Recently, it came to me that while I had exhausted my personal home decor inspirations, other than rearranging at times, I had accumulated many books which I consider the soul of my home. Because the books provide an almost inexhaustible source of inspiration, it seems that they should be included in this blog as part of the Catholic Heaven at Home idea. The Domestic Church is our attempt to create a Catholic world so as to build up the faith and our own faith.
The books are fond friends, if you will, and hide within their covers such a wealth of inspiration that I consider each one a friend. Publishers and writers alike have provided knowledge, insight, inspiration, and a glimpse of God himself at times. Writers such as Chesterton, Knox, Pearce, Hahn, Ratzinger, Belloc, Lewis, Sheen, Sheed, Ward and too many others to mention here. I find it difficult to give books away in the dread that I might want to revisit one and no longer have access. To balance my great love of books with my desire to share them with others, I created a "Catholic Lending Library."
Each book has its own lending card and I have catalogued the library so that I might share my inventory with local friends and family. They are ordered according to title and also according to author. While few borrow my books, they are always available. Here is the list according to author:
Hayes, Rev. Edward J, Hayes, Rev. Msgr. Paul J., and Drummey, James J.
Jelly, Frederick, O.P.
The books are fond friends, if you will, and hide within their covers such a wealth of inspiration that I consider each one a friend. Publishers and writers alike have provided knowledge, insight, inspiration, and a glimpse of God himself at times. Writers such as Chesterton, Knox, Pearce, Hahn, Ratzinger, Belloc, Lewis, Sheen, Sheed, Ward and too many others to mention here. I find it difficult to give books away in the dread that I might want to revisit one and no longer have access. To balance my great love of books with my desire to share them with others, I created a "Catholic Lending Library."
Each book has its own lending card and I have catalogued the library so that I might share my inventory with local friends and family. They are ordered according to title and also according to author. While few borrow my books, they are always available. Here is the list according to author:
Book List/ 10-24-2015
Adam, Karl
The Spirit of Catholicism
Review: read too long ago to give an account,
Recommended by Marcos Grodi from Journey Home
Ahlquist, Dale
All
Roads: Roamin’ Catholic Apologetics
Aquilina, Marc
The Father’s of the Church, (3rd
Edition) An introduction to the first Christian teachers
Aristotle
On
man and the universe
Review: haven’t read yet
Aquilina, Mike and Bailey, Christopher
Mothers
of the Church
Review: This is an easy fast read and very
interesting about early women martyrs/saints and how the early Church Fathers
are responsible for us even knowing about them by their writings. This helps to dispel the belief that the
Church is against women.
Aquinas, St. Thomas
Shorter
Summa
Summa
of the Summa
Review: These are definitely heavy reading but worth
the effort to understand much of the Church’s theology. These were used during a summer study led by
Lynn Holleran and her daughter Mary (both have degrees in theology)
Attwater, Donald
A
Catholic Dictionary
Review: great resource book to have for a Bible study
or just when you want to verify a church fact
Augustine, St.
The
Confessions of St. Augustine (Translated by F.J. Sheed)
The
Confessions of St. Augustine (translated by Rex Warner)
The
Trinity
Review: The Confessions is NECESSARY to read for its
beauty and encouragement. I also love
the translator’s writings and several of his books are on this list.
The Trinity is much more difficult but again crucial as much
of what we understand about the Trinity was first articulated by Augustine.
Barrs, Conrad W. MD
Feeling
and Healing Your Emotions
Born
Only Once
Healing
the Unaffirmed: Recognizing Emotional Deprivation Disorder
Review: These are all psychology books from a Catholic
perspective
I was privileged to meet Dr. Barrs' daughters at the Recent Conference in San Antonio of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association
I was privileged to meet Dr. Barrs' daughters at the Recent Conference in San Antonio of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association
Belloc, Hillaire
How the Reformation Happened
Essays
of a Catholic
The
Great Heresies
Review: All three
books are excellent and Belloc’s style of writing is music. He was one of the most prolific Catholic
writers during the first part of the 20th century and was a member
of the Inklings. A contemporary of
Chesterton, Lewis and Tolkien
Bennett, Father, C.P. (Explained by)
The
New St. Joseph Baltimore Catechism (No. 2)
Review: This is a children’s catechism but the question and
answer style is wonderful. It’s like
learning your math facts prior to learning more abstract math concepts.
Bennett William J.
The
Book of Virtues for young people – A treasury of great moral stories
Review: I read
these stories at bedtime for my two sons.
They are allegorical tales with moral themes. Wonderful.
As with all good children’s books, adults get as much or more out of
them than children.
Bensen, Robert Hugh
Lord
of the World
Bentley,
James
A Calendar of Saints: The Lives
of the Principal Saints of the Christian Year
Bergsma, John Dr.
Bible
Basics for Catholics – a new picture of salvation history
John:
signs and Sacraments – an advanced study (CD set)
Review: I highly recommend Bible Basics for Catholics. My son read this as part of his theology
course in high school. It’s an easy fast
read but very informative. This book was
a gift from one of my Confirmation students.
