Author Topic: Books on Saints recommendations (Read 11560 times)

Soldat fem de Dieu · « **on:** September 07, 2011, 02:00:46 AM »

Praised be Jesus & Mary!

I would like to start a thread on your recommendation of books written ABOUT Saints and/or books written BY Saints. My main question would be WHY you would recommend the book? How did it move you? Has it affected your daily life? How? I would like to know how it inspired you? :reading:

It is curious to me that our quest in life as true Catholics should be to lead a life of a Saint, yet, there have been many questionable opinions and outbursts on this site, which have kept me away, a bit. I would like to reel the true Catholics back and let us talk about pure intentions and how Saints have lead a path for us to maintain the firm resolution, with the grace of God, to become a truly great Saint. We must sanctify ourselves. Nothing else should matter.

When the Saints write, it feels as though it is God inspiring them to write such things! They recognize the love of God, through their words.

If there is a thread started about this topic, already, forgive me, for I could not find it. I do apologize if it is redundant and therefore request someone to direct me to the existing thread.

P.S. Is this the right "category" to post this subject or should it be in the "General Discussion, so I may attract more viewers?

s2srea · « **Reply #1 on:** September 07, 2011, 06:36:25 AM »

Excellent topic Soldat. I also look forward to hearing some responses. I need to do more reading on this. I'm hope there will be many recommendations soon!

twiceborn · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2011, 10:32:21 AM »

For me, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas are the two saints whose works and teachings have made a decisive influence/contribution to me becoming a Catholic. To this day I hold both in very high regard and see them as my mentors, as it were, in the Catholic faith.

That said...as far as books goes...

The Confessions of St. Augustine: As I saw a very strong parallel with the journey of the holy doctor and my own, specially since I was a former Gnostic (He being a Manichee, which is a certain Gnosticism) and also the great intellect, humility and praise of God he demonstrates in them. It truly reasonated deeply with me. It is a book I read every year (reading it at the moment actually).

His work The City of God: is also monumental, and it can be said that while the Confessions is the biography of the soul, the City of God is the biography of The Church.

The Summa of St. Thomas: His scientific approach to matters of faith was crucial in helping me see the validity and rationality of the Catholic faith. Not to mention that his proofs for God's existence very much paved the way for me to come out of atheism/agnosticism.

There is so much to learn and gain from in these works, in particular in both the City of God and the Summa and how in them the doctors set for the rationality of the faith. Of both works Pope Leo XIII wrote in his encyclical Officio Sanctissimo:

"This admirable agreement and consent of the faith with reason, although it has been honored by the learned works of many, yet as it were built up in one edifice and shown at one view, shines forth especially in that work of St. Augustine, De Civitate Dei, and equally in the Summa of St. Thomas Aquinas, in which books, indeed, are contained whatever things were deeply thought out and considered by wise men, and in them we may seek for the beginnings and fount of that eminent school of learning called Christian theology."

Indeed.

Soldat fem de Dieu · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2011, 09:42:41 PM »

Quote from: twiceborn

For me, St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas are the two saints whose works and teachings have made a decisive influence/contribution to me becoming a Catholic. To this day I hold both in very high regard and see them as my mentors, as it were, in the Catholic faith.

That said...as far as books goes...

The Confessions of St. Augustine: As I saw a very strong parallel with the journey of the holy doctor and my own, specially since I was a former Gnostic (He being a Manichee, which is a certain Gnosticism) and also the great intellect, humility and praise of God he demonstrates in them. It truly reasonated deeply with me. It is a book I read every year (reading it at the moment actually).

His work The City of God: is also monumental, and it can be said that while the Confessions is the biography of the soul, the City of God is the biography of The Church.

The Summa of St. Thomas: His scientific approach to matters of faith was crucial in helping me see the validity and rationality of the Catholic faith. Not to mention that his proofs for God's existence very much paved the way for me to come out of atheism/agnosticism.

