Catholic Books

A Catholic Defense of Capital Punishment  The Catholic Church has in recent decades been associated with political efforts to eliminate the death penalty. It was not always so. This timely work reviews and explains the Catholic Tradition regarding the death penalty, demonstrating that it is not inherently evil and that it can be reserved as a just form of punishment in certain cases.  Drawing upon a wealth of philosophical, scriptural, theological, and social scientific arguments, the authors...

Mary Fabyan Windeatt presents the powerful story of the famous life and miracles of St. Benedict for the Vision Book series of saints for youth. Known as the Father of Western Monasticism, St. Benedict played a major role in the Christinization and civilization of post-Roman Europe in the sixth century.Having lived in an era of great immorality and vice, Benedict founded an order for monks whose strong life of prayer and work helped convert the godless society around them. It tells how his Be...

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...

Why is it, asks Bishop Fulton Sheen, that one hears so often the expression "Go to hell!" and almost never the expression "Go to heaven!" Here, at his most penetrating, challenging, and illuminating best is Bishop Sheen with his answer, in a book that breathes new meaning into the truths about heaven and hell, and new life into the concepts of faith, tolerance, love, prayer, suffering, and death. Beginning with "The First Faint Summons to Heaven," Sheen shows how unpopular it is today to be a...

Compiled under the direction of St. Charles Borromeo and recognized as the most authoritative Catholic catechism. Leo XIII recommended two books-- the Summa and this Catechism--for all seminarians! Pope Benedict 16th, as a Cardinal, called it the most important Catholic Catechism. Originally designed to supply parish priest with an official book of instruction, it has been used extensively by the laity as a steadying guide in our confused age.

Amid the pervasive cultural upheaval and moral uncertainty of the mid-twentieth century, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen emerged as a prophet of hope, always giving people a reason to believe that life is worth living. For decades, "America's bishop" wrote, taught, and preached about the major questions and issues that were shaping American culture.Prophet of Hope places Sheen in dialogue with eight of the leading thinkers of his day -- John Dewey, H. L. Mencken, Henry Luce, Margaret Mead, B. F. S...

Since the early twentieth century, scientific materialism has so undermined our belief in the human capacity for transcendence that many people find it difficult to believe in God and the human soul. The materialist perspective has not only cast its spell on the natural sciences, psychology, philosophy, and literature, it has also enthralled popular culture, which offers very little to encourage the "soul's upward yearning". There are many signs of the widespread loss of confidence in our abi...

In this stimulating and still-timely study, Josef Pieper takes up a theme of paramount importance to his thinking - that festivals belong by rights among the great topics of philosophical discussion. As he develops his theory of festivity, the modern age comes under close and painful scrutiny. It is obvious that we no longer know what festivity is, namely, the celebration of existence under various symbolsPieper exposes the pseudo-festivals, in their harmless and their sinister forms: traditi...

The war is on. The Devil plots to defeat you. Meet some battle-tested warriors who fight at your side. Satan is real. He's a formidable foe who wants to snatch us away from God, and the thought of doing battle with him can seem daunting. Even so, the saints who have gone before us have engaged the Devil, armed with the power of Christ ... and emerged victorious! These fellow warriors in heaven now fight on our behalf. In Saints Who Battled Satan, Paul Thigpen, author of Manual for Spiritual W...

This new edition of The Heart (out of print for nearly 30 years) is the flagship volume in a series of Dietrich von Hildebrand's works to be published by St. Augustine's Press in collaboration with the Dietrich von Hildebrand Legacy Project. Founded in 2004, the Legacy Project exists in the first place to translate the many German writings of von Hildebrand into English.While many revere von Hildebrand as a religious author, few realize that he was a philosopher of great stature and importanc...

This Vision book for youth 9 - 15 years old tells the exciting, dramatic story of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the order he founded, the Society of Jesus. As a young man, Ignatius had dreams of an adventurous life as a soldier. His dreams, however, did not come true the way he had hoped. Seriously wounded in battle, the soldier Ignatius had a profound conversion to Christ during his period of healing and recovery. He abandoned a promising career in the military and dedicated the rest of his lif...

