When someone first starts to explore their faith, it can be a very exciting time, yet also very confusing. There are many new prayers, new traditions, and many new habits that can aid in growing closer to God. It is very important to choose the right gifts to support someone on their faith journey. The gifts that you choose should aid in their faith journey and not add to the confusion of the already confusing time.
The goal is to pick a few items to lead them in the right direction and then be done. No need to overwhelm them with too many items.
Start with the essentials
For the new convert to develop a personal relationship with Jesus through prayer and scripture, a good Bible is a must. The ideal Bible for a new convert is one that contains clear commentary and is written in modern language. While it is great if a Bible has footnotes to explain the context of a particular scripture, the footnotes should not be too academic in nature. For the new convert, it is best to choose a Bible that will aid them in developing their personal relationship with Jesus through prayer and scripture. The New American Bible and The Catholic Study Bible are two examples of excellent Bibles for new converts. The New American Bible contains footnotes that explain the context of the scripture was written in and The Catholic Study Bible contains abundant commentary to help the reader better understand the scripture.
A simple rosary is also a great item to give to the new Catholic. For a rosary, choose a simple material, such as wood or cord instead of precious metals. Consider also getting a guide to the prayers of the rosary for them. There are many books on the market that can explain the different decades of the rosary as well as the different mysteries that can be prayed. A simple book such as this will help the new Catholic learn how to pray the rosary on their own.
Books that build understanding gradually
Books for newly converted Catholic need to explain why the newly converted practice what they do. They need to be written in simple terms and in a relatable format. Many contemporary Christian books can cover the same reasons for a Catholic’s practices in simple language and the newly converted can understand them without having to read a large amounts of books. Contemporary Christian books are also less likely to have a conversion agenda than books written by a Catholic author. Some good contemporary Christian books for newly converted Catholics to read would be the books written by the following authors:
Books for a New Catholic: In addition to learning all of the different ways to pray, new Catholics will be eager to understand more about the many different aspects of their faith. For someone who is just starting to read about the many different practices of the Catholic Church it is best to read books for newly converted Catholics that help to explain the reasons behind the various practices in simple terms. Many of the books that are designed for newly converted will explain the reasons for example Matthew Kelly’s books and those written by Bishop Robert Barron such as The Case for Jesus: The Biblical Quesiton No One Thinks Matters Anymore which looks at the biblical question of Jesus and how he came to be and is a great book to learn about the reasons behind the case for Jesus and for Catholicism.
Novelty items can be confusing and even lead the new Catholic down a wrong path. There are so many wonderful prayer books that can be a great addition to a new Catholic’s library.
Devotional items that encourage daily practice
The comfort of a medal for the New Catholic can be a great gift to them. Small medals of the ‘little saints’ and prayer cards of the Sacred Heart or St. Christopher (the patron of travelers) make for a lovely reminder to the New Catholic of their faith and give them comfort throughout the day.
Holy water fonts for the home are another practical idea. These can be placed in a variety of locations and allow for the making of a blessing. People often place these by the front door so that they can make the sign of the cross as they enter and leave their home for the day.
For those just starting to explore the many facets of a Catholic devotional practice, the Nazareth Store offers items to draw you into the tradition of our Church that have been carefully selected to assist new believers in developing their faith practice.
Art and symbols that inspire reflection
Religious art is another area to consider when purchasing gifts for the newly minted Catholic. Artwork can become a focus for prayer for the Catholic, and so it is best to consider simple, clean, and classic pieces. A simple crucifix in the bedroom or living room would be a constant reminder of Christ’s love and sacrifice for us. More graphic images could become a distraction, so opt for something a bit more simple. Iconography is another style of religious art that can be very powerful. Even someone unfamiliar with iconography cannot help but be moved by the art. Byzantine style icons of Mary or the saints are a good place to start.
The images of Mary and the saints are a powerful way for those of the Catholic tradition to explore their faith through art. Icons of the Byzantine style are two-dimensional figures set in a gold background and are the images that have been used for centuries for prayer and worship. They are a powerful and moving image and can be a great way to draw others to faith.
Practical items for church attendance
A great place to start for those who don’t know the proper protocol for attending Mass is to purchase a missal or worship aid. These books will contain the Masses for the year, as well as the responses to be recited by the congregation. They come in many different sizes, from very large to very small, and some even contain the daily Mass readings.
Other practical things to bring to Church are also important, such as a nice quality tote bag to carry a missal, prayer books, reading materials, etc. This will help your loved ones feel comfortable to attend Mass regularly. Show them that you are ready to go too!
Chapel veils are becoming an increasingly popular form of expression once again among young Catholics. A simple chapel veil made of neutral-colored material such as cotton or silk is an appropriate gift for a woman who covers her head in church. Please avoid lace or other decorative elements.
What to avoid
The worst things that we can give to help someone grow in their faith are the things that reflect the giver’s level of spirituality. For example, we might give a new Catholic advanced prayer books, complicated devotional life, expensive religious artwork. We’re not helping the new Catholic in their growth in faith. We’re putting a lot of pressure on them to do more.
The best religious gift is one that makes the new Catholic feel good about their faith and inspires them to continue growing. Look for gifts that clearly state the intention of the giver to help the new Catholic grow in their faith and avoid gifts that could make the new believer feel inadequate or less than because of their lack of prior knowledge of certain practices and traditions. Do not get too creative or try to highlight your own spiritual practices by choosing a gift that the new believer cannot relate to.
The best religious items to purchase are things that allow for prayer and contemplation and things that help others to grow in faith. These types of items are meaningful because they allow others to grow in faith at their own pace.
