Best starting point in information

[amyece]

As posted earlier I am investigating the Catholic church and want to learn as much as I can.
What reading material and websites etc would you recommend.
And yes going to church is a priority as well.

 

[Mark77]

Amyece,

God Bless you in your search for the Truth of Jesus Christ!

First pray! Then question, challenge and doubt!!

what is your background? Are you a Christian, familiar with Sacred Scripture? If so, then read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it is the official, all inclusive teaching of Jesus Christ through His Holy Catholic Church, with Scriptural and historical references.

If not, these CA forums and CA Faith Tracts cover most everything!

i would also recommend you contact the nearest Catholic parish and speak with the Priest concerning your questions and their Faith formation programs.

The Good News is that there is never any pressure, Jesus is always knocking on the door of your heart, but He waits lovingly, for you to open your heart to Him!

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

Mark

 

[dcrowmik]

Read, or at least review in depth, the Catechism of the Catholic Church which you can find online here.

 

[Shin]

Try some of the sermons in the links below.

The New Advent website is very good, and generally apologetics sites (search ‘apologetics’) and Catholic, are helpful because of their methodology of defending the Faith against popular misunderstandings through poofs.

There’s a site called ‘The Nazareth Master Catechism’ that has a number of catechisms online which should be very instructive.

You can also buy books from Tan Books online, they have many good books about the Faith.

You should generally focus on books written by saints for the holiness and authority of their words over other people’s writings.

Books on Specific Subjects:

Tradition and the Church by George Agius – For a very good understanding of what tradition truly is. I have little to quibble with this book.

Booklets by Fr. Paul O’Sullivan, O.P. – These deal shortly and very thoroughly with many subjects about the Faith.

Purgatory, by Fr. F.X. Schouppe - Deals thoroughly with this interesting subject. St. Catherine’s writings on this matter are wonderful too.

St. Anselm’s ‘Cur Deus Homo’ ‘Why God Became Man’ is available online for free to read too.

It takes time to learn the Faith but these are some volumes that I find very helpful. Pray to find the truth with a humble and discerning spirit, seek and you shall find!

Amen.

 

[steve_b]

As posted earlier I am investigating the Catholic church and want to learn as much as I can.
What reading material and websites etc would you recommend.
And yes going to church is a priority as well.

Suggestions you’ve already received are excellent. I would just reiterate what others have said, reading the Catechism for starters is a great way of seeing the faith on many subjects, synthesized. As someone investigating the faith, it will give you official teaching of the Church, not someone’s individual opinion or mischaracterization

Here is the search engine for the CCC
scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

Table of contents all linked for easy reading by subject (documenting, footnotes included)
scborromeo.org/ccc/ccc_toc.htm

 

[Euthyphro]

As suggested, for fundamental teaching, read the Catechism.

Also, read the Church Fathers…many of their writings available online at newadvent.

“To be steeped in history is to cease to be Protestant.” - Cardinal Newman