Five Books for Catholics
Welcome to the Five Books for Catholics podcast, where experts explain their pick of five outstanding books on an aspect of Catholic life, doctrine, or culture. Visit the website at â www.fivebooksforcatholics.com
Episode 123: Predestination - Interview with Taylor Patrick O'Neill
The books discussed in this episode are:
The Predestination of the Saints and On the Gift of Final Perseverance by St. AugustineSumma theologiae I, q. 23 by St. Thomas AquinasOn Divine Foreknowledge: Part IV of Concordia by Luis de Molina SJPredestination by RĂ©ginald Garrigou-Lagrange OPEpisode 122: Catholic Teaching on the Right to Migrate - Interview with AntĂŽnio Lemos
The books discussed in this episode are:
On the American Indians by Francisco de Vitoria OPDeliberation on the Cause of the Poor by Domingo de Soto OPExsul Familia by Pius XIIErga migrantes caritas Christi by Pontifical Council For The Pastoral Care Of Migrants And Itinerant PeopleMigrants and Refugees: Witnesses to Hope by Pope Francis, editedEpisode 121: St. Anselm of Canterbury - Interview with Montague Brown
The books discussed in this episode are:
Monologion by St. AnselmProslogion by St. AnselmCur Deus homo (Why Did God Become Man?) by St. AnselmEpisode 120: The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
The books and resources discussed in this episode are:
Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration by Benedict XVILight on the Mountain: Greek Patristic and Byzantine Homilies on the Transfiguration of the Lord by Brian E. Daley SJThe Uncreated Light: An Iconographiocal Study of the Transfiguration In the Eastern Church by Solrunn NesLight and Glory: The Transfiguration of Christ in Early Franciscan and Dominican Theology by Aaron CantyEpisode 119: Early Christianity and Urban Evangelisation - Interview with Mike Aquilina
The books discussed in this episode are:
Armenia: Art, Religion, and Trade in the Middle Ages edited by Helen C. EvansCities of God: The Real Story of How Christianity Became an Urban Movement and Conquered Rome by Rodney StarkThe First Urban Christians by Wayne Meeks The Christians as the Romans Saw Them by Robert L. WilkenEpisode 118: St. Bonaventure - Interview with Randall Smith
The books discussed in this episode are:
The Journey of the Soul into God (Itinerarium mentis in Deum) by St. BonaventureMystical Opuscula by St. Bonaventure, translated by Jose de VinckSimply Bonaventure: An Introduction to His Life, Thought, and Writings by Ilia Delio OSFCrucified Love: Bonaventure's Mysticism of the Crucified ChrEpisode 117: The Short Stories of Enid Dinnis - Interview with Julia Meszaros
The book discussed in this episode is The Complete Short Stories: Volume 1 by Enid Dinnis.
Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made using the affiliate links to the books listed.
Read the interview at â www.fivebooksforcatholics.com/enid-dinnis/
For more interviews like this, visit â www.fivebooksforcatholics.comâ
â Sign up â to receive updates on the latest interview.
â Become a premium subscriberâ to listen to the full interview and have access to complete archive on the website.
If you have enjoyed this episode, please give the podca...
