Books on Catholicism for a Convert

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enjoyinglife11

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I’m taking RCIA classes, and I was wondering what books would be meaningful and beneficial to read. TIA;)
 
Congratulations on discovering the Faith, I wish you all the best in your journey, one I took myself and was baptized in '08. 🙂 As for books, for converts it can be difficult because some are not entirely orthodox to the Faith, and some are perhaps a bit more speculative and are better for people who are already Catholics. But, some I would recommend for yourself would be:

amazon.com/Why-Do-Catholics-That/dp/0345397266/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410395935&sr=8-1&keywords=why+do+catholics+do+that

amazon.com/The-Truth-Catholicism-Essential-Controversies/dp/0060937580/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1410395978&sr=8-6&keywords=george+weigel

amazon.com/Rome-Sweet-Home-Journey-Catholicism/dp/0898704782/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1410396008&sr=8-7&keywords=scott+hahn

(Several others from Scott Hahn are great too, and George Weigel, though some are perhaps better after you’re baptized. 🙂 )

amazon.com/The-Faith-Question—Answer-Catechism/dp/161636775X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410396166&sr=8-1&keywords=the+faith+a+question-and-answer+guide+to+the+catechism+of+the+catholic+church

amazon.com/Catholic-Church-Built-Western-Civilization/dp/1596983280/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410396223&sr=8-1&keywords=how+the+catholic+church+built+western+civilization

amazon.com/101-Questions-Answers-Popes-Papacy/dp/0809145162/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410396309&sr=8-1&keywords=101+questions+and+answers+on+the+papacy

These are some of the best ones in my opinion. Don’t want to give you too long a list! 😃 I would recommend against certain “Catholic” authors who are frequently against Church teaching, such as Hans Kung and Gary Wills. Always reference back to the Catechism, that is the definitive summary of the Church’s teachings. I wish you all the best - God bless! 🙂
 
EnjoyingLife,

If you don’t mind, your approximate age? Do you like in-depth theology and reference, or are you more into “keep it simple”? What is your religious background, if any? The answers to these questions would affect my recommendations.
 
I am 24, and I like things that are simple;) my religious background is baptist.
 
In that case I second the recommendations above. The most complete catechism is the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, which you may want to get for reference (the white hard cover is best because it’s small and durable). It is also available to browse online. As far as something easy to read through in a shorter time, I suggest:

Compendium of the Catechism (also from the Holy See) - browse online if you wish

United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (from the USCCB)

And if you want something *really *simple, the New St Joseph Baltimore Catechism was written for kids, but it’s a very convenient and concise summary of Church teaching. I refer to it myself. You can browse it online.
 
Catholicism for Dummies, Surprised by Truth and the Catechism of the Catholic Church as has been mentioned.
 
Another vote for “Catholicism for Dummies”.

I have also been getting a lot out of the Catholic Home Study Courses. I am currently going through “A Catholic Guide to the Bible” and it has really added to my studying.
amm.org/chss/chss.asp

👍
 
Where We Got the Bible: Our Debt to the Catholic Church by Henry G. Graham.
This is a must and an easy read. It explains so much about the history of the bible and its treatment to modern day. Beautifully written, and contains so much interesting information.

Mysteries Marvels Miracles: In the Lives of the Saints by Joan Carroll Cruz
This is a book about the saints and the miracles they performed in their lives. This is another book that is an easy read. This too helps to see Jesus working in his church thru the ages. Interestingly written and gives us a view of the special gifts these people were given.

These are recommended as you have time for them.

May God our Father give you grace and peace.
 
Thank everyone for their suggestions. I will definitely look these up. May God bless each and every one of you.:blessyou:
 
There is a great 3 volume set called Radio Replies. Two priests in Australia did a radio show around the 1930s where they answered questions people mailed into them. The questions are on every topic imaginable and the books are really well indexed. Of course some disciplines they talk about will have changed – rules of fasting and abstinence for instance – but the explanations of doctrine are dead on.
 
enjoyinglife11 said:
I’m taking RCIA classes, and I was wondering what books would be meaningful and beneficial to read. TIA;)
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These two were very important to me in considering Catholicism:

amazon.com/Finding-Sanctuary-Monastic-Steps-Everyday/dp/0814632637/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410447125&sr=1-1&keywords=christopher+jamison

amazon.com/Finding-Happiness-Monastic-Steps-Fulfilling/dp/0814618782/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y

I would encourage you to read the Catechism. It was essential to my decision to join the Church. Particularly important to me were parts 2 and 3, but even part 1, which can be ***very ***dry and academic, had information I found quite moving (e.g., regarding the nature of God and the inadequacy of language for communicating about him)
.

amazon.com/Catechism-Catholic-Church-U-S/dp/0385508190/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1410447245&sr=1-2&keywords=catechism+of+the+catholic+church
 
I wasn’t going to reply, because how can I know what would be a good fit for you? I have been reading Catholic books steadily for more than 50 years, and sometimes books that others find to be Catholic landmarks not really cut out for myself. However, I decided that perhaps you would find this list of recommended of books helpful, at brandonvogt.com/best-catholic-books-of-all-time/ The advantage of this list are the links to the amazon.com webpages for the books given, which provide customer reviews which give the reason why they liked the book (or, perhaps, didn’t like it.) Perhaps this could help you evaluate if a book is for you or not.
By the way, I was a librarian until I retired, and I suggest you obtain an expensive or out-of-print book you would like to read by requesting it via interlibrary loan at your local library.
 
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