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
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
Pope John Paul II’s address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences’ Plenary Session on
‘The Origins and Early Evolution of Life’: “How do the conclusions reached by the various scientific disciplines coincide with those contained in the message of Revelation? And if, at first sight, there are apparent contradictions, in what direction do we look for their solution? We know, in fact, that truth cannot contradict truth…” Image links to Pontifical Academy of Sciences translation. See also Appendix I, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger: In the Beginning…, for a contemporary meditation on the Genesis creation accounts.
Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, dated 30 December 1988, on the vocation and mission of the laity in the Church and in the world. Image links to Vatican translation.
The official daily prayers of the Roman Catholic Church. The current form, revised after Vatican II, was published and released 11 April 1971 with the approval of Pope Paul VI. Image links to free Liturgy of the Hours website. ISBN recommendation: 0899424090
A joint Catholic-Orthodox declaration, proclaimed 7 December 1965, committing the excommunications, related to Papal embassy to Constantinople in 1054, to oblivion. The declaration marks a first step toward reconciliation between the Catholic and Orthodox communions. Image links to Vatican translation.
Considered by the Holy See an ecumenical council, Vatican II (A.D. 1962-65), was summoned by Pope John XXIII and begins a new phase in the development of the Church. The Council sought to initiate the adaptation of the Church to the modern world – presenting Christ as the relevant Truth even in the present age. Image above links to the Vatican translations of the Council decrees. ISBN recommendation: 0-87840-490-2
A 2,932 page collection of 2,565 scholarly, informative, and edifying Catholic hagiographical vitae arranged according to date of feast day. A 1956 enlargement, revision, and update of Rev. Alban Butler’s The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints, Compiled from Original Monuments and Authentic Records. Image links to online version. ISBN recommendation: 0-87061-1372