Could Catholicism be true?
This page is dedicated to anyone who has come to know the reality of God and Jesus Christ and would like a recommended list of books, articles and websites to help them investigate the claims of the Catholic Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Because at some point you need to know what the Catholic Church actually teaches and believes, this is a 'must read' book. The footnotes, if you choose to find and read those references, will lead you to an even deeper understanding.
Online version www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
Book version www.amazon.com/Catechism-Catholic-Church-Second-U-S/dp/0385508190
Catholic and Christian by Alan Schreck
An explanation of commonly misunderstood Catholic beliefs
A very helpful easy-to-read set of explanations on how Catholics think different to other branches of Christianity
www.amazon.com/Catholic-Christian-Explanation-Commonly-Misunderstood/dp/0867165995
Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hahn
The story of their journeys home to the Catholic Church, at different paces
www.amazon.com/Rome-Sweet-Home-Journey-Catholicism/dp/0898704782
Hail Holy Queen by Scott Hahn
The Mother of God in the Word of God
Many people have found this book very helpful in understanding the role of Mary in the kingdom of God
www.amazon.com/Hail-Holy-Queen-Mother-Word/dp/0385501692
Evangelical is not enough by Thomas Howard
Worship of God in Liturgy and Sacrament
The story of how God led him from being an evangelical Christian to accepting Catholicism
www.amazon.com/Evangelical-Not-Enough-Worship-Sacrament/dp/0898702216
By what authority by Mark Shea
An evangelical discovers Catholic tradition
www.amazon.com.au/What-Authority-Evangelical-Discovers-Tradition-ebook/dp/B00FEPZN2G
Letters to a young Catholic by George Weigel
Contains the quote: “In the Catholic view of things, walking on water is an entirely sensible thing to do. It’s staying in the boat, hanging tightly to our own sad little securities, that’s rather mad.”
www.amazon.com/Letters-Young-Catholic-George-Weigel/dp/0465028322
The Science of the Cross by St Edith Stein
The Collected Works of Edith Stein Volume 6
Contains the quote: “The Christian mysteries are an indivisible whole, if we become immersed in one, we are led to all the others.”
www.amazon.com/Science-Cross-Collected-Works-Edith/dp/0935216316
Video Series : On the Journey, Three Protestants Go To Mass
This is an enjoyable sequential step by step reflection on the parts of the Mass
from the perspective of three former protestants.
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-109-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-i/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-110-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-ii/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-111-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-iii/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-112-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-iv/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-113-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-v/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-115-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-vi/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-116-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-vii/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-117-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-viii/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-118-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-ix/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-episode-119-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-x/
This is a work in progress, many more will be added to this list as soon as possible.
In your search for truth you might find this prayer by Blessed John Henry Newman helpful:
O my God,
I confess that You can enlighten my darkness.
I confess that You alone can.
I wish my darkness to be enlightened.
I do not know whether You will:
but that You can and that I wish,
are sufficient reasons for me to ask,
what You at least have not forbidden my asking.
I hereby promise that by Your grace which I am asking,
I will embrace whatever I at length feel certain is the truth,
if ever I come to be certain.
And by Your grace I will guard against all self-deceit
which may lead me to take what nature would have,
rather than what reason approves.
Amen.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Because at some point you need to know what the Catholic Church actually teaches and believes, this is a 'must read' book. The footnotes, if you choose to find and read those references, will lead you to an even deeper understanding.
Online version www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
Book version www.amazon.com/Catechism-Catholic-Church-Second-U-S/dp/0385508190
Catholic and Christian by Alan Schreck
An explanation of commonly misunderstood Catholic beliefs
A very helpful easy-to-read set of explanations on how Catholics think different to other branches of Christianity
www.amazon.com/Catholic-Christian-Explanation-Commonly-Misunderstood/dp/0867165995
Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hahn
The story of their journeys home to the Catholic Church, at different paces
www.amazon.com/Rome-Sweet-Home-Journey-Catholicism/dp/0898704782
Hail Holy Queen by Scott Hahn
The Mother of God in the Word of God
Many people have found this book very helpful in understanding the role of Mary in the kingdom of God
www.amazon.com/Hail-Holy-Queen-Mother-Word/dp/0385501692
Evangelical is not enough by Thomas Howard
Worship of God in Liturgy and Sacrament
The story of how God led him from being an evangelical Christian to accepting Catholicism
www.amazon.com/Evangelical-Not-Enough-Worship-Sacrament/dp/0898702216
By what authority by Mark Shea
An evangelical discovers Catholic tradition
www.amazon.com.au/What-Authority-Evangelical-Discovers-Tradition-ebook/dp/B00FEPZN2G
Letters to a young Catholic by George Weigel
Contains the quote: “In the Catholic view of things, walking on water is an entirely sensible thing to do. It’s staying in the boat, hanging tightly to our own sad little securities, that’s rather mad.”
www.amazon.com/Letters-Young-Catholic-George-Weigel/dp/0465028322
The Science of the Cross by St Edith Stein
The Collected Works of Edith Stein Volume 6
Contains the quote: “The Christian mysteries are an indivisible whole, if we become immersed in one, we are led to all the others.”
www.amazon.com/Science-Cross-Collected-Works-Edith/dp/0935216316
Video Series : On the Journey, Three Protestants Go To Mass
This is an enjoyable sequential step by step reflection on the parts of the Mass
from the perspective of three former protestants.
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-109-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-i/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-110-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-ii/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-111-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-iii/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-112-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-iv/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-113-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-v/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-115-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-vi/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-116-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-vii/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-117-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-viii/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-with-matt-ken-and-kenny-episode-118-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-ix/
chnetwork.org/on-the-journey/on-the-journey-episode-119-three-protestants-go-to-mass-part-x/
This is a work in progress, many more will be added to this list as soon as possible.
In your search for truth you might find this prayer by Blessed John Henry Newman helpful:
O my God,
I confess that You can enlighten my darkness.
I confess that You alone can.
I wish my darkness to be enlightened.
I do not know whether You will:
but that You can and that I wish,
are sufficient reasons for me to ask,
what You at least have not forbidden my asking.
I hereby promise that by Your grace which I am asking,
I will embrace whatever I at length feel certain is the truth,
if ever I come to be certain.
And by Your grace I will guard against all self-deceit
which may lead me to take what nature would have,
rather than what reason approves.
Amen.
..................................................................
The Archdiocese of Toronto, Canada on 2 Jun 2021 published a recommended reading list distilled from the homilies of Cardinal Thomas Collins. It is a very good list, so it is copied here to preserve it. www.archtoronto.org/en/outreach/archdiocesan-blog/archdiocesan/cardinal-thomas-collins-book-recommendations/
1. The Bible (especially the Gospels)
3. Confessions by Augustine of Hippo
The Archdiocese of Toronto, Canada on 2 Jun 2021 published a recommended reading list distilled from the homilies of Cardinal Thomas Collins. It is a very good list, so it is copied here to preserve it. www.archtoronto.org/en/outreach/archdiocesan-blog/archdiocesan/cardinal-thomas-collins-book-recommendations/
1. The Bible (especially the Gospels)
- We would recommend the New Revised Standard Version
3. Confessions by Augustine of Hippo
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