The Church Documents category features books related to Papal encyclicals and decrees, documents from the Sacred Congregations of the Curia in Rome, documents from the bishops' conferences, documents from official church institutions like the Pontifical Biblical Institute, and all other groups or institutions who produce official publications on behalf of the Church.

Edited by John Willis, S.J. The Fathers of the Church have been a vital source of wisdom and inspiration for countless saints, popes, peasants, and converts throughout the history of the Church. In this powerful one-volume library, Father Willis presents more than 250 selected doctrinal topics in an exhaustive selection of writings from the major sources of the Fathers. He lets the Fathers …

Father Luigi Gambero, internationally-known expert on early Christianity, presents an intriguing and comprehensive survey of the development of Marian doctrine and devotion during the first eight Christian centuries.  Focusing on the lives and works of over thirty of the most famous Church Fathers and early Christian writers, Fr. Gambero has produced a clear and readable summary of the …

General Directory for Catechesis Congregation for the Clergy United States Conference of Catholic Bishops An essential companion of the Catechism of the Catholic Church , the General Directory for Catechesis provides religious educators, teachers, and catechists with a single point of reference for all aspects of catechetical instruction, for content and pedagogy, as well as for methodology. …

The First Encyclical by Pope Benedict XVI. Everyone needs love.  Everyone desires love.  But not everyone understands love.  In fact, love is probably the most misunderstood subject in history.  In his first encyclical, Pope Benedict sets out to help clarify the meaning of love.  He examines the nature of various kinds of love - human love and divine love, eros, …

National Directory for Catechesis United States Conference of Catholic Bishops After years of collaboration, study, and writing, the National Directory for Catechesis is expected to be released in the spring of 2005. A companion to the General Directory for Catechesis (GDC), it builds on some of the core themes of the GDC like catechesis’ relationship to evangelization and worship, and …

As an Evangelical Protestant, Stephen Ray realized that the real issue dividing Catholics and Protestants was authority. Everything else was secondary to the issue of authority. Protestants accept the authority of the Bible alone, whereas Catholics understand the authority to be residing in the Magisterium, the Scriptures and the Sacred Tradition. Ray goes through the Scriptures and writings …

Scott Hahn Mike Aquilina There are no "self-made" success stories in the spiritual life. No do-it-yourself kits for aspiring saints. That's why Living the Mysteries is ideal for a family member, friend, or fellow parishioner who recently received the sacraments of initiation - baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist. That's why it's perfect for a lifelong Catholic, too. The early …

Pontifical Council for the Family This practical document is meant for those preparing for marriage as well as those involved in preparing a couple for marriage. Sections include the importance of marriage preparation, the different stages of preparation from childhood within the family to the immediate preparation before the weddding and some comments about the actual marriage celebration.

This encyclical addresses the the notion that faith and reason are somehow incompatible and contrary in nature. Sections Include: Introduction I: The Revelation Of God's Wisdom II: Credo Ut Intellegam III: Intellego Ut Credam IV: The Relationship Between Faith And Reason V: The Magisterium's Interventions In Philosophical Matters VI: The Interaction Between Philosophy And Theology VII:Current …

As part of the Gratianus Series , Wilson and Lafleur and the Midwest Theological Forum are pleased to announce the co-publication of the newly revised Code of Canon Law Annotated . Since its original publication in 1993, this Second Edition of the sixth Spanish language edition offers more than 2,100 pages of legal texts and commentaries to each canon and provides a thorough, practical …

To Teach As Jesus Did A pastoral message on Catholic Education

Athanasius (c. 295-373), Bishop of Alexandria, spiritual master and theologian, was a major figure of 4th-century Christendom.  The Life of Antony is one of the foremost classics of asceticism.  The Letter to Marcellinus is an introduction to the spiritual sense of the Psalms.

This letter addresses the topic of spreading the faith in the modern world. Sections Include: Introduction I: From Christ The Evangelizer To The Evangelizing Church II: What Is Evangelization? III: The Content Of Evangelization IV: The Methods Of Evangelization V: The Beneficiaries Of Evangelization VI: The Workers For Evangelization VII: The Spirit Of Evangelization Conclusion Endnotes

A Pastoral Resource of the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy Pastoral Liturgy Series 1 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops An essential resource for “liturgical formation of the People of God,” Introduction to the Order of Mass offers a detailed guide to the celebration of Mass, from introductory to concluding rites. An accompaniment to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal , …

Pope Paul VI A prophetic encyclical on the dangers of birth control, the problems it causes in society and the possible moral uses of natural family planning. Pope Paul VI saw clearly the problems inherent in the rising culture of death.

This encyclical on the importance and issues concerning labor was issued on the 90th anniversary of the famous encyclical Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII. It contains the following sections: Introduction Human Work on the Nintieth Anniversary of Rerum Novarum In the Organic Development of the Church's Social Action and Teaching The Question of Work, the Key to the Social Question Work and Man …

This document from Vatican II addresses the reception of Divine Revelation and how it is passed through the Church. The document includes the following sections: Preface Chapter I: Revelation Itself Chapter II: Handing on Divine Revelation Chapter III: Sacred Scripture, It's Inspiration and Divine Interpretation Chapter IV: The Old Testament Chapter V: The New Testament Chapter VI: Sacred …

A source-book of theological and historical passages from the Christian writings of the Pre-Nicene and Nicene eras selected and translated by William A. Jurgens, H.E.D.       Volume 1: the Pre-Nicene and Nicene eras;        Volume 2: the Post-Nicene era through St. Jerome;       Volume 3: St. Augustine to the end …

This document includes the following: Jesus Christ, the Only Savior The Kingdom of God The Holy Spirit:  the Principal Agent of Mission The Vast Horizons of the Mission Ad Gentes The Paths of Mission Leaders and Workers in the Missionary Apostolate Cooperation in Missionary Activity Missionary Spirituality