Catholics: When did you last read the Bible?

[Roman_Catholic_1]

Daily CM. Wake up in the morning with a little reading and then end my day at night with a little more.

God Bless

 

[kleary]

Every day a Catholic goes to Holy Mass they are reading the Bible.

Within three years time, if a Catholic attends Holy Mass every day they will have read the entire Bible. (In the Novus Ordo that is)

Ken

 

[Pug]

I last read it earlier today. Let’s see, I have in actual book form:

KJV (with apocrypha) oh also a pocket NT of it
RSV
NRSV (x2 one is a study bible, one is leather)
NIV (x2, one is pocket)
NASB, updated reference bible
NEB, oxford study
Good News Bible, catholic version,
Douay, leather
TEV
Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (BHS)
UBS Greek, 4th ed
TNK (JPS)
NAB, an older version (psalms intact) plus a newer (icky) one
There may be others randomly floating about in some pile. Oh, I suppose I own the entire interpreter’s bible, which has RSV and KJV in it with commentary.

Versions owned on computer are more numerous. Like LXX, Vulgate, Spanish versions, etc. Also encounter bible in LOTH and the like.

I go through phases of bible study. Sometimes I just think of a phrase and that is it. Other times I read for hours on end. I’ll share this… “justice and peace shall kiss”. This is a phrase from the psalms to think on. I just love it.

 

[demerzel85]

Complete Bibles
Ignatius Bible (RSV)
Oxford/Scepter RSV
Catholic Youth Bible (NRSV, x2)
Jerusalem Bible 1966 (from Philippine Bible Society)
GNB 1st Edition (1979)
GNB 2nd Edition (1992)
Confraternity Bible (1953 by Catholic Book Publishing Company)
Confraternity Bible (2005 reprint by Sinag-tala)
Christian Community Bible (Pocket and Standard Size)
Haydock Douay Rheims (reprint by Catholic Treasures)
Douay Rheims Bible (Loreto print)
Douay Rheims Bible (Pocket, Baronius)

New Testament / Psalms
Navarre New Testament Volumes (RSV with Nova Vulgata)
Ignatius Study Bible (RSV 2nd Edition)
Confraternity New Testament (2002 reprint by Sinag-tala)
Catholic Comparative New Testament (DRV, RSV, NAB, NRSV, JB, NJB, GNB, CCB)
Grail Psalms (1966, Fortuna Books)
Grail Psalms (2003, HaperCollins)

 

[drforjc]

Vulgate 1 copy
D-R 1 complete, 2 mixed D-R/Confraternity
Confraternity- 1 entire in 2 vols. (OT/NT) + 1 NT only
RSV-CE 1 complete, Navarre Gospel and Acts
RSV 1
KJV 1 (NT + Psalms only)
NAB I would guess 6 or 7 copies
Jerusalem Bible 1 complete
New Jerusalem 1 (NT only)
Good News
Knox (NT only)

 

[Lukelion]

I read some scripture yesterday. While I have four bibles, I only read my huge NAB, about 3 times a week. I also do extra study of the surrounding passages before I lector.
I am a cradle Catholic who took a few years off “work” to have “fun”.

 

[gardenswithkids]

Just a thought. I think it confuses some Protestants when they don’t see Catholics carrying Bibles to church, or when they see only skinny little missels instead of big, thick Bibles in the pews. Many former Catholics continue to spread the rumor that Catholics don’t read the Bible because a missel isn’t exactly a Bible.

I frequently read passages *from *the Bible, without actually holding a Bible in my hand. Is that Bible reading? Must we read the Bible cover-to-cover before we say we read the Bible?

This poll even confused me. I read something *from *the Bible virtually daily, yet, I answered “four times a week” based on how many times a week I guess that I actually pick up a big, thick Bible.

 

[E.E.N.S]

I posted “more than 4 times a week” but when you consider that I pray Liturgy of the Hours daily (also a daily rosary, but I don’t “read” anything during that usually) I definately should have chosen “daily.”

As for the Bibles that I have and read:
DRB (Baronius Press)
DRB (Haydock - GREAT commentary from the early fathers, etc.!!)
RSV-CE
NAB-CSE
Navarre Series (I know, it’s not aBible…)

 

[E.E.N.S]

…or when they see only skinny little missels instead of big, thick Bibles…

My missal is thicker than my Bible.