Thanks Amanda Fontenot.
John: is a very good CD set. I went to a lecture by Dr. Bergsma a few
years ago and so enjoyed his talk that I purchased this set.
Bernecker, Pegge
Your
Spiritual Garden: tending to the presence of God. A 6-week daily life retreat
Bokenkotter, Thomas
A
Concise History of the Catholic Church
Essential
Catholicism: Dynamics of Faith and Belief
Review: This is my impression
of the writer. I suspect he has a more
liberal slant and is also likely more focused on appealing to a secular
audience than a purely Catholic one. Not
surprising for an academician. Still an
informative read but not a favorite writer of mine.
Bonacci, Mary Beth
Real
Love
Review: I haven’t
read yet.
Bonniwell, Father William R. O.P.
Life
of Blessed Margaret Castello
Review: I haven’t read yet but this book was recommended by the
owner (Lawrence) of St. Francis Gift shop and another gentleman at our SEAS
Festival of Ministries.
Burch, Brian and Stimpson, Emily
The American Catholic Almanac: a
reader of patriots, saints, rogues, and ordinary people who changed the United
States.
Byrne, Brendan
Galatians
and Romans
Cahill, Thomas
Pope
John XXIII
Review: I love
anything about PJ23. My sons go to PJ23
High School and PJ was the pope when I was born. I attribute him and JPII for praying me into
the Church
Calamari, Barbara and DiPasqua, Sandra
Holy Cards
Illustrations, a brief history and
text
Carlin, David
Can
a Catholic be a Democrat?
Review: Interesting
read although I don’t like the title and don’t agree with the premise. Too much of the Church today is discussed in
terms of political parties instead of the tenants of the faith. Even so I think this is important for
Catholics to be aware of so that we can refute that we should be separated into
liberal and conservative Catholics. We
are either Catholic or we are not. No
party can completely express the tenants of our faith; only Christ’s body can.
Celano, Peter
To
Live as Christ: a 40 day journey with St. Paul
Chamberlin, E.R.
The
Bad Popes
Review: This book was given to me by a brother and I love it
because Father Mitch Pacwa noted that his father gave it to him to try and
convince him not to become a priest. If
one can read the worst things that Catholics have done and remain Catholic you
know you are Catholic for the real/right reasons. This helps for when you are challenged about
the evil things that Catholics have done.
We can always agree that many in the church have failed to live up to
Jesus’ commands but that doesn’t mean Jesus’ commands are invalid; or the
Church he founded.
Charlotte, Sister M. R.S.M., M.A. and Synon, Mary LL.D.
These
are our Freedoms (Faith and Freedom Text book for Children)
Chaput, Charles, J.
Render
Unto Caesar – serving the nation by living our Catholic beliefs in political
Life
Review: This is an excellent book and helps in understanding how
a Catholic should live in the world today and make a difference
Chervon, Ronda De Sola and Conley, Carla
The
Book of Catholic Customs and Traditions
Review: Great resource book if one is wondering about why we do
what we do and also to develop customs and traditions with your family. Great for converts as well to help them
understand Catholic culture and Catholic home.
Chesterton, G. K:
Advent
and Christmas: Wisdom from G.K. Chesterton (The Center for the Study
of C.S. Lewis and Friends)
The
Ballad of the White Horse (poem)
The
Everlasting Man
Heretics
Lepanto
Orthodoxy
St. Francis
The
Complete Father Brown
Thomas
Aquinas: “The Dumb Ox”
What’s
Wrong with the World?
Review: My
absolute favorite writer. By the way
there is a local Chesterton Society in the Rosenberg area if anyone is interested
in joining. http://www.houstonchesterton.org/ Orthodoxy is my all-time favorite
book of his. My Bible study group will
be studying Orthodoxy in the Summer of 2014 if anyone is interested. We meet at Christ the Redeemer Parish but
location sometimes changes in the summer.
Chopin, Kate
The
Awakening
Review: this book was assigned to my sons at Pope John 23 High
School. I read this book in college when
I lived in Natchitoches, LA where the author was from. Short novel
Clark, John O.C.D.
Story
of a Soul – The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux
Review: Everyone should read St. Therese’s “little way” that’s all I have to say.
Clifford, Anne M.
Introducing
Feminist Theology
Review: This would not be endorsed by the Church but is
information to know so that we understand what heresies are being taught. I read a few chapters of this book but the
main problem I see with this and other types of heretical theology (ex. Radical
Liberation theology) is that it misses the very meaning of catholic
(universal). To be a truly Catholic
theology it must be for everyone because Jesus came for everyone. It is very negative about males and the
“patriarchal” system as being evil.
Patriarchy is not evil if we would implement it as God intended. .
Connell, Janice
Mary
Queen of Angels: Answers to Universal Questions
Review: This is a wonderful book to meditate on Mary
Conroy, Susan
Mother
Teresa’s Lessons of love and secrets of Sanctity
Review: This was a gift from one of my Confirmation
students. Thanks Christina
O’Keefe. Who doesn’t love St. Teresa!!
