Suggestions for books to give to potential Catholic convert?

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CatholicLeanne

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So, I’ve got a friend who believes in God, but isn’t really ‘into’ it at all, she doesn’t pray, go to church, etc. Just kind of believes in God in an abstract sense, is more of an agnostic than a Christian.

Anyway, lately she’s been asking me about Catholicism a lot, she was curious because her family is very Protestant and they believe that Catholicism is evil. I do my best to answer her questions and she said ‘well that doesn’t sound bad, why don’t more Protestants become Catholic? It sounds very interesting’.

She’s even agreed to come to Mass with me one time.

Do you have any suggestions for books to read for someone interested in Catholicism but really doesn’t know much about it at all? I’ve heard great things about Scott Hahn but I don’t know if his works are too ‘intellectual’ for this sort of thing. Thanks.
 
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Scott Hahn’s books are great. He also has a “conversion story” which would be very helpful.

Also, books by Patrick Madrid.

Others were helpful to me, but they slip my mind right now. You should probably post your question go the “Apologetics” forum.
 
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If she wants more of a simple manual to Catholicism, maybe the Baltimore Catechism to start? Bishop Fulton Sheen has written great books from what Ive heard too.
 
The tan or baronius version the st Joseph’s is a little junevenile
 
The Case for Catholicism by Trent Horn. I recommend this book if her knowledge of Christianity comes from a Protestant background. It explains why Catholics believe what they do in comparison to P’s and explains the faith very well. It also doesn’t denigrate P’s in the process! I learned what both sides believe when I read it!
 
I’d begin with the articles at “Strange Notions” and Trent Horn’s book “Why We’re Catholic”

Heavy handed apologetics is not at all where I’d begin. Meet people where they are.

Peter Kreeft and Frank Sheed next.

If she were a practicing Presbyterian or other “high church” Protestant, I would suggest Dr Hahn right out of the gate.
 
Patrick Madrid’s book Surprised By Truth is a great one. It’s basically a compilation of personal stories by converts who converted from Protestantism to Catholicism. Many are well known catholic apologists today.

At least this way she might find a story that relates more to her situation at home.
 
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A book of prayers and novenas, and a book about saints that names what they are the patron saint of.
Some people might see themself in the prayers or their needs having someone to pray through in intercession and be more interested in Catholicism.
 
Yes, let’s show the world how little joy there is in Catholicism :). Seriously, good book for four conversion stories, but they are certainly 4 painful conversion stories.
 
I would suggest Ronald Knox’s The Beliefs of Catholics. Slightly dated, and one sort of has to insert oneself into early 20th century England, but it is excellent.
 
Unless someone is an avid reader, I think short videos are the better way to get started. A person’s personal testimony and passion for their conversion come across a lot more convincingly in a video.
 
Approaching this question from a slightly different angle, as a potential Catholic convert myself - St. Augustine’s Confessions. I couldn’t put it down, it absolutely blew my mind.
Following his journey in his book is like having my own guide, to the extent that I now ask him to pray for me from time to time.
 
Open Letter to Confused Catholics, Lefevbre
 
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Thank you all for the responses 🙂 I think I’ll maybe send her links to a few short videos and then if she’s still interested later a book explaining things in more depth.
 
CatholicLeanne said:
So, I’ve got a friend who believes in God, but isn’t really ‘into’ it at all, she doesn’t pray, go to church, etc. Just kind of believes in God in an abstract sense, is more of an agnostic than a Christian.

Anyway, lately she’s been asking me about Catholicism a lot, she was curious because her family is very Protestant and they believe that Catholicism is evil. I do my best to answer her questions and she said ‘well that doesn’t sound bad, why don’t more Protestants become Catholic? It sounds very interesting’.

She’s even agreed to come to Mass with me one time.

Do you have any suggestions for books to read for someone interested in Catholicism but really doesn’t know much about it at all? I’ve heard great things about Scott Hahn but I don’t know if his works are too ‘intellectual’ for this sort of thing. Thanks.
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