Why Be Catholic?: Ten Answers to a Very Important Question

by Patrick Madrid, Sean O'Malley (Foreword)

The popular blogger and publisher of Envoy magazine offers 10 key reasons why he loves being Catholic (and you should too). Drawing heavily on poignant anecdotes from his own experience as a life-long Catholic born in 1960s, Madrid offers readers a way of looking at the Church--its members, teachings, customs, and history--from perspectives many may have never considered.

Growing up Catholic during a time of great social and theological upheaval and transition, a time in which countless Catholics abandoned their religion in search of something else, Patrick Madrid learned a great deal about why people leave Catholicism and why others stay. This experience helped him gain many insights into what it is about the Catholic Church that some people reject, as well as those things that others treasure. Drawing upon Madrid's personal experiences, Why Be Catholic? offers a deeply personal, fact-based, rationale for why everyone should be Catholic or at least consider the Catholic Church in a new light.

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Theology, Faith

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 9, 2013

About the author

PATRICK MADRID is the publisher of Envoy Magazine, a journal of contemporary Catholic thought, and the director of the Envoy Institute of Belmont Abbey College. Since its inception in 1996, the Envoy team has garnered numerous journalism awards, including several first-place awards in the magazine-of-the-year “General Excellence” category from the Catholic Press Association.

Patrick is the author or editor of 14 books on Catholic themes including, Pope Fiction, Search and Rescue, Does the Bible Really Say That, 150 Bible Verses Every Catholic Should Know, and The Godless Delusion: A Catholic Challenge to Modern Atheism (Spring 2010). He edited and co-authored the acclaimed multi-volume Surprised by Truth series.

He has published numerous popular articles on Scripture, Church history, patristics, apologetics, and evangelization in various Catholic and Protestant periodicals, and he has contributed scholarly articles on apologetics in the New Catholic Encyclopedia.

Active in apologetics since 1987, he worked at Catholic Answers for eight years (from January 1988 to January 1996), where he served as vice president and helped co-found that apostolate's flagship magazine, This Rock, in January of 1990.

Patrick is a cradle-Catholic, not a convert. By God's grace, he was raised in the Catholic Faith and has been a practicing Catholic his entire life.

Growing up in Southern California, he attended grammar school at the Mission San Juan Capistrano parish school, where for years he served as an altar boy for the parish's daily Traditional Latin Mass in the famed Serra Chapel. Ever since his boyhood, Patrick has loved the Traditional Latin Mass.

Patrick earned a bachelor of science degree in business from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor of philosophy degree (B.Phil.) from the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, where he is completing a master's degree in dogmatic theology. He has also done graduate studies in theology at the University of Dallas.

He is the host of several EWTN television series, including “Pope Fiction,” “Search & Rescue,” and "Where Is That In the Bible?" and he hosts the Thursday edition of EWTN Radio's “Open Line” broadcast, heard on approximately 150 AM & FM stations across the United States, as well as on shortwave and on the Sirius Satellite Radio Network (Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. ET). He is also a regular guest on the "Catholic Answers Live" program and Sirius Radio's "The Catholic Channel."

Patrick serves on the board of trustees of the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley, CA, on the board of directors of St. Gabriel Catholic Radio, in Columbus, Ohio, and on the board of advisors for Catholics United for the Faith, Immaculate Heart Radio Network, and Catholic Scripture Study International. He authored all the original website content for CatholicsComeHome.org, where he also serves as a theologica

Reviews

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have had very mixed emotions reading this book. When I was a junior in high school, I was baptized into the Catholic Church but was never confirmed. Years later, I was baptized in the Baptist Church. I am currently attending a Baptist Church. I have read and studied the Bible much more now than I had when I was in high school. That’s not to say that I am any kind of expert in any way. I say all that to say that I found much in this book that I agree with and some things that I don’t. The areas where I disagree will provide much fodder for my further investigation and research.

