Free guides from our family bookstore
Articles on prayer, the sacraments, Our Lady and the saints, Sacred Scripture and the teachings of the Church, for families, students, converts and all who wish to know the Catholic Faith more deeply.
Prayer & Devotions
How to pray the Rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Stations of the Cross and the Church’s great devotions.
Common PrayersThe Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Apostles' Creed and other everyday Catholic prayers, all in one place.How to Pray the RosaryA step-by-step guide to praying the Rosary, from the Sign of the Cross to the Hail Holy Queen.Rosary: A Quick GuideA one-page Rosary guide: which mysteries to pray on each day of the week and the prayers for every bead.The Mysteries of the RosaryThe Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary, with the Scripture behind each one.Divine MercyThe story of St. Faustina, the Divine Mercy image and how to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.Devotion to the Sacred HeartHow devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus began with St. Margaret Mary, and the twelve promises.Fatima and First Saturdays DevotionOur Lady's requests at Fatima and how to make the Five First Saturdays devotion.The Stations of the CrossThe fourteen Stations of the Cross, their history and how to pray them, especially during Lent.The Seven Sorrows of MaryThe Seven Sorrows of Mary, from Simeon's prophecy to the burial of Jesus, and how to pray the devotion.The ScapularWhat the Brown Scapular is, where it comes from and what wearing it means for Catholics.
The Sacraments
Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Confession, Marriage and the other sacraments, explained.
Baptism and ConfirmationWhat happens in Baptism and Confirmation, why they matter and how to prepare for them.Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation GiftsGift ideas and meaning for Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation, the sacraments of initiation.First CommunionWhat First Holy Communion means and how families can prepare a child for the day.How to Choose a Confirmation SaintHow to pick a Confirmation saint: practical tips and saints to consider for teens and adults.Confirmation Saint Names of the ReligiousA list of popular Confirmation saint names for boys and girls, with what each saint is patron of.Confirmation Sacrament HistoryThe history of the Sacrament of Confirmation from the early Church to today.The EucharistCatholic teaching on the Eucharist, the Real Presence of Jesus, and why it is the source and summit of our faith.MassThe parts of the Mass explained, from the Introductory Rites to the Dismissal.ConfessionWhy Catholics go to Confession and how to make a good confession, step by step.ReconciliationThe Sacrament of Reconciliation: what it is, where it comes from and the grace it gives.Anointing of the SickThe Anointing of the Sick: who can receive it, when, and what the sacrament does.MarriageThe Catholic understanding of marriage as a sacrament and a lifelong covenant.AnnulmentsWhat a Catholic annulment is, what it is not, and how the process works.VocationsDiscerning a call to the priesthood, religious life or marriage, and how to listen for God's will.
Mary, the Saints & the Angels
Marian apparitions and doctrine, the communion of saints, patron saints and the holy angels.
Marian ApparitionsThe major approved apparitions of Our Lady, including Guadalupe, Lourdes and Fatima.Marian DoctrineMary's role in God's plan, her example of faith and why Catholics honor her as the greatest intercessor.Mary Mother of God: The Different Images of MaryWhy Catholics call Mary the Mother of God, and the many titles and images of Our Lady.The SaintsWho the saints are, how the Church canonizes them and why Catholics ask for their prayers.The Communion of SaintsWhat the Communion of Saints means: the bond between the Church on earth, in purgatory and in heaven.Saint BiographiesShort biographies of well-loved saints and where to read more about their lives.Catholic American SaintsSaints and blesseds who lived in America, from St. Elizabeth Ann Seton to St. Kateri Tekakwitha.Saint Christopher: Saint or LegendWas St. Christopher removed from the calendar? The facts behind the patron saint of travelers.AngelsWhat the Church teaches about the holy angels, the archangels and our guardian angels.About The AngelsMore on the angels: the nine choirs, St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael and devotion to the angels.Statue WorshipDo Catholics worship statues? A clear answer on images, honor and worship.
Faith & Doctrine
What Catholics believe and why: apologetics, the Trinity, grace, sin and the moral life.
ApologeticsAnswers to common questions about Catholic beