A good book is like a fine companion who pours forth its treasures and lightens your days, strengthens your heart and inspires you to grow!
This is a list of books, many of which have been part of our family’s library for years. The men in my family have added their own singular suggestions. I will continue to add to this list as new (or old) titles come to mind….
Painting by Jeffrey Hein
Some of the books may be a little controversial for you (the few written by non-Catholics…for relationship purposes, etc.).
I like this quote and use it in this regard: “Although, as far as I can tell, some of my heroes have not known the light of Christ in this life, I nevertheless learn from them with great joy, remembering the words of St. Thomas, ‘All truth, by whomever spoken, comes from the Holy Spirit'” (On Truth, q. 1, a. 8).
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Spiritual Books:
Introduction to a Devout Life – St. Francis de Sales An Introduction to the Devout Life
Light and Peace – Quadrupani Light and Peace: Instructions for Devout Souls to Dispel Their Doubts
Achieving Peace of Heart – Fr. Narciso Irala, S.J. Achieving Peace of Heart
All About the Angels – Fr. Paul O’Sullivan
Searching For and Maintaining Peace – Fr. Jacques Phillipe Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart
The Family That Overtook Christ – Father Raymond The Family that Overtook Christ
An Easy Way to Become a Saint – Fr. Paul O’Sullivan An Easy Way To Become A Saint
All About the Angels – Fr. Paul O’Sullivan All About the Angels
Conversation with Christ. – Rev. Father Peter Thomas Rohrbach, O.C.D.
Treasure and Tradition: The Ultimate Guide to the Latin Mass – Lisa Bergman
The Hidden Power of Kindness: A Practical Handbook for Souls Who Dare to Transform the World, One deed at a Time – Fr. Lawrence Lovasik
End of the Present World and the Mysteries of the Future Life – Fr. Charles Arminjon, 1881
Jesus Our Eucharistic Love by Fr. Stefano Manelli
Happy Are You Poor by Fr. Thomas Dubay
With God in Russia by Fr. Walter Ciszek Sequel: He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek
Family/Husband Books
True Men as We Need Them: A Book of Instruction for Men of the World, Fr. Bernard O’Reilly, 1894
Some Notes for the Guidance of Parents – Fr. Daniel A. Lord
Father of the Family: A Christian Perspective – Clayton Barbeau
Christ in the Home – Fr. Raoul Plus, S.J. Christ in the Home
The Man for Her – Fr. Leo Kinsella The Man For Her
The Catholic Family Handbook by Fr. Lawrence G. Lovasik
The Catholic Marriage Manual – Rev. George A. Kelly The Catholic Marriage Manual
The Catholic Family Handbook – Rev. George A. Kelly The Catholic Family Handbook
Love and Respect – Emmerson Eggerichs Love and Respect
Courtship After Marriage: Romance Can Last a Lifetime by Zig Ziglar
Fatherhood and Family, A compilation from Integrity Magazine, 1950’s
Catholic Apologetics:
The Crucified Rabbi – Dr. Taylor Marshall
The Catholic Perspective on Paul – Dr. Taylor Marshall
The Eternal City – Dr. Taylor Marshall
Prayer/Meditation Books:
My Prayer Book – Father Lasance My Prayer-Book (Happiness in Goodness)
The Precious Blood Manual – Sisters of the Precious Blood The Precious Blood and Mother: a Compilation of Prayers from Approved Sources
The Prisoner of Love – Father Lasance The Prisoner of Love
St. Julian Eymard Books here with reviews here: The Real Presence
Divine Intimacy – Father Gabriel of St Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.. Divine Intimacy: Meditations on the Interior Life for Every Day of the Liturgical Year
The Mass in Slow Motion – Rev. Ronald Knox
The Raccolta – These eight hundred prayers touch practically every spiritual and physical need, and every personal and societal hope.
A Catholic Missal for All Ages – Lawrence and Mary Ann Scheeler
Personal Development Books:
Dare to Dream – Florence Litauer Dare to Dream
Personality Plus – Florence Litauer Personality Plus: How to Understand Others by Understanding Yourself
Attitudes that Attract Success Attitudes that Attract Success: You Are Only One Attitude Away from a Great Life
The Four Temperaments by Fr. Conrad Hock, 1934
Catholic Novels/History and Miscellaneous:
The Great Lion of God; A Novel of St. Paul (some adult content) by Taylor Caldwell
A Shepherd in Combat Boots: Chaplain Emil Kapaun of the 1st Cavalry Division
The Porter of St. Bonaventure’s by James Patrick Derham
An American Knight: The Life of Colonel John W. Ripley, USMC
The Life of Father De Smet, S.J.: The Apostle of the Rocky Mountains
The Sword and Serpent by Taylor Marshall
The Tenth Region of the Night: Sword and Serpent Book II
The Storm of Fire and Blood: Sword and Serpent Book III
Outlaws of Ravenhurst – M. Imelda Wallace Outlaws of Ravenhurst
Come Rack, Come Rope – Robert Hugh Benson Come Rack! Come Rope!
Masterful Monk Series – Owen Francis Dudley The Masterful Monk
Excellent historical novels by Louis de Wohl (some adult content)
Three Religious Rebels – Fr. M. Raymond
The Man Who Got Even With God – Fr. M. Raymond
Children/Young Adult’s Books:
The Catholic Girl’s Guide – Father Lasance The Catholic girl’s guide: Counsels and devotions for girls in the ordinary walks of life, and in particular for the Children of Mary
Mary Reed Newland books with book review and links here.
The Young Man’s Guide – Father Lasance YOUNG MAN’S GUIDE by Father Lasance
Leading the Little Ones to Mary – Sister Mary Lelia Leading the Little Ones to Mary
Mary Fabyan Windeatt books (there are many of them) – The Miraculous Medal: The Story of Our Lady’s Appearances to Saint Catherine Laboure
Cheerful Chats for Catholic Children – Leane VanderPutten
Catholic Mother Goose – Leane VanderPutten
Catholic Hearth Stories – Leane VanderPutten
