Did you put “reading more good Catholic books” on your resolution list for 2014? We’ll have some book suggestions for you from a local Catholic bookseller. Find out which are the top 5 best-selling books at St. George Catholic Books and Gifts in Blaine!
The five top selling books at St. George Catholic Books and Gifts in the past several months, as presented by bookstore owner Bob Balk:
5.
Four Witnesses, the Early Church in Her Own Words by Rod Bennett, published by Ignatius Press
This book is recommended to many of our customers who are struggling family members who have left the Faith and/or are, themselves doubting the authenticity of our faith. This book quotes four of the earliest eye witnesses to the Church’s beginnings, established by Jesus Himself.
- Clement of Rome
- Ignatius of Antioch
- Justin Martyr
- Irenaeus of Lyons
By reading their writings we can rest assured that the practice of our beautiful faith is indeed authentic and true. In today’s world, this assurance is a great treasure indeed and it gives us the confidence to evangelize from a secure spiritual position.
4.
The Discernment of Spirits, An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living by Fr. Timothy Gallagher, published by Crossroads
This is a popular book for more mature Catholics who have a deep relationship with God and who are interested in growing in the knowledge of discerning the spiritual world and life. As a result of this book many are able to see more clearly how God is working directly in their personal lives on a daily basis and how to go about growing closer to Him in times of both consolation and desolation. Many say it is very helpful in clarifying the happenings in their lives. Father Gallagher explains and simplifies Ignatian spirituality to help us to understand and apply it in today’s world, for example, what things come from the “bad” spirit and which come from God.
3.
The Way of Trust and Love, a Retreat Guided by St. Therese of Lisieux by Father Jacque Philippe, published by Scepter
This book has become the most popular book on St. Therese and her spirituality by far over the past several months. Fr. Phillippe explains how we can follow the example St Therese in learning to humbly accept ourselves and completely trust in the love of God for use individually. He suggests that God is desiring to pour out His Holy Spirit in a big way into our troubled world and that through Therese’s “Little Way” of accepting ourselves with all our failures, weaknesses and learning to trust solely in Him and His infinite mercy, we can become receptive to this powerful movement of the Holy Spirit (for it is in our weaknesses that we are strong because we acknowledge our total dependency on Him. Therese mastered this and we too can find this precious secret of trusting in our Lord.
2.
7 Secrets of Confession by Vinny Flynn, published by Ignatius Press
This is a popular book and will become even more popular as we approach lent this year. Newly published in the summer of 2013, it is a new approach to the sacrament of Confession in that it explains how “confessions is much more than going to the dry cleaner.” It’s “an encounter with Jesus who waits for us as we are,” as Pope Francis tells us. Mr. Flynn explains how freeing this encounter is and how we need to throw off the chains that keep us miserable and allows us to live lives of great joy! He uses excerpts from The Diary of Sister Faustina and relays the very words of our Lord to this great and timely saint of how much He desires us to come and how the Blood and Water from His wounded side washes us clean. The thing that I found to be most interesting is the idea that we are able to “revoke” or “take back” the words and thoughts that trouble us though out the day.
1.
The New Catholic Answer Bible by Fireside and Our Sunday Visitor
Most people love this New American Bible because of the colorful apologetics interspersed though out it. It is a perfect gift for RCIA candidates, confirmation students, and has become popular with all of the rest of us! The apologetic pages are filled with scriptural references as well as the Catechism of the Catholic Church references. It is a wonderful and interesting way for us to learn our faith better while we read Scripture.
Hear from the co-founder of
Well Read Mom about an upcoming gathering of mothers who enjoy reading good Catholic books.
We talk with an organizer of an inspiring prolife event for youth that mirrors the March for Life experience in Washington DC – right here in Minnesota.
