Catholic Reference Books
The books here are not intended to be read through, but referenced on an as-needed basis, like a dictionary or encyclopedia (both of which this page contains).
Books
Latin for “golden chain”, the Catena Aurea is St. Thomas Aquinas’s masterful weaving together of the commentary of the Fathers of the Church on all four Gospels. This edition was translated by St. John Henry Newman into English.
Very comprehensive reference from 1917 with entries on practically every topic of interest, some so long they’d be fit for an encyclopedia. Obviously missing about 100 years of context, but for many questions still very useful.
The entire Catholic Encyclopedia of 1914. Extremely thorough and useful and covers practically every Catholic topic of interest. Missing about 100 years of context, which is to be expected.
Down to earth explanations of a wide variety of Catholic truths, principles, concepts, and devotions, without watering them down.
- The Book of Saints: A Dictionary of Servants of God Canonised by the Catholic Church: Extracted from the Roman & Other Martyrologies
Short entries on many saints; a dictionary
Book Snippets
The Catena Aurea
p.n38 The Fathers of the Church on the healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law
p.n40 The Fathers of the Church on Jesus healing many sick and possessed at the Sabbath’s sunset
p.n74 The Fathers of the Church on those who thought Jesus was insane or possessed
p.142 The Fathers of the Church on the Spring of Living Water
p.394 The Fathers of the Church on Jesus bringing not Peace but the Sword
p.466 The Fathers of the Church on the Five Divided in One House
p.598 Mary Magdalene sees Jesus first after the Resurrection
p.885 The Fathers of the Church on Jesus making arrangements for the Last Supper
Meditations for Layfolk
p.176 The Method of Prayer