Ways to Grow Faith Without Reading

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Melodeonist

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I would like to know some ways to grow my faith that don’t involve reading. I’m not much of a reader, and I don’t get anything all that meaningful from books. What are some great ways to grow in faith that don’t involve reading?

Thanks! 😃
 
Just pray, receive the Sacraments often, and ask a priest for advice when needed.
 
Melodeonist said:
Would you recommend going to adoration? I’ve never been to it before as it’s kind of late.
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Yes I would, making visits to the Blessed Sacrament would be very beneficial. If adoration is too late, you can just make an earlier visit to the Blessed Sacrament while It’s still residing in the tabernacle.
 
How about listening to MP3s of talks and conferences and radio programs and so forth?

Try listening to one or two of the scores and scores of archived EWTN programs: ewtn.com/v/ondemand/audio/series_index.asp.

I would also recommend the excellent Institute of Catholic Culture: instituteofcatholicculture.org/.

If you’re comfortable having to exercise a bit of intellectual stamina, try these talks out: hebrewcatholic.net/studies/mystery-of-israel-church/.

… or how about the wonderful stuff Catholic Answers produces: catholic.com/radio.

You can develop a wonderful education in the faith by listening to the above four resources, and there’s lots more available if you’re willing to purchase things.

But seriously, pick up a book. 😉
 
Melodeonist,

If you choose not to read (although reading, especially of Sacred Scripture, has been done by our ancestors and by the saints as one manner of growing in faith), developing a personal relationship with God through prayer and good works is not only one way but the way. You can examine what He has done for you, why He has done it, and how you can help your community.

What is unique about Christianity is the emphasis on our personal and communal relationship with God. Remember, He loves you and certainly does desire a relationship with you. Pray often!!! 😃

Receive the sacraments often and especially go to confession as well to maintain your good standing with God and the Church.

God bless.
 
The illiterate used to be catechized through sermons and visual aids, and we have a lot of those on radio, TV and the Internet so at least, there are options.

However, this is also an era of great literacy: books abound and the Bible, copies of which were immeasurably precious due to their effort and scarcity, is available in a gazillion copies in print, orderable from a whole lot of storefront and online sites at very inexpensive prices.

We are in a majestically blessed time in history, and I would just call to mind the old adage of our Lord: to whom much is given, much is required.

I would therefore not consider it prudent to turn away from books. They are still the best resource out there.
 
Without reading? That’s impossible! (well, for me it is, at least)
 
porthos11 said:
The illiterate used to be catechized through sermons and visual aids, and we have a lot of those on radio, TV and the Internet so at least, there are options.

However, this is also an era of great literacy: books abound and the Bible, copies of which were immeasurably precious due to their effort and scarcity, is available in a gazillion copies in print, orderable from a whole lot of storefront and online sites at very inexpensive prices.

We are in a majestically blessed time in history, and I would just call to mind the old adage of our Lord: to whom much is given, much is required.

I would therefore not consider it prudent to turn away from books. They are still the best resource out there.
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We’re very lucky. Many of the saints would have been overjoyed to come across a Bible in the Middle Ages. I wonder if St. Thomas Aquinas ever got annoyed over that… :confused:
 
Go to Utube and listen to the sessions given by the Father Robert Barron, now Bishop Barron. They are pretty good. Hope I spelled his last name right-one “r” or two "rrs’? Peace.
 
Remember, faith is a gift from God, it is His revelation to you, however that may happen.

Prayer, is opening ourselves up to God.

If discursive memorized prayer is getting boring for you, you may want to look into Contemplative Prayer.

Go here, there are here for MP3’s to learn. advancedchristianity.com/

Jim
 
porthos11 said:
The illiterate used to be catechized through sermons and visual aids, and we have a lot of those on radio, TV and the Internet so at least, there are options.

However, this is also an era of great literacy: books abound and the Bible, copies of which were immeasurably precious due to their effort and scarcity, is available in a gazillion copies in print, orderable from a whole lot of storefront and online sites at very inexpensive prices.

We are in a majestically blessed time in history, and I would just call to mind the old adage of our Lord: to whom much is given, much is required.

I would therefore not consider it prudent to turn away from books. They are still the best resource out there.
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Yes. Reading is an essential skill in life. You’ll end up reading for classes, reading contracts, even closing on a house requires reading.
It can’t be avoided, and shouldn’t be.
 
pianistclare said:
Yes. Reading is an essential skill in life. You’ll end up reading for classes, reading contracts, even closing on a house requires reading.
It can’t be avoided, and shouldn’t be.
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I agree with the importance of reading, but reading in of itself will not bring you closer to Christ, only His grace will do that, and it is received in prayer and the sacraments

Jim
 
Do something for someone else. Go play your accordion for the seniors at a nursing home. Stay and talk to them. Volunteer at your church. Go ask them if there is any cleaning, raking or anything else you can do. Look for opportunities to help people, because when you help them, you are actually helping yourself grow.
 
Irishmom2 said:
Do something for someone else. Go play your accordion for the seniors at a nursing home. Stay and talk to them. Volunteer at your church. Go ask them if there is any cleaning, raking or anything else you can do. Look for opportunities to help people, because when you help them, you are actually helping yourself grow.
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👍 Couldn’t have said it better myself.
 
JimR-OCDS said:
I agree with the importance of reading, but reading in of itself will not bring you closer to Christ, only His grace will do that, and it is received in prayer and the sacraments

Jim
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But as with anything, reading, especially the Scriptures and the spiritual writers, is a great channel of grace.

So I hope you are not actually telling this OP that it’s fine to reject reading. It isn’t and can be very unwise in the spiritual realm.
 
well maybe a good idea would be to just ask God to give you more faith.

Simples.

“Lord increase our faith. Amen.”

This is the path to holiness and to heaven.

Ask and you shall receive, Seek and you shall find, Knock and the door shall be opened.
 
porthos11 said:
But as with anything, reading, especially the Scriptures and the spiritual writers, is a great channel of grace.

So I hope you are not actually telling this OP that it’s fine to reject reading. It isn’t and can be very unwise in the spiritual realm.
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In other threads, the OP has said he does not like to read. I think he could benefit from listening to books about scripture instead. Still hears, just doesn’t have to read.
 
Many of the first disciples were illiterate, as were many believers into the sixteenth century. That’s why we had the Oral teachings of the Church prior to the written.

God speaks to people in the language they understand best.

I do not think that you reject reading (or you wouldn’t post so much on these Forums) but rather maybe you read better on a screen or maybe you need small chunks of reading verses a daunting 1000 page book of moral theology. Is this maybe it? There are so many short mini books filled with prayers, excerpts of the Saints and short works. There are also many online resources that give you short daily scriptures and/or meditations daily in your inbox.

Also vocal prayers require no reading once memorized, or those formed with words straight from the heart. And certainly podcasts abound in our digital world. Don’t forget attending Mass is a way to pray. As are deeds of mercy. These are some things to get you started. 👍
 
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