I'm a Roman Catholic and I would like some books concerning my religion...I want to be closer to God, you know sometimes ur in the right path but other times u r so busy that u forget...one time i had so much to so an di was so tired that i realized one night that i havent prayed for a month, like i would just say "God plz bless me for the night" and that would be it! can you imagine? let me give you some background maybe this might help in your recommandations: I'm going to be 23 in 3 weeks, i'm a senior in University and i dont know if i should prolongue my graduation for this december instead of Spring, i'm kinna in a time of confusion right now, i'm lost i will admit. so maybe some prayers or books can make me closer to God, to understand my religion and my understanding of God more...do you understand wha ti'm saying? thank you !
2007-02-01 14:27:55 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think it is great that you are trying to deepen your faith.
In addition to all the good suggestions above, don't forget the Bible: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/
+ Books by Pope John Paul II are very good.
+ Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
+ Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton
For reference information, try:
+ The Catechism of the Catholic Church: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm
+ The Documents of Vatican II: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm
+ Writings of the recent Popes: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/index.htm
For prayer, you might try the Liturgy of the Hours: http://www.universalis.com/-800/today.htm
I especially like night prayer: http://www.universalis.com/-800/compline.htm
With love and prayers in Christ.
2007-02-01 16:50:17 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'd stick with writings from saints.
Sophia Institute Press has some great books:
http://sophiainstitute.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=SIP
It has stuff like "Secrets of the Interior Life", "Little Manual of Perfect Prayer and Adoration", etc.
I'd recommend Finding God's Will for You or The Art of Loving God, both by St. Francis de Sales.
Ignatius Press also has many great books:
www.ignatius.com
Start with "Daily Readings in Catholic Classics", which is a collections of excerpts from 34 Catholic authors. That way you can decide who you like and buy a book from that author.
Find a good Catholic bookstore and spend an afternoon browsing the shelves. Again, I'd start with the saints or the lives of saints. There's a lot of garbage out there, but if it was written by a saint, it is guaranteed to be in conformity with Catholic teaching.
Catholic Answers also is a good source. You can see the catalog here: http://shop.catholic.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/shophome.html?E+scstore
God bless. I will pray for you.
2007-02-02 21:58:42 · answer #2 · answered by Zachary F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're looking for anything to make you understand your faith, that will make your church and the bible come alive in a new way, I'd recommend anything by Scott Hahn. He's a very easy read, but also a very informative writter. I plowed through about 8 of his books in 2 months, and I really hate reading, and really don't have time to read.
"The Lamb's Supper" will make you excited about mass
"Hail Holy Queen" is great in dealing with Mary's role in our lives,
"Rome Sweet Home" is an excellent story about his and his wifes journey to the church.
Be careful though, after you read some of his books all you'll wanna do is read the bible. He makes it really exciting.
If you want a good spiritual read check out "The Diary of St. Faustina" It's a bit daunting but it's a great one to pick up every once an awhile.
Good Luck and God bless.
STAY ON FIRE FOR CHRIST... AND BURN HARD!
2007-02-03 16:15:24 · answer #3 · answered by ninjapenquin 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have never read anything by Thomas Merton please do. If you do not know who he was, he was a Trappist monk and a mystic. He wrote may, may good books starting with the first which was the Seven Story Mountain. That one is about his struggle with who he was and where he was going. He became a monk. I love all of his books, but my favorite is "No Man is an Island".
Most of the RC authors that I read are mystics and that may not be your interest, but everyone likes Merton.
PS. I see the suggestions above mine. I would not start with St. John of the Cross if you have never studied mysticism. He is one of my favorites too, but I think you might be lost there. St. Teresa of Avila is also good and not quite as deep as John, but she was a mystic too and some folks find that type of writing hard to grasp.
Read Thomas Merton. You will like it.
2007-02-01 14:33:53 · answer #4 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Listed in no particular order:
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a fantastic source of information regarding Church beliefs and teachings.
I am currently reading, "Triumph: The power and glory of the Catholic Church, a 2000 year history" by H.W. Crocker III. This is an excellent synoptic history of the Church.
"Why are Catholics so Concerned about Sin", by Al Kresta is excellent.
"WE BELIEVE... A SURVEY OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH"
"WE WORSHIP—A GUIDE TO THE CATHOLIC MASS"
"A CATHOLIC GUIDE TO THE BIBLE" - all three of these by Father Oscar Lukefahr, all very good.
"Rise; Let us be on our Way", by Pope John Paull II. I found this to be a fascinating read as well.
2007-02-03 01:56:40 · answer #5 · answered by Daver 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
www.freeforcatholics.com- this site has free music downloads,pamphlets and a bunch of really interesting stuff completely free, i recently received a free book for study from the site,you read it,answer the questions and you learn alot,you finish one course and if you like then you can receive another study book and questions.
salvationhistory.com, again has a frees tudy plan and is really good,also has good resources.
fisheaters.com very useful information and also scripture catholic.com
search engine catholic you will also come across a good selection of sites that offer catalogues and other catholic articles etc.
these sites all help, try your local catholic/christian store aswell. i suggest you get a good study bible and it also helps to get a cathecism of the catholic church. hope this helps you and remember to pray and ask god for help, once you let him into your life more your worries will be a distant thought. good luck and congratulations on your graduation and hope your walk with the lord becomes very fruitful for you. god bless.
2007-02-01 14:38:52 · answer #6 · answered by fenian1916 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I actually had to make the exact same decision as you this year. I postponed till december.
A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R R Martin
Books in it
-A Game of Thrones
-A Clash of Kings
-A Storm of Swords
-A Feast for Crows
2007-02-01 15:18:44 · answer #7 · answered by Dethruhate 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"My Imitation of Christ" by Thomas a Kempis
"True Devotion to Mary" by Louis de Montfort
"The Story of a Soul" by St. Therese of Lisieux
"Confessions" by St. Augustine
"Dark Night of the Soul" by St. John of the Cross
2007-02-01 14:33:06 · answer #8 · answered by Dysthymia 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
you should read some history books, first. then you will know the truth. THE ROMANS KILLED JESUS, NOT THE JEWS.
2007-02-05 12:22:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