sk Fr. Barron: What books should every Catholic read?

On the extremely practical front I might offer a few other thoughts here.

Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales.......

Doctor of the Church and unofficially "Doctor of the Laity" ...excellent work for holiness for those "in world" or "lay persons as it were".  I have started including sections of this masterpiece on this blog and will continue to do so.

A True Devotion to Mary by one St. Louis de Montfort.......

This saint had a HUGE influence on the Marian Spirituality of Pope John Paul II.  This IS one of the best works on Mary's role in the spiritual out there...quite excellent....and naturally.....it's from a saint.

The Great Means of Salvation and Perfection by St. Alphonsus de Ligouri....

Another excellent work on prayer and the basics of the spiritual life.


The True Spouse of Jesus Christ - 2 Volumes in One  by St. Alphonsus de Ligouri .....

One of the BEST works on the spiritual life out there...actually intended as an instruction of sorts for Spiritual Directors.


Ok, ANYTHING by St. Alphonsus de Ligouri

The Holy Eucharist is especially good.  This includes some amazing meditations for Eucharistic
Adoration


I think I am going to respectfully diverge from Fr. Barron on Thomas Merton.  Merton is a fairly popular figure in recent times, BUT, his work would NOT be considered on par with de Sales, de Montfort or de Ligouri.  Until Thomas Merton becomes "St. Thomas Merton"  and is declared a Doctor of the Church....he will not have nearly the authority or expertise of any saint, Church Father, and/or Doctor of the Church.

In fact, The Imitation of Christ  by Thomas Kempis would warrant a 1st look before Merton.


St. John of the Cross is trickier....Doctor of the Church and amazing saint.....but his writings are NOT terribly basic in regards to spiritual life.  He is one many would be well served reading AFTER getting a decent familiarity with the Spiritual Life as a whole.   One can get a sample of his writings "on-line" if they wish, a Google search should prove helpful.  Reading St. John of the Cross is a little like reading about the mindset of one that is about to be martyred - take the writings of St. Ignatius of Antioch for example.  VERY "hardcore"!  Many will want to "work up" to St. John.  If you do decide to peruse him, you might be best served starting with The Dark Night of the Soul which serves as perhaps his most summary oriented work of all his literary contributions.

More on this to come, but this should get one started :)




http://www.ncregister.com/blog/matthew-warner/ask-fr.-barron-what-spiritual-classic-books-should-every-catholic-read

Ask Fr. Barron: What books should every Catholic read?

by Matthew Warner Friday, January 18, 2013 3:20 PM Comments (45)

This week's question for Fr. Barron comes from Mike Hayes of BustedHalo.com. And you're going to get a great list of the great books throughout history that every Catholic should read.

Get ready to make some serious additions to your reading list!