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Biography:
Thomas à Kempis (1379-1471) was a German monk and author who was originally
born as Thomas Hemerken in Kempen, Prussia (near Cologne). His most famous work was
the devotional treatise Imitatio Christi, or Imitiation of Christ, which
became widely influential. This work focuses upon Christ as a basic moral example
which people can use throughout their lives:
Lord, in simplicity of heart I offer myself to you this day to be your servant for ever, for obedience and for a sacrifice of perpetual praise: receive me with this holy oblation of your precious body, which I offer to you this day in the presence of angels invisibly attending, that it may be for the salvation of myself and of all your people.
Most of his life was spent secluded in the cloister of the Augustinian monastery of Mount Saint Agnes, near Zwolle, in the Netherlands. Here he wrote and taught, continuing to stress both inward devotion to Christ and outward imitation of Christ's example of love and morality. It is not absolutely certain that he did write Imitiation of Christ, but most scholars agree that he was probably the original author.
Also Known As: Flavius Josephus
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
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