Resources for Converts, Reverts, and RCIA

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Hi everyone,
With RCIA beginning this fall, I’m creating a list of books and online resources to help converts and reverts in their journey of faith. I’ve noticed that we have quite an educated group of individuals therefore I would appreciate all of the help you can provide.

I’m wanting this list to covers topics such as the catechism, catholicism in general, mass, the sacraments, the rosary, Mary, Bibles, Bible study, saints and more. Let’s face it, this issue comes up every now and then and it would be great to have a one place where individuals can go to look for the information they seek.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

SG
 
The Baltimore Catechism No. 4 would probably be helpful since it covers all the basics, explains the Rosary, gives basic Catholic prayers such as the Pater Noster and the Apostle’s Creed while giving a good explanation of the meaning of the prayers, and it gives short apologetics for certain Catholic practices (such as honoring the saints). It’s available to read online here. An actual hardcopy of the Baltimore Catechism might be more helpful since it includes an index in the back that directs you to the section that is concerned with that specific topic. Besides the CCC, there’s also the Roman Catechism and a Catholic dictionary that they could use.
 
Confiteor_Deo said:
The Baltimore Catechism No. 4 would probably be helpful since it covers all the basics, explains the Rosary, gives basic Catholic prayers such as the Pater Noster and the Apostle’s Creed while giving a good explanation of the meaning of the prayers, and it gives short apologetics for certain Catholic practices (such as honoring the saints). It’s available to read online here. An actual hardcopy of the Baltimore Catechism might be more helpful since it includes an index in the back that directs you to the section that is concerned with that specific topic. Besides the CCC, there’s also the Roman Catechism and a Catholic dictionary that they could use.
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This^^. A good Catholic dictionary was extremely helpful for me when I converted. Another resource is Laudate. I use it mostly as an app on my phone but do have it on my tablet too.
 
The YOUCAT is a very readable summary of the current Catechism. “Making Senses of Scripture” by Mark Shea is a good introduction to the Catholic way of reading the Bible, and provides lots of useful information about how to get started on a reading plan.
 
My recommendation would be Catholicism for Dummies. If I remember correctly it gives some useful information on the mass, saints and the rosary among other things. I found it to be a big help in my journey in 2013. Also, I agree with the Youcat. It’s much easier to understand than the CCC for newer people.
 
SecretGarden said:
Hi everyone,
With RCIA beginning this fall, I’m creating a list of books and online resources to help converts and reverts in their journey of faith. I’ve noticed that we have quite an educated group of individuals therefore I would appreciate all of the help you can provide.

I’m wanting this list to covers topics such as the catechism, catholicism in general, mass, the sacraments, the rosary, Mary, Bibles, Bible study, saints and more. Let’s face it, this issue comes up every now and then and it would be great to have a one place where individuals can go to look for the information they seek.
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The Catholicism video series and book by Bishop Robert Barron is great. The videos especially are so faithful and joy-filled that it’s hard not to get caught up in them no matter many times I’ve seen/read them. The videos are about 15 minutes each and the book is a pretty light and breezy read. But they both pack some solid content.

The CCC is great but it’s a bit much to read from cover-to-cover. It’s amazing as a reference though. “Purgatory? Golly, what’s that? I’ll check the CCC!”
 
If I could recommend a Bible that has greatly helped me in my decision to convert and my studies of the scripture.

firesidebibles.com/ShopBibles/BuyACatholicBibleOnline/Product-Fireside-School–Church-Edition-NABRE–Regular-Print_2659.aspx

The translation is very easy to understand but not too modern at the same time. It is a study bible and has helpful footnotes. It also has a dictionary in the back, and a lot of other really helpful stuff (listed in the page I linked). I like hardcover bibles, and I quite like the cover color.

I need to get a copy of the catechism for myself.

(This should probably be a stickyed thread)
 
Not really class room material but John Martignonis biblechristiansociety website is a invaluable tool for converts and even instructors who need to brush up on Catholicism 101 . he has many lectures on a variety of topics, all free of charge.

Highly recommend pointing students in this direction in their spare time. John answers some of the most common stereotypes extremly well. So if your class has any fence riders he could be of great assistance there
 
Catholicism - a Journey to the Heart of the Faith, by Bishop Robert Barron.

Catholic and Christian by Alan Schreck

The Catholic Challenge - Why Just Being Catholic Isn’t Enough Any More by Alan Schreck
 
I have taught RCIA for many years and myself, living in Baltimore, Md., was taught in Catholic Schools using the old Baltimore Catechism.

