Author Topic: cathinfo book club (Read 5401 times)

TCat · « **on:** August 21, 2013, 05:40:12 PM »

Someone said to me that I should join a bookclub at the local library, because a group of people all get the same book and read it, then afterwards gather to discuss it. If I did this at the library it would not be a Catholic book,
thus I propose to Cathinfo: We start a book club on this forum.
We choose a Catholic Ebook that is available for free, and those who want to participate read the book, and then we discuss it to enlighten each other.

Some of the books I propose we read are:
The interior castle - St Theresa of Avila
Story of a soul - St Therese de Lisieux
Summa Theologica - St Thomas Aquinas
Confessions - St Patrick
Books by saint Augustine ( confessions)
Dialogue of saint Catherine
secret of the rosary - St Louis de montfort
and
Imitation of Christ

Who wishes to read and discuss some of these great works
:reading: :reading: :reading: :detective: :read-paper: :reading:

shin · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2013, 01:31:32 PM »

It can be hard to get a book study going, but it's rewarding when there are a few folks willing to keep with it.

Of the list above I'd vote for St. Catherine of Siena's Dialogue.

magdalena · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2013, 09:08:41 PM »

Another book not on the list could be "The End of the Present World and The Mysteries of the Future Life" by Father Charles Arminjon. St. Therese of Lisieux said that "Reading this book was one of the greatest graces of my life."

claudel · « **Reply #3 on:** September 01, 2013, 09:52:30 PM »

Quote from: magdalena

Another book not on the list could be "The End of the Present World and The Mysteries of the Future Life" by Father Charles Arminjon. St. Therese of Lisieux said that "Reading this book was one of the greatest graces of my life."

I can't imagine a more compelling recommendation for any book. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

My own experience with several book groups or reading groups or whatever one wishes to call them was pretty clear-cut. The only one that didn't grind to a halt in pointless arguments or near-suicidal boredom involved an arrangement wherein, by rote, each member of the group got to pick a book for the group to read (subject, of course, to brief discussion and debate leading to universal agreement with the choice). That member was then responsible, at the time scheduled for meeting, for "presenting" the book; that is, for outlining, in 30 to 60 minutes, what he or she considered the important points, themes, etc., of the book and its overall significance, if any. Then with this groundwork laid, discussion and, sometimes, debate, ensued.

Aside from providing desperately needed form for any discussion, this format worked because it ensured that those with more assertive personalities did not get to permanently shut down the participation of those inclined to back away from assertion and confrontation, even friendly and well-meant confrontation. This group survived for more than a decade because of these ground rules—and also because members also rotated acting as host for the meetings (the host and the presenter never being the same person for a given meeting, of course). For a while this group had two members with very small apartments that were unsuited to accommodating half a dozen guests. A few others who had roomier digs simply volunteered their homes when these two hosted, while the official host either picked up the tab for the refreshments or, in the case of those who could, cooked them.

TCat · « **Reply #4 on:** September 03, 2013, 02:35:35 PM »

I have started reading "The Interior Castle" St Theresa of Avila,
and have read the first chapter, anyone who wants to join in reading this book with me is welcome, as I could use some help understanding it ( it was written for nuns or women only). I read this book because I find quotes of St Theresa full of uncommon wisdom and common sense "I want to see God, and to see God I must die". I think this saint can aid one in developing a life of contemplative prayer. I will read the other books on the list in time.

What the writer says:---
So far she says, that unless we consider who it is that we address in prayer, that He is Almighty God, and we the "worms", that our prayer is not to be considered as prayer. We address Him with the ease we would address a slave of ours.

The first mansion is the basement of the castle.
It is where souls who are still worldly enter, but those who have some taste of God, who think of the welfare of their souls every now and then, who pray "a few times a month" ( pray as in St Theresas meaning )
---
Conclusion I draw:

The first mansion is the state of those who can be likened to those who after a long lapse in faith, hear again the gospel and receive it willingly, or who receive an infusion of the holy spirit through sincere confession, or who do some good deed and are rewarded by grace, or who abstain from sin and receive the enlightenment of the holy spirit as a result, drawing them ever closer to God, who is in the 7th mansion, inside the castle, the fortress of the faith.
:reading:

Frances · « **Reply #5 on:** September 03, 2013, 04:26:46 PM »

:reading:I'd be interested in reading The Interior Castle. But how would we meet to discuss the book? Tcat is in Ireland and I'm in New York. A chat room of some sort? Skype? I have a computer, but am brand new to the cyber-universe. Someone would have to assist me in setting it up. Unless you want to come to New York! That wouldn't work very well. I live in a studio apartment. I'll get the book and we can see what develops.

magdalena · « **Reply #6 on:** September 03, 2013, 04:59:11 PM »

I've read the Interior Castle, but it was a long time ago. It is a bit complicated. I'm not very far in the spiritual life. I could probably read it again and join in the discussion. But we might as well make our comments here on the forum. Right now I'm really overloaded in my job, but could maybe get through the first chapter by the end of the week if I read right before going to sleep. I'll see how it goes.

shin · « **Reply #7 on:** September 03, 2013, 07:38:50 PM »

Ah, you've chosen a deep and great book. It's the sort of book one can find oneself at a loss of words to express about, but still gain a lot about just trying and thinking on. Anyone can benefit from it.

We had a study going on it here but it's on hiatus. Hope it helps.

As I said, can be tough to keep going. Folks may have to have something they can make comments about easily enough, if the work is too deep it's more difficult. You have some well read folks here thankfully. Hope and pray the discussion goes well. :D

shin · « **Reply #8 on:** September 03, 2013, 07:52:46 PM »

Quote

People may say such things appear impossible and it is best not to scandalize the weak in faith by speaking about them. But it is better that the latter should disbelieve us, than that we should desist from enlightening souls which receive these graces, that they may rejoice and may endeavour to love God better for His favours, seeing He is so mighty and so great.

One must never give up aspiring to become a saint. It involves continual interior and exterior change, but unsettling as that may be at times, it is good, and one comes to know this. :D

TCat · « **Reply #9 on:** September 04, 2013, 07:07:21 AM »

Quote from: Frances

:reading:I'd be interested in reading The Interior Castle. But how would we meet to discuss the book? Tcat is in Ireland and I'm in New York. A chat room of some sort? Skype? I have a computer, but am brand new to the cyber-universe. Someone would have to assist me in setting it up. Unless you want to come to New York! That wouldn't work very well. I live in a studio apartment. I'll get the book and we can see what develops.

I thought we might just talk about it in this thread?