Cuddy, Christopher, and Hart, Mark
Sword
of the Spirit: A Beginner’s Guide to St. Paul
Review: I read this a few years ago so can’t say anything
specific because I forgot
Curran, Rev. Edward Lodge, Ph.D.
Great
Moments in Catholic History
Review: Great book. (pun
intended)
D’Ambrosio, Marcellino Ph.D.
Exploring
the Catholic Church: An Introduction to Catholic Teaching and
Practice
Review: This is a good introduction to the faith so good for a
high school student or for a new convert or RCIA student.
Dana, R.H.
Two
Years before the Mast (and 24 years after)
Review: To really
appreciate this book please read the Wikipedia biography about the author. He took a voyage and wrote of his
experiences. Dana was an abolitionist
and worked for social justice in his day.
Dante, Aligheri
The
Inferno
Review: all Catholics should read Dante. Great piece of literature. Many people mistakenly believe this is
Catholic doctrine regarding the after-life when it is actually a work of
fiction. It’s difficult to understand
the deeper meaning without some direction however. This was covered in a summer study program
led by Mary Holleran, a theology doctoral student.
Delaney, John J.
Dictionary
of Saints
Review: Great resource guide to the most obscure and
popular saints. A gift from one of my
brothers.
De Marco, Donald and Wiker, Benjamin
Architects
of the Culture of Death
Dodds, Bill
The Ride of your Life: A
Road Trip for Catholic Teens
Douthat, Ross
Bad
Religion: how we became a nation of heretics
Review: good book and an interesting mini history on
Christian churches in the U.S.
D’Souza Dinesh
The
Catholic Classics
Dues, Greg
Catholic
Customs and Traditions: A Popular Guide
Review: Great book for those wanting to establish and
understand our Catholic traditions.
Would be a great book for a new Catholic or a young married couple as
well.
Erlandson, Gregory and Bunson, Matthew
Pope
Benedict XVI and the Sexual Abuse Crisis-working for reform and renewal
Review: I just purchased this book so review will
follow soon.
Evert, Jason
If
You Really Loved Me
Raising
Pure Teens (also Chris Stefanick)
Theology
of the body for Teens – Parent Guide
Theology
of the Body for Teens- leader guide
Review: these are a MUST for parents in helping
their children understand the beauty of the body when the “world” is teaching
that we are separate from our bodies and that the body is something to use for
entertainment. The deeper Catholic
meaning of the body is taught clearly
Ferguson, George
Signs
and Symbols in Christian Art
Review: This resource has been very helpful in
understand Catholic art (which I love) as well as in bible study.
Fink, John F.
The
Doctors of the Church – An Introduction to the Church’s Great Teachers
Vol.
1-Doctors of the First Millennium
Review: This is a great little pocket book and great
introduction to writings other than scripture from the early church
Flynn, Vinny
Seven
Secrets of the Eucharist
Frances, Mary Jane
Still
Catholic After all these years
Review: this is a fun and humorous book. It demonstrates how the Catholic family
shares a history that is sometimes humorous.
Gaitley, Michael E MIC
33
Days to Morning Glory –do-it-yourself retreat in preparation for Marian
Consecration
Review: this is a great book to prepare to consecrate
oneself to Mary. Just completed this at
the Feast of the Immaculate Conception which I planned since my childhood
parish was named after the Immaculate Conception (where I was baptized).
Gibson, Mel (forward)
The
Passion – book about the movie
Review: Picture guide to the movie
Green, Thomas H. S.J.
Come
Down Zacchaeus – Spirituality and the Laity
Drinking
from a Dry Well (Sequel to When the Well Runs Dry)
When
the Well Runs Dry
Review: good read about deepening one’s faith. More gifts from my brother Kirk
Hahn, Kimberly, and Barber, Michael
Genesis
to Jesus: Journey through Scripture
Review: Read many years ago and found it a great
review of how scripture relates and how the Old Testament prefigures Jesus and
Jesus fulfills the Old Testament promises.
Hahn, Scott
Hail,
Holy Queen
The
Lamb’s Supper
A
Father Who Keeps his Promises
Signs of
Life
Review: What can I say…..other than please read
Scott Hahn. Dr. Hahn is a convert to
Catholicism and a former preacher.
Protestant converts are truly the gift to the Church that we need. He has captured and explained how Catholics
are Scriptural in everything we do and teaches us our own beliefs again!!! Sometimes as cradle Catholics, we know the
faith “organically” but we do not have the words to explain. Dr. Hahn provides us with the words so that
we can participate in the New Evangelization and grow closer to God.
Hardon, John A. S.J.
The
Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan
The Faith: A
Popular Guide Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Review: The Reading Plan is a great resource book
that I have used in developing this very library. He summarizes different authors and their
writings that he feels are essential for Catholics to know about. The Faith is an easy read that covers the
basics of the Catechism. When the
current Catechism was published several authors wrote book forms that would
make it easy to understand.
Hauser, Richard J. S.J.
In
His Spirit: a guide to today’s spirituality
Hayes, Rev. Edward J, Hayes, Rev. Msgr. Paul J., and Drummey, James J.
