Catholic Thought discussion

Lisa wrote: "Manny wrote: "Well when you moms get chummy with some of the other moms, see if they want to join our Catholic book club."

I've already recommended this group to several friends including some of ..."

Thank you Lisa!

O Pioneers is a great story. I also think I like Willa Cather more the older I get.

Irene wrote: "O Pioneers is a great story. I also think I like Willa Cather more the older I get."

Cather' My Ántonia is a great work that ranks in my opinion in tops of American literature. Cather is an under ranked novelist. She came just before the modernists and there is a decisive disadvantage to that in literary circles. Modernists have a bias in their favor which I feel is over estimated. Cather happens to be more of a traditional writer. Those modernists were innovators in form but frankly the innovations haven't always had a lasting legacy.

Yes, really like My Antonia.

Dorothy Day

I came across the name of Dorothy Day enough times and finally got to a short volume about her, a sort of sketch of her life, by Patrick Jordan. I am finding some fascinating information about her and also some perhaps controversial? Has anyone in this group read her? I would appreciate a comment or two.

I just finished "The World Will be Saved by Beauty" which is a memoir of the relationship between Day and her only child, Tamar written by Tamar's youngest child. It gave me a very different impression of Day than I had prior. I have read Day's own memoir "The Long Loneliness" and numerous articles by her as well as numerous essays by others about her.

I’m going to be reading a book by Dorothy Day soon for well read mom. I’ll let you know what I think. I, too, have heard some controversial things about her in the past.

Which Day book will you be reading, Lisa?

Galicius wrote: "Dorothy Day

I came across the name of Dorothy Day enough times and finally got to a short volume about her, a sort of sketch of her life, by Patrick Jordan. I am finding some fascinating informati..."

I haven't read anything by her. I would like to some day. What's controversial, I guess, is that she associated with the left side of the political spectrum. Certainly her economics leaned that way, but I have seen enough of her quotes to at least say she qualified her positions than a straight political advocacy. Anyway I don't care about that. Everybody - right and left - is really wrong about economics. She was a compassionate soul. And she lived for most of her life on Staten Island, NY, which is where I live. In fact she is buried in the same cemetery as my father.

Thank you Irene, Lisa, and Manny. I am thinking of reading "The Long Loneliness" next. The memoir by Tamar's child must be interesting. So many books, so little time!

Irene wrote: "Which Day book will you be reading, Lisa?"

On Pilgrimage. First we are reading some stories by Flannery O'Conner.

Flannery O'Conner is my favorite writer.

Irene wrote: "Flannery O'Conner is my favorite writer."

Good to know Irene. I've considered doing a Flannery short story as one of our short reads. Let's leave it for consideration down the road.

Today is the birthday of C S Lewis. I sometimes check into The Writer's Almanac. There is some friendly commentary on Lewis today: https://writersalmanac.org/

Thanks Galicius. I have been meaning to read Mere Christianity for the longest time. One of these days...

Manny wrote: "Thanks Galicius. I have been meaning to read Mere Christianity for the longest time. One of these days..."

Sadly, I read it and don't remember a lick of it. We'll have to nominate some day :)

Strange coincidence. I reference a small site by Garrison Keillor and he gets fired by NPR same day for 'Inappropriate Behavior,'! https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-w...

I am almost through with "Screwtape Latters". It's a lot of fun but it also requires constant need for orientation of where we are with the satire.

Galicius wrote: "Strange coincidence. I reference a small site by Garrison Keillor and he gets fired by NPR same day for 'Inappropriate Behavior,'! https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-w......"

I'm one of the few people who wasn't thrilled with Screwtape. it's OK. The concept is great but it gets repetitive after a while.

I read Mere Christianity a great book we can call it a Christian classic.

Stabin wrote: "I read Mere Christianity a great book we can call it a Christian classic."

Clyde S. Kilby, author of a Lewis biography and essays on his writings “The Christian World of C. S. Lewis” writes this about “Mere Christianity”: “I do not believe that either “Miracle” or “Mere Christianity” needs special discussion. Both books are intended as simple presentations of orthodox views.” (Page 171)

I am more than half way into “Mere Christianity. Reading it feels easy and undemanding and the book deals with what seem all the major issues affecting our behavior and understanding in our lives. Yet, Lewis is generally considered a Christian apologist. This would pose a second reason if this would disqualify this fine writing for a discussion in this group.

Galicius wrote: "Clyde S. Kilby,..."I do not believe that either “Miracle” or “Mere Christianity” needs special discussion. Both books are intended as simple presentations of orthodox views".”