Winner of a 2025 CMA Book Award from the Catholic Media Association: Religious Book Series (Honorable Mention). Born to Do This is a thirty-day personal retreat inspired by the courage and faith of St. Joan of Arc. Six centuries after her birth and one hundred years after her canonization, the Maid of Orléans continues to captivate believers as a model of conviction, obedience, and unwavering trust in God. In this devotional, readers will encounter St. Joan through her own words and the stori...

“Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.” — Jesus to St. Faustina Throughout her Diary, St. Faustina speaks of Jesus' call for the conversion of souls. Through prayer and sacrifice, the Lord calls us all to strive for our own conversion, and for the conversion of the whole world. Are you looking for a way to draw your friend or family member back to faith in God? Look no further: St. Faustina Prayer Book for the Conversion of Sinners i...

The Wedding of Magdeburg is no ordinary wedding. Germany, 1630: a world turned upside down by the Reformation. In the Free Imperial City of Magdeburg, one young bride is jilted on the eve of her nuptials, but as she waits for her groom to return, an even darker cloud looms: the Holy Roman Empire stands at the gates, ready to take the Protestant city as its own political "bride". Will Magdeburg accept the proposal for the sake of peace, or will she rebel--and risk losing the battle altogether?...

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...

"A Treatise on Perfection" by Cardinal Armand Jean du Plessis, Duke of Richelieu, offers profound insights into nourishing a fruitful and sustainable spiritual life. This masterpiece, overflowing with wisdom for balancing prayer and devotion with secular responsibilities, is presented in English for the first time. It covers topics such as the tortures of hell according to Saint Augustine, the joys of heaven, distractions at prayer, and twenty spiritual counsels, aiming to stir readers' heart...

Vatican II baby boomers, trad millennials, zealous converts, Christmas and Easter Catholics — these are some of the humorous stereotypes theologian Charles Camosy uses to describe the viewpoints that divide today’s Church. Despite our differences, Camosy insists that unity and healing can be found in the fullness of the Gospel and an authentic understanding of the Catholic faith. One Church is a hopeful and practical field guide for our divided age — showing what it takes to listen, love, and...

The Marian Fathers and, more importantly, the magisterium of the Catholic Church teach that there is no contradiction or competition between the message of the Sacred Heart as revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and the Divine Mercy message and devotion as revealed to St. Faustina Kowalska. Devout Catholics know this. After all, it's the same Jesus who revealed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and, centuries later, revealed the Divine Mercy message and devotion to St. Faustin...

A French Genocide: The Vendée provides a detailed narrative of the civil war in the Vendée region of western France, which lasted for much of the 1790s but was most intensely fought at the height of the Reign of Terror, from March 1793 to early 1795. In this shocking and controversial book, Reynald Secher argues that the massacres which resulted from the conflict between "patriotic" revolutionary forces and those of the counter-revolution were not the inevitable result of fierce battle, but r...

Eclipse of the Sun by Michael O'Brien tells the gripping story of a family caught in the grip of a totalitarian government. Set in a near future North American society that is infected with deceit and dysfunctional cultural norms, the Delaney's must grapple with their father's arrest by the Office of Internal Security. The fast-paced plot takes us on an emotional journey as the family struggles to remain faithful to the truth in order to overcome fear and dread. This reflective novel follows ...

The Spanish Civil War was one of the most passionate ideological conflicts of the modern era. At its heart lay what many contemporaries understood to be the final and most decisive struggle between traditional Catholicism and liberal secularism. Religion became the central dividing line of the conflict, shaping loyalties, hatreds, and interpretations of the war itself. The Spanish Civil War as a Religious Tragedy is the first full-length, comprehensive study devoted entirely to the religious ...

Augustine's Confessions Unpacked Popular author and philosopher Peter Kreeft delves into one of the most beloved Christian classics of all time--Augustine's Confessions. He collects key passages and offers incisive commentary, making Confessions accessible to any reader who is both intellectually curious and spiritually hungry. The Confessions is a dramatic personal narrative of a soul choosing between eternal life and death, an exploration of the timeless questions great minds have been aski...

