RECOMMENDED READING FOR CATHOLICS

* = Highly recommended

CATHOLIC BASICS
The Spirit of Catholicism by Karl Adam

Karl Adam makes the following proposition: The Catholic faith not only speaks to all people, it speaks to
each part of every person. Adam knew, and showed, how rich the Catholic faith is, from art and
literature to intellectual and architectural cathedrals. (Review from Amazon.com)

Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton

G.K. Chestertons masterpiece and spiritual autobiography in which he describes how he came to love
orthodox Catholic Christianity. His flowery, poetic writing style makes the book somewhat difficult to get
through at times, but his points are thought-provoking and beautifully conveyed.

Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic by David B. Currie

Currie, a former fundamentalist Protestant, presents a systematic and intelligible account of the reasons
for his conversion to the ancient Church that Christ founded. He gives a detailed discussion of the
important theological and doctrinal beliefs Catholic and evangelicals hold in common, as well as the key
doctrines that separate us, particularly the Eucharist, the Pope, and Mary. (Publishers description)

* The How-To Book of the Mass by Michael Dubruiel

An excellent resource for cradle Catholics and new converts alike, this book walks you through the
hows and whys behind each part of the Mass.

* Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hahn

Scott and Kimberly Hahn lovingly tell the story of how they went from being militantly anti-Catholic to
whole-heartedly embracing the Catholic Church, including the very difficult dark night of the soul that
Kimberly went through when Scott first converted.

* Surprised by Truth: 11 Converts Give the Biblical and Historical Reasons

for Becoming Catholic by Patrick Madrid (editor)

While reading each of these incredible journeys I laughed, cried, grunted affirmations, and basically
relived my own journey into the Catholic Church...They're prayerful, heavy-on-doctrine, evangelical,
scriptural witnesses of people who discovered that what they had once thought was the most 'unbiblical'
church is really the Church of the Bible. (Review by Scott Hahn)

Where Is That In the Bible? by Patrick Madrid

Madrid informs readers of the biblical origins of Catholic doctrines such as priestly celibacy, veneration
of Mary and the saints, mortal and venial sins, and purgatory. The information is clear and conveniently
organized by topic. (Review by Publishers Weekly)

Catholicism for Dummies by Rev. John Trigilio and Rev. Kenneth Brighenti
An excellent overview of the Catholic Church, its history and its teachings.

Catholic and Christian: An Explanation of Commonly Misunderstood Catholic Beliefs

by Alan Schreck

The book is somewhere in between an overview for beginners and a scholarly analysis for
experts...Readers will find clarification on many serious misconceptions about the faith, including issues
relating to Mary, papal infallibility, celibacy, and Sacraments. Easy to read, balanced, containing a
healthy number of Biblical citations and historical references, the book will help just about everyone
advance their understanding of Catholicism. (Review from Amazon.com)

* By What Authority?: An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition by Mark Shea

Mark Shea recounts the research and thinking that led him from Evangelical Protestantism to the
Catholic Church, explaining his ideas respectfully without portraying other Christian faiths negatively.

Making Sense Out of Scripture: Reading the Bible as the First Christians Did
by Mark Shea

A wonderfully helpful guide for reading the Biblethat skillfully draws on the riches of the Catholic faith
and clearly communicates Her deep truths, yet is written with a witty and winsome style that makes the

book as accessible to the beginning student of Scripture as it is to the advanced. (Review by Scott
Hahn)

* The Good News About Sex and Marriage by Christopher West

Christopher West uses Pope John Paul IIs teaching on the Theology of the Body to answer all the
tough questions about Catholic teaching on sexual and marital issues. His tone is pleasant and
straightforward and the Q&A format makes it an easy read. A must-read for anyone who has questions
about the Churchs teachings on contraception, divorce, annulments, homosexuality, etc.

DEEPENING YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH

How the Reformation Happened by Hillaire Belloc

A brief but sweeping overview of the Reformation, concentrating mainly on the political and social forces
at work during the whole period. Although Belloc was an ardent Catholic, he is surprisingly balanced in
his analysis...His greatest strength is his ability to distill general principles and underlying causes from
the tidal wave of political and social upheaval that was pouring across Europe. (Review from
Amazon.com)

A Still, Small Voice: A Practical Guide on Reported Revelations by Benedict J. Groeschel

Groeschel uses his education in theology and psychology and his incisive wisdom to offer a practical
guide to dealing with private revelations, visions, and other phenomena. (Review from Amazon.com)

The Lambs Supper by Scott Hahn

An extremely fascinating development of the relationship between the Book of Revelation and the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass. (Review by Fr. Dominic Scotto, T.O.R.)

* Swear to God: The Promise and Power of the Sacraments by Scott Hahn
Hahn shares how he once regarded sacraments as 'boring,' but...in reading the works of the church
fathers, he came to see the sacraments as signs of God's covenant with humanity and thus more than
mere rituals. When Catholics receive them, he writes, they make a covenant with God that has weighty
implications. (Review by Publishers Weekly)

On Being Catholic by Thomas Howard

Lay meditations on Catholic teaching and practice, opening up in practical and simple terms the richness
at work in virtually every detail of Catholic prayer, piety, liturgy and experience. (Publishers
description)

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis

Only the Bible has been more influential as a source of Christian devotional reading than this book.
Written by the Augustinian monk Thomas Kempis between 1420 and 1427, it contains clear
instructions for renouncing worldly vanities and locating eternal truths. No book has more explicitly and
movingly described the Christian ideal. (Review by Publishers Weekly)

* No Wonder They Call It the Real Presence: Lives Changed by Christ In Eucharistic
Adoration by David Pearson

People who regularly participate in Eucharistic Adoration testify to significant personal changes that they
have experienced as a result of praying in the Lords presence at the altar.

