History is a chronological record of significant events (as affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation of their causes or a branch of knowledge that records and explains past events. In this category you will find our history books - general surveys of history and books related to specific periods of history in the Church such as the Patristic Era or the Middle Ages.

"History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illuminates reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life, and brings us tidings of antiquity." Cicero

The resurrection of the body, perhaps more than any other Christian doctrine, requires us to face the implications of faith for our personal lives and for our understanding of the world. This issue faced St Paul in his dealing with the early church and also troubles St Gregory of Nyssa in the fourth century AD . St Gregory, educated in the prevailing Greek philosophical system, yearned to …

In the early fifth century the Christian world was racked by one of the fiercest theological disputes it had known since the Arian crisis of the previous century. The center of debate turned on the nature of the personhood of Christ, and how divine and human characteristics could combine in Jesus without rendering his subjectivity hopelessly divided, or without reducing his authentic humanness …

The sermons of St John Chrysostom are noted as classical commentaries on the Christian life. Knowing well the realities of life in the world, the temptation of rich and poor alike, this great orator — "the golden-mouthed" — addresses the questions of wealth and poverty in the lives of people of his day. And yet, as the modern reader is confronted with his words, it …

V ery often in the history of Christianity, "reformers", by whatever name, have aspired to return to "the early Church". The Church of their own day, for whatever reason, fails to live up to what they think Christianity should be: in their view there has been a falling away from the beautiful ideals of the early Church. Kenneth Whitehead shows in this book how the early Church has, in fact, not …

The first serious journalistic investigation of the highly secretive, controversial organization Opus Dei provides unique insight about the wild rumors surrounding it and discloses its significant influence in the Vatican and on the politics of the Catholic Church. Opus Dei (literally “the work of God”) is an international association of Catholics often labeled as conservative who …

Dom Alcuin Reid, OSB How has the Liturgy of the Roman rite developed and changed in history before and after the Council of Trent? What principles have determined the boundaries of legitimate liturgical reform over the centuries? What was the Liturgical Movement? Did Guéranger, Beauduin, Guardini, Parsch, Casel, Bugnini, Jungmann, Bouyer and the Movement's other leaders know and respect these …

Here are the important and influential writings of a Christian mystic and early father of the Church. Origen (c. 185-254) was born in Alexandria and lived through the turbulent years during the collapse of the Roman Empire. 

An updated version of the critically acclaimed and best-selling reference work first published in 1995. Still the most comprehensive single-volume compendium on the Church's past - from Pentecost morning to today's pontiff. - OSV's Encyclopedia of Catholic History, Revised , gives you: -Some 2,750 entries based on more than 1000 sources -An easy-to-use alphabetical format and a reader-friendly …

This famous 5th-8th grade level U.S. history textbook writ-ten in 1940 reflects both Catholic faith and patriotic love of country. With 55 chapters, plus Study Questions and other Activities, it teaches a lot in a simple manner, including the early exploration and settlement of the United States, California missions, French and Indian War, War of Independence, birth of the U.S., War of 1812, …

Edited by Brother Francis Mary, F.F.I. The many gifts Padre Pio had such as the stigmata, bilocation, miraculous scents, prophecy, reading hearts, healing, interpreting languages and many other charisms, rank him among the most extraordinary Saints in the two-thousand year history of the Church. Padre Pio—The Wonder Worker not only examines these gifts close up and from different perspectives, …

Probably written in 406-408, this dialogue between an unidentified bishop and Theodore, a deacon of the Church of Rome, has as its aim to point out Chrysostom as a model of what a true Christian bishop should be. 

Stephen K. Ray and R. Dennis Walters C tholics revere the pope as the head of their Church; but how much do we know about the papacy itself? This guide will lead you to a deep understanding of the Holy Father's office.  Here you'll find answers to common objections to the papacy, a discussion of historically prominent popes, and explanations of terms such as papal infallibility . Each …

The fascinating and highly relevant history of the turbulent relationship between the United States and the Holy See, recounted and analyzed by Italian journalist and Vatican insider Massimo Franco Drawing on unique access to the archives of the Holy See and a range of sources both in Washington, D.C. and Rome, Parallel Empires charts the path of U.S.-Vatican relations to reveal the dramatic …

This monumental classic collection studies the ancient Christian writers and their teachings about the early church.

By and large, we know little about St. Paul, yet he has had a greater impact on the development of Christianity than any other person except Christ himself. In this book, Stephen Tomkins gives us a lively and accessible introduction to Paul’s life. He paints a vivid picture of the world into which Paul was born – the Graeco-Roman culture and the Jewish religion and customs. He …

Longfellow's tribute to the famous revolutionary hero begins with a stirring cadence that American school children have committed to memory for over a century. Now illustrator Ted Rand brings these vivid and beautiful lines to life with rich, luminous paintings that are as dramatic as the poet's immortal message.

How tired Pauline looked! How thin and pale she seemed, leaning against her pillows as the coach rattled its way from France toward Italy. Everyone knew she did not have long to live. But Pauline was convinced that the little martyr Philomena would grant a cure at her shrine in Mugnano. When Pauline finally arrived at the shrine, the towns-folk quickly learned she was seeking a miracle. So …

    Limited availability.  Please call if you need this item right away.  Xenophon This historical account tells of Xenophon's march with the Ten Thousand against the Persians.

Philip II William Thomas Walsh Walsh's greatest book - about Europe's most powerful king. But more, it is a panorama of the entire 16th century. Covers the birth of Protestantism and the secret efforts to undermine Catholic unity, the Huguenot wars in France, the Sack of Rome, Great Siege, Battle of Lepanto, Spanish Armada, Council of Trent, etc. ; and, Henry VIII, Mary Tudor, Elizabeth I, St. …