Feel Like You Are Lacking In Basic Catholic Formation? Here's Where To Begin
There are resources available to you
I encounter Catholics every day, both online and in the parish, that have the same problem:
“I am a faithful Catholic. I go to Mass every Sunday. I pray, but I feel like I really don’t know my faith like I should. What do I do?
This theme of true faithfulness to Christ and the Church but lacking in basic formation is prevalent, not only among young people, but in every age, demographic, and location.
In recent years with the advent of social media and the internet, there has been a growing availability of resources to address this problem. Think: Word on Fire, Ascension, Catholic Answers, etc. These resources are plentiful, orthodox, and extremely helpful. Before I went to seminary and got my Bachelor and Masters Degree in Theology, they were the source of my formation.
However, as good as these resources are for the masses, there is still a hunger for personal guidance and accompanying formation. When I teach in-person classes at the parish, such as a series on celibacy, the Liturgy, and Philosophy, my goal is not only to give the information, but it is also to be a formator for them. Someone who can not only give the information but who can also walk with them in their walk with Christ, specifically as they go through the same formation I had the privilege of receiving in higher education.
As my own ministry at the parish and online has grown, I have realized that most Catholics do not have access to higher education in Catholic studies (both cost and time), but that does not mean they do not desire it. That gap, as I see it, between the “big guys” (Word on Fire, etc.) and most Catholics, is where I feel my ministry fits.
My goal, the goal of In Defense of Theology, my podcast, my guides, etc., is to be a guide and a formator for you; someone who can walk with you, lead you, and show you the wealth of treasures that the Church has to offer. In short, to give you what I had the privilege to receive from my formation.
That is what I hope this publication can do for you.
Now, if I were just beginning to walk with someone, what would be the first things I would advise for them? (Not including prayer and the Sacraments because, obviously, that is a given).
Grab a Bible
Grab the Catechism
Subscribe to Bishop Barron’s content
Subscribe to Ascension Press’s content
Subscribe to In Defense of Theology
Grab a Bible
The first thing to do in your formation journey is to read Sacred Scripture. Now, I don’t mean just open up chapter 1 (Genesis 1), and start reading cover-to-cover. The Bible is not meant to be read like that, and I can almost promise you that you won’t make it.
However, what you can do, and what you should do, is intentionally immerse yourself in the world of Sacred Scripture.
For instance, take a Gospel, John for instance, and start, chapter by chapter, making your way through. If you have a Bible that has extensive footnotes, make sure you pay attention to them. Once you are done, pick another Gospel and do the same.
I would also recommend you look at the daily readings. Using the Church’s Lectionary as a reading guide is extremely helpful because it takes the guesswork out for you, and because it is specifically compiled by the Church, there is a structure and an order to what is chosen. Don’t reinvent the wheel; use what the Church has done for you.
So, number 1, get you a Bible and start to read it.
Grab a Catechism
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a highly useful and often underutilized resource for formation. Compiled in 1992 under the authority of Pope St. John Paul II, the Catechism is a massive resource and a wonderful reference guide to what the Church believes about many of the main problems or question you might have.
Now, as I mentioned in the last section, just like Sacred Scripture, the Catechism is not meant to be read cover to cover. Once again, you won’t make it. However, it is incredibly useful as a resource and guide to give you practical answers to questions as well as to use it as a resource for further study using the footnote resources. If you have a question about what the Church teaches about x, go look in the Catechism for a beautiful answer. However, while you are doing that, look at the footnotes and use those as a perfectly curated list for further study.
The Catechism should be one of your main sources of information in your formation journey.
Subscribe to Bishop Barron, Ascension, etc.
As I mentioned above, these resources are invaluable in your formation journey. As of now, many years later, there are most likely many videos, guides, etc. from each source that you can look into to answer your specific question. In the beginning, I used these sources daily to get a basic grasp of the Church, as well as to further my own study as I was beginning my academic formation.
In Defense of Theology
As a part of your formation journey, I would point you to this publication as a great source of personalized formation guidance. I write every essay and article on this publication with the intention to help you as a Catholic better understand the faith. I have many articles that dive into niche theological topics, that will interest some, and bore otherd=s. I also have many articles that are step-by-step explainers of important Catholic theology, which all Catholics should read.
I would point you specifically to my essay in which I break down the Catechism into its parts which can give you a richer understanding of why it is organized the way it is and how to better understand it.
I would also point you towards my personal favorite topic, Vatican II. Of all the DMs I get and of all the comments I receive, there always one common theme: how the heck do I understand Vatican II. Seeing that need, I wrote a whole introduction series to Vatican II which you can find here.
Another helpful tool, if you want to learn more about the Ecumenical Councils, which I also get asked about frequently, I put together a 32 page formation guide to the Ecumenical Councils which goes into detail about each Council, when it was, who started it, what happened, and what did it say. You can find that here.
Lastly, one of the most misunderstood theological teachings, but one which quite literally is the backbone for understanding all the doctrines of the Church, is doctrinal development. Once again, in an effort to guide you in your formation, I have put together a formation guide to Doctrinal development, which you can find here.
I hope this gets you started on your formation journey! Remember, I am here to walk with you to help you understand theology and understand the reasons why you believe what you believe!
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