Boox

[Ice_nine]

are there any books that have helped y'all out int the beginning of the descernment process? I am woefully ignorant of a lot of the major orders (franciscans/dominicans/carmelites et al) and of a lot of the saints in general. I know, I smell of elderberries at life, but if y'all have any recommendations for a n00b, help a girl out.

ps, hope you vs'ers are prepared to get used to my mug showing up here. I'm gonna be spending more time on this forum. You lucky dogs you.

[TheresaThoma]

"And you are Christ's" by Fr Thomas Dubay
The Holy Rule of St Benedict

I'm currently reading some of St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross's works. It is fascinating. She gets into the Carmelite life but less "sugary" than Story of a Soul (which is also a good read)

On a less spiritual side "To Father" By Dava Sobel is a collection of letters from Galileo's daughter Sr Maria Celeste. She was a Poor Clare nun. Her letters give an interesting insight into her daily life.

[mantellata]

"Virginity" by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Virginity-Positive-Approach-Celibacy-Kingdom/dp/0818907452"]http://www.amazon.com/Virginity-Positive-Approach-Celibacy-Kingdom/dp/0818907452[/url]

[emmaberry]

For learning about orders:
Franciscan/Poor Clare: A Right to Be Merry
Carmelite: Story of A Soul, God & Roseanne: Letters on the Contemplative Life, The Nun's Answer
Dominican: I have not read many books specifically about the Dominican life, but there are many great books written by Dominicans!
Benedictine: In This House of Brede

For general vocation education/discernment:
-I LOVE And You Are Christ's, suggested by ThereseThoma. It is a wonderful look at the heart of consecrated life, its virginal aspect. Fr Dubay says himself that this book is more immediately applicable to girls, so that is a win too for you!
-Fr Gallagher's (sp?) Discerning the Will of God. Gives you powerful keys for discernment, and presents questions that many forget in the process, ie "What would I tell a friend in my situation to do?" "What will I wish I had done in my last moments?" Helped me greatly.
-The Imitation of Christ. Though this is for all people, when I read it I gained a very strong sense of, "I can only do the things this book is telling me to do in _______." This helped me with discernment, as vocation is the path where we can become the most perfect.

I know this does not have to do with books, but listening to Danielle Rose's cd Pursue Me jumpstarted my discernment also. If you are discerning, she will give you the cd for free. Her website: [url="http://www.daniellerose.com/"]http://www.daniellerose.com/[/url]

God bless!

[OnlySunshine]

There have been many books that have helped me. I have included links to the best translations:

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Story-Soul-Autobiography-Therese-Lisieux/dp/0935216588/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345191643&sr=1-1&keywords=story+of+a+soul"]Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux[/url]

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Imitation-Christ-Thomas-Kempis/dp/089942323X/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345191682&sr=1-12&keywords=imitation+of+christ"]Imitation of Christ[/url]

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Sister-Therese-Genevieve-Holy-Face/dp/0895555980/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345191750&sr=1-1&keywords=my+sister+st+therese"]My Sister, St. Therese[/url] (written by Celine Martin)

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Believe-Love-Personal-Retreat-Teaching/dp/1928832288/ref=pd_sim_b_23"]I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teachings of St. Therese[/url]

[url="http://www.amazon.com/TAN-Classic-Abandonment-Providence-Classics/dp/0895552264/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345191861&sr=1-5&keywords=abandonment+to+divine+providence"]Abandonment to Divine Providence[/url] (recommended to me by a CFR Sister, Sr. Agnes)

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Interior-Castle-St-Teresa-Avila/dp/0385036434/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345191912&sr=1-2&keywords=the+interior+castle"]The Interior Castle[/url]

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Right-Merry-Mother-Mary-Francis/dp/0898708249/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345191974&sr=1-1&keywords=a+right+to+be+merry"]A Right to be Merry[/url]

[url="http://www.catholiccompany.com/meaning-vocation-p1003481/"]The Meaning of Vocation[/url] (HIGHLY recommend)

[url="http://www.marymediatrix.com/bookstore/come-and-follow-me.html"]Come and Follow Me[/url]

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='emmaberry' timestamp='1345188506' post='2469039']
I know this does not have to do with books, but listening to Danielle Rose's cd Pursue Me jumpstarted my discernment also. If you are discerning, she will give you the cd for free. Her website: [url="http://www.daniellerose.com/"]http://www.daniellerose.com/[/url]

God bless!
[/quote]

How do you request the free CD?

