Whether you’re new to Catholicism or are a lifelong Catholic looking to deepen your knowledge of the Church’s teachings and relationship with God, one of the best places to start is between the pages of a good book. While this is by no means an exhaustive list of every great Catholic book out there, I’ve tried my best to narrow it down to the top must-read books – because if you’re like me, your to-read list seems to grow by the day!
Best Catholic Books of All Time
These “best of all time” books are great places to start for new and old Catholics alike looking for a deeper understanding of the who, what, where, and whys of the Catholic faith. These are my all-time top three favorites.
The Holy Bible
Of course, no list of the best Catholic books would be complete without The Holy Bible. Which translation of the Bible you choose is largely a matter of personal preference. Our Sunday Visitor has an interesting explanation of the history of adoption of certain popular translations and cites the Revised New American Bible (RNAB), the Revised Standard Version (Catholic edition) (RSVCE), and the Jerusalem Bible (JB) as the three most commonly used today.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Another must-read all Catholics should have on their shelves is a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Admittedly, this one can be a bit tough to read cover-to-cover in one go, but it works great to reference here and there as questions or thoughts come up until you’ve covered it all. I really like Ascension Press’s layout of the Catechism because it’s broken down into color-coded sections so you can easily find what you’re looking for and the sheer volume of information isn’t quite so overwhelming.
Mother Angelica’s Answers, Not Promises
If I could include every book authored by or about Mother Angelica in this list, I would! But if I had to choose just one to recommend that everyone – not just Catholics! – read, it would be this one. Mother Angelica’s Answers, Not Promises is one of the best books I’ve ever read, period. It answers tough questions like “Why do we suffer?” “What does God want with me?” and “What will heaven be like?” It is written in a very simple and easy-to-read style and is truly a breeze to get through. This was one of those books that made me sad to close the back cover because there was no more left to read.
Best Catholic Prayer Books
It’s a great idea to have a prayer book or two sitting on the shelf for any occasion, whether you’re beginning a new novena, are starting to regularly pray the rosary, or are going through something in particular and would like to know a prayer for that specific situation. These Catholic prayer books should help.
The Liturgy of the Hours
The Liturgy of the Hours is a set of daily prayers that helps Catholics stay connected with the rhythm of the Church’s prayer life throughout the day and includes morning prayers (lauds), daytime prayers, evening prayers (vespers), and night prayer (complines). While any copy will work just as well, I particularly like the Catholic Book Publishing Company’s four-book set, which is broken down into Advent Season, Lenten Season, and two volumes of Ordinary Time.
The Mysteries of the Rosary: A Pocket Prayer Guide
I won’t bury the lead here, I created this rosary prayer guide myself. But I didn’t set out to write a rosary prayer booklet – I’d searched everywhere for a physical booklet that had clean, modern pictures that explained what was happening in each mystery. I dislike using my phone when praying because it creates too many distractions and is cumbersome to scroll up and down for all the prayers. But when I couldn’t find anything that fit the bill, I decided to put together my own!
This pocket prayer guide is perfect for keeping beside your bed and following along with each mystery as you go. I find myself much more inclined to stick to praying the rosary more regularly using this booklet, rather than dreading trying to pull up the information on my phone.
The Essential Catholic Prayer Book: A Collection of Private and Community Prayers
This collection offers a rich variety of prayers, including traditional favorites and lesser-known gems, suitable for any occasion or need. Whether you’re seeking solace, thanksgiving, or guidance, The Essential Catholic Prayer Book provides the words and structure to help you communicate with God in any season of life, making it a must-have for every Catholic home.
Best Catholic Bible Study Books
Reading the Bible cover to cover on your own is not only a daunting task but it can also make it very difficult to understand and fully glean the meaning behind the text. Using a study Bible can make a world of difference when it comes to understanding and absorbing scripture. These are two of my favorites.
The Great Adventure Study Bible
Like most study materials from Ascension Press, the Great Adventure Study Bible is neatly colored-coded to help you understand the different time periods in which each book takes place. It also highlights key events and provides a succinct summary and discussion of the significance of those key events at the beginning of each color-coded section. I find it very easy to follow along and a clean, modern take on Bible study.
The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible
If you’re looking for an even more in-depth Bible study, the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is worth a look. Edited by renowned scholars Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch, this study Bible features extensive commentary, theological insights, historical background, and study questions. It also contains rich annotations throughout, making it an excellent tool for both personal and group Bible study.
Best Catholic Apologetics Books
Catholic apologetics books provide reasoned arguments and talking points to defend and clarify our beliefs. Not only are these books excellent tools for our own spiritual growth, but they are also invaluable tools to help us share our faith with others.
Why We’re Catholic: Our Reasons For Faith, Hope, And Love
My dad gave me a copy of this book a few years ago and boy am I happy he did! It is really nicely laid out and is broken into five easy-to-digest sections that span from why we believe in God to why we have a Pope and everything in between. Why We’re Catholic is an excellent read for anyone looking for easy-to-understand explanations to Catholicism’s tough questions and also makes a great gift for loved ones looking to explore their faith on a deeper level.
The Faith of Our Fathers
The Faith of Our Fathers by Cardinal James Gibbons is a straightforward guide to Catholic beliefs and practices. Written 1876, it has truly stood the test of time, remaining a mainstay in Catholic apologetics literature. It offers clear, concise explanations without getting too complicated, making it a great read for understanding what Catholicism is all about, whether you are a practicing Catholic or exploring the faith.
Reasons to Believe
Author Scott Hahn is a well-known Catholic theologian and convert and has written many great books worth reading. Reasons to Believe is an excellent starting point, as it explores the foundations of the Catholic Church and is backed by years and years of Hahn’s own research. Without getting too heavy or in-depth, this book effortlessly provides the answers to and both biblical and historical context behind some of our faith’s most challenging questions and ideas.
Best Catholic Books on Suffering
Many people, myself included, find themselves turning to Christ during life’s most difficult moments. As such, there are countless great reads regarding why we suffer, how to suffer with courage and perseverance, and how to lean on God’s strength when you have none of your own left. But if I had to narrow it down to three of the top books to pick up in times of trial and suffering, I’d choose these ones.
Mother Angelica on Suffering and Burnout
If you can’t tell yet, I am really deeply drawn to everything written by and about Mother Angelica – but especially when it comes to reading and learning about suffering. I think this is because she herself suffered so much throughout her life, both emotionally and physically, so her advice seems to come from authentic and genuine experience. This little book is an easy, quick read, yet is bursting with deep meaning and ways to connect even more deeply to Jesus in times of trouble. Mother Angelica on Suffering and Burnout is a must-have for anyone enduring hard times.
Into Your Hands, Father
This book reads very much as though the author – Carmelite priest Fr. Wilfrid Stinissenis – is wrapping his arms around you and coaching you through life’s trials. The central theme of Into Your Hands, Father is learning how to fully and wonderfully accept God’s will for our lives, even if that may mean enduring suffering. While this is a short book, it’s not exactly an easy read, but it is written in such a way that the author holds your hand, so to speak, through each chapter to help you get the most out of its contents.
Arise From Darkness
Written by psychologist and priest Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Arise From Darkness is an excellent book for anyone enduring a particularly hard or dark struggle in their lives. It not only helps to explain the reasons for suffering while here on earth, but it also includes beautiful prayers of comfort and consolation to those in dire need. Moreover, it is deeply relatable and inspiring, as much of the text stems from Fr. Groeschel’s own personal experiences and psychology background.
