Most Religious Education and RCIA programs are coming to an end for the year. Even though our time commitments may slow down in some respects we live in a busy world where finding time to slow down in challenging. Many of us, myself included, could not imagine life before cell phones and the internet. Just 10 years ago people where functioning just fine without a cell phone (although they were around and people had them). The Internet was also around, but not as fast and not as many people functioning directly from it regarding their jobs, and personal endeavors. It is more challenging than ever to find the time to sit down and just read and relax. It is very important as catechist and as a disciple of Jesus that we take the time to read and grow in our faith. This not only helps us grow spiritually but also in our knowledge and understanding of our beautiful faith. I have listed some books worth reading. It is not an exhaustive list but if you pick one or two of these books to read this summer I think you’ll find the time spend reading them abundantly refreshing and inspiring as you grow in your spiritual life and in your knowledge of the Faith.
Spiritual Life
Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales
Story of a Soul by St. Therese
Time for God by Fr. Jacques Philippe
Prayer Primer by Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M. 
The Way of the Disciple by Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis
Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen
Heaven In Our Hands by Fr. Benedict Groeschel
In Conversation with God (7 volume set) by Fr. Francis Fernandez
Heaven in Our Hands by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.
Appointment with God by Fr. Michael Scanlan
Five Loaves and Two Fish by Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan
Prayer For Beginners By Peter Kreeft (I was not a beginner when I read this and found it very helpful and insightful)
He Leadeth Me By Fr. Walter Ciszek, S.J. 
Knowledge and Understanding
The Lord by Fr. Ramano Guardini
To Know Christ Jesus by Frank Sheed
Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots by Dr. Scott Hahn
Swear to God: The Promise and Power of the Sacraments by Dr. Scott Hahn
Heaven, the Heart’s Deepest Longing by Peter Kreeft
Catholic For a Reason (4 volumes)
Back to Virtue by Peter Kreeft
Letters to a Young Catholic by George Weigel (this book is meant for adults)
What books are you hoping to read this summer? I pray you have a blessed summer filled with time to slow down, regroup and grow spiritually!
May 14, 2012 at 6:56 PM
I read Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen a couple of years ago. I’ve been using Rembrandt’s Prodigal Son in class for the last 8 years or so, which the book is based on. In the summer of 2009 (IIRC) I was able to see the original in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg.