Starting RCIA soon, book recommendations?

[Pnkn]

WELCOME !
Fiction by CS Lewis and GK Chesterton, including the Narnia Chronicles, The Perelandra Trilogy, and Fr. Brown. It’s ALL good !
St. Teresa of Avila - the Interior Castle. First reading - just enjoy the wonder of what lies ahead.
Browse the artwork of great Catholics and converts - did you know Dali was a convert !
www.vatican.va
Any book by Ratzinger/Pope Benedict: all very readable.

 

[LouiseHine]

I bought and recommend Midwest Theological Forum’s Daily Roman Missal

It has all Sunday AND weekday readings in one volume, the Mass prayers, and some very helpful sections on basic Catholic doctrines, how to live a good Catholic life, devotional prayers, etc.

I would also recommend their Introduction to Catholicism for Adults

It offers a very thorough treatment of the Faith, with many scripture references and a good deal of paragraphs of the Catechism quoted, which you can use as a launching pad for further study. Lots of good explanations, I like it much better than Catholicism for Dummies (though that is a good text, too).

Thank you everyone for all these suggestions and for taking the time to help. This is a long but fruitful list and I cannot wait to get started on it.

Can I just ask if ther Midwest Missal was designed for a specific area? I’m confused at the inclusion of the term “Midwest”. Thanks in advance.

 

[pjbortscheller]

The answers to your question posted here are very sound. Enjoy the RCIA process and discussions as you move toward the Easter sacraments. The heart must be captured by the Spirit to allow the doctrine of the faith to be absorbed and ultimately lived.

I suggest Believing In Jesus by Fr. Leonard Foley. I’ve used this book as our primay RCIA guide for discussion over the past six years and find it very valuable.

Peace on your journey

 

[David2010]

. . .
What are some good books I can get to begin reading now and throughout the RCIA process? I of course have a copy of the Catechism, but I was wondering what other books you would recommend to an aspiring Catholic?

In the Book Club section of these forums I reviewed a couple books that you’d probably find informative:

“A Biblical Walk Through the Mass. Understanding What We Say and Do in the Liturgy”
By Edward Sri

“How Christ Said the First Mass, or, The Lord’s Last Supper”
By James Luke Meagher

The Sri book was part of a course that prepared people for the changes that took place in the liturgy in November 2012, and it reviewed much of the rituals of the Mass, and their foundation.

The Meagher book examined how Christ said the last supper and how so much of our Mass is a re-enactment of that supper. It also examined the Jewish roots of that supper to ensure that the Mass is as accurate as possible.

There are several other books mentioned in the Book Club section of these forums that you’d probably find informative too.

 

[Brandall]

I started RCIA in August and on top of the rest of my life, there isn’t room for another book right now. Two kids, a wife, a business and everything else that happens, I’m a bit pressed for time. Compared to school, our RCIA homework isn’t much but on top of an already busy life, it’s a bunch.

For instance, this week, we have to read a chapter in a book by Scott Hahn for our small group. There are bible verses assigned to read and there are ten questions that have to be answered from these sources. This is a bright well educated group and frankly, it is a challenge to find the answers to some of the questions.

Then for preparation for our big group lesson, we have to read 145 CCC paragraphs and 22 pages from a book called Theology for Beginners.

While in reality, this isn’t a great amount to read, it is different from reading a novel. You’ve got to be in the right frame of mind, that is a combination of spiritual and academic, to be able to absorb the material properly. On top of that, I wander around here a bit, I listen to Catholic Radio while driving around during the day and maybe it’s just me, but I don’t think my mind and life could consider another book at this time.

 

[Majavis]

Thank you everyone for all these suggestions and for taking the time to help. This is a long but fruitful list and I cannot wait to get started on it.

Can I just ask if ther Midwest Missal was designed for a specific area? I’m confused at the inclusion of the term “Midwest”. Thanks in advance.

Sorry, I was unclear–Midwest Theological Forum is just the name of the publishing house. The missal is geared toward the Catholic Church in America as a whole; it is not regional in any way. I only brought it up to distinguish it from other publishing houses that publish Daily Roman Missals, like Our Sunday Visitor publishing house, etc. The one from MTF is the one I know and recommend. Others might have similar and/or different features. I trust and enjoy the supplemental portions of the one MTF publishes. Hope that clarifies!

 

[LouiseHine]

Sorry, I was unclear–Midwest Theological Forum is just the name of the publishing house. The missal is geared toward the Catholic Church in America as a whole; it is not regional in any way. I only brought it up to distinguish it from other publishing houses that publish Daily Roman Missals, like Our Sunday Visitor publishing house, etc. The one from MTF is the one I know and recommend. Others might have similar and/or different features. I trust and enjoy the supplemental portions of the one MTF publishes. Hope that clarifies!

It does, thank you. I figured it might have been American since we don’t really have a Midwest here in England, but I thought it was more geographical than publishing house. Wrong end of the stick on my part lol. Thanks for easing my confusion.

 

[Angel_Bradford]

The Documents of the 2nd. Vatican Council