A Lending Library

rcia-lending-library

At each OCIA session, you should have a lending library available for OCIA participants. This way, your inquirers, catechumens, elect, and neophytes can check out additional resources at any time during the OCIA process to grow in their knowledge and understanding of the Catholic Faith as well as the spiritual life.

We recommend including a variety of different types of media (DVDs, books, compact discs, pamphlets, audio books, etc.) that cover a wide range of interests from apologetics to Bible study, to Catholic spirituality. This library would then allow participants to check out materials whenever they wish to go deeper into a particular topic or to have their questions/concerns answered.

So you ask: What do you recommend? Well, due to the prolific work of Catholic publishers over the past couple of decades, there are many, many excellent resources available. Below, we have listed a few suggestions, but by no means at all should this be taken as an exhaustive list! Many suggestions are linked to a place on the Internet where you can get them, to make it even easier on your part.

Testimonies

Book: Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism, by Scott & Kimberly Hahn
Book: Crossing the Tiber: Evangelical Protestants Discover the Historical Church, by Stephen K. Ray
Book: Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic, by David Currie
CD: Quest for Truth, by David Currie
CD: The Conversion of Scott Hahn, by Scott Hahn
Book: Surprised by Truth: 11 Converts Give the Reasons for Becoming Catholic, ed. by Patrick Madrid
Book: No Price Too High: A Pentecostal Preacher Becomes Catholic, by Alex Jones
Book: My Life on the Rock: A Rebel Returns to the Catholic Faith, by Jeff Cavins
Book: Home at Last: 11 Who Found Their Way to the Catholic Church, ed. by Rosalind Moss
Book: Honey from the Rock: 16 Jews Find the Sweetness of Christ, ed. by Roy Schoeman
CD: The Bible Made Me Do It, by Tim Staples

Apologetics

Book: Catholicism and Fundamentalism, by Karl Keating
Book: Where is That in the Bible?, by Patrick Madrid
CD: Why Do We Have a Pope?, by Scott Hahn

Topical

Book: A Map of Life: A Simple Study of the Catholic Faith, by Frank Sheed
Book: Catholicism for Dummies, by Fr. John Trigilio
Book: Theology for Beginners, by Frank Sheed
Book: Surviving Depression: A Catholic Approach, by Kathryn Hermes
Book: Annulments and the Catholic Church: Straight Answers to Tough Questions, by Edward Peters
Book: Open Embrace: A Protestant Couple Rethinks Contraception, by Sam & Bethany Torode
CD: The Four Marks of the Church, by Scott Hahn
CD: Anger and Forgiveness, by Bob McDonald
CD: Seven Reasons to Be Catholic, by Peter Kreeft
CD: Overcoming the New Age Movement, by Mathew Arnold

Sacraments and Liturgy

CD: The Mass Explained, by Fr. Larry Richards
CD: Marriage and the Eucharist, by Christopher West
CD: Confession, by Fr. Larry Richards
CD: Seven Secrets of the Eucharist, by Vinny Flynn
Book: Lord Have Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession, by Scott Hahn
Book: Sacraments in Scripture: Salvation History Made Present, by Tim Gray
Book: The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth, by Scott Hahn
CD: The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Christian Life, by Scott Hahn

The Bible

Book: Making Senses Out of Scripture: Reading the Bible As the First Christians Did, by Mark Shea
Book: You Can Understand the Bible: A Practical Guide to Each Book in the Bible, by Peter Kreeft
Book: A Father Who Keeps His Promises: God’s Covenant Love in Scripture, by Scott Hahn
Pamphlet: The Bible at a Glance (Faith Charts), by Scott Hahn
Book: Catholic for a Reason: Scripture and the Mystery of the Family of God, ed. by Hahn & Suprenant
Book: Coming Soon: Unlocking the Book of Revelation, by Michael Barber
CD: The Bible is a Catholic Book, by Michael Barber

Prayer

CD: Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet
Book: Prayer for Beginners, by Peter Kreeft

The Spiritual Life

CD: Healing and Holiness, by Vinny Flynn
Book: The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis
Book: The Way, by St. Josemaria Escriva
Book: A Call to Joy: Living in the Presence of God, by Matthew Kelly
Book: Introduction to the Devout Life, by St. Francis de Sales
Book: The Story of a Soul, by St. Therese of Lisieux
Book: The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose, by Matthew Kelly
CD: Wisdom of the Saints, by Fr. Shannon Collins
CD: The Spirit of Sacrifice, by Fr. Benedict Groeschel
CD: 15 Things to Do in the Midst of Suffering, by Jeff Cavins
CD: The Battle for Souls, by Fr. John Corapi

Salvation History

DVD: Jesus: The Word Became Flesh, by Stephen Ray
DVD: Mary: The Mother of God, by Stephen Ray
DVD: Peter: Keeper of the Keys, by Stephen Ray
DVD: Paul: Contending for the Faith, by Stephen Ray
DVD: Moses: Signs, Sacraments, and Salvation, by Stephen Ray
DVD: David & Solomon: Expanding the Kingdom, by Stephen Ray
DVD: Apostolic Fathers: Handing on the Faith, by Stephen Ray

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