"The holy souls are eager for the prayers of the faithful, which can gain indulgences for them. Their intercession is powerful. Pray unceasingly. We must empty purgatory!" - St. Pio of Pietrelcina Tireless advocate for the holy souls in purgatory, Susan Tassone, invites you to join her in the call to action from St. Pio to empty purgatory. Become a prayer warrior on behalf of the suffering souls and bring comfort to them and yourself along the way. Tassone provides an unprecedented treasure t...

It has been said, quite correctly, that we write as well as we read. It can also be said that we think as well as we read. Since reading well is so important, it is good to get into the habit of reading good books. The better the book, the better will be our ability to think well and write well. In Classic Literature Made Simple, literary expert Joseph Pearce takes the reader on a guided tour of fifty great works of literature. The author of over thirty books, Pearce uses his experience of te...

"Mysteries Made Visible: Praying the Rosary with Sacred Art" by Lawrence Lew, O.P., offers a unique devotional experience that combines sacred art with the contemplation of the Rosary's Mysteries. With a foreword by the Master of the Order, Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, O.P., this book invites readers to deepen their prayer life through the visual and spiritual meditation on sacred images. Fr. Lew, a Dominican friar known for his photography, captures the essence of each Mystery with stun...

This book presents a practical and contemplative method for praying the Rosary that helps the mind remain focused on the lives of Jesus and Mary. By inserting brief phrases drawn from Sacred Scripture and Church writings into the Hail Mary sequence, the method gently anchors attention in the mysteries being contemplated and restores focus when distractions arise. Drawing from his own experience of struggling with distraction during the Rosary, the author explains how this structured approach ...

We all face moments when the weight of life feels unbearable. In times of doubt, fear, or hopelessness, finding the right words to pray can seem impossible. Lord, Save Me! offers wisdom, encouragement, and heartfelt prayers to guide you through life’s storms and lead you closer to the peace that only Christ can give. Bestselling author Gary Zimak, known for his practical, faith-filled approach to overcoming anxiety, offers a treasury of 120 original prayers drawn from scripture and grounded i...

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...

Artificial intelligence technology (AI) motivates persons' engagement in sin. With this startling argument drawn from Catholic theology and technological insight, Christopher M. Reilly, Th.D. takes on both critics and proponents of AI who see it as essentially a neutral tool that can be used with good or bad intentions. More specifically, Reilly demonstrates that AI strongly encourages the vice of instrumental rationality, which in turn leads the developers, producers, and users of AI and its...

In a world that often equates fulfillment with marriage and family, Going Solo: Encouraging Single Catholics offers a refreshing and faith-centered perspective on the joys, challenges, and spiritual purpose of living as a dedicated single Catholic. Drawing from her personal journey, Anne Stokes shares heartfelt reflections, scriptural insights, and practical wisdom to uplift those navigating life outside the traditional expectations of marriage. With warmth and honesty, she explores themes of...

Those who have followed the 'Galileo Case' would recall that in July 1981 Pope John Paul II set up a Commission to investigate the case anew and to recognize wrongs from whichever side they came. He had hoped to resolve the long-standing controversies that have surrounded Galileo from the time of his condemnation in 1632. The concluding phase of the Commission's work was placed by John Paul II under the direction of Cardinal Paul Poupard. The Cardinal presented his report of the Commission's ...

This book puts into spiritual, theological, philosophical, psychological, moral, historical, cultural, and political perspective the incredible evil we have witnessed and suffered over the past four years, amounting to the greatest crime against humanity ever committed. The plandemic was not only an all-out assault on every human being on the planet, but also an assault on reality itself. Though its most obvious effects were economic and political, at its core it was a spiritual and psycholog...

Make Better Decisions with the Desert Fathers Father Augustine Wetta reaches back into monastic history to answer one of the most critical questions facing young people today: "How do I make up my mind?" With his characteristic wit and novel approach to classical art, Father Augustine looks to the wisdom of the Desert Fathers to unearth an ancient and highly efficient method for resolving life's most pressing dilemmas--even in the midst of distractions, temptations, and disruptions. Profoundl...