There is so much to learn and gain from in these works, in particular in both the City of God and the Summa and how in them the doctors set for the rationality of the faith. Of both works Pope Leo XIII wrote in his encyclical Officio Sanctissimo:

"This admirable agreement and consent of the faith with reason, although it has been honored by the learned works of many, yet as it were built up in one edifice and shown at one view, shines forth especially in that work of St. Augustine, De Civitate Dei, and equally in the Summa of St. Thomas Aquinas, in which books, indeed, are contained whatever things were deeply thought out and considered by wise men, and in them we may seek for the beginnings and fount of that eminent school of learning called Christian theology."

Indeed.

This is an EXCELLENT start! Thank you SO much for your input twiceborn!!

How about the Abbot Marmion, who wrote "Union with God"? Has anyone read that?

johnnyc · « **Reply #4 on:** September 20, 2011, 12:41:15 PM »

Hi Soldat,

Regarding 'about saints', you may be interested in this author.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_de_Wohl

John

PartyIsOver221 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2011, 08:37:45 PM »

Two that are catching my eye from my library:

Spiritual Combat by Lorenzo Scupoli (not written by a saint, but pretty much authorized by St. Francis de Sales)

Providence by Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange (well he should be a saint, considering how he treated Karol Wojtyla in seminary as dean)

herbert · « **Reply #6 on:** September 21, 2011, 07:33:30 AM »

Quote from: PartyIsOver221

Providence by Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange (well he should be a saint, considering how he treated Karol Wojtyla in seminary as dean)

how did he treat him? what he think of karol?

wallflower · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2011, 10:03:03 AM »

I enjoyed Evelyn Waugh's Edmund Campion.

PartyIsOver221 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 22, 2011, 05:50:18 PM »

Quote from: herbert

Quote from: PartyIsOver221

Providence by Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange (well he should be a saint, considering how he treated Karol Wojtyla in seminary as dean)

how did he treat him? what he think of karol?

He flunked his paper that propped up modernism in a side-step fashion, and then full-on relativism.

Fr. Legrange was a real man, may he pray for us all our days and give us strength against modernism and its heretics.

I'll have to dig up the thread with the cool pdf someone linked that talked about JPIIs entire life..it was a great read.

herbert · « **Reply #9 on:** September 24, 2011, 03:28:02 AM »

that interesting, party!

twiceborn · « **Reply #10 on:** September 24, 2011, 05:48:19 AM »

Quote from: PartyIsOver221

He flunked his paper that propped up modernism in a side-step fashion, and then full-on relativism.

That's amazing, I didn't know that. Where did you learn it?

shin · « **Reply #11 on:** September 24, 2011, 12:34:36 PM »

I find myself returning to St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori's, ''Preparation for Death', it is always a memorable experience to read and influences me to do better.

Thanks to Our Lady of the Rosary Library I have a physical copy of the book, though the etext is available too these days.

His other works, particularly the True Spouse of Jesus Christ and The Dignity and Duties of the Priesthood I also find particularly helpful.

Stephen Francis · « **Reply #12 on:** October 06, 2011, 09:54:51 PM »

One certainly cannot go wrong with pre-Conciliar versions of the Rule of St. Benedict or the Rule of St. Francis of Assisi (the older, the better; I know there are some publications out there of the oldest extant Rule of Francis, but I cannot remember where online I saw them). In fact, any time a traditional Rule can be had relatively inexpensively, such as from eBay or somewhere similar, it is ALWAYS a good thing to get a hold of them. Those rules were written by Saints, and as such are filled not only with the nuts-and-bolts practicalities of monastic life, but also with a DEEP sense of reverence and usually SCORES of references to Scripture and the teachings of Holy Church.

The Life of St. Francis of Assisi, written by St. Bonaventure, is a classic, although some more modern critics have classified it as mere hagiography (more spectacular, fan-boy 'fluff' than actual biography). My take on Bonaventure's Life is that there is bound to be more of the miraculous and supernatural in a book written by a spiritual soul-mate rather than by some academician who worships Kant and Darwin.