 

[Pug]

I read something *from *the Bible virtually daily, yet, I answered “four times a week” based on how many times a week I guess that I actually pick up a big, thick Bible.

I did wonder how to answer that myself. Does it count to read and ponder one sentence, perhaps taken from a leaflet? Does it count if you have passages memorized and meditate on them while standing in a crush in the subway (like, be it done to me according to thy word). Does it count to sing, “Lord open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth your praise,” to yourself and God in the car?

I mean, it counts with ME, but I am not a Protestant.

 

[Church_Militant]

Just a thought. I think it confuses some Protestants when they don’t see Catholics carrying Bibles to church, or when they see only skinny little missels instead of big, thick Bibles in the pews. Many former Catholics continue to spread the rumor that Catholics don’t read the Bible because a missel isn’t exactly a Bible.

I frequently read passages *from *

the Bible, without actually holding a Bible in my hand. Is that Bible reading? Must we read the Bible cover-to-cover before we say we read the Bible?

This poll even confused me. I read something *from *the Bible virtually daily, yet, I answered “four times a week” based on how many times a week I guess that I actually pick up a big, thick Bible.These are all very good points! I don’t believe for a second that one has to have a complete Bible in hand for it “to count” as Bible reading and I don’t think that is what the guy I’m talking to is trying to assert. After all, if that were the case then the early church would have been in big trouble since the entire Bible as we have it today was not even finished being written until St. John completed Revelation in 99 AD. and until that time there were “pieces/parts” in circulation, but this was a slow process. It’s not like the apostles could just pop down to the Jerusalem Kinkos and fax copies to Rome, Ephesus, and Antioch, or even send them by express mail.

I posted “more than 4 times a week” but when you consider that I pray Liturgy of the Hours daily (also a daily rosary, but I don’t “read” anything during that usually) I definately should have chosen “daily.”

I agree completely!

I did wonder how to answer that myself. Does it count to read and ponder one sentence, perhaps taken from a leaflet? Does it count if you have passages memorized and meditate on them while standing in a crush in the subway (like, be it done to me according to thy word). Does it count to sing, “Lord open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth your praise,” to yourself and God in the car?

I mean, it counts with ME, but I am not a Protestant.

Again, a very good point and one that brings out what might even be considered a certain legalism in fundamentalist thinking on this topic. The fact that a Catholic turns his heart to God many times a day and calls to mind the Word of God in so doing, not only indicates a working knowledge of the Bible but (I would submit) a living “relationship” with Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum,

P.S. Isn’t this new multi-quote feature handy!? CAF ROCKS!

 

[Anima_Christi]

I have neglected frequent Scripture reading for a long time but I am trying to get into the habit of reading it daily. I own several Bible versions: Douay-Rheims, Confraternity NT, RSV-CE, NAB, Jerusalem. Of them all, I strongly prefer the Douay-Rheims. As far as I’m concerned it is the only authentically Catholic version in English (unless you count the Confraternity New Testament). I love the language and find that, because it is written in a style different from that which we use every day, it really helps me to pay attention to what I am reading and retain it. I carry a Douay Rheims New Testament with Psalms in my backpack and lately I have been reading in between my classes when I eat lunch.

 

[dessert]