Years following those days, I still utilize the Baltimore Catechism but the foundation with teaching RCIA is rested upon the new Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is invaluable and so full of information that to not use this book in conjunction with any other materials specifically designed for an RCIA program would be foolish.

I live the Catechism of the Cstholuc Church for my own reading pleasure and education. It is a book that rests upon two tables in my home and is read frequently.
 
I also recommend Theology for Beginners by Frank Sheed. This gives the Philosophy to better understand the Trinity, Creation, Salvation, and the Sacraments.
 
I think an absolutely wonderful audio/visual website is www.FORMED.org.

Although it has a monthly fee of nine dollars, I would have absolutely loved access to the various videos the website has in my RCIA days. Access to the Symbolon series is worth the price of admission all on its own. It also has Catholic movies.

Similar to the above is Taylor Marshall’s New Saint Thomas Institute, which has short video lessons on all sorts of subjects, from a popular-level Thomistic perspective: newsaintthomas.com/. While I think the website is great, it is rather pricey.

I also think this book is an absolute treasure, and it has very short but very profound insights from St. Francis de Sales: sophiainstitute.com/products/item/roses-among-thorns. So much of RCIA can be an intellectual journey, but I think having insights into the spiritual life is important too.
 
thecolorsblend said:
The Catholicism video series and book by Bishop Robert Barron is great. The videos especially are so faithful and joy-filled that it’s hard not to get caught up in them no matter many times I’ve seen/read them. The videos are about 15 minutes each and the book is a pretty light and breezy read. But they both pack some solid content.
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As someone who is considering RCIA, I’ll second Robert Barron’s “Catholicism” book, I just listened to it on audible and it’s a great overview. Sadly it lacks real depth, but it’s a great jumping off point to get into the gritty details of the faith. Example, I’m now reading up on the sacraments, because as a protestant I didn’t know what a sacrament was until I began to investigate Catholicism.

I love all of Bishop Barron’s work, his Word on Fire Podcast and Homilies are very good, as are his Youtube videos. I plan on reading more of his books soon. He’s been quite helpful in my investigation of the faith.
 
LiamQ said:
I think an absolutely wonderful audio/visual website is www.FORMED.org.

Although it has a monthly fee of nine dollars, I would have absolutely loved access to the various videos the website has in my RCIA days. Access to the Symbolon series is worth the price of admission all on its own. It also has Catholic movies.

Similar to the above is Taylor Marshall’s New Saint Thomas Institute, which has short video lessons on all sorts of subjects, from a popular-level Thomistic perspective: newsaintthomas.com/. While I think the website is great, it is rather pricey.

I also think this book is an absolute treasure, and it has very short but very profound insights from St. Francis de Sales: sophiainstitute.com/products/item/roses-among-thorns. So much of RCIA can be an intellectual journey, but I think having insights into the spiritual life is important too.
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I concur with this post 100% I use both formed.org and I’m a member of the New Saint Thomas Institute. Very good.
 
phil19034 said:
… I’m a member of the New Saint Thomas Institute. Very good.
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👍

I had a very tough time warming up to the NSTI, simply because I thought certain gimmicks were being used and that it was far more expensive than the content warranted.

But I have to say, now that NSTI has been up for a while, and now that there’s maybe 22 hours of short videos, the price is somewhat of a decent value, if still a bit pricey. I’m currently a happy member.

But short and clear videos on complex topics are a wonderful way to learn basic talking points when attempting to either quickly answer questions or educate one’s children.

Here’s a sample video for those who might be interested: youtube.com/watch?v=oP8_Cx0Osd0.
 
LiamQ said:
I think an absolutely wonderful audio/visual website is www.FORMED.org.

Although it has a monthly fee of nine dollars, I would have absolutely loved access to the various videos the website has in my RCIA days. Access to the Symbolon series is worth the price of admission all on its own. It also has Catholic movies.

Similar to the above is Taylor Marshall’s New Saint Thomas Institute, which has short video lessons on all sorts of subjects, from a popular-level Thomistic perspective: newsaintthomas.com/. While I think the website is great, it is rather pricey.

I also think this book is an absolute treasure, and it has very short but very profound insights from St. Francis de Sales: sophiainstitute.com/products/item/roses-among-thorns. So much of RCIA can be an intellectual journey, but I think having insights into the spiritual life is important too.
Click to expand...
We use Symbolon in our parish with RCIA. We are looking into a parish subscription to Formed as well.
 
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