L'abandon

Well, here I am, 2 years later, my dear readers. Where hast the time fluttered away? Youth ministry consumed my life, and I didn't really have time to read much. Well, I read the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church ("Green" or "white" copies, none of that watered-down "young adult" or "youcat" crap) http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM during Lent in 2010, and then all 12 documents of Vatican II http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/ for Lent 2011. I do recommend everyone read the entire CCC from cover to cover, even if you aren't Catholic. ESPECIALLY if you aren't Catholic. It's easy to understand and comprehensive. If you want to read Vatican II materials but don't want to tackle all of them, at least read the four constitutions. Among other things, I've read Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux and Come Be My Light by Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta.

It's unfortunate that I haven't kept up with this blog. I'm ready to start up again. Currently, I've given my entire life to Christ through Catholic Youth Expeditions (www.cyexpeditions.org), and I am a full time missionary of the New Evangelization for the next three years, if not indefinitely. What does this mean? I do a lot of spiritual reading. During the summer of 2011, I attended the St. John's Summer Conference at the community of St. John in Peoria, IL. We had two formation classes in philosophy and theology, and I was introduced to Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas. I swiftly acquired a copy of Nicomachean Ethics and attempted to tackle it. I made it to Book 5. Heh. I've heard that 7, 8, and 9 are pretty phenomenal. I have no desire to return at this juncture.

During my 5 day silent retreat at Pacem in Terris (http://www.paceminterris.org/), I found A Tour of the Summa by Monsignor Paul Glenn, and instantly fell in love. I assumed it would be helpful to read through this "Cliff's Notes" version before ripping through the real thing.  Currently, I'm 100 pages from finishing A Tour. I'm also reading (for CYE Formation) Peace of Soul by Bishop Fulton Sheen, and Liesure, the Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper.

I happened to walk by The Screwtape Letters just laying around on a coffee table, so I picked it up and polished it off in a few days. Here is where I will resume my blogging efforts. Also on my list is the entirety of The Divine Comedy. I have a few other things, as well, but they're not in close proximity. With all the work that I'm doing lately, it's a wonder I remember my own phone number, let alone books that I want to read.

That's it for now. L'adventure commence.