What do you think?
Rate this book
Why Be Catholic?: Understanding Our Experience and Tradition
"The book should help every thinking Catholic. It would also make a good RCIA resource as well as a blockbuster stimulus for discussions."— Book Nook, Pecos Benedictine
The authors answer the question, "Why Be Catholic?" fairly and squarely, showing a deep appreciation about what is good in Catholicism and a penetrating honesty about the Church's shortcomings. Rohr and Martos also examine what it means to be Catholic in the United States today. Finally, to answer the title question in a more personal way, they present portraits of some outstanding Catholics, especially those we call saints, who have found personal fulfillment by living their faith to the utmost.
After reading this book, you will appreciate more fully the unique heritage of the Catholic Church. You will understand how its magnificent tradition enriches the lives of Catholics today and propels the ever-changing Church into the 21st century and third millennium. A popular resource for RCIA, evangelization and religious education.
The authors answer the question, "Why Be Catholic?" fairly and squarely, showing a deep appreciation about what is good in Catholicism and a penetrating honesty about the Church's shortcomings. Rohr and Martos also examine what it means to be Catholic in the United States today. Finally, to answer the title question in a more personal way, they present portraits of some outstanding Catholics, especially those we call saints, who have found personal fulfillment by living their faith to the utmost.
After reading this book, you will appreciate more fully the unique heritage of the Catholic Church. You will understand how its magnificent tradition enriches the lives of Catholics today and propels the ever-changing Church into the 21st century and third millennium. A popular resource for RCIA, evangelization and religious education.
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1989
About the author
Richard Rohr
241 books2,419 followersFr. Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fr. Richard's teaching is grounded in the Franciscan alternative orthodoxy—practices of contemplation and expressing itself in radical compassion, particularly for the socially marginalized.
Fr. Richard is author of numerous books, including Everything Belongs, Adam’s Return, The Naked Now, Breathing Under Water, Falling Upward, Immortal Diamond, Eager to Love, and The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation (with Mike Morrell).
Fr. Richard is academic Dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation. Drawing upon Christianity's place within the Perennial Tradition, the mission of the Living School is to produce compassionate and powerfully learned individuals who will work for positive change in the world based on awareness of our common union with God and all beings. Visit cac.org for more information.
Fr. Richard is author of numerous books, including Everything Belongs, Adam’s Return, The Naked Now, Breathing Under Water, Falling Upward, Immortal Diamond, Eager to Love, and The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation (with Mike Morrell).
Fr. Richard is academic Dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation. Drawing upon Christianity's place within the Perennial Tradition, the mission of the Living School is to produce compassionate and powerfully learned individuals who will work for positive change in the world based on awareness of our common union with God and all beings. Visit cac.org for more information.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 10, 2011
Should be titled, "Why being Catholic has both aggravating challenges and beautiful depth." I appreciate his balanced perspective.
May 18, 2024
A PRESENTATION OF FOUR LECTURES GIVEN BY RICHARD ROHR IN 1985
Coauthor Joseph Martos wrote in the Preface to this 1989 book, “In 1985 Franciscan Father Richard Rohr presented four talks at St. Francis Renewal Center … He spoke on a topic of increasing concern to many people … the meaning of their identification with the Christian tradition and the purpose of their membership in the Roman Catholic Church… The spirit of reform in the first years after the [Vatican] Council eliminated much that had been uniquely Catholic in the Church’s public life… During the 1980s the pace of practical reform slowed down, however, and those who viewed may traditional Catholic practices as antiquated saw their hopes of Church renewal fading… On both the right and the left, therefore, Catholic s have been wondering about the Church and their role in it…
“I, as theologian and teacher at Xavier University, experienced it both within the academic world and within the pastoral world of parish life… Richard Rohr and I believe that the truth is to be found in that broad middle ground where tension is experienced the most. The truth is to be lived … by accepting the Catholic heritage while working to change the institutional Church from within… Those who listened to Richard’s talks in 1985 came to understand how challenging it is to be truly Catholic… When I listened to the tapes of those talks, I felt that Richard’s understanding deserved to reach a wider audience… I took on the task of editing those tapes and writing a book that expressed the understanding we both have about the tradition we call our own.”
In the Introduction, he states “Young Catholics today… usually in young adulthood… have to face seriously the question, Why be Catholic? Older Catholics today… sometimes find themselves wondering… Why remain Catholic?... The answer to that question, however, cannot be simple… We have to develop an appreciation about what is good in Catholicism, but we also have to be honest about the Church’s shortcomings… we have to look at what it means to be Catholic in the United States today… Finally… we have to ask what kind of person we can expect to become if we take our Catholic faith seriously.”
