Catholic book clubs are increasingly popular among young adults seeking to deepen their faith and build meaningful community. These groups combine a shared love for reading with spiritual growth, offering a space for reflection, dialogue, and connection.

Initiatives like the Betania Catholic Book Club and The Discalced Carmelite group have shared insights with ACI Prensa, offering practical advice for starting similar projects in parishes, universities, or communities.

Begin with Prayer

José Jorge Domínguez, founder of the Bethany Catholic Book Club, emphasizes starting any project with prayer and entrusting it to God. He recommends presenting the initiative to the parish priest for spiritual guidance and support, ensuring it aligns with the community’s needs.

Define a Clear Purpose

Sara Gisela Sánchez Ureña of The Discalced Carmelite group highlights the importance of a common thread. Their club, focused on Carmelite spirituality, uses works by St. John of the Cross and themes like the “Dark Night of the Soul” to help members discern their vocations. A defined goal keeps attendance consistent and engagement high.

Create Reflective Meeting Dynamics

Sánchez advises avoiding purely literary analysis. Instead, meetings should foster personal reflection and connection. Begin with general impressions, then use questions linking the reading to personal experiences. Learning about the author deepens understanding and engagement.

Domínguez adds that the goal is to create a forum where participants share their perspectives and life experiences, with God at the center. This transforms reading into a spiritual practice.

Choose a Format: Virtual or In-Person

The format depends on your community’s needs. The Bethany group meets in person at various locations in Mexico City, like cafes, fostering a pilgrimage-like experience. The Discalced Carmelite group uses virtual meetings to accommodate schedules, proving that fellowship can thrive online.

Foster Dialogue and Application

Both groups agree that a book club should go beyond reading. Domínguez stresses making each reading personal and discerning its fruit in one’s life. This approach helps proclaim God’s love to new generations, showing that reading in community is a powerful tool for evangelization.

Recommended Books

Domínguez suggests starting with spiritual classics like “The Book of My Life” by St. Teresa of Ávila. Sánchez recommends St. John of the Cross and authors like C.S. Lewis, who inspire reflection on the human experience from a Christian perspective.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa and has been adapted by EWTN News.