Books on Catholic Teaching

The Second Vatican Council exhorted the faithful to 'seek the kingdom of God by engaging in temporal affairs and by ordering them according to the plan of God' (Lumen Gentium, 31). The contours of this mission are given by Catholic social teaching and yet, regrettably, this treasure of the Church remains undiscovered by most Catholics. Conscious of this, the popes of the modern age have consistently expressed their desire that this aspect of the Church's doctrine and mission become more widel...

"Catechism of the Seven Sacraments" by Kevin and Mary O'Neill is an innovative and engaging book designed to teach children about the importance of God's sanctifying grace through the journey from creation to salvation. This book is set in a comic-book format with vivid photographs that make theological concepts accessible to readers of all ages. It follows Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's teachings on Covenant Theology, highlighting the parallels between the Old and New Testaments and the sacram...

Are you looking for a reliable source of information about the Catholic faith? Look no further than A Pocket Guide to Catholic Apologetics. In this invaluable resource, Catholics are given Scripture citations and explanations for over sixty apologetics themes, making it your go-to guide for defending and understanding Catholic beliefs and practices. This pocket-sized companion guide to the best-selling Where is That in the Bible? is perfect for studying on the go with ease. You'll have acces...

How can you believe all this stuff? This is the number-one question Catholics get asked-and, sometimes, we ask ourselves. Why do we believe that God exists, that he became a man and came to save us, that what looks like a wafer of bread is actually his body? Why do we believe that he inspired a holy book and founded an infallible Church to teach us the one true way to live? Ever since he became Catholic, Trent Horn has spent a lot of time answering these questions, trying to explain to friend...

This Is the Faith is a timeless classic that has been inspiring Catholics for generations. It was originally published in 1951 and has been updated over the years to include modern perspectives. This book covers the fundamental beliefs of Catholicism, from topics such as God, man, religion, and prayer to deeper topics like redemption, sacraments, and devotion to Mary and the Saints. Written in an approachable yet professional manner, it casts light on what it means to be Catholic, providing v...

Fundamentals of the Faith by Peter Kreeft offers a unique and comprehensive approach to Christianity and Catholicism, building an understanding of both its beliefs and practices. This invaluable book provides insight into the essence of the faith, from its fundamental elements to its contribution to our life and the world's yearnings. The book is structured using the three divisions which correspond with the internal drives of all humans; something for our intellect, something for our will to...

One of Cardinal Ratzinger's most important and widely read books, this volume is a revised second edition with an improved translation and an in-depth 20 page preface by the Cardinal. As he states in the preface, since this book was first published over 30 years ago, many changes and significant events have occurred in the world, and in the Church. But even so, he says he is firmly convinced that his fundamental approach in this book is still very timely and crucial for the spiritual needs of...

Compiled in 1782 by St Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain and St Makarios of Corinth, the Philokalia is a rich collection of spiritual writings from the fourth century on to the fifteenth from various saints and great minds giving counsel to monastics in their ascetic struggles. Though mostly written for monastics, under good spiritual guidance there is much to be gleaned by commonplace Catholics— in particular Eastern (Byzantine) Catholics, as most of the authors presented here were of the Easte...

The whole of Scripture, Old Testament and New, is being published in a single volume, featuring the beautiful Revised Standard Version Second Catholic Edition (RSV2CE) translation along with introductions, outlines, and explanatory notes for each biblical book, extensive cross references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and an array of visual and educational aids to bring the message of Scripture into clear focus for Catholic readers. More than any other study edition of the Bible on ...

The central theme of Via Media is that, on each of the cardinal points of Christian faith, orthodoxy consists in holding together two notions which, though not in fact incompatible, at first sight appear to be so. It is by enquiring in each case how this apparent irreconcilability is to be removed that a real understanding of the doctrine is achieved. The theme is illustrated by a lucid discussion of the four fundamental doctrines of Creation, the Trinity, the Incarnation, and Grace. In the c...

In The Importance of Being Human: Some Reflections on the Christian Doctrine of Man, Eric Mascall explains how the Christian account of creation, the fall, the incarnation, and the redemption of human persons in Christ provides the fullest and most truthful explanation of man's present condition and eternal purpose. Addressing the key distinction between human persons and other animals, Mascall insists that humans are not only highly evolved biological organisms. They are highly evolved biolo...

In the catechetical ressourcement now underway, the Church is recovering traditional Christian wisdom for her practice of the craft of catechesis. In this new work, Petroc Willey argues that the Church in Alexandria offers a rich and compelling vision of Christian culture to assist in the renewal of pedagogy and the mending of ecclesial life. Under the leadership of Clement and Origen, the Christian community of Alexandria founded a catechetical school that shaped a distinctive Christian paid...

