Waking Up Catholic: A Guide to Catholic Beliefs for Converts, Reverts, and Anyone Becoming Catholic Paperback – July 3, 2013

Loved this book! I am a Baptist but feel God is leading me to the Catholic beliefs. I never realized how scripture is showing that they are more on track......I was brought up believing that they were just about rules and everything so formal. I thought confession to a priest was way out there. I can't wait to go and convert. God has been leading me this way after years of asking God which Church do u want me in. God which religion is the correct one with all the different sets of beliefs. Everyone thinks their way is the right way. I said God someone is wrong n some one is right....please I want your way. Please Lord direct me in the right path. I have read several books that God keeps putting me in touch with. Everyone in Christ should read this book. If nothing else you will realize how strong the Catholic Church is n it was built on what Jesus wanted all those years ago. At it is still standing n nothing even the depths of hell will not prevail against it. You all know the correct verse. Only thing I dread is getting my family to see this as clearly as I do. Please pray that I will succeed! With Gods help nothing is impossible even converting at the age of 62 to Catholicism.

Although I have an insatiable reading appetite, I have not often ventured into the realm of writing book reviews. When Chad R. Torgerson asked whether or not I would read and write a review of his book, Waking Up Catholic - A Guide to Catholic Beliefs for Converts, Reverts, and Anyone Becoming Catholic, I decided to say "Yes".For unknown technological reasons, I was unable able to get my "free" copy to download properly. So I just purchased the book. I am glad that I did.This book fills a real need that Catholics, former Catholics and non-Catholics share - providing basic, clear conversational explanations of some fundamental and often misunderstood Truths of the Catholic Faith.This is a need that has only increased over time. When I read the book's introduction, I immediately recalled what the late Venerable Fulton J. Sheen once observed "There are not a hundred people in America who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions of people who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church -- which is, of course, quite a different thing." I think the good Archbishop would be pleased with this author's attempt to address that issue.This is not a heavy theological tome. It is a starting point. What makes this book so useful is that it is written from the perspective of a man who disagreed with what he thought the Catholic Church taught - issues, for example, like Sacred Tradition, the Eucharist, the Blessed Mother, the communion of saints, and intercessory prayer. Now with God's grace he has come to understand and embrace those Truths, and in doing so, has been given a gift to share those Truths with others on spiritual journeys similar to the one he made. I found the details of his journey to the Catholic Church inspiring. You will too.Highly recommend this book.

New to Catholicism, I picked up this ebook and haven't been able to put it down! I love this book! So easy to read and understand. There is so much to learn about Catholicism and it can be very over whelming at times, but this book certainly broke it all down into digestible pieces so I had some basic understanding before trying to start USCCA. Since I didn't start going to mass until just after Christmas I won't be able to start RCIA classes until this fall and this was a great book to start with. It answered a lot of the basic questions and things I really didn't understand and helped shut down some of the wild ideas that I had gained from my Baptist, nondenominational, First Christian and non believers background. The story is so well written and so inspirational. A beautiful book and a beautiful story of one man's journey into converting to Catholicism. I am so happy this book found me!!!And much like the author, I am converting just because. Not because of any specific reason, but simply because I have a desire to. An unknown reason for doing it. But these past few weeks that we (my husband, son and I) have been going to mass, my heart is so filled with love, passion and an excitement that I have never felt before when going to any other church! Mass is the most beautiful thing I have ever been lucky enough to be a part of. I cannot wait to experience Easter in my new catholic home!!Many thanks to the author for this amazing book!!

I bought this book for my teenage son who has been bombarded with judgment and shame from his non-denominational/protestant father and step-mother regarding our Catholic faith (that he's been raised in since birth). He has been confused by their constant false claims about our faith and way of worship. This book says what we have said to him many times, and so much better than us since it's written from someone with both perspectives. Refreshing his understanding of the how and why of our traditions has brought him peace. We've enjoyed reading and discussing together, and continue to further explore the topics addressed in this book. I will continue to recommend this book to others.

Very easy to read book with a likeable author/personality that shines through the pages. For women readers I recommend Edith Stein’s book, Essays on Woman. I’m not sure I am converted as yet but both of these books are very engaging. One wish is that the author would have included further reading material but this is a small issue.

The writer is American and at the point he became a Catholic he was already a Christian. Basic concepts eg the existence of God and Christ's resurrection are therefore accepted from the off. References to the US catechism do not help UK readers. Interesting if over introspective

Bought this book as I started the RCIA process about a year ago. Got this book to get going with it again. Chad's experiences and thoughts resonate with my own life and I can see a connection between our experiences.Not only this, he explains everything simply and clearly in terms of the basic fundamentals of the catholic faith, discusses them and gives scripture as back up to his ideas.The closing chapters become a little too preachy for me. However, he is one hundred percent correct.He challenged my viewpoints and gave a much clearer idea about things I took for granted in the Catholic Church. I feel empowered and ready to take on the RCIA course again and to use my change of mindset to develop my own faith.

Really readable and accessible! Will definitely read again. I am reading as someone who grew up in the Catholic church, but wanted to understand more deeply our traditions and what makes Catholicism unique. Thanks for sharing your journey with us Chad!

Great book- easy read and still informative