Catholic Thought discussion

As I said in the schedule topic a long term, recurring read is defined as this: Given that book clubs seem to have an endurance of about six weeks of discussion at the max for any given work before interest dies out, a large book can only be handled in segments that recur. So we would read for about a months length of time to a convenient stop in the book, and go one to our next reads and then pick back up with the recurring read when it's turn comes up. We would do this for as often as required to complete the book.

Examples of such long works that would go beyond our six week limit would be Dante's Divine Comedy, Catechism of the Catholic Church, Augustine's The City of God, Aquinas' Summa Theologica, and so on. Those are the ones that come to my mind.

Let's use this topic thread for brainstorming this week, and next week we'll use it for actual nominations. What comes to your mind?

Manny, As you probably know, Ron Hansen is a novelist and the Gerard Manley Hopkins Professor in the Arts and Humanities at the University of Santa Clara. What would you and the others think of reading his classic Mariette In Ecstasy?

Actually Frances that's a perfect Catholic fiction work. It's already on my list to read. But it's only around 180 pages. That could easily be done in six weeks or less. Why don't you nominate it when we get to a regular read, after this recurring one? I think it's too short for this read. For those not familiar, you can read about the book here: Mariette in Ecstasy

By the way, when I went over to Amazon to check the book length, I noticed it's currently on sale for $2.99 on Kindle. Here if anyone is interested:
https://www.amazon.com/Mariette-Ecsta...

On our bookshelf I added a designation shelf for long reads or books with 500+ pages. We have 16 so far, some of which we've read. I am not completely done with the canvassing, but its a good start :)

Kerstin wrote: "On our bookshelf I added a designation shelf for long reads or books with 500+ pages. We have 16 so far, some of which we've read. I am not completely done with the canvassing, but its a good start :)"

That’s a good list Kerstin. Let me see if can think of more.

Searching around for more long Catholic works suitable. I found this: Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma. Amazon says this: " Recognized as the greatest summary of Catholic dogma ever put between two covers. A one-volume encyclopedia of Catholic doctrines. Tells exactly what the Church teaches on any particular topic." Sounds more like an encyclopedia than a read but one could throw this into the mix.

If one is looking for novels, there's the Sigrid Undset trilogy Kristin Lavransdatter.

Another thought would be Dietrich Von Hildebrand's Transformation in Christ.

Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul could also be a suggestion for a long read.

Lisa wrote: "Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul could also be a suggestion for a long read."

Yes! Excellent thought Lisa.

The Canterbury Tales
Catechism of the Catholic Church

These would be my choices.

On another note, I don't have internet right now, so (I'm doing this from my phone). It may be Monday or Tuesday before all is fixed.

Kerstin wrote: "The Canterbury Tales
Catechism of the Catholic Church

These would be my choices.

On another note, I don't have internet right now, so (I'm doing this from my phone). It ..."
Hmm. The Canterbury Takes as a Catholic book. Good thought.

Official nominations start tomorrow and last all week. You’ll be fine.

Another novel to read would be Quo Vadis.

I don't know if needs to be said - probably does - but I here open nominations for our long term read.

I nominate Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Have people read this through? I haven't. I've looked up things but I hear it's not only insightful but a delightful read. Every Catholic involved in his faith and of some intelligent bent should have this as a prerequisite to their intellectual journey.

Manny wrote: "I don't know if if needs to be said - probably does - but I here open nominations for our long term read.

I nominate Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Have people read this through?..."

I have read it twice. It is very good and very readable.

I nominate the following five books:

St. Francis of Assisi and the Conversion of the Muslims by Rega, Frank M. (The only biography of St. Francis written by a Franciscan with a PHD in history. He sorts fact from fantasy).

Bearing False Witness: Debunking Centuries of Anti-Catholic History by Stark, Rodney (Written by a non-Catholic but very thought and discussion provoking).

Where We Got The Bible: Our Debt to the Catholic Church by Graham, Henry Grey (Short compilation of sermons on the
Bible)

Revolution and Counter-Revolution by Oliveira, Plinio Corrêa De (explaining the moral crisis in modern society and the Church)

Return to Order: From a Frenzied Economy to an Organic Christian Society by John Horvat (The timeless principles of an organic Christian society)

Ken, it's one nomination per person. Also, this is for the long term read. Go to the top comment where I explain a long term read. It probaly should be over 400 pages. It's for reads that would be too long in a 4-6 week time span. I think only your last one qualifies. But hold on to the other selections for the following read when we read a regular length book. Those all strike me as good reads, especially the one about where we got the Bible. That one piques my interest.

Manny wrote: "Ken, it's one nomination per person..."
Wooops

Lisa wrote: "Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul could also be a suggestion for a long read."

Love this idea!

My nomination is The Red Horse

Leslie wrote: "My nomination is The Red Horse "

Leslie, welcome back! What a great idea. And at over 1000 pages it certainly qualifies as a long read. :) I was unsure if it had Catholic themes, and after doing some research it definitely does.

Hope everything is well with you.

Kenneth wrote: "Manny wrote: "Ken, it's one nomination per person..."
Wooops"

That's quite alright. You know, I'm not sure it actually says in the written down rules, but that has been our practice for as long as I can remember. If everyone nominated four or five, we'd have more books than people voting.