Stella Tęsknota was ready to marry Blake Yourrick, the troubled if earnest protagonist of Infinite Regress. In this stand-alone novel (and loose sequel), set after Blake abruptly-and inexplicably-breaks off their engagement, Stella throws herself into a tough South Chicago teaching assignment. There she meets Peter Clavier (P.C.), a psychologist-activist whose uncle-a pastor-has long prophesied for Peter a future of otherworldly greatness. As Stella draws out Peter's past, the novel follows P...

"It seems to me that there is room for a book which has for its purpose to point out the true setting of the Eucharistic mystery in the economy of the supernatural life, and this is the task I have laid upon myself." So begins A Key to the Doctrine of the Eucharist, the most notable work by abbot and theologian Dom Anscar Vonier. Throughout this book, Vonier contemplates the true nature of the sacrifice of the Mass, examining precisely what is meant when the priest proclaims, "This is My body...

"There is no problem . . . no matter how difficult it may be, that we cannot resolve through the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -- Sister Lúcia of FátimaChampion of the Faith Bishop Athanasius Schneider sounds a rallying cry to all Catholics to take up the mightiest spiritual weapon in our arsenal: Our Lady wants you to embark on a Rosary Crusade, under her mantle, to repel the forces of evil and disentangle the vexing problems we face in these troubled times.Unite your prayers with those of the...

Surveys show that the leading cause of Catholics leaving the Church is not receiving solid, timely answers to questions about their Faith. Heightening this problem is a hostile secular culture that perceives faith as being at odds with science and the modern world.In these incisive pages, David Bonagura directly answers one hundred hot-button questions about the supernatural life and Catholicism today. The questions, which were submitted anonymously by young adults in New York City, leave no ...

In the eternal battle for souls, prayer is our greatest weapon.In this book on spiritual warfare, acclaimed author and radio host Jesse Romero emphasizes the importance of prayer in facing our modern crises, especially for men who are the heads of their households.He reminds us that the faculty of prayer is both a gift and a protective weapon from God. Far from a passive routine, it is an intrepid action in which we directly encounter the divine and drive away the diabolic.Romero identifies t...

Society no longer encourages wonder or spending time pondering the big questions of life. Indeed, the childlike gifts of curiosity and gratitude have been trampled over by technology and benumbed by complacency.In these engaging pages, Bobby Angel reveals how and why your life has meaning. Drawing from major thinkers from ancient to modern times, personal stories, historical lessons, and popular movies, he assists the layperson in absorbing vital philosophical concepts in an easily digestible...

In an age in which the occult is becoming increasingly normalized, Teresa Yanaros's Freedom from Darkness offers a crucial beacon of hope and a guide to freedom.Drawing from her profound personal journey out of the occult and into the light of Christ, Yanaros unveils with insight and precision the stark realities of spiritual warfare and the path to deliverance.Freedom from Darkness is not just a book; it is a survival manual for those ensnared by the occult--be it through tarot cards, New Ag...

Religious leaders do not teach about Hell to scare people to come to Church, though the fear of Hell often leads souls to turn back to God. Hell is the result of mankind's free will, not God's malice. French novelist Léon Bloy said: "The only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint." Since only saints are in Heaven, the greatest tragedy, then, is to go to Hell.In these gripping pages, Dan Burke and Patrick O'Hearn present the most common r...

This learned book traces the course of mystical theology which led up to St John of the Cross. It studies Hugh and Richard of St Victor, St Bonaventure, important writings which long passed under his name, Hugh of Balma, a Carthusian Prior it seems of the thirteenth century, Tauler's authentic sermons and his Institutiones, a compilation by St Peter Canisius passing under his name, Ruysbroeck, Denis the Carthusian, Kastl's De Adhaerendo Deo, and finally a brief notice of Spanish writers of th...

Dignitatis Humanae, the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on religious liberty, remains one of the most debated texts in modern Catholic theology. Its teaching raises urgent questions: Is the Council’s doctrine on religious liberty an infallible teaching or an act of the “authentic Magisterium”? May a Catholic suspend or withhold assent, and under what conditions? And most critically, does the Council’s treatment of religious liberty contradict the Church’s earlier magisterium? As Alan Fim...

"My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials(Sirach, 2)Most American Catholics who came to call themselves Traditionalists were totally unprepared for the assault on the Roman Rite manifesting itself at the Second Vatican Council and in its aftermath. Their reactions to the Liturgical Revolution were, therefore, those of a shocked incredulity, such a nightmare seeming impossible in a Church that they had considered so well-protected from error by the Papacy. There w...

