Catholic Books

In the words of a 1944 review, written well in advance of twenty-first-century outcomes of educational malpractice: "It is for man that education must exist. Such a statement may seem too obvious to make at all. Yet its meaning is rarely understood today." Education at the Crossroads fully comprehends that meaning. Bringing to bear the full weight of his wisdom, Jacques Maritain argues for education as objectively ordered toward man "in his personal life and spiritual progress, not in his rel...

Julian of Norwich is one of the subtlest writers and profoundest thinkers of the Middle Ages, and the earliest woman writer in English. Her Revelations describe a loving and merciful God and a positive vision of humanity. This sensitive new translation conveys the poise and serenity of her style, and includes the two versions of her text.

"'Better be without sense than misapply it as you do.'" Emma Woodhouse— "rich, handsome and clever"— is every bit that rich and that handsome, but perhaps not as clever as she believes. Residing in the quietness of rural England at the turn of the 19th century, the young heiress has as yet no intention of marrying, but enjoys playing the matchmaker among her acquaintances. Supposing she arranged her governess's marriage, she then takes for a protégé Harriet, a simple-minded girl of humble and...

A sweeping history of the often-violent conflict between Islam and the West, shedding a revealing light on current hostilitiesThe West and Islam -- the sword and scimitar -- have clashed since the mid-seventh century, when, according to Muslim tradition, the Roman emperor rejected Prophet Muhammad's order to abandon Christianity and convert to Islam, unleashing a centuries-long jihad on Christendom.Sword and Scimitar chronicles the decisive battles that arose from this ages-old Islamic jihad,...

Meet a modern-day Joan of Arc. Whether in scrubs, camouflage, or a religious habit, Sr. Dede Byrne, in her threefold calling as a professed religious sister, renowned surgeon, and U.S. Army colonel, inspire us to both virtue and action.If the apostles had remained hidden in the Upper Room, we would never have a Church today. Similarly, Sister's inspirational life serves as a call to emerge from the safety of the Upper Room and enter the public square to courageously infuse culture with an una...

"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...

The most famous of all vampire stories, Dracula remains a compelling read, rattling along at break-neck speed, a true page-turner. Here is a new edition of one of the great horror stories in English literature, the novel that spawned a myth and a proliferation of vampire tales in film, television, graphic novels, cartoons, and teen fiction, including the craze revolving around the Twilight and True Blood series.  This volume includes a lively and fascinating introduction by Roger Luckhurst th...

In this moving and insightful memoir, a veteran firefighter recounts his struggle to navigate the difficulties of his dangerous job while standing firm in his Catholic faith. Here is not only a thrilling window into life as an emergency worker, but also a gripping tale of one man's struggle to withstand the spiritual challenges of a secular workplace--a battle that will resonate with Catholics across the board. How is one to preserve one's faith, and share it with others, in a society that ha...

From raunchy television shows to immoral peers, the barriers to raising moral and mature children are higher and more treacherous than ever. In Raising Upright Kids in an Upside-Down World, acclaimed Catholic psychologist Dr. Ray Guarendi offers parents a roadmap through this difficult and sometimes frightening terrain.Dr. Ray brings to bear his decades of clinical experience--and his experience as a father of ten--with some of the hardest questions of modern parenting: How do you manage kid...

If God is so good and so powerful, why is there suffering in our world? Why do good people suffer so much? How can we find value and meaning in the midst of the fallenness of the world? These questions--and many others--call for answers. The responses will determine our worldview and way of life. In the Manual for Suffering, the revealed, time-tested, and holistic answer from the depths of the Catholic faith is presented in all its beauty and power.  This manual will also provide spiritual ai...

Father Gabriel spends a few days of relaxation at his old Cambridge College, the guest of friend Arthur Kingsley from his student days. Kingsley is now a respected scientist and a Fellow of St Stephen's College, but after an enjoyable evening dining at High Table, Gabriel receives the shattering news that Daphne Silverton, Kingsley's brilliant young protégée, has been found dead in her laboratory after what appears to have been a tragic accident. Daphne was universally loved, but Gabriel's in...

