Learning about Catholicism

[katesmom]

Hi. Im baptized catholic, but have not received the other sacraments. I plan to start RCIA in Feb 05. In the meantime, I am trying to learn about Catholicism thru reading / researching.

I checked out Catholicism for Dummies
and Catechism of the Catholic Church (this is very in depth) from my library

Any other suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Dream]

I was actually going to suggest Catholism for Dummies; it's surprisingly a very good informative book. Looks like you've already got that one though.

The Catechism is always a great resource, but it's not really something that you can read like a novel. It's usually a book I use for reference. If I'm curious about the Church's view on a particular issue, I'll look it up in the Catechism.

Sorry I can't be of much help, I'm sure somebody here will be able to give you a good suggestion.

 

[MParedon]

I liked Steve Ray's Crossing the Tiber and Scott Hahn's Rome Sweet Home, also Karl Keating's Catholicism and Fundamentalism. But they might not be what you are looking for exactly. The first two books are about conversions from other faiths and the biblical support. Keating's book is about refutations of attacks on the Church. All of them use Biblical and Church writings supports, etc.
I recommend looking in www.aquinasandmore.com. They have a range of books for every topic and when you find the ones that interest you, you could probably request them from your library.
I recently bought "We Believe.." A Survey of the Catholic Faith by Oscar Lukefahr, C.M. at my local Half-Price bookstore ($3.98! Woohoo ) and I think it's really great. It's cross-referenced to the Catechism, and I think it's good for people that are starting to learn about the Church. I also have Every Catholic's Guide to Sacred Scripture published by Thomas Nelson Pub. There might be better books out there, but I like the simple format (and I also like that I found it at the used bookstore )

 

[Carrye]

What are you looking to learn about, in particular? There's a lot of time, theology, people, places, practices in the Church ... what's one of your "must know" questions?

 

[katesmom]

I guess Im trying to learn about the Mass. Even though most of my family is Catholic, I know very little about the mass, sacraments, etc...

I was never made to go to Church as a child, so as an adult I rarely go. Now that Im a mom, I have this strong desire to deepen my relationship with God and learn about the Faith. I want to be able to her questions.

Thanks

 

[Maximus]

I recommend the book A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture, by Bishop Frederick Justus Knecht. It is available from TAN Books here.

 

[MParedon]

Scott Hahn has a series- The Last Supper: The Mass and Apocalypse you can listen to on RealPlayer. I also hear really good things about his book The Lamb's Supper.


The Incredible Catholic Mass: An Explanation of the Mass
by Martin Von Cochem
is also highly regarded. I flipped through it and found it very detailed.


I recommend: The How-To Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You
by Michael Dubruiel


oh, and you can go to the Mary Foundation Website and get free CD's (one is called: The Mass Explained)

Hope I helped

 

[Paul S]

For a good (and humorous) look at the Mass, read this. It's called "Why do Catholics Bounce on One Knee?"

 

[fwarren94551]

Hi. Im baptized catholic, but have not received the other sacraments. I plan to start RCIA in Feb 05. In the meantime, I am trying to learn about Catholicism thru reading / researching.

I checked out Catholicism for Dummies
and Catechism of the Catholic Church (this is very in depth) from my library

Any other suggestions? Thanks!

The Catechism on the Vatican site is the one I like to use (it's also free!). I find that it most helps to read it not so much literally as with a metaphoric sense, for I find (just me maybe) that it speaks of the Holy Spirit and the immortal soul. I find this very different from our daily reality.