Catholic Readers discussion

All I know are in French, sorry.

Hi Maribel,

You have started and that is important. The three volumes of the Baltimore Catechism served as food for a number of generations prior 1992; now there is the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition”.(ISBN 1-57455-110-8). The big green book, published in 2000 has roughly 900 pages but covers a lot of ground. You can also look at Amazon for other catechisms, but I would suggest staying with those published by the USCCB.

Additionally, Frank Sheed has a short book “Theology for Beginners”. (ISBN 978-0-89283-124-1). Also, prior to becoming pope Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger wrote “Principles of Catholic Theology”. He goes into much deeper water than Sheed, so reading something by him such as “Introduction to Christianity” may be a good introduction.

You may want to ask your parish priest for suggestions. There is an enormous number of books on Theology; many of them really don’t reflect the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Good Luck.

I'd recommend Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Catholic Doctrine. It gives very readable and very good and faithful entries on a large number of issues and is a very good resource for studying theology.

The "Catechism of the Catholic Church" is very good, but it is not really designed for reading cover to cover. Rather, the CCC is more a reference for a classroom setting, and the articles need to be unpacked a bit by a good teacher. Better for thes is the "United States Catholic Catechism for Adults" published by the USCCB. Although it is also made for primarily a classroom setting, it is much more readable than the CCC, breaking it down into more manageable chunks, and it includes some very good introductory essays.

In the same vein as Sheed and Cardinal Ratzinger, I would also recommend "The Shape of Catholic Theology" by Aidan Nichols, O.P. And how can one forget Pope Benedict's "Jesus of Nazareth." The third volume on the Infancy narratives is currently being translated and will hopefully be published in time for Christmas.

I started with Confessions by Saint Agustin. Later I found some writings from Saint Theresa of Avila (very suitable for a woman) and fall deeply by her Las Moradas (or the inner castle). I'm about to finish Ratzinger's second book on Jesus and started to read Edith Stein (the science of the cross).

After reading these books, I feel now I need a more guide and structure, so I'm considering to start studying Theology as a second career.

Cecilia wrote: "I started with Confessions by Saint Agustin. Later I found some writings from Saint Theresa of Avila (very suitable for a woman) and fall deeply by her Las Moradas (or the inner castle). I'm about ..."

Thanks for shariang, Cecilia. If you are looking for a more structured approach in your reading, you might want to read St. Ignatious of Loyola and his Spiritual Exercises.

Cecilia wrote: "I started with Confessions by Saint Agustin. Later I found some writings from Saint Theresa of Avila (very suitable for a woman) and fall deeply by her Las Moradas (or the inner castle). I'm about ..."
Dear Cecilia,

I would recommend a very good "guide" and "structure" as a prelude to your beginning a second career in theology. It is a book written by a lay man who in the course of studying Theology for a Masters degree recognized the great treasures of Catholic Spirituality are so vast they needed a "primer of sorts".

After gaining his degree, he spent time in organizing his own experience into a wonderful "roadmap" for those who are seeking to grow as Jesus taught in His Word, as the saints followed faithfully, and as the Church continues to teach. I have read the book more than once, and continue to go back to it. His book references Scripture as well as the writings of our great saints, especially St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila, showing clearly how all of us are called to holiness, in stages.

I encourage you to look at the book entitled "The Ordinary Path to Holiness" written by R. Thomas Richard.

I second Theology for Beginners. Also look into Scott Hahn's books.

Each year the former doctorial students of Pope Benedict XVI are invited to a reunion with him. This year they are meeting at Castel Gandolfo for three days of seminars. The framework for their discussions this year is provided by the book – “Harvesting the Fruits: Basic Aspects of Christian Faith in Ecumenical Dialogue”, ISBN 978-1441162724, by Cardinal Walter Kasper; see this link.

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/...

I have not read a great deal about the conversations which have taken place between the various Christian denominations so I am finding this book interesting. Perhaps others my find it interesting as well.

Catechism of the Catholic Church is the best introduction one can get into all the basic theological concepts.

Maribel wrote: "Are there any Catholic Theology books out there? I'm trying to find out about some great Catholic books to go more in depth in my Catholic faith. I have read several Baltimore Catechisms but I feel..."

Are you looking for dogmatic theology? Sacramental theology? Spiritual theology? Moral theology? Can you be more specific?

Mike, I am taking a course in Ecumenism beginning this month, so I appreciated that link and the book recommendation!

booklady wrote: "Mike, I am taking a course in Ecumenism beginning this month, so I appreciated that link and the book recommendation!"

I am about 20% into the book and finding it a very arduous read. Cardinal Kasper was the President of The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity for decades and he seems to assume a certain level of knowledge regarding the affairs of that commission by the absence of explanation. Unfortunately, I lack the background knowledge to really appreciate his writings, so stubbornness rather than zeal is taking me through the rest of the book.

“Truth and Tolerance: Christian Belief and World Religions”; published in 2003 by then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger may be useful in preparing for your course.

I hope you enjoy your class.

Thank you! I printed out that article and showed to our instructor today ... who had not seen it btw and was very grateful for the info. The Amazon reviews of Cardinal Kaspar's book are favorable but -- as you said -- make it sound like a daunting read. Still, there's a lot to be said for stubbornness, aka, dogged persistence! ;) Thanks for the other recommendation--I have that book in my library already, so nothing to purchase. What I like so much is how this all ties into "The Year of Faith", but then isn't that the way of so much in our great Catholic Faith?!

Maribel wrote: All of these if possible



Then I hope you have a lot of free time! Or "had" a lot, if you take these many suggestions seriously. Even one field - spiritual theology for example - would not submit itself to quick reading. MariaChristi's recommendation I know would not, but I second her recommendation. A longer, more complete work in this field would be Fr. R. Garrigou-Lagrange's "The Three Ages of the Interior Life", a two-volume set. But again, these must be read slowly, carefully, thoughtfully.

Reading Jesus, An Historical Approximation. It is not a theological book in the strict sense. But it seems to be a well written book to understand the historical context in which Jesus lived. Seems really interesting.

What Catholics Believe: A Pocket Catechism by Mike Aquilina is good. Q&A on Catholic teachings.

This Tremendous Lover by Fr Eugene Boyland a Cistercian Monk. Based on doctrine of St Paul -- a beautiful book for everyone