If you are being drawn to the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, or simply want to know more about what the Church believes, here is a list of references I found helpful. The list is not exhaustive, but these are primary sources that will be indispensable to you. A list of secondary sources is located here, which may also prove helpful.
By the way, if you are a Catholic Christian, these primary documents should be familiar. They describe what we believe. In them, you will begin to see the immense richness of the Church—of Christianity Richly. If these works are not familiar, then I encourage you to have a look, as well.
Finally, although Christianity Richly normally links books and articles to Web sources, I have not done so for this list. Most of these items will be readily available at your local Catholic bookstore. Your Catholic bookstore needs your support. Even more than that, a good Catholic bookstore will also become a source of support and Christian community. Visit them and take advantage of their help.
- The Holy Bible. The New American Bible, School and Church Edition, Fireside Bible Publishers (Wichita, KS).
- The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition. USCCB Publishing (Washington, D.C.).
- Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the Hours. Catholic Book Publishing Corporation (New York, NY).
- Dei Verbum (“Word of God”). Documents of Vatican II.
- Lumen Gentium (“Light of the Nations”). Documents of Vatican II.
- Fides et Ratio (“Faith and Reason”). Encyclical, John Paul II.
If there is no Catholic bookstore in your area, or they cannot help you with one or more of the documents on this list, email me at the address shown under Welcome, at the bottom of the copyright notice. I would be happy to help you find the item or to describe any document listed here in more detail than this post allows.
I’d like the opportunity to provide URLs for many of these items.
The New American Bible:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM
Liturgy of the Hours:
http://www.universalis.com/today.htm
Dei Verbum (English)
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html
Lumen Gentium (English)
http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html
Fides et Ratio (English)
http://www.vatican.va/edocs/ENG0216/_INDEX.HTM