[EmilyAnn]

I second the votes for "A Right To Be Merry" and "The Imitation of Christ". Both are fantastic.

[url="http://www.theabbeyshop.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_29&products_id=467"]On the Religious Life[/url] - Dom Prosper Gueranger. This is an amazing book, Dom Gueranger was a very, very wise man. Seriously, more people should read it. Plus, it's published by some amesome monks so you're helping them out too.

[url="http://summitdominicans.3dcartstores.com/Amata-Means-Beloved_p_49.html"]Amata Means Beloved[/url] - Sr. Mary Catherine Perry, OP. It's a novel, but it's very sweet and I enjoyed it. It's written by one of the Summit Dominicans.

Already suggested but:
[url="http://www.marymediatrix.com/bookstore/come-and-follow-me.html"]Come and Follow Me[/url] - I've read this and there are some excellent things in it, but I would say there are a few things said that I at the very least disagree with. It's worth reading for sure, but I think some things should be taken with a pinch of salt.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='EmilyAnn' timestamp='1345192937' post='2469053']
Already suggested but:
[url="http://www.marymediatrix.com/bookstore/come-and-follow-me.html"]Come and Follow Me[/url] - I've read this and there are some excellent things in it, but I would say there are a few things said that I at the very least disagree with. It's worth reading for sure, but I think some things should be taken with a pinch of salt.
[/quote]

I'm glad you mentioned this because I forgot to. There are beliefs posed in there that I don't agree with like the belief that if you don't answer your call, everything will go wrong in your life -- like you'll be punished -- which is not how God is at all. He gave us free will and doesn't punish us for using it in that manner.

[EmilyAnn]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1345198745' post='2469067']
I'm glad you mentioned this because I forgot to. There are beliefs posed in there that I don't agree with like the belief that if you don't answer your call, everything will go wrong in your life -- like you'll be punished -- which is not how God is at all. He gave us free will and doesn't punish us for using it in that manner.
[/quote]

Yes, that's one of the issues I had with it. It's a pity, because there [i]is[/i] some good stuff in there. You sort of have to read it and remember that not everything it says must be right - some people do think that every word a religious says must be infallible.

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='EmilyAnn' timestamp='1345199913' post='2469070']
Yes, that's one of the issues I had with it. It's a pity, because there [i]is[/i] some good stuff in there. You sort of have to read it and remember that not everything it says must be right - some people do think that every word a religious says must be infallible.
[/quote]

On the other hand, the chapter about missionary vocations touched me to the point where I knew that was the vocation I needed to pursue. I was already discerning with the missionary order when I read the book, but it sealed the deal, so to speak.

[EmilyAnn]

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1345200337' post='2469073']
On the other hand, the chapter about missionary vocations touched me to the point where I knew that was the vocation I needed to pursue. I was already discerning with the missionary order when I read the book, but it sealed the deal, so to speak.
[/quote]

That was one of the most excellent parts of the book I think.

[Lisa]

Sorry if we are overwhelming you with book choices, but I'd second "And you are Christ's" by Thomas Dubay. For Dominican spirituality (and really just a great, short read sprinkled with stories and funny tidbits, I'd recommend
"[url="http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Wine-Dominican-Spirituality/dp/0860124177"]The New Wine of Dominican Spirituality[/url]: A Drink Called Happiness" by Paul Murray, OP.

[VeniJesuAmorMi]

I'll share three of my favorites; they're all very much for the interior life and that is good for wherever you'll decide to discern!

Divine Intimacy: I purchased this one at a Carmelite monastery when I went on a discernment visit. Depending on where you purchase it, it may be a bit expensive but its such a great book. It has a meditation for everyday of the year, for all feasts and seasons also. At the end of each meditation is a prayer and words of wisdom from the saints.

The Gift of Oneself: I received this one, at the same Carmelite monastery from the Reverend Mother, and it is really beautiful. I don't know how many times I have read it, but the book shows how much I've handled it! Its about the soul and her simplicity, detachment, and self-forgetfulness that is needed. It's complete imitation of the interior life of Our Blessed Mother.

The Spiritual Combat and A Treatise on Peace of Soul: Its a great book to have at hand especially when your going through trials and temptations; and this happens very often when your discerning. I've underlined a lot in it so that I can go back and read something that will be helpful when I'm in one of those states.

[emmaberry]

EDIT: Here is another Vocational essay/pamphlet, Ice_nine.

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1345198745' post='2469067']
I'm glad you mentioned this because I forgot to. There are beliefs posed in there that I don't agree with like the belief that if you don't answer your call, everything will go wrong in your life -- like you'll be punished -- which is not how God is at all. He gave us free will and doesn't punish us for using it in that manner.
[/quote]
This is something the Saints disagree on. While I second your notion that God is loving and gave us free will, through my discernment I have also recognized that the graces and gifts I've been given are directly suitable to the religious life. So if I decided that it was too hard to live the three vows and consequently went and married, the marriage could certainly be successful, but I would have turned my back on the numerous graces God had laid out for me in religious life. So the life I chose that was not my true vocation is not destined for failure, but there is less grace to live it, and therefore probably less joy and fulfillment.

Again, the Saints conflict on this all over the place, which makes this a touchy subject. So the above is my personal opinion that I have had to formulate for when the random (confused) person says, "Who cares if God is calling you! Just say NO and go have a family anyway!" eek.

[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1345192364' post='2469051']
How do you request the free CD?
[/quote]
Here is the link where I read about it, although it is from 2009. [url="http://www.catholic.org/prwire/headline.php?ID=7579"]http://www.catholic....ine.php?ID=7579[/url] Supposedly, every diocese has a batch of cds waiting to be given out to discerners. If anyone here wants the cd and cannot get it free from their diocese, I can mail you a copy. I hope this would not be infringing on Danielle's monetary gain since she was giving out the cds free anyway, but I could be wrong.

Done thread hijacking! Sorry about that.

Edited August 17, 2012 by emmaberry

[OnlySunshine]

[quote name='VeniJesuAmorMi' timestamp='1345214081' post='2469160']
I'll share three of my favorites; they're all very much for the interior life and that is good for wherever you'll decide to discern!

Divine Intimacy: I purchased this one at a Carmelite monastery when I went on a discernment visit. Depending on where you purchase it, it may be a bit expensive but its such a great book. It has a meditation for everyday of the year, for all feasts and seasons also. At the end of each meditation is a prayer and words of wisdom from the saints.

The Gift of Oneself: I received this one, at the same Carmelite monastery from the Reverend Mother, and it is really beautiful. I don't know how many times I have read it, but the book shows how much I've handled it! Its about the soul and her simplicity, detachment, and self-forgetfulness that is needed. It's complete imitation of the interior life of Our Blessed Mother.

The Spiritual Combat and A Treatise on Peace of Soul: Its a great book to have at hand especially when your going through trials and temptations; and this happens very often when your discerning. I've underlined a lot in it so that I can go back and read something that will be helpful when I'm in one of those states.
[/quote]

Off topic, but did you get the first two books at the Carmelite Monastery in Buffalo, NY? I briefly discerned there and I had a friend who entered for a few months. She bought the Divine Intimacy book in their gift shop and highly recommended I get it.