The first chapter begins by asking, “What’s great about being Catholic? Tradition. The answer to this chapter’s question can be given in that single word… Catholicism is … a religious tradition with both Eastern and Western cultural elements... As an Eastern tradition, Christianity is a wisdom tradition… As a Western tradition, Christianity is a practical tradition.” (Pg. 3-4)
It continues, “Just as the call to personal conversion leads beyond the individual to community, so also the invitation to community ultimately leads beyond itself…. The apostles …realized that the good news that Jesus had revealed was meant … for the whole world… The mission of the Church is to complete what the apostles began. The Church is a sign of Christ’s continue presence in the world.” (Pg. 22) It adds, “Its mission is the extension of the Kingdom to all people and the transformation of the world into the Kingdom of God… The Church itself is meant to be a transformed society, a place where God’s love is experienced in community.” (Pg. 23)
In the second chapter, they observe, “The greater the light, the darker the shadow it casts… The same is true of great institutions, such as the Catholic Church… the brightness of Catholicism comes, first of all, from Jesus, from the revelation that he was and from the gospel that he preached… The darkness of Catholicism likewise comes from many sources. Jesus did not say everything that could be said about the gospel, and so Christians have sometimes misinterpreted his message… The Church is not perfect today partly because of the shadows it has inherited.” (Pg. 37-38)
They observe, “The role of leadership in the Church is to strengthen the members of the Church. Too often in the past, however, the … people obeyed, but they did not develop a mature faith of their own. That is the weakness of a strong institution. The Church… did not… demand that they become disciples of Christ and followers of the gospel, only followers of the clergy. It did not give them a moral vision that went much beyond keeping the Commandments and avoiding sexual impurity. It did not suggest that they should take personal responsibility or their own moral decisions or adult responsibility for shaping the world into God’s kingdom.” (Pg. 48)
They continue, “Today… Catholicism is in danger of losing its soul. The Second Vatican Council eliminated much of the medievalism in the Church but with it went much of the Catholic tradition’s feminine spirituality. On the surface we can see changes such as the decrease in Marian devotion and the slow substitution of secular clothing for clerical dress. Beneath the surface, however, deeper and less visible changes are occurring. The issue is one of spirituality…” (Pg. 62)
They point out, “Before the Second Vatican Council, Catholics had a pretty clear idea of what it meant to be Catholic. Being Catholic meant going to Mass every Sunday and to confession at least once a year… Most Catholics tended to identify their faith with the external observances and doctrinal beliefs that set them apart from other Christians.” (Pg. 71)
They add, “Ethnic Catholicism in America, however, is breaking down. The old parish is not what it used to be. Catholic families are not carrying on the customs and traditions of their grandparents… We no longer are automatically, ethnically Catholic. As a result, we have little awareness of what the Catholic answers to our real life questions could be. If we are to find those answers in the Catholic Church of today and tomorrow, we have to look at four areas of Catholic life… religious experience, Catholic identity, Church authority and personal mission.” (Pg. 77)
They summarize, “It is not easy, perhaps it is not even possible, to life the life of Jesus along. This is why for those who follow Jesus it is necessary to be a church, a Body of Christ. The mission of each Christian is to life the good news, just as Jesus did. But the mission cannot be accomplished… without the support of sisters and brothers in the Lord… If the Church is to be renewed in our day…it must be through the new life that Jesus has given us and made possible for us… But that can only happen if each of us makes Christ’s mission our own personal mission.” (Pg. 109)
In the final chapter, they note, “One of the best ways to understand our own religious tradition is to recall that litany of individuals whom we recognize as having been great Christians… the people we call saints are the heroes and heroines of that story. They are at once the paragons of Christianity and the paradigms of Christian living.” (Pg.111-112)
They acknowledge, “A quarter-century ago the Second Vatican Council told religious orders to reform themselves by returning to the charism of their founder, yet when the orders actually have done this the hierarchy have sometimes resisted. They bemoan the fact that nuns so not wear habits… They decry the fact that priests and brothers are leaving large institutions empty...” (Pg. 125)
They conclude, “Some saints stand out before all the world. Even people who are not Catholics, or who are not Christians perhaps, see in their lives a spiritual greatness that is as deep as it is broad. They see dedication and conviction, purity and loyalty, love and openness that are rare by human standards…” (Pg. 141) “this brief list of exemplary saints … could not be complete without mentioning St. Francis of Assisi… it is impossible to classify him except by calling him an exemplar of Christian holiness.” (Pg. 142)
This book will interest reflective Catholics, and related spiritual ‘seekers.’
