Reading list help

[number2wilkins]

hello everyone!

i have begun my journey into the Catholic church and want to learn as much as possible as quickly as possible…I’m working my way through the catechism and am hoping someone can share a few of their favorite “must read” Catholic books which would benefit a lifelong Protestant coming into the Catholic church…

Thanks in advance!

Jonathan

 

[DJK100]

Hi,

Most people I think would recommend Scott Hahn’s Rome Sweet Home and The Lamb’s Supper.

I think David Currie’s Born Fundamentalist Born Again Catholic is pretty good.
The Catholic Controversy by St. Francis de Sales
A Biblical Defense of Catholicism by Dave Armstrong
Catholicism For Dummes by Father Triligio (sp?)
Crossing the Tiber by Steve Ray

Is there a particular facet you want to learn about first. Please let us know and we can tailor the books to that particular subject matter.

For instance have a question on the Papacy, Mary, the Sacraments, The Bible etc…

I hope you have wonderful time exploring our beautiful faith.

 

[DKIN]

DJK100 has mentioned some good ones. Rome Sweet Home & Crossing the Tiber in particular. I’ve not read the book he mentioned by David Armstrong. But the author has another book called “The Catholic Verses: 95 Bible Passages That Confound Protestants” that contained many, many aha moments for me. Hope that helps!

 

[PoliSciProf]

I recommend
Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith by Robert E. Barron. This is the book version of the popular tv series. It is really wonderful since it covers Catholic art, history, theology. culture, beliefs, practices, etc., etc.

My Life with the Saints by Fr. James Martin. Father Martin was a top business CEO who quit that life to go on his own spiritual journey. It is a good introduction to the saints and their role in Catholic spirituality.

 

[arkwright]

The Fulfillment of All Desire by Ralph Martin is excellent .

It is based on the teachings of seven doctors of the Church ( Therese of Lisieux , Catherine of Siena , Teresa of Avila , Bernard of Clairvaux , John of the Cross , Francis de Sales and Augustine ) , and is easy to read .

 

[Splagchnizomai]

I’d also recommend getting a Catholic Bible: NABRE, Ignatius Catholic Bible (aka NSRV-2CE – my favorite translation), or the Douay-Rheims.

Here’s a list of the USCCB’s Approved Bible Translations since 1991 …

1991 - Present
New American Bible, Revised Edition

Books of the New Testament, Alba House

Contemporary English Version - New Testament, First Edition, American Bible Society

Contemporary English Version - Book of Psalms, American Bible Society

Contemporary English Version - Book of Proverbs, American Bible Society

The Grail Psalter (Inclusive Language Version), G.I.A. Publications

New American Bible, Revised Old Testament

New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, National Council of Churches

The Psalms, Alba House

The Psalms (New International Version) - St. Joseph Catholic Edition, Catholic Book Publishing Company

The Psalms - St. Joseph New Catholic Version, Catholic Book Publishing Company

Revised Psalms of the New American Bible

So You May Believe, A Translation of the Four Gospels, Alba House

Today’s English Version, Second Edition, American Bible Society
Translation for Early Youth, A Translation of the New Testament for Children, Contemporary English Version, American Bible Society

usccb.org/bible/approved-translations/

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My favorite classic books by the saints are Introduction to the Devout Life by St Francis de Sales and Confessions by St Augustine.

 

[number2wilkins]

wow, thanks for the speedy replies and suggestions…i can’t wait to start checking amazon for some deals!

i suppose i am interested in the Saints as that is one topic which has never really been explored in my Protestant upbringing, so one of those books will definitely be at the top of my list…

God’s timing (calling us to His church in March) means i have a bit of time to study on my own before RCIA begins in August!

 

[DJK100]

wow, thanks for the speedy replies and suggestions…i can’t wait to start checking amazon for some deals!

i suppose i am interested in the Saints as that is one topic which has never really been explored in my Protestant upbringing, so one of those books will definitely be at the top of my list…

God’s timing (calling us to His church in March) means i have a bit of time to study on my own before RCIA begins in August!

For the Saints try…

Patrick Madrid’s Any Friend of God’s is a Friend of Mine (explains the communion of saints)
and Butler’s Lives of the Saints. (tells actual lives of the saints)

Another good source for cheap books I have found is Thriftbooks.com. They sell a lot of used books usually for around $3-4 a piece including a lot of the titles mentioned. However, if you can try to support you local Catholic bookstore first. Also, the Catholic.com store might have alot of these titles.

Happy reading…

 

[Therese_Anne]

At some point, St. Therese’s autobiography, The Story of a Soul. Maybe not right away, but it is beautiful and shows first-hand what sainthood looks like. I think of everything I have read, this did the most to help me with living my faith on a day-to-day basis. Also, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis, for daily reading. Neither of these are appologetic in nature, they are just good help living life as a Catholic.

 

[number2wilkins]

i just started “Crossing the Tiber” by Stephen Ray today…

WOW!

this is awesome!!!

i am so happy to be coming home

 

[mdgspencer]

Some of the very greatest books on saints are
St. Teresa of Avila’s autobiography
The life of Saint Francis of Assisi by Saint Bonaventure

 

[Marybeloved]

hello everyone!

i have begun my journey into the Catholic church and want to learn as much as possible as quickly as possible…I’m working my way through the catechism and am hoping someone can share a few of their favorite “must read” Catholic books which would benefit a lifelong Protestant coming into the Catholic church…

Thanks in advance!

Jonathan

I think you have gotten good suggestions already. As for living catholic spirituality, I’d recommend, without a doubt:
Introduction to the Devout Life, by St. Francis de Sales. You can get it on amazon or read/download a free ebook version here: catholicspiritualdirection.org/catholicclassics.html
discerninghearts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/devoutlife.pdf
ccel.org/ccel/desales/devout_life

St. Francis will get you started on prayer as a beginner with all the right teachings and meditations.

Read: The Story of a Soul, by St. Therese de Lisieux. I don’t know a free ebook version, so you’ll have to get it at amazon. It is a treasure of catholic faith as it is meant to be lived in the simplest of ways and love for God.