Theology

The Church’s own summary of what she believes. Every other book on this shelf points back to it.

The whole Catechism in about 600 short questions and answers, good for a weekly session.

Plain-spoken and illustrated. Many OCIA groups hand it out on the first night.

Each chapter opens with the story of an American saint or witness, then teaches the doctrine.

A short, clear walk through the Trinity, creation, grace and redemption. Readers recommend it again and again.

Sheed’s fuller follow-up: why knowing God with the mind changes how we see everything.

Short chapters giving the reasons behind the faith, written for skeptics and seekers.

The companion book to Bishop Barron’s film series, full of art and the saints.

Essays that are academically sound and still readable for the general reader.

The future Benedict XVI on the Apostles’ Creed, line by line. A modern classic.

A recent, elegant introduction to the faith that skeptics will respect.

A 19th-century American bestseller that explains Catholic teaching to Protestant neighbours.

A one-volume handbook of doctrine. Dense, but a trusted reference.

Covers the basics with no assumed knowledge. Dip in wherever you like.

A complete, traditional course of instruction, long given to converts.

About 150 readable pages: an invitation to faith from a theologian and deacon.

St. Thomas’s philosophy made accessible.

The essential passages of the Summa Theologiae, with notes.

The whole Catechism in 365 short episodes. Pairs naturally with the OCIA year.

Conversations about philosophy and faith in the spirit of St. Thomas.

Interviews that take one topic and go deeper.

Weekly homilies and conversations from Bishop Robert Barron.

Two parish priests on theology, liturgy and parish life.

Dominican friars explaining the faith.

Lectures from Dominican scholars given at universities.

Commentaries on faith, culture and film, and sermons.

A full year of parish RCIA lectures, recorded. Recommended on Reddit as “very good lectures.”

A filmed course covering the whole faith. Many parishes build OCIA around it.

A Catholic streaming library of courses, films, audio and e-books.

Bishop Barron’s documentary tour of the faith, filmed across the world.

Courses and community for lay Catholics who want to go deeper.

A free self-paced course meant to supplement, not replace, your parish program.

A text-only RCIA course, recommended on Reddit for reading at your own pace.

Online courses from a Catholic university for catechists and lifelong learners.

A short tract on the basics of Catholicism that you can read in one sitting.

The old Catholic Encyclopedia, the Church Fathers and the Summa, all free online.

Papal documents, Council texts and the Catechism, straight from the source.