We’re just at the start of the Lenten season, and I thought this would be a fun time to talk about some good spiritual reading. For those of you who aren’t familiar, Lent is a period of forty days where Christians (including Catholics and Orthodox) prepare themselves for the Easter season. It’s a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. And a great time to pick up some good spiritual reading. If you’re thinking, Oh, no…religious books are stuffy and dry! then don’t worry! These are fun and fresh, easy to read, and uplifting to the soul! Whether you celebrate Lent or not, consider picking up one of these books.
5 Things With Father Bill: Hope, Humor and Help for the Soul (William Byrne)
Want to be the best that you can be? Fr. Byrne has some great suggestions, five steps at a time! For about a decade, Fr. Byrne penned a column for the church newsletter, sharing five things on a variety of topics. This book, which is short, sweet, and easy to read in bite-sized chunks covers a variety of fun topics, such as five ways to use technology, five life lessons Fr. Byrne learned from his dog, five things to get for Lent, and five ways that baseball is good for your family. Appreciate the small things in life, look for your blessings, and find happiness as you grow closer to God! Filled with love and humor, this is a cheerful, uplifting, and quite honestly fun book to enjoy as you prepare your heart for Easter (or any time of the year!)
Pray, Think, Act: Make Better Decisions with the Desert Fathers (J. Augustine Wetta)
Easily one of my favorite Catholic writers, Fr. Wetta brings humor, energy, and holiness together in a series of books that are just good fun to read. If you struggle with decision-making, find yourself always looking back at what could have been, or are paralyzed by your own indecision, then consider checking out this book. Fr. Wetta, a Benedictine monk takes the reader on a journey through the decision-making process, using the Desert Fathers and Mothers as guides. Not familiar with the Desert Fathers and Mothers? Read this book to learn a little more. He also includes his own personal history in the back of the book, so that readers can see the same tools he talked about being played out in real life. Decorated throughout with hilarious photoshopped images of monks in classical art, Fr. Wetta’s book is a great starting point for anyone, religious or not.
Living Joy: 9 Rules to Help You Rediscover and Live Joy Every Day (Chris Stefanick)
You know what we need more of in our world? Not money, not power, not fame or excitement, but joy. Joy isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. But, how do we find joy (and hold onto it) when so much of our life stands in the way? Chris Stefanick has the answer! This book will equip you with the wisdom you need to experience joy to the fullest. With evidence, experience, and common sense, you will learn nine rules to empower them to overcome the obstacles that keep you from unspeakable joy. Learn why gratitude is the first step, how silence creates space in your life for happiness, and how rest, friendship, and fun are all integral to joyful living and so much more. You have been created for joy. Now, learn how to find it again!
From Prodigal To Priest: A Journey Home to Family, Faith, and the Father’s Embrace (Goyo Hidalgo)
From Prodigal to Priest takes you on Hidalgo’s journey of reconciliation with his faith and his family. He offers compassionate encouragement to those who believe themselves unforgivable and reminds them that Jesus is always there to welcome them home to the Church. Hidalgo’s conversion story affirms the power of God’s mercy and the deep transformation his grace can bring. I absolutely love conversion stories. They are messy, emotional, and incredibly powerful. And in their own way, they can inspire us in our own faith journeys and remind us that no matter how difficult things may be, we are never really alone.
Happiness in This Life: A Passionate Meditation on Earthly Existence (Pope Francis)
A collection of homilies, speeches, and ‘messages of the day’ that brings together Pope Francis’s wisdom on finding happiness in the here and now. For Pope Francis, the appreciation of our everyday lives is a spiritual undertaking. Joy is a divine attribute, and creating joy around us an essential part of faith. Every homily and speech in this book delivers, in warm, engaging language accessible to believers and nonbelievers alike, a key lesson, instructing readers on finding love and happiness in a chaotic world. Along the way, Pope Francis discusses the sanctity of women’s rights, talks about how the love of sports can bring out our best qualities, and explains why fighting discrimination is the essence of loving thy neighbor. He shares personal stories and anecdotes from his life, provides comforting messages of hope, and discusses the ways flawed families can make you a better person. The core ideas of Francis’s papacy–mercy, support for marginalized people, and diplomacy–shine through.