The great thing about St. Augustine's Confessions is that the Prots love it, too, so it can be had VERY cheaply... there are literally dozens, if not hundreds, of publishers who have put the Saint's words out for our benefit over the recent decades.

Story of a Soul, by St. Therese of Lisieux, is also a fantastic read. She tells of how she learned to become 'very little and humble', like a child, in her pursuit of a deeper love of Christ.

Another great resource, though not written BY a saint, is Butler's Lives of the Saints. I actually found a leather-bound set that someone had donated to a library that the library was about to THROW IN THE TRASH! It's in near-perfect shape, especially for books printed (this printing) in the 1930s (if I remember right). Every day of the year is filled with the stories of saints, their triumphs, their martyrdoms and their recognition by the Church as the heroes of our Faith.

St. Frances de Sales, pray for us as we learn from the lives of the friends of Christ.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Soldat fem de Dieu · « **Reply #13 on:** December 27, 2011, 03:00:04 AM »

Quote from: johnnyc

Hi Soldat,

Regarding 'about saints', you may be interested in this author.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_de_Wohl

John

Thank you, John :smile:

Very interesting how RCIA uses one of his books, "Founded on a Rock: A History of the Catholic Church" as a required reading... The NO supports his view.. May I ask if you are in support of the NO (Novus Ordo)?

Have you seen the movies based on his books?

Soldat fem de Dieu · « **Reply #14 on:** December 27, 2011, 03:13:27 AM »

Quote from: Stephen Francis

One certainly cannot go wrong with pre-Conciliar versions of the Rule of St. Benedict or the Rule of St. Francis of Assisi (the older, the better; I know there are some publications out there of the oldest extant Rule of Francis, but I cannot remember where online I saw them). In fact, any time a traditional Rule can be had relatively inexpensively, such as from eBay or somewhere similar, it is ALWAYS a good thing to get a hold of them. Those rules were written by Saints, and as such are filled not only with the nuts-and-bolts practicalities of monastic life, but also with a DEEP sense of reverence and usually SCORES of references to Scripture and the teachings of Holy Church.

The Life of St. Francis of Assisi, written by St. Bonaventure, is a classic, although some more modern critics have classified it as mere hagiography (more spectacular, fan-boy 'fluff' than actual biography). My take on Bonaventure's Life is that there is bound to be more of the miraculous and supernatural in a book written by a spiritual soul-mate rather than by some academician who worships Kant and Darwin.

The great thing about St. Augustine's Confessions is that the Prots love it, too, so it can be had VERY cheaply... there are literally dozens, if not hundreds, of publishers who have put the Saint's words out for our benefit over the recent decades.

Story of a Soul, by St. Therese of Lisieux, is also a fantastic read. She tells of how she learned to become 'very little and humble', like a child, in her pursuit of a deeper love of Christ.

Another great resource, though not written BY a saint, is Butler's Lives of the Saints. I actually found a leather-bound set that someone had donated to a library that the library was about to THROW IN THE TRASH! It's in near-perfect shape, especially for books printed (this printing) in the 1930s (if I remember right). Every day of the year is filled with the stories of saints, their triumphs, their martyrdoms and their recognition by the Church as the heroes of our Faith.

St. Frances de Sales, pray for us as we learn from the lives of the friends of Christ.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Yes!!! Thank you, Stephen Francis!

I have read Story of a Soul, by St. Therese of Lisieux and have purchased her daily thoughts, "Through the year with St. Thereses of Lisieux" as a recommendation by a Traditional Nun :)

I agree with you 100% in way of getting a hold of the older versions as it would be exciting to read about the life as a Saint through their eyes, as authentic, as possible.

~ pre-Conciliar versions of the Rule of St. Benedict or the Rule of St. Francis of Assisi

~ The Life of St. Francis of Assisi, written by St. Bonaventure

~ St. Augustine's Confessions

~ Butler's Lives of the Saints

It was beautiful what you wrote at the end, "St. Frances de Sales, pray for us as we learn from the lives of the friends of Christ.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us".. I had chills, as I felt your prayer.

Thank you! I will look into the above recommendations!