Carlo Acutis, born May 3, 1991, fully embraced the gift of life. Known as a computer whiz, he also liked to play soccer, video games, and the saxophone. He enjoyed watching his favorite police dramas and making short films with his star cast of cats and dogs. He had many friends and enjoyed spending time with them.Yet Carlo was a little "different" at school, in the pizzerias, and on the soccer field. What set Carlo apart was his constant pursuit of holiness. In addition to his fun hobbies, h...

Pull up a chair and lend an ear as Mother Angelica shares her wit and wisdom on the often messy nitty-gritty of family life, faith, and forgiveness. This collection of chats, carefully curated from Mother Angelica Live Classics, weaves Scripture, personal anecdotes, and timeless Catholic teachings into deeply engaging stories. In these charming pages, Mother reveals the secret of how to achieve the impossible and miraculous in your life.Whether discussing the wounds of strained relationships ...

Dr. Robert D. Enright, founder of the International Forgiveness Institute, invites you to travel with him down the road from alienation to forgiveness to possible reconciliation. His cathartic exercises will enliven your relationship with Jesus and provide a healing balm that will deepen your empathy and dispose you to forgiving others.Similar to The Imitation of Christ, this work is divided into three books comprising short chapters with brief points to consider. The first book lays out forg...

Here is the book that will help you discover how to be "fully alive." Esteemed theologian, Fr. Thomas Mullady, OP shares a fresh perspective on why you are called to union with God. He provides accessible and relevant answers on commonly asked post-Vatican II questions in Catholic theology, including Thomistic problems which have pervaded Catholic theology, both past and present.Fr. Mullady offers solutions to debates and a springboard to launch an analysis of contemporary issues such as:What...

Many people rely on Robert Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D., for his expertise on explaining the relationship between science, faith, and reason. Finally, at your fingertips, are his answers to select questions that viewers asked on his immensely popular television show, Fr. Spitzer's Universe, to help you understand and share life's greatest mysteries.A priest and philosopher of science, Fr. Spitzer offers evidence and proofs for common queries, such as: Is there really an intelligent Being who created ...

Dignitas Personae (“The Dignity of the Person”), issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on September 8, 2008, examines contemporary bioethical questions in light of the Church’s perennial teaching on the sanctity of human life. Addressing emerging technologies such as in vitro fertilization, embryonic stem cell research, cloning, and genetic engineering, the document reaffirms that every human being—regardless of developmental stage—possesses inherent dignity and must never ...

In Common Sense for a World of Common Nonsense, Dr. Donald DeMarco examines modern moral confusion through sharp, philosophical essays that contrast virtue with ideology. Divided into “Common Nonsense” and “Common Sense,” the book critiques gender ideology, abortion, relativism, and other cultural errors while affirming tradition, rationality, and Christian moral wisdom. Drawing on Scripture, Church teaching, and the insights of classical thinkers, DeMarco argues for the indispensable role of...

Donald DeMarco's Without God Nothing Makes Sense argues that removing God from public discourse leads to societal confusion and moral decay. DeMarco critiques ideologies like radical feminism, atheism, and the pro-abortion lobby, identifying their rejection of divine truths as sources of division and intellectual blindness. He emphasizes the importance of virtues such as lightheartedness, kindheartedness, and warmheartedness, which align with faith in God and serve as antidotes to societal fr...

or Friendliness and its Relevance in Modern Evangelization This book explores the critical role of affability in contemporary outreach, aiming to bring this often-overlooked virtue into the spotlight. The author engages the writings of Pope Francis and selected saints expressing that affability is a virtue which impacts human relations for the good of the world, propelling evangelization efforts to the fullest level. The reason for its effectiveness is because friendly interactions influence ...

To become a better Christian, you need to form your emotions aright. It might also surprise you to know that Catholic teaching doesn't disparage the emotions. Rather, the traditional Catholic view -- supported by giants in the Catholic tradition such as Saint Augustine, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, and Saint Thomas Aquinas -- is that ongoing conversion does not mean suppressing, ignoring, or eradicating the emotions, but reforming them.In Emotional Holiness, Abbot Austin Murphy, OSB, shows how...

To carry on the mission of the Church, we must be unified, which Jesus himself prayed for. This unity begins first of all with the clergy, who share in the Sacrament of Holy Orders.As I Have Loved You explores the concept of "clerical unity," which is a way of living out one's vocation to Holy Orders with a sense of oneness, cohesion, and harmony without divisions or fragmentation. Bishops, priests, and deacons form a single, complete brotherhood while maintaining, in whole, each order's dist...

