ImpyTerwilliger
Veritatem facientes in caritate
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Personality type: Melancholic/choleric
Posts: 98
I'm not actually a singing owlet.
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« on: October 10, 2009, 11:42:AM » |
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My 22-year-old nephew has recently been arrested and jailed. He is charged with a serious crime. He may spend up to 10 years in prison if found guilty. He is addicted to painkillers (and who knows what else). Before his arrest, I tried to persuade him and his mother to go to Comunita Cenacolo ( http://www.hopereborn.org). Yes, I know it's not strictly traditional, but it is very Eucharistic and very Marian. I believed and still believe that it was the best thing out there. Our Lord gave it to us as His Plan A, I think. But my nephew ended up in jail. So we're looking at Plan B. I would like to send him at least three good books to teach him the Faith, to console him, and to protect him from Fundamentalists. (He's jailed in South Carolina.) I want him to learn to believe and to pray as a Catholic, now that he is immobilized (which is, in truth, probably the best thing for him now). He has below average intelligence, but not significantly below average. He finished high school. His temperament is on the emotional side. He has a sensitive temperament. Given all these factors, can you all recommend some good books for him? |
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libby
Gender: 
Personality type: INFP
Posts: 5,167
"does this bike make me look fat?" - VoxClamantis
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« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2009, 12:13:PM » |
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I wouldn't send him any hard core apologetics or anything, because it may just distance him further, out of despair.
How about some of the books on the Saints?
There's some pretty good books on the lives of the Saints that describe all of their struggles -
Something to show him that no matter how sinful a life we choose to lead, God can always drag us up out of whatever mess we've gotten ourselves into.
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ImpyTerwilliger
Veritatem facientes in caritate
Gender:
Personality type: Melancholic/choleric
Posts: 98
I'm not actually a singing owlet.
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« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2009, 01:21:PM » |
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How about some of the books on the Saints?
Libby, I'm glad you say that. I was thinking precisely the same thing: that there should at least be a book or two on the life of a saint. |
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Herr_Mannelig
HIC SVNT SICARI SANCTIMONIALES
Posts: 11,074
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« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2009, 01:30:PM » |
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The Mystical City of God, either in full (four volumes) or the abridgment (one volume).
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ImpyTerwilliger
Veritatem facientes in caritate
Gender:
Personality type: Melancholic/choleric
Posts: 98
I'm not actually a singing owlet.
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« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2009, 01:55:PM » |
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The Mystical City of God, either in full (four volumes) or the abridgment (one volume). Thank you for the suggestion, Rosarium. I think I would like to read that book myself. I have read that Venerable Solanus Casey loved that book. However, I think it would overwhelm my nephew. Very rich food! |
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Anastasia
i > u
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« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2009, 03:35:PM » |
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If he want to write to one of the catholic book publishers, they will likely send him some books for free, because he's imprisoned. When I worked for Ignatius, we did this all the time.
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sheep101
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Personality type: melancholic
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« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2009, 12:42:PM » |
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Perhaps Pope Benedict's encyclical on hope? A bible is always a good thing to have if he doesn't have one perhaps you should send him one, with perhaps some Catholic commentary such as Ignatius's press bible commentary, you would have to send them to him in parts(they are split up by new testament book), which may be a good thing anyway so he can then focus on them one at a time. Nothing is equivalent to the word of God.
Also perhaps send him some cigarettes and candy...
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Lord have mercy!
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Melita
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in search of a Catholic forum
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« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2009, 01:02:PM » |
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Maybe you could send him the works of St. Therese of Lisieux, or a life of St Francis of Assisi. Both are amongst my personal favourites and you can find writings by/about them to cater to all levels and temperaments.
There's surely a Catholic prison chaplain he can talk to.... I'm sure that would be of some help, and consolation.
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“I am a Catholic not like someone else would be a Baptist or a Methodist, but like someone else would be an atheist.” - Flannery O'Connor
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amasimp
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Posts: 174
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« Reply #8 on: October 13, 2009, 02:56:PM » |
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I would recommend "An Introduction to the Devout Life" by St. Francis de Sales. It is easy to read and great for souls in despair. Heck...I'd recommend it even if your nephew wasn't looking at Plan B.
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ImpyTerwilliger
Veritatem facientes in caritate
Gender:
Personality type: Melancholic/choleric
Posts: 98
I'm not actually a singing owlet.
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« Reply #9 on: October 14, 2009, 12:50:PM » |
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Thanks to everyone who replied to my request for suggestions!  These are the books I sent to my nephew today, via Amazon.com: 1. New Testament and Psalms, RSV-CE2, published by Ignatius Press. (The blue leather cover.) 2. Baltimore Catechism No. 3 (published by Baronius Press, which does a beautiful job with its books). 3. Prayer Primer, by Fr. Thomas Dubay. 4. A biography of St. John Bosco, published by Tan. |
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stvincentferrer
Posts: 1,248
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« Reply #10 on: November 10, 2009, 02:46:AM » |
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If he want to write to one of the catholic book publishers, they will likely send him some books for free, because he's imprisoned. When I worked for Ignatius, we did this all the time.
What a wonderful gesture, especially for book publishers, who are always just barely managing to survive. |
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libby
Gender:
Personality type: INFP
Posts: 5,167
"does this bike make me look fat?" - VoxClamantis
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« Reply #11 on: November 10, 2009, 01:08:PM » |
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Thanks to everyone who replied to my request for suggestions! These are the books I sent to my nephew today, via Amazon.com: 1. New Testament and Psalms, RSV-CE2, published by Ignatius Press. (The blue leather cover.) 2. Baltimore Catechism No. 3 (published by Baronius Press, which does a beautiful job with its books). 3. Prayer Primer, by Fr. Thomas Dubay. 4. A biography of St. John Bosco, published by Tan.
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RalphKramden
"Baby, you're the greatest!"
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St. Cristopher, Pray For Us.
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« Reply #12 on: November 10, 2009, 01:24:PM » |
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3. Prayer Primer, by Fr. Thomas Dubay.
I've read this book and I'd recommend it to anyone. This book is well written and practical, plus it isn't that long so you can read it and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Plus it's deep without being too lofty, that's good for lowly bus drivers like yours truly  |
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mamalove
the veiled terror
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putting fear into the hearts of feminists
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« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2009, 01:51:PM » |
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can he have CD's? if you are worried about protestant prostlestyzing....Id say a good Fr Corapi series. Maybe one on prayer, the blessed mother, forgivness, ect...Fr Corapi can preach it like a baptist minister anyday  |
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The Grace of God our Savior hath appeared to all men, instructing us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly, and justly, and godly in this world, looking for the blessed hope and coming of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us form all iniquity, and might cleanse to Himself a people acceptable, a pursurer of good workd. These things speak, and exhort: in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Titus 2, 11-15
Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly
Psalm 1:1
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