Recommended reading

By Father Kevin Mannara, CSB

There is a multitude of sources to turn to. A good spiritual director or mentor should be able to make many recommendations. Here is a brief, introductory list of books and websites for someone starting out asking about vocations.

Books

• Casey Cole, OFM, Called: What Happens After Saying YES to God, Franciscan Media, 2018. (Note: also check out his Youtube series, “Breaking In the Habit”)
• Benedict Croell, OP and Andrew Hofer, OP, A Living Sacrifice: A Guide for Men Discerning Religious Life, Vianney Vocations, 2019.
• Daniel P. Horan, OFM, Dating God: Live and Love in the Way of St. Francis, Franciscan Media, 2012.
• James Martin, SJ, Becoming Who You Are: Insights on the True Self from Thomas Merton and Other Saints, Paulist Press, 2006.
• Thomas Merton, The Seven Storey Mountain, (multiple publishers).
• Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation, (multiple publishers).
• Henri Nouwen, Discernment: Reading the Signs of Daily Life, HarperOne Publishers, 2015.
• St. Therese of Lisieux, The Story of a Soul, (multiple publishers).
• Mark Thibodeaux, SJ, God’s Voice Within: The Ignatian Way to Discover God’s Will, Loyola Press, 2010.
• Bonnie Thurston, Hidden In God: Discovering the Desert Vision of Charles De Foucauld, Ave Maria Press, 2016.

Websites

• National Religious Vocations Conference, FAQs
• United States Catholic Conference of Bishops
• Canadian vocations
• Learn more about the history of the Basilian Fathers and our mission of education and evangelization.