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Resources
Some excellent resources to use at home in the parish or in school can be found at the National Office for Vocation
Reading List
How to Discover your Vocation
Fr Stephen Wang
A simple and informative CTS book written for young people who are discerning their vocation.
Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: Catholic Truth Society (28 April 2009)
ISBN-10: 1860825893
ISBN-13: 978-1860825897
Buy from CTS
Discovering Your Personal Vocation: The Search for Meaning Through the Spiritual Exercises
Fr Herbert Alphonso SJ
An Ignatian approach to discernment.
Paperback: 88 pages
Publisher: Paulist Press International,U.S. (1 Jan 2001)
ISBN-10: 9780809140442
ISBN-13: 978-0809140442
Buy from Amazon
Finding Life’s Purpose
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Handbook for young people searching for the purpose of their lives.
Paperback: 48 pages
Publisher: Catholic Truth Society
ISBN : 9781860827198
Buy from CTS
No Ordinary Calling
Fr Stephen Langridge
In this book priests tell their own stories of how they were able joyfully to answer that call. It shows that young men are still becoming priests today, and will be helpful to anyone interested in knowing more about the priesthood.
Paperback: 112 pages
Publisher: ST PAULS Publishing
ISBN: 9780854397884
Buy from St Pauls
Priesthood Today
Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue
Lessons from the Curé d’Ars: Reflecting on priesthood in the light of St John Vianney.
Paperback: 64 pages
Publisher: Catholic Truth Society
ISBN: 9781860826238
Buy from Amazon
Spirituality of the Priesthood
Pope Emeritus John Paul II
Read the profound reflections of this Pope who lived the priesthood in such a remarkable way.
Paperback: 72 pages
Publisher: Catholic Truth Society
ISBN: 9781860826597
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To Save a Thousand Souls
Fr Brett A. Brannen
For anyone considering the priesthood or involved in the training of seminarians. From explaining what the call of Christ means for priests, to the joy and nerves of ordination day, this book looks at many different aspects of priestly formation.
Paperback: 358 pages
Publisher: Marston Book Services Ltd.
ISBN: 9780989621205
Religious Vocation: An Unnecessary Mystery
Fr Richard Butler OP
Dominican Friar and priest, Fr Butler explores the theology of the vocation to the religious life.
Paperback: 167 pages
Publisher: TAN Books and Publishers, Inc. (December 10, 2005)
ISBN-10: 9780895558237
ISBN-13: 978-0895558237
Buy from Amazon
The Seven Storey Mountain
Thomas Merton
Trappist monk’s powerful testimony of his vocational and faith journey.
Paperback: 216 pages
Publisher: SPCK Publishing (19 Mar 2009)
ISBN-10: 9780281061709
ISBN-13: 978-0281061709
Buy from Amazon
A Way of Life for Young Catholics
Fr Stephen Wang
Practical guide to young people wanting to live their faith.
Paperback: 108 pages
Publisher: Catholic Truth Society
ISBN: 9781860824876
Buy from CTS
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola
St. Ignatius of Loyola
The founder of the Jesuits, St. Ignatius of Loyola, recognised the need to look after our spiritual wellbeing as well as our physical wellbeing. He composed a handbook for a retreat and called it ‘The Spiritual Exercises’. The exercises help the user discern desires grounded in vanity from those grounded in holiness, fostering a personal encounter with God with in daily life. The exercises themselves consist of meditations on Scripture passages as well as prayers, considerations (imaginative mental exercises), and contemplative practices.
Hardcover: 112 pages
Publisher: Gracewing; 1 edition (2004)
ISBN: 9780852444047
Intro to the Devout Life
St. Francis DeSales
During his lifetime St. Francis De Sales gave spiritual direction to numerous people. Introduction to the Devout Life is a compilation of letters and notes used in the spiritual direction of his cousin, Madame Marie de Charmoisy. Marie desired to live a pious life amidst the distractions and trappings of the Royal Court. She would seek the counsel of her cousin in matters of piety. A spiritual classic!
Paperback: 332 pages
Publisher: Baronius Press Ltd
ISBN: 9781905574148
The Story of a Soul
St. Therese of Lisieux
The Story of a Soul conveys St Therese of Lisieux’s “Little Way” of spiritual childhood, or as she called it her “elevator” to Heaven. Pope Pius XI approved her “Little Way” as a way for all to grow in holiness through unfailing confidence and childlike delight in God’s merciful love. Again and again in this book, St. Therese shows us how her “Little Way” of love and trust comes straight from Sacred Scripture.
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: TAN Books
ISBN: 9780895551559
The Imitation of Christ
Thomas Á Kempis
A classic text that has been very popular through the centuries. Written in the form of a conversation Thomas covers topics including liberation from worldly inclinations, preparation and consolations of prayer, and the place of eucharistic communion in a devout life.
Paperback: 248 pages
Publisher: Baronius Press Ltd
ISBN: 9781905574063
On the Dignity and Vocation of Women
Pope St. John Paul II
Pope John Paul II issued the Apostolic Letter Mulieris Dignitatem in a year when the Church specifically celebrated and called to min the Motherhood of Mary. The letter advocates a Christian complementarianism, a view on the complementary roles of men and women in line with the philosophy of new feminism. A thought provoking look at the role of women within the Church of the modern era.
Essential Elements in the Church’s Teaching on Religious Life
Sacred Congregation For Religious and For Secular Institutes
A reflection by the Holy See on the role of religious life within the Church. The document identifies 9 “characteristics” of Religious Life.
On Consecrated Life and its Mission in the Church and the World
Pope St. John Paul II
In 1994 the Synod of Bishops reflected upon the consecrated life and its mission. In this Post Synodal Exhortation ‘Vita Consecrata’ Pope John Paul II presents his thoughts on the proceedings of the synod. The Pope considers the gift and mission of consecrated life in service of the Church, and how it is based upon the example of Christ. The document is a lengthy read but worth consideration.
