Suggested readings for potential convert

[Lux]

I posted on here a while back, but now I'm getting very seriously interested in converting to Catholicism. I come from a secular family, so I've never been baptized or anything. At this point I don't yet feel comfortable attending Mass, because I know that my family would not approve. I'm going to be moving soon, at which point I intend to begin attending services. However, for right now, I'm interested in what books and texts you might suggest that I read (in addition to the Bible, of course!) What are your favorite books that have inspired or strengthened your faith?

[Not The Philosopher]

I'd recommend Orthodoxy by G.K Chesterton.

[Anomaly]

When I used to teach Catholicism, I would recommend "Why Do Catholics Do That" by Ken Johnson for real life basic info, get the Magnificat for daily and Mass readings of the bible in the Church's cycle, and the Catechism for a little more in depth info on applied Catholic theology and philosophy.  Simple, but a broad and practical start.  You'll soon be way ahead of most practicing Catholics if you so desire.   (And be very cautious of Internet forums).  

Edited June 21, 2016 by Anomaly

[Nihil Obstat]

Also be cautious of ex-Catholics with an axe to grind.

[KnightofChrist]

One of my favorite Catholic catechists is Fulton J. Sheen. Because he can, for me, make the complex easier to understand.

I would suggest reading his book "Your Life is Worth Living: The Christian Philosophy of Life" (Not to be confused with another of his books Life is Worth Living)

He also spoke very well and you can also listen to him give this catechism of shorts in MP3 format here: http://www.americancatholictruthsociety.com/articles/sheen.htm

Edited June 21, 2016 by KnightofChrist

[Gabriela]

Welcome to Phatmass, Lux (and hopefully, soon, to the Church)!  Personally, I learned A TON from just hanging out on Phatmass, reading, asking questions, and participating in general. I also started hanging out here before I was received into the Church, although I had been baptized Lutheran years before. (I certainly wasn't very Christian at the time!) You will find differing opinions here, but as I was exposed to those, I just found that they helped me understand where disagreements exist in the Church today, and that disagreement helped me discover where I need to learn more about what the Church actually teaches, where She allows room for disagreement, etc.

If you drive (or commute in any way), I recommend Lighthouse Catholic Media's CDs/mp3s. Also Thomas Merton's autobiography, "The Seven-Storey Mountain". And if you can handle "old" writing, St. Augustine's autobiography, "The Confessions". Bishop Robert Barron also has an amesome YouTube series where he addresses issues in contemporary culture from a Catholic perspective, which helps you to start "thinking Catholic" and to start to see the world through a Catholic lens.

Any book by the great modern apologists (Patrick Madrid, Mark Shea, Peter Kreeft, James Akin, and everyone's favorite, Scott Hahn) or by "older" apologists like G. K. Chesterton or Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman would also be great.

Finally, there's an "Apologetics Directory" on Phatmass here. And lots of other ones online that you can simply google, like this one, which lists a ton of books.

Oh, one more thing: Some people love reading apologetics and "heavy" Church documents, but I've found that reading Catholic literature (like, fiction) also helps one to "imbibe" or "internalize" Catholic thinking and belief. If you're interested in fiction, let us know, cuz Phatmassers can surely recommend a ton of Catholic authors.

Edited June 21, 2016 by Gabriela

[PhuturePriest]

Two books: Surprised by Truth, by Patrick Madrid, and Crossing the Tiber by Steve Ray. Both books are about anti-Catholic converts who took on the Catholic arguments, studied them in depth, and ended up becoming Catholic. Crossing the Tiber in particular is a very riveting and exciting read.

Edited June 21, 2016 by PhuturePriest

[Peace]

So much good stuff to read but here are a few suggestions from a fellow convert:

1 The How to Book of the Mass, Dubruiel 

2 The Latin Mass Explained, Moorman 

3 Life and Holiness, Merton 

4 Trent Session 6 on Justification

5 Interior Freedom, Philippe

6 Sacramental Theology, Stasiak

Edited June 21, 2016 by Peace

[NadaTeTurbe]

Introduction to the Devout Life, St Francis de Sales. It's useful suggestion on how to live your daily life and practice christian virtues. It have been a good guide for catholics since century. 

[Lux]

Thank you for all of your replies! I'll keep them all in mind as I start my summer reading.

9 hours ago, Gabriela said:

Oh, one more thing: Some people love reading apologetics and "heavy" Church documents, but I've found that reading Catholic literature (like, fiction) also helps one to "imbibe" or "internalize" Catholic thinking and belief. If you're interested in fiction, let us know, cuz Phatmassers can surely recommend a ton of Catholic authors.

I would be interested in hearing recommendations for Catholic lit/fiction. I don't want to bog myself down with too much philosophy/non-fiction at this point. I don't have much trouble picking that sort of stuff up, but I think I'd enjoy the experience more, and it would help me get adjusted to the Catholic perspective, if I started with something a little more...light-weight!

[Nihil Obstat]

Brideshead Revisited. Lord of the World.

[Gabriela]

18 minutes ago, Lux said:

Thank you for all of your replies! I'll keep them all in mind as I start my summer reading.

I would be interested in hearing recommendations for Catholic lit/fiction. I don't want to bog myself down with too much philosophy/non-fiction at this point. I don't have much trouble picking that sort of stuff up, but I think I'd enjoy the experience more, and it would help me get adjusted to the Catholic perspective, if I started with something a little more...light-weight!

I completely understand. Here are some famous ones:

Evelyn Waugh

Antonia White

Shusaku Endo (a Japanese Catholic author)

Flannery O'Connor

Fyodor Dostoevsky (Orthodox, but close enough)

Graham Greene

Georges Bernanos

Rumer Godden

Sigrid Undset

G. K. Chesterton's "Father Brown" mysteries

Robert Hugh Benson

James Joyce

Walker Percy

J. R. R. Tolkien (of course)

Victor Hugo

Alessandro Manzoni

 

 

Also, see here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Catholic_authors

I'm not sure about how Catholic some of these were, but if you ask on Phatmass, there's probably someone who can tell you how Catholic the writing of any of them is (as opposed to the person, which is a separate matter!).

[vee]

Go to to youtube and watch/ listen to old Mother Angelica episodes.  its worth a try at least and here is a clip to get you started.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__DwM0josJo

[veritasluxmea]

Louis de Wohl is a great Catholic fiction writer. His books are powerful but easy to read and they really bring the characters to life. I finished each book inspired and wanting more! 

The Spear is usually considered his best work. "This panoramic novel of the last days of Christ ranges from the palaces of imperial Rome to the strife-torn hills of Judea-where the conflict of love and betrayal, revenge and redemption, reaches a mighty climax in the drama of the Crucifixion. For this is the full story of the world's most dramatic execution, as it affected one of its least-known participants-the man who hurled his spear into Christ on the Cross. Among his many successful historical novels, Louis de Wohl considered The Spear the magnum opus of his literary career." 

My personal favorite of his is Set All Afire. It's a shorter read than The Spear but I liked it better. I actually cried at the end first time I read it... no spoilers!  It's one of the few books I'll re-read and I'm probably going to take it with me into the convent. "Saint Francis Xavier's life is, in itself, a dramatic story. With humility and deep religious conviction, the famous Catholic novelist Louis de Wohl takes us into the mind and heart of this great missionary and saint who went by order of St. Ignatius of Loyola to "set all afire" in the Orient. Louis de Wohl captivates the reader as he follows Xavier's life from student days in Paris, through his meeting with Ignatius, his rather reluctant conversion, and his travels as one of the first Jesuits. The story takes the reader from Europe to Goa, India, Malaysia, Japan, and finally, to an island off the coast of China. The book captures the dramatic struggles and inspiring zeal of this remarkable saint, giving at the same time an enthralling picture of the age in which he lived." 

His books were written a while ago and can be hard to find... I was lucky this Christmas to get an Amazon giftcard  But I think any fiction written by him will be well-written and a great story. You're getting a lot of great suggestions here, so I'd suggest bookmarking the thread and returning to it when you need more ideas. Best of luck, I'll pray for you.

[Seven77]

 Catholicism by Bishop Robert Barron, the Catechism, A Father Who keeps his promises by Scott Hahn, Story of a Soul by St. Therese, books by Matthew Kelly, others I can't remember.