Catholicism
and Reason- The Creed and Apologetics
Review: Read this several
years ago when this controversy between faith and reason was on my mind. Many atheists and/or post-modernists accuse
people of faith as ignoring or denying reason.
Hemingway, Ernest
The
Sun Also Rises
Review: this is here for my husband and Hemingway is
a man’s writer. (grin). He is not a
favorite of mine.
Hick, John (Editor)
Classical
and Contemporary Readings in the Philosophy of Religion (2nd
Edition)
Review: This is a text book I bought used. It’s a great resource book to refer to when
studying.
Hildebrand, Dietrich von
Man
and Woman, Love and the meaning of intimacy
Review: Beautiful book and evokes the same feeling
of Theology of the Body. I suspect
Hildebrand influenced JPII. He was
called the 20th century doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII. His wife, Alice, is frequently seen on EWTN
and is a theologian in her own right.
Hogan, Richard M. and LeVoir, John M.
Covenant
of Love: JPII on Sexuality, Marriage,
and family in the modern world
Review: Just bought this so review to follow
Howard, Thomas
If
your mind wanders at Mass
Review: I love this little paperback. It’s a wonderful description of what is
really going on at mass. It’s a good
introduction and a great book to purchase several copies and be able to share
with people curious about what we are doing at mass.
Hull, Clifford, Perkins, Steven, and Barr, Tracy
Latin
for Dummies
Review: Written just for me and people like me who
want to know Latin but don’t have much time to study
Irwin, Kevin W.
Responses to
101 Questions on the Mass
Review: Great book set up in a similar way as the old
Baltimore catechism format.
Jelly, Frederick, O.P.
Madonna,
Mary in the Catholic Tradition
Review: One of the first books I read about Mary and
our understanding of who she is. A gift
from brother Kirk who keeps giving me Catholic books.
Jenkins, Philip
The
New Anti-Catholicism: The Last Acceptable Prejudice
Review: I read this book because I am often amazed at
the things people, even in the media, will say that are so bigoted. If they were to replace the word Christian or
Catholic with any other group they would NOT say what they say.
John Paul II, Pope
Crossing
the Threshold of Hope
Letter
to Women
Love is the Explanation of Everything- 365 Meditations
with the Pope
Man
and Woman He Created Them - Theology of the Body (ToB)
An
Invitation to Joy – selected writings of JPII
Prayers and
Devotions
Review: I am a true believer in reading all I can of
the Popes writings. To me JPII is
difficult to read as he writes in a “circular” way. Pope Benedict XVI, writes more “linear” (my
descriptions). If you don’t want to
purchase you can read much of what they have written on the internet at the
Vatican website. The Theology of the
Body was read as part of a course I audited at St. Mary’s Seminary taught by
Father Lockey. Invaluable. I quote or reference ToB more than any other
writing currently.
Johnson, Greg
If
I Could Ask God One Question: Answers to Teens’ most-asked Questions
Jurgens, William A.
The
Faith of the Early Fathers – Vol 1
The
Faith of the Early Fathers – Vol 2
The
Faith of the Early Fathers – Vol 3
Review: Great Great Great reference books to be able
to read excerpts of writings from the Church Fathers.
Kass, Amy and Kass Leon (editors)
Wing
to Wing, Oar to Oar: readings on courting and marrying
Keating, Karl
Catholicism
and Fundamentalism: The Attack on “Romanism” by “Bible
Christians”
Review: this is an interesting apologetics book about
the major arguments by Protestants against Catholicism. Written for Catholics. As I was reading this I think if I were a
Protestant, I would not have appreciated the writing style. Karl Keating is more gentle on his radio
broadcast then what comes across in this book.
Kelly, Audrey
A
Catholic Parents Guide to Sex Education
Review: I keep as a reference book and haven’t read
it through
Kilmer, Joyce
Anthology
of Catholic Poets
Review: I love poetry and I love this book. I read it often
King, Heather
Stripped:
cancer culture and the cloud of unknowing
Klein, Patricia
Worship
without words, the Signs and Symbols of our Faith
Review: Great resource book if you want to learn why
we do what we do.
Klein, Peter Rev.
The
Catholic Source Book: Third Edition
The
Scripture Source Book for Catholics
Review: Resource books and both easy reads and very
informative
Knowles, Andrew and Penkett, Pachomios
Augustine
and His World
Review: Haven’t read
Knox, Ronald
The
Layman and his Conscience
Review: Another convert writer. Knox was an Anglican priest and I have always
been fascinated with converts who converted at great sacrifice socially,
professionally, and personally. He lost
a great deal by converting. This is an
excellent book.
Kowalska, St. Maria Faustina
Diary
– Divine Mercy in My Soul
Review: This is a highly recommended book in
understanding the Church in our current times.
It is significant that Pope John Paul II designated the Sunday after
Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. This
should indicate that all of us should understand the message of St.
Faustina.
Kreeft, Peter
Prayers for
Beginners
The
Snakebite Letters
The
Philosophy of Tolkien
Review: If you haven’t read books by Kreeft you need
to. Entertaining and relevant.
