Catechism of the Catholic Church
Holy See
The Church’s own summary of what she believes. Every other book on this shelf points back to it.
Visit Website →Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Holy See
The whole Catechism in about 600 short questions and answers, good for a weekly session.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
Visit Website →YOUCAT: Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church
Holy See
Plain-spoken and illustrated. Many OCIA groups hand it out on the first night.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
Visit Website →United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
USCCB
Each chapter opens with the story of an American saint or witness, then teaches the doctrine.
Recommended by: Diocese of Fall River OCIA Plan
Visit Website →Theology for Beginners
by Frank Sheed
A short, clear walk through the Trinity, creation, grace and redemption. Readers recommend it again and again.
View on Open Library →Theology and Sanity
by Frank Sheed
Sheed’s fuller follow-up: why knowing God with the mind changes how we see everything.
View on Open Library →Rome Sweet Home
by Scott Hahn & Kimberly Hahn
A Presbyterian minister and his wife tell how they became Catholic. A natural first read for Protestant inquirers.
View on Open Library →The Lamb’s Supper
by Scott Hahn
Opens up the Mass through the Book of Revelation. Many people say Mass was never the same afterwards.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
Find on Open Library →A Father Who Keeps His Promises
by Scott Hahn
The story of salvation told through God’s covenants, from Adam to Christ.
Recommended by: St. Joseph Society List
View on Open Library →Rediscover Catholicism
by Matthew Kelly
A warm, practical invitation for Catholics coming back to the practice of the faith.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →Why We’re Catholic
by Trent Horn
Short chapters giving the reasons behind the faith, written for skeptics and seekers.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →The Case for Catholicism
by Trent Horn
Answers to the standard Protestant objections, chapter by chapter.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
Find on Open Library →Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith
by Robert Barron
The companion book to Bishop Barron’s film series, full of art and the saints.
Recommended by: St. Ann Parish List
View on Open Library →Exploring Catholic Theology
by Robert Barron
Essays that are academically sound and still readable for the general reader.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →Introduction to Christianity
by Joseph Ratzinger
The future Benedict XVI on the Apostles’ Creed, line by line. A modern classic.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →Jesus of Nazareth
by Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI)
A pope’s meditation on the Gospels and the person of Jesus.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →The Spirit of the Liturgy
by Joseph Ratzinger
Why Catholic worship looks the way it does.
Recommended by: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish List
View on Open Library →The Light of Christ: An Introduction to Catholicism
by Thomas Joseph White
A recent, elegant introduction to the faith that skeptics will respect.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism · St. Thomas Aquinas Parish List
Find on Open Library →Mere Christianity
by C. S. Lewis
Not a Catholic book, but a doorway countless converts walked through.
Recommended by: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish List
View on Open Library →The Screwtape Letters
by C. S. Lewis
A senior devil’s letters to his nephew. A sharp, funny look at temptation.
Recommended by: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish List
View on Open Library →Orthodoxy
by G. K. Chesterton
Chesterton’s exuberant account of how he came to believe.
View on Open Library →The Everlasting Man
by G. K. Chesterton
Human history read in the light of Christ. It helped bring C. S. Lewis to faith.
Recommended by: Jimmy Akin · Fr. Z's Blog
View on Open Library →Introduction to the Devout Life
by St. Francis de Sales
A spiritual director’s guide to holiness for people with jobs and families.
View on Open Library →The Imitation of Christ
by Thomas à Kempis
After the Bible, perhaps the most widely read Christian book. Short chapters for daily reading.
View on Open Library →Confessions
by St. Augustine
The first great conversion story: “Our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →Story of a Soul
by St. Thérèse of Lisieux
The Little Way of a young Carmelite, a Doctor of the Church.
Recommended by: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish List · St. Ann Parish List
View on Open Library →Interior Castle
by St. Teresa of Ávila
The soul’s journey inward to God, by a Doctor of the Church.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →The Spiritual Exercises
by St. Ignatius of Loyola
The retreat method behind Jesuit spirituality.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →The Rule of St. Benedict
by St. Benedict
Short and practical, and still read by monks and laypeople after fifteen centuries.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →Life of Christ
by Fulton J. Sheen
Sheen’s classic retelling of the Gospel, centred on the Cross.
Recommended by: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish List
View on Open Library →The Faith of Our Fathers
by James Cardinal Gibbons
A 19th-century American bestseller that explains Catholic teaching to Protestant neighbours.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →Catholicism and Fundamentalism
by Karl Keating
The book that started the modern Catholic apologetics movement.
Recommended by: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish List
View on Open Library →The Apostasy That Wasn’t
by Rod Bennett
The Arian crisis told as a story. Answers the claim that the Church fell away early.
