Catholic Books

The Catholic faith offers a treasure trove of spiritual riches, but its teachings and practices can often be difficult to fully grasp, even for life-long Catholics. Books in the Engaging Catholicism series from the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University Notre Dame help readers discover deep beauty and truth through a concise exploration of the Church’s most important doctrines as well as crucial pastoral and spiritual practices.

Christ in the Storm is the first book on the Pope’s powerful and hopeful message during what we now know was just the beginning of the worldwide pandemic. This beautifully designed hardcover book gathers color photos, readings, the pope’s homily and blessing, and also provides an explanation of the symbolism and history throughout the event to create a powerful reminder that Jesus is always with us and that God’s love never fails.

In Real Presence, University of Notre Dame theologian Timothy P. O’Malley clears up the confusion by explaining the biblical origins and long tradition of the Church’s doctrines of real presence and transubstantiation. He also explores the spiritual practices necessary to form us to recognize Christ in the Eucharist and to see the Lord in others.

Are you tired of worrying, but don't know how to stop? Discover the book we all need after a year of uncertainty and constant change. A follow up to his bestselling Give Up Worry for Lent!, Gary Zimak returns with an eight-week resource you can use any time of year—by yourself or with a small group—with more insights and habits that will help you win the battle against worry and experience the peace that only Jesus can provide. Find stillness today here.

Rejoice in the Lord invites you to spend thirty days exploring an authentic experience of St. Augustine’s spirituality to bring you closer to God and to help you along your Christian journey. This simple and easy-to-use devotional will help you discover the joy that only comes from delighting in God’s beauty, goodness, and love. Start your personal retreat here.

Did you know that according to a recent Pew Research Forum study, 98% of Catholics feel uncomfortable discussing their religious and moral views with people who disagree? In his second volume of What to Say and How to Say It, bestselling and award-winning author Brandon Vogt wants to help you feel more confident and less nervous to have open and loving conversations on seven of today's biggest hot-button topics. Check out this and the previous volume here.

The new Engaging Catholicism series from the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame wants to help grow your relationship with God in Ten Ways to Pray by Carolyn Pirtle. Whether you are just beginning to develop a consistent prayer practice or are looking for a new approach to spiritual growth, Ten Ways to Pray is a practical guide that offers a variety of traditional forms of Catholic prayer that enable you to draw closer to God and the communion of saints.

Have you been longing for a united community in the chaos of the world today? Brenda Noriega, international youth collaborator and mission educator, discusses how to end division, create unity, and build community within our local parishes and throughout the world.

Do you feel like time is always slipping by? In Sacred Time, Christine Valters Paintner, abbess of the online Abbey of the Arts, wants to help you live a more intentional life by embracing a world that urges you toward rest, reflection, and growth, as well as help you have a better relationship to time by focusing on the eight cycles of sacred time that exist in our everyday lives.

The well-loved four-volume set of Lives of the Saints by Alban Butler, which includes the stories of 2,565 saints, is going out of print. Grab a copy of this classic collection before it's gone for only $35 (originally $109.95). Hurry though, LIMITED QUANTITIES are available!

Ann M. Garrido’s new book, #Rules_of_Engagement, offers eight simple habits to help you navigate social media in a life-giving and Christ-like way. Starting to learn more about how to avoid negative behaviors online and bring connection, joy, and compassion into your social media interactions.

Brandon Vogt is back with more practical guidance to help you dialogue lovingly and convincingly with those who disagree with your Catholic beliefs. The second volume of What to Say and How to Say It offers you an indispensable resource for understanding and articulating the Church’s teaching on seven critical issues Catholics face today as we interact with the secular culture and people of other religious backgrounds.

The Boundless Compassion Journal by Joyce Rupp offers a six-week personal transformation journey to guide you on your path toward deeper compassion and gives you the space to meditate on how you can grow in kindness and radical love. To dive deeper, this journal can be paired with Rupp's bestselling book, Boundless Compassion, and aided by her book of prayers in Prayers of Boundless Compassion.

Do what is right. Do everything to the best of your ability. Show people you care. Lou Holtz, legendary former Notre Dame football coach, shared these three easy to remember and impossible to forget rules for life during a commencement address at Franciscan University Steubenville. Now in paperback, this book offers a quick, often humorous, and always practical formula for recent college graduates and other young adults to reach success in their business, personal, and spiritual lives.

Do you love Thomas Merton's writing? Would you like to do a SIMPLE retreat from the comfort of your own home? Come into the Silence combines his insights into an easy-to-use devotional for all those seeking peace and stillness in a busy world.

Few periods of history are more misunderstood than the Middle Ages and historian and author Steve Weidenkopf wants to set the record straight by highlighting some of our greatest saints and dispelling nine commonly accepted misconceptions about the era to show that the Middle Ages were actually an exciting period of enduring faith, reform, cultural achievement, as well as defeat and division.