10 spiritual proposals for Book Day: short novel, theology or devotional books

On the feast of Saint George and the Day of the Book, many readers decide to visit bookshops and, in Catalonia, the streets with exposed books, to stock up on good reading. In ReligionInFreedom we want to point out some books on faith and spirituality that are worth knowing. Several are short novels, others are devotional works, historical analyses, teachings of the Church in popular format… To enjoy Sant Jordi!

1. Pray today with Divine Mercy (selection by Antonio Sagarra Renedo)

This year Book Day coincides with Divine Mercy Sunday, the first after Easter, a holiday promoted by John Paul II based on the visions of the Polish nun Saint Faustina Kowalska. This year, the Fonte publishing house (Monte Carmel) offers Pray today with Divine Mercy, an affordable and brief compilation (165 pages) of Faustina’s thoughts and experiences.

It includes aspirations, short prayers, devotions for the day, texts of the dialogues between Jesus and the saint… A little spiritual work.

two. uncertain loveby Jose Luis Olaizola

Olaizola, Planeta Prize and Barco de Vapor Prize, is fireproof. Neither old age, widowhood nor the pandemic have exhausted his pen. In 2022 take this out novella (117 pages).

cover-uncertain-loves

A young adult, orphan with money, moves between rich golfers and ski resorts, and potential suitors. But he meets a teacher at a school for “difficult students”. Humor and the clash of characters, with a background of faith, lead us through this friendly story. (Can be ordered here in OcioHispano).

3. Fundamental Manual of Spiritualityby Tomas Spidlik

ReL readers know that we always recommend books by the Moravian Jesuit Tomás Spidlik, wise professor at the Pontifical Oriental Institute, who died in 2010. In 2022, his Basic Manuala large book, 542 pages, full of spiritual life, and not mere theories.

Spidlik's Fundamental Manual of Spirituality

Contains exhortations and teachings from his years as a spiritual father at the Nepomucene school. He insists that faith is to be lived in a unitary way. “If the spiritual life does not create the unity of people, which is the true ecclesial body, then it is a falsehood, a substitute,” warns the author. The source of his theology is the experience of the Church, with its two lungs, that of the East and that of the West.

Four. Pio’s lookby Jorge Montenegro

For those who have enjoyed the spiritual film the cabin, you may like this spiritual short novel very much. A man falls into a coma, and is visited by a series of guides –like the ghosts of Christmas story of Dickens- that take you to other times and moments.

lamiradadepio

He reviews his life and the veil of vanity and worldliness that blinded him falls away. Montenegro shines in nostalgic costumbrista scenes: the music of Mecano, the comments next to the Santiago Bernabéu stadium about whether Schuster will go to Madrid after Barça, Christmas meals with brother-in-law, Iniesta’s goal… (Here at OcioHispano).

5. Compassion: a storyby Manuel Alejandro Rodriguez de la Pena

It has been one of the great historical reflection books of 2021. Before Christ, there was compassion in the world, but it was scarce, limited to some philosopher, or it was seen as a weakness. The nomadic peoples could produce a Genghis Khan, but “no nomadic tribe gave birth to a Socrates, a Seneca, a Buddhaa Confucius or a Jesus of Nazareth”. There are previous steps of equity and justice in Egypt and Sumer, among the most spiritual. Rodríguez de la Peña goes to René Girard or Karen Armstrong, among other sources.

Compassion, a story

“The religious always tends to appease violence, to prevent its unleashingin daily life and in ritual life”, quoted by Girard. We review the greater humanity that Buddhism supposed in India of the castes and warrior lords. And we consider what might have become of China if Mozi’s benevolence had extended further than Confucius’ conformity. Barely 216 pages are enough to take us to the almost Christian mystic Simone Weil who comments on Thucydides. maybe in times of war on the news we need to read it more than ever. (In CeuEdiciones.es).

6. face down in the puddleby Miguel Angel Poblet Capa

Who has intrigued you will be like godsby Gustave Thibon, you may like this short novel that is read in two sittings and with agility. It may be especially interesting for young adults. Set in a kind of dystopia of a near future in which there are hardly any Christians left, a government run by algorithms decides more and more things, who lives, who dies, who is born, but always with kindness and without apparent violence. Hedonism, insignificance, worldliness… but some protagonists begin to ask themselves questions about the meaning of life and about God.

Face down in the puddle, by Miguel Ángel Poblet

Yes, it is a novel of ideas and dialogue, but the characters are not mere Socratic artifices, nor is the society it presents. The spirituality of the book drinks a bit of René Girard, pays homage to Crime and Punishment of Dostoyevsky and proclaims all the details of the kerygma in the neocatechumenal style. The author, Miguel Ángel Poblet, who lived in his youth “as if God did not exist”, rediscovered faith later through the Neocatechumenal Way, is married and is the father of 9 children. (Here at New Start).

7. King Baudouin. The legacy of his lifeof Cardinal Suenens

It was the surprise book of the spiritual realm at the end of the year. retrieve the texts by Cardinal Leon Joseph Suenens, spiritual confidant of King Baudouin of Belgium. and expands them with unpublished letters of the monarchloaded with faith, in which he speaks of God, prayer, his awareness of smallness…

king_baldwin_legate_cardinal_suenens

The book is completed with photographs not known until now. Includes all the romantic and amazing history of how he was looking for a Christian wife and fell in love with the Spanish Fabiola de Mora y Aragón. He will amaze more than one by his closeness and humility, he will help many to remember what Jesus said: “come to me, you who are weary and burdened, and I will relieve you.” ( Here at OcioHispano )

8. Christianity in thirteen wordsby Pablo Blanco

Priest professor of “Introduction to Christianity” at the University of Navarra, he concentrates on 200 pages basic questions about the faith in simple language. Big Bang or evolution? What exactly is original sin? Why are there statements in the Bible that seem patently inaccurate?

Christianity in thirteen words

What data does the story give about Jesus? What is this eternal life that Christianity promises? Does the hell exist? Why do Catholics still not accept divorce? The author acknowledges himself inspired by mere christianity, by CS Lewis, and faith explained, by Leo J. Trese. Creation, Church, truth, prayer… All the topics that matter the most. (Here in Rialp).

9. Vulnered Adults in the Churchby Paula Merelo

A book on an ugly subject, and therefore a necessary book. The sexual abuse of the elderly in the Church is based on spiritual deception, asymmetry, abuse of authority (by priests, superiors, confessors, bosses…). Even if there is consent, it is tainted by the asymmetry in the relationship. The Church condemns him, but only now is he beginning to seek steps for healing, prevention, understanding.

Vulnered Adults in the Church, by Paula Merelo

There is no theology about it and much remains to be understood and improved. It is not a perfect book and it deals with a borderline issue in which much information is missing, but it is a brave work that deserves to be taken into account. (In San Pablo Publisher)

10. The last word of Albert Camusby Miguel Angel Blazquez

We end this tour with another short spiritual novel (genre, as we see, full of life). explore the last two days of the existentialist philosopher Albert Camusdied in 1960 in a car accident.

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The story explores the psychological complexity of Albert Camus and his incessant search for a meaning for life, love, truth, through dialogues with the protagonists. Highly intelligent and sensitive, wounded by his family’s lack of affection, he sought affection excessively. What if he had known more about God? (Whom LeisureHispanic)

10 spiritual proposals for Book Day: short novel, theology or devotional books