{"add_this":[{"service":"facebook","annotation":""},{"service":"email","annotation":""},{"service":"twitter","annotation":""},{"service":"linkedin","annotation":""}],"gtin":null,"attributes":[],"id":3118,"can_purchase":true,"meta_description":"Keep the ultimate spiritual masterpiece protected wherever you go with The Imitation of Christ (Zipper Edition) by Thomas à Kempis. This durable, zippered edition protects the timeless, half-millennium-old classic that has formed saints and scholars alike. 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Treasured by saints, popes, martyrs, and ordinary Christians for over half a millennium, this 15th-century masterpiece by Thomas à Kempis guides the soul to detach from worldly anxieties and embrace a hidden, intimate life with Jesus Christ. This unique, premium <strong>Zipper Edition</strong> beautifully marries the book's deep spiritual reverence with everyday practicality. Designed for a life in motion, the durable cover and secure zipper closure protect the sacred text from wear, moisture, and rough handling. Whether on your daily commute, a rigorous spiritual retreat, or a holy pilgrimage, this edition ensures that the roadmap to interior peace and holy simplicity is always within reach.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\">Thomas à Kempis’s advice is entirely un-sentimental and radically transformative. It acts as a scalpel for the conscience, a tonic for the modern will, and an anchor for the soul amidst the noise of the secular world. By choosing to imitate Christ in every thought, word, and deed, the reader is systematically led away from the illusions of vanity and toward the steadfast reality of God’s grace.</p>\n<ul style=\"margin: 1.5rem 0; padding-left: 1.25rem; font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\">\n<li><strong>Time-Tested Sanctity:</strong> Enter into deep communion with Christ through the exact spiritual counsel that formed countless saints throughout history.</li>\n<li><strong>Uncompromising Discipline:</strong> Learn the liberating arts of courageous self-denial, authentic humility, and total surrender to the Divine Will.</li>\n<li><strong>Built for Your Life:</strong> The rugged, zippered binding keeps your ribbons in place and completely protects the pages from the elements.</li>\n<li><strong>Daily Examination:</strong> Utilize the brief, punchy chapters as a practical daily companion for a structured morning offering, holy hour meditation, or nightly examen.</li>\n</ul>\n<div style=\"background: #fdfcf0; border: 1px solid #d4af37; padding: 1.25rem; margin: 1.5rem 0; border-radius: 4px;\">\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.1rem; color: #870000; margin-bottom: 0.5rem;\"><strong>The Features of the Zipper Edition:</strong></p>\n<ul style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 1.25rem; font-size: 1.05rem; line-height: 1.5;\">\n<li><strong>Travel-Ready Design:</strong> Perfect for slipping into briefcases, backpacks, or pockets without worrying about bent pages or torn covers.</li>\n<li><strong>Secure Closure:</strong> Smooth, durable zipper glides easily to seal out dirt, lint, and moisture while protecting prayer cards or holy medals kept inside.</li>\n<li><strong>Timeless Aesthetic:</strong> Combines a highly readable font layout with a cover that commands reverence during quiet meditation.</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">From the Book</h3>\n<blockquote style=\"font-style: italic; border-left: 4px solid #E2E2E2; background: #fafafa; padding: 1rem; font-size: 1.15rem; margin: 1rem 0;\">“If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” <br /><span style=\"font-size: 1rem; color: #555;\">— Book III</span></blockquote>\n<blockquote style=\"font-style: italic; border-left: 4px solid #E2E2E2; background: #fafafa; padding: 1rem; font-size: 1.15rem; margin: 1rem 0;\">“Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity, except to love God and serve Him alone. This is the highest wisdom: by despising the world, to strive after the kingdom of heaven.” <br /><span style=\"font-size: 1rem; color: #555;\">— Book I</span></blockquote>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">Intended Audience</h3>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\">This classic is an essential acquisition for any Catholic serious about advancing in the interior life, from beginners looking for accessible spiritual direction to seasoned devotees. The Zipper Edition adds an indispensable layer of convenience for high school or college students, frequent travelers, military personnel, and working professionals who want to seamlessly integrate spiritual formation into their active daily lives.