Kresta, Al
Why
Do Catholics Genuflect? And Answers to other Puzzling Questions about
the Catholic Church
Review: Again, a great resource for why we do what we
do. I guess I bought too many books on this topics but I’m a slow
learner.
Leonard, Matthew
Louder
than Words- the art of living as a Catholic
Review: Just purchased this so review to come soon. Mr. Leonard recently presented Dr. Hahn’s
class The mass and scripture. He was
quite interesting and that study was remarkable.
Lewis, C.S.
A
Grief Observed
The
Abolition of Man
The
Case for Christianity
The Great
Divorce
Mere
Christianity
The
Screwtape Letters
Review: I can say that my favorite book is The Great
Divorce and it’s not about marital divorce between two people. It’s about the things that divorce us from
God. Read all of them please. Lewis never converted to Catholicism
Llewellyn, Claire
Saints
and Angels – a picture book (children)
Review: beautiful picture book for children and
adults alike
Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth
Favorite
Poems
Review: they are poems, of course they are good
Lowery, Lois
The
Giver
Review: I haven’t read but assigned to my sons in school. It is set in a society which is at first presented as a utopian
society and gradually appears more and more dystopian. The
novel follows a boy named Jonas through the twelfth year of his life. The
society has eliminated pain and strife by converting to "Sameness," a
plan that has also eradicated emotional depth from their lives…..sound like modernity?
Lubac, Henri de
Medieval
Exegesis (Vol 1): The Four Senses of Scripture
Three
Jesuits Speak
Review: difficult reading but very fruitful. I will need a class to really understand
Medieval Exegesis. Henri-Marie Joseph Sonier de Lubac, SJ was a French
Jesuit priest who became a Cardinal of the Catholic Church, and is considered
to be one of the most influential theologians of the 20th century
Madrid, Patrick
Pope
Fiction: Answers to 30 Myths and Misconceptions about the Papacy
Review: Love this book. It is a good book for Catholics to better
understand the papacy and also for apologetics and evangelization
Marbach, Ethel
Saints
at Harvest-Time (children’s book)
Martin, Ralph
Is
Jesus Coming Soon? A Catholic
Perspective on the 2nd coming
The
Catholic Church and the End of an Age.
What is the Spirit Saying?
Review: Ralph Martin is a leader in the Catholic
Charismatic Renewal Movement within the Catholic Church and writes eloquently about
what Catholics believe about the end times.
We are not dispensationalists and we do not believe in the Rapture.
Marty, Martin E.
An
Invitation to American Catholic History (Basics of Christian Thought –Vol. 4)
Review: I really enjoyed this book and would like to
find the other volumes. Dr. Marty is a Lutheran and this is a book written for
a secular and Catholic audience as he is a professor and historian. One can understand the age in which we are in
now, by understanding how the Church coped in the past. For example, we made mistakes in the past by
separating our parishes by nationality (Italian parishes, Irish parishes,
Polish, German, etc). In part we did
this because of language barriers but much of why we did it was because of the
prejudice these people had to each other.
We hopefully won’t make this mistake in this generation. Catholic means universal and we are all
One.
Meagher, Father James L. D.D.
How
Christ Said the First Mass
Review: This is a large and detail description of the
mass. Much deeper study (then the
previous book listed, When you mind wanders at mass, and worth the read.
Meara, Mary Jane Frances Cavolina
Still
Catholic After all these Years
Medaille John, C.
Toward a truly free market: A
distributist perspective on the role of government, taxes, health care,
deficits, and more Medaille John, C.
Meninger, William A.
The
Committed Life, (adaptation of the Introduction to the devout life by St.
Francis de Sales)
Review: A good guide to the spirituality of St. Francis
de Sales
Merton, Thomas
A Thomas
Merton Reader
Review: If you are not familiar with Thomas Merton,
this would be a good place to begin. An American Catholic writer and mystic. A Trappist monk
of the Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky, he
was a poet, social activist, and student of comparative religion. In 1949, he was ordained
to the priesthood and given the name Father Louis Merton wrote more than 70
books, mostly on spirituality, social
justice and a quiet pacifism, as well as scores of essays and reviews,
including his best-selling autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain (1948),
which sent scores of World War II veterans, students, and even teenagers
flocking to monasteries across the US,[
Moczar, Diane
Ten
Dates Every Catholic Should Know
Review: Enjoyed this one a lot. The ten dates that Diane Mozcar believes that
every Catholic should know are the following: 313 A.D., the Edict of Milan; 432
A.D., Pope Leo I turns back Attila and the Huns; 496 A.D., the baptism of
Clovis; 800 A.D., the coronation of Charlemagne; 910 A.D., the foundation of
the Abbey of Cluny; 1000 A.D., the beginning of the Church's most glorious age;
1517 A.D., the Reformation; 1571 A.D., the Battle of Lepanto; 1789 A.D., the
French revolution; 1917 A.D., Fatima and the 20th century. Each date serves as
a focal point for the discussion of a particular era of Church history.
