Cool Books to Read

[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.

[ColinAH]

Priest for the 3rd Melinium
Anything about Maxamilian Kolbe (from a credible source)

[johnnydigit]

so many books! i wish there was a way to narrow down my choices as i am not a big reader. perhaps by temperament or spirituality.. mysticism, modern psychology, pure theology.. author characteristics/experience?

anywho, i very much enjoyed

[u][url="http://www.franciscanfriars.com/books/benedict_books.htm"]Spiritual Passages[/url][/u] by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.

it basically documents and explains everything i've gone through so far in my spiritual journey, from a psychological and spiritual perspective which suits me perfectly. Fr. Groeschel is a psychologist and has been the counselor to priests for the diocese of New York. He offers many examples and testimonies to explain the different stages of the spiritual journey, namely the [url="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14254a.htm"]purgative, illuminative, and unitive ways[/url]. similar to St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross (it's much easier and understandable than Interior Castle.). i would rate the difficulty as "easy-medium". highschool/college level reading.
highly recommended to all. i want to lend it to everyone i know who is discerning, although i worry some may not relate to some parts..
(8.5/10 stars for discerners)

oh and Fr. Groeschel has all the new postulants in his order read this book. he teaches a class with them every week and i think this is their first required text. i have half the book highlighted, underlined, dog ear tagged.. some people even use different colors and tabs!


==================


"If you are a Christian trying to take your own spiritual development seriously and if in some way you hope to help others, this book is intended for you . . . The immediate goal is to assist you to find your place on the journey and to identify personal traits which, for a long time, may have been obstacles on the road to greater knowledge and service of God."
Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Spiritual Passages, Introduction.


About the Author:
Internationally known lecturer and retreat master Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R., is professor of pastoral psychology at St. Joseph's Seminary in New York. the director for the Office of Spiritual Development of the Archdiocese of New York, he is also a founding member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, a prolific author, and a regular guest on EWTN.



Product Description:
Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel combines a profound understanding of the Catholic spiritual tradition of spirituality with a sound sense of contemporary psychology. In Spiritual Passages Fr. Groeschel discusses the interface of Christian spirituality and contemporary psychology with the aim of helping readers move forward on the spiritual way.



Editorial Reviews
Book Description
This groundbreaking intergration of spiritual genius and psychological teaching has enjoyed a reputation as a classic in the field of human development.



All the books mentioned below were crucial in my re-turn to the Church, and, besides feeding me on my journey, each one of them was like
a sign-post on the road, saying: "Keep Going! Beautiful panoramic view ahead!" and because of this, I am extremely grateful to them...
# The subtitle says: The psychology of spiritual development - For those who seek. Here is another terrific speaker! Or, at least, he certainly was, before his accident last year. I haven't seen him since and I think he is still recuperating. But Fr. Groeschel will always be an inspiring figure to me. And funny too! This specific book goes over the classic stages of maturing in the life of the faith, from the early steps of turning toward God to the highest levels of mystical union with God which has been called: seeing the face of God… Because Fr. Groeschel illustrates the various stages along the way in the standard manner of psychology with real life cases, this book has a very practical aspect to it, besides being a spiritual guide.

The back page cover says: "A crossroad bestseller since its first publication in 1983… this groundbreaking integration of spiritual genius and psychological training has enjoyed a reputation as a classic in the field of human development."

Excerpt:
With wonderful writing and rich insight, this perennial classic shows the connection between contemporary psychology and the spiritual journey.

Edited November 23, 2007 by johnnydigit

[Sister Rose Therese]

Oh yes, a very good book indeed. Fr. Groeschel also had a class on video that he did with that book. We did that as a class in the Novitiate.

[the lords sheep]

I completely second [i]Come be my Light[/i]

It is one of the most beautiful things I've read recently, possibly ever. Absolutely and completely moving.

[Hirsap]

more books :

"The Priest, The Man of God His Dignities and Duties" by St. Joseph Cafesso, [url="http://www.marianland.com/priest001.html"]http://www.marianland.com/priest001.html[/url]


and online: "Vocations" by Rev William Doyle, S.J. [url="http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/3543/Vocare.htm"]http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Rhodes/3543/Vocare.htm[/url]

Edited February 21, 2008 by Hirsap

[djninja2005]

Last year, a friend recommended to me, "The Raggamuffin Gospel." It's really good and helpful in many ways.

[RosaMystica]

Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, OCD is a great read for those discerning vocations and those who want to become saints. If you love Carmelite spirituality you would love these spiritual meditations. I've also read that it's been Mother Angelica's daily spiritual reading for years and it's absolutely AMAZING! Another good one is Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales. The Diary of St. Faustina has been a book that has really deepened my spirituality and has also helped me discern my vocation.

[EWIE]

"Lying Awake" is a short but insightful novelette.

[Guest SDphisheater]

I don't think anyone's mentioned this one yet: Seven Storey Mountain, by Thomas Merton. It's both a story of a man coming to both the Faith and his vocation. I couldn't put it down.

[puellapaschalis]

Has anyone read "A Nun" - a novel/biography of St. Margaret Mary? I read it last week and it's made quite an impression on me.