Is there such a thing as having “too many” books? I really don’t want to find out.
Over the past decade-plus, I’ve built quite the “Catholic book” collection.
Some have disappointed me, but many have helped me grow in my faith or have given me things to share with others.
With so many books out there, it’s hard to know where to start and what to get.
Today, I present to you my “top five” Catholic books that have formed who I am today.
They aren’t in any order of rank or importance.
Honorable mention
But first, here are some that didn’t make the “cut”.
The Dark Night: Psychological Experience and Spiritual Reality by Fr. Marc Foley, OCD: This is the latest book I’ve read and one I’ll read again. It takes the complex writings of St. John of the Cross and applies them to our own personal struggles.
The Last Hours Of Jesus: From Gethsemane to Golgotha by Fr. Ralph Gorman: This is a good book for Lent and Holy Week. It’s a very historical account of the Passion that puts the events in human terms.
Know Thyself: 100 Guided Meditations on Humility of Heart by Fr. Cajetan da Bergamo and Ryan Grant: It’s a good book to give one’s humility the deflating it so badly needs, but also gives you hope for living a full life within that humility.
The Ear of the Heart: An Actress’ Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows by Mother Dolores Hart, OSB, and Richard DeNeut: I’ll feel bad later that this didn’t make the “cut”. It’s the story of former Elvis co-star turned woman Religious. No other book combines a vocation story with behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the film King Creole.
Also missing is St. Faustina’s Diary and any edition of the Bible.
These are obviously very important texts for me, but not what I would consider “sit down and read” books.
OK, now onto the “top” five.
A study in apologetics
One of the first books that I bought and read when I was becoming more active in my faith was Catholic and Christian: An Explanation of Commonly Misunderstood Catholic Beliefs by Alan Schreck.
This book answered many of my questions of “What do we really believe and why?”
Understanding Marian Consecration
I try to read as much on Marian Consecration as I can. It’s easy to partake in the 33/34 days, but not know what to do after.
Total Consecration Through the Mysteries of the Rosary by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV, is a different kind of Marian Consecration. Instead of a day-by-day model, this uses the Mysteries of the Rosary and the Seven Sorrows of Mary as explainers of what it really means to be consecrated to Jesus through Mary.
We parallel the Mysteries and Sorrows to those in our own lives and see how Mary and Jesus lived out these and related moments in their lives.
And, as a bonus, you get some good Rosary catechesis and practice.
Media ‘saints’
Being in the communications field that I am in, I gravitate to figures like Fr. Patrick Peyton, CSC, and Bishop Fulton J. Sheen.
Their autobiographies, All for Her and Treasures of Clay respectively, not only give some great insight into their lives as clergy, but also their experiences with the media.
They both understood the importance of mass communications as evangelization tools.
They are both examples of how the media can still be used to bring people to Christ.
And, I totally nerded out reading about their experiences with radio, TV, and film stars of their time.
Heaven and Hell
It’s probably not unusual to read a book called A Travel Guide to Heaven. It is probably a little curious, though, to read a book called Hell: A Guide.
These books by Anthony DeStefano don’t claim to be 100 percent accurate about what the physical realities of Heaven and Hell are really like, but he does use Biblical references and Church teaching to speculate what we might be in for, whichever path we choose.
It’ll make you really think about where you want to go and how you want to get there at the end of the age.
My ‘foundation’
Finally, if I had to pick one favorite, this is it: Consoling the Heart of Jesus by Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC.
I owe much of my spirituality today to this book.
It started me on the path to having a devotion to Divine Mercy. It helped me to know I’m a “little soul” like St. Thérèse talked about. It also helped me to have a basic understanding of what the Lord asks of us, to just be “there” with him and accept the overflowing mercy that he wants to give us.
This is the book that always realigns me.
I’d like to know what books you’re reading. Drop me a line sometime.
Thank you for reading.
I’m praying for you.