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
Newman’s lucid and meticulously pondered autobiographical defense of his conversion from Anglicanism to Roman Catholicism. Seeking to expose the corruption and errors of the Roman Church, Newman’s intellectual search for truth led back to the Holy See. Apologia Pro Vita Sua provides cogent testimony to the authenticity of the Roman Catholic Apostolic tradition. First published in 1864. Image links to Wilfrid Ward Oxford edition. ISBN recommendation: 0-14-043374-0
The life and acts of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits and towering Catholic spiritual leader during the outbreak of the Reformation. His autobiography was recorded by Fr. Louis Gonzalez, S.J., from the lips of the saint himself during the period of 1553-55. Image links to J. F. X. O’Conor, S.J., edition. ISBN recommendation: 0-14-043385-6
A near contemporary account of additional anecdotes regarding Charlemagne and his reign. Supplements Einhard’s chronicle. Image links to Grant translation. ISBN recommendation: 0140455051
Contemporary biography of Charlemagne (born 742, died 814), first emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, whose coronation signaled the end to Constantinople’s claim to dominion of Rome. Image links to Turner translation. ISBN recommendation: 0140455051
Near contemporary account of the life and miracles of Saint Benedict of Nursia (A.D. 480-547) by Pope St. Gregory the Great, Doctor of the Church. Image above links to the P. W., Gardner, & Saint Pachomius Orthodox Library translation. ISBN recommendation: 978-0-8132-1322-4
Autobiographical testimony of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland (born c. 387, died c. 460 – 493). Image links to Royal Irish Academy translation. ISBN recommendation: 0-8091-0254-7
Contemporary biography of the Emperor Constantine I (born c. 272, died 337), who consolidated the Roman Empire, brought an end to the era of Roman persecution of the Catholic Church, hosted the First Ecumenical Council, and became the first Christian Roman Emperor. Image links to Richardson translation. ISBN recommendation: 0-19-814924-7