What books are in the Essential Catholic Library?

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Brew Like a Monk: Trappist, Abbey, and Strong Belgian Ales and How to Brew Them

An essential book for any desert Island.
 
This thread seems like a fun topic, so I’ll bite. Just so y’all know where I’m coming from, I believe every Catholic (Roman, Byzantine, Maronite, etc.) ought to have a good collection of Western, Eastern, and Oriental writings. Sadly my own collection of Oriental writings is almost non-existent, but I hope to remedy that some day. So here’s my list:

RSV-CE Bible. Study editions are great, preferably the one by Dr. Hahn

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Documents of Vatican II

One’s preferred Missal (Ordinary or Extraordinary Form [or both])

One’s preferred Breviary (4-volume current Ordinary Form breviary or pre-Vatican II breviary, or “Christian Prayer” or “Shorter Christian Prayer”)

Divine Liturgy of Our Father Among the Saints, St. John Chrysostom (approved translation; I prefer either the Melkite or the Ukrainian translation)

Byzantine Horologion

Byzantine Octoechos

Byzantine Menaion (optional)

Byzantine Festal Menaion

Byzantine Tridion and Pentecostarion as well as the Services of Great and Holy Week
Any other books containing the Liturgical rituals of the other Eastern and Oriental Catholic and Orthodox Churches

Philokalia, vols. 1-5 (once 5 is printed)

Art of Prayers: An Orthodox Anthology

Collected Works of St. Teresa of Avila, vols. 1-3

Collected Works of St. John of the Cross

Story of a Soul

On the Song of Songs (St. Bernard of Clairvaux)

Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body (aka: The Theology of the Body)

The “Popular Patristics” Series, but especially “On the Incarnation” by St. Athanasius and the “Treatise on Marriage and Family Life” by St. John Chrysostom

Commentary on the Gospel of Luke (St. Bonaventure)

Journey of the Mind into God (St. Bonaventure)

Pretty much anything by St. Bonaventure!!! 😃

Summa Theologiae, if you wish… 🤷

A GOOD PRAYER BOOK!!! My preferred is the Melkite “Publican’s Prayer Book,” but there are also some great Roman prayer books out there. I’d look for one with the Eucharistic devotional prayers of Sts. Thomas Aquinas and Bonaventure.

Any Commentaries on the Scriptures written by St. Thomas Aquinas and/or St. Bonaventure.

There is also a collections of Patristic commentaries on the New Testament that is very good. It was collected by Protestant theologians, I believe, but it contains nothing but Patristic writings on the Scriptures. Well worthy of any Catholic library.

The Sacra Pagina series of commentaries on the New Testament are also a worthy addition to any Catholic’s library, as is the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture series.
 
A certain catholic priest gave me ‘Life in the Christ’ . . . A Catholic Catechism for Adults 0 0 0<----baracudda> --<
 
Jesus: A Biography From a Believer . . . written by Paul Johnson.
 
Probably mentioned already, but “The Mass: A Study of Roman Liturgy” was hugely profound for me. Certainly the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and your prefered version of the Bible. I like the Haydock Douay Rheims for it’s extensive notes quoting the classical fathers. It was fantastic going through Dr. Hahn’s study of revelation, and comparing to the Classical opinions, I got way more out of it that way.

I also like having a collection of Encylical letters on hand, I have a whole bunch actually. They should come fairly cheap from any good Catholic store.

Edit
Oh yes, both volumns of Jesus of Nazereth.
 
crazzeto said:
Probably mentioned already, but “The Mass: A Study of Roman Liturgy” was hugely profound for me. Certainly the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and your prefered version of the Bible. I like the Haydock Douay Rheims for it’s extensive notes quoting the classical fathers. It was fantastic going through Dr. Hahn’s study of revelation, and comparing to the Classical opinions, I got way more out of it that way.

I also like having a collection of Encylical letters on hand, I have a whole bunch actually. They should come fairly cheap from any good Catholic store.

Edit
Oh yes, both volumns of Jesus of Nazereth.
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Make that all three at the end of this year. 🙂
 
I just downloaded Pilgrim’s Progress for free on my Kindle. Gotta love it!
 
Lives of the Saints
The Story of a Soul - St Therese
The Holy Bible
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Baltimore Catechism Series
Missal – Daily/Sunday (both Mass forms)

(those are in my personal library for Catholic reading)
 
Okay, let’s see (only a few as I have way too many…) - recollecting on some of the titles as I type this so a few might be slightly off.

1.) The Bible (I enjoy the RSV Naverre Bible Series due to footnotes drawing from Saints, Church Documents and Tradition)

2.) The Catechism of the Catholic Church

3.) Catechism of the Council of Trent (St. Pius V Catechism) (TAN)

4.) Documents of Vatican II

5.) Canon and Decrees of the Council of Trent (TAN)

6.) Sunday Sermons of the Church Fathers (Ignatius Press)

7.) Summa of the Summa (Peter Kreeft - summary of Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas)

8.) Introduction to the Devout Life - St Francis de Sales

9.) Transformation in Christ - Dietrich von Hildebrand
  1. Goldenchain Vol 1 and 2 (Saint biographies from the Middle Ages)
11.) Divine Mercy - St. Faustina

12.) Writings of St. Augustine, St. Francis, and others

13.) Love and Responsibility by Karol Wystola (Pope John Paul II)

14.) Conscious by Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI)

15.) True Devotion to Mary - St. Louis Monteforte.
 
I was searching frantically for this thread. I need a new book to read as I am almost done with the Fire Within.

Now I can happily peruse the book suggestions. 🙂
 
TimothyH said:
I’m glad to hear that.

How about adding “The Sacrament of the Present Moment” by Jean-Pierre De Caussade.

I would also add “In the School of the Holy Spirit” by Jacques Philippe.

For those into Benedictine/Monastic spirituality, “The Cistercian Way” by Andre Louf and Praying with Benedict are must reads. If it isn’t a part of a Catholic’s permanent library then “The Cistercian Way” should be at least read once, if only to get an understanding of what living the gospel in monastic life is all about. Many Catholics don’t understand this part of our faith.

-Tim-
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I don’t see a Kindle version of the Sacrament of the Present Moment. 😦
 
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