As far as I can remember I was born a catholic probably popped right into the baptismal font because my mom spent so much time cleaning the church, for no pay I might add. My two older brothers and I atttended catholic school through 8th grade. My dad was a convert must have been convinced at one time because he let us all go to school but then after my brother popped out when I was in 2nd grade my dad got a vacec you know and it was all down hill from there he said no more kids and after a few years no more church for him. Mom cried alot and lit a lot of candles enough to light the city I’m sure. We all completed CC but drifted away through marriage. I was a cradle catholic but my priest says I wasn’t instructed right so I have had to start with the basics like how to pray and when he said say your contrition I thought he said you are in remission. That is quite a good thing to learn how to say I am sorry to God and be specific it gets me to think. I am in a new commitment or covenant but some of my family are waiting for me get over it. My dad was madder than heck at first but unussally he is the one that can see a more settled change and is encouraging. He says I finnally found someone to settle me down. I have to say I understand the bible a bit more now and the faith so bible reading is more productive but I truly enjoy word among us and refeences in it to read and the bible refereences from our bulletin daily reading reccomendations and the references from Ewtn especially journey home so the scripture is the most needed for when I am on the forum so it seems I get it from reading the members bible references. I have NKJ but I want to get a catholic bible soon. which is the best? I don’t take a bible to church. I don’t think many do hardly any, noone? It is all in the mass reading book anyways. Since coming back I learned more of the concepts than just memorizing the words especially about baptism. How many times can a person get that done lots if you find a minister to do it and everytime you change a church they will if you want them to. I don’t ussually write this much because it takes me a half hour because of all the spelling. I say the rosary at night. The members at church have reinforced all the basics and this forum is challenging from the ones writing their questions and I like to read the bible statemnts in the answers because if anyone in church was this challenging oooohhhhh boyyy! Well I have probably taken up more space than needed.
Psalm 136
OH, GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD!
FOR HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER.

 

[dessert]

I’ve read the Bible two Sundays in a row. Last Sunday I read Esther and Wisdom, this Sunday I read Tobit and Judith. I’m probably going to read Sirach next week before I move on to 1 and 2 Maccabees then Revelation. From my senior year of High School to the present I have read the Bible on my own and I have never been discouraged from doing so from the pulpit on Sunday.

I have been trying to translate your latin but can’t get it. Could you please tell me what it means thank you

 

[LSK]

Most Catholics know what we read as "Holy Scripture’ or the “Word of God”. I began to study the Bible in High School (Catholic School) and was shocked to discover how much I ‘knew’ - simply because I had been going to Mass all my life.

I own a New American Bible and I have my Grandmother Crocco’s Douay Rheims.

I remember being given a Missal for my First Communion. I still have THAT…

 

[Eileen_T]

I have a Missal at Mass but prefer to read the Scriptures beforehand and hear he Word of God proclaimed.

My preferred version is Douay Rheims of which I own two and have it for quick reference online.

I also own 2 Good News Catholic editions, a Jerusalem Bible (2nd favourite), a Knox translation (small enough to go in my Notebook case/handbag), a KJV for reference, and a non-C study Bible given to my daughter. Oh yes, another non-C one given to one of my sons.

I probably read the Bible 4x times a week and meditate on Scripture daily, especially when driving (ie praying the Rosary).
Church Militant:

Pax Domini sit semper Vobiscum

Et cum spiritu tuo

Oh yeah, cradle Catholic and revert after talking to Mormon missionaries!

Last read the Bible today.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Remember that “reading the Bible” and reading Scripture can be interpreted differently.

I actually read the Bible only a few (3-4) times a week, but one can also read the Scriptures in the Liturgy of the Hours and the Lectionary.

 

[gelsbern]

Most Catholics are on a 3 year plan to go through the bible. At least if they attend Mass daily as well as on Sunday. I believe they are beginning Year B of the 3 year plan.

 

[Sam88]

I read scripture in the morning and evening. But many times it is not from a “bible” but from a breviary or another book that incorporates bibilical passages arranged in some other sequence than a regular bible. I am a convert, former Baptist. I don’t really know quite how many bibles are around the house, mostly NAB, but also Jerusalem & RSV-CE. When I was much younger I read other versions, mostly KJV (the one with a few books missing), and one called “Good News for Modern Man”.

But I never carry a Bible to church with me, as I would have carried one to a Baptist church as a child. Occasionally I might bring one to an adult education class at church however. I also listen to scripture readings on my iPod several times a week.

 

[Pax]

I read portions of scripture at different times during the day. I have a number of bibles on the shelf along with 10 versions on a PC bible program. I also carry a PDA with the Douay Rheims, the KJV, and the NRSV versions that includes a search function and book marks.

The PDA allows me access to the bible at virtually anytime. I highly recommend getting a PDA and loading on Olive Tree’s free bible reader. They also offer downloads for various bible translations for free including the Douay. I have also written a number of biblical apologetics files and loaded them on to my PDA as well. All of this is is quite useful for studying scripture.

You can also load prayers and spiritual e-books onto your PDA. It’s a marvelous tool.