Coauthor Joseph Martos wrote in the Preface to this 1989 book, “In 1985 Franciscan Father Richard Rohr presented four talks at St. Francis Renewal Center … He spoke on a topic of increasing concern to many people … the meaning of their identification with the Christian tradition and the purpose of their membership in the Roman Catholic Church… The spirit of reform in the first years after the [Vatican] Council eliminated much that had been uniquely Catholic in the Church’s public life… During the 1980s the pace of practical reform slowed down, however, and those who viewed may traditional Catholic practices as antiquated saw their hopes of Church renewal fading… On both the right and the left, therefore, Catholic s have been wondering about the Church and their role in it…
“I, as theologian and teacher at Xavier University, experienced it both within the academic world and within the pastoral world of parish life… Richard Rohr and I believe that the truth is to be found in that broad middle ground where tension is experienced the most. The truth is to be lived … by accepting the Catholic heritage while working to change the institutional Church from within… Those who listened to Richard’s talks in 1985 came to understand how challenging it is to be truly Catholic… When I listened to the tapes of those talks, I felt that Richard’s understanding deserved to reach a wider audience… I took on the task of editing those tapes and writing a book that expressed the understanding we both have about the tradition we call our own.”
In the Introduction, he states “Young Catholics today… usually in young adulthood… have to face seriously the question, Why be Catholic? Older Catholics today… sometimes find themselves wondering… Why remain Catholic?... The answer to that question, however, cannot be simple… We have to develop an appreciation about what is good in Catholicism, but we also have to be honest about the Church’s shortcomings… we have to look at what it means to be Catholic in the United States today… Finally… we have to ask what kind of person we can expect to become if we take our Catholic faith seriously.”
The first chapter begins by asking, “What’s great about being Catholic? Tradition. The answer to this chapter’s question can be given in that single word… Catholicism is … a religious tradition with both Eastern and Western cultural elements... As an Eastern tradition, Christianity is a wisdom tradition… As a Western tradition, Christianity is a practical tradition.” (Pg. 3-4)
It continues, “Just as the call to personal conversion leads beyond the individual to community, so also the invitation to community ultimately leads beyond itself…. The apostles …realized that the good news that Jesus had revealed was meant … for the whole world… The mission of the Church is to complete what the apostles began. The Church is a sign of Christ’s continue presence in the world.” (Pg. 22) It adds, “Its mission is the extension of the Kingdom to all people and the transformation of the world into the Kingdom of God… The Church itself is meant to be a transformed society, a place where God’s love is experienced in community.” (Pg. 23)
In the second chapter, they observe, “The greater the light, the darker the shadow it casts… The same is true of great institutions, such as the Catholic Church… the brightness of Catholicism comes, first of all, from Jesus, from the revelation that he was and from the gospel that he preached… The darkness of Catholicism likewise comes from many sources. Jesus did not say everything that could be said about the gospel, and so Christians have sometimes misinterpreted his message… The Church is not perfect today partly because of the shadows it has inherited.” (Pg. 37-38)
They observe, “The role of leadership in the Church is to strengthen the members of the Church. Too often in the past, however, the … people obeyed, but they did not develop a mature faith of their own. That is the weakness of a strong institution. The Church… did not… demand that they become disciples of Christ and followers of the gospel, only followers of the clergy. It did not give them a moral vision that went much beyond keeping the Commandments and avoiding sexual impurity. It did not suggest that they should take personal responsibility or their own moral decisions or adult responsibility for shaping the world into God’s kingdom.” (Pg. 48)
They continue, “Today… Catholicism is in danger of losing its soul. The Second Vatican Council eliminated much of the medievalism in the Church but with it went much of the Catholic tradition’s feminine spirituality. On the surface we can see changes such as the decrease in Marian devotion and the slow substitution of secular clothing for clerical dress. Beneath the surface, however, deeper and less visible changes are occurring. The issue is one of spirituality…” (Pg. 62)
They point out, “Before the Second Vatican Council, Catholics had a pretty clear idea of what it meant to be Catholic. Being Catholic meant going to Mass every Sunday and to confession at least once a year… Most Catholics tended to identify their faith with the external observances and doctrinal beliefs that set them apart from other Christians.” (Pg. 71)
They add, “Ethnic Catholicism in America, however, is breaking down. The old parish is not what it used to be. Catholic families are not carrying on the customs and traditions of their grandparents… We no longer are automatically, ethnically Catholic. As a result, we have little awareness of what the Catholic answers to our real life questions could be. If we are to find those answers in the Catholic Church of today and tomorrow, we have to look at four areas of Catholic life… religious experience, Catholic identity, Church authority and personal mission.” (Pg. 77)
They summarize, “It is not easy, perhaps it is not even possible, to life the life of Jesus along. This is why for those who follow Jesus it is necessary to be a church, a Body of Christ. The mission of each Christian is to life the good news, just as Jesus did. But the mission cannot be accomplished… without the support of sisters and brothers in the Lord… If the Church is to be renewed in our day…it must be through the new life that Jesus has given us and made possible for us… But that can only happen if each of us makes Christ’s mission our own personal mission.” (Pg. 109)
In the final chapter, they note, “One of the best ways to understand our own religious tradition is to recall that litany of individuals whom we recognize as having been great Christians… the people we call saints are the heroes and heroines of that story. They are at once the paragons of Christianity and the paradigms of Christian living.” (Pg.111-112)
They acknowledge, “A quarter-century ago the Second Vatican Council told religious orders to reform themselves by returning to the charism of their founder, yet when the orders actually have done this the hierarchy have sometimes resisted. They bemoan the fact that nuns so not wear habits… They decry the fact that priests and brothers are leaving large institutions empty...” (Pg. 125)
They conclude, “Some saints stand out before all the world. Even people who are not Catholics, or who are not Christians perhaps, see in their lives a spiritual greatness that is as deep as it is broad. They see dedication and conviction, purity and loyalty, love and openness that are rare by human standards…” (Pg. 141) “this brief list of exemplary saints … could not be complete without mentioning St. Francis of Assisi… it is impossible to classify him except by calling him an exemplar of Christian holiness.” (Pg. 142)
This book will interest reflective Catholics, and related spiritual ‘seekers.’
April 20, 2018
Read for character research. I don't usually read research books cover to cover, and therefore don't review them, but this one was slim. I don't think the authors present a convincing case for answering the title question in the positive; they are too fair-minded and honest, never discussing an ideal without also talking about its failures of execution. Which really makes this a far, far better book than if it had been one-sided. Readable and interesting though I imagine some (who have more involvement in the subject than I) might find Rohr's point of view divisive.
The Catholic tradition, which is reflected both in its theology and in its worship, is incarnational and sacramental. It takes the world seriously and encourages us to find God in the world. It takes human activity seriously and encourages us to be like Jesus in the world. The Church has consistently taught social justice because it believes that God's righteousness should be not just talked about but incarnated in the world of human affairs.
March 8, 2019
I really enjoyed listening to these conversational talks by Father Richard Rohr. Although they were recorded a while ago, the messages are still very much applicable to today. EVERY Catholic, especially modern Americans (he speaks in Ohio, so he sometimes references the American experience), should listen to these talks. Rohr's cadence of speech reminds me of Dr. Randy Pausch, which is a high compliment since I have listened to his Last Lecture multiple times. Rohr's talks definitely get you thinking about who you are as a Catholic and who you were meant to be.
March 23, 2020
I enjoyed a lot of the pieces of this book and there are certainly parts of it that are true and relatable today. However, it's clear that it was written at a very specific historical point for a very specific audience and I neither lived through that time nor am part of that audience. A modern reader would probably get a lot more out of a more modern Rohr work, and I do look forward to reading more of him.
February 18, 2024
Meh. I guess this would be ok for someone who knows literally nothing about Catholicism or someone who grew up Catholic and knows nothing about their faith, but this is a pretty tepid, toothless read. I could see it being useful for a small group of inquirers or reverts to Catholicism, but if you are a person that's "into Catholicism" it's very basic. He doesn't really answer the question of the title of the book very persuasively either.
Read
March 15, 2023One takeaway for me was that historically, change in the church is often led by the people, with the leadership being slow to catch on. Also a reminder that both Christ and most of the saints were subversive in their times. This leaves me a bit hopeful.
December 16, 2023
This was a lovely book showing the warmth and tradition of the Catholic faith. It was also supposed to show the other side of the coin, and I think it could have done a better job of that. I felt there were some glaring omissions.
March 6, 2018
I appreciated this book very much because of it's thoroughness and honesty. Being catholic is not my path, but I respect a great deal about it and this book deepened that for me.
