Rekindled: How Jesus Called Me Back to the Catholic Church and Set My Heart on Fire

by Mallory Smyth

Winner of a second-place award for popular presentation of the faith by the Catholic Media Association.

Mallory Smyth has been where many young Catholics are today. But the difference between her and other fallen-away Catholics is that she figured out that when she overlooked the shortcomings of the Church as an institution, she fell in love with Jesus and rediscovered the beauty and truth of her faith. In Rekindled , Smyth’s raw, relatable account of her own disillusionment and departure is sure to resonate with anyone who has struggled to feel at home in the Church. For anyone who has left the faith or has one foot out the door, this powerful book just might illuminate a path back home—to a Church that is both holy and in need of perfection. Shallow homilies. Hypocritical authority figures. Trite answers to pressing questions. These and other shortcomings of the Church have led plenty of Catholics to question their faith—or to abandon it entirely. Rekindled is for those who have left the Church and those with one foot out the door. Smyth’s account of her own disillusionment and departure is relatable and honest. She understands and validates the pain and doubt that many Catholics and former Catholics feel. Smyth also provides you with practical guidance for keeping your faith even when what you encounter in the Church falls

Genres: Religion, Faith

160 pages, Paperback

Published November 6, 2020

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting in this book.. but also was wanting something different. Maybe more?

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was both validating and challenging to me as a cradle Catholic. Mallory Smyth acknowledges the disappointment and discouragement many Catholics raised in the '80s and '90s feel over the poor catechesis they received in CCD class and over the sex abuse scandals, but it doesn't stop there. Rather, Mallory demonstrates the many wonderful reasons to stay in the Church despite the human faults that have plagued it over the decades, and encourages a reversion to the truth of the faith. Almost all of my Catholic friends are converts, and sometimes it feels like they don't relate to the cynicism I felt about the faith during my teens and 20s. This book helped me see clearly the path that I have been on, taking me away from those feelings, and how far I might still have to go on that journey. I think this is a great book for anyone seeking to return to the Church and also for anyone who wants to understand cradle Catholics who have either left and come back or simply struggled to stay.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Mallory's book! It really resonated with me and brought me back a few times. The youth group she mentions is the same one I was in. We went to Catechism together for a short time & she was always very sweet. I sang next to her sister a few times with the youth band and I was always secretly envious of her angelic voice. Hers and the other Lindsay's--who sang lead--as well. Two beautiful Lindsays with voices like angels. I was so honored to be singing with them! Their other sister just joined my Women's Empowerment group on FB. I watched a video of her giving her own homily and spreading that faith, joy, & love we all crave so much & she seemed vaguely familiar. I have to admit, I was a little star-struck at first. Mallory's sister just joined my group... Who's next? Mallory herself? Maybe even Lindsay and her mom?! I'm sure I'd seen her in church all those years back... Mallory and I graduated the same year & grew up in the same city, so the familiarity was so real! I worked in the front office at a dental office from 2014-2020 & helped check in her sister Lindsay one day & happily re-introduced myself since it'd been so long since seeing her last (2004-ish). I realized who her parents were & the whole thing came together for me. Her dad, Kerry Bueche, is a Lay Evangelist of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. When he and his wife, Jan, heard of my husband and my fertility struggles, they asked me at one of their dental visits if he could pray with me. Of course, I said yes! Together, we blessed my womb. He had a way about him that was just so peaceful and calming. I could feel God's warmth through his and Mrs. Jan's hands on my stomach & hands, too. When he was finished his prayer, it was like I was sucked back to life & tears were streaming down my face. He said while he was praying, he was seeing twin babies. That was probably almost 5 years ago now, but today, I'm happy to report that I not only was able to finish this beautiful book, but I also hope to have some sweet news to share with a few loved ones for Christmas this year! Pray for us, pray with us, & we'll pray for you, too! I'm passing my book along to my sister, who has finally met the man we believe she will marry. Bonus: He's Catholic! She's struggled with Catholicism all her life, but has always love Jesus Christ, our Lord and savior. I hope she, too, will be inspired like I've been to continue to spread the good Word of God. My husband mentioned wanting to read it as well, so I'm looking forward to his review, too! God and his benevolence never ceases to amaze me! 10/10 RECOMMEND!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Mallory Smyth was invited to a party for a former NFL player's sixteen-year old son, she expected the best food and drink and a fun night. What she got was an evening of watching under-age kids wearing revealing clothes and dancing to songs with lyrics which made her cringe. She just felt emptiness. One scene especially stood out - the rope separating the teenagers from the adults. The parents of these Catholic schools knew that their children were breaking the rules, but they didn't care.

It reminded Mallory of the life that she'd lived which didn't bring true happiness. She writes luminously about how only faith can bring freedom and joy and she found it by going back to the Catholic faith in which she'd been brought up. She had 'cute clothes and great friends' and everything that she thought that she wanted, but she eventually realised that these were just idols, so she decided to explore the truth and the history of Christianity.

Mallory Smyth doesn't shy away from controversial topics in this book. She discuss the child abuse scandal of the Church, and she also writes about the Church's teachings on homosexuality, sex before marriage and birth control. She is also very concerned with how the Church can reach out to the young.

This is a wonderful book to read for anyone considering converting, or wanting to return to the fold. Congratulations, Mallory!

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Brenda Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

I converted in 2020 so I am not in danger of walking away from the Church. But my 22 year old daughter who converted with us is struggling to understand her faith, as she battles the messages from culture and struggles with missing the entertainment based hype of a Protestant church service. We are studying this book together and it has been invaluable. Mallory Smyth speaks from the perspective of a Millennial (not significantly older than my daughter) who has openly struggled with the "why's" of submitting to the life-giving teachings of the Catholic Church and the messages that our culture gives to young people that they're somehow missing out. Mallory loves Jesus, but she also clearly loves people and is not afraid to sit with the hard questions.

[Stephanie Marcinkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grabbed Rekindled at a Catholic Women's Conference and was drawn to it because of the theme - bringing people back into the folds of the Catholic Church. Many of the topics addressed were spot on regarding why people left the church behind. I appreciated the author's organization of each chapter - What I Experienced/What I Learned/Why I Stayed - as a way to keep the reader engaged with the material. As a mom of adults, I found this book to be quite the eye-opener and a source for how to handle some difficult questions about my faith should they come up.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how down to earth this book is! Mallory did a great job explaining many aspects of the Catholic faith that cause people to walk away. I really enjoyed that each chapter was broken down into three sections- What I Experienced, What I Learned, and Why I Stayed. The book taught me new things along the way. I really like that she mentioned the goodness and brokenness of the Church and that we can find Christ in both the good and the bad.

[Becca Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mallory could have stolen many thoughts from my diary and my personal experience in this book- but she made all those thoughts incredibly eloquent. I want to buy this for all my youth group kids! Loved this book very much.

[Jodi Tooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

With amazing insight and penetrating honesty Mallory shares her journey back to the Roman Catholic Church through personal anecdotes. She brings a fresh perspective and uses both scripture and the catechism to explain why.

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

A frank and even handed acknowledgement of the flaws in the Catholic church, but also the beauty.