Why Be Catholic?: Ten Answers to a Very Important Question Hardcover – June 3, 2014

This book is an easy read. It discusses what many people have on their minds. It answers many questions that many are asking & would be happy to know.

I liked the author's apologetic defense of his faith, Catholicism, and his unabashed and strong case for it as the oldest and longest continuing version of Christianity. Growing up Catholic in the Greater Boston area, "being Catholic" was just something you were and, most often, without question. Like the Nike ad, you just did it. Notable and celebrated Catholics from the past started the first hospitals, orphanages and schools in many areas and, no doubt, are to be commended for being "doers of the Word", as it says in the Book of James.On the contrary side, it seems a bit of a stretch to trace the Papal legacy back to Peter's time. There is, of course, no reference to Peter in the Bible as being a Pope but, of course, he was the first leader as designated by Christ Himself. The author takes straight on the clergy sexual abuse crisis with mixed results. Yes, we can understand that God Himself is not to blame for such a crisis but there still remains a "cloak of secrecy" that the Papacy and the many Cardinals and Bishops have not adequately addressed. Consequently, there remains many disoriented, confused Catholics who are fleeing the Church and greater accountability and rectification needs to happen.

Well organized and thought out. A good read for those considering Catholicism, new Catholics or cradle Catholics who need good answers to the question, "Why be Catholic?".

I am on a journey. As a protestant for many years I have been given a lot of misinformation about the Catholic Church. I think it would be safe to say that many fundamentalist Christians have demonized the Pope etc. This is not the first book I have read that helps explain the Catholic faith but it is helpful in ways other books I have read are not. I appreciate the candor and the personal insight from a man who has been Catholic his whole life and who had a strong foundation on which to build. He has a passion to make sure people know the truth, if they are willing to take the time and hear it. I still have some seeking and praying to do but this book has helped reduce the amount of confusion and misunderstandings surrounding the Catholic Church. I recommend to anyone who is able to be objective and who is looking to have the veil of the mysterious Catholic Faith removed. I believe you will find something very beautiful, simple and holy.

This is a very refreshing and much needed apologetic work. It begins by taking on the priest abuse scandals and makes noexcuses for it; he confronts the scandal and pulls no punches. Once this issue is met head on and the air is clear, so to speak,Mr. Madrid then moves onto the important apologetic material in an easy to read and understand style.From the seven sacraments established by our Lord through the Mass and Eucharist, Our Blessed Mother and the saints,confession and penance, and the issue of the pope, Mr. Madrid skillfully explains the Church's teaching and beliefs. This allowsthe misconceptions of Catholics and non-Catholics alike about the essentials of the Catholic Faith to be dispelled. I believe everyperson interested in apologetics and every DRE and RCIA coordinator should have this book in his or her library. In fact, it should be required reading for those in RCIA as a supplement to other material provided in RCIA classes.

This book isn't long, but within its pages Patrick Madrid accomplishes volumes. He does such a tremendous job of fully and succinctly explaining key Church teachings, and he suggests quality outside resources for additional study for those who want to learn even more. I am Catholic and am working on teaching myself more about the Church in order to be better able to share my faith. I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am that I read this book, how blessed I feel that I was able to come across it in the first place, and how much I gained spiritually by reading it. It has been a fantastic addition to my apologetics "arsenal" after reading it just once (so far). I have already been able to use the things I learned from or came to a better understanding through it in my discussions of faith.

This is an AWESOME book! Very clear and easy to understand, I decided on the Kindle edition since it's MUCH cheaper than the hardcover edition. But as far as content goes, Patrick Madrid is very easy to read and understand, and he makes many points that you just feel like you have to go back and read again, they're so good. This book explains many concepts of Catholicism, and I'd definitely recommend it to newcomers to the Catholic faith, and to not-so-newcomers as well, as a refreshing refresher of many important tenets of the Catholic faith in easy to understand terms. 5 stars for sure! Read it!

All I can say is Patrick nails it again! It's another great book of his that keeps you entertained, but most importantly, leaves a deep impression of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, the mystical Body of Christ on earth and how it has contributed greatly to the human race. Yes, he brings out all the flaws which is critically important too, there is no sugar-coating, which is vitally important when spreading "truth". I highly recommend this book for fallen away Catholics in particular and non-Catholics as well. It paints a better picture of the Mystical Body of Christ on earth than any mainstream media will ever do (or don't do at all!) - Enjoy !!

This little book helped me come back to the catholic church and I recomend it to anyone who are thinking of returning to the faith.

Patrick Madrid is always an excellent defender of the Catholic faith. This is a great book to give to a new person entering the Catholic church as a Confirmation present (which I have given in the past). An entertaining read and a lot of good facts to defend your Catholic religion when you are challenged by other non-Catholics.

You can label this "the essential Catholic handbook" for the practicing, the cradle, the lapsed, the Christmas and Easter Catholics, as well as any other Christian or non-Christian interested in investigating what being a member of the Catholic Church actually means. If you sincerely want to know then read Why Be Catholic?

This book is OK and has some interesting insights into the essence of Catholicism but he seems to be a bit of a fundamentalist.