Catholic America is fun! It's captivating! Inspirational! Eye-opening! You simply won't believe it! Which state capital named for a saint was originally called "Pig's Eye"? Where is the tallest baptismal font, standing over thirteen feet tall? Who are the "three holy peas in a pod"?The answers to these questions are just the beginning of the incredible facts, trivia, people, churches, and lore found in Incredible Catholic America.This book is more than a collection of random facts and trivia....

Have you ever wandered outside and wished you could find a place to just sit and pray, a garden space to find solace in the busyness of today's world? Do you desire to create an outdoor green space that will help meet your spiritual needs?Planting with Prayer: The Catholic Gardening Handbook shows you how to develop a contemplative outdoor space that moves you in this season of your life and spiritual growth. Whether you are a new gardener or a sage veteran, Advanced Master Gardener Margaret ...

What characterizes, in a singular way, Jesus's teaching on prayer is the recourse to parables. Jesus did not invent a new system for praying. Jesus was not a hermit, a Buddhist monk, or a yogi. He instead chose the daily life of his people to teach prayer with parables. This book explores the parables in the Gospels explicitly related to prayer, with Jesus as your guide.In preparation for the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025, the Exploring Prayer series delves into various dimensions of prayer in the...

Enthusiasm, in the religious sense, is more akin to fanaticism than fervor. As Monsignor Ronald Knox describes, it is that recurring situation in Church history in which men and women, seek to be less and less "of the world" and more and more attentive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Their assumption is audacious yet simple: grace does not perfect nature; it destroys and replaces it. The inevitable result: separation, secession, schism. In twenty-three informative and entertaining chapter...

Many have heard of St. John Fisher, but usually in association with his fellow martyr, St. Thomas More and that he refused to accept Henry VIII's break from Rome, and was thus executed. Few know that Fisher was famous in the first half of the 16 th century, not only as a holy reforming bishop, but also as one of the greatest theologians in Europe. His masterful theological acumen made him the right man to oppose the ill wind blowing in from Germany.Luther denied several Catholic doctrines, an...

"... All possible means are resorted to in an effort to discredit the phenomena of Konnersreuth, to silence the voices which speak of a Divine Hand at work there. Despite all of this, the phenomena continue to take place as hitherto."Therese Neumann was a simple girl born to good Catholic parents in an obscure village of Catholic Bavaria. Yet God would call her to make known the sacred passion of Christ in her person. After an accident that should have killed her, she was miraculously healed,...

The love of nature in our days has gone so far apart from Christian feeling. Men have forgotten that God's thoughts find expression in the visible, as well as in the invisible, world, and that inner and secret harmonies bind the natural and the supernatural together. The things of beauty which God has bidden arise on the earth lose half their grace, because men do not mount by them to the better understanding of the supernal beauty of the operations of that world which Faith reveals to our ga...

In this volume on the Sacraments, St. Robert Bellarmine follows the structure of the Council of Trent to present a precise and authoritative defense of Catholic sacramental theology against the errors of early Protestant reformers. In his treatise On the Sacraments in General, Bellarmine explains the nature and purpose of the Sacraments, examining their definition, matter and form, their divine institution, the distinction between Old Testament and New Testament rites, the conditions for vali...

The Catechism Explained by Spirago, was meant to fill the gap in Catechisms that explain and deepen the propositions of Catholic doctrine, rather than giving dry and rote memorization that by itself does little. The sequel goes to the next level. The Catechism Explained by Stories and Examples, is a collection of stories, histories, lives of the saints, and anecdotes illustrating the lessons of each point of Catechetical teaching. From the preface:"The great value of examples and illustration...

They Lived the Faith is a truly unique work, combining the biographies of numerous Catholic lay leaders in the 19th and 20th century to illustrate the singular theme of Catholic Action in both social and political life.While many books focus on clerical leaders, They Lived the Faith looks at laity, who worked in politics, literature, and social life to bring the light of the Gospel to ameliorate society's evils.In this work, you will learn how these thirteen Catholic lay leaders confronted th...

That after seven hundred years his life is still the subject of historians' endeavors is a clear proof of the deep significance of St. Dominic's personality for his Order, for the clergy, and the entire Church. He lived in the late Middle Ages, when the Chair of Peter was occupied by popes like Innocent III, whose prudence and firmness were active factors in shaping Europe's history. The spirit of faith still had at least a little influence in political matters, and enthusiasm for the reclaim...

In this dynamic and authoritative book on the spiritual life, Cardinal Robert Sarah shows us how to enter into and progress through the spiritual life. He notes that the goal of this book is "to accompany all those who have set their hearts on responding to God's love with a full, happy, fruitful life that will culminate in the eternal happiness of contemplating Him." Written as a catechism of the spiritual life, this book is organized around the sacraments, prayer, asceticism, and the liturg...