers. Many of the readings are convicting and encouraging, warning and uplifting at the same time. Frequently, I set the book down, and I was enlivened to face the day with vim and vigor, to turn a phrase.

But the book was not perfect. Fr. Paone frames the book as a dialogue with Christ--a dialogue in which Christ rarely quotes Scripture, occasionally speaks in the Person of the Father, and does not always present himself in the pattern of Our Lord, according to what we know through Scripture and the Church. Through Christ as a mouthpiece, Fr. Paone encourages spiritual behavior that has widely varying levels of success, and should only be pursued under the close guidance of a wise spiritual director (such as flagellation, for example). Fr. Paone (as Christ) also grants only grudging acceptance of anyone who pursues anything less than the contemplative life; while it is true that a life wholly dedicated to God may be holier than one drawn in multiple directions by the worries of this world, that does not make the rest of us second-class citizens. After all, we are obeying God's commands, too--to be fruitful and multiply, and to reflect the love of the Godhead through holy matrimony and devout family life.

Most of the book is just fine, but I think Fr. Paone would have done better if he had not purported to be transcribing the words of the Living Word, but only his own spiritual advice. Alternatively, he could have used Scripture passages as the basis for each prayer, showing how--through the Written Word--God does intend for us to behave in the ways that Fr. Paone has encouraged.

[Michael D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a special gift from a close spiritual friend. I've been through this book about three times and try to read it daily. My father-in-law and I try to read one chapter per day, which is only a few pages. It’s in the format of Jesus talking to us, then meditation on it, and then a prayer afterward. I believe this is one of the best books anyone should read to help with their spiritual life. Enjoy!

[Lynny · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the last prayer books from my folks

Second 1993, my parents gave each of us, my brother sister and myself a copy of this book.
Over many years reading it daily… I finally purchased one for my Kindle. I still love my tiny little book with it’s highlighted and has dog-eared pages.
Having this book now on my Kindle, no matter where I am…I can read my daily bread.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although over 400 pages it is small book (4 x 5). This is really a great devotional book with three books within 1. the Way of purification; 2 the way of imitation; and 3 the way of union. The book I have is 60 years old yet the type you can read a little part of each day, which I do.

[Dee Cee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was given to me over 40 years ago. The pandemic has slowed me down enough to stop and smell the roses, and read daily devotions. This is a great reminder to always look beyond ourselves and love our God. 🙏🏻

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great devotional

[patricia pekola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful prayer book

This prayer book makes you want to strive harder for the heavenly reward, a must read, I will use it daily.