On Being Catholic [Paperback]

Thomas Howard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1997

In his first full-length book since converting to Roman Catholicism over ten years ago, Thomas Howard presents his wonderful, refreshing insights on the "glad tidings" of the deeper meaning of Catholic piety, dogma, spirituality, vision and practice, rendered in his unique style of prose for which he is well-known. The book's chapters take the form of lay meditations on Catholic teaching and practice, opening up in practical and simple terms the richness at work in virtually every detail of Catholic prayer, piety, liturgy and experience.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Tom Howard has done it again. With gentle and compelling wisdom, he shows the Catholic faith for what it is, the grandeur of the biblical gospel and a reflection of the immensity of God's wisdom and grace. On Being Catholic is an apologetic and literary gem."
—Scott Hahn, Ph.D.

"Would it be brash to say that Thomas Howard is an American counterpart of C.S. Lewis? I think not. Thomas Howard's intelligent, literate and erudite approach to the experience of faith and all of the challenges that faith brings will be enlightening to anyone who takes the Gospel seriously."
—Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.

"Written with the realistic intelligence of a living faith, this book is a refreshing and renewing document. A beautiful book of great relevance and lasting value . . . so truly Catholic it makes one rejoice greatly."
— Most Rev. Christoph Schönborn

"I heartily recommend this inspiring and insightful presentation on being Catholic, particularly as it centers on the Mass. Howard not only captures the substance of each stage in the Eucharistic liturgy, but ties it effectively to heavenly worship with words that sing of beauty in worship. The whole presentation of Catholic belief is set in a striking and inspiring contrast with the bleakness of contemporary culture."
— Rev. Michael Scanlan, T.O.R.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 263 pages
• Publisher: Ignatius Press (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898706084
• ISBN-13: 978-0898706086
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #508,077 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Catholic Faith for the Soul!, June 22, 2004

By 

David Bennett (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: On Being Catholic (Paperback)

Thomas Howard is a former evangelical, turned Anglican, turned Catholic, and an editor-at-large for Christianity Today. His Evangelical credentials were very impressive, and so is his case for the Catholic Faith. Howard does not sling Scripture at the reader, nor does he attempt to do fundamentalist-style apologetics. Had he done this I probably would have put it down after the first page.

Howard's style reminds me a lot of C.S. Lewis'. When I first read of this comparison on the back cover I was dubious. However, his writing is laced with references to classical literature and a variety of philosophies. His knowledge of secular and Christian thought is quite impressive, as is his Latin and English vocabulary. Like Lewis, he seamlessly and clearly articulates his thoughts in a way that is quite beautiful without being superficial. Like Lewis, he also handles objections to his ideas as he writes, anticipating the objections various types of readers might have. While it is likely that Lewis will be read long after Howard, this is no reason to dismiss the importance of what Howard has to say.

For me, what makes his work so impressive is that he appeals to the deep need that humans have for tradition, religious encounter, symbol, sacrament, ritual, etc. Much of the book is based not on cold logic, but on human need and longing. A good example is when he explains the need that humans have for ceremony and ritual, and how eventually we "give external shape to what is in our hearts." He explains how when we internally remember a birthday, we give visible and external shape to this inner matter through common birthday rituals like candles, cakes, and presents. These rituals do not supersede the inner reality, but give meaningful shape to it. Being a former Protestant, he knows the common objections, and can understand the reasons why many Protestants fear and distrust the Catholic Church. He is then in a good position to answer these objections as well, and like Lewis, he uses Scripture and the Fathers without misusing them.

While addressing various Catholic topics (including Mary, Going to Church, the Crucifix, Tradition, the Mass, and more), he never resorts to attacks against other faiths. Most Orthodox (and to a lesser extent Anglicans) will find that he is really defending their Faith as well, since it is so similar to that of Catholics. As I read this book, I could sense his love for those elements of the evangelical faith that led him to the Catholic Church, and his love for Evangelicals. And it is not just the fake, "I love you so I scream the truth at you" either. Don't think he compromises the Catholic Faith though; he is traditional. When he deals with "Are Catholics Saved?" he explains how Catholics live and breathe the gospel in Mass (Divine Liturgy), in traditional prayers, in Confession, and so forth. He addresses the Protestant language of salvation that often seems foreign to Catholics, like the question "are you saved?" He assures his Evangelical readers that even if Catholics don't initially understand the question as framed, they are certainly "saved." This was a favorite chapter of mine.

Overall, this is a very compelling book that explains why being Catholic is the fullest Christian option, i.e. why the Catholic Faith appeals to humanity's basic and deepest spiritual needs. Of course while explaining his love for the Catholic Church, he also deals with common objections along the way. His explanations may even bring tears to your eyes. For example, the profundity of his language for the Mass as the "threshold that lies between time and eternity" captures quite well and quite beautifully the historic Church's position. If apologetics books (which of course have a place too) leave you cold, read this book. It gets at the heart of being Catholic!

