Need book recommendations

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What books might you recommend for someone who is planning to enter RCIA in the fall, who's on fire with excitement, and who needs some good reading on the Faith to tide her over till then?

The Catechism, of course. But what else? I think this person might benefit from a book that is complete and geared for adults, one that is clearly laid out, one that is geared for the average reader (not too scholarly -- the kind of thing one can read with a squirmy toddler climbing on one's head without losing one's train of thought); something that explains what Catholics believe and do, and why we believe and do it.

Thanks for your suggestions!

16 Comments

Fundamentals of Faith by Peter Kreeft

Adventures in Orthodoxy, by Dwight Longnecker of Envoy. Slim volume, targeted at the layman with only a few minutes available at a time, very funny.

Rome Sweet Rome is a really easy read but it helps to clear up some very fundamental differences, and I really like the discussions on NFP and the Church.

+JMJ+

How about "Exploring the Catholic Church" by Marcellino d'Ambrosio?

great suggestions, all.

I recommend "Why Do Catholics Do That?" (sorry, can't find the book to get the author's name.) It was conversational, awesome, and taught me a ton of things years after I converted.

Also suggest "Why Be Catholic?" by Father William J. O'Malley. I love the way he walks through each step in choosing a belief system, then a faith, and why Catholicism is the best answer to our questions about the meaning and purpose of human life. And he's loyal to the Church's teachings.

For a good, meaty companion to the Catechism, written by one of the good Jesuits, I absolutely must recommend "The Catholic Catechism" by Fr. John Hardon, SJ.

I just picked up a copy of "Catholic Christianity" by Peter Kreeft and am perusing it for possible use in an RCIA Faith Formation Program. I am impressed by it so far.

Thomas Howard's On Being Catholic. Hands down.

I second the suggestion "Why Do Catholics Do That?" as a very light, quick read. My husband read it while in the RCIA process 7 years ago, and I read it after a 15 year absence from the Church.

I also think many RCIA programs do NOT adequately answer questions regarding family planning issues, probably for fear of someone being turned off because they don't agree w/Church teaching. I personally found Wendy Cukierski's booklet "What Every Catholic Couple Should Know" to be a wonderful, thorough, easily explained treatment of the Church's teaching regarding NFP. It's available here

"Theology for Beginners" by Frank Sheed.

I will second Theology for Beginners. Also, any of Scott Hahn's books, also Kimberly Hahn's book "Life giving love". Any of Mark Shea's books, Karl Keating's
Catholicism and Fundamentalism " (especially for some one coming from that background).
A really fun one - Matt Pinto's "Do Adam and Eve have belly buttons?". While written for teens, I found it worthwhile to read.
How about some GK Chesterton, also?

Catholics and the Eucharist by Steve Clark.

I'm reading Letters to a Young Catholic (Weigel), which I wish I could have read during RCIA last year. A good counterbalance to what is generally a doctrine-heavy year & perhaps gives a vision of what it is to be Catholic.

Well, my favorite theological writer is a bit scholarly- Venerable Newman- but his "Meditations and Devotions" might do- prayers and reflections in lovely prose...

I second "Life-Giving Love".... great read, and clearly explains Church teaching and practical applications.

I also loved what Kimberly Hahn has to say in that book about babies who die before or during birth. So helpful and compassionate.

In the way of tapes.... Scott Hahn's conversion is great, as is anything by Rosalind Moss. She converted from Judaism to evangelical Christianity to the Catholic Church. Be forewarned, if you're not the emotional type: she cries sometimes when discussing her faith journey.

A couple more:
Newman, "On the development of Christian doctrine"
D. Von Hildebrand " Liturgy and Personality"
Karl Adam "The Spirit of Catholicism"
Any of the "Amazing Grace" series (Jeff Cavins, Matt Pinto, Patti Armstrong) - they are a Catholic equivalent to the Chicken Soup for the --- series
Also, Envoy Magazine, This Rock magazine, Catholic Answers
Oh, and the whole Surprised by Truth series - as a convert I LOVE reading other convert stories.


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