By Sarah Damm

Yesterday, I checked off the remaining items on my kids’ school supplies list. All six of them have fresh haircuts and new shoes. They are ready for a year of learning, exploring and discovering.

As I encouraged them about their exciting new school year, I was reminded of the fact that God wants all of us to be learning and discovering—no matter how many years it has been since our school days. It is essential to keep an open disposition to learning, especially when it comes to our Catholic faith, Scripture, prayer, and living an authentic Christian life.

WINE: Women in the New Evangelization has an ever-growing recommended reading list. These books are filled with truth, goodness, beauty and inspiration.

As we enter a new school year, let’s consider the importance of learning, exploring and discovering the depth and richness of our Catholic faith. Let’s dive into a good book that will teach us something new about our Church and draw us closer to God at the same time.

While there are many excellent Catholic books out there, I highlight five to consider as we head back to school:

1) Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina by Dr. Tim Gray explores how God speaks to us in Scripture and how to utilize lectio divina to enter the Scriptures in a deeper way. This is not just for saints or graduate students of theology; reading and praying God’s Word is for everyone!

2) Lily of the Mohawks by Emily Cavins is the story of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the Native American woman who chose to become a Christian despite resistance from her family and tribe. In these pages, Cavins tells St. Kateri’s heroic journey to Christianity and sainthood. She also explores her impact on the Catholic Mohawk community, her powerful intercession, and how she is linked to St. Francis of Assisi as a patron of the environment.

3) The Handbook for Catholic Moms by Lisa Hendey is a resource for all Catholic moms. In this book, Hendey coaches moms on how to take care of themselves so that they can love their families, parishes and communities better. Chapter topics include relationships, fitness, prayer and more. Each includes a story from Hendey’s personal journey, insights from other Catholic moms, quotes, and even a little homework.

4) Fly a Little Higher by Laura Sobiech tells the poignant story of how God used her teenage boy’s battle with cancer to touch the lives of millions. It contains a powerful message of redemptive suffering, surrender, trust and hope. (Note: Laura is one of the keynote speakers at the WINE: Catholic Women’s Conference on Feb. 6, 2016, at Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville, MN.)

5) May Crownings, Mass, and Merton: 50 Reasons I Love Being Catholic by Liz Kelly is a litany of people, places, rituals, traditions, and more that embody Catholicism. From the Crucifix and kneelers to Ash Wednesday and Flannery O’Connor, Kelly celebrates the Catholic faith in this delightful compilation.

What are you reading this fall? Please share your current read in the comments section below. And if you have any books that you would like WINE to consider adding to our Recommended Reading List, you can mention them in the comments, too.