A Book for Any Occasion

Samantha Stephenson recommends books for Catholic women at all stages of life.  

As Catholic moms, we are always looking for ways to grow in our faith, our vocation, and our knowledge. We also want to find resources that can help us with the different challenges and opportunities that we face in our lives. One of the best ways to do this is to read good books that can inspire, educate, and guide us. But with so many books out there, how can we choose the ones that are most suitable for us and our situations?  

To help you with this, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite books for Catholic moms for various occasions. Whether you are engaged, married, pregnant, nursing, homeschooling, working, or just looking for some spiritual nourishment, there is a book for you on this list. Here are my recommendations: 

For examples of holy marriage:

Holier Matrimony: Married Saints, Catholic Vows, and Sacramental Grace by Caitrin Bennett (Marian Press). This book is a beautiful exploration of the ways different married saints lived their vocations. The beautiful witness of these saints will have you in tears and give you the fortitude you need to face the struggles that come with lifelong fidelity.  

For women who want to defend the Church’s teaching on marriage, motherhood, and family:

My book, Reclaiming Motherhood from a Culture Gone Mad is a persuasive defense of the Catholic vision of marriage, motherhood, and family, based on sound science and solid bioethics. It exposes and refutes the lies and myths of the secular culture, such as contraception, abortion, feminism, and gender ideology. It also provides practical and positive ways to live out and share the truth and beauty of the Church’s teaching. (Our Sunday Visitor)

For nursing moms:

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International. This book is a classic and comprehensive guide to breastfeeding, from pregnancy to weaning. It covers everything you need to know about the benefits, challenges, and joys of breastfeeding. It also offers support and encouragement from other nursing moms and experts. 

For women preparing for marriage:

Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot. This book is a collection of letters from a mother to her daughter, who is about to get married. It explores the meaning and purpose of being a woman, a wife, and a mother, from a Christian perspective. It also offers wisdom and guidance on how to live a faithful and fruitful life in the modern world. 

For those up all night with a newborn

My devotional Mama Prays: A 30-Day Devotional for Catholic Moms who are sleep-deprived and exhausted. It contains short and simple prayers, reflections, and scriptures that can help you connect with God and find peace and strength in the midst of the chaos and challenges of motherhood. 

For those interested in having a natural birth:

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to have a natural and empowering birth experience. It contains inspiring and informative stories of women who gave birth naturally, with the help of midwives and doulas. It also contains practical and proven tips and techniques on how to prepare for and cope with labor and delivery. 

For those who need to be inspired about living their gifts as a Catholic mom:

One Beautiful Dream: The Rollicking Tale of Family Chaos, Personal Passions, and Saying Yes to Them Both by Jennifer Fulwiler is a memoir of a Catholic mom who pursued her passion for writing while raising six kids. It is a hilarious and honest account of how she balanced her family, her work, and her faith, with the help of God and His grace. It is also a testimony of how God can use our gifts and talents to glorify Him and serve others. 

For everything related to running a home:

The Summa Domestica: Order and Wonder in Family Life by Leila Lawler (Sophia Institute Press) is a comprehensive and practical handbook for Catholic homemakers. It covers topics such as cleaning, organizing, decorating, cooking, budgeting, gardening, and entertaining. It also offers tips and tricks on how to make your home a place of beauty, order, hospitality, and grace. 

For growing in faith:

Holiness for Housewives and Other Working Women by Dom Hubert van Zeller (Sophia Institute Press). This book is a spiritual classic that shows how to find God and holiness in the ordinary and mundane tasks of homemaking. It teaches how to offer everything to God, to pray always, and to practice the virtues. It also reveals the hidden value and meaning of the small and menial tasks of motherhood. 

For women who want to live the liturgical seasons at home:

The Catholic All Year Compendium: Liturgical Living for Real Life by Kendra Tierney (Ignatius Press). This book helps you to integrate liturgical seasons and celebrations into your family life. On the author's blog, you can find ideas for stories, activities, foods, prayers, and more that are based on the liturgical calendar and the saints. 

What Catholic books would you share with other moms? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2024 Samantha Stephenson
Images: Canva