Book recommendations

[graceandglory]

Thank you for that link. Which is your favorite of St. Josemaria’s, or which would you recommend for someone who’s never read one of his books? I’ve had some exposure to him while reading the Navarre Bible series, and I’m sure he’d be a good author to add to my collection.

I like ascetical theology like in The Imitation of Christ and The Spiritual Combat; I have a harder time getting into mystical theology at this point in my spiritual life (I forgot to mention I also own Interior Castle). I have struggled through autobiographies and biographies, except for the one I read on the life of St. Faustina.

I would strongly suggest that you get and read “A Fire Within” by Fr. Thomas Dubay. It is a very readable intro to St. Teresa of Avila. As for ascetical, have you read “The Way of a Pilgrim, and A Pilgrim Continues His Way?”

 

[graceandglory]

C
*]Julian of Norwich, Showings.

I’m curious. Why Julian of Norwich?

 

[Alan55]

I’m curious. Why Julian of Norwich?

Julian of Norwich’s Showings of Divine Love makes many lists of classics of Western Christian mysticism. She manages to balance ascetical rigor (she was an anchoress) with optimism born from faith in Divine providence (“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all shall be very well indeed…”). She also represents a very personal, warm-hearted relationship with Christ rather than a more philosphical approach found in some works on the spiritual life. She is very readable, which helps. Also, there are good, inexpensive English translations available.

Bottom line: it’s one of my personal favorites.

 

[graceandglory]

Julian of Norwich’s Showings of Divine Love makes many lists of classics of Western Christian mysticism. She manages to balance ascetical rigor (she was an anchoress) with optimism born from faith in Divine providence (“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all shall be very well indeed…”). She also represents a very personal, warm-hearted relationship with Christ rather than a more philosphical approach found in some works on the spiritual life. She is very readable, which helps. Also, there are good, inexpensive English translations available.

Bottom line: it’s one of my personal favorites.

Is she Catholic? I only ask because some of my more wacked out protestant friends look up to her.

I’m all for mysticism and experiences. Just want to balance it with orthodoxy.

I really am curious.

 

[Dylpickleh8]

I recommend:
Catholicism and Fundamentalism: The Attack on “Romanism” by “Bible Christians”
It’s an apologetic book.
It’s very well written, not dry at all.

I’m now reading Crossing the Threshold of Hope by Pope John Paul II.

 

[thistle]

I’m trying to build my little spiritual library. So far I have:

• The Catechism of the Catholic Church
• The New American Bible
• a Catholic prayer book
• The Imitation of Christ
• Divine Intimacy
• No Greater Love (Bl. Mother Teresa)
• Through the Year With Padre Pio
• Introduction to the Devout Life
• The Screwtape Letters

I am probably going to purchase The Spiritual Combat soon too, because that is one of my favorite classics. The Practice of the Presence of God and Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius are other titles that I’m thinking of ordering online but am not totally sure I should get.

So, which Catholic classics are absolutely essential for me to have in my library? What would you recommend? :yup:

Personally I wouldn’t use the the NAB (although I have one). I prefer the Douay-Rheims with Haydock Commentary and the RSV Catholic Edition.

 

[JaredR]

The Way, Furrow and The Forge are books of points for meditation. The best known and most important of these is The Way. That’s the one that really synthesizes Escriva’s spirituality.

Christ Is Passing By and Friends of God are collections of homilies for the various feastdays through the Church year. One is as good as the other. It’s probably easier to start with these, because there’s time to get immersed in an idea in the longer selections. For me, these books lead me to love God by showing His goodness. They don’t beat the reader about the head with all kinds of “you should” messages. I like that in a book.

Betsy

So The Way is divided into separate meditations (like Imitation of Christ)? I like those kinds of books most of all.

 

[Alan55]

Is she Catholic? I only ask because some of my more wacked out protestant friends look up to her.

I’m all for mysticism and experiences. Just want to balance it with orthodoxy.

I really am curious.

She was a Catholic. More information is available from Wikipedia:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_of_Norwich

BTW, her book is also referred to be the name Revelations of Divine Love.

 

[graceandglory]

She was a Catholic. More information is available from Wikipedia:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_of_Norwich

BTW, her book is also referred to be the name Revelations of Divine Love.

Thank you for the link.

 

[Lifeisawesome]

Here’s a good list of faithful Catholic resources on prayer and the spiritual life…

Each link provides a brief review of the book and the reason for the recommendation

rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/recommended-books-and-resources-for-spiritual-growth

 

[baltobetsy]

So The Way is divided into separate meditations (like Imitation of Christ)? I like those kinds of books most of all.

They’re tiny and short - just one or two sentences for most of them. But they hit hard! It’s more like jumping-off points for your own meditation.

You can check it out online at www.escrivaworks.org. Here’s a link to the table of contents. It’s easiest to read when you click, “view chapter.”

Betsy