One thing the author says is that the Catholic Church has the “answer to all of life’s most urgent problems and challenges”. “The Catholic Church’s answers to the myriad of life’s problems we all must face in some form or another is simply The Gospel of Jesus Christ”. The author goes on to address the scandals in the Catholic Church over the years (some even involving Popes) and the more recent scandals of child abuse in the Catholic Church. The answer he gives, and I will summarize in my own words, is as follows: most of these individuals have never truly been “born again” and those who have are leading “fleshly” lives. I will add that there are individuals in every church who fit that description. There are often news articles of priests, pastors, deacons, church treasurers, etc. who are exposed as crooks, charlatans, and perverts. These facts do not negate the gospel message. It just means that the “tares” have grown with the “wheat” and have often achieved leadership positions. Very few churches expel unrepentant sinner/members any more for any reason. Maybe they should. Can a church truly be a “church” and tolerate open sin within the church? How is it then different than the secular world and serve as a guide to a Holy God?

The author says “scandal, like the vices that spawn it, can only be combated by virtue. For example, to root out the sin of lust, cultivate its opposing virtue: chastity. To eradicate pride, cultivate: humility; anger must be balanced by patience. The single greatest danger to the Christian life, the enemy of grace, is not the devil or his temptations; it’s not the world or the flesh; it is complacency, what the Bible call “lukewarmness”.

Some places where I have disagreement with the author are: he says it had rained on earth before Noah’s flood and the Bible seems to indicate to me that it did not rain on earth before the flood. I also have some issues/questions about the Catholic view of Mary, the sacraments, and the author seems to say in some places that the “church” did/does the work of salvation which I thought Jesus accomplished alone.

As I said, there is a lot I agree with in this book. There are also some issues that need further investigation. It could be that the author meant to convey a thought one way and I interpreted it another way. I do recommend this book and plan to read/study/research it again. If you have any interest in learning about the Catholic Church, this is a book you should read.

I was provided a free copy of this book for review from Crown Publishing and Net Gallery. I was under no obligation to provide a favorable review.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick Madrid gives some unique opportunities one has a Catholic. The Eucharist is number one.

[John Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patrick Madrid offers ten compelling reasons for embracing the Catholic Faith. Arguing from both reason and the bible, he lays out a pretty straight forward ‘Apologetics’ or a ‘defense, reply, or explanation’ both for those who are already Catholic Christians and those who are not—be they either antagonistic ‘to’ or just honestly searching ‘for’ the truth. While I admire, applaud, and am convinced of the completing power of the topics chosen, I was not equally moved by every chapter. His finally argument on the ‘desirability’ of God, definitely pulled at my heartstrings, however, as that topic powerfully resonated with the truth of His action in my own life.

[Susannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I grow up I want to be like Patrick Madrid - not only is he so well versed in the Scriptures and reasons to believe, but he's so-o humble. I try to listen to him on Relevant Radio as much as I can, and download his podcast to stay current in news without despairing on how mainstream news outlets focus on negativity and scandal.

This book is a personable compendium of how the Catholic Church is our "Owners Manual" for happiness and fulfillment in this life and the next. 10% of the book is the footnotes, most of which is Scripture, so this makes for a quick and powerful read. Gift it to all the folks who are down and out, especially during the lockdown. It gives you a reason for our hope! God bless!

[Justin Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very insightful and concise read.

In this work, Patrick Madrid answers the question , "Why be Catholic?". I found the answers to be very compelling and agreeable. The book did leave me wanting a bit in terms of overall substance , however, this is an excellent read for any Catholic or those looking to possibly convert.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful

Strong and intelligent Apologetics. Patrick is my favorite host on Revelant Radio. He doesn't talk down and presents cogent arguments. He is an encyclopedia of Catholic knowledge.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't a badly written book, and I'm not anti-Catholic, but I would have liked these arguments to include why Protestants question some aspects of Catholicism.

[Zach Teske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick Madrid is one of the most charitable, knowledgeable, and understandable authors and speakers out there. This book is a great reflection of that. Excellent!

