I am eager to study Catholicism

[eliya]

Hello all,
I am in my 20s and would really want to officially study and learn EVERYTHING about the Christian Faith and philosophy and everything in between and anything that comes in and out of it and around it too. I want a complete and well rooted education.

I need some directions for undergoing the best education, where to go, what country (i am ready to go to any country,… ITALY?), name of majors, which Universities, colleges… etc, can i go straight to the Vatican???

i appreciate any help

PS: it’s not out of a calling for religious life, just curiosity, lots of it, like fire

 

[nichola]

I definitely think you should read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. He wasn’t Catholic, but it provides a logical and progressive argument for Christianity and existence of God. It’s a must read.

I’m sure others are this forum could give you a better list of books about Catholicism, as I’m still learning about my own faith. I’ve personally learned a lot browsing the posts on this forum though, so I’d recommend doing that too.

 

[Adrienne5678]

Read The Catechism of the Catholic Church.
That has everything to know about the Catholic Church.

It’s a long read but if you go day by day, you’ll be golden

Franciscan University of Steubenville Ohio is a good Catholic university.

 

[philial]

Hello all,
I am in my 20s and would really want to officially study and learn EVERYTHING about the Christian Faith and philosophy and everything in between and anything that comes in and out of it and around it too. I want a complete and well rooted education.

I need some directions for undergoing the best education, where to go, what country (i am ready to go to any country,… ITALY?), name of majors, which Universities, colleges… etc, can i go straight to the Vatican???

i appreciate any help

PS: it’s not out of a calling for religious life, just curiosity, lots of it, like fire

You do realise that this will take the rest of your life, don’t you?

What’s your current situation? Just curious - feel free to tell me to mind my own, if you want!

 

[eliya]

I definitely think you should read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. He wasn’t Catholic, but it provides a logical and progressive argument for Christianity and existence of God. It’s a must read.

I’m sure others are this forum could give you a better list of books about Catholicism, as I’m still learning about my own faith. I’ve personally learned a lot browsing the posts on this forum though, so I’d recommend doing that too.

thx for the reply.

although i admire reading and studying from the many popular books, forums and the internet in general, i’d rather wish to enroll myself professionally in serious studies and to officially learn the details and foundations of the Faith and see what i can take and give for it.

PS: for me, already being able to speculate about the Concept of God (if not God), throws the “existence question” out the window.
i want to study the ‘literature’ of the faith if i may say…

 

[Prairie_Rose]

A book I recommend is “Catholicism” by Father Robert Barron

 

[hannajomar]

I’m not sure where you live, but I remember when I lived in Philadelphia, the seminary there also had classes for lay people. My friend actually ended up getting a masters degree in theology just for fun. He didn’t even start out with that goal, he just started taking a few classes to learn more about his faith. If you have a seminary in your area, you might want to check that out.

I’ve heard good things about Franciscan University in Steubenville University in OH.

 

[tafan]

Hello all,
I am in my 20s and would really want to officially study and learn EVERYTHING about the Christian Faith and philosophy and everything in between and anything that comes in and out of it and around it too. I want a complete and well rooted education.

I need some directions for undergoing the best education, where to go, what country (i am ready to go to any country,… ITALY?), name of majors, which Universities, colleges… etc, can i go straight to the Vatican???

i appreciate any help

PS: it’s not out of a calling for religious life, just curiosity, lots of it, like fire

I would strongly suggest you look into Thomas Aquinas College in California. It has one program, no majors. It is a study of Western civilization via a Great Books program. It is exceedingly Catholic. You will learn directly out of the Summa of Thomas Aquinas much of the theology.

thomasaquinas.edu/

It is an oasis of learning in a desert of modern western culture. It is beautiful in appearance and in its education. If you are really interested in “Christian Faith and philosophy and everything in between and anything that comes in and out of it and around it too” (a really neat way of describing a good liberal arts education BTW), then this syllabus is for you:

thomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education/syllabus

On another note: some have given you some very good book references, I will add mine. The best “primer” for Christianity is not “Mere Christianity” by CS Lewis (althought it is very good) nor is the best “primer” for Catholicsm “Catholicism” by Father Robert Barron (although it is very good).

I cannot recommend “The Beliefs of Catholics” by Fr Knox enough. Think of it as a Catholic version of Mere Christianity; although it is not the same book at all. It is very good, and it will ground you very well in a “Catholic” way of thinking.

