Before Apologetics

[mom24boys]

It seems to me that it is only recently that we have access to such good and accessible Catholic apologetics (this website, Catholic radio, Catholic authors writing for the lay person, etc.) My question is this: what did Catholics who wanted to understand the faith better do before? My MIL left the Catholic Church after a miserable decade in the sixties. She felt that being Catholic was just blind obedience and there was no real spiritual depth. She is now a charismatic Protestant. It seems to me that she left because she didn’t truly understand the faith. What were the resources at the time if she had wanted to delve deeper?

 

[DavidFilmer]

What were the resources at the time if she had wanted to delve deeper?

Her best resource should have been her parish priest. Unfortunately, many priests of this era were derelict in their duties.

Depending on her particular location, she may have had access to broadcasts by people such as Archbishop Fulton Sheen. She surely could have read the writings of GK Chesterton or any of the Saints of the Church. There were plenty of resources available, even before the internet. But you say “if she had wanted to delve deeper.” That’s the thing. If you “want” to delve deeper, the resources are there. If you don’t, it doesn’t matter.

But you speak of her in the present tense, so it is not too late. At this point, her best resource is probably you.