Book Studies -- Suggest a Book Here!

[Shin]

If you'd like to take part in a book study, you can suggest a book for the study here.

What is a book study? It's posting chapter by chapter, or piece by piece a book in the forum, for commentary. This will be a spiritual book, to inspire us and help us. 

In a church setting, you'd get your church group together to sit around a table, each with the book, and each member would read out a portion and then everyone would pause and pray and think and talk about it. This is a fun thing to do with a bunch of people dedicated to spiritual improvement!

Well, there are lots of potential books for us to draw from. But for an online study like this, the best book is something free that everyone can jump into and use.

I don't know that we will jump into a full book study immediately. Perhaps we'll try out chapters from several books, or perhaps we will get rolling more quickly.

But if you have a favorite book that is available for free, that is electronically, do suggest it!

Some good possibilities are available here.

Some possibilities that come to mind initially: St. Louise Marie de Montfort's works, St. Teresa of Avila.. the St. Catherines..

If there's a work you'd feel happy about reading and commenting on regularly let me know.  If everyone likes one idea this helps a lot.

[Brigid]

Well, my suggestion would go along with your idea of posting information on contemplation (infused). It would be to start a book study of "Interior Castle". What are some other ideas?

[Patricia]

Yes, I like the idea. But not sure if I could keep up with reading a whole book. Posting chapters or portions of the book would be good but what the majority vote for would be good for me . I would try to catch up with the rest. I like the writings of many of the saints especially St. Alphonsus de Liguori. Has anyone read a St John Bosco biography? I love this saint and I couldn't stop reading about him.

[Patricia]

I dont see many responses to book study :'(

[Brigid]

I think, as Lent gets closer there will be more activity on this thread - but we'll see.

[Shin]

I'm going to promote the thread shortly in an email, we'll see what we fish out then.

[Shin]

Yes, I like the idea. But not sure if I could keep up with reading a whole book. Posting chapters or portions of the book would be good but what the majority vote for would be good for me . I would try to catch up with the rest. I like the writings of many of the saints especially St. Alphonsus de Liguori. Has anyone read a St John Bosco biography? I love this saint and I couldn't stop reading about him.

I read his autobiography a bit back, it was not very long but it was well worth reading.

I thought I still had it but I seem to have misplaced it now.

The Interior Castle would be a good read. Deep. So would Bosco, he is easy to understand, and fun.

[Shin]

I'm thinking -- Perhaps we should just start Interior Castle and let people join in as they please.

I would enjoy it, I've only read it partially, so I will learn a good deal from doing it.

[Brigid]

I'm thinking -- Perhaps we should just start Interior Castle and let people join in as they please.

I would enjoy it, I've only read it partially, so I will learn a good deal from doing it.

I must admit to really liking it (I read it even before I even thought about converting to the Church). She writes in such an easy manner that I find it easier to read her writing than many of the Saints'. Her Way of Perfection was very intimidating to me, but that was due to the content and not due to her writing. It would be a good idea to start a book and see the activity for that book. It might also be good to start a totally different book (like one of St. Francis De Sales or St. Therese of Lisieux or ......?).

[Patricia]

Hi everyone, My computer was down, but I'm back .
Is there a link for Interior castle?

[Shin]

Hi everyone, My computer was down, but I'm back .
Is there a link for Interior castle?

Welcome back. 

I have several links to it.
 One here in PDF, another version here in a simple text file.

And one of course can purchase a copy from any good Catholic book seller like Tan Books.

[Brigid]

My first thought is Wow, writing a book like that in 4 weeks. Divine Intervention is the only thing I can think of. I wonder if Michael O'Brien (who says that his book, Father Elijah, was given to him whole and entire in Adoration one day) actually wrote the book that fast?

Teresa always writes prayers/books as if she is so calm. With all the difficulties of the reform, that also bespeaks Divine Consolations and Counsel.

[Patricia]

I just read the first chapter of the Interior Castle.
What I understood from it is the importance of prayer and meditation for the soul. How earthly bonds and worries can impede our progress toward the spiritual riches God has in store for us.

At length they enter the first rooms in the basement of the castle,
   accompanied by numerous reptiles [45]   which disturb their peace, and
   prevent their seeing the beauty of the building; still, it is a great
   gain that these persons should have found their way in at all.

I feel like I'm one of those St Teresa speaks of. I have probably entered the first room but am still caught up with worries and anxieties which prevents me from seeing the whole picture

[Shin]

It's a lovely analogy.

We have to overcome the worries. I think I'm there too.

If everyone would like to start it, I'd like to ask people to try to come here for each new chapter as it is posted and contribute what thoughts they have so we can keep the conversation flowing about it. In other words, let's do our best to help each other and learn about it together.

What do you think? 

[Patricia]

Let us know when we can go on to the next chapter. The chapters are short and good reading for Lent.

[Shin]

I've posted Interior Castle! Check out the thread for it in the forums!