 

[eliya]

Read The Catechism of the Catholic Church.
That has everything to know about the Catholic Church.

It’s a long read but if you go day by day, you’ll be golden

Franciscan University of Steubenville Ohio is a good Catholic university.

I have only read bits and pieces of the Catechism, usually only when posters quote from it in forums and discussions, but as you suggested i should definitely delve into the whole of it as a starter.
And I will be checking about the university you mentioned. Thx.

You do realise that this will take the rest of your life, don’t you?

yes i know it might take a lifetime but knowing this won’t draw me back or slow me down…

What’s your current situation? Just curious - feel free to tell me to mind my own, if you want!

I currently live in Lebanon, i was born Catholic (Melkite Greek) but I wasn’t a practicing one until a bit recently and would prefer enriching myself with it before going any further and fully into it.
I hold a bachelor degree in mathematics but i work in a totally unrelated different field…
I am a guitar player!

A book I recommend is “Catholicism” by Father Robert Barron

I will look for it. thx.

I’m not sure where you live, but I remember when I lived in Philadelphia, the seminary there also had classes for lay people. My friend actually ended up getting a masters degree in theology just for fun. He didn’t even start out with that goal, he just started taking a few classes to learn more about his faith. If you have a seminary in your area, you might want to check that out.

I’ve heard good things about Franciscan University in Steubenville University in OH.

there are many different seminaries in the country i live in (Lebanon), all of which mostly are either catholic(maronite) or orthodox and are good indeed. But i somehow feel that i would be better off getting my education from some higher and credited institutes. Going international isn’t a problem for me.
I’ll check about the uni you’ve mentioned. Thank you.

I would strongly suggest you look into Thomas Aquinas College in California. It has one program, no majors. It is a study of Western civilization via a Great Books program. It is exceedingly Catholic. You will learn directly out of the Summa of Thomas Aquinas much of the theology.

thomasaquinas.edu/

It is an oasis of learning in a desert of modern western culture. It is beautiful in appearance and in its education. If you are really interested in “Christian Faith and philosophy and everything in between and anything that comes in and out of it and around it too” (a really neat way of describing a good liberal arts education BTW), then this syllabus is for you:

thomasaquinas.edu/a-liberating-education/syllabus

Very interesting to me. I’ll look into it…

On another note: some have given you some very good book references, I will add mine. The best “primer” for Christianity is not “Mere Christianity” by CS Lewis (althought it is very good) nor is the best “primer” for Catholicsm “Catholicism” by Father Robert Barron (although it is very good).

I cannot recommend “The Beliefs of Catholics” by Fr Knox enough. Think of it as a Catholic version of Mere Christianity; although it is not the same book at all. It is very good, and it will ground you very well in a “Catholic” way of thinking.

I will try to get this Fr Knox book from amazon because it isn’t available in my country i think…
I also do very much emphasize on getting it pure catholic! no compromise…
Thank you.

one more question, does the Vatican have any accredited, specialized University/College? near the Vatican or even inside?

I again thank you all

 

[PJM]

=eliya;9800356]Hello all,
I am in my 20s and would really want to officially study and learn EVERYTHING about the Christian Faith and philosophy and everything in between and anything that comes in and out of it and around it too. I want a complete and well rooted education.

I need some directions for undergoing the best education, where to go, what country (i am ready to go to any country,… ITALY?), name of majors, which Universities, colleges… etc, can i go straight to the Vatican???

i appreciate any help

PS: it’s not out of a calling for religious life, just curiosity, lots of it, like fire

Dear friend in Christ,

TWO Outstanding schools here in America are

The University of Stubenville in Ohio

and Ave Maria in Florida.

BOTH are extremely solid.

There is a University in ROME, attended by many clerics but I don’t know anything about it.

Best of luck, pray about it,

Pat /PJM

 

[philial]

God be with you, eliya. Being a Christian in the Lebanon is becoming increasingly hard, so we’re told. I don’t have a practical suggestion, I’m afraid, other than certain obvious things - study when & where possible.

one thought, though - I’m inclined to believe that the journey of enrichment, and the journey of going further & more fully into it make be one & the same!

But it will all count as mere vanity without prayer. Maybe your first stop should be to find a spiritual director, who can advise on appropriate reading, as well as deeper stuff.

God bless.