The Courage to Be Catholic: Crisis, Reform and the Future of the Church
by George Weigel

Weigel, an acclaimed theologian, discusses the current scandals in the Catholic Church and makes the
case that they are ultimately a crisis of a true fidelity to Catholicism.

Letters to a Young Catholic by George Weigel

In this spiritual memoir-cum-travelogue, Weigel writes with the same beauty and clarity that
characterized his biography of Pope John Paul II. Writing in a conversational, epistolary form aimed at
young Catholics, Weigel...affirms the core doctrines of the Church, but he does so in a way that is
refreshingly contemporary and because of his emphasis on Church sites around the world catholic as
well as Catholic. (Review by Publishers Weekly)

PRAYER AND FAITH

* Prayer Primer : Igniting a Fire Within by Thomas DuBay

Fr. Thomas Dubay, a renowned teacher and writer on prayer and the spiritual life, presents a simple,
profound and practical book on the most important of all human activities: communion with God. It is
written for adults who want God and a serious prayer life, but it does not presuppose that they have a
theological background. (Publishers description)

The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux

St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower of Jesus, gave the world a precious gift in putting her life and
mission to paper. No matter where you are in life - this little saint, a sheltered nun in her mere
twenties, will touch your very heart and soul with her simplicity and honesty. As she pours out her
innermost thoughts and longings on the pages, you will find your own heart opening in the same way to
Jesus - just like a flower. (Review from Amazon.com)

Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis De Sales

St. Francis de Sales served the church at a dangerous time in a dangerous placewhen celebrating
Mass was punishable by death. The book includes long sections about prayer, temptation, and how to
maintain and renew devotion to God. But it is most distinguished by its discussion of how to live a holy
life in the secular world. Each chapter is frank, uncannily modern, and precise. (Review from
Amazon.com)

Theology for Beginners by Francis Joseph Sheed

This book has been acclaimed as one of the outstanding modern introductions to theology. It is a clear,
precise and inspiring compendium of the central doctrines of the Christian faith. Sheed makes the
profound truths of theology not only understandable, but exciting reading. (Publishers description)

GOD AND CHRISTIANITY

Handbook of Christian Apologetics: Hundreds of Answers to Crucial Questions
by Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli

Reasonable, concise, witty and wise, Kreeft and Tacelli have written an informative and valuable
guidebook for anyone looking for answers to questions of faith and reason. Topics include faith and
reason; the existence of God; how we know God; creation and evolution; providence and free will; the
problem of evil; the Bible's historical reliability; life after death and much more. (Publishers description)

The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis

C. S. Lewis takes us on a profound journey through both heaven and hell in this engaging allegorical
tale. Using his extraordinary descriptive powers, Lewis introduces us to supernatural beings who will
change the way we think about good and evil. (Publishers description)

* Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Mere Christianity never flinches as it sets out a rational basis for Christianity and builds an edifice of
compassionate morality atop this foundation. As Lewis clearly demonstrates, Christianity is not a
religion of flitting angels and blind faith, but of free will, an innate sense of justice and the grace of God.
(Review from Amazon.com)

The Practice of the Love of Jesus Christ by St. Alfonso Liguori

This is a masterpiece. St. Alfonso shows not only why we should love Jesus but how we can love Jesus
more...It is neither vain philosophy or a superficial 'how to' guide it reads like a man so profoundly in
love with God that he could not stop the words from pouring out. (Review from Amazon.com)

To Know Christ Jesus by F.J. Sheed

This modern spiritual classic is brought back into print for the benefit of new generations of readers to
come to know Christ as he actually lived among us, interacted with all the various people he
encountered from his infancy to his passion and death the God-man who was like us in all things
except sin. Sheed has tried especially to see Our Lord in his effect upon others seeing how they saw
him, trying to see why they saw him so. (Publishers description)

CATHOLIC MEDIA
Radio

Relevant Radio (970 AM) Catholic talk radio that bridges the gap between faith and
everyday life. See relevantradio.com for details about all their great shows.

Television

EWTN (Channel 297 on Time Warner cable in Round Rock) Catholic television
programming, including cartoons and other Saturday morning programming for kids.

Internet

There are many great Catholic resources on the internet. The sites below are some of the larger ones that
are a good place to start.

Bible Gateway (www.biblegateway.com) A searchable online Bible with keyword search,

passage lookup, topical index and much more.

Catholic Answers (www.catholic.com) Resources for Catholic answers to tough questions.

Their forums are a good place to go to post questions and engage in debates.
The Holy See (www.vatican.va) The official Vatican website offers many resources, including
the full Catechism of the Catholic Church.
MyCatholic.com (www.mycatholic.com) A customizable homepage for Catholics. Includes a
search box for Google and other major search engines, Catholic news headlines, local weather
forecast, ability to input your own favorite links, a brief bio of the Saint of the Day, a daily reflection
from a saint and more.
New Advent (www.newadvent.org) An incredibly vast wealth of information for all things
Catholic, including a Catholic Encyclopedia with 11,000+ articles on various topics.
Relevant Radio Online (www.relevantradio.com) Anyone with an internet connection can
listen to the great Catholic programming at Relevant Radio for free via their website.

Magazines

An extensive list of Catholic magazines is available at http://www.catholic.net/RCC/Periodicals/mags.html

Crisis (www.crisismagazine.com) - Politically conservative monthly magazine offers excellent

First Things (www.firstthings.com) A journal of religion, culture and public life.

This Rock (www.catholic.com) - Explains and defends the tenets of the Catholic faith and

coverage of current events and issues from a traditional Catholic perspective.

presents practical ways to spread Gods truth.