Best books to learn about Catholicism?

  • Thread starter Thread starter HeWillProvide
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
H

HeWillProvide

Guest
I grew up Catholic and am practicing today but basically know hardly anything the history, etc. What are some good books to read about the faith so I know at least the basics, before getting into the more detailed stuff? I would guess the Catechism?
 
HeWillProvide said:
I grew up Catholic and am practicing today but basically know hardly anything the history, etc. What are some good books to read about the faith so I know at least the basics, before getting into the more detailed stuff? I would guess the Catechism?
Click to expand...
CA’s booklet Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth and Mr. Akin’s booklet on the Mass are outstanding little reads. If every Catholic in the world actually read there two booklets, the Church would improve dramatically.
 
These are some of what I read as I was in the process of converting.

Hail Holy Queen by Scott Hahn
The Lamb’s Supper Scott Hahn

Catholicism for Dummies - this one kind of sounds silly, but was a very good “basics” book

The How to Book of the Mass Refers to the NO form, but is a really good starting point.

Don’t know if this is exactly what you’re looking for, but they helped me along the way.
 
I am teaching a 9 month family catechesis based on “Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth” This along with the Catechism of the Catholic Church where referenced in it, along with the bible are excellent, so long as you read and ponder the references given for each in Pillar of…
Deacon Ed B
 
I’ve gotta agree with “Catholicism for Dummies.” Despite the name, it is a very sophisticated presentation of Catholic beliefs in a very easy to read manner. It is also remarkably comprehensive, and written by two Catholic priests that work for EWTN, the Catholic channel. As a side note, do NOT buy the similarly named “Idiot’s Guide to Catholicism”, which contains several factual errors and has a distinctly liberal bias.
 
Rolltide said:
I’ve gotta agree with “Catholicism for Dummies.” Despite the name, it is a very sophisticated presentation of Catholic beliefs in a very easy to read manner. It is also remarkably comprehensive, and written by two Catholic priests that work for EWTN, the Catholic channel. As a side note, do NOT buy the similarly named “Idiot’s Guide to Catholicism”, which contains several factual errors and has a distinctly liberal bias.
Click to expand...
Agreed. I prefer to use the Catechism or the Compendium of the Catechism, but I got one catechumen through with Catholicism for Dummies. He loved it. I wouldn’t hesitate to use it again.
 
I don’t know who wrote it, but it’s called Why Do Catholics Do That? I loved that one! 👍
 
HeWillProvide
For an excellent, easy to read, thorough understanding of the faith, try Fr Leo Trese’s The Faith Explained.
This book was often used by priests when bringing converts in to the Church and even with the advent of the RCIA programs is still used frequently and has much more than you can get from a RCIA program. Great refresher for Catholics too. This book was recommended to me by a very holy priest years ago. Available, I believe, at amazon. I think this is what you are looking for. God bless.
 
I think the USCCB’s adult catechism is very good. it is about 500 pages, written in textbook style, with sections, outlines, questions, each chapter has short biography of a saint etc

amazon.com/United-States-Catholic-Catechism-Adults/dp/1574554506/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200956292&sr=1-1

the official 2nd edition Catholic catechism was hard reading for me. it is a numbered list of statements, with plenty of references & detailed outline. good reference but not so easy to just read & absorb
 
Radio Replies. As Scott Hahn says, “He’s never met a Catholic that left the faith who had read this trilogy.” IOW, they stay Catholic.
 
I’m in the same boat you’re in. Raised Catholic, went to CCD class, didn’t learn much. But Catholicism for Dummies was a great read and insprired me even more!
 
zingo227 said:
I think the USCCB’s adult catechism is very good. it is about 500 pages, written in textbook style, with sections, outlines, questions, each chapter has short biography of a saint etc

amazon.com/United-States-Catholic-Catechism-Adults/dp/1574554506/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200956292&sr=1-1

the official 2nd edition Catholic catechism was hard reading for me. it is a numbered list of statements, with plenty of references & detailed outline. good reference but not so easy to just read & absorb
Click to expand...
I have to say, I think you should stay away from this one. If you want a good Catechism go with the Baltimore. If you want a more recent Catechism, then the Compendium is okay.
 
Beginner:
The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth
amazon.com/Catholic-Faith-Handbook-Youth/dp/0884897591/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200966681&sr=8-1

The Catholic Source Book
amazon.com/Catholic-Source-Book-Peter-Klein/dp/0159018838/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200966726&sr=1-1

The New Catholic Answer Bible: The New American Bible
amazon.com/New-Catholic-Answer-Bible-American/dp/1592761402/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200966761&sr=1-1

Advanced:
The Shape of Catholic Theology: An Introduction to Its Sources, Principles, and History
By Adian Nichols
amazon.com/Shape-Catholic-Theology-Introduction-Principles/dp/0814619096/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200965385&sr=8-1

The Assurance of Things Hoped For: A Theology of Christian Faith by Avery Dulles
amazon.com/Assurance-Things-Hoped-Theology-Christian/dp/0195109732/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200965451&sr=1-1

The Rites of Christian Initiation: Their Evolution and Interpretation by Maxwell Johnson
amazon.com/Rites-Christian-Initiation-Evolution-Interpretation/dp/0814660118/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200965612&sr=1-2

Living Water, Sealing Spirit: Readings on Christian Initiation by Maxwell Johnson
amazon.com/Living-Water-Sealing-Spirit-Initiation/dp/0814661408/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200965660&sr=1-5

Church Unfinished, The: Ecclesiology through the Centuries by Bernard P. Prusak
amazon.com/Church-Unfinished-Ecclesiology-Through-Centuries/dp/0809142864/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200965792&sr=1-1

Doors to the Sacred: A Historical Introduction to Sacraments in the Catholic Church By Joseph Martos
amazon.com/Doors-Sacred-Historical-Introduction-Sacraments/dp/0764807188/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200965827&sr=1-1

The Sacraments - The Word of God at the Mercy of the Body By Louis Marie Chauvet
amazon.com/Sacraments-Word-God-Mercy-Body/dp/0814661432/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200965875&sr=1-1

The New American Study Bible amazon.com/Catholic-Study-Bible-Donald-Senior/dp/0195282787/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200966889&sr=1-1
 
What I am seeing in all of our responses is that there are a great many different books that can be used. This again speaks of the richness of our faith, its sources and its truth. We are all on different levels and each source is food for thought. and growth.
Deacon Ed B
 
I’m just going to throw this out there. Because the OP put this thread in the Traditional Catholicism forum, I’m guessing he or she wants Catechetical works that are more from a traditional standpoint. Recommending newer “stuff,” probably won’t be what the OP is looking for. There is some great new “stuff” that is out there, but I’m guessing since this is in the Traditional Catholicism forum, he wants more traditional material: ie: This Is The Faith, the Baltimore Catechism, Catechism of the Council of Trent, etc. This doesn’t mean to be traditional it has to be pre-Vatican II. There are many post-Vatican II catechetical works that are great and are traditional ie: This Is The Faith, which has been recommended several times on here and was published in its second edition in the early 1970’s. Anything from Fr. John Hardon would also be really good to look at. He has a great Catechism and Dictionary, among other things. Just take this in mind when recommending something for the OP. Not everything post-Vatican II would be considered traditional, just as not everything pre-Vatican II would be considered traditional either. Its content is the deciding factor here.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top