The Imitation of Christ is a book of Catholic devotion and asceticism written in the form of brief councils whose aim is to "instruct the soul in Christian perfection, proposing Jesus Christ himself as a model." It was first published anonymously in 1418. The majority of the current scholars agree in considering Thomas of Kempis, member of the congregation of the Brothers of the life in common, as its most probable author. It is considered one of the most influential Christian books after the Bible and with the largest number of readers, so it is a classic of mystical literature.

The work is divided into four parts: "Useful notices for the spiritual life", "Notices relating to spiritual things", "Of inner consolation" and "Of the Blessed Sacrament". In all the chapters, emphasis is placed on the need for interior life and withdrawal from the outside world, as well as the importance of the Eucharist and its devotion as the center of Christian life.