Catholic Books

"Only God knows the good that can come about by reading one good Catholic book."
–St. John Bosco

How is your Lent going? Besides engaging in the ideals of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving (charity), Lent is a time for us to build up our spiritual armor. As St. Paul told us, we are engaged in spiritual warfare. “For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12) In fact, reading Catholic books and reflecting on them (in light of Sacred Scripture and the Catechism) can be a form of prayer as well as a way to strengthen our spiritual defenses.

We are fortunate in that there are ample supplies of books for helping Catholics to build up their faith, and, more importantly for Lent, build up their spiritual armor. There are many books on apologetics that are great for building a firm faith foundation and for helping one to deal with the assaults of the world on our faith. While appropriate for anytime, I want to mention some that are geared more for Lent and dealing with the enemy and our spiritual defenses.

To begin with, we need to learn who the enemy is and how he works. Of course I am referring to Satan and his demons. In this regard books by several of the well-known exorcists provide insights into the devil and how he works. For example, Diary of an American Exorcist, by Fr. Rosetti, and any of the books by or about Fr. Gabriele Amorth (such as An Exorcist Explains the Demonic) provide background and examples of fighting off the devil. I realize that talking about exorcism frightens a lot of people, and well it should, because the devil is real and attacks us in many ways, not just in the graphic, frightening way depicted by William Blatty (The Exorcist) and the movie made from it (which are based on an actual possession and exorcism).

Less scary depictions and without such graphic detail can be found in C.S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters (one of my favorites) or the Catholic oriented The Deceiver: Our Daily Struggle with Satan by Father Livio Fanzaga. If you like detail, try Fr. Spitzer’s (of EWTN and Magis Center note), Christ Versus Satan in Our Daily Lives: The Cosmic Struggle Between Good and Evil.

If you are interested in history and the Church’s struggles against secularism and the evils of the world, Light from Darkness, by Steve Weidenkopf provides insights and encouragement that the Church can become stronger. In a similar vein, The Apostasy that Wasn’t, by Rod Bennett, also debunks some oft told claims about the Church. Another book along these lines is Heroism and Genius by William Slattery.

There is a plethora of books about the Rosary and our Blessed Mother. “You must remember that you have in heaven, not only a Father, but also a Mother … Let us then have recourse to Mary. She is all sweetness, mercy, goodness, and love for us because she is our Mother.” St. Padre Pio She is our ally against the wiles of the devil. If you were to read the books by the exorcists, they would all tell how the devil fears the Blessed Virgin. Books by Bishop Sheen, Scott Hahn, Father Calloway, and Tim Staples.

“Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother.
St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)

Consecrating oneself to Mary (e.g. 33 Days to Morning Glory) is another way to build up your faith and strengthen your spiritual armor. And, of course, there is always The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a ‘Kempis. Terror of Demons by Kennedy Hall will also help get you in battle mode (it is especially geared toward men but everyone can learn from it).

The Four Last Things, by Father Wade Menezes (you might recognize him from EWTN), is not very long and is an easy read to help us understand what the future has in store and how prepare for our heavenly home and avoid the horrors of hell. And, if you are not familiar with the Four Last Things (not very many homilies these days on this important subject), this is a good book on which to start.

If you want some insights on how to avoid the hellishness of a world without God, toward which we seem to be headed blindly, read Cardinal Sarah’s The Day is Now Far Spent. Furthermore, we are called to persevere to the end. A book that will encourage you to do this is You Shall Stand Firm: Preserving the Faith in an Age of Apostasy, by Father William Casey.

And, of course, I would be remiss if I did not recommend St. Augustine’s Confessions.

There are many more which can be found from the many prominent Catholic publishers such as Catholic Answers, Sophia Press, Ignatius Press, and others, but these are ones I have read and highly recommend. I myself have a huge stack that, someday, I hope to get into. A group of my Catholic friends (okay, we have one Methodist in the group) have a “Literary Circle” wherein we read mostly Catholic oriented books and, over several weeks discuss their highlights. Of course our discussions go well beyond the books, but most of our discussions focus on faith and spiritual growth. Having a group wherein you can discuss the important principles of books like these can not only enhance your spiritual growth but can also help strengthen each member’s understanding and ability to resist temptation.

“Try to gather together more frequently to give thanks to God and to praise him. For when you come together frequently, Satan’s powers are undermined, and the destruction that he threatens is done away with in the unanimity of your faith.” (St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Ephesians)