Simple isn't the same as simplistic. It is often the mark of genius to present complex ideas in an easily understandable way. Texts like these are a tremendous gift to us for they not only help us to reinforce and solidify what we believe in, but be better witnesses of our faith.

Lewis is generally considered a Christian apologist. This would pose a second reason if this would disqualify this fine writing for a discussion in this group.

True, this group is not an apologetics group per se, but we've read plenty of books that explain the faith which in turn deepens our understanding but also help us in defending it, even though we don't engage in this latter aspect as part of our discussions. We don't have to. Most of us are quite familiar with Catholicism. Our goal and focus is the next step up, the understanding part. The 'Confessions' we are currently reading is one of the greatest apologetic works ever written. What I am trying to say, is that we shouldn't get hung up about terminology.

Galicius wrote: "Stabin wrote: "I read Mere Christianity a great book we can call it a Christian classic."

Clyde S. Kilby, author of a Lewis biography and essays on his writings “The Christian World ..."

We're not an apologetics group in the sense that we don't debate over or with different religions or denominations of Christianity. But we read anything that makes us understand our faith. Mere Christianity as i understand the book applies as a book worthy of our book club, even though it's by a Protestant.

Something for example that might not fit in (I can't tell until I read it) though I intend to read it in the coming year on my own is this great personal conversion story from a woman named Derya Little and her book is From Islam to Christ: One Woman's Path Through the Riddles of God. Derya grew up in Turkey Muslim courageously became an atheist, then met up with some Evangelical Protestants where her heart was moved to Christianity, moved to England and became Protestant but after studying Christianity converted to Roman Catholicism. Her story is fascinating and I've seen her interviewed. She has also been writing for a number of Catholic publications. I am very intrigued by her story. She is an intellectual with a PhD and has now moved to the US. I suspect her book would be too oriented in apologetics dispute to fit our book club. And perhaps too controversial. But I intend to read it on my own.

Manny wrote: "Galicius wrote: "Stabin wrote: "I read Mere Christianity a great book we can call it a Christian classic."

Clyde S. Kilby, author of a Lewis biography and essays on his writings “The..."
That sounds like a really interesting book, Manny.

Thank you for your fine thoughts and clarification on apologetics Kerstin and Manny.

Yesterday I finished

Lectio Divina: Contemplative Awakening and Awareness by Christine Valters Paintner & Lucy Wynkoop OSB
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This introduction to an ancient prayer practice felt like an article stretched into a book. There was much repetition. Maybe my familiarity with this practice caused me to be more sensitive to simple points that were over explained and repeatedly presented.

Irene wrote: "Yesterday I finished

Lectio Divina: Contemplative Awakening and Awareness by Christine Valters Paintner & Lucy Wynkoop OSB
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This introduction to an..."
Thanks Irene. I'm tempted to get the book but your review gives me pause and Amazon doesn't allow a "Look Inside" view on this book for some reason. I took a free Kindle sample. I'd just like to see the table of contents and some introductory statement.

Manny, I got it at a huge reduction when Paulist Press held its warehouse sale. I think it would be a fine introduction to anyone who has heard of Lectio Divina but does not know too much about the practice. It starts with a general chapter giving a brief overview of the practice and a mention of its history. The next chapter goes into a bit more depth on the idea of prayerful listening. Then it dedicates a chapter to each phase of the process, explaining how it is done, summarizing how it is done and giving an example of that stage from the prayer journal of someone's prayer journal. There are a couple of chapters explaining how Lectio could be modified: done in brief spirts if one is super busy, in a group setting, using music or art or movement, etc. It concludes with a chapter by chapter summary. There is an appendix of further reading. She also provides a lengthy section with numerous biblical passages she feels works particularly well for Lectio. I hope this helps.

Yes Irene it helps. I'm still debating. I do know a bit about Lectio but it's nice to have a handy how-to book available. But maybe that's part of my book-buying compulsion. I'll see what the sample says.

Just started Walking with Mary: A Biblical Journey from Nazareth to the Cross.

I just started The Pope's Army by Royal. It's a nice change of pace in my Catholic reading and interesting history. The Pope's Army: 500 Years of the Papal Swiss Guard

I just started Saint Dymphna by Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik. It's always fun to discover a new Catholic saint (to me). Goodreads doesn't have the exact book I'm reading. Of course, there's no ISBN or UPC code. Mine is about 100 pages with pictures at the end.

