Suggested reading list for Anno Domini 2007

 

^{The following is Fr. Steve Brovey’s recommended list of spiritual reading of the writings of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI. All six of these books are from Ignatius Press and, of course, under the name of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger.}

^{The Spirit of the Liturgy written by our Holy Father (Cardinal Ratzinger) presenting his reflections on the theological and biblical roots on the Sacred Liturgy. A must-read if you would like to know where Pope Benedict XVI will lead the Church regarding Holy Mass.}

^{Called to Communion: Understanding The Church Today, published in 1996, Cardinal Ratzinger offers a short reflection on the church, her nature, her origin, her purpose; clarifying the nature of Church, bishop and priest, basing his remarks on Scripture and Tradition. The future Roman Pontiff even offers a beautiful reflection on the “Primacy of Peter and Unity of the Church.”}

^{Co-workers of the Truth our Holy Father offers a beautiful reflection for each day of the year.}

^{God is Near Us: The Eucharist, The Heart of Life, a wonderful book to read as we celebrate The Year of the Eucharist. Pope Benedict shows us the biblical, historical and theological dimension of Holy Eucharist and reminds us how our Creator comes intimately close to us in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.}

^{Salt of the Earth, an interview with Peter Seewald offers a touching glimpse into the Holy Father’s family life and then answers questions about the problems of the Catholic Church today and the issues of divorce, contraception, women’s ordination and ecumenism.}

^{God and The World, a second session (and much longer conversation) with Peter Seewald about…”the questions that people put to the Church and that are often for them an obstacle on the path to faith.” If you would like to know the Holy Father’s mind on a range of topics, these two books would be a great start.}

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The Sacred Liturgy/Holy Eucharist:

 

 

In the Presence of Our Lord: Eucharistic Devotion  

       by Fr. Benedict  Groeschel   (Our Sunday Visitor Pub.)

 

Feast of Faith  

       by Cardinal Ratzinger (Ignatius Press)

 

God is Near Us: The Eucharist the Heart of Life 

       by Cardinal Ratzinger (Ignatius Press)

 

The Spirit of the Liturgy

       by Cardinal Ratzinger (Ignatius Press)

 

The Lamb’s Supper

       by Scott Hahn (Ignatius Press)

 

 

 

Spiritual Reading:

 

Prayer for Beginners

      by Peter Kreeft  (Ignatius Press)

 

Talking with God

      by Feneion (Paraclete Press) 

 

St. Gianna Molla

       by  Molla and Guierrielo  (Ignatius Press)

 

Love Letters to My Husband

       by  St. Gianna Molla   (Daughters of St. Paul)

 

The Way of the Disciple

       by Leiva-Merikakis (Ignatius Press)

 

Frequent Confession

       by  Bauer   (www.SCEPTERPUB.org)

 

Pardon and Peace: A Sinner’s Guide to Confession

       by Randolph (Ignatius Press)

 

On Being Catholic

       by Thomas Howard   (Ignatius Press)

 

Loving the Church

    By Cardinal Schonborn (Ignatius Press)

   - spiritual conference given in the presence of Pope John Paul

 

Introduction to Devout Life

        by  St. Francis deSales

 

The Imitation of Christ

        By St. Thomas a Kempis

 

 

Scripture Commentary:

 

Ignatius Catholic Study Bible Commentary

      Ignatius Press has a short commentary for each of the four  

      Gospels and Acts of the Apostles

 

 

 

 

Spiritual Classics:

 

City of God   by St. Augustine

 

Confessions of St Augustine   by St. Augustine

 

Meditations from A Simple Path    by Blessed (Mother) Theresa 

                                                             of Calcutta

 

Way of Perfection    by St. Teresa of Avila

 

Mere Christianity   by C.S. Lewis

 

Screwtape Letters   by C.S. Lewis

 

Dark Night of the Soul  by St. John of the Cross