My old high school mythology teacher was a Roman Catholic, and he was the wisest man I've ever known. He taught me what would become the very foundation for my own thought and spirituality today, and I owe him more than I could ever express.
Tolkien expert here. I don't think I can begin to count the ways. Flannery O'Connor greatly influenced my thinking when I was a teen. She is as no nonsense as Jane Austen but doesn't shy from rude and shocking words if they are the best tools to communicate her point. Why no one married her is.....just so stupid. St. Julian of Norwich's writing has become very dear to me in the last few years. G. K. Chesterton, particularly his work "Orthodoxy," convinced me that I was not Protestant But just read anything of his! "Manalive" has to be the least read greatest novel ever. Muggeridge is one of my mom's favorites, so I grew up with his stuff. Wonderful speaker too, not just writer. Evelyn Waugh! There are too many to list. In person I have to say that, sadly, Roman Catholics have been very combative with me and not in a helpful way. They were dismayed when I "went Anglican" and so those friendships have been very strained.
Anne all listed are truly excellent. I've a particular liking for Chetertons no nonsense common sense approach. Have you ever read anything of his fellow traveller Hilaire Belloc (?spelling)?
Within this past year I've developed deep affection and respect for the erudite teaching of Ab Fulton Sheene
I used to catch his old black & white program on EWTN. He was a great spokesman for the Roman Church.
I admire Francis, Patriarch of the West, especially for his ability to build bridges between the World and the Church, and for his building bridges between East and West, Catholic and Anglican, Catholic and Reformed. I am aware that there are those who share not this view, but there you go. And I really liked Laudate Si - which I have read.
I will go a different direction. I admire the Holy Father Benedict XVI. I am slowly acquiring all of his volumes. I am fascinated by the stigmatics as well. I do not admire any of the high school teachers I had who claimed to be Catholic; cultural Catholics, every-one of them. They set my ability to respect Catholics back to some degree. One of these days I will attend Mass in my old hometown. I hope it is not a Novus Ordo catastrophe.
I recall finding this podcast on the Lent spiritual writings of RC Archbishop Fenelon worth a listen. http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/hopko/archbishop_fenelon_and_great_lent
Please seek out a traditional Latin Mass from the SSPX, there's nothing more beautiful and you will be invigorated by it
IMHO you would be better served by an SSPV parish/chapel...or a traditional Anglican service. Wink, wink.
The 12 apostles, the first catholic priests. Archbishop Fulton Sheen as well. My local Franciscans, whom I go to Confession with. TE ABSOLVO are the greatest words any human can ever hear. Peace and blessings.
I researched the one Catholic parish in my small hometown (in Ohio). It is a liberal parish in a liberal diocese (Toledo). There is no Latin option near there, nor traditional Anglicans. There is an Orthodox parish in the next town down the road. I have offered to go about an hour out and serve the Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts for a fellow who wishes to start a mission in NE Ohio though. I shall see what developes next time I go home.
Am afraid I'm unable to entertain the sedevecantes views of SSPV.im sure that a traditional Anglican service has much beauty, however it doesn't have the Blessed Sacrament, please appreciate my honesty I intend no offence
I'm curious, friend. Why do you frequent an Anglican site if you're not interested in converting? Are we just that stimulating?
Also known as the 'deacon's mass'. It is a liturgy in which the communion is distributed from stock left over from a priest's consecration.