The definitive paperback editions of L.M. Montgomery's beloved novels get a brand-new look for the next hundred years! Sara Stanley is only fourteen, but she can weave tales that are impossible to resist. In the charming town of Carlisle, children and grown-ups alike flock from miles around to hear her spellbinding tales. And when Bev King and his younger brother Felix arrive for the summer, they, too, are captivated by the Story Girl. Whether she's leading them on exciting misadventures or ...

"Sister Marie describes in detail the life of a Carmelite Nun and shows us by what means and in what manner rich spiritual treasure is being gathered for the benefit of all of us."-- Thomas L. Noa, Bishop of Marquette, in the original foreword This gem of a book is essential reading for anyone interested in knowing the hidden details of life in Carmel -- "the powerhouse of prayer." Sr. Marie, a young novice, addressed this revealing series of letters to her parents and family about her life i...

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...

One of the greatest spiritual classics of all time is Introduction to the Devout Life, the St. Francis de Sales masterpiece written in the seventeenth century. Deacon Matthew Newsome breaks open this divine guide from one of the most sought-after spiritual counselors in history and helps you apply it to your life today. In these pages, you will find the direction you need to grow closer to God and practice Christian discipleship regardless of your vocation.De Sales insisted that devotion is f...

For six years, before becoming a well-regarded retreat master, Fr. Wayne Sattler lived as a diocesan hermit in a one-room cabin on an abandoned farmstead in rural North Dakota, striving to avail himself of the mystery of what God can do in prayer, clinging to the wisdom of the sixteenth-century Carmelite saints John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila as his trusted guides.Fr. Sattler was asked many times to write a book sharing the fruits of his time in solitude to help others progress in the s...

Although many Catholics are familiar with the four Gospels and other writings of the New Testament, for most, reading the Old Testament is like walking into a foreign land. Who wrote these forty-six books? When were they written? Why were they written? What are we to make of their laws, stories, histories, and prophecies? Should the Old Testament be read by itself or in light of the New Testament? John Bergsma and Brant Pitre offer readable in-depth answers to these questions as they introduc...

This engaging booklet is an essential tool for any youth preparing to serve at Mass or training for the role of altar server. Key terms, liturgical guidance, and practical tips are presented in a simple and friendly tone with questions, activities, and images depicting the vestments, sacred vessels, and other key items used at Mass. Servers continually change as older children move to other roles or serve the parish in other ways, and younger children require training. Guide for Altar Servers...

Introducing the New Catholic Picture Bible, a holy book that offers family-friendly stories from the Old and New Testaments. Carefully constructed to be easy to understand, this book enables parents to share their faith with their children in a meaningful way. From the story of Adam and Eve to the teachings of Jesus Christ, readers will find familiar stories that have been an integral part of the Christian faith for centuries. Each narrative is supplemented with beautiful illustrations, makin...

This panoramic novel of the last days of Christ ranges from the palaces of imperial Rome to the strife-torn hills of Judea-where the conflict of love and betrayal, revenge and redemption, reaches a mighty climax in the drama of the Crucifixion. For this is the full story of the world's most dramatic execution, as it affected one of its least-known participants-the man who hurled his spear into Christ on the Cross. Among his many successful historical novels, Louis de Wohl considered The Spear...

Meet Rose Wilder... the last of the Little House girls. Rose is turning nine years old, and it's an exciting time on Rocky Ridge Farm. The Wilders have settled into their new home in the Ozarks, and Rose is helping as all their Mansfield neighbors bring in the harvest. The year is filled with danger, excitement, and joy, as Rose battles an ice storm, starts her second year as the top student in her class, helps to build the family's new farmhouse, and celebrates her first real Ozarks Christma...

If you're unhappy because the Mass has become for you routine or even boring and tedious these pages are for you. They teach you eight simple ways to make your every Mass a joyful time of piety and intense devotion. Explaining the spiritual meanings behind the signs and symbols, words and actions of the Mass, author Christopher Carstens teaches you spiritually-enriching ways to enter the church building, make the Sign of the Cross, pray the Opening Prayer, listen to the Readings, prepare your...