Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Book Review: "Reform Yourself!" by Shaun McAfee

This past October marked the 500th anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation. A number of solid Catholic books, introducing readers to the key figures of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, were released to mark the occasion; but Shaun McAfee's Reform Yourself!, is an utterly original offering. His subtitle explains why: How to Pray, Find Peace, and Grow in Faith with the Saints of the Counter-Reformation

In the space of 197 pages, McAfee not only introduces us to ten saints of that tumultuous period, but zeroes in on the key virtues exhibited by each and provides practical suggestions for cultivating these habits today. You will be inspired and challenged by Saints Francis de Sales (practical apologist), Ignatius of Loyola (educator), Teresa of Avila (mystic), Robert Bellarmine (scholarly apologist), Aloysius Gonzaga (youth), Pius V, Philip Neri (humorist), John of the Cross (contemplative), Jane Frances de Chantal (humble servant), and Charles Borromeo (pastor). 

Each of us is called to sainthood. To that end, McAfee wisely directs us to look to both the saints we hope to imitate and those with whom we already share a vocation. The book flows well, with biographical sketches proceeding at a brisk pace. (Chapters are capped off with suggestions of full-length biographies for those who want to go deeper.) The heart of each chapter, though, is how to join a particular saint in his or her imitation of Christ; and I was impressed with McAfee's analysis and plans for action. He had me in the first chapter where he points out that, if we want to imitate Francis de Sales' skill as a writer, then we must first become effective readers, which entails: 

  1. Reading at a pace sufficient for our level of study
  2. Keeping notes
  3. Making use of reference guides, compendiums, and commentaries
  4. Trying to enjoy what we read (since that aids memory)

The importance of each is explained and expanded upon. McAfee then proceeds to scrutinize de Sales' success as writer and speaker, and what steps we should take to do the same.

As I said, Reform Yourself!, is a thoroughly original treatment of the Counter-Reformation. Hats off to Mr. McAfee.

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