Rediscover Catholicism: A Spiritual Guide to Living with Passion and Purpose

I must admit that if more "lukewarm" Catholics read this book, there would be an explosion of Faith-In-Action in their parishes!! So many Catholics go through life never really understanding the true nature of the Catholic Faith, and more importantly, what we are all called to do and be--the salt of the earth...emissaries of Christ! I've seen so many fellow Catholics, especially the 50+ age group, who want a 45 minute Mass (an hour is too long, you see), a 5 second homily (Father never says what I want to hear), and then there is the mad dash for the door right after Communion to the parking lot that makes the Indie 500 look like a snail race! Matthew Kelly does a superb job in defining the problem and laying out solutions we all can use! So many older Catholics get caught up in personal agendas, power plays, and gossip (and that is just in the pews)! Many dress for Mass as if they are going on a picnic or a day at the beach, not to be in the presence of Our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ...and when asked about this inconguity they respond, "God doesn't care what I wear..." Funny, I was taught you attend Mass to worship God and go dressed the best you are able out of respect for God... That said, Mr. Kelly rightly shows how to check the personal stuff at the door and respond in Faith, Hope, and Love to our fellow Christians (both Catholic and Protestant). My parish ordered about 50 of these books to be made available to anyone who wants one! After saying that, I must comment on the Kindle edition of this book, which contains numerous typo errors and downright ommissions from the printed book edition. Please, please correct this!!!

Want to know your religion in a very basic and clear straight forward book, that is the right book for all those Catholics, specially those who have NO clue about their religion, Kelly Mattew is a great author.

Matthew Kelly is a wonderful author who uses stories, reflections and practical suggestions to portray "the genius of Catholicism." He has inspired me to try to become "a better version of myself". I have incorporated many of his suggestions into my daily routine. For example, I am much happier and calmer praying the rosary on my way to work than listening to shock jocks on the radio. I have stopped swearing. I am kinder and more generous. I pray daily. I am much happier and have better relationships. I have a long way to go certainly and I have many failings. Yet I am comforted to listen to the practical advice of a husband and father who is also trying to be a better person. By the way, this is the fifth time I have read this book and I have given dozens of copies to friends and family.

Our parish is using this book along with its study guide during LENT, 2013. It's been divided into six sections so we read one section each week and answer questions in the guide before we meet on the Monday evenings of LENT. After a brief assembly in the sanctuary, we break into small groups of 8-12 and discuss what we have been studying. WOW. Matthew Kelly has a gifted knowledge of what it means to be Catholic and how so many of us have forgotten how to become the "best version of yourself". Rediscover Catholicism has been a great read for me and given me a real sense of what is required to live a full life as God wants us all to do. The input from our study group members with regard to how we perceive our spiritual self and the actual self we become has truly been an eye opener. The Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality section is a must read for Protestants as well as Catholics. Matthew Kelly renews an awareness in you that is often times almost nonexistent. All I can tell you is read it and you'll know what you have been missing in your life and how to rediscover it. Matthew Kelly will be speaking at Our Lady of Greenwood, which is about a 30 minute drive from where I live, April 13, 2013. I already have my tickets to see him in person. It's going to be a fantastic experience. Once again...read the book...it's the best thing you can do to help you on your spiritual journey. Pax Christus.

Since Catholics have been either leaving, or diminishing their connection with the Church, it is good to have a learned author refresh our memories with the real strength of the historic background of The Church. Kudos to Mr. Kelly, who wrote an easy read, inspirational outlook and very pointed sketch of the real values of tradition, discipline and depth that it offers. Even non-Catholics who read it will grasp new meaning as to why it has survived since its inception and how it has influenced the Protestant religions that followed the separation. We are more alike than we are different and share much common ground. It also offers hope for all Christians in this modern world of change to not only survive, but even thrive if we stay honest, accepting and loving of each other. Grandma Ruth

The book is really great. I was born into Catholicism and left the church for 7 years and this book was given as a gift from a friend. She said if you are having trouble coming back you should read. This book gave me rebirth into coming back to the church. I loved the chapter over reconciliation! If you are catholic and you have not gone to confession in a while, you must go!! Talk about being lifted by the Holy Spirit and having SIN lifted off your shoulders! It might be given by a priest as a mediator so to seem, but wow I know for a fact God was in that room! I have a ton of shame and sin in my life and that chapter gave me courage to go and speak with God! If you say "man confession is not for me or it's something of another era", give it a try! I did and man it was wonderful! Habits are what change us and he does a great job of writing about making habitual changes.

This book is an outstanding reminder of the wonderful things about our Catholic faith. This is not a "nuts and bolts" of Catholic tradition and doctrines. Rather it reminds us of the the reasons we should embrace our Catholic faith instead of allowing the negative things that we may have experienced or heard drive us away or give us an excuse to "throw the baby out with the bath water". It is an easy read, even for slow readers. I am a practicing, devout Catholic and I got this book for a family member who has abandoned his faith more than 40 years ago, but due to a serious illness and an visit by a Catholic priest at the hospital, has shown an interest in his faith again. This book may also be good for a non-Catholic Christian who has questions about some aspects of Catholicism, particularly the saints, and why Catholics look to them as role models. If you need a "nuts and bolts" book, "Catholicism for Dummies" is great. If you need a book for a protestant to help them embrace Catholicism, "Surprised by Truth" is great for them.

I just bought this in Kindle and Audible formats. Originally, I got the book in the mail and I never recall ordering. Seemingly odd for a book with this name, it opens telling of a pandemic, much like COVID-19. And after reading the story about the pandemic, much like the Easter Story we celebrate each year which is based on the Salvation History story, Kelly presents us with a question, “Father, seeing it from your eyes should break our hearts. Maybe now we can begin to comprehend the great love you have for us”? That's when I became interested in what he was trying to tell us in the book. It was a good hook to get me to read. It might work for you also. Baiting us, Kelly prays, “We collectively rediscover what it means to live a Christian life.” Kelly says, “The Church, like so many other things in life, is not something we inherit from generations past or take over from our predecessors. The Church is on loan to us from future generations.” With Churches empty, do we have plans to give it back to them—or doesn’t the Easter Story mean enough to us? It's a fascinating challenge he places before us. If you’re curious about all he’s trying to tell us, like I was, you'll have to read the book! Just a side note: I heard him talk years after I first read the book and found him a captivating Catholic Christian witness.

This book engaged me from the first page to the very last work.It has reminded of the beauty that is the Catholic Church, the one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Matthew Kelly has rekindled my faith, provided me with the tools to become the-very-best-version-of-myself. Read this book, share this book and together we can set the world alight!

Excelente libro. Ameno, buena redacción y profundo. Ideal para meditar, fomentar el cambio personal y comentarlo en familia. Muy recomendable.

Very good book. Highly recommend.

I loved the book, It helped me on my way back Home, to the Catholic Church.

I purchased Rediscovering the Catholic to read on holiday. What an inspiration!! It made me look at life and my faith through fresh eyes and it was packed with useful tips on how to make my faith mean something in my everyday life. This book is really easy to read and has helped me to discover true joy and hope in my life.