August 23, 2020
Excellent book that offers needed insights into the good and the negative of the Catholic Church.
August 11, 2021
Some insights for me, certainly. But this is an old book and it missed many of the problems within the church. A worthwhile read for me...the sacraments and the history are at the core.
November 6, 2012
Short Review: Why Be Catholic by Richard Rohr - this is a series of lectures that was turned into a book later. I listened to the audiobook which was just the lectures. This is from 1985, but still very relevant. A great book for Evangelicals to listen into Catholics speaking to themselves. A very encouraging listen. Two good points. 1) Rohr approaches every strength as having a corresponding weakness. So Catholics tend to be very communal and submissive to the church (he see this as a strength), but the corresponding weakness is a lack of initiative. Another strength is that the Catholic church has an extremely long view of success (the corresponding weakness is a lack of immediacy.) 2) the Catholic church has a universal look at problems and issues. So even if the average catholic does not understand the full theology, the full theology has been well thought out by someone. This leaves people able to rest in the care of the church.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/why-be-catholic/
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/why-be-catholic/
April 8, 2016
Read this on New Year's Day while on retreat at the New Camaldoli Hermitage. This year is a year of exploring my spirituality... and part of that is exploring & making a sort of peace with my Catholic upbringing. I was browsing the retreat kitchen library for a place to start and came across this short, sweet, clear little book. The thing that struck me most was that this book (and the few others I browsed) were very clear on the point that most of the good bits about Catholicism also tend to be the bits that are often squashed by the church as an institution & bureaucracy. "But be Catholic anyway" .... "struggle from the inside" .... is the message I'm hearing. I'm just not sure, especially when I feel I've cobbled together my own spiritual tools (some probably borrowed from my own early experiences with Catholicism) that seem to work well to make meaning in my life and help me be a more loving person. But it feels right to at least be curious and engaged...
September 15, 2012
Joseph Martos turned a series of talks in the 1980s by Fr. Richard Rohr into this book. It seems dated in its optimism, since (in my opinion) Roman Catholicism was in a healthier place--spiritually and politically, anyway--23 years ago. But I particularly liked the emphasis in the latter parts of the book on emulating the Saints rather than obeying a list of rules. This was my first book-length foray into Fr. Rohr's writings, in preparation for the Franciscan Mysticism conference I'm attending in Santa Fe at the end of October 2012.
January 24, 2019
A very balanced exploration of the Catholic faith that sheds light on the deeper treasures of the church that are often hidden beneath the routine religious practice. Rohr and Martos present the agony and the ecstasy of Catholicism without shying away from those areas where the church has failed in representing the gospel of Christ. Well written in conversational tone, the book lays bare the wounds of the church while conveying a message of hope to those who want to hang in there with her for the next millennium.
May 9, 2015
Excellent book. I always appreciate Richard Rohr, but I found this read particularly helpful. Even as a Protestant, I so appreciated the way Rohr articulated both the history, legacy, and mission of the Church. He takes a good hard look at the Catholic tradition and is neither shy about it's flaws or gloating about it's gifts. His measured and kind look at Catholicism in America is both inspiring and hopeful while not being idealistic or disconnected from reality. I am coming away from this read with more clarity about the church, and hope for the people of God than I've felt in a long time.
May 2, 2014
I agree with the other reviews that suggest a different title, like "Where We Are As Catholics". It doesn't really really go deep into comparisons with other denominations.
To me it was a good reflection for long-time Catholics. It is much "easier" to read than the other Richard Rohr books I have tried, probably because it is based on talks.
I loved the last part about the different types of saints (and I am not that "into" saints!).
To me it was a good reflection for long-time Catholics. It is much "easier" to read than the other Richard Rohr books I have tried, probably because it is based on talks.
I loved the last part about the different types of saints (and I am not that "into" saints!).
April 4, 2011
So far I am really enjoying this book. The first part discussed the good things about being catholic, sacred tradition and inclusion, the second part is about the negatives of being catholic such as cultural catholocism and depency on the clery leaving many adult catholics spiritually immature. It is a good read for lent.
January 21, 2009
Overall this book was very balanced and fair. The authors took time to explore both the positive and negative aspects of Catholicism. I appreciated the emphasis on community. Although I didn't agree with everything they wrote I appreciated the slim volume for it's clarity and honesty.
November 1, 2009
Helped but my confict is continuing
November 14, 2009
I was amazing at all the good stuff catholic church contribute to....like public education. I read this one couple years back so I do not remember many details.
August 13, 2013
Trite and blase.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews