Cool Books to Read

[Chiquitunga]

[url="http://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/14/keywords/Holy+Name/"]The Spiritual Legacy of Sr. Mary of the Holy Trinity[/url], Poor Clare of Jerusalem &

[url="http://www.tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/35/keywords/way+of+divine+love/"]The Way of Divine Love[/url], by Sr. Josefa Menendez

[she_who_is_not]

[i]Tools Matter for the Spiritual Life[/i] by Sr. Mary Margaret Funk. This book has made a profound difference in my spiritual life.

[Deus te Amat]

[i]Imitation of Christ[/i] -- Thomas a Kempis (its absolutely AMAZING!)

[i]Imitation of Mary[/i] -- Alexander De Rouville (who wouldn't desire to strive to be more like Mother Mary?)

[Deus te Amat]

double post sorry!

Edited July 1, 2007 by Deus_te_Amat

[Chiquitunga]

[i]My Beloved: The Story of a Carmelite Nun,[/i] by Mother Catherine Thomas of Divine Providence, O.C.D.

This was the first book I read on Carmel is it was [i]wonderful[/i] with lots of great quotes from St. Teresa & St. John of the Cross - a great introduction to Carmel! Some reviews I have read online are critical of some aspects of it, as it was written before Vatican II. But the way of life described in this book is really exactly like the life in traditional Carmels today, with a few very minor changes. There is definitely nothing extreme at all.

It doesn't seem to be available to buy anymore, but you could try the library. Here's something on it on a blog [url="http://anglocath.blogspot.com/2005/11/back-in-good-old-days.html"]here[/url], and also on the [url="http://www.okcarmel.org/"]Oklahoma Carmel's site[/url], where Mother Catherine was (search 'Catherine' & you'll find it right away).

[Chiquitunga]

[url="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0935216073/ref=olp_product_details/002-8631375-6118421?ie=UTF8&seller="][b][i]Light Love Life: A Look at a Face and a Heart[/i][/b][/url]

[img]http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/b0/dc/ee70024128a082c199a7d010._AA240_.L.jpg[/img]

This book is soo incredibly beautiful!! It is like a sketchbook of her photos and writings. It's been out of print for a long time, but there are used copies available at amazon, and occasionally on eBay. It is a wonderful glimpse into the cloistered contemplative life, and it's a great thing also to pass on to your family or a friend after you leave.
[i]
[font="Book Antiqua"]"I am going to light, to love, to life." ~her last words[/font][/i]

[Chiquitunga]

[quote name='Margaret Clare' post='1348297' date='Aug 2 2007, 10:11 PM']It is like a sketchbook of her photos and writings.[/quote]
Or rather, a scrapbook I mean, with photos & excerpts put together from her writings, like this page on [url="http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/4353/sclothingcn9.jpg"]her clothing day[/url]

[Chiquitunga]

[quote name='Margaret Clare' post='1345808' date='Jul 31 2007, 08:16 PM'][i]My Beloved: The Story of a Carmelite Nun,[/i] by Mother Catherine Thomas of Divine Providence, O.C.D.

This was the first book I read on Carmel is it was [i]wonderful[/i] with lots of great quotes from St. Teresa & St. John of the Cross - a great introduction to Carmel! Some reviews I have read online are critical of some aspects of it, as it was written before Vatican II. But the way of life described in this book is really exactly like the life in traditional Carmels today, with a few very minor changes. There is definitely nothing extreme at all.

It doesn't seem to be available to buy anymore, but you could try the library. Here's something on it on a blog [url="http://anglocath.blogspot.com/2005/11/back-in-good-old-days.html"]here[/url], and also on the [url="http://www.okcarmel.org/"]Oklahoma Carmel's site[/url], where Mother Catherine was (search 'Catherine' & you'll find it right away).[/quote]
Actually, this is available used on amazon - in [url="http://www.amazon.com/My-Beloved-Story-Carmelite-Nun/dp/B000GWWA6Y/ref=sr_1_1/104-9101782-1412745?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186424756&sr=1-1"]hardback[/url] and [url="http://www.amazon.com/My-Beloved-Story-Carmelite-Nun/dp/B000P6ERY4/ref=sr_1_2/104-9101782-1412745?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186419371&sr=8-2"]paperback[/url].

Reading through it a little again, I realized Mother Catherine first entered Carmel in the Bronx before they moved to Beacon, NY. Then later she transferred to Oklahoma, where she wrote this book.

Then two other related books on Carmel in the US:

[url="http://www.amazon.com/FEW-LINES-TELL-LIFE-CARMEL/dp/B000PTMC70/ref=sr_1_1/104-9101782-1412745?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186423693&sr=8-1"][i]A Few Lines to Tell You: My Life in Carmel[/i][/url], by Sr. Marie of the Trinity

This book was written by the Discalced Carmelite Nuns in Iron Mountain, MI in 1957. It's a series a letters a young nun writes to her family describing in many details her life in Carmel from postulancy to solemn profession.

[i][url="http://www.amazon.com/Behold-little-cloud-rising-sea/dp/B00072OIY0/ref=gfix-ews-form/104-9101782-1412745"]Behold a Little Cloud Rising From the Sea[/url] - The spiritual biography of Mother Mary Electa of Christ[/i]

Mother Mary Electa was prioress of Brooklyn Carmel from 1948-69. She died in the odor of sanctity, and many graces have been obtained through her intercession. The title of this book is taken from the 18th chapter of the First Book of Kings, with the prophet Elijah on Mount Carmel. :j

Edited August 6, 2007 by Margaret Clare

[Slappo]

I havn't heard this one yet!

The Priest is Not His Own - Archbishon Fulton Sheen

I know I have a few others, but can't think of them off the top of my head!

Not a book, but Fr. John Corapi's seminarian retreat is a great set of CD's to listen to when discerning the priesthood... ohhhhh priests!

[tvu_srfan]

Finding God's Will For You by St. Francis de Sales.

I haven't finished the book, but I highly recommend it.

[be_thou_my_vision]

Anima Christi: Soul of Christ by Mother Mary Francis, PCC.

I've only read the first chapter, but this seems to be an EXCELLENT book! It breaks down the Anima Christi and elaborates on each line. Perfect for meditation.

[Sister Rose Therese]

For those of you who loved reading The Story of a Soul, and The Way of Divine Love.
[url="http://www.albahouse.org/JesusAppeals.htm"]Jesus Appeals to the World[/url], by Father Lorenzo Sales
Treatise on the Love of God, by St. Francis de Sales
The Autobiography of Dina Belanger (now blessed)
The Sacred Heart Prayer Book, by Sacred Heart Publishers
Abandonment to Divine Providence by Jean Pierre de Caussade
Not specific to vocation discernment but excellence spiritual books.

[Saint Therese]

The books that have been most helpful in m discernment are: (in no particular order) A Right to Be Merry, My Beloved-by Mother Mary Catherine, The Story of a Soul, Letters of Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity, Letters of St. Teresa of the Andes... I'm sure there's more. ( I just love that lil' kitten!)

Edited September 12, 2007 by Saint Therese

[Sister Rose Therese]

[quote name='tvu_srfan' post='1359170' date='Aug 15 2007, 10:55 AM']Finding God's Will For You by St. Francis de Sales.

I haven't finished the book, but I highly recommend it.[/quote]

[url="http://www.sophiainstitute.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=222"]http://www.sophiainstitute.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=222[/url]
Looks like a really good one. Haven't read this one, but I'd recommend anything St. Francis de Sales wrote.

[she_who_is_not]

Just have to add, [url="http://www.amazon.com/Mother-Teresa-Come-Be-Light/dp/0385520379/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-0721978-3112814?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191687816&sr=1-1"]Come be my light[/url]. No words neccesary. Just read it.