According to a recent news report, during a recent audience with employees of the Vatican Publishing House, Pope Leo XIV emphasised the enduring value of printed books in our digital age, saying, “reading nourishes the mind” and offers Christians a valuable opportunity to proclaim Christ.
The Holy Father said books provide “an opportunity to think,” defending the physicality of printed books in an increasingly digital culture because, he said, “they remind readers of the importance of thought, reflection and study.”
“Reading nourishes the mind, it helps to foster a conscious and well-informed critical sense, guarding us against fundamentalism and ideological shortcuts,” he said.
To further Pope Leo’s endorsement of reading, and in particular reading from printed books, research suggests that comprehension is six to eight times better with physical books rather than digital reading.
The physicality of using a book, requiring us to turn the pages, helps us absorb and recall content more effectively and creates an “index” in the brain which assists with mapping.
From a personal perspective, I’d like to share what I look for when buying a Catholic paperback book. Firstly, having a range of spiritual reading means that on any given day, and whatever my circumstances, besides my beloved Bible reading, spiritual reading has been an enormous source of comfort and challenge for my spiritual growth.
Secondly, as the Holy Father emphasised, printed books are “an opportunity to proclaim Christ.”
Many times, when friends or people I meet along the way share personally with me, I’ve had the opportunity to gift them a book from my library which has been a source of support and catechesis for them.
That brings me to my third point, which Pope Leo also highlighted, saying that reading “helps to foster a conscious and well-informed critical sense, guarding against fundamentalism and ideological shortcuts.”
In a world where relativism and humanism largely control society’s worldview, let’s not pretend that we, as Catholics, are not at risk of being influenced.
I have myself wrestled at different times over the years with various non-Christian ideologies offered by Catholic peers and, even more surprisingly, colleagues in work and church circles, which have left me feeling confused.
But I have always been blessed to be able to access reliable quality Catholic resources and literature to help me find more solid ground.
In a world where, even as Catholics, we are at risk of being influenced by unhelpful or even spiritually and psychologically damaging ideologies, I am grateful to find a place where I can trust that the Catholic literature I am accessing is grounded in sound doctrine and will feed my spirit and soul toward full spiritual health.
Sydney Archdiocese’s Mustard Seed Bookshop is committed to ensuring that the books it stocks are a source of healthy and sound Catholic doctrine, providing a safety net for those of us who need assistance when choosing reliable theological and philosophical literature.
I am so grateful to have access to such a place where I don’t only have to rely on my own ability to discern whether the book I’ve chosen is sound Catholic literature, as the bookshop is already committed to this.
Please don’t hesitate to drop in to St Martha’s, situated at 38 Renwick St, Leichhardt. The shop is located within the building itself.
We’re a friendly bunch and would love to assist you if needed, or you could simply come for a browse. Otherwise, have a look at our resources online at mustardseed.org.au or phone us on 02 9307 8350.
