This site mostly aims to make available Catholic books, or notes and reviews on Catholic books that are not available elsewhere. But naturally, some people come to this site looking for certain particular Catholic books that are not available on this site–recently, for example, someone came looking for children’s books and missals. To help with this, we’ve added a custom engine to search for free catholic books. We plan to add a second search that will include both free Catholic books and books that are only available for purchase.
Archive for the ‘books’ Category
Free Catholic Books Search Engine
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008Carmelite Books
Sunday, May 4th, 2008We’ve added several books written by Carmelites to the site: works by St. John of the Cross (Ascent of Mt. Carmel, Dark Night of the Soul, Living Flame of Love), St. Teresa of Avila (Interior Castle), and St. Therese of Lisieux (Story of a Soul, Letters to Celine, Prayers, Counsels and Reminiscences) to the website! See the main page for links to the free downloads of the books by these Carmelite saints.
Aquinas on Religious Vocation
Friday, March 28th, 2008
Vocation in Aquinas
For many young people the idea of a religious vocation is something very mysterious. They may want to become religious, but suppose that they must find some secret “something” deep within themselves, if they are to enter a religious community. In this recently republished book, “Religious Vocation: An Unnecessary Mystery“, Fr. Richard Butler turns to that great theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas, to find the traditional view of vocation. Renowned for his clarity in general, it is the same when Thomas Aquinas speaks about religious vocation. The view of vocation according to Aquinas is quite simple: Christ himself proposed the religious life as the best way for attaining Christian perfection in love: “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” And so, if you would like to live this radical Christian life as a religious, and are willing to do what it takes, then go for it! Christ will support you by his grace!
Read quotes from the book, or go the original source, and read texts of Aquinas on religious vocation.