Dominican Third Order?

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There’s a great little series of books called ‘Companions for the Journey’ with individual books titled ‘Praying with…’. They’ve got one on Dominic, one on Catherine and plenty of others (even non-Dominicans;) )

They’re no substitute for proper reading and study, but as a supplement I’ve found them really helpful. Each one is composed of a series of about 25 guided meditations on theme’s from the saint’s writings (or, in the case of someone like Dominic where there’s very little primary source material, writings about them), including a passage of Scripture and some reflections. It also has suggestions for actions which I tend to ignore 😊 but they would be useful for many people - things to write in one’s spiritual journal etc

As I say, I have found them great to use for meditation, reading alongside something like the Dialogues.

BTW, don’t be scared with reading Catherine first hand whenever you can get a copy, she’s very accessible!
 
Batfink said:
There’s a great little series of books called ‘Companions for the Journey’ with individual books titled ‘Praying with…’. They’ve got one on Dominic, one on Catherine and plenty of others (even non-Dominicans;) )

They’re no substitute for proper reading and study, but as a supplement I’ve found them really helpful. Each one is composed of a series of about 25 guided meditations on theme’s from the saint’s writings (or, in the case of someone like Dominic where there’s very little primary source material, writings about them), including a passage of Scripture and some reflections. It also has suggestions for actions which I tend to ignore 😊 but they would be useful for many people - things to write in one’s spiritual journal etc

As I say, I have found them great to use for meditation, reading alongside something like the Dialogues.

BTW, don’t be scared with reading Catherine first hand whenever you can get a copy, she’s very accessible!
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Thanks for the book suggestions.

So you don’t agree I should read the Thomas McDermott first?

The only thing that scares me about St Catherine is her extreme penances like drinking pus. But I’ll have to get over that.
 
TrueLight said:
Thanks for the book suggestions.

So you don’t agree I should read the Thomas McDermott first?

The only thing that scares me about St Catherine is her extreme penances like drinking pus. But I’ll have to get over that.
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I haven’t read McDermott but I’m sure it’s good if Jason recommends it; he’s got good taste! I was just suggesting the Companions series as a supplement, not a replacement.

Catherine doesn’t actually talk about specific penances much in the Dialogues, she mentions things like fasting but not much else that I can remember. Her mortifications are more talked about others’ accounts of her than in what she actually wrote herself. I used to have an ‘ex cilicium’ relic of hers, not really relevant to the conversation but I did like it!

In general, many medieval mystics were more keen on extreme bodily penance than many people (me!) nowadays, I just see it as a product of their time, but then I am a medieval historian by training so maybe I’m just inured to such things! Her love for the Eucharist and Christ crucified and her concern for her neighbours are so overwhelming that I find it quite easy to get on with her despite our differences…
 
TrueLight said:
The only thing that scares me about St Catherine is her extreme penances like drinking pus. But I’ll have to get over that.
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She only did that at the start of her journey in the faith. Eventually she realized that wasn’t needed. Like everyone else, she matured spiritually 🙂

(I wish I could mature spiritually enough to become a Doctor of the Church).
 
Batfink said:
There’s a great little series of books called ‘Companions for the Journey’ with individual books titled ‘Praying with…’. They’ve got one on Dominic, one on Catherine and plenty of others (even non-Dominicans;) )
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I have the one on Dominic. I agree that it is very helpful.
Batfink said:
I haven’t read McDermott but I’m sure it’s good if Jason recommends it; he’s got good taste!
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Ha!
 
TrueLight said:
The only thing that scares me about St Catherine is her extreme penances like drinking pus. But I’ll have to get over that.
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Lots of great saints were like that. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque did some very extreme penances as well and on many occasions was ordered to stop by her superior. Read some of her writings if you want to be disturbed by someone’s idea of penance. As was suggested above, they were different times and thankfully we no longer act that way. It is also a good reason that any penance, mortification, etc. should always be done under the guidance and supervision of a qualified spiritual director.

Regarding St. Catherine, I would simply suggest skipping those parts if they bother you and focus on her spiritual teachings instead. To be honest, those things bother me as well. Disciplining ourselves through penance and denying our impulses is one thing, but I cannot wrap my head around the idea that God, who is love itself, would want us to hurt ourselves in His name.

Peace,
 
Melchior said:
(I wish I could mature spiritually enough to become a Doctor of the Church).
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LOL, I love how you wrote that in small font.

