Recommended Reading



Sacred Scripture

The most important book in history is the Bible; the inerrant and inspired Word of God. Here I recommend two translations, the second with extensive commentary:

The Douay-Rheims Bible

The Navarre Bible (the New Testament in 12 volumes), published by Four Courts Press (includes text from the Revised Standard Version, the Latin Vulgate and commentary from the Faculty of Theology of the University of Navarre)


Spiritual Writings

Confessions, by St. Augustine of Hippo, various editions

The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis, various editions

Introduction to the Devout Life, by St. Francis de Sales, various editions

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, various editions (the founder of the Society of Jesus)

True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis de Montfort, published by TAN Books - Fr. Faber's classic translation (considered as the greatest book ever written on Mary)

The Secret of the Rosary by St. Louis de Montfort, published by TAN Books (allow this great Saint regarding Our Lady guide you through this powerful prayer)

Life of Christ, by Abp. Fulton Sheen.


Doctrine of the Catholic Church

Catechism of the Catholic Church, published by Geoffrey Chapman, London (the latest universal Catechism)

The Christian Faith in the Doctrinal Documents of the Catholic Church, edited by Jacques Dupuis, published by Alba House, 6th edition, 1995 (compendium of the documents which define the Christian faith)

Vatican Council II - The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents, edited by Austin Flannery, published by Dominican Publications.

Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, by Dr. Ludwig Ott, published by TAN Books (the greatest single book on Catholic Dogma)

The Denzinger (The Sources of Catholic Dogma), the famous Enchiridion Symbolorum

Catechism of St. Pius X

Baltimore Catechism (four volumes)

Catechism of Trent (also known as the Roman Catechism)

The Faith of the Early Fathers, published by The Liturgical Press (in three volumes: the Pre-Nicene and Nicene eras; the Post-Nicene era through St. Jerome; St. Augustine to the end of the patristic period)


Theology and Apologetics

Radio Replies, by Fathers Rumble and Cartly, published by TAN Books in three volumes (containing 4,374 questions and answers on all aspects of the faith)

Where We Got The Bible - Our Debt to the Catholic Church, by Fr. Henry G. Graham, published by TAN Books.

Evangelical is not Enough - Worship of God in Liturgy and Sacrament, by Thomas Howard, published by Ignatius Press (how the discovery of liturgy and sacrament converted an Evangelical)

Catholicism and Fundamentalism - The Attack on "Romanism" by "Bible Christians" by Karl Keating, published by Ignatius Press (Keating defends Catholicism from misunderstandings and attacks by fundamentalist "Bible Christians")

Rome Sweet Home - Our Journey to Catholicism, by Scott & Kimberley Hahn, published by Ignatius Press (the story of how the Hahns converted from "anti-Catholics" to Roman Catholics and all the soul searching this process involved)

A Heavenly Journey - A Fictional Story Based on Historical and Biblical Facts, by Veralyn R. Alpha, published by Faith Publishing Company (a Protestant pastor is brought back in time by Archangel Gabriel to Biblical and post-Biblical times to discover the true roots of Catholicism)

Surprised by Truth - 11 Converts give the Biblical and Historical Reasons for Becoming Catholic, edited by Patrick Madrid, published by Basilica Press (with a forward by Scott Hahn, eleven personal conversion accounts that are all different and touching)


Writings on the Crisis in the Catholic Church

The Devastated Vineyard, by Dietrich von Hildebrand, published by Roman Catholic Books (the great philosopher of the century discusses current errors that have devastated the vineyard of the Lord)

The Recovery of the Sacred, by James Hitchcock, published by Ignatius Press (cataloging the liturgical anarchy in the 1960's, and how the rules of liturgical development were broken)

The Rhine Flows into the Tiber, by Father Wiltgen, published by TAN Books (written by a priest who interviewed hundreds of the Fathers of Vatican II in order to write this very scholarly work on the forces behind the Council)

Cranmer's Godly Order, by Michael Davies, published by Roman Catholic Books (how Cranmer, the apostate Abp. of Canterbury in the 16th century, changed the religion of England through liturgical change)

Pope John's Council, by Michael Davies, published by the Angelus Press (the events of the Council, especially how the highly organised liberal group took control)

Pope Paul's New Mass, by Michael Davies, published by the Angelus Press (describes the changes to the Mass from the changes in the Sanctuary to the introduction of Communion in the hand)

Michael Davies has also written many other books and booklets on the liturgical changes since the Second Vatican Council which, although I do not list here, I wholeheartedly recommend.

The Reform of the Roman Liturgy - its Problems and Background by Monsignor Klaus Gamber, published by Una Voce Press and The Foundation for Catholic Reform (an authoritative guide to the liturgical changes, with a preface by Cardinal Ratzinger, including the history of Mass facing the altar)


Liturgy general

Ancient Devotions for Holy Communion, published by Roman Catholic Books

The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described, by Fortescue and O'Connell, 1962 edition re-printed by The Saint Austin Press.

How Christ Said the First Mass, published by TAN Books (The Last Supper/the First Mass, wasn't the simple meal among friends that many think - it was more like a Solemn High Mass!)

Learning to Serve, published by the Angelus Press (aimed especially at young altar boys, this book is excellent at learning how to serve the traditional Mass without any pre-knowledge)


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Last modified 12th May, 1997, by David Joyce.