My teenage cousin is starting to take an interest in the faith...any book recommendations?

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Robyn_p

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Hi Everyone!

So I have a younger cousin, he is going to be sixteen this May. He hasn’t been through Confirmation yet. He’s never been very excited about being Catholic or going to Mass or any of that. Though I’m convinced it’s because he just has no idea what he has, he has never had any CCD or RE except maybe right before his First Communion. He’s not anti-religion or anything thankfully. He does like to contradict his mom on everything though…which is part of the problem I think. If she tells him to do anything, he reacts with a no…even sports or school so its not just religion related.

Anyway, since I teach confirmation at my parish, my mom and his mom asked me to help out. Luckily he and I have a pretty close relationship, the only problem is I live in California and he lives in Washington. They just came out to visit last week for their spring break, and my mom and I gently asked him about it maybe once or twice over the week. Told him we can send him some books if he wants to know more and he can talk to me if he has any questions. Well, when they were packing up to go back to Washington yesterday, he came and asked, “So, do you think you could send me some of those books you were talking about??” I don’t think I’ve ever heard him ask for a book!! Which is why I’m pretty hopeful that maybe God is reaching him and he might actually want to learn more! :bounce:

Anyway, this is where you guys come in, what books should I send him??? I have that one by Chris Stefanick about why go to Mass, but that’s it. Do you guys have any other recommendations? Maybe just about Catholicism in general, that answers basic questions and stuff, but is not too heavy or intimidating. Like i said, he generally doesn’t like to read, so I don’t want to scare him away, but I need something that might peak his interest.

Thanks in advance! And can you please remember him in your prayers, that this spark doesn’t go wasted.
 
I highly recommend Catholicism For Dummies by Rev. John Trigilio Jr & Rev. Kenneth Brighenti. It’s a great introductory resource for anyone wishing to get a broad overview of the Catholic faith, in an easy and enjoyable manner. The tone is conversational so a teenager would probably find it very accessible. Here’s the amazon page: amazon.com/Catholicism-Dummies-Religion-Spirituality/dp/1118077784 😉
 
Robyn_p said:
Hi Everyone!

So I have a younger cousin, he is going to be sixteen this May. He hasn’t been through Confirmation yet. He’s never been very excited about being Catholic or going to Mass or any of that. Though I’m convinced it’s because he just has no idea what he has, he has never had any CCD or RE except maybe right before his First Communion. He’s not anti-religion or anything thankfully. He does like to contradict his mom on everything though…which is part of the problem I think. If she tells him to do anything, he reacts with a no…even sports or school so its not just religion related.

Anyway, since I teach confirmation at my parish, my mom and his mom asked me to help out. Luckily he and I have a pretty close relationship, the only problem is I live in California and he lives in Washington. They just came out to visit last week for their spring break, and my mom and I gently asked him about it maybe once or twice over the week. Told him we can send him some books if he wants to know more and he can talk to me if he has any questions. Well, when they were packing up to go back to Washington yesterday, he came and asked, “So, do you think you could send me some of those books you were talking about??” I don’t think I’ve ever heard him ask for a book!! Which is why I’m pretty hopeful that maybe God is reaching him and he might actually want to learn more! :bounce:

Anyway, this is where you guys come in, what books should I send him??? I have that one by Chris Stefanick about why go to Mass, but that’s it. Do you guys have any other recommendations? Maybe just about Catholicism in general, that answers basic questions and stuff, but is not too heavy or intimidating. Like i said, he generally doesn’t like to read, so I don’t want to scare him away, but I need something that might peak his interest.

Thanks in advance! And can you please remember him in your prayers, that this spark doesn’t go wasted.
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Try the newest catechism book titled YouCat. It is wonderfully composed for the older teenager and young adult. You can this book from Ignatius Press. Another book which appeals to the younger generation is the little green book “On Living Simply” which is a book on the catechism of St. John Chrysostom. It is very good and it has helped many people to see more clearly those concepts which the Church tries to teach us.
 
Amy Welborn’s Prove It! series might be something to consider.

The YouCat is a great primer on the Catholic faith for that age, but – given what you have said – you would have to decide if you think that would be “too much” at this stage.
 
Rediscovering Catholicism by Mathew Kelly, I’ve been reading it and it’s really good.🙂
 
Robyn_p said:
My teenage cousin is starting to take an interest in the faith…any book recommendations?
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Hi Robyn

Maybe consider YOUCAT (“Youth Catechism”)? See here:

youcat.org/

(you can get it anywhere in the world, including from that site).

Its a Book based on the Catechism, specifically for young people: think mid/late teens -to early 30s was the target demographic.

It was released by Pope Benedict XVI.

Its written in an accessible way for young people and is referenced to the main/full catechism so young people can pursue further reading if they like (they could do so online for free).

The book is colourful and engaging and is probably more engaging to the typical young person, than a text-dense academic-style catechism. It has a more modern style than the more traditional Catechisms which I think are better for younger children.

Its written in a format that someone can delve into specific points at their leisure or read it cover to-cover.
 
GWright said:
Hi Robyn

Maybe consider YOUCAT (“Youth Catechism”)? See here:

youcat.org/

(you can get it anywhere in the world, including from that site).

Its a Book based on the Catechism, specifically for young people: think mid/late teens -to early 30s was the target demographic.

It was released by Pope Benedict XVI.

Its written in an accessible way for young people and is referenced to the main/full catechism so young people can pursue further reading if they like (they could do so online for free).

The book is colourful and engaging and is probably more engaging to the typical young person, than a text-dense academic-style catechism. It has a more modern style than the more traditional Catechisms which I think are better for younger children.

Its written in a format that someone can delve into specific points at their leisure or read it cover to-cover.
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You are the third person on this thread to suggest that same book, I will definitely have to check it out! 🙂 Thanks!
 
Joe_5859 said:
Amy Welborn’s Prove It! series might be something to consider.

The YouCat is a great primer on the Catholic faith for that age, but – given what you have said – you would have to decide if you think that would be “too much” at this stage.
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Wow! Her books look perfect!! That’s exactly some of the stuff I can hear him saying.
 
chimo said:
Another book which appeals to the younger generation is the little green book “On Living Simply” which is a book on the catechism of St. John Chrysostom. It is very good and it has helped many people to see more clearly those concepts which the Church tries to teach us.
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Neat! That might help to ease him in. Thanks!
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Fiery_One:
I highly recommend Catholicism For Dummies by Rev. John Trigilio Jr & Rev. Kenneth Brighenti. It’s a great introductory resource for anyone wishing to get a broad overview of the Catholic faith, in an easy and enjoyable manner. The tone is conversational so a teenager would probably find it very accessible. Here’s the amazon page: amazon.com/Catholicism-Du…/dp/1118077784
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Great! Thanks, he probably would like that one 🙂

I’ve gotten so many good recommendations already. You guys are all awesome. 👍 Keep 'em coming if you think of more!
 
My first thought was YOUCAT and any books about saints. (I noticed several others have suggested YOUCAT. 😉 Also, if not that interested in reading, there are many Lighthouse Catholic Media CDs that may work well. I have a teen who prefers to listen rather than to read.
Blessings to you!
RC 🙂
 
Ok, so this isn’t a book recommendation…but there are alot of great Catholic websites and Catholic blogs.
One of my favorites is Fr. Robert Barron’s website, Word On Fire. And another is a blog by a young Catholic woman, Meg Hunter-Kilmer, whose blog is entitled Held By His Pierced Hands…Meg is very much youth orientated and I find her very engaging.

Good Luck 🙂
 
Robyn_p said:
Hi Everyone!

So I have a younger cousin, he is going to be sixteen this May. He hasn’t been through Confirmation yet. He’s never been very excited about being Catholic or going to Mass or any of that. Though I’m convinced it’s because he just has no idea what he has, he has never had any CCD or RE except maybe right before his First Communion. He’s not anti-religion or anything thankfully. He does like to contradict his mom on everything though…which is part of the problem I think. If she tells him to do anything, he reacts with a no…even sports or school so its not just religion related.

Anyway, since I teach confirmation at my parish, my mom and his mom asked me to help out. Luckily he and I have a pretty close relationship, the only problem is I live in California and he lives in Washington. They just came out to visit last week for their spring break, and my mom and I gently asked him about it maybe once or twice over the week. Told him we can send him some books if he wants to know more and he can talk to me if he has any questions. Well, when they were packing up to go back to Washington yesterday, he came and asked, “So, do you think you could send me some of those books you were talking about??” I don’t think I’ve ever heard him ask for a book!! Which is why I’m pretty hopeful that maybe God is reaching him and he might actually want to learn more! :bounce:

Anyway, this is where you guys come in, what books should I send him??? I have that one by Chris Stefanick about why go to Mass, but that’s it. Do you guys have any other recommendations? Maybe just about Catholicism in general, that answers basic questions and stuff, but is not too heavy or intimidating. Like i said, he generally doesn’t like to read, so I don’t want to scare him away, but I need something that might peak his interest.

Thanks in advance! And can you please remember him in your prayers, that this spark doesn’t go wasted.
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Please visit this link to my thread and show him the miracles (Katya’s stigmata caught on film) and ecnourage him to read her short books in which Jesus Christ dictates to her - forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=777006

I urge you and everyone else reading this to do the same, as it truly is remarkable, Katya’s short books and the videos of her stigmata and other miracles will deepen you enourmously in the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

The links are also in my signature.

Thank you for reading
Josh
 
"Imitation of Christ" by St. Thomas a’Kempis

kempis-imitationofchrist.com/online-text/ < free online text

an excerpt:
CHAPTER XXII
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**On the contemplation of human misery:
**
Thou art miserable wheresoever thou art, and whithersoever thou turnest, unless thou turn thee to God.
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Why art thou disquieted because it happeneth not to thee according to thy wishes and desires? Who is he that hath everything according to his will?
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Neither I, nor thou, nor any man upon the earth. There is no man in the world free from trouble or anguish, though he were King or Pope.
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Who is he who hath the happiest lot? Even he who is strong to suffer somewhat for God.
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