I hope this is an appropriate place for this question. :huh:
Please bear with me as I am new to the board.
My husband, who is not at all ready to accept Catholic teaching, really shocked me last night when he ask me which of the Church Father's I would recommend reading first.! I THINK he is at least of the opinion that I might know what I am doing, and he knows that my most recent inquiries began with reading the historic writings.(See my introduction/welcome) We are both "readers" although I more than he. Also we are both pretty well educated (for what that's worth) I mention this so you will have some idea of backround.
He heard somewhere that one should read Patristic Literature cronologically and plans to start with St. Igatius of Antioch.
I have a real vested interest in HIS interest, as up until now he has mainly just been upset with me and my wanting to begin RCIA instruction. Thanks ahead for any suggestions. :)

Would he prefer book form, or printout or will internet do?

Do you want to go for the jugular with highest apologetic value (quotes on Catholic distinctives) or take the time to read full works in context? =)

I have several books, all I have to do is give him the one he is most interested in if I have it. A couple of the ones I have are:
The Apostolic Fathers: Volumes I and II( (Loeb Classical Library) Bart D. Ehrman and Apostolic Fathers: An Essential Guide by C. Jefford --
I am not sure that a really heavy load of obviously Catholic apologetics this early would be a good idea - maybe easing into that would be better.
I don't think the form matters as much as the content at this point.

We compiled a Church Fathers Lenten Reading Plan that gives a good sampling. It can be found at www.churchyear.net/lentfathers.html. Chadrack compiled a version complete with the texts themselves in .pdf format. It can found on the above page. Yes its designed for Lent, but the texts are not Lent themed or anything.

I would say the Apostolic Fathers are a good start. Justin Martyr's Apology is good first read since it shows how early Christians worshiped. The only early father's writing I find very hard to read is the "Shepherd of Hermas." I plowed through it, but that was tough.

Blessings,
David

David, Chadrack,
I downloaded the PDF file -- you folks have done an excellent job with your websites and this forum and are to be commended.
By the way, I read Justin Martyr first and can't remember why. Keep up the good work. Also, please keep me in prayer; the first RCIA class meets tomorrow evening. One of my prayers is that I may go without causing too much friction around the "homefires". Thanks again. Mary

I would greatly recommend the "Didache" -- possibly the earliest of the writings; also the letters of St. Ignatius of Antioch. I typically have my classes read the Martyrdom of Polycarp as well. All good 1st and 2nd century stuff.

Blessings,