The Forgotten Way: The Saint James Master Plan

by Matthew Kelly

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?

Genres: Catholic, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Faith, Religion, Christian

116 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2025

About the author

Matthew 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.

Reviews

[Kate D · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Ann Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Faith Rossi · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[John Teske · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Carley · Rating 1 out of 5]

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.

[Catholic Mom and Daughter · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jason Neff · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Anthony Muscat · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Carolyn Alameida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little book that is full of insightful ways to tame your tongue and become holy.

[Scott Sirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read...thought-provoking and potentially life-changing.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

increasing patience increases all other virtues. your words matter. the one goal of this life is to become a saint, so speak accordingly.

[Dianne Krueger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good explanation and ways to improve your words when talking to others.

[Angie Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Lisa Leuthold Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and to the point , and easy to read.
Full of great nuggets of wisdom !

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Becky]

Better than most Matthew Kelly books I have read, I may re read this one from time to time (it is also very short!).

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute great reminder read!

[Courtney Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book by Matthew Kelly about the importance of speech, and the impacts positive and negative speech can have on your life and in the lives of others.

[Rachel Bertrand · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent introspective challenge based on a Saint with whom I was relatively unfamiliar. Great new years book.

[Debbie Coletta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Speech is everything. I should read this book over and over and put it into practice.

[Wendy Bonomo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short book of the power of words in your life as well as others. Our church gave this to parishioners at Christmas time and it gave me lots to think about.

[Theresa Rutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short easy read about how to improve your spirituality. It was a Christmas gift from our parish.

[Matt Castello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swift read, easy-to-consume chapters. Very thoughtful. Would recommend to anyone looking to bolster their faith. Great first book to start the new calendar year.

[Catherine Bishoff]

Will change my way of thinking and talking forever! A great book to rethink the way one speaks.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Great reminders and practices to stay on the path to becoming a saint.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, concise yet a powerful reminder that we control our destiny and we can do better as humans

[Joanne Gentile · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best and most thought provoking books I have ever read!