PERSONAL PICKS - PATRICK MADRID

Apologetics, Theology & Spirituality
A balanced diet from three "soul-food" groups.

The Reed of God
By Caryll Houselander

Few things I've read on the Blessed Virgin Mary have made as deep an impression on me as this book has. It scintillates with rich theological insights and vivid biblical images. The prose is unadorned but elegant, each paragraph pregnant with meaning. Caryll Houselander goes to the heart of Marian doctrines by bringing us face-to-face with Mary herself. We're suddenly able to see her at the center of each dogma that passes before us: the Annunciation, the Virgin Birth, the Immaculate Conception, her perpetual virginity, and her Assumption. These dogmas become far more than a mere collection of theological propositions. In this book we see why the Church proclaims these doctrines. Resistance to Marian doctrines can be a seemingly insurmountable barrier for non-Catholics who might otherwise enter the Church if only they could understand and accept them. This book is a gentle, grace-filled demolition of that resistance.

(Softback, 128 pages, $6.99.)

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Catholicism & Reason:
Vol. 1: The Creed and Apologetics
Vol. 2: Commandments and Sacraments
By Fr. Edward J. Hayes, Msgr. Paul J. Hayes, and James J. Drummey

I'm frequently asked to recommend books for younger Catholics, especially high school and college students, and I invariably recommend this set. Volume 1 provides a basic but comprehensive explanation of Catholic apologetics. This volume works through Catholic teaching in such a way that it imparts not just knowledge of the Faith but the way in which to explain and defend the Faith. Common objections to Catholicism are anticipated and dealt with in a positive, not defensive, way. Volume 2 is a perfect counterbalance. It presents the essentials of Catholic teaching on the sacraments and moral theology, using "real life" examples and understandable terminology. Subjects are covered frankly but always with great respect for Christian modesty and decorum, including drugs, sexual ethics, drinking, honesty, cursing, birth control, seances, attending Mass on Sundays, and other issues that confront today's young Catholics.

(2 vol., softback, 275 pages each, $19.99.)

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By What Authority?
By Mark P. Shea

Usually review books sent to me go straight to my "soon to be read" (translation: "eventually to be forgotten") shelf, but not this one. The day the mailman delivered my copy of By What Authority?, I stopped what I was doing and sat down to read it, expecting a quick and tasty meal for the mind. I was wrong. This book is no "tasty meal" - it's a fully stocked giganto supermarket loaded with enough theological meat and potatoes to feed an army of apologists. Shea has accomplished what every author dreams of: to produce the book on a given subject. It refutes the Protestant claim that Tradition is a Catholic hoax, a "Roman novelty" cooked up by crafty prelates in an effort to obscure and circumvent the Bible. Shea moves smoothly from one Protestant objection to another, making the case for Tradition using Scripture, Church history, and impeccable logic. The tone is charitable and calm, with just the right amount of humor tossed in to make it a fun as well as informative read. Don't miss this one.

(Softback, 192 pages, $9.99.)

Go to the "Envoy Products" section to order this book (and others).