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Updated: 23 November 2008
-Suggested Reading List for Catholics-
The following list of books was compiled by the members of the former St. Thomas Aquinas Men’s Club of Chattanooga. It represents a list of recommended reading for all Catholics –both recent converts and cradle Catholics interested in deepening their faith. The club is a group of Catholic men from several parishes in the Chattanooga area who are interested in deepening their faith, having a better understanding of Church teachings and helping each other as well as others to better live the Christian life. The members contributing to this were: Tim Blatchford, George Bercaw, Tony Russo, and Dan Fisher. ______________________________________________
The books are listed below by suggested category. Where there is felt to be overlap, a book(s) may be listed in more than one category. The books are not listed in order of any suggested preference other than to first list those books recommended for new Catholics which are marked by an *asterisk. ______________________________________________
A. Reference Books
The Catholic Study Bible
Catholic Encyclopedia
Consecrated Phrases: A Latin Theological Dictionary by James T. Bretzke, S.J.
Code of Canon Law
Catholic Dictionary of Liturgy
B. Spirit and Splendor of the Church
The Spirit of Catholicism by Karl Adams
The Privilege of Being Catholic by Oscar Luke Fahr
The Thing: Why I Am A Catholic by G. K. Chesterton
C. History
A Short History of The Catholic Church by Jose Orlandis
The People of the Creed by Anthony E. Giles [This book is one of five in a series related to the Church’s development]
D. Early Church Fathers
*The Fathers of the Church by Mike Aquilina
The Faith of the Early Fathers by William A. Jurgens
The Faith of Our Fathers by Cardinal Gibbons
E. Theology/Theologians . *Theology for Beginners by Frank Sheed
*Othodoxy by G. K. Chesterton
Elucidations and New Elucidations by Hans Urs von Balthasar
Liberalism is a Sin by Felix Sarday Dalvany
Survivals and New Arrivals by Hillaire Belloc
The Crisis of Civilization by Hillaire Belloc
Introduction to Theology by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
F. Teachings
*Catholic and Christian by Alan Shreck
Catechism of the Catholic Church
A Companion to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Being Catholic by Thomas Howard
The Faith By John A. Hardon, S.J.
The Faith Explained by Leo J. Trese
Catholic Evidence Training Outlines by Frank Sheed and Maisie Ward
What Catholics Really Believe by Karl Keating
Fundamentals of Faith by Peter Kreeft
Purgatory: Explained by the Lives and Legends of the Saints by Fr. F. X. Schouppe, S.J.
G. Apologetics
*Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Karl Keating
Radio Replies by Rumble & Carty
Scripture Alone by Joel Peters
H. Liturgy/Worship
*Mass Confusion by James Akin
*How Christ Said the First Mass by Fr. James Meacher
*The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass by Fr. Michael Muller
*The Holy Eucharist by Alphonsus De Liguori
*Catholic Customs and Traditions: A Practical Guide by Greg Dues
The Liturgy of the Hours -or- Christian Prayer -or- Shorter Christian Prayer
Catholic Dictionary of Liturgy
Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite by Msgr. Peter Elliott
Liturgical Question Box by Msgr. Peter Elliott
Make Space Make Symbols by Keith Clark, Capuchin
A New Song for the Lord by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
Feast of Faith by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
Recovery of the Sacred by James Hitchcock
Battle for the American Church by Msgr. George A. Kelly
I. Spirituality
*Holiness of for Beginners by Dom Hubert von Zeller
*Authenticity by Thomas Dubay
*Seeking Spiritual Direction by Thomas Dubay
*My Other Self by Clarence J. Enzler
Spiritual Combat by Dom L. Scupoli
Spiritual Passages: The Psychology of Spiritual Development Fr. Benedict Groeschel
Introduction to the Devout Life by Francis de Sales
Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
Money, Sex and Power by Richard J. Foster
Lifesigns by Henri J. M. Nouwen
Reaching Out by Henri J. M. Nouwen
The Courage to be Chaste by Fr. Bendict J. Groeschel
Life and Holiness by Thomas Merton
Thoughts by Fr. James Alberione
Handbook of Christian Spirituality by Michael Cox
The Mystical Body of Christ by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A’Kempis
As Bread That Is Broken by Peter G. van Breeman
Everyone’s Way of the Cross by Clarence J. Enzler
Evangelical is Not Enough by Thomas Howard
J. Prayer
*Opening to God by Thomas H. Green, S. J.
The Breath of the Mystic by George A. Maloney
Prayer of the Heart by George A. Maloney, S.J.
Death Where is Your Sting? by George A. Maloney, S.J.
Alone with the Alone by George A. Maloney, S.J.
Called to Intimacy by George A. Maloney, S.J.
Indwelling Presence by George A. Maloney, S.J.
Broken But Loved by George A. Maloney, S.J.
The Everlasting Now by George A. Maloney, S.J.
Inward Stillness by George A. Maloney, S.J.
When the Well Runs Dry by Thomas H. Green S.J.
Weeds Among the Wheat by Thomas H. Green S.J.
