+ a text officially endorsed by the Catholic Church
Bibles for Adults
There are countless editions of the Bible in English available, from many publishers, which include various tools for study, prayerful mediations, reading guides, and the like. When looking for a Bible, be sure to check (1) the translation used (suggestions below), and (2) that it is a specifically Catholic edition of the Bible.
+New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
This is the English translation of the Bible published by the Catholic Bishops of the U.S., and which is heard at Mass throughout the country.
Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition (RSV-CE)
This is a popular, accurate English translation of the Bible that is highly regarded ecumenically.
Bibles for Children
The Catholic Children’s Bible, Saint Mary’s Press, © 2017
A complete Bible, in the simple Good News Translation, including resources helpful to older children and their parents.
The following suggestions each contain a selection of Bible stories, retold in a way children can more easily understand:
Read-Aloud Book of Bible Stories, Sophia Institute Press, © 2009 (ages 4 and up)
Catholic Bible Stories for Children, Our Sunday Visitor, © 2006 (grades Pre-K to 2)
Catholic Bible for Children, Catholic Book Publishing, © 2021(grades Pre-K to 3)
The Catholic Bible for Children, Magnificat/Ignatius Press, © 2011 (ages 7 and up)
The New Catholic Illustrated Bible, Saint Benedict Press, © 2021(grades 4 to 8)
Bibles for Youth
The Catholic Youth Bible (NABRE), St. Mary’s Press, © 2018
A complete Bible, in the familiar translation used at Mass, with tools to help teens understand and apply what they read.
YOUCAT Bible (RSV-CE), Ignatius Press, © 2017
A wide selection of texts from across the Bible, with introductory material and explanations for teens.
Catechisms for Adults
+Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.)
Promulgated in 1992, this is the first, comprehensive manual of Catholic doctrine to be officially issued by the Church since 1566; multiple editions by various publishers are available.
+Compendium: Catechism of the Catholic Church, Our Sunday Visitor, © 2006
An official synopsis of the truths of the Catholic faith contained in the complete Catechism of the Catholic Church, presented in the familiar question-and-answer format.
+United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (Revised ed.), Our Sunday Visitor, © 2006
An adaptation of the universal Catechism of the Catholic Church by the Bishops of the U.S., including examples drawn from American Catholic history.
Catholic Christianity: A Complete Catechism of Catholic Beliefs based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, P. Kreeft, Ignatius Press, © 2001.
All the major beliefs of Catholicism found in the full Catechism, presented in a briefer, readable style.
Always Have an Answer Ready: A Question-and-Answer Catechism to Help You Live Your Faith, Fr. J. Kirby, Pontifex University Press, © 2019.
100 questions and answers, representative of the real things Catholics want to know today.
Catechisms for Children
+YOUCAT for Kids, Ignatius Press, © 2019
An explanation of the Catholic faith in language suitable for children, following the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in question-and-answer format with illustrations and explanations (ages 8-12).
+The New Saint Joseph Baltimore Catechism (No. 1: grades 3-5, No. 2: grades 6-8), Catholic Book Publishing, © 1962
The final, revised edition of the classic American catechism first issued by the Bishops of the U.S. in 1885.
Saint Joseph Catechism for Young Catholics (No. 1: grades 1-2, No. 2: grades 3-5, No. 3: grades 6-8, No. 4: high school), Catholic Book Publishing, © 2022
Structured in question-and-answer format, his multivolume catechism attempts to do for the 1992 Catechism of the Catholic Church what the Baltimore Catechism did for the Roman Catechism of the 16th century.
My First Catechism: The Catholic Faith for Little Ones, C. Pedotti, Magnificat/ Ignatius Press, © 2011
A “board book” catechism for reading to toddlers.
My Little Catechism, Fr. G. de Menthière, Magnificat/Ignatius Press, © 2016
Centered on the Apostles Creed, for ages 7 and up.
My First Catechism, Fr. L. Lovasik, Catholic Book Publishing, © 1983
A very brief catechism, in question-and-answer format, for children grades 1 to 4.
Catechism for Youth
+YOUCAT: Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church, Ignatius Press, © 2011
Follows the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in question-and-answer format, written for high school students and young adults; a separate YOUCAT Study Guide is available, with a helpful lesson for every topic in the YOUCAT.
Knowing Your Faith: All Basic Catholic Beliefs, Fr. R. Fullan, Catholic Book Publishing, © 1985
A short catechism, in question-and-answer format, intended for high school students and older.
Books for Adults
Light from Light: A Theological Reflection on the Nicene Creed, Bishop R. Barron, Word on Fire Academic, © 2021
An exploration of the philosophical and theological depths of the Creed most familiar to Catholics from Sunday Mass.
The Catholic Faith: An Introduction to the Creeds, S. Ray & Deacon D. Walters, TAN Books, © 2020
A readable history and explanation of the foundational statements of the Christian faith.
Books for Children
Here I Am (separate editions for girls and boys), A. Favale, Word on Fire, © 2024
This simple, beautiful board book teaches young children, ages 2-6, to recognize the gift and wonder of how God made them; a helpful antidote to confusing contemporary messages about gender and identity.
Listening For God: Silence Practice for Little Ones, K. Warner, TAN Books, © 2021
By retelling the story of the prophet of Elijah, teaches children ages 2-8 how to listen for the voice of God.
I Believe in God: The Apostles’ Creed, Fr. L. Lovasik, Catholic Book Publishing, © 1980
The articles of the Creed, in simple language and with colorful pictures, for children grades 1 to 4.
Books for the Catholic Home
+Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers (revised and updated), U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, © 2020
The Prayer Book for Tired Parents: Practical Ways to Grow in Love of God and to Get Your Family to Heaven, D. & D. Cowden, EWTN Publishing, © 2022
The Little Oratory: A Beginner’s Guide to Praying in the Home, D. Clayton & L.M. Lawler, Sophia Institute Press, © 2014
The Catholic Home: Celebrations and Traditions for Holidays, Feast Days, and Every Day, M. Gould, Doubleday, © 2004
The Catholic All Year Compendium: Liturgical Living for Real Life, K. Tierney, Ignatius Press, © 2018.
The Catholic Catalogue: A Field Guide to the Daily Acts that Make Up a Catholic Life, M. Musick & A. Keating, Image, © 2016.
Cooking with the Saints, A. Greeley & F. Flores, Sophia Institute Press, © 2019
Dining with the Saints: The Sinner’s Guide to a Righteous Feast, Fr. L. Patalinghug & M. Foley, Regnery Publishing, © 2023
see also Drinking with the Saints: The Sinner’s Guide to a Holy Happy Hour (© 2015), and Drinking with Your Patron Saints: The Sinner’s Guide to Honoring Namesakes and Protectors (© 2020)
Online Media/Video
FORMED: https://formed.org
A Catholic streaming service with movies, e-books, audio, and study programs, including many things for children. To take advantage of our parish’s subscription, click "Sign Up," then "Sign Up as a Parishioner." enter Potsdam’s zip code (13676) and click on "ST MARY."
Symbalon: The Catholic Faith Explained [available on FORMED]
Newly revised in 2024, this 20-part video series features many of the best Catholic speakers of our day, providing the “big picture” of the faith; available in Spanish; see also Symbalon for Teens.
Catholicism: https://www.wofdigital.org/products/catholicism-series
This 10-part video series by Bishop Robert Barron is a stunningly beautiful and compelling visual catechism; must purchase for access.
Podcast
The Catechism in a Year
365 daily episodes, over the course of which Fr. Mike Schmitz reads and explains the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church; free; available on multiple podcast platforms; sign up and start any time.