Even if you don’t become a Doctor of the Church, you can become a Doctor of your parish. 😃
 
Okay. I just purchased:

Praying with Dominic (Companions for the Journey)

Catherine of Siena: Spiritual Development in Her Life and Teaching - Thomas McDermott;

Saints Francis of Assisi and Therese of Lisieux, My Companions on the Journey: Book I (not sure how this series differs from Companions** for** the Journey)

So I have the Dominicans, Franciscans and Carmelites covered.

That should keep me busy for a little while. 😃

Thanks everyone for your help.
 
TrueLight said:
Okay. I just purchased:

Praying with Dominic (Companions for the Journey)

Catherine of Siena: Spiritual Development in Her Life and Teaching - Thomas McDermott;

Saints Francis of Assisi and Therese of Lisieux, My Companions on the Journey: Book I (not sure how this series differs from Companions** for** the Journey)

So I have the Dominicans, Franciscans and Carmelites covered.

That should keep me busy for a little while. 😃

Thanks everyone for your help.
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Nice!

I wish I was progressing through my stack of books as fast as you. However, I am trying to divide my reading time half and half between the books you see in this thread and my study Bibles. A large part of the Dominican tradition is dedication to the study of Sacred Scripture, so to keep making progress in that area is very important.

I often wish that the Order would come out with a Bible commentary series in the Dominican tradition. That, would be an awesome resource for the faithful. Perhaps I will mention that to the Master when he comes to our Diocese in the spring… 😃
 
One thing I would add on the book by Fr. McDermmot, OP which I forgot until I watched the video I posted above, is that in addition to her dictation of the Dialogues, much of the material for his book comes from St. Catherine’s personal letters (approx. 300 or so) and also from the writings of Blessed Raymond, OP of Capua who was St. Catherine’s confessor and friend.

Fr. McDermott’s intent, is to give a presentation of St. Catherine’s spirituality from the totality of her writings and her manner of living the gospel as recorded by others such as Master Raymond. I believe he has been highly successful in his endeavor.

TrueLight, I believe you are going to absolutely LOVE this book! I can’t wait to hear your reviews of it when you are done.

Peace,
 
jwinch2 said:
Nice!

I wish I was progressing through my stack of books as fast as you. However, I am trying to divide my reading time half and half between the books you see in this thread and my study Bibles. A large part of the Dominican tradition is dedication to the study of Sacred Scripture, so to keep making progress in that area is very important.

I often wish that the Order would come out with a Bible commentary series in the Dominican tradition. That, would be an awesome resource for the faithful. Perhaps I will mention that to the Master when he comes to our Diocese in the spring… 😃
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I’m just a fast reader.

When I was a teenager, I used to read like 5 novels a week.

I do a lot of Bible reading and when I don’t have time to use a book, I read it on my iPhone.

I have been debating on whether to get an Ignatius study bible or the Navarre. I’m sure there is a thread on Bibles somewhere.
 
TrueLight said:
I’m just a fast reader.

When I was a teenager, I used to read like 5 novels a week.

I do a lot of Bible reading and when I don’t have time to use a book, I read it on my iPhone.

I have been debating on whether to get an Ignatius study bible or the Navarre. I’m sure there is a thread on Bibles somewhere.
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I have the vanilla Ignatius Bible. The RSV Second Edition (for Catholics) is an outstanding translation, gazillions better than the NRSV.

The Ignatius Study Bible has only the New Testament, and the commentary is from Scott Hahn. I got it for my wife for Christmas, so I can let you know what she thinks of it.
 
Melchior said:
I have the vanilla Ignatius Bible. The RSV Second Edition (for Catholics) is an outstanding translation, gazillions better than the NRSV.

The Ignatius Study Bible has only the New Testament, and the commentary is from Scott Hahn. I got it for my wife for Christmas, so I can let you know what she thinks of it.
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Oh wow. I had no idea the commentary was from Scott Hahn. Okay, I’m looking forward to her opinion!
 
TrueLight said:
I’m just a fast reader.

When I was a teenager, I used to read like 5 novels a week.

I do a lot of Bible reading and when I don’t have time to use a book, I read it on my iPhone.

I have been debating on whether to get an Ignatius study bible or the Navarre. I’m sure there is a thread on Bibles somewhere.
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That sounds about like me in terms of reading. As for the study Bibles, I both the Ignatius NT and the whole Navarre series. I highly recommend them both.

Peace,
 
Yeah, the red covered one is the whole Bible with no notes. The black covered one is the one with the study notes.
 
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