Montfort, St. Louis Mary de
True
Devotion to Mary
Review: Older language from another time but still a
timeless understanding of the true devotion to Mary; not worship but veneration
at the highest level.
Moore, Thomas
Care
of the Soul: A guide to cultivating depth and sacredness in everyday life
More, St. Thomas
Dialogue
Concerning Heresies
Review: I have begun this book but love St. Thomas
More so will pick up again someday.
Nevins, Albert M.M.
A Saint for Your Name: Saints for
Boys
Newman Guide
to Choosing a Catholic College
Review: this is an OK book regarding the orthodoxy of
Catholic colleges but may not be a completely valid way of choosing a
university. It is one good piece of
information if one uses other ways to discern as well.
O’Brien, John A.
Giants
of the Faith
Review: Haven’t read yet
O’Brien, Michael D.
Elijah in
Jerusalem (sequel to Father Elijah)/
Father
Elijah an Apocalypse
Review: A classic Catholic novel. Michael O'Brien presents a thrilling
apocalyptic novel about the condition of the Roman Catholic Church at the end
of time. It explores the state of the modern world, and the strengths and
weaknesses of the contemporary religious scene, by taking his central
character, Father Elijah Schäfer, a Carmelite priest, on a secret mission for
the Vatican which embroils him in a series of crises and subterfuges affecting
the ultimate destiny of the Church. If
you are looking for a definitive story of the end times this is not the
book. This theme is more consistent with
Catholic understanding that we have been at the end times since Jesus ascended
and anti-Christ’s are always popping up as “false saviors” that we continually
fall for.
O’Collins, Gerald S.J.
The
Tripersonal God-Understanding and Interpreting the Trinity
Review: haven’t read yet
Odell, Catherine M.
Faustina
Apostle of Divine Mercy
Orlandis, Jose
A
Short History of the Catholic Church
Pope Paul VI
Humanae
Vitae
Review: Very small booklet.
This is truly prophetic. The great
writing of Pope Paul VI regarding the Catholic understanding of the dignity of
all human life and why birth control is not permissible. He predicted much of what has happened to
society including the increase of divorce, the worse state of life for women,
the lack of regard for children, etc……
Pearce, Joseph
Literary
Giants, Literary Catholics
The
Quest for Shakespeare
Wisdom
and Innocence: GK Chesterton
The
Unmasking of Oscar Wilde
Catholic
Literary Giants: a field guide to the Catholic literary landscape
Literary
Converts: spiritual inspiration in an age of unbelief
Old
Thunder: a life of Hillaire Belloc
Review: Anything and everything by Joseph Pearce is
worth reading. Another convert to
Catholicism. My favorite was the Oscar
Wilde biography. His view of Shakespeare
is very interesting as well. He makes
the case that Shakespeare was Catholic in Elizabethan England when many
Catholics were persecuted.
Przywara, Erich S.J. (A Synthesis Arranged by)
The
Heart of Newman
Review: Haven’t read yet
Rainey, Dennis
Stepping Up: a
call to courageous manhood
Ratzinger, Joseph Cardinal (Pope Benedict XVI)
Handing
on the Faith in an Age of Disbelief
Introduction
to Christianity
Jesus of
Nazareth
Milestones
– Memoirs 1927-1977
Principles
of Catholic Theology – Building Stones for a Fundamental Theology
The
Ratzinger Report: An Exclusive Interview of the State of the Church
Saved
in Hope- Spe Salvi
Review: I love reading Ratzinger. He speaks in a way a layperson can understand
but what he writes of is of the deepest nature.
His Jesus of Nazareth was amazing and I have the second volume on my
Kindle.
Ravier, Andre S.J.
A
Do it at Home Retreat – The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola
Review: I’m saving this for a vacation someday
Redford, John
What
is Catholicism? Hard Questions-Straight Answers
Review: haven’t read yet
Rice, Ann
Christ
the Lord: The Road to Cana
Christ
the Lord, Out of Egypt
Review: wonderful fictional accounts of the life of
Jesus. For the most part very consistent
with scripture. Some exceptions that
will stand out to people who know scripture well. For example, she has Jesus being left at the
Temple at the age of 8 instead of 12. My
favorite scene is when Jesus is baptized in the Jordon by John the
Baptist. As he enters the water, Joseph
is dying on the shore. As he truly accepts
his commission from his Father in Heaven and proclaimed the Son from on high,
his foster father, completing his mission, leaves the earth in peace. Too bad Ann Rice left the Church over liberal
ideology she could not reconcile with the faith
Rice, Wayne and Veerman, David
Reality 101: What the Bible has
to say to Teens about real-life questions
Riley, Kenneth A, and Turner, Paul
Guide
to Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Rosien, Mary Lou
Managing
Stress with the Help of your Catholic Faith
Review: I used this book for a presentation to
Catholic teachers to cope with stress.
Teaching is one of the most stressful professions.
Sales, St. Francis de
Introduction
to the Devout Life
Review: A good guide to leading a thoroughly Catholic
life
Sattler, Fr. Henry V.
