* = 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)
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.
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.
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)
Catholicism for Dummies by Rev. John Trigilio and Rev. Kenneth Brighenti
An excellent overview of the Catholic Church, its history and its teachings.
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healthy number of Biblical citations and historical references, the book will help just about everyone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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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)
* 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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
Magazines