The Cloud of Unknowing by William Johnston
Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Contemplative Prayer by Thomas Merton
New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton
Centering Prayer by M. Basil Pennington
Guidelines for Mystical Prayer by Ruth Burrows
Letters from the Desert by Carlo Carretto
K. Sacraments
***Hidden Manna: A Theology of the Eucharist by James T. O’Connor
*In The Presence of Our Lord by Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel
Doors to the Sacred by Joseph Martos
L. Scripture
*The Catholic Study Bible
*The Catholic Church and the Bible by Fr. Peter M. J. Stravinskas
The Jerusalem Bible
Douay-Rheims Bible
Knox Bible
Ignatius Bible
Challoner Rheims Bible
A Dictionary of the Bible by John L. McKenzie, S.J.
A Textual Concordance of the Holy Scriptures by Fr. Thomas David Williams
Scripture by Topic by Fr. K. Vaughan & Fr. N. Thompson
A Catholic Commentary of Holy Scripture by B. Orchard, Sutcliffe & Fuller
Every Catholic’s Guide to The Sacred Scriptures by Thomas Nelson Publishers
Reading Scriptures with the Church Fathers by Christopher A. Hall
M. Life of Jesus
*The Life of Christ by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
To Know Christ Jesus by Frank Sheed
The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ by Alphonsus De Liguori
N. Mary Mother of God
*True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis De Montfort
To The Priests Our Lady’s Beloved Sons by Fr. Stefano Gobbi
On Being Catholic Thomas Howard (There are two chapters I this book that addresses Protestant concern, and also provides an excellent discussion of Mary from a spirituality point of view. Fr. Groeschel considers Thomas Howard to be the American equivalent of C. S. Lewis. This is a must read!)
O. Lives of the Saints
Dictionary of Saints by John J. Delaney
The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross by Kieran Kavanuagh and Otilio Rodriguez
The Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila by Kieran Kavanuagh and Otilio Rodriguez Story of a Soul by St. Theresa De Lisiuex
Padre Pio by Fr. Carty
Fr. Solanus: The Story of Solanus Casey by Catherine M. Odell
Divine Mercy In My Soul by Sr. M. Faustina Kwalska
Such a Vision of the Street: Mother Teresa by Eileen Egan
Quotable Saints by
Interior Castles by E. Allison Peers
Fire Within by Thomas Dubay
The Story of A Life: St. Therse of Lisieux by Guy Gaucher
Confessions of St. Augustine by St. Augustine
Sermons on the Cure’ d’Ars by St. John Vianney
P. Devotional Reading
*Called By Name by Peter G. van Breeman
*The Seven Story Mountain by Thomas Merton
*My Daily Bread and My Daily Life by Father Paori
The Everlasting Man by G. K. Chesterton
Peace of Soul by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
The Way to Happy Living by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
No Man is an Island by Thomas Merton
Christ is Passing By & The Way et al by Josemaria Escriva
Surprised by Truth by Patric M......
With God in Russia by Walter J. Ciszek, S.J. Doctor at Calvary by Pierre Barbet, M.D.
Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
Life Everlasting by Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange
I Am With You Always by Michael Davies
Thy Will Be Done by Francis de Sales
Brave New Family by G. K. Chesterton
I Wait for You by Sr. Josepa Menedez
Q. Vatican/Pope of Rome
Reason and Faith by Pope John Paul II
The Splendor of Truth by Pope John Paul II
R. Contemporary & Other Social Issues
Father Forgive Me For I Am Frustrated by Mitch Pacwa, S.J. [How to cope with the frustrations of being Catholic in today’s Church]
Twisted Scriptures [Deals with cults] by Mary Alice Chraloger
S. Miscellaneous/Uncategorized
The Angels and Their Mission by Jean Danielou, S.J.
An Exorcist Tells His Story by Fr. Gabriele Amorth
T. Periodicals
East Tennessee Catholic
Our Sunday Visitor
Adoramus
The Wanderer
Sursum Corda
The New Oxford Review
U. Videos
Minnesota Catholic Film Society 612-927-5166 [Video Rentals via Mail]
V. Publishing Companies
Ignatius Press 1-800-651-1531
Leaflet Missal 1-800-328-9582
Our Sunday Visitor 1-800-348-2440
Septra Publishers 1-800-322-8773
Sophia Institute Press 1-603-641-9344
Catholic Truth Publications 1-626-357-5399
Roman Catholic Books
Stella Maris Books
Tan Publications
W. Internet Sites
www.CatholiCity.com (A great jumping off site for all kinds of Catholic sites!)
www.PetersNet.com (A rating system for all Catholic web sites)
www.Universalis.com (The Liturgy of the Hours for each day of the year)
www.CathTruth.com (Catholic book publishers)
www.ewtn.com (TV shows and radio programs are available on the net) If you have Cable TV –this station is an absolute must!
http://members.aol.com/kapelle888/kapell.htm (A Catholic music channel)
www.sohiainstitute.com (Catholic book publishers)
www.intersurf.com/~helhfi (Holy Family Institute)
www.HolySee.va
www.CatholicGoldmine.com
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