Parents,
Children and the Facts of Life
Review: haven’t read yet
Schreck, Alan
Catholic
and Christian: An Explanation of Commonly Misunderstood Catholic
Beliefs
Review: Great book for general knowledge and also to
help in apologetics and evangelization
Schuler, Kimberly B.
My
Catholic Guide through grief “I will remember you.”
Review: This is a children’s
book about grief that confirms Catholic understanding of death and
after-life.
Schuster, Ignatius D.D.
Bible
History
Review: haven’t read yet but eager
Setton and Baldwin
A
History of the Crusades
Review: haven’t read actually although this was a
book from childhood.
Sheed, F.J.
Born
Catholics
Society
and Sanity
Theology
and Sanity
Theology
for Beginners
Review: Read anything you can get your hands on from
F. J. Sheed. He also ran a publishing
company with his wife called Sheed and Ward Publishing. Read all of them. Theology for Beginners is used at Pope John
XXIII High School for their theology class which convinced me it was a good
school.
Sheehan, Elizabeth Odell
Good
Pope John (John XXIII)
Review: Again, I read all I can find about Good Pope
John. He was amazing.
Sheen, Fulton J.
Old
Errors and New Labels
Review: Older book I purchased used and a good
discussion of how old heresies resurface at every generation under different
names. If you learn what they are they
aren’t difficult to identify.
Shellabarger,
Samuel
Lord
Vanity
Review: Haven’t read this novel. Here is a summary. “But when nothing spiritual remains, what is left
to man but the worship of vanity? Lord Vanity rules our present world.” Richard Morandi (also known as Richard
Hammond) is the illegitimate son of an English lord who lives in Venice with
his ballerina mother. He makes his living as an actor and musician, but when he
stabs a Venetian of greater rank in self-defense – an act considered both
cowardly and unmannerly – he is condemned to life as a galley slave and is
severed from all he knows. When unexpectedly freed, he begins a new series of
adventures.– all the while feeling dissatisfied with his life and struggling to
find a unifying principle.
Simmonds, Rita A.
Bitterness
and Sweet Love: The way of the cross and other Lenten poems.
Souls and
the City
Sidgwick, Henry
Outlines
of the History of Ethics
Review: haven’t read yet
Sims, Albert, E. and Dent, George
Who’s
Who in the Bible?
Review: Good reference book for Bible studies with
very short descriptions of people
Smith, Huston
The
World’s Religions
Review: I enjoyed this book a great deal. He was very respectful of all religions
Sri, Edward
Walking
with Mary – a biblical journey from Nazareth to the Cross
Review: Just bought this last month so eager to read
Staples, Tim
Nuts
and Bolts: A Practical, How-To Guide for Explaining and Defending the
Catholic Church
Review: Great for new Catholics, RCIA students,
teenagers, apologetics and evangelization
Stasiak, Kurt, O.S.B.
A
Confessor’s Handbook
Review: I haven’t read yet
Steichen, Donna
Ungodly
Rage: The Hidden Face of Catholic Feminism
Review: haven’t read yet but bought as a rebuttal to
the feminist theology that some in the church are endorsing
.Talbot, John Michael
The
Universal Monk: The Way of the New Monastics
The World is My Cloister
Review: bought these when he was with SEAS and
haven’t read yet
Tennyson, Alfred Lord
Poetical Works
Review: I love poetry
Terruwe, Anna, MD and Baars, Conrad MD
Psychic
Wholeness and Healing
Review: again psychology written by a Catholic
Thavis, John
The
Vatican Diaries, a behind the scenes look at the power, personalities, and
politics at the heart of the Catholic church
Review: reading this when I can. Review to come later. Thanks brother Brett for this one.
Thigpen, Paul
The
Rapture Trap: A Catholic Response to “End Times” Fever
Review: Good information regarding why we do not
believe in the rapture. Also the history
of rapture beliefs.
Tobin, Greg
Holy
Father: Pope Benedict XVI Pontiff for a New Era
Review: haven’t read but I didn’t think he would
retire
Topping, Ryan N.
Rebuilding
Catholic Culture: How the catechism can shape our common life
Twain, Mark
Joan
of Arc
Review: Mark Twain was amazingly anti-religious and
did not respect Catholics as a whole but he did love Joan of Arc. He wrote the novel as a tribute to her.
USCCB: Secretariat for Evangelization
Compendium
to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Go and Make
Disciples: A National Plan and Strategy for Catholic Evangelization
in the U.S.
Ministry
through the Lens of Evangelization
Review: The Compendium is an easy read to help
explain the catechism. The other two
books were used when I sat on a board for the archdiocese and would be very
informative to the lay person to realize what the vision for the church is in
our times from our bishops in the U.S.