In Search of the Woman Who Changed History The first extensive, thoroughly documented, richly illustrated account of the earthly life of the Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ. Produced by writer Grzegorz Górny and photographer Janusz Rosikon, the duo behind several bestsellers of similar major historical and illustrated works, who conducted exhaustive research and journalistic investigations to reconstruct the life and story of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Among the many locations they traveled to...

Bankrupt and with his reputation in ruins, Oscar Wilde wrote the astonishing letter, "De Profundis" to his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, while in prison. Editor Colm Toibin, the acclaimed author of The Blackwater Lightship, The Master, and Brooklyn, describes it as Wilde's "greatest piece of prose writing." Also included is "The Ballad of Reading Gaol," Wilde's most famous poem and one of the greatest ballads in the English language, as well as other letters Wilde wrote from prison that reveal ...

Discover The Miraculous Medal, an inspiring children’s book that tells the miraculous story of Sister Catherine Laboure and her encounter with the Blessed Virgin Mary. Suspenseful and moving, this book recounts the moments when Our Lady appeared before Sister Catherine to ask for a special medallion to be forged in honor of her apparitions—later known as the Miraculous Medal. Kids will love this spellbinding tale of faith and devotion that teaches how heavenly intervention can bring about mir...

In this third title in the Father Gabriel Mystery series, the detective priest is less than pleased to find himself the reluctant guest at a wealthy local family's Christmas party. Only the excellent - and probably black market - food softens the horror of meeting the odious Victor Gladstone, a veteran reporter, an ardent anti-clerical and the only witness to a wartime massacre no one wishes to hear about. When Victor is found dead on the Martin estate the next morning, the apparent victim of...

Into the Deep traces one woman's spiritual odyssey from birthright evangelicalism through postmodern feminism and, ultimately, into the Roman Catholic Church. As a college student, Abigail Favale experienced a feminist awakening that reshaped her life and faith. A decade later, on the verge of atheism, she found herself entering the oldest male-helmed institution on the planet--the last place she expected to be.With humor and insight, Favale describes her gradual exodus from Christian orthodo...

A mass-market paperback edition of The Last Battle, book seven in the classic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Narnia, featuring cover art by Cliff Nielsen and black-and-white interior artwork by the original illustrator of Narnia, Pauline Baynes. During the last days of Narnia, the land faces its fiercest challenge--not an invader from without but an enemy from within. Lies and treachery have taken root, and only the king and a small band of loyal followers can prevent the destruction of al...

Philip Lawler, one of America's most respected Catholic writers and cultural critics, bursts onto the fiction scene with a riveting debut novel that plunges readers into the hidden battles of the Church in the 1980s. Lawler exposes beneath the surface of parish life and chancery politics a world of secrets, compromises, and spiritual warfare -- where the faithful struggle to survive and a young priest discovers that he has a special mission -- and powerful enemies. At the center is Fr. Andy M...

Padre Pio was born in Italy in 1887 and became a priest and confessor. (“Padre” means “Father” in Italian.) He heard millions of confessions during his lifetime and was known for his gifts of healing and insight into people’s hearts. Padre Pio filled souls with peace and helped many grow closer to God. By encouraging prayer and frequent confession, he led countless people back to faith and the Church. He is the patron saint of confessors, celebrated on September 23. Saints are real-life heroe...

Robert Louis Stevenson's short novel, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, first published in 1886, became an instant classic, a Gothic horror originating in a feverish nightmare whose hallucinatory setting in the back streets of London gripped a nation mesmerized by crime and violence. Its revelatory ending is one of the most original and thrilling in English Literature. This new edition of Stevenson's most famous work includes three additional short stories, two short essays, and ex...

Frankenstein is the most celebrated horror story ever written. It tells the dreadful tale of Victor Frankenstein, a visionary young student of natural philosophy, who discovers the secret of life. In the grip of his obsession he constructs a being from dead body parts, and animates this creature. The results, for Victor and for his family, are catastrophic. Written when Mary Shelley was just eighteen, Frankenstein was inspired by the ghost stories and vogue for Gothic literature that fascinat...

Winner of a 2025 Excellence in Publishing Award from the Association of Catholic Publishers: Spirituality (Third Place [tie]). Let the Holy Spirit lead you to the Living Water that renews and strengthens faith. When asked about his spiritual gifts of healing, bilocation, prophecy, and the stigmata, Padre Pio once replied, “You know, they are a mystery to me, too.” In that humility lies a key truth: the Holy Spirit works mysteriously in every Christian’s life, bestowing gifts we may not fully ...

Opening the Holy Door invites you to step into the heart of the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope—a time marked by renewal, grace, and the rediscovery of faith. With the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica open and pilgrims traveling from every corner of the world, this book offers a spiritual pilgrimage for all who seek deeper understanding of this ancient tradition, whether in Rome or at home. Scripture teacher and veteran Rome guide Joan Watson leads readers panel by panel through the sixte...

Full of wonder and joyful anticipation, the Christmas season is the perfect time for Christians to take a break from their busy schedules and ponder the wonderful works of God--in the depths of their heart. Based on the ancient Christian tradition of meditating throughout the 40 days before and after Christmas, this small monastic book follows the rhythm of the Advent and Christmas journey as it takes place in a particular monastery, a place as small and tiny as Bethlehem itself. This book of...

Prayer 101 serves both as an introduction to prayer and a full guide for anyone seeking a deeper, more intentional life of communion with God. Teresa A. Jones begins with fundamental questions—What is prayer? Why do we pray?—and gradually leads readers into a richer understanding of how and why we seek God’s mercy, strength, love, and guidance. Drawing on real-life examples, Jones connects biblical teaching with the practical challenges of daily prayer. She examines familiar prayers often rep...

In this accessible introduction to the vision of Pope Leo XIV, readers encounter a shepherd shaped by the restless search for Truth at the heart of the Augustinian tradition. Former missionary, bishop among the poor, and prefect responsible for appointing pastors worldwide, Leo XIV has long embodied a style of leadership rooted in humility, courage, patience, and deep listening. Drawing from his first Urbi et Orbi blessing on May 8, 2025, this book explores ten central themes that define his ...

Carlo Acutis was a typical teen with an extraordinary heart. Born in London and raised in Milan, he had a deep love for soccer, computers, and his golden retriever. But above all, Carlo was drawn to God in a way that astonished everyone around him. By the age of seven, he was attending daily Mass. By his early teens, he had taught himself coding and created an online exhibition of Eucharistic miracles that would spread around the world. When leukemia claimed his life at fifteen, those who kne...

From the dawn of creation, the serpent's whispered lie--"ye shall be as gods"--has echoed through history, and today it manifests itself in the growing transhumanist movement.Our world stands at a crossroads with commercial surrogacy, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and "gender-affirming care" threatening to radically reshape human nature. Will we stand firm on ancient wisdom or risk losing our humanity altogether?Grayson Quay deftly overturns the lies of transhumanism and cauti...

If the greatest legacy of the Council of Baltimore in 1884 was the Baltimore Catechism, a close second was this definitive book of prayers. Issued in 1889 to fulfill that council's call for an authoritative and comprehensive compilation of traditional prayers and devotions in English, this magnificent 672-page collection became the constant companion of laity and clergy and a devotional mainstay of Catholic families for generations.This manual is a window into Catholic piety and worship as pr...

Among the early followers of St. Francis of Assisi were saints and masters of the spiritual life who shared both a natural and supernatural kinship with their founder. Through their lives and writings they deepened and articulated the spirituality St. Francis embodied—rooted in simplicity, love, and total conformity to Christ. Their witness brought clarity to the distinctive traits of Franciscan life and became a wellspring for generations of Christians seeking to follow the Seraphic Father. ...

The contribution of women in the history of the Church is often overlooked. In modern times it is customary to look for all the wrong things, who is powerful, who became the first woman to work in this place, or who started a movement. The women who are the subject of this book, however, were greater than any of these mundane accomplishments; they were Heroines of Christ. Married and religious, Roman martyrs and Cristeros, the 15 women whose biographies are found in this book exemplified true...

"In this book, Deacon James Keating provides an opportunity for one spiritual director to introduce his mind to the minds of other directors with the hope that his ideas may season their own already developed method of direction. The book does not attend to all the possible realities a director may encounter within his or her training or within the daily execution of this ministry. The author wishes to share his approach to directing seminarians by reflecting upon themes and experiences which...

