This is Pope Benedict XVI's new encyclical, released in Rome on November 30, 2007. This edition, in book form, will be available in January, 2008. The encyclical is accessible and easy to read, theologically robust for the first three quarters of the letter and then concluding with a very deeply moving and profound message! A must read for every Catholic.

In response to the growing "Culture of Death," Pope John Paul II issued this encyclical which addresses theological and moral concerns regarding life issues such as abortion, euthenasia and contraception. The document is divided into the following sections: Introduction I. The Voice of Your Brother's Blood Cries Out to Me From the Ground - Present - Day Threats to Human Life II. I Came That …

The second encyclical from Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Benedict XVI’s second encyclical, Saved In Hope , (“Spe Salvi” in Latin) takes its title from St. Paul, who wrote, “In hope we have been saved”. In this special deluxe hardcover edition of the work, the Holy Father continues a line of thought he began with his first encyclical, God is Love . Love and Hope are …

In this age of doctrinal latitude and speculative innovation there is a pressing need for a comprehensive source book on authentic Catholic dogma that is magisterially anchored while at the same time both practical and non-voluminous. You have such a book in this English translation of Father Heinrich Denziger's Enchiridion Symbolorum et Definitionum. Since it was first published a century and …

This instruction contains the following: Methods and Approaches for Interpretation Hermeneutical Questions Characterstics of Catholic Interpretation Interpretation of the Bible in the Life of the Church

This encyclical letter of Pope John Paul II was written to address the theological and philosophical issues concerning moral theology. At the time, the pope was very concerned about some non-Catholic views that had found their way into Catholic schools and seminaries. The document is divided into the following sections: Introduction Jesus Christ, the true Light that enlightens everyone …

Following the 1987 Synod of Bishops on the topic of the lay faithful in the Church, Pope John Paul II issued this letter detailing the theological and aspects of the role of the laity in the Church as well as their formation and mission. This document is divided into the following sections: Introduction I. I Am the Vine and You are the Branches - The Dignity of the Lay Faithful in the Church …

A revised and improved translation of Pope Paul VI's encyclical letter, Humanae vitae .

Pontifical Council For The Family Because of the many problematic aspects of "sex education" in both secular and religious schools, the Pontifical Council for the Family issued this document which discusses the theology of sex, marriage and chastity and also sets guidelines and rights of parents in the education of their children. The document is divided into the following sections: …

  Encyclical Letter of John Paul II, Redemptoris mater Introduction by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger Commentary by Hans Urs von Balthasar Pope John Paul II's only encyclical on our Blessed Mother, with introduction by the Cardinal Prefect of the congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, and commentary by one of the world's leading Catholic theologians, Hans Urs von …

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, …

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 …

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

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 …

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

Pope John Paul II This encyclical is the latest study of the Pope on the theology and importance of the Eucharist. Topics include: The theology of the Eucharist The importance of the Eucharist in the life of the Church The relationship between the priesthood and the Eucharist The Eucharist as a point of unity - and separation - among Christians The importance of the liturgy and …

This timely document was written to lay out the theological nature of sexuality and the educational rights and responsibilities for the young concerning sex and sexuality. The book also includes the Charter of the Rights of the Family issued by the Holy See in 1983. The document is divided into the following sections: Introduction I. Some Fundamental Principles II. Responsibility in Putting …

This book brings together the writings of the popes on sacred music.  Many of these documents are almost totally unknown, some are found only in Latin, and a great number are inaccessible to the average musician.  They form a vast panorama of legislative thought.  Fragmentary references are found in the writings of such early popes as St. Damascus (375-384), St Celestine …

This document addresses the following: Meaning and Value of Old Age Older Person in the Bible Older People's Problems are the Problems of Us All The Church and Older People Guidelines for the Pastoral Care of Older People

This instruction covers the following: Liturgical formation of Clerics and Faithful Vernacular translation of liturgical texts The Rite of the Mass Other Sacraments and the Sacramentals Divine Office Proper Construction of Churches and Altars

This document discusses the final article of the baptismal Creed dealing with "life everlasting."

