Pope Francis’ post-synodal apostolic exhortation, dated 24 November 2013, on proclaiming & making present, in today’s world, Christ. Image links to Vatican translation.
Pope Francis: Evangeli Gaudium
Reply
Heinrich Denzinger, Peter Hünermann, Robert Fastiggi, et al.: Compendium of Creeds, Definitions, and Declarations on Matters of Faith and Morals (Enchiridion symbolorum…)
The standard reference for Catholic dogmatic theology. The Enchiridion symbolorum reveals the historical development of Church doctrine through chronological arrangement of key passages from principal magisterial source documents. Image links to free 1954 edition, which employs the pre -1963 marginal numbering system. ISBN recommendation: 0898707463
Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI: Jesus of Nazareth
Pope Benedict XVI’s three volume scholarly portrait of the historical Jesus gathered from Scripture, Tradition, and insight. ISBN recommendations: 1586171984, 1586175009, 0385346409
Papal Encyclicals
Papal letters to the Universal Church or, in many cases, especially before Vatican II, to the Bishops in communion with the Holy See. Worthy of special attention besides Rerum Novarum (see previous post) are Quadragesimo Anno, Mater et Magistra, Pacem in Terris, Populorum Progressio, Laborum Exercens, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, Centesimus Annus, Caritas in Veritate, Fides et Ratio, and Spe Salvi. As of this post, the Vatican has online the encyclicals of Leo XIII, Pius X, Benedict XV, Pius XI, Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. ISBN recommendation: 0-87650-259-1
Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments: General Instruction of the Roman Missal (Third Typical Edition)
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (Third Typical Edition) provides specific detail about each element of the Order of Mass celebrated in accordance with the Roman Missal, Third Edition (implemented 27 November 2011). Image links to Vatican translation.
Pope Benedict XVI: Verbum Domini
Pope Benedict XVI’s post-synodal apostolic exhortation, dated 30 September 2010, on the Word of GOD in the life and mission of the Church. Image links to Vatican translation.
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger: Truth and Tolerance, Christian Belief and World Religions
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” By maintaining the truth of Christ’s claim does the Catholic Church exhibit intolerance and religious arrogance? Cardinal Ratzinger responds to public scorn of the document Dominus Iesus and reflects on the Christian claim to Truth, the tolerance of Love, and the maintenance of peace. First published in 2004. ISBN recommendation: 1-58617-035-X.
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: Dominus Iesus
Jesus proclaims: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Cardinal Ratzinger, as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, asserts the truth of Christ’s statement in this conservative declaration, published 16 June 2000, “on the unicity and salvific universality of Jesus Christ and the Church”. Image links to Vatican translation.
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger: The Spirit of the Liturgy
In The Spirit of The Liturgy, Cardinal Ratzinger endeavors to foster understanding and appreciation of “the liturgy in all its beauty, hidden wealth, and time-transcending grandeur, to see it as the animating center of the Church, the very center of Christian life.” Originally published in the year 2000. ISBN recommendation:0-89870-784-6
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Promulgated by Pope John Paul II 15 August 1997, the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a “compendium of all Catholic doctrine regarding both faith and morals”. It provides an updated and systematic presention of “the teaching of Sacred Scripture, the living Tradition in the Church and the authentic Magisterium, as well as the spiritual heritage of the Fathers, Doctors and saints of the Church”. Image links to Vatican translation. ISBN recommendation: 0385508190