[Sister Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patrick Madrid is well known as a Catholic apologist--that is, one who presents the reasonableness of the faith, especially in response to challenges. Every adult Catholic, I am sure, has heard the usual challenges: our faith is not biblical; we worship Mary or statues; we "multiply prayers" in outright contradiction to the command of the Gospel "do not multiply your words when praying. Now, of course, we are hearing new challenges, some of them quite absurd: Catholicism is "anti-intellectual"; Catholic moral teachings do not take practical realities into account; Catholicism is incompatible with the findings of science...

Assumptions like these can be common currency in our day (especially the newer ones can be almost taken for granted, even by Catholics!). This makes a book like "Why Be Catholic?" helpful not only for the sincere seeker, but for the earnest, but uncertain Catholic who doesn't really "have an answer to those who ask the reason for your hope" (cf 1 Pet 3:15)--and hopes that an answer is out there.

"Why Be Catholic?" is eminently readable. Madrid is not just an apologist, he is a storyteller (the best kind of apologist!). In responding to the typical Protestant objections or challenges to Catholicism, he hearkens back to his teen years when the object of his affections was from so fundamentalist a background, her Dad had those ridiculous "Chick" pamphlets ready at hand. (Madrid got an early start responding to misconstrues of the faith!)

Madrid looks at ten basic areas, starting with the most difficult of them all: the sin that is so manifestly present and active among us, most horribly in the clergy sex abuse scandals. Looking through the Old and New Testaments, and especially the Gospel parable of the weeds among the wheat, Madrid points out that "Scandals are part of the life of the Church not because of its teachings and customs, but because individual Catholics choose to reject and ignore those teachings." He doesn't leave it there, though, on the purely intellectual level of cause and effect. Madrid challenges the reader to face his or her own temptations to lukewarmness and compromise. He affirms the role of conscience, and the deep connection between freedom and truth. He will continue to do this through the next nine chapters: offering a solid, intellectually and historically grounded presentation of some little-understood dimension of Catholic teaching or practice, and then inviting the reader to conform his or her life to the values that teaching reveals.

"Why Be Catholic?" looks at sin and at history, at the sacraments (especially the Eucharist and Confession, which each get a chapter), at the Papacy, Mary and the Saints, about "good works" (especially care for the poor and the fostering of education), and the connection of faith, reason and happiness.

It was the final chapter that I found the weakest. I believe that Madrid here attempted to do too much, or just didn't have the heart to edit out some favorite phrases or appeals. A distinct and focused chapter on faith, reason and virtue would have been fine, with an epilogue delivering the final exhortation. Instead, it was all kind of loosely lumped together. When I turned the page and realized that there was no "summation" or final punch, I felt let down.

On the whole, however, "Why Be Catholic?" is a helpful book--and not only for the non-Catholic who is "tempted" to test the waters of Catholicism. The wavering Catholic who is willing to reflect with Madrid will also find a great deal of support, perhaps filling in the blanks of an inadequate religious education (or one that stopped at Confirmation!).

[Rene Call · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with the author’s conclusions concerning basic Christian beliefs. I do not agree that the Roman Catholic Church is the only true church that holds to these beliefs. And I do not agree with the views concerning Mary or things like needing to confess to a priest. He does present interesting arguments, and made me think and review Scripture.

[Vince Darcangelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://ensuingchapters.com/2014/06/21...

Why Be Catholic?

Patrick Madrid

I would love to grab a beer with Patrick Madrid. Beginning by analogizing the Catholic Church with Noah’s Ark—andwhy be catholic not always in a flattering manner—he comes across as funny and self-effacing, and very likeable.

It’s easy to see why Madrid is a popular blogger, lecturer and apologist. It’s this accessibility that will draw readers to Why Be Catholic?: Ten Answers to a Very Important Question, a short work with a lot of personality—but little to offer in terms of intellectual debate.

Going into this book, I had hoped it was intended for a general audience. Unfortunately, it is directed toward the choir. As I’m not part of the choir, I had hoped there would be a substantive argument drawing on scholarship and exegesis, but Madrid’s answers appear to have been composed to reinforce the faithful and educate believers of other denominations on the customs of the Catholic Church.

It is not an argument for Catholicism for nonbelievers, but rather for non-Catholics.

