Easy Catholic Spiritual Reading

With Easter just around the corner, I've been thinking more about spiritual reading — a method of gaining graces and strengthening the prayer life that I don't utilize often enough. Why? Well, the simple truth is that I tend to lose focus when a book doesn't grab my attention right away, even when I know the subject material is good for me. Maybe it's just the writing style of the authors I've tried reading, but so far I haven't found many volumes I wanted to sit and devour.

Yet the fact still remains that it's healthy for the soul; so even if it's something I don't necessarily "want" to do, I've been trying to make time to sit and read for at least fifteen minutes each day (more if I'm in the mood for it).

But that doesn't mean all spiritual reading is a penance. I decided to jump-start this endeavor by making a list of religious books I do like (a lot). Here are the top four, along with a quick summary of of its contents in my own words. Hopefully these recommendations might help others with the same struggles.

Note: There are many books, which I would recommend to everyone, that did not make it onto this list. The reason is that I did not choose these books strictly for content. Although they are devoutly Catholic, I looked more for writing style and how well it held my interest over time without effort on my part. Think of this as a list of spiritual books for folks who need something easy to read and enjoy at a specific moment. If I find others in the future, I'll be sure to share those as well.


Divine Intimacy (By Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen O.C.D.): This is a collection of meditations for each day of the liturgical year, and I would have to say it's my favorite spiritual book so far. Most Catholics have probably heard of it by now; but if anyone hasn't, here are my reasons for including it on my list. Each meditation is short, to the point, honest, and with just enough prose to invoke some uplifting comfort from the reflection without drowning one in poetic sentiment. That's not to say poetic sentiment is always a negative, but sometimes I'm just not ready for it.

Under Angel Wings (The Autobiography of Sister Maria Antonia):  This is the story of Cecy Cony (1900-1939), who grew up with the ability to see her Guardian Angel. Through several short stories, she relates how her special protector guarded her innocence from sin, both venial and mortal, with his guidance. It's been a while since I read the book, but I believe there is one occasion when her angel actually saved her from being kidnapped as well. This was the first spiritual book I ever read as a kid, so maybe that's why I have a sentimental attachment to it.

A Right to be Merry (By Sr. Mary Francis, P.C.): This book's sole purpose is to give the reader a glimpse into the heart and life of cloistered Poor Clare nuns in the modern world. It was published sometime in the late 1950's I believe. Sister starts by explaining why the vocation of a cloistered nun is so important, and then the rest of the book is examples drawn from her own experience that illustrate how much happiness such a life brings it's daughters.The first time I read this book, it made me seriously think about the convent and if I had a vocation (I don't).

Rebuilding A Lost Faith, By an American Agnostic (Written by John L. Stoddard): John Stoddard was a writer and lecturer who traveled the world in the late 1800's early 1900's. Due to what he felt was the inability of religious figures to justify their faith in God, he left behind all attachment to religion when he was in college and spent most of his life as an agnostic. However, during his travels, he became caught in a war zone during World War I and was trapped there for five years. During that time, the horrors he witnessed finally convinced him that something was very wrong with the world the way it was, and this started his journey towards Catholicism. This book is about his reasoning in choosing the Catholic Faith, and why he's come to believe in all its teachings.

March Favorites 2014

Hello again, internet. There aren't many favorites this month, but I do want to share two things with you. Here goes...

Favorite Books
"Mamma used to say, you have to know someone a thousand days before you can glimpse her soul.” — Dashti

Based on a classic fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm, Book of a Thousand Days is one of the best classic rewrites I've read for a long time. Here is a somewhat detailed description of the story (spoiler free, of course).

Dashti grew up in the Steppes with her mother and older brothers, learning the magic of the mucker people — magic cast through song. (That's the best description I can give without the book, which I had to return to the library. There's a better one in the story itself). But when a series of tragic events casts her adrift into the world alone, all she has to strengthen her is a stalwart spirit and a rock solid sense of what is right and wrong.

Her path leads her to the home of Lady Saren, where her resolve is tested. Lady Saren's father has promised his daughter in marriage to a cruel lord from a nearby land; but she refuses to marry him, because she has already betrothed herself to another lord whom she claims to love. In an attempt to break his daughter, Saren's father sentences her to imprisonment within a windowless stone tower for a thousand days, or until she changes her mind. Dashti, as her new lady's maid, must make a choice. If Dashti quits her mistress' service, she can escape suffering imprisonment at Saren's side.

But part of becoming a lady's maid involved making an oath to the gods that she would never abandon her mistress, no matter what happens; and it's because of this oath that Dashti submits to her fate. Besides, she sees how frightened mistreated Saren is, and Dashti's tender heart resolves to help her first and only mistress through this horrible punishment.

I would tell you more, but I'm afraid of giving away important information regarding the plot. Let's just say I finished it within ten hours. Dashti is a complex mixture of bravery, vulnerability,  humility, and compassion. Obedient to a fault, she is willing to give everything for the sake of duty and the welfare of those she loves; but ultimately it is her own heart she must learn to trust. I'm surprised I haven't heard of this book before this month.

Anyway, that's the best I can do for a summary. I borrowed the book from the library and had to return it a week ago, haha.  Read it. That's all I can say.

Favorite Coffee Mug:

Need I say more?

 Here's the link to the website where my friend ordered this awesome cup :-) http://www.artscow.com/

That's all for this month. Thanks for reading!

Until next time...