On Becoming A Catholic

The history of Christianity and particularly of Roman Catholicism has been profoundly shaped by conversion for centuries, from the first apostles to such prominent modern converts as John Henry Newman, St Elizabeth Ann Seton, G.K. Chesterton, Thomas Merton, and Graham Greene. In this work, David A. Yamane offers a study of Roman Catholic converts in contemporary America.

Are you new to Catholicism and become a recent Catholic convert? Did you grow up Catholic and return as a Catholic revert? Are you interested in becoming Catholic for the first time? If you want to learn more about basic Catholic beliefs, Waking Up Catholic: A Guide to Catholic Beliefs for Converts, Reverts, and Anyone Becoming Catholic is the book for you. The depth of Catholic theology is one of its greatest beauties, but understanding it can be one of its greatest challenges. You have questions. Waking Up Catholic has answers. Learn about: How does Catholic Tradition fit in with Scripture? Why do we have a pope? Do Catholics really worship Mary? Why do Catholics pray to saints? Is Holy Communion just a symbol of Christ? What is the purpose of Confession? Do repetitious Catholic prayers really work? And more... Waking Up Catholic answers these questions, and more, from the perspective of someone who converted to Catholicism himself. Waking Up Catholic may be the first Catholic book you've ever read, but after you're done, it won't be the last.

A comprehensive, challenging overview of the basic tenets, teachings and practices of the Catholic faith. An excellent book for group discussion and adult education programs.

In his first full-length book since converting to Roman Catholicism over ten years ago, Thomas Howard presents his wonderful, refreshing insights on the "glad tidings" of the deeper meaning of Catholic piety, dogma, spirituality, vision and practice, rendered in his unique style of prose for which he is well-known. The book's chapters take the form of lay meditations on Catholic teaching and practice, opening up in practical and simple terms the richness at work in virtually every detail of Catholic prayer, piety, liturgy and experience.

This book is…an act of witnessing, a testimony to the generosity of God that Catholics experience in accepting and living out the gift of faith that Christ has bestowed on them.—from the Introduction A bishop is not only a spiritual shepherd but a teacher. In Being Catholic Archbishop Pilarczyk teaches in clear, concise language the basic beliefs and practices of Catholics and what shapes a Catholic's thinking. The book discusses: HOW WE BELIEVE: Believing Catholic is a matter of knowing, understanding and responding to a story-the true story of God's love for us. It offers "the fundamentals that have to be there if thinking and practicing Catholic are going to have any appeal or make any sense." HOW WE PRACTICE: Reflections on the behaviors that express our faith and our membership in the Church, such as going to Mass, receiving the sacraments and raising children Catholic. By being a practicing Catholic, we strengthen our behaviors so we can proclaim them to others. HOW WE THINK: A series of thoughtful, pastoral and heartfelt reflections on all aspects of our lives in the world, seen through the eyes of one deeply faithful to the tradition and teachings of the church. Topics for "Thinking Catholic" include respect for life, spiritual maturity and a universal Church.

The popular blogger and publisher of Envoy magazine offers 10 key reasons why he loves being Catholic (and you should too). Drawing heavily on poignant anecdotes from his own experience as a life-long Catholic born in 1960s, Madrid offers readers a way of looking at the Church--its members, teachings, customs, and history--from perspectives many may have never considered. Growing up Catholic during a time of great social and theological upheaval and transition, a time in which countless Catholics abandoned their religion in search of something else, Patrick Madrid learned a great deal about why people leave Catholicism and why others stay. This experience helped him gain many insights into what it is about the Catholic Church that some people reject, as well as those things that others treasure. Drawing upon Madrid's personal experiences, Why Be Catholic? offers a deeply personal, fact-based, rationale for why everyone should be Catholic or at least consider the Catholic Church in a new light.

"Focuses on those doctrines, customs, traditions, and practices which have been, for centuries, at the very heart of Catholic faith and practice, [including] the seven sacraments, the layout of a church, details and process of the mass, Catholic doctrine on Mary, [and more]"--Jacket back.

In I Am Proud to be a Catholic: What Is Unique About Being a Catholic? Duane Crosland explores the highlights of what is unique about being a Catholic and why a person should be proud to be a Catholic. In asking the average person why they are a Catholic the standard responses are “I was born a Catholic” or “I was raised a Catholic”. These responses indicate a need for a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith and a fuller appreciation for the gift that Jesus Christ gave to all of us. The book hopes to attract the “wavering”, the “fringe”, the “fallen away”, the “coasting” but “committed” and “committed” Catholics - giving them simple reasons as to why a person should be proud to be a Catholic; the book may also attract a person that is not Catholic but is interested in the details of the Catholic faith. A person will gain an enhanced understanding of what it means to be a Catholic with a focus on what is unique about being a Catholic written in easy layman’s terms often supported by biblical quotes.