Madrid makes reference to atheists, agnostics and others, but never directly addresses these groups. Case in point: He mistakenly writes of the “miracle” of Lanciano that “Scientists have not been able to explain it, nor have atheists been able to debunk it.” Well, the burden of proof is on the believers, not the scientists. The church is in possession of a bit of human tissue and blood, allegedly consecrated from bread and wine ~700 C.E. No dispute there. They have human tissue and blood. So does Dexter. What proof exists that they started as tapas?

But to be fair, that’s not the point of Why Be Catholic?. This book is for readers for whom issues of existence or nonexistence have already been decided. If you count yourself among them, then I recommend this book as a light, enjoyable read.

For theological debate, try elsewhere.

My preference would be to discuss it with Madrid over a beer. Or maybe tapas.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book for either a Catholic or for a Catholic that has left the church for whatever reason. For today’s Catholic he helps define what it means to be a Catholic and explains the teachings of the church in a way that is easy to understand but also has all of the reverences to go along with them. He also explains how or what events when he was younger made him defend his faith. I found that part of the book interesting, for I would not have been able to do that when I was a teen. Being a Catholic, I realized that that this book is not only for adults but for families and for children. This is the one thing we lack at times, teaching what it means to be Catholic, the true meaning. The importance of our sacraments and where in the scriptures they come from. By doing this our young people would feel more empowered and not feel like they are defending the church from the beginning. He does tells of a story of a teenage girl going to a Priest and asking for help and he could not even make the time to pray with her. Those type of stories are hard to dismiss, for there are hundreds, thousands of them out there. Some people should not be a priest. That part is something that when I heard that story broke my heart for that women. He speaks of the scandal and like most books about the church he dealt with it at the beginning. Again growing up in the church it seems less than but I feel very sorry for all who came forward and for those who could not. This book was a very honest and good book about the reasons why to be a Catholic. For me it just reaffirmed my Love for Christ. A good book for Catholics and none Catholics. I also think that every family should be given a copy of this book. I got this book from net galley.

[Karen E. Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads contest. If you had any questions about the Catholic faith that left you confuse, this book clears up a lot of those misconceptions. Patrick Madrid was once a person who had his faith questioned yet could not defend it because even he didn't know the answer. That lead him to research and go deep into the Catholic Faith. All his hard work is now given to us and we no longer have to spend large quantities of time researching it ourselves. He describes, like the title said, the top ten reasons why being Catholic is amazing. Not only does he give well inform information but stories from his life to explain his point. As a Catholic myself I learned a lot of new information and a deeper appreciation of the faith I grew up in. A great read for all new and mature people of faith.

[Senona Macias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received this book from a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway.

I am Catholic and was hoping to learn new things about my faith. I did!! There was a lot of information to take in. I also really liked the author's own questions of his faith. It was also great to see someone so invested in their faith. Patrick is someone who truly believes what he writes and this is very evident throughout the book. It was a nice change of other books that tell what should be and this book that gives you real life experiences from the author.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of "Why Be Catholic" by Patrick Madrid through the "Good Reads First Reads Giveaway."

I became curious about the book since I am a practicing Catholic and wondered how accurate this representation of my religion would be. I am most impressed with the depth of information contained in this book and think an alternative title for it could be "Why I Remain a Catholic." It would be a challenging book for an intellectually curious Protestant but is an inspiring read for Catholics as well.

[Mark Van hout · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an excellent reminder of why I love being Catholic. When Patrick Madrid said that worshipping without the Eucharist is senseless, it makes sense. Jesus started the whole thing with the command, "Do this, in memory of me". If we have no Eucharist, we have no purpose. An excellent read for the Catholic and non-Catholic alike.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written and insightful book that shows non-Catholics (and reminds Catholics) the wonder that is the Catholic church. Patrick Madrid does not hide from what has gone wrong in the 2000+ year history of the church, but shows how the good outweighs the bad.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why be Catholic? Because the Catholic Church teaches the truth, that's why. Full review at http://rannthisthat.blogspot.com/2014...

[Jonas Stephan Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

God so good Corking