Looking for Good, Solid Catholic Fiction??
Are you looking for some good Catholic fiction which celebrates and proclaims the beauty of the Catholic Church? Which teaches and applies the teaching of JPII in his Theology of the Body? Perhaps a book for that preteen to college age girl or the girl who is discerning marriage, or religious life? Or the mother who hopes to better live out her vocation? I ran into a couple wonderful fiction books that do just that and am in the middle of the second one. They are by a Catholic mom of... 8? who lives in Canada. She has a beautiful ministry of teaching courtship over dating, discerning marriage in a respectful, chaste relationship, respecting God's plan for each person.
The books, thus far, are primarily about the discernment of the three eldest daughters of a family with eight children. The first is actually about the very eldest daughter, and the second, longer book, follows her as well as the discernment of the second and third daughters. It is FILLED with solid Catholic teachings and references to Theology of the Body and to the Bible. A wonderful teaching tool! And enjoyable.
My only criticism is that the characters are "too good." Everything - from music to golf to faith - comes too easily to them, and while the struggle of remaining faithful to the teaching of the Church and the temptation toward sin is addressed, it appears too easy, even for the characters who had previously lived sinful, "hedonistic" lifestyles. Their conversions - over and over - come very easily. Also, the characters are all physically beautiful. There is plenty of mention that their beauty is greater because of the joy that comes with their faith, but they, especially the teens and 20-somethings, also generally seem to be more physically attractive than the average person, something that could be difficult for a girl who reads this book who is sensitive to her appearances, which is the case all too often today.
But the books, through presenting the characters in this way, are very effective at showing the deep joy that comes with truly following the Will of God and with true, deep faith in Him. All the characters are beautiful because of their beautiful, unwavering faith, as are all people who any of us will ever come across in our lives who have that faith. The joy and the beauty these characters demonstrate is truly something to strive for, in that way, while realizing it is only through grace that we can have that type of beauty and realizing that kind of beauty is rare and requires unwavering faith and prayer, as well as God's grace and pure gift.
The only place I know you can order the books in through Carmen's website: www.courtshipnow.com. Unfortunately, their website is currently being redone. They list their number on the website if you would like the books sooner rather than later. She also has several other resources and also talks and a pamphlet on courtship, which I believe are free downloads; I'm sure those will be back once their website is completed. I bought the books together, which saved few dollars too; that may be available if you call. Please ask if you have more specific questions about the books.
I feel like I am trying to throw a sales pitch - I am not, except that I do truly believe these books are able to change lives, especially of preteen to college ago girls (or guys who are open to reading this type of fiction).
The books, thus far, are primarily about the discernment of the three eldest daughters of a family with eight children. The first is actually about the very eldest daughter, and the second, longer book, follows her as well as the discernment of the second and third daughters. It is FILLED with solid Catholic teachings and references to Theology of the Body and to the Bible. A wonderful teaching tool! And enjoyable.
My only criticism is that the characters are "too good." Everything - from music to golf to faith - comes too easily to them, and while the struggle of remaining faithful to the teaching of the Church and the temptation toward sin is addressed, it appears too easy, even for the characters who had previously lived sinful, "hedonistic" lifestyles. Their conversions - over and over - come very easily. Also, the characters are all physically beautiful. There is plenty of mention that their beauty is greater because of the joy that comes with their faith, but they, especially the teens and 20-somethings, also generally seem to be more physically attractive than the average person, something that could be difficult for a girl who reads this book who is sensitive to her appearances, which is the case all too often today.
But the books, through presenting the characters in this way, are very effective at showing the deep joy that comes with truly following the Will of God and with true, deep faith in Him. All the characters are beautiful because of their beautiful, unwavering faith, as are all people who any of us will ever come across in our lives who have that faith. The joy and the beauty these characters demonstrate is truly something to strive for, in that way, while realizing it is only through grace that we can have that type of beauty and realizing that kind of beauty is rare and requires unwavering faith and prayer, as well as God's grace and pure gift.
The only place I know you can order the books in through Carmen's website: www.courtshipnow.com. Unfortunately, their website is currently being redone. They list their number on the website if you would like the books sooner rather than later. She also has several other resources and also talks and a pamphlet on courtship, which I believe are free downloads; I'm sure those will be back once their website is completed. I bought the books together, which saved few dollars too; that may be available if you call. Please ask if you have more specific questions about the books.
I feel like I am trying to throw a sales pitch - I am not, except that I do truly believe these books are able to change lives, especially of preteen to college ago girls (or guys who are open to reading this type of fiction).
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