(Part 2) Top products from r/TraditionalCatholics

A good book to start with is Theology for Beginners by Frank Sheed, which was published in 1957. It explains in a very clear, direct way the doctrines of the faith that are really important.

At a deeper level, a good book is Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma by Ludwig Ott. It was more common before Vatican II for theologians to make fine distinctions about what exactly constituted Catholic doctrine using a system of "theological notes." For example, something that is an article of faith and must be believed is called de fide. Something that is not in itself revealed, but connected to revelation by logical necessity is called a sententia certa. A proposition on which theologians are generally agreed, but which in itself is a matter of free opinion, is called a sententia communis. Ott goes over basically the same scope of material as Sheed in a series of theses like "the degree of justifying grace is not identical in all the just," each of which is assigned a theological note and then explained with an overview of the most pertinent evidence from Scripture, the Fathers, and the magisterium.

As far as practice goes, try using the links in the sidebar to find a local parish where the traditional Latin Mass is celebrated (but I suggest you avoid the SSPX) and attend every week. If there happens to be no traditionalist parish nearby, the Mass is still the Mass and you should still attend every week. It is also a good idea to get a rosary and pray it every day, or at least at some regular interval. The Secret of the Rosary is a good little book on how to get the most out of this prayer. It is also good to take up fasting, starting with abstinence from meat on every Friday of the year. For more general advice on the spiritual life, Introduction to the Devout Life by St Francis de Sales is a good book.

Sigh, the lack of catechesis and failure of our priests to teach the faith, especially from the pulpit. I am a cradle that didn't grow up in the church (long story, think V2) yet nevertheless was raised Catholic. So I know what the traditions are, but not exactly why.

I have not found a Catholic source for what you seek. My lamenting to Orthodox friends resulted in a fruitful find. It's a two-volume set of books containing hand illustrated (beautiful) icons explaining the liturgical festive calendar of our shared faith. It helped me fill in my gaps of why we do what we do. If someone knows of a Catholic source, please share. I married an Eastern Catholic and this book coincides more closely with our liturgical feasts.

https://www.amazon.com/Incarnate-God-Feasts-Christ-Virgin/dp/0881411302/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543109447&sr=8-1&keywords=The+incarnate+god

This is what I used GC Practicum in the seminary. It was a very good book. I also chanted for a long time before that and own a Liber Usualis as well as other texts.

Also, I was around priests, monks and solemn high masses all the time so I am familiar with the tones that are to be used. You can find full chanted offices on youtube. Even in the seminary we hardly ever did solemn tones unlesss it was a big feast, even in the Carmel we didn't do solemn tones that often.

The best way to show you would just be to hear someone else and get some training from a cantor. I could walk you through it over the phone or Skype since I have some formal training. I also know of others who could walk you through it, I am friends with 4 or 5 professional cantors on Facebook.

I wouldn't chant any solemn tones with your family unless everyone had it memorized. Like maaaaaybe the solemn Salve Regina, but I've heard adults struggle with that one and it's not that hard. If you have trouble with tones, monotone is the best way to go, even for the Salve Regina. But if you can sing Credo III and not miss a beat, you should be fine for the vast majority of plain chant.

Let me know if you want to talk, just pm me.

Edit: With that book I linked you to above, you should be able to play any chant on a keyboard or piano easily. It is very easy. Unfortunately I can't find any audio samples of plain chant on YouTube. I would have to sing it for you.

Benedict XVI is the best non-traditionalist in my opinion. He has clear reasoning and no plain agenda. I mean he was clearly one of the progressives at the council and later was labeled a staunch conservative (haha). He has a lot of lectures and talks and writings out there. I also read this book which was good.

https://www.amazon.com/Theological-Highlights-Vatican-II-Benedict/dp/080914610X

No but there is an anthology of encyclicals going back to the 1700s: https://www.amazon.com/Papal-Encyclicals-1740-1981-Set/dp/0876502591s

Pretty much all of which is already on the Internet somewhere.

For other non-encyclical documents consult the Vatican website or the Internet.

For non-magisterial documents such as dramatic fiction, transcripts of lectures, poetry, brusquely worded notices to medieval English monarchs, letters of excommunication to German priests, ecumenical overtures and common declarations to ex-Catholic groups, addresses to the United Nations, greetings to groups of pilgrims to the Vatican etc etc etc consult the Internet but because of copyright laws you may need to search local libraries.

For other theological and controversial works, especially those from the first through the 18th centuries, consult the Internet or a library.

If you know Greek, Latin, and other ancient languages, Migne's Patrology is the obvious starting point.

And of course the encyclicals Benedictus Deus and Quomodo Omnia of Pope St Peter I are in most Bibles.

What convinced me of the truth of evolution was hearing a talk from Dr. Kenneth Miller, author of Finding Darwin’s God. He’s a Catholic biologist who not only soundly explains the science of evolution and refutes scientific explanations for creationism, but also believes that rather than conflicting faith, an understanding of evolution enhances faith.

The overall best book for you would be one written by Fr. Chad Ripperger, Introduction to the Science of Mental Health.

Read this book, and stay clear of all the explicit occult stuff. If you're really interested in the deeper stuff, Owen Cyclops has some fascinating Twitter threads from the perspective of a man who got deeply into psychedelics, occultism, eastern religions etc before converting to Christianity and now teaches about occult imagery firmly as a warning for Christians. He recommends this book, but I haven't read it myself. Seems a lot broader.

I imagine that over the centuries some of the former pagans may have had some 'carry-over' occult rubbish but that would have been beaten out of them quickly. The only one I can think of is the fish symbol used by early disciples as a means to identify one another during persecution.Other than that all the art, in all it's forms, be it music or wrtings or paintings and so on only has one purpose, to glorify, and venerate our Lord.


https://www.amazon.com/Symbols-Christian-Faith-William-Steffler/dp/0802846769/ref=pd_rhf_se_s_pd_crcd_0_6/132-2055757-9738801?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0802846769&pd_rd_r=16c9f514-dd9d-481d-a2d7-4b87aa0313e6&pd_rd_w=g2n9J&pd_rd_wg=pbBXe&pf_rd_p=c6269878-d677-4a89-a68c-ff0df2b6ce6c&pf_rd_r=EQ7M0619FH7WG4ARJZP1&psc=1&refRID=EQ7M0619FH7WG4ARJZP1

Get this little book and read it, live it, and love it:
https://www.amazon.com/Light-Peace-Instructions-Devout-Dispel/dp/0895551330/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SXHTAZTHGI8R&keywords=light+and+peace+instructions+for+devout+souls&qid=1551095228&s=gateway&sprefix=Light+and+Peace+%2Caps%2C194&sr=8-1

Despair and its associated thoughts are not from God.

Here's the same heresy from an associate professor at an evangelical university: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0800663446/ref=cm_cr_srp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8

https://www.amazon.com/Benedict-Option-Strategy-Christians-Post-Christian/dp/0735213291

Take a look at The Righteous Mind, by Jonathan Haight. He proposes that we are all lead by our feelings and then justify them with logic. We actually make ourselves blind to evidence to the contrary:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307455777?selectObb=used

There’s probably no changing this guys mind - the book I’m recommending will help provide understanding to why he believes what he believes and will not budge despite evidence to the contrary. It taught me about myself as well.

You are called to exercise chastity - sexual virtue. Having a family will not deliver you from SSA & you absolutely SHOULD NOT seek marriage for your own deliverance. It's both selfish & disingenuous. Entering into marriage on false &/or incorrect grounds will not fix your issues, it will only multiply them. It is a series of lies & a grave sin. What you are proposing is using someone for your own sole purposes. Marriage is not a tool for your utilization.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s2c3a7.htm

You can & may lead a fulfilling, fully Catholic life as someone who is not 'straight': your sexual identity is not the entirety of your being, personality, or soul. Frankly you sound ill informed or poorly catechized. A good starting spot for learning more about the Church & your duties within it, for your state in life, is the Baltimore Catechism.
http://www.baltimore-catechism.com/
The Baltimore Catechism can also be purchased in book form.
https://www.amazon.com/Baltimore-Catechism-Set-Tan-Classics/dp/0895551608/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=baltimore+catechism&qid=1562248027&s=gateway&sr=8-1

I'd also like to add to what your saying that the twitter poster clearly identifies as a jew ((( ))).
The Jews believe European Christians/the west to be Edom, who they believe to be their eternal enemy. By saying the aryans/whites are to be destroyed he is pushing the standard jewish narative of anti european.

They believe once their messiah arrives on scene he will destroy the Christians. These following links from chabad make it quite clear.

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/101747/jewish/Appendix-II.htm

" The principal and final function ascribed to Mashiach ben Yossef is of political and military nature. He shall wage war against the forces of evil that oppress Israel. More specifically, he will do battle against Edom"

https://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/1391003/jewish/Daily-Zohar-Vaeira-Day-5.htm

"BeRahamim LeHayyim: One cannot ignore the facts. To do so entreats disaster. Read this in terms of the daily news, and substitute Arab nations for Ishmael, and the West and US for Edom."

Also the following book designates all gentiles as Edom.

https://www.amazon.ca/Messianic-Idea-Judaism-Essays-Spirituality/dp/0805210431

Page 40:
The gentiles (who are designated esau or edom)

One more for the record

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs003/1100928836509/archive/1102370107326.html

"Esau/Edom's descendants since Biblical times have been identified with Europe, specifically the empire of Rome. According to the Torah understanding, ancient Rome never actually fell thus leaving the public scene. It was only replaced by the Church. As we know the head of the Church always has been in the city of Rome. Therefore Edom is Rome, Rome is Christianity and thus Edom is all those domains to which the Christianity of Rome has spread"