Recommended by: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish List
View on Open Library →Four Witnesses: The Early Church in Her Own Words
by Rod Bennett
Four early Church Fathers introduced through their own writings.
Recommended by: Fr. Z's Blog
View on Open Library →The Faith of the Early Fathers
by William A. Jurgens
Early Christian writings arranged by doctrine. The standard reference.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →Bible Basics for Catholics
by John Bergsma
Salvation history in simple stick-figure drawings. Surprisingly memorable.
Recommended by: St. Joseph Society List
View on Open Library →Walking with God: A Journey Through the Bible
by Tim Gray & Jeff Cavins
The Bible’s storyline from beginning to end, tied to The Great Adventure.
Recommended by: St. Joseph Society List
View on Open Library →Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist
by Brant Pitre
Shows how the Last Supper fulfils the Passover. A favourite of OCIA catechists.
Recommended by: OCIA Shelf Pick
View on Open Library →Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary
by Brant Pitre
Grounds Marian doctrine in the Old Testament, for inquirers who find Mary a hurdle.
Recommended by: OCIA Shelf Pick
View on Open Library →Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma
by Ludwig Ott
A one-volume handbook of doctrine. Dense, but a trusted reference.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →Handbook of Christian Apologetics
by Peter Kreeft & Ronald K. Tacelli
Arguments for God, the soul, the Resurrection and more, set out clearly.
Recommended by: Jimmy Akin
View on Open Library →Prayer for Beginners
by Peter Kreeft
A short, honest push to actually start praying.
Recommended by: Fr. Coulter's Book List · Global Catholic Resource Center
View on Open Library →Theology of the Body for Beginners
by Christopher West
An introduction to St. John Paul II’s teaching on love, sexuality and marriage.
Recommended by: OCIA Shelf Pick
View on Open Library →33 Days to Morning Glory
by Michael E. Gaitley
A do-it-yourself retreat of Marian consecration, popular with parish groups.
Recommended by: St. Ann Parish List
View on Open Library →Surprised by Truth
by Patrick Madrid
Eleven converts explain the biblical and historical reasons they became Catholic.
View on Open Library →Catholicism For Dummies
by John Trigilio & Kenneth Brighenti
Covers the basics with no assumed knowledge. Dip in wherever you like.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →This Is the Faith
by Francis J. Ripley
A complete, traditional course of instruction, long given to converts.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →The Love That Is God
by Frederick Christian Bauerschmidt
About 150 readable pages: an invitation to faith from a theologian and deacon.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization
by Thomas E. Woods
Universities, science, law and charity: the Church’s part in all of them.
Recommended by: Fr. Z's Blog
View on Open Library →Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church
by H. W. Crocker III
A lively one-volume history of the Church.
Recommended by: OCIA Shelf Pick
View on Open Library →Aquinas: A Beginner’s Guide
by Edward Feser
St. Thomas’s philosophy made accessible.
Recommended by: St. Joseph Society List
View on Open Library →A Shorter Summa
by Peter Kreeft
The essential passages of the Summa Theologiae, with notes.
Recommended by: St. Joseph Society List
Find on Open Library →The Ways of Mental Prayer
by Vital Lehodey
A classic, practical manual of meditation and contemplation.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
View on Open Library →The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Ascension
The Bible in 365 episodes with commentary. The single most recommended resource for people in OCIA.
Visit Website →The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Ascension
The whole Catechism in 365 short episodes. Pairs naturally with the OCIA year.
Visit Website →Pints with Aquinas
by Matt Fradd
Conversations about philosophy and faith in the spirit of St. Thomas.
Visit Website →Catholic Answers Live
Catholic Answers
A call-in show: real questions from real callers, answered on air.
Visit Website →Catholic Answers Focus
Catholic Answers
Interviews that take one topic and go deeper.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
Visit Website →The Counsel of Trent
by Trent Horn
Careful, charitable answers to critics of the faith.
Visit Website →Catholic Stuff You Should Know
Catholic Stuff podcast
Priests talking about saints, history and doctrine with good humour.
Visit Website →The Catholic Talk Show
Catholic Talk Show
Three priests and a layman on faith and current questions.
Visit Website →Bishop Barron Presents / Sunday Sermons
Word on Fire
Weekly homilies and conversations from Bishop Robert Barron.
Visit Website →Clerically Speaking
by Fr. Harrison Ayre & Fr. Anthony Gerber
Two parish priests on theology, liturgy and parish life.
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Visit Website →The Pillar Podcast
The Pillar
Church news explained by two canon lawyers.
Visit Website →Reason & Theology
by Michael Lofton
Long-form discussion of theology and current debates in the Church.