Irene and Manny, I see above your conversation about Lectio Divina, and I just picked up Conversation With Christ, a short book about St. Teresa's teaching on 'personal prayer," emphasizing the importance of both private (mental) prayer and liturgical prayer. I also borrowed from the library at my church a booklet Lectio Divina and the Practice of Teresian Prayer which looks to be an ideal "handbook" on the method. I will share my impressions after reading each.

Becoming a Parish of Intentional Disciples by Sherry Weddell
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This is a collection of reports from the trenches of parish ministry. Each chapter is authored by a different priest or lay minister who has experienced success in some area of parish revitalization. I really appreciated the practical nature of this slim volume. Far too often, we are told what is not working and given great goals wrapped in lovely sounding jargon, but not given any road map to traverse the distance from what is to what should be. Although these are not one-size-fits-all instructions, we are given real life accounts from which other parish communities can extrapolate.

Just finished A Simple Heart by Gustave Flaubert. I had not yet read this author and try every year to go back and pick up some of the classic writers. I love France and enjoyed it very much. It helps to do so research before or during the reading.

Leslie wrote: "Just finished A Simple Heart by Gustave Flaubert. I had not yet read this author and try every year to go back and pick up some of the classic writers. I love France and..."

That is such a great short story, and very Catholic. Flaubert is not known to be religious - and he definitely wasn't - but there are several works where he captures the faith of French Catholics. He really outdid himself with "A Simple Heart." You can read it for free on Gutenberg:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1253/1...

Kristen wrote: "Irene and Manny, I see above your conversation about Lectio Divina, and I just picked up Conversation With Christ, a short book about St. Teresa's teaching on 'personal prayer," emp..."

Thank you Kristen.

Has anyone read The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ by Fleming Rutledge? Someone recommended it to me today. I believe the author is Protestant but it goes into a Catholic perspective. My friend enjoyed it.

Just started reading The Way of Perfection by Teresa of Ávila.

In parallel with our book club read of Dante, I just started this luscious book on the life and art of the Renaissance painter and Dominican friar, Fra Angelico, Fra Angelico.

Leslie wrote: "Just finished A Simple Heart by Gustave Flaubert. I had not yet read this author and try every year to go back and pick up some of the classic writers. I love France and..."

I recommend The Temptation of St. Anthony by Flaubert. I am bit of a Francophile though not their politics of recent decades.

Manny wrote: "In parallel with our book club read of Dante, I just started this luscious book on the life and art of the Renaissance painter and Dominican friar, Fra Angelico, Fra Angelico."


That would make an interesting group or buddy read. I love art.

I just started reading Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader's Eye-Opening Journey Across the Life Line. I thought it would be appropriate with the upcoming anniversary of roe v. wade.

I'm about halfway through Don Quixote and I was honestly not expecting it to be as Catholic as it is.

Joseph wrote: "I'm about halfway through Don Quixote and I was honestly not expecting it to be as Catholic as it is."

It's very Catholic! So are the King Arthur tales, well put together by Thomas Mallory in Le Morte d'Arthur, Vol. 2

Edit: Volumes 1 and 2. I didn't realize the separated them into two volumes.

Manny wrote: "Joseph wrote: "I'm about halfway through Don Quixote and I was honestly not expecting it to be as Catholic as it is."

It's very Catholic! So are the King Arthur tales, well put together by Thomas ..."

I read a good chunk of Le Morte d'Arthur in college and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in high school. I knew how religious the chivalric romances were, I just didn't realize Cervantes was that Catholic.

I'm currently reading Ulysses by James Joyce, Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, and Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. This time considering Shakespeare as a Catholic writer.

Leslie wrote: "I'm currently reading Ulysses by James Joyce, Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, and Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.


No doubt in my mind Shakespeare was Catholic. Best case put forth was Joseph Pearce, The Quest for Shakespeare. I would love to read that one day as part of our book club.

Oooh. That sounds good. Include it in a poll. :-)

I'm reading The Lord Of The Rings trilogy for the first time, and enjoying it very much, particularly listening to Bishop Robert Barron and others comment on it on You Tube.

I have to ask Leslie, what does she think of Hilary Mantel's treatment of Saint Thomas More in Wolf Hall? Thanks so much.

I think I may be in that same group. It's on my to read list but I'm overextended. I also wanted to read Lord of the Rings as Catholic literature.

I haven't gotten to that part yet in Wolf Hall. With the snow storm I started Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe which has been really interesting. Lots of background related to the religious life in this Nigerian village. I'm almost halfway through that one.