Pope John Paul II This broad-ranging document on the family is a guide for families and those who minister to them. It includes sections on the importance of the family, dangers faced by families, educational rights and responsibilities, pastoral care, morality and theology.

Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of His Holiness Pope John Paul II Reconciliation and Penance in the Mission of the Church Today "To speak of reconciliation and penance is for the men and women of our time an invitation to rediscover, translated into their own way of speaking, the very words with which our savior and teacher Jesus Christ began his preaching: 'Repent, and believe in the …

This document from Vatican II describes the duties and responsibilities of the laity in their mission within the Church. Sections Include: Introduction I: The Vocation Of The Laity To The Apostolate II: Objectives III: The Various Fields Of The Apostolate IV: The Various Forms Of The Apostolate V: External Relationships VI: Formation For The Apostolate Exhortation Footnotes

Pope John Paul II This letter contains the Pope's thoughts on the Rosary as well as his historic proclamation of the new Mysteries of Light which were added to the Rosary following the promulgation of this document. Topics include: The popes and the Rosary Reasons to pray the Rosary The theology of the Rosary How to pray the Rosary

Salvifici Doloris On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering Apostolic Letter of John Paul II

In 1997, eight different Vatican Congregations co-authored this document concerning problems with the bluring of the distinction between the lay faithful and the ordained priesthood, primarily in liturgical matters. Among other things addressed were the use of extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, the preaching of homilies and the proper minister for the sacraments. The document is divided …

In his second encyclical letter, Pope Benedict XVI shows us that although modern man has tried to place his hopes in science or politics, our real and only hope is in God, whose kingdom is present wherever he is loved and wherever his love reaches us. Through our prayers and sufferings, the pope says, Christians can learn to become hope-filled people.

The Pontifical Council for the Family This document is the result of an extensive study of the now-common practice of "de facto" unions that have been taking the place of marriage for a large number of people. The document contains sections on the effects of de facto unions on the family and society, the difference between marriage and de facto unions and how Christians should respond to …

This is the Encyclical Letter of His Holiness Pope Leo XIII on Freemasonry, April 20, 1884. It discusses the beliefs of Freemasons and how they affect the Church.

(en Espanol) Pope Benedict teaches that the Eucharist finds its source within the wellspring of love that is the Trinity, the love that is so abundantly expressed in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and in the new life of the Holy Spirit that flows into the hearts of those who participate in his sacrifice and receive him in Communion. The Holy Father also shows how the Eucharist is the …

In 1998 Pope John Paul II issued the following document which added penalties to the codes of canon law of both Eastern and Western churches concerning dissent from Catholic doctrine. The document also contains the profession of faith and oath of fidelity that all who hold a position in the Church based on Canon 833 n. 5-8 are supposed to take. The document is divided into the following …

This brief document from Vatican II addresses several issues concerning the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches including preservation of the Eastern traditions, relations with Orthodox churches and the celebration of sacraments in the Easter Rites. The document is divided into the following sections: Preamble The Individual Churches or Rites Preservation of the Spiritual Heritages of the Eastern …

This document from Vatican II explains the nature of the Church and Its members. Sections include: Introduction Chapter I: The Mystery of the Church Chapter II: On the People of God Chapter III: On the Hierarchical Structure of the Church and in Particular on the Episcopate Chapter IV: The Laity Chapter V: The Universal Call to Holiness in the Church Chapter VI: Religious Chapter VII: The …

Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship Following the letter of Pope John Paul II, Dominicae Cenae , on the Eucharist this document was issued to summarize and correct certain abuses in the liturgy. Some issues addressed include using unworthy vessels for the Body and Blood, using unapproved Eucharistic prayers, permitting the tabernacle to be on an altar and the proper use …

This letter contains the following: "Seventy is the sum of our years..." A complex century toward a future of hope The autumn of life The elderly in Sacred Scripture Guardians of shared memory "Honor your father and mother" "You show me the path of life...In your presence there is fullness of life An encouragement to live life to the full

Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments Fifth Instruction "For the Right Implementation of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council" This document provides the official guidelines for the translation of liturgical texts. Of great importance is the rejection of the equivalent language approach to translation that claims to preserve the …