Visit Website →Godsplaining
Dominican Friars
Dominican friars explaining the faith.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
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Visit Website →Thomistic Institute Podcast
Thomistic Institute
Lectures from Dominican scholars given at universities.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
Visit Website →Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World
by Jimmy Akin
Unexplained mysteries, approached by a Catholic apologist with good sense.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
Visit Website →Relevant Radio
Relevant Radio
Catholic talk radio, including The Patrick Madrid Show.
Visit Website →The Catholic Gentleman
by Sam Guzman
Faith, virtue and fatherhood for Catholic men.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
Visit Website →Abiding Together
Abiding Together
Three women talk about prayer and the spiritual life.
Recommended by: St. Paul Parish Resources · St. Bartholomew Parish Resources
Visit Website →Ascension Presents
Ascension
Short videos from Fr. Mike Schmitz and others that answer common questions in a few minutes.
Visit Website →Bishop Robert Barron (YouTube)
Word on Fire
Commentaries on faith, culture and film, and sermons.
Visit Website →Catholic Answers (YouTube)
Catholic Answers
Short clips answering specific questions from the call-in show.
Visit Website →Divine Mercy (Fr. Chris Alar)
Marians of the Immaculate Conception
Clear teaching talks, especially on Divine Mercy and the Last Things.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
Visit Website →Breaking In The Habit
by Fr. Casey Cole, OFM
A young Franciscan friar on faith, religious life and the Church.
Recommended by: St. Paul Parish Resources · St. Bartholomew Parish Resources
Visit Website →Catholic Productions
by Brant Pitre
Bible studies and lectures from Dr. Brant Pitre.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
Visit Website →Becoming Catholic (RCIA lectures)
Our Lady of Good Counsel, Plymouth
A full year of parish RCIA lectures, recorded. Recommended on Reddit as “very good lectures.”
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
Visit Website →Shameless Popery
by Joe Heschmeyer
Thorough, well-sourced apologetics.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
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Visit Website →Symbolon: The Catholic Faith Explained
Augustine Institute (on Formed)
A filmed course covering the whole faith. Many parishes build OCIA around it.
Visit Website →Formed
Augustine Institute
A Catholic streaming library of courses, films, audio and e-books.
Visit Website →CATHOLICISM film series
Word on Fire
Bishop Barron’s documentary tour of the faith, filmed across the world.
Recommended by: OCIA Shelf Pick
Visit Website →Word on Fire Institute
Word on Fire
Courses and community for lay Catholics who want to go deeper.
Recommended by: Learn of Christ
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Visit Website →RCIA for Adults (with certificate)
Catholic Online School
A free self-paced course meant to supplement, not replace, your parish program.
Visit Website →My Catholic Life! RCIA
My Catholic Life!
A text-only RCIA course, recommended on Reddit for reading at your own pace.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
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Visit Website →The Great Adventure Bible Timeline
Ascension
Jeff Cavins’ colour-coded method for learning the Bible’s storyline.
Recommended by: OCIA Shelf Pick
Visit Website →Franciscan at Home
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Online courses from a Catholic university for catechists and lifelong learners.
Recommended by: St. Bartholomew Parish Resources
Visit Website →Hallow
Hallow
Guided prayer, the Rosary and Scripture meditations for building a daily habit.
Visit Website →Laudate
Laudate
Daily readings, the Rosary, the Liturgy of the Hours and a Confession guide in one free app.
Recommended by: CatholicApps.com · Learn of Christ
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Visit Website →iBreviary
iBreviary
The Liturgy of the Hours and the Missal, in several languages.
Recommended by: Learn of Christ
Visit Website →Universalis
Universalis
The Liturgy of the Hours and daily Mass readings.
Recommended by: Learn of Christ
Visit Website →Divine Office
Divine Office
Pray the Hours along with a recorded community.
Recommended by: CatholicApps.com · Learn of Christ
Visit Website →USCCB Daily Readings
USCCB
Today’s Mass readings, so you can prepare for Sunday.
Recommended by: OCIA Shelf Pick
Visit Website →Catholic Answers (catholic.com)
Catholic Answers
Tracts, articles and a searchable Q&A. Recommended as “the best website to ask questions about Catholicism.”
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
Visit Website →Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth
Catholic Answers
A short tract on the basics of Catholicism that you can read in one sitting.
Recommended by: r/Catholicism
Visit Website →New Advent
by Kevin Knight
The old Catholic Encyclopedia, the Church Fathers and the Summa, all free online.
Recommended by: St. Patrick Momence OCIA Page
Visit Website →Vatican.va
Holy See
Papal documents, Council texts and the Catechism, straight from the source.
Recommended by: St. Patrick Momence OCIA Page
Visit Website →Get one good resource a week
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