</p>\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.4rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">FAQs</h3>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\"><strong>Is this text hard to read or understand?</strong><br />Not at all. While Thomas à Kempis’s truths are exceptionally deep, they are written in short, aphoristic sentences and concise chapters that are incredibly clear, highly inviting, and immediately applicable to ordinary life.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\"><strong>Can I store loose holy cards and notes inside the cover?</strong><br />Yes! The full-perimeter zipper closure acts as a secure pouch, allowing you to keep your favorite devotional cards, prayer lists, and bookmarks safe without any risk of them falling out.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.6;\"><strong>Is this a full and unabridged translation?</strong><br />Yes. This edition contains the complete, timeless spiritual text divided into its traditional four books, ensuring you get the full, unaltered benefit of Kempis's classic monastic wisdom.</p>\n<div style=\"background: #fafafa; border: 1px solid #E2E2E2; padding: 1.5rem; margin-top: 2rem;\">\n<h3 style=\"font-size: 1.25rem; margin: 0 0 .5rem;\">Key Themes</h3>\n<ul style=\"margin: 0; padding-left: 1.25rem; font-size: 1.15rem; line-height: 1.5;\">\n<li><strong>Spiritual Simplicity:</strong> Rooting out the pride, curiosity, and vanities that block God’s grace.</li>\n<li><strong>The Centrality of Christ:</strong> Cultivating a living, conversational interior friendship with our Savior.</li>\n<li><strong>Conformity to the Cross:</strong> Finding deep peace and unexpected joy in suffering, obedience, and perseverance.</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</section>","show_backorder_message":false,"tags":[],"warranty":"","price":{"without_tax":{"formatted":"$29.95","value":29.95,"currency":"USD"},"tax_label":"Tax"},"detail_messages":"","availability":"","page_title":"The Imitation of Christ (Zipper Edition)","default_shipping_expectation_prompt":"","height":"6.25","cart_url":"https://tanparish.com/cart.php","show_backorder_availability_prompt":false,"max_purchase_quantity":0,"show_quantity_on_hand":true,"show_default_shipping_expectation_prompt":false,"show_quantity_on_backorder":false,"mpn":null,"upc":"9781618902153","options":[{"id":5221,"type":"Configurable_PickList_Set","display_name":"Format","required":true,"state":"variant_option","partial":"set-rectangle","condition":true,"values":[{"id":10299,"label":"Deluxe Leatherette","selected":true,"data":"Deluxe Leatherette"}]}],"related_products":[{"id":2354,"sku":"PB8247-GROUPED","name":"My Imitation of 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","date":"May 16th 2026"},{"name":"April","rating":"5","title":"Imitation of Christ","text":"This is the book my husband and I both take to adoration. The zippered edition is perfect!","date":"May 4th 2026"},{"name":"JoAnne Gilmore","rating":"5","title":"Imitation of Christ","text":"Wonderful book. Full of information we all need.","date":"Apr 21st 2026"},{"name":"Russ","rating":"5","title":"Imitation of Christ","text":"The leatherette edition of The Imitation of Christ from Tan is a beautifully made volume that balances durability with reverence. The binding feels sturdy yet flexible, making it well-suited for daily reading and prayer.","date":"Apr 21st 2026"},{"name":"Judith ","rating":"5","title":"Imitation of Christ","text":"I gave this lovely book to my son for Christmas. 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Outside of Sacred Scripture, The Imitation of Christ remains the most enduring, widely read, and spiritually impactful classic of the Western tradition. Treasured by saints, popes, martyrs, and ordinary Christians for over half a millennium, this 15th-century masterpiece by Thomas à Kempis guides the soul to detach from worldly anxieties and embrace a hidden, intimate life with Jesus Christ. This unique, premium Zipper Edition beautifully marries the book's deep spiritual reverence with everyday practicality. Designed for a life in motion, the durable cover and secure zipper closure protect the sacred text from wear, moisture, and rough handling. Whether on your daily commute, a rigorous spiritual retreat, or a holy pilgrimage, this edition ensures that the roadmap to interior peace and holy simplicity is always within reach.
