For those of you who have attended the RESCUE Project, you know what a great teacher and speaker Fr. John Ricarrdo is! He recently posted an article which included this message:
Joan of Arc once said, “All battles are first won or lost in the mind.” Therefore, what we put into our minds greatly influences how we think. ... So, one week away from Ash Wednesday, I wanted to pass along a few titles now to give us time to connect with our favorite book seller. To be sure, I could list far more titles than the ones below, but that would take too long. These are simply some that I return to often and have found to be “solid food” for the mind.
Anima Christi: Soul of Christ, by Mother May Francis, P.C.C. This is a rich meditation on a popular prayer that is found in The Magnificat after communion. Short, sweet, and punchy.
The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ, by Fleming Rutledge. This is not short. It’s just under 700 pages. Bishop Barron called it, “One of the most stimulating and thought-provoking books of theology he has read in the last ten years.” Rutledge is Anglican, and so there are certain things Catholics might quarrel with, but that’s ok. It’s a true super food for the mind and soul.
The Spiritual Combat and a Treatise on Peace of Soul, by Dom Lorenzo Scupoli. This is an old classic from the 16th century that never goes out of style. Supposedly, St. Francis de Sales carried a copy of it in his pocket and read from it every day (they must have had bigger pants back then).
Thirsting for Prayer, by Jacques Philippe. Father Philippe is one of the great spiritual teachers of our day. I recommend this especially for those of us longing to pray more deeply this Lent.
The Christian Cosmic Narrative: The Deep History of the World, Sophia Consulting. As far as I’m concerned, the single best and most dramatic introduction to the Christian vision of reality.
The Power of the Cross: Good Friday Sermons from the Papal Preacher, by Raniero Cardinal Cantalamessa. A collection of 43 homilies given in St. Peter’s from the man who has been “the Pope’s preacher” since John Paul II.
Food for the Soul: Cycle A, by Peter Kreeft. This is a commentary on the Sunday readings, and so worth reading well beyond Lent. If you’ve never read Kreeft, get ready for a gourmet meal. Virtually every word is worth underlining.
Happy reading! And look for more suggestions this weekend from Fr. Kowalczyk to help make a transformative "St. Max Lent".
Peace!