5 books every Catholic should own

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I think I only saw one list including *The Catholic Controversy *by St. Francis de Sales. This is an amazing source, and includes almost every “apology” used today by Catholics in the Catholic/Protestant debate.

I only wish someone would retranslate it into slightly more modern English.
 
duffyk4 said:
What do you think are five essential books (not counting the bible or the catechism) that you think every catholc should own in order to be strong in the faith and be able to defend it readily? Thanks in advance!
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The Everlasting Man - G.K. Chesterton
The Problem of Pain - C.S. Lewis (not a Catholic but a purely Catholic source)
Catholicism and Fundamentalism - Karl Keating
Fundamentals of the Faith - Peter Kreeft
God is No Delusion - Fr. Thomas Crean

This offers a little bit of everything (even then not extensively of course). I have read about 60 books in the past year and these are the ones (so far) that are at the top as far as apologetics go. I must say though that these are by no means superior to the other ones that I have. I personally just like the approach. I hope these help along with the other people’s posts.
 
CatholicFireman said:
Spiritual Combat: How to Win Your Spiritual Battles and Attain Peace by Lorenzo Scupoli
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I am currently reading this one a chapter or two a day and I feel like it was written for me!! Every chapter it tells me I stink at life! Not really, but it is a great helper so far in my spiritual battle against “Screwtape”, “Our Father Below” (from Screwtape Letters, in case you have not read it which you probably have; ignore my ignorance) and those other sneaky little crazy dudes!! This in combination with C.S. Lewis has helped me tremendously!! (However, please do not me angry with me but I would not put this under defending the faith. I would put it under defending yourself.)
 
duffyk4 said:
What do you think are five essential books (not counting the bible or the catechism) that you think every catholc should own in order to be strong in the faith and be able to defend it readily? Thanks in advance!
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  1. Theology for Begginers (Frank Sheed)
  2. Summa Theologica (Thomas Aquinas)
  3. The Immitation of Christ
  4. Liturgy of the Hours
  5. The Dialogue of Saint Catherine of Sienna
Here are a few more that are AWSOME but didn’t make top five:
  1. Lord Have Mercy, Scott Hann
  2. The Lambs Supper, Scott Hann
  3. Reasons to Believe, Scott Hann
He is such an awsome writter, he makes things fun and they make sense! 👍
 
Nita said:
Do you pray the Liturgy of the Hours? If you love the Psalms, you will love the LOH for prayer. It was thru my use of the LOH that I came to a love of the Psalms.
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I try to pray the LOH daily, I don’t often succeed, but when I can it is a beautiful uplifting of the soul… I don’t know if I am allowed to say this, but the LOH is available on line at divineoffice.com, complete with audio, music, print and download capability. Praying LOH makes me feel more united with the Church. This is one book I would add to the list.👍
 
Advocatus_Fidei said:
Reading it on its own without catholic refutations side by side is imprudent especially for a new convert to do.
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I’m not familiar with the book and don’t have any opinions or suggestions about the question, but just because the original question was posed by someone who is new to this site does not mean he/she is a new convert. I’m new to this site and have been Catholic for more than half a century.
 
duffyk4 said:
What do you think are five essential books (not counting the bible or the catechism) that you think every catholc should own in order to be strong in the faith and be able to defend it readily? Thanks in advance!
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These instructions SPECIFICALLY state five essential books (NOT COUNTING THE BIBLE OR THE CATECHISM)… So, WHY are people naming those two books in their top five? (caps are mine) 🙂

Also, since most modern translations of the entire work of St. Thomas Aquinas’ SUMMA THEOLOGICA are, most often, AT LEAST five volumes, shouldn’t that classic count as fulfilling the entire five books? 🙂

In no particular order and struggling by having to limit my choices to only five, here are my choices:

101 THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CATHOLICISM: Beliefs, Practices, Customs, and Traditions by Helen Keeler & Susan Grimbly

DE DOCTRINA CHRISTIANA (On Christian Teaching) by Saint Augustine

THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING CATHOLICISM by Bob O’Gorman & Mary Faulkner

CATHOLIC CHRISTIANITY by Peter J. Kreeft

AN ESSAY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE by Venerable (Cardinal) John Henry Newman
 
Nita said:
Do you pray the Liturgy of the Hours? If you love the Psalms, you will love the LOH for prayer. It was thru my use of the LOH that I came to a love of the Psalms.
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👍
My family love the Psalms and the LOH has become our daily prayer.
 
duffyk4 said:
What do you think are five essential books (not counting the bible or the catechism) that you think every catholc should own in order to be strong in the faith and be able to defend it readily? Thanks in advance!
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“Catholicism and Fundamentalism” by Karl Keating
“The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas Kempis
“Rome Sweet Home” by Scott and Kimberley Hahn
“Hail Holy Queen” by Scott Hahn
“Reasons to Believe” by Scott Hahn
 
1.Orthodoxy - GK Chesterton (Really all of his works are amazing- I especially Love The Everlasting Man
2.The Lamb’s Supper by Scott Hahn
3.Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Karl Keating
4.The Faith of the Early Church Fathers - William Jurgens
5.Confessions of St. Augustine

There are far too many to choose from. I was trying to choose one’s that the verage lay person could read. Others are:
The Summa Theologica
Any of Augustine’s Works
Hail Holy Queen- Scott Hahn
They need a very good Explanation of the Mass

The Poem of the Man God is Not a good read - If you have any questions as to why consult Father Pacwa.

God Bless!!
 
The Imitation of Christ

On Being Catholic by Thomas Howard

The Practice of the Presence of God by Br. Lawrence

Thomas Aquinas Shorter Summa “The Light of Faith” (I have found it easier to read then the longer Summa)

Orthodoxy by Chesterton

The Way of a Pilgrim (Yes I know its technically Orthodox, not Catholic, but it changed my view of prayer)
 
The Way of a Pilgrim (Yes I know its technically Orthodox, not Catholic, but it changed my view of prayer)
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I yeah, I forgot that one! Excellent book. It doesn’t matter if it’s Orthodox. Even my parish book club had a discussion on it last week.
 
James224 said:
  1. Summa Theologica - St Thomas Aquinas
  2. Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma - Ludwig Ott
  3. Not By Faith Alone - Robert Sungenis
  4. Early Church Fathers - Jurgens
  5. Denziger’s
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I would agree with the Summa and Not by Faith Alone, although I found the frequent references to the greek distracting, since it’s all Greek to me. 😉
kelvinf said:
“A difficult read for the layperson” ???
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Not when compared to the Summa. 😃
 
duffyk4 said:
What do you think are five essential books (not counting the bible or the catechism) that you think every catholc should own in order to be strong in the faith and be able to defend it readily? Thanks in advance!
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There have been several excellent books submitted to the forum. To which I would add:

The Diary - Divine Mercy in My Soul by Sr. Faustina Kowalska

The Volumes - by Anne, a lay apostle - Jesus’ own words of advice (www.directionforourtimes.org)

Any book by Scott Hahn
 
JadeStar. I am very curious about your response since your profile shows that you have “no religion.” :confused:
 
JadeStart: Sorry, the quote in your response was originally from Scottm. Makes sense now. :ouch:
 
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