Did you want to keep Return to Order: From a Frenzied Economy to an Organic Christian Society as your nomination?

Manny wrote: "Leslie wrote: "My nomination is The Red Horse "

Leslie, welcome back! What a great idea. And at over 1000 pages it certainly qualifies as a long rea..."

Thanks Manny. I've been tied up for awhile and hope to rejoin you with the new year's reads. I've missed the group Augustine is a favorite of mine, so I'm quite sad to have missed that. Yes, this is definitely a Catholic read. Another Catholic book club I'm in read this this year and I had to miss the discussion and was so bummed. It's very interesting history. Hope the group will seriously consider it.

I'm torn between nominating Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul and The Divine Comedy. I want to read both in the near future, but I think Dante may be easier for a long read due to having three separate sections.

Quo Vadis, by Henryk Sienkiewicz

There are so many great nominations here that I am reluctant to add another one. So, I think I will hold off on the one I had until the next round.

Lisa wrote: "Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul could also be a suggestion for a long read."

I've read that.

Manny wrote: "I don't know if needs to be said - probably does - but I here open nominations for our long term read.

I nominate Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Have people read this through? I ..."

I think I read it awhile ago.

Has anyone read Cleansing Fire by Peter B. Kelly? It is over 400 pages. I thought it was awesome.

Susan wrote: "Has anyone read Cleansing Fire by Peter B. Kelly? It is over 400 pages. I thought it was awesome."

I have not. Never heard of it. Looked it up and it sounds interesting. Are you nominating it?

Also Lisa, please choose one of the two if you wish to nominate. Nominations will end Saturday night/Sunday morning.

Manny wrote: "Susan wrote: "Has anyone read Cleansing Fire by Peter B. Kelly? It is over 400 pages. I thought it was awesome."

I have not. Never heard of it. Looked it up and it sounds interesting. Are you nomi..."

I am not sure how all this works and would feel bad nominating something if others didn't enjoy it/find it interesting - can you tell I feel stressed? Haha. I really thought it was a page-turner and rather seamlessly included so much Catholic information in a riveting story (although it has been a bit since I read it), and after I had read it, I saw it on the shelf in the priest's office in one of, if not the most orthodox church around me, so it seems to be acceptable from that point of view. I believe you can only get it from the author's site though, so that may be a difficulty for some. It came right on time and was personally signed by him. If it cannot be nominated for that reason, one might still find it a great read on their own.

How it works is starting Sunday I take all the nominations and create a poll for the group to vote. The book with the most votes is the one selected. Of course we may be disappointed but frankly by the time we have finished the book it is long forgotten who actually nominated it. Once we put it to a vote it becomes a group decision. I wouldn’t fret over whether people will like it. Once the nominations are up people will do plenty of research and discerning to pick the one they think is right for them. So don’t feel like you’re going to be blamed.

Now if the book is hard to get, that’s a different issue. I’ll leave that up to you but if a majority of people do want to read the book I bet people won’t mind digging for it.

Hope that helps.

Manny wrote: "How it works is starting Sunday I take all the nominations and create a poll for the group to vote. The book with the most votes is the one selected. Of course we may be disappointed but frankly by..."

Yes, thank you! :)

One can get the book through Amazon third seller parties. I just put it on my wishlist :)

Kerstin wrote: "One can get the book through Amazon third seller parties. I just put it on my wishlist :)"

Oh, thanks Kerstin.

I'm going to hold off on nominating this time around. Hopefully I'll be able to join in discussing whatever is picked, but life has been totally crazy. Looks like some interesting books being nominated.

Lisa wrote: "I'm going to hold off on nominating this time around. Hopefully I'll be able to join in discussing whatever is picked, but life has been totally crazy. Looks like some interesting books being nomin..."

Ok. I know, it’s so hectic this time of year. Hopefully in a few weeks things get back to normal. This will be a recurring read, so you can always catch up. So please vote when the poll comes out.

So let me summarize where we are. To my count - and someone correct me if I am wrong - I see five nominations. They are:

Catechism of the Catholic Church by Pope St. JPII

Return to Order: From a Frenzied Economy to an Organic Christian Society by John Horvat

The Red Horse by Eugenio Corti

Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz

Cleansing Fire: Welcome to the New Springtime by Peter B. Kelly

Any others? One more day for nominations.

I think there is also The Divine Comedy and Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul that were nominated. I could be wrong.

Joseph wrote: "I think there is also The Divine Comedy and Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska: Divine Mercy in My Soul that were nominated. I could be wrong."

No, she pulled back and decided not to nominate. See her comment #36. You can nominate one of them if you like Joseph.

I nominate The Divine Comedy .

Joseph wrote: "I nominate The Divine Comedy ."

OK! The greatest work of literature of ll time!

Manny wrote: "Joseph wrote: "I nominate The Divine Comedy ."

OK! The greatest work of literature of ll time!"

I've actually never read it!

Joseph wrote: "Manny wrote: "Joseph wrote: "I nominate The Divine Comedy ."

OK! The greatest work of literature of ll time!"

I've actually never read it!"

If it's picked, it will be a real treat.

Group, the Poll is up and if I set it correctly will end in the wee hours of the morning of the 31st, You can find the poll here:

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...