Here are some excellent books I have either read or am currently reading this summer and thought of recommending them to our readers:
1. Elisabeth Leseur: Selected Writings–Elisabeth was a lay French woman married to a staunch agnostic living in the late 19th century and first decade of the 20th century. Her husband, Félix, returned to the Catholic Church after Elisabeth’s death and became a Dominican priest years later. Elisabeth’s journal and practical resolutions stand as a great example for lay Catholic women who want to bring Christ to their homes. She was deeply affected by the social teachings of Leo XIII, which prompted her to reflect on the social issues of the time and what should be the proper Christian response to them. She was well ahead of their time with a deep understanding of the lay apostolate that would not surface officially in the Church until the Second Vatican Council. Elisabeth’s cause for canonization was opened Servant of God. The book I have linked to is from the Classics of Western Spirituality that has several of her writings, but if you want just her journal, you can find some cheap editions here. There are also some other good writings by her that you can find in Amazon. I will be posting on her life and spirituality sometime in the next few days in case you are curious to know more about her.
2. Christ in the Home by Raoul Plus, SJ–I found this book by accident on Amazon and I have incorporated it as part of my marriage preparation. Fr. Plus talks beautifully about the engaged couple, the nuptial Mass, the newly wed couple and life after “the wedding.” He has a lot of practical advice and spiritual direction for the married couple at any stage of their marriage as to how to bring Christ into the home.
3. Women in the Gospels by Carlo Cardinal Martini–Only for less than $3.00 in Amazon: these are talks by the Cardinal given to a group of thousands of religious women from his diocese. These are reflections drawn from Gospel scenes that intend to reflect on one’s vocation based on the response by the women in the Gospels to certain situations. The reflections are very Marian in nature, which has allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation of Mary and her motherhood of the world. Strongly recommended for both men and women.
Any other recommendations?
Katrina -
Thanks for the recommendation. I’d be interested in reading Elisabeth Leseur’s Selected Writings.
Though I’m sure you’ve read it, I recently finished Spe Salvi, which I found to be outstanding.
I’m also reading a biography of St. Peter Canisius by Fr. James Brodrick. Highly interesting, especially if the Catholic Counter-Reformation is your thing.
And I just started a book by one of my old professors — The Wedding Feast of the Lamb: Eucharistic Theology from a Historical, Biblical, and Systematic Perspective by Fr. Roch Kereszty. Don’t know where you’re at in your theological studies, but it’s worth a look.
Jeff,
Thanks for the recommendations! I’m working on Spe Salvi right now… The spring semester and summer school seemed to have gotten in the way of finishing that encyclical… thanks for the recommendations! I always love anything about the Eucharist and the theology behind it.
Spe Salvi was amazing!!!
I can’t wait for his next encyclical
thats for sure, brother
Dear Katerina, a friend sent me your YouTube of Why I’m Catholic, so wonderful. I sent it to many friends and some feel it should be required viewing! It is so well done. When Maximillian Kolbe appeared in Communion of Saints, I was done. That was it for me. Just thinking of him makes me cry. He touches me in a special way and well he should.
I write because I just began to do Facebook and would love to post your video with your permission and acknowledging you and your web site, as well. I doubt many will really facebook me, but I do have a few friends and am just beginning. I really want to post your video with your permission. As you know, it was played often on EWTN and I LOVE it (your video, I mean). I love EWTN too.
You are gifted and a great example to youth of the joy of Catholicism. Can I share?
My facebook site (I don’t blog) is:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1411473679&ref=profile or you can go to Facebook and search for “Nancy Moss” and my picture is that of my dog, Gizmo. Thank you.