This workbook invites readers to enter deeply into their personal history, thoughts, and emotions in order to encounter Christ in a living and transformative way. Through its guided reflections, structured exercises, and prayerful invitations, it leads believers toward a more intimate, honest, and healing communion with Jesus. Its purpose is simple but profound: to help Christians discover the truth of who they are, to surrender fully to Christ, and to embrace the joy He desires for His follo...

“It is true that there can be no more important half-hour in the forty-eight half hours which make up a complete calendar date. But you can go further than this and say that the time of Mass is the most important in the century, in history, in life. It is Calvary all over again, and nothing more important could happen in this world than the redemption of man by the crucifixion.” At the heart of every Catholic’s life is the Mass. As such, it is a form of prayer that demands awareness, reverenc...

Understanding the Sacraments offers a clear and approachable exploration of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, revealing how each one serves as a profound encounter with God’s grace. Written in an accessible and pastoral tone, this book helps readers deepen their appreciation for the sacramental life and see how the sacraments shape every stage of the Christian journey. Drawing from Scripture, Church teaching, and pastoral experience, the author explains the meaning, purpose, and ef...

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...

"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...

We are made to be happy, to experience eternal beatitude, the face-to-face vision of God. And we attain to this happiness through our actions here below. The cardinal virtues are the key to ordering our acts to this end according to correct reasoning. Fortitude and temperance strengthen our will so that we will not succumb to fear or disordered passions. Justice regulates our relations with others. Yet, as all human acts are the fruit of the intellect and will, we need a virtue which directs ...

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...

Communist factory owners; a law-breaking priest; a speed-skating religious sister. These are just a few of the notable characters Roy Peachey meets as he travels around Great Britain and Ireland in search of counter-cultural Christianity, finding groups as diverse as Opus Dei and the Bruderhof, the Catholic Worker Movement and the Transalpine Redemptorists. Part reflection on the Benedict Option and part exploration of what it means to return to orthodox Christian roots, Travels in Radical Ch...

Spring has come to the abbey, and the community is busily preparing for the May Day weekend and the arrival of Boy Scouts who will hold their annual camp on the abbey grounds. When a Boy Scout named Antoine is sent home in disgrace, Fr Gabriel accompanies him to his house, which has become the scene of a violent crime. Antoine's father, Charles, has been found dead, apparently killed during a botched burglary. Suspecting there was more to the crime than what first meets the eye, Fr Gabriel jo...

Are you looking to gain an insightful look into today’s current political climate? If so, Why Liberalism Failed, by Patrick Deneen, is an ideal book to read. This powerful and persuasive argument takes us on a journey through the three major twentieth-century ideologies: fascism, communism, and liberalism. With only liberalism left standing in our modern day and age, Deneen provides brilliant insight into this ideology and why it can be seen to stand on contradictory foundations. For example,...

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...

In 1910, when the industrialists and intelligentsia both promised only “progress,” G. K. Chesterton was among the few in the West who could see the brewing ideological storms that would soon make landfall, not just in the form of world wars and totalitarianism but in the pervasive modern dehumanization that consumes us to this day. More than a century ago, Chesterton perceived the beginnings of “woke capital” and how it aligns with and promotes social progressivism. There is an unspoken allia...

Nowadays the inclusion of hymns, chants and sequences in Eucharistic worship is a well-established and much-loved feature of liturgical celebration that we tend to take for granted. How this came about is the subject of this present fascinating study in which John Blakesley guides us through the growth and development of chant, office hymns, sequences and tropes and their increased use in the Church of the Middle Ages. St. Ambrose is credited with introducing hymns into the Western Church in ...

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...

Among the most beautiful prayers ever composed, the 'O' Antiphons have for twelve centuries voiced the Church's longing for Christ's Coming at Christmas. In this remarkable book Oliver Treanor explores the rich biblical background to each Antiphon and, drawing on the spiritual tradition of the Fathers and the teachings of Vatican II as well, leads us to the deep sources of meditation that lie within the texts. Here is an ideal Advent companion for individuals or groups seeking to recharge the...