Walsh, James:
A Catholic
Looks at Life
Review: haven’t read yet
Walsh, Thomas:
The World’s
Great Catholic Poetry
Review: There are too many good poems in this book to
describe. A must read
Weidenkopf, Steve and Schreck, Dr. Alan
Epic
Journey through Church History
Review: Very good book but read years ago so I can’t
recall specifics
Weigel, George
Letters
to Young Catholics (2)
The
Truth of Catholicism: Ten Controversies Explored (2)
The
Courage to Be Catholic: Crisis, Reform, and the Future of the Church
The
Cube and the Cathedral: Europe, America and Politics without God
Review: Weigel is one of my
favorite authors. He is a prolific
writer and his commentaries on modern times are always insightful. All of these are excellent books. The Cube and the Cathedral is his reflection
outside the Louvre Museum after they built the horrible monstrosity of a modern
piece of architecture right in the midst of traditional French buildings and
gardens. He uses that analogy to discuss
modernity vs. truth.
Weiser, Fr. Francis X. S.J.
Religious
Customs in the Family: The Radiation of Liturgy into Catholic Homes
Review: yet to read.
West, Christopher
Theology
of the Body for Beginners: A Basic Introduction to Pope JPII’s Sexual
Revolution
Review: a good simple book to help teens and adults
understand the meaning of the body; particularly in regards to marriage and
sexuality. It is by no means a complete
view, however, of theology of the body but only points out one aspect of this
theology.
Wilhelm, Anthony
Christ Among Us. (5th
Edition) A Modern Presentation of the Catholic Faith to Adults
Wintz, Jack OFM (edited)
Living
our Faith after the Changes: Explaining Catholic Thinking Since Vatican
II
Review: This is a very old paperback that I bought in
college and read to better understand Vatican II
Woods, Thomas E. Jr. Ph.D.
How
the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is a
great reminder that the great hospital and university systems came directly out
of our own monastery systems.
N. T. Wright
What St.
Paul Really Said: Was Paul of Tarsus the real founder of Christianity?
DVD Collection
Fiction:
The Agony and the Ecstasy (1966)
Charlton Heston and Rex Harrison
Bella (PG-13) (2006) Eduardo
Verastegui, Tammy Blanchard
The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)
Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman
Ben Hur (1959) Charlton Heston
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Lion,
the Witch and the Wardrobe (2006)
Prince
Caspian (2008)
Facing the Giants (PG) (2007)
The Five People You Meet in Heaven- (2004) Jon Voight, Ellen
Burstyn, and Jeff Daniels
The Fourth Wise Man – Martin
Sheen, Alan Arkin, Eileen Brennan
Going My Way (1944) Bing Crosby
(7 Academy Awards)
Lord of the Rings- The Return of
the King (PG-13)
Lord of the Rings-The Two Towers
(PG-13)
Miracle of Marcelino (1955)
The Prisoner (1957) - Alec
Guinness, Jack Hawkins
Non-Fiction
The Bible Stories (series)
Esther – F.
Murray Abraham
Jeremiah –
Patrick Dempsey
The Story
of David- Timothy Bottoms, Jane Seymour
Solomon –
Ben Cross, Vivica A. Fox
Francis of Assisi – (1961)
Bradford Dillman and Delores Hart (became a nun in real life)
The Footprints of God: From Abraham to Augustine (by Steve
Ray)
Moses:
Signs, Sacraments, and Salvation
Mary: The Mother
of God
Jesus: The
Word Became Flesh
Paul:
Contending for the Faith
Apostolic
Fathers: Handing on the Faith
Over Holy
Ground-Heaven’s eye-view of the land where God walked
Jesus of Nazareth (1977) –
Franco Zeffirelli production Robert Powell, Olivia Hussey
John XXIII- Pope of Peace (2002)
Ed Asner
Living the Eucharist – Fr.
Shannon Collins C.P.M.
The Miracle Maker –the story of
Jesus (animation)
One Night with the King- (PG)
Peter O’Toole, Tiffany DuPont, Luke Goss, Omar Sharif
The Nativity Story- (PG)
The Passion of the Christ (Mel
Gibson’s 2004) Jim Caviezel
Pope John XXIII – The Real saint
and Pope, Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ and James Hitchcock
Pope John Paul II (2006) Jon
Voight Gary Elwes based on the true story
The Reluctant Saint- The story
of St. Joseph of Cupertino- Maximillian Schell, Ricardo
Montalban
Saint Anthony –the miracle worker of Padua-Italian with
English subtitles (excellent)
The Song of Bernadette (1943)
Jennifer Jones
The Star of Bethlehem-Unlocking
the Mystery of the World’s Most Famous Star
The Ten Commandments (1956)
Charlton Heston
A Time for Miracles- The Life of
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton- Kate Mulgrew, Lorne Greene,
REFERENCES BOOKS
Ascension Press – Bible Study
Exodus
First
Corinthians
James
Matthew
Psalms
Revelation
Journey Through Scripture- Bible Study by Scott Hahn
The
Bible and The Mass
Genesis
to Jesus
The Didache Series- High School Text Book
The
History of the Church
A Guide to the Vatican
Museums and City
A Biblical Walk Through the Mass
The Catholic Encyclopedia
With
the updated Code of Canon Law 1983 by JPII
Audio CD
Grace and Truth: A Parish Mini-Mission. Mullady, Father Brian, O.P.
War of Vendee
