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
The Catena Aurea
St. Thomas Aquinas and the Fathers of the Church
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.
Catholic Dictionary
William E. Addis, Thomas Arnold, M.A.
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 1912 Catholic Encyclopedia
Charles G. Herbermann, Ph.D., L.L.D., Edward A. Pace, Ph.D., D.D., Conde B. Pallen, Ph.D., L.L.D., Thomas J. Shahan, D.D., John J. Wynne, S.J., Assisted by Numerous Collaborators
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.
Meditations for Layfolk
Bede Jarrett, O.P.
Down to earth explanations of a wide variety of Catholic truths, principles, concepts, and devotions, without watering them down.
Summa Theologica
St. Thomas Aquinas
The Book of Saints: A Dictionary of Servants of God Canonised by the Catholic Church: Extracted from the Roman & Other Martyrologies
The Benedictine Monks of St. Augustine’s Abbey, Ramsgate
Short entries on many saints; a dictionary
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.n43 The Fathers of the Church on the healing of the leper
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.415 The Church Fathers on John 7:44-50
p.466 The Fathers of the Church on the Five Divided in One House
p.516 The Church Fathers on Hating our Relatives
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