Episode 116: The Council of Trent - Interview with Nelson H. Minnich
The books discussed in this episode are:
History of the Council of Trent (vol. 1) (vol. 2) (German Edition) by Hubert JedinEpisode 115: Christian Maturity - Interview with Fr. John Gavin SJ
The books discussed in this episode are:
On the Apostolic Preaching by St. Irenaeus of LyonThe Mystery Hidden for Ages in God by Fr. Paul Quay SJInstructing Beginners in Faith by St. AugustineOn Perfection by St. Gregory of NyssaEpisode 114: Sacrifice of the Mass - Interview with Fr. Reginald Lynch OP
The books discussed in this episode are:
The Mass: The Presence of the Sacrifice of the Cross by Charles Journet Cajetan Responds: A Reader in Reformation Controversy by Jared Wicks SJAquinas on Transubstantiation: The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist by Reinhard HĂŒtterFrancisco de Vitoria: Political Writings translated and edited by Anthony PadgenEpisode 113: Trinity Sunday 2025
The works discussed in this episode are:
On the Holy Spirit by St. Basil the GreatVindicating the Filioque: The Church Fathers at the Council of Florence by Fr. Thomas Crean OPAscetic Pneumatology from John Cassian to Gregory the Great by Thomas L. Humphries Jr.On The Trinity (De Trinitate), Book 11 by St. AugustineEpisode 112 - The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement, Part Two - Interview with Alan Schreck
The books discussed in this episode are
Enthusiasm: A Chapter in the History of Religion by Mons. Ronald KnoxAn Invitation to the Spirit Filled Life: The Promise, the Power, Gifts, the Fruit by Charles WhiteheadA Key to Charismatic Renewal in the Catholic Church by Vincent WalshRiding the Wind: Learning the Ways of the Spirit and Still Riding the Wind: Learning thEpisode 111: St. Basil the Great - Interview with Stephen Hildebrand
The books discussed in this episode are:
On the Holy Spirit by St. BasilHomilies on the Six Days of Creation [Hexameron] by St. BasilOn Christian Ethics by St. BasilThe Long Rules by St. BasilEpisode 110: Muriel Spark - Interview with Chrisopher J. Scalia
The books discussed in this episode are:
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel SparkThe Girls of Slender Means by Muriel Spark'Loitering with Intent by Muriel SparkAll the Stories of Muriel Spark by Muriel SparkEpisode 109: Metaphysics - Interview with Michael Gorman
The books discussed in this episode are:
A Contemporary Introduction to Thomistic Metaphysics by Michael GormanThe One and the Many: A Contemporary Thomistic Metaphysics by Norris W. ClarkeScholastic Metaphysics: A Contemporary Introduction by Edward FeserAquinas on Being and Essence: A Translation and Interpretation (De ente et essentia) by Joseph BobikEpisode 108: A Tale of Two Leos: Leo XIV and Leo XIII
The books discussed in this episode are:
The Great Encyclicals: Volume One, The Social Letters by Leo XIII, compiled and with an introduction by Leo L. ClarkeThe Great Encyclicals: Volume Two, The Spiritual Letters by Leo XIII, compiled and with an introduction by Leo L. ClarkeThe Church Speaks to the Modern World: The Social Teachings of Leo XIII edited by Ătienne GilsonCatholic Social Teaching: A Volume of Scholarly Essays edited by Gerard V. Bradley and E. Christian BruggerOn the Dignity of Society:Episode 107: Alexander Schmemann - Interview with Andrew TJ Kaetheler
The books discussed in this episode are:
For the Life of the World: Sacraments and Orthodoxy by Fr. Alexander SchmemannO Death, Where Is Thy Sting? by Fr. Alexander SchmemannGreat Lent: Journey to Pascha by Fr. Alexander SchmemannEpisode 106: Pope Francis
The books discussed in this episode are:
Dilexit Nos: On the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ by Pope FrancisEvangelii Gaudium by Pope FrancisMisericordiae vultus and Misericordia et misera by Pope FrancisEpisode 105: Fifth Week of Lent 2025 - Duccio di Buoninsegna's Paintings of the Passion
The book recommended in this episode is:
Duccio di Buoninsegna by Cecilia Jannella
Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made using the affiliate links to the books listed.
Read the article at â www.fivebooksforcatholics.com/duccio-of-buoninsegnas-paintings-of-the-passion/
For more interviews like this, visit â www.fivebooksforcatholics.comâ
â Sign up â to receive updates on the latest interview.
â Become a premium subscriberâ to listen to the full interview and have access to complete archive on the website.
If you have enjoyed this episode, please give the podca...
Episode 104: Fourth Week of Lent - Lenten Music by Palestrina
This week's recommendation is  Palestrina 6 performed by the The Sixteen.
Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made using the affiliate links to the books listed.
Read the interview at â www.fivebooksforcatholics.com/lenten-music-by-palestrina/
For more interviews like this, visit â www.fivebooksforcatholics.comâ
â Sign up â to receive updates on the latest interview.
â Become a premium subscriberâ to listen to the full interview and have access to complete archive on the website.
If you have enjoyed this episode, please give the podcast a top rating.
...
Episode 103: Third Week of Lent 2025 - Alexander Schmemann's Great Lent
The book discussed in this episode is Great Lent: Journey to Pascha by Alexander Schmemann.
Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made using the affiliate links to the books listed.
Read the interview at â www.fivebooksforcatholics.com/alexander-schmemanns-great-lent/
For more interviews like this, visit â www.fivebooksforcatholics.comâ
â Sign up â to receive updates on the latest interview.
â Become a premium subscriberâ to listen to the full interview and have access to complete archive on the website.