46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Calling All Protestants!, October 20, 2002

By 

Gord Wilson "alivingdog.com" (Bellingham, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: On Being Catholic (Paperback)

Despite his being a prolific and engaging writer, Howard's books have only shown up willy nilly, here and there throughout the years. Students may have taken his classes at Gordon College or St. John's Seminary. He wrote an entertaining column in the New Oxford Review when that was still an Episcopalian journal. His biography, Christ the Tiger, and a beautifully written apologetics book, Chance or the Dance, went in and out of print in various editions. He gave seminars at the C.S.Lewis Institute held at Seattle Pacific University, and wrote a wonderful book on the novels of Charles Williams, published by Oxford University Press.

That doesn't exhaust where you may have come across Thomas Howard, but those are a few places I ran into him. He described himself once in the New Oxford Review as sitting on a cliff overlooking Rome, dangling his legs off the end, and wondering how long it would be until he jumped. As it turned out, not only Howard, but editor Dale Vree, and everyone else associated with that publication jumped--with the magazine shifting from lively Episcopalian discussions to lively Catholic ones. Eventually I followed Howard and another favorite writer, Malcom Muggeridge, and jumped off myself.

Fortunately, my sponsor gave me this book as a confirmation gift. I say fortunately, because Howard describes a worst-case church service of the sort I experienced as a new convert in a new church. If not for this book, I would never have gone back, and never found the sort of joy and belonging that follows the awkwardness and discomfort of exploring something new.

I gave this book to an Evangelical friend (who did not also jump off the cliff), and he said it was one of the best books he had ever read, and that it makes you excited about your own church, whatever communion you are in. I think this is Howard's gift. A great many people try to live as believers apart from joining any church (at least I did). Howard simply points out the benefits of the latter course. I think the title of the book is unfortunate, as this is really a book for everyone. Curious Protestants may read it to find out what is going on in the puzzling world of the Catholics, but Catholics will be equally enlightened about the diverse practices of Protestants. Howard comes from an Evangelical missionary background, and he is deeply thankful for and respectful of that heritage.

Howard writes two sorts of books--light, breezy ones and thoughtful ones with big vocabularies. Arguably, this book falls into the latter camp, although it is so beautifully written and wonderfully engaging that I'd suggest reading it with a dictionary rather than pass up the pleasure. A Catholic friend of mine preferred his easier book, If Your Mind Wanders at Mass, which covers some of the same ideas.

On Being Catholic works out some of the same themes as Evangelical is Not Enough, while yet rejoicing in things Evangelical. Howard wrote a lively article called 'Catholic is Not Enough" for the Catholic magazine, Envoy (posted at envoymagazine.com) celebrating what believers have in common. On Being Catholic isn't only about Howard's experiences in the Roman Communion; it's also about the universal (the original meaning of "catholic") faith expressed in the Creed. In that sense, On Being Catholic is, like C.S.Lewis' Mere Christianity, a book for everyone. "All our quarrels are lovers' quarrels," Bishop Fulton Sheen once said of Catholic-Protestant debates. Howard helps us see the common bond beneath all our differences, and rejoice in what makes us the same.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful and illuminating picture of Catholicism, August 13, 1998

By 

John Knutsen (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: On Being Catholic (Paperback)

Howard was a shining star among Protestant Evangelicals until his conversion to Catholicism in the 1980s (described in his earlier book, _Evangelical is Not Enough_). This decision shocked his former compatriots, some of whom attacked him rather severely for it. Howard had already written several books on Christianity--some dealing with his hero, C.S. Lewis--and has continued to write books discussing aspects of the Catholic faith. This work is a beautiful and illuminating description of what it means to be Catholic, written by one who spent much of his life outside the Church. As a result, it has much within its pages that will benefit Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Howard's gift for making complicated issues clear has led some to call him "America's answer to C.S. Lewis."

Howard's approach to Catholicism is deeply rooted in his former life as a Protestant Evangelical, and indeed, he still has a great love and respect for that period of his spiritual development. This is by no means an anti-Evangelical book. Howard often prefaces each chapter by outlining the objections that Protestants hold regarding each topic, which allows him to illustrate Catholic beliefs with greater clarity while still retaining what is good about the Evangelical approach. The fact that he once shared these objections gives added weight and authority to his discussion and shows how deeply Catholicism has been misunderstood by many Christians. Howard's tone is always optimistic, always passionate, and always informative. He brings to this book a clear love for Christianity in general and for the Catholic faith in particular that readers of any faith will likely find contagious. Catholics will come away with a greater understanding of the beauty and grandeur of their ancient faith, while non-Catholics will learn what Catholicism is really all about. Each of its most important traditions is carefully explained and summarized, and Howard does not assume that the reader is already informed on the subject. The chapters on the Mass (in which Howard walks the reader through it) are particularly good, as are his wonderful chapters on man's religious nature and on the importance and meaning of the Crucifix.

If you have heard a lot of bad things about the Catholic faith but want to find out more for yourself, this book is an excellent place to start. Howard is a clear, insightful and penetrating writer of great learning who believes very strongly in his subject, and his enthusiasm is evident on every page. He brings with him all the excitement and wonder of a convert who has discovered for the first time the Catholic faith as it really is, finding that it is a far different thing from what he had always heard and assumed. This is a gloriously lucid and informative elaboration of what it means to be part of Christ's Church.