Exporting Catholic Spiritual Books

Korea  exports many products and even the Catholic Church in Korea is beginning to export to the rest of the world--books on spiritual themes. Though most of the books here on spirituality are translated works imported from the West, we now have books written by Koreans, translated into other languages. The Korean Church does not have internationally-known theologians, but the publication of these books may well be a sign that their authors will soon be making an appearance on the theological world.  The Peace Weekly introduces us to six of these books.

Blessing of the Rainbow has sold close to a million copies. It is a book on self-improvement by Cha Dong-yeop, head of the Future Pastoral Institute in Incheon. The book has been translated into four languages, and this year into Spanish. In Korea, we have a plethora of books on self-improvement from the West; to have one written in the Korean style is good news.

Jesus and Confucius, by Choe Ki-seop, rector of the Catholic Theology University, and Professor Kim Hyeong-ki, compares the words of Jesus with those of the Analects of Confucius. The book has been translated into French and German.

The Lord Calls My Name, by Seong Pong-mo, a Jesuit priest, is the 12th book of a series on Scripture and Humanity.  It was written for those who  are troubled with depression and thoughts of suicide. Among those who will find it helpful are English-speaking immigrants to Korea, those who are living in Korea as workers, and Koreans living overseas. It discusses the grace of a layperson's vocation and others that want guidance on how best to serve in becoming true disciples of Jesus. 

Inside the Catholic Church of Korea, by Kim Seong-tyae, head of the Korean Church History Institute, is a brief history of the Catholic Church in Korea, from its start over 220 years ago--the persecution, the opening to the West, the liberation, the Korean War, and the canonization of 103 saints.
 
Prayer From the Heart, by Jesuit Priest Jong  Kyu-han, who gives retreats in the Spiritual Exercises, teaches us to  pray not with the head but with the heart. The book leads us to a deeper appreciation of prayer, and a correct understanding of prayer and its practice.              


Jesu-maum Prayer, (Prayer of Jesus' heart) by Sister Kwon Min-ja, discusses the  prayer process, the importance of prayer and how to pray in our daily lives. It teaches us the way to talk to Jesus like a little child. Sister has traveled widely to give her retreats and now the book has been translated into Thai, Chinese and English, and will soon be translated into  German.