Book and CD Review

Highly Recommended Books and CD's

The Holy Bible.
Which Bible Version?

The Holy Bible
DOUAY-RHEIMS
Loreto Publications
Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire 03447
Reprinted in 2004
http://www.LoretoPubs.org/
Originally Published by the Douay Bible House, New York, 1941
ISBN: 1-930278-24-1

The Latin Vulgate (LV) the work of Saint Jerome (390-405 A.D.), is a "word for word" translation into the common Latin (vulgar) of the original inspired text from Greek and Hebrew Scriptures. It has been in use for about 16 centuries and Pope Pius XII stated in his 1943 encyclical "On The Promotion of Biblical Studies", that it is free from doctrinal error in matters of faith and morals. Modem Bible versions often use a method know as "dynamic equivalence" or "thought for thought" translations.
The Douay-Rheims Version, translated faithfully into English, follows the tradition of the Vulgate, and is the official translation of the Catholic Church. The first edition was published in 1609-1610. The Douay-Rheims version had a large influence on the King James Version (KJV), originally published in 1611.

I highly recommend the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, Revised Standard Version (RSV), Second Catholic Edition with commentary by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch.
Paperback: 726 pages
Publisher: Ignatius Press; 2nd edition (June 1, 2010)
ISBN-10: 1586172506
ISBN-13: 978-1586172503

I also highly recommend reading the Navarre Bible (RSV) and commentaries. Since the Douay-Rheims is an accurate English translation of Saint Jerome's "word for word" Latin Vulgate Bible it is a good idea then to make a comparison of whatever Bible versions you use with the Douay-Rheims, Confraternity Edition.

I have been using the New Jersualem Bible for the past several years and have come to love it. The footnotes give deep insights into the text and add much to the enjoyment and understanding of reading the Bible.

I Highly Recommend The New Jerusalem Bible, published by Doubleday 1985, N.Y., N.Y., 10036.(Translated from the French original: Bible de Jerusalem, much credit to Alexander Jones)Library of Congress Cataloging-in-publication Data Bible. English. New Jerusalem Bible. 1990.ISBN 0-385-14264-1 (Regular Edition) ISBN 0-385-46961-6 (Deluxe Edition).

Use of all the above Catholic Study Bibles along with the Douay-Rheims Bible is highly recommended.

On the Gospel of Luke, Mission of the Messiah, by Tim Gray
Emmaus Road Publishing, 827 N. Fourth St., Steubenville, OH 43952. Tel: 1-800-398-5470
http://www.emmausroad.org

This book is an excellent example of how the Bible should be taught. Tim Gray keeps the excitement going throughout as he skillfully and accurately shows how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy in this 156 page book "Mission of the Messiah." Tim Gray clearly reveals (by Bible "types") the unity of the Old and New Testament and Gods plan for salvation. Tim makes our hearts burn within us as he opens up the scriptures in a clear, concise, and most enjoyable manner. Highly recommended.

Milestones Memoirs 1927-1977 by Joseph Ratzinger
Ignatius Press, San Francisco
(Title of the German Original: "Aus meinem Leben: Erinnerungen 1927-1977")
God Is Near Us, The Eucharist, The Heart Of Life by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
Ignatius Press, San Francisco

These are both deep books, very relevant to our individual salvation and to the transformation of society. Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger gives us exciting insights into scripture and the power of the Eucharist. The Cardinal shows us how God is so intimately and personally near to us in the Eucharist, and how the world could be transformed by its supernatural life giving power. If we want to reach a supernatural end (union with the Trinity), we need a supernatural means; the Eucharist is the mysterious real presence of Christ, the heart of the Church and the supernatural means towards union with the Trinity. Both of these short books show Catholics where and how to draw power to live their faith and transform the world. In Milestones Memoirs 1927-1977, the Cardinal gives us several good theological book references and tells how these books influenced his own spiritual formation. He also tells of his early life and its setting in the history of Nazi oppression. This is all very profound, excellent catechesis, from Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, the number two man in the Vatican. Read along with all his other excellent books; they all together reveal that this top theologian, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, is a very charitable and humble man of God.
Update! I have to give myself a pat on the back for this one as the above was written many months before he became Pope! It looks like many others recognized him also. I, along with many others, welcome him as our new Pope; and we pray for him! Highly Recommended.

This book is short, clear, and highly recommended.
Handbook for Today's Catholic
Fully indexed to the Catechism of the Catholic Church,
Revised Edition,
published by 2004 Liguori Publications,
One Liguori Drive,
Liguori, MO 63057-9999
Library of Congress Catalog Number: 2004107426
ISBN 0-7648-1220-3

The Culture War.

CULTURE WARRIOR
BILL O'REILLY
6 hours, 5 compact discs
Read by the author, an unabridged production
http://www.randomhouse.com/audio
ISBN 978-0-7393-5869-6

These two books below by Michael S. Rose are very important reading. Read them . . . read them and you will understand.

GOODBYE, GOOD MEN
How Liberals Brought Corruption
Into the Catholic Church
by Michael S. Rose
Regnery Publishing, Inc.
Washington DC
ISBN 0-89526-144-8

Ugly As Sin
Why They Changed Our Churches from Sacred Places to Meeting Spaces
and How We Can Change Them Back Again (Forthright Edition)
by Michael S. Rose
Publisher: Sophia Institute Press
ISBN-10: 1928832369
ISBN-13: 9781928832362