Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith

Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith
By Father Robert Barron

Book Overview

"What I propose to do in this book is to take you on a guided exploration of the Catholic world, but not in the manner of a docent, for I am not interested in showing you the artifacts of Catholicism as though they were dusty objets d'art in a museum of culture. I want to function rather as a mystagogue, conducting you ever deeper into the mystery of the incarnation in the hopes that you might be transformed by its power."
—Father Robert Barron

What is the Catholicism? A 2,000 living tradition? A worldview? A way of life? A relationship? A mystery? In Catholicism, Father Robert Barron examines all these questions and more, seeking to capture the body, heart and mind of the Catholic faith.

Starting from the essential foundation of Jesus Christ's incarnation, life, and teaching, Father Barron moves through the defining elements of Catholicism—from sacraments, worship, and prayer, to Mary, the Apostles, and Saints, to grace, salvation, heaven, and hell—using his distinct and dynamic grasp of art, literature, architecture, personal stories, Scripture, theology, philosophy, and history to present the Church to the world.

Paired with his documentary film series of the same title, Catholicism is an intimate journey, capturing "The Catholic Thing" in all its depth and beauty. Eclectic, unique, and inspiring, Father Barron brings the faith to life for a new generation, in a style that is both faithful to timeless truths, while simultaneously speaking in the language of contemporary life.

Includes over 100 black and white, and color photos.

Return to the Patheos Book Club for more conversation on this book.

About the Author

FATHER ROBERT BARRON is an acclaimed author, speaker, and theologian, and the founder of the international media ministry Word On Fire. Through television, radio, podcasts, his blog, and YouTube videos he pursues the simple but revolutionary mission of evangelizing the culture. Additionally, Father Barron is the Francis Cardinal George Chair of Faith and Culture at Mundelein Seminary, and the creator and host of Catholicism, a groundbreaking ten-part documentary series and study program about the Catholic Faith. For more information visit www.wordonfire.org.

Read an exclusive interview with Fr. Barron at the Patheos Book Club here.

Praise for the Book

"Clarity, intelligence, passion and elegance—these are the marks of a writer in top form, and Father Barron brings all these gifts to bear in this extraordinary reflection on the Catholic faith. If you read one book this year on what Catholics believe and why, this is the book to read—and to share with others."
—Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap, Archbishop of Denver

"Father Robert Barron's Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith takes a path less traveled in leading us to explore the faith through stories, biographies, and images. In these pages, we meet the "Word made Flesh" not only in theological formulations, but also in saints and poets, cathedrals and chants, priests and prophets. What makes Catholicism so compelling are the ways in which Father Barron shows how the Incarnation goes on in the true, the good, and the beautiful."
— Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York

"Catholicismis one of the most significant efforts ever to advance what Pope John Paul II called 'The New Evangelization.'"
—George Weigel, author of Witness to Hope and The End and the Beginning

"Prepare yourself for an entrancing tour of the many facets of Catholicism. From Her art to Her architecture, Her theological riches, to the inspired personalities that have filled Her pews, the Catholic Church is laid bare by a priest who is more than up to the task. Like the Faith it seeks to capture, it is a journey that will leave you full—and then hungering for more."
—Raymond Arroyo, New York Times Bestselling Author of Mother Angelica and host of EWTN's The World Over Live

10/1/2011 4:00:00 AM
  • Book Club
  • Beauty
  • Catechism
  • Evangelism
  • History
  • Ritual
  • Sacrament
  • Christianity
  • Roman Catholicism
  • About