This is the Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II on The Redeemer of Man. Chapters include: I.  Inheritance II.  The Mystery of the Redemption III.  Redeemed Man and His Situation in the Modern World IV.  The Church's Mission and Man's Destiny

A letter to the bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons and Non-Discrimination Against Homosexual Persons--Some Considerations Concerning the Response to Legislative Proposals

Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments Fourth Instruction for the Right Application of the Conciliar Constitution on the Liturgy This document addresses the idea of adaptation of the liturgy to a local culture. It explains when this should occur and to what extent adaptions may be made. The document is divided into the following sections: Introduction I. The …

Redemptionis Sacramentum Congregation For Divine Worship This document is the latest document from Rome meant to curb liturgical abuse as well as provide a system for the reporting and correction of such abuse. Sections include: Preamble Chapter I - The Regulation of the Sacred Liturgy 1. The Diocesan Bishop, High Priest of His Flock 2. The Conference of Bishops 3. Priests 4. Deacons Chapter …

The Popes Against Modern Errors In 1789, the French Revolution took place and launched a host of religious, political and social errors which the Popes for over 160 years afterwards wrote and legislated against. Yet most of these errors have spread and today have filtered down to the common man ... with the result that most people now take for granted many fundamental assumptions that are …

In 1998 Pope John Paul II issued this letter dealing with the authority of bishops' conferences. Among the issues discussed are the lack of binding authority of documents from conferences that aren't voted on by the entire conference. The letter is divided into the following sections: Introduction Collegial Union amon Bishops Episcopal Conferences Complimentary Norms Regarding the Conferences …

St. Malachy of Armagh (in Ireland), on a trip to Rome around 1140 A.D., wrote a prophetic title for every Pope from his own time to the End of Time. His prophecy for Leo XIII was "A light in the heavens." And truly he was, as these great Encyclicals more than prove shedding the light of the Faith on virtually all the major problems of the world that we still face. Though written …

Pope Paul VI This document contains official regulations concerning marriages between Catholics and non-Catholics as well as a discussion of problems and concerns arising from such arrangments. The booklet also contains a Statement on the Implementation of the Apostolic Letter on Mixed Marriages issued by the US Conference of Bishops in 1971.

Bull of Indiction of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, by Pope John Paul II, the Mystery of the Incarnation.  

John E. Fagan This volume summarizes 38 of the Pope’s major documents making his teachings more accessible to busy people, with an emphasis on aspects of most interest to the laity. Pope Benedict XVI has stressed the need to study the many documents issued by his predecessor. “All this is a rich patrimony that has not yet been assimilated by the Church. My personal mission is...to ensure that …

Quotes:  Pope Benedict teaches that the Eucharist finds its source within the wellspring of love that is the Trinity, the love that is so abundantly expressed in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and in the new life of the Holy Spirit that flows into the hearts of those who participate in his sacrifice and receive him in Communion. The Holy Father also shows how the Eucharist is the …

Aeterni Patris: Restoring Christian Philosophy. An exhortation by Pope St. Leo XIII on the reasons for Christian philosophy, primarily Thomism, and the problems that have resulted because of its neglect.

By the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People --a reflection on the functions of shrines "All Christians are invited to become part of the great pilgrimage that Christ, the Church and mankind have made and must continue to make in history. The shrine which is the goal of that pilgrimage is to become 'the Tent of Meeting,' as the Bible calls the …

This is the Encyclical Letter of Pope Paul VI on Paths Of The Church. Chapters include: Prologue: The Paths of the Church I.  Awareness II.  The Renewal III.  The Dialogue

Pope John Paul II issued this encyclical to reflect on the concerns of the working class 100 years after the first encyclical on this topic. Sections Include: Introduction I: Characteristics of Rerum Novarum II: Towards the "New Things" Of Today III: The Year 1989 IV: Private Property And The Universal Destination Of Material Goods V: State And Culture VI: Man Is The Way Of The Church Notes

This is the Encyclical Letter Of His Holiness Pope John XXIII on Peace on Earth. Sections include: I.  Order Between Men II.  Relations Between Individuals and the Public Authorities Within a Single State III.  Relations Between States IV.  Relationship of Men and of Political Communities with the World Com