Monday 13 August 2018

Catholic Christianity Getting Started - Catholic Truth Society

Catholic Christianity: Getting Started
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860828614
eISBN 9781784694029


Since discovering them earlier this year I have read over 25 books from the Catholic Truth Society, have another 25 to read and double that on my wish list. I have read some incredible books and nearly every time I write a review, while researching for the review, I find another 2 or 3 I want to read. I have read books in the CTS Biographies Series, Living the Liturgy Series, Living Fruitfully Series, Saints of the Isles Series, books on reading the Catechism, and some YOUCAT resources. Of the 27 books I have read so far 25 get 5/5stars. I had pretty high expectations for this book. This book opens with these words:
"Many people find it hard to believe in a loving God. They doubt his existence altogether, or their experience of suffering and human tragedy make them doubt his love. Scientists seem to be solving the great puzzles of the universe, and psychologists seek to unlock the deepest mysteries of the human heart. 
But there are some questions that don't go away. 
     What caused the whole universe to exist in the first place?    
     Why is there so much suffering in the world?      
     What is the meaning of human life?   
     What is the point of my own individual life?      
     Is there such a thing as life after death? 
These are huge questions. You would be suspicious if someone claimed to answer them with any certainty. There is a limit, surely, to what we can discover for ourselves, and very often we need to admit that some questions are simply beyond human understanding."
This book addresses those questions and More. The sections in this book are:

The Heart of Christianity
A Guide for Christian Living
What is the Catholic Faith?
How to Become a Catholic
Signs and Symbols Inside a Catholic Church
How to Pray
Everyday Catholic Prayers
Further Reading

This is not a long volume, it comes in at under 50 pages in the print edition. But there is a lot of great information. This book would be excellent for a spouse who is not Catholic, for a teen looking to be able answer questions about their faith to friends and families. The chapter on How to Become a Catholic, is particularly good. And would be worth reading for someone returning to the church. 

One of the paragraphs in this book that had particular impact on me is:
"The journey doesn't end with Confirmation. As Catholics we should pray every day, take part in the Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation, live the seasons and feasts of the Church's life, receive the sacraments and live a life of Christian charity towards our fellow man. Christ invited us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him. You are special and unique in the sight of God. He wants the best for you and is leading you to himself. As you reflect on how to become a Catholic, try to be open to God's will."
Except for the last line I transpose it as 'As you reflect on your life as a Catholic, try to be open to God's will.' As such any Catholic Christian can read this book and benefit from it. This is a wonderful little read, and the teaching on different types of prayer and the small collection of prayers just add to the overall benefit of this book.

Another great read from the Catholic Truth Society.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

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