Thomas à Kempis’s advice is entirely un-sentimental and radically transformative. It acts as a scalpel for the conscience, a tonic for the modern will, and an anchor for the soul amidst the noise of the secular world. By choosing to imitate Christ in every thought, word, and deed, the reader is systematically led away from the illusions of vanity and toward the steadfast reality of God’s grace.
Time-Tested Sanctity: Enter into deep communion with Christ through the exact spiritual counsel that formed countless saints throughout history.
Uncompromising Discipline: Learn the liberating arts of courageous self-denial, authentic humility, and total surrender to the Divine Will.
Built for Your Life: The rugged, zippered binding keeps your ribbons in place and completely protects the pages from the elements.
Daily Examination: Utilize the brief, punchy chapters as a practical daily companion for a structured morning offering, holy hour meditation, or nightly examen.
The Features of the Zipper Edition:
Travel-Ready Design: Perfect for slipping into briefcases, backpacks, or pockets without worrying about bent pages or torn covers.
Secure Closure: Smooth, durable zipper glides easily to seal out dirt, lint, and moisture while protecting prayer cards or holy medals kept inside.
Timeless Aesthetic: Combines a highly readable font layout with a cover that commands reverence during quiet meditation.
From the Book
“If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” — Book III
“Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity, except to love God and serve Him alone. This is the highest wisdom: by despising the world, to strive after the kingdom of heaven.” — Book I
Intended Audience
This classic is an essential acquisition for any Catholic serious about advancing in the interior life, from beginners looking for accessible spiritual direction to seasoned devotees. The Zipper Edition adds an indispensable layer of convenience for high school or college students, frequent travelers, military personnel, and working professionals who want to seamlessly integrate spiritual formation into their active daily lives.
FAQs
Is this text hard to read or understand? Not at all. While Thomas à Kempis’s truths are exceptionally deep, they are written in short, aphoristic sentences and concise chapters that are incredibly clear, highly inviting, and immediately applicable to ordinary life.
Can I store loose holy cards and notes inside the cover? Yes! The full-perimeter zipper closure acts as a secure pouch, allowing you to keep your favorite devotional cards, prayer lists, and bookmarks safe without any risk of them falling out.
Is this a full and unabridged translation? Yes. This edition contains the complete, timeless spiritual text divided into its traditional four books, ensuring you get the full, unaltered benefit of Kempis's classic monastic wisdom.
Key Themes
Spiritual Simplicity: Rooting out the pride, curiosity, and vanities that block God’s grace.
The Centrality of Christ: Cultivating a living, conversational interior friendship with our Savior.
Conformity to the Cross: Finding deep peace and unexpected joy in suffering, obedience, and perseverance.
This is the book my husband and I both take to adoration. The zippered edition is perfect!
5
Imitation of Christ
Posted by JoAnne Gilmore on Apr 21st 2026
Wonderful book. Full of information we all need.
5
Imitation of Christ
Posted by Russ on Apr 21st 2026
The leatherette edition of The Imitation of Christ from Tan is a beautifully made volume that balances durability with reverence. The binding feels sturdy yet flexible, making it well-suited for daily reading and prayer.
5
Imitation of Christ
Posted by Judith on Dec 28th 2025
I gave this lovely book to my son for Christmas. He was pleased with it and asked me “ Is this the book that St. Therese liked after the Bible”?
4
Imitation of Christ with zipper
Posted by Michael on Dec 17th 2025
Nice book but the paper and ink quality is not the best.
2
The imitation of Christ
Posted by Christine Boyd on Dec 10th 2025
Book was too small as well as the print. What a disappointment!! Probably won’t even read it. Am elderly and cannot read the very small print!!
5
Immitation of Christ
Posted by Lisa on Sep 4th 2025
I wish I had had this book when I was in high school!
3
The Imitation Of Christ
Posted by Connie Fenwick on Jun 17th 2025
Disappointed - print is too light, my old March 25, 1954 is much easier to read. I feel the same way about some of the other books I have purchased from Tan.