If you have enjoyed this episode, please give the podca...
Episode 102: Second Week of Lent 2025 - T.S. Eliot's Ash-Wednesday
The book discussed in this episode is: Â Ash-Wednesday by T.S. Eliot.
Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made using the affiliate links to the books listed.
Read the interview at â www.fivebooksforcatholics.com/t-s-eliots-ash-wednesday/
For more interviews like this, visit â www.fivebooksforcatholics.comâ
â Sign up â to receive updates on the latest interview.
â Become a premium subscriberâ to listen to the full interview and have access to complete archive on the website.
If you have enjoyed this episode, please give the podcast a top rating. <...
Episode 101: First Week of Lent 2025 - St. Bernard's Sermons for Lent
The book discussed in this episode is: Sermons for Lent and the Easter Season by St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made using the affiliate links to the books listed.
Read the interview at â www.fivebooksforcatholics.com/lent-st-bernard/
For more interviews like this, visit â www.fivebooksforcatholics.comâ
â Sign up â to receive updates on the latest interview.
â Become a premium subscriberâ to listen to the full interview and have access to complete archive on the website.
If you have enjoyed this e...
Episode 100: St. John Cassian - Interview with Thomas Humphries
The books recommended in this episode are:
The Institutes by St. John CassianThe Conferences by St. John CassianOn the Incarnation of Christ: Against the Heretic Nestorius by St. John CassianCassian the MonEpisode 99: Learning Latin - Interview with Charles G. Kim
The books discussed in this episode are:
Biblia Sacra VulgataDe imitatione Christi (The Imitation of Christ) by Thomas à KempisCollationes in orationem dominicam (Sermon-Conferences on the Our Father) by St. Thomas AquinasSermones de tempore (Sermons for the Liturgical Year) by St. AugustineEpitome Historiae Sacrae by Fr. Charles François Lhommond...and for a Latin textook....Episode 98: Creation and Evolution - Interview with Matthew Ramage
The books discussed in this episode are:
Faith, Science, and Reason: Theology on the Cutting Edge by Christopher T. BaglowThomistic Evolution: A Catholic Approach to Understanding Evolution in the Light of Faith by Nicanor Pier Giorgio OP et al.Creation through Evolution: New Perspectives from Thomistic Philosophy and Theology edited by Nicanor Pier Giorgio OPTheistic Evolution: A Contemporary Aristotelian-Thomistic Perspective by Mariusz Tabaczek OPEpisode 97: The Order of Love
The books discussed in this episode are:
The Song of Songs, Commentary and Homilies by Origen of AlexandriaOn Christian Teaching (De doctrina christiana) by St. AugustineQuestions on Love and Charity: Summa Theologiae, Secunda Secundae, Questions 23â46 by St. Thomas Aquinas, edited by Robert MinerEpisode 96: Learning Ancient Greek - Interview with Michael Boler
The books recommended in this episode are:
Introduction to Classical and New Testament Greek: A Unified Approach by Michael BolerA Reader's Greek New Testament: Third Edition by Richard J. Goodrich and Albert L. LukaszewskiA Patristic Greek Reader by Rodney A. WhitacreA Student Handbook of Greek and English Grammar by Robert Mondi and Peter L. CorriganEpisode 95: Theology of Religions - Interview with Fr. Sameer Advani LC
The books discussed in this episode are:
Lumen gentium and Nostra aetate by Second Vatican CouncilDominus Iesus, Declaration on the Unicity and Salvific Universality of Jesus Christ and the Church by Congregation for the Doctrine of the FaithSalvation Outside the Church: Tracing the HistEpisode 94: Pelagianism - Interview with Andrew Chronister
The books discussed in this episode are:
Answer to the Pelagians I by St. AugustineThe Pelagian Controversy: An Introduction to the Enemies of Grace and the Conspiracy of Lost Souls by Stuart SquiresReligion and Society in the Age of Saint Augustine by Peter BrownThe Heart of Perfection: How the Saints Taught Me to Trade My Dream of Perfect for God's by Colleen Carroll CampbellEpisode 93: RĂ©ginald Garrigou-Lagrange OP - Interview with Matthew Minerd
The books discussed in this episode are:
Knowing the Love of God by RĂ©ginald Garrigou-Lagrange OPThree Conversions in the Spiritual Life by RĂ©ginald Garrigou-Lagrange OPProvidence: God's Loving Care for Men and the Need for Confidence in Almighty God by RĂ©ginald Garrigou-Lagrange OPOn Divine Revelation: The Teaching of the Catholic Faith (Episode 92: Chinese Catholicism - Interview with Joshua R. Brown
The books discussed in this episode are:
The True Meaning of the Lord of Heaven by Matteo Ricci SJYang Tingyun, Confucian and Christian in Late Ming China: His Life and Thought by Nicholas StandaertWays of Confucius and of Christ: From Prime Minister of China to Benedictine Monk by Dom Pierre-CĂ©lestin LuBeyond East and West by John C.H. WuEpisode 91: Sacramental Theology - Interview with Fr. Uwe Michael Lang
The books discussed in this episode are:
The Sacramental Mystery by Fr. Paul HaffnerTouched by Christ: The Sacramental Economy by Lawrence FeingoldGeneral Principles of Sacramental Theology by Roger NuttIntroduction to Sacramental Theology: Signs of Christ in the Flesh by Fr. José GranadosEpisode 90: Fourth Week of Advent, 2024 - T.S. Eliot's Ariel Poems
The recommended book in this episode is Ariel Poems by T.S. Eliot.
Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made using the affiliate links to the books listed.
Read the interview at â www.fivebooksforcatholics.com/fourth-week-of-advent-2024-t-s-eliots-ariel-poems/
For more interviews like this, visit â www.fivebooksforcatholics.comâ
â Sign up â to receive updates on the latest interview.
â Become a premium subscriberâ to listen to the full interview and have access to complete archive on the website.
If you have enjoyed this episode, please give the podcast a...
Episode 89: Third Week of Advent (2024) - Saint-Saens's Christmas Oratorio
This week recommendation is a CD: the Christmas Oratorio of Camille Saint-Saens (1835-1921).
Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made using the affiliate links to the books listed.
Read the article at www.fivebooksforcatholics.com/third-week-of-advent-2024/
For more interviews like this, visit â www.fivebooksforcatholics.comâ
â Sign up â to receive updates on the latest interview.
â Become a premium subscriberâ to listen to the full interview and have access to complete archive on the website.
If you have enjoyed this episode, please give the podcast a to...
Episode 88: The Second Week of Advent, 2024
The book discussed in this episode is: The Nativity: Themes in Art by Jeremy Wood.
Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made using the affiliate links to the books listed.
Read the interview at â www.fivebooksforcatholics.com/second-week-of-advent-2024/
For more interviews like this, visit â www.fivebooksforcatholics.comâ
â Sign up â to receive updates on the latest interview.
â Become a premium subscriberâ to listen to the full interview and have access to complete archive on the website.
If you have enjoyed this episode, please give the podca...
Episode 87: First Week of Advent 2024 - St Bernard of Clairvaux's Sermons for Advent and the Christmas Season
The book discussed in this episode is:
Sermons for Advent and the Christmas Season by St. Bernard of ClairvauxÂ
Five Books for Catholics may receive a commission from qualifying purchases made using the affiliate links to the books listed.
Read the interview at www.fivebooksforcatholics.comfirst-week-of-advent-2024/
For more interviews like this, visit â www.fivebooksforcatholics.comâ
â Sign up â to receive updates on the latest interview.
â Become a premium subscriberâ to listen to the full interview and have access to complete archive on the website.
If you have enjoyed...
Episode 86: Aurel Kolnai - Interview with Graham McAleer
The books discussed in this episode are:
On Disgust by Aurel KolnaiThe War Against the West by Aurel KolnaiPrivilege and Liberty and Other Essays in Political Philosophy by Aurel KolnaiEthics, Value, and Reality by Aurel KolnaiThe Utopian Mind and Other Papers: A Critical Study in Moral and Political PhilosophyEpisode 85: The Symphonies of Anton Bruckner
The recordings recommended in this episode are:
Complete Symphonies Rundfunk-Symponieorchester SaarbrĂŒcken, conducted by StanisĆaw SkrowaczewskiSymphony No. 4 Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gunther WandSymphony No. 7 Vienne Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Karl BöhmSymphoEpisode 84: The Confessions of St. Augustine - Interview with Jared Ortiz
The books discussed in this episode are:
Confessions translated with introduction and notes by Thomas WilliamsThe Conversion of Augustine by Romano GuardiniAugustine: Conversion to Confessions by Robin Lane FoxA Reader's Companion to Augustine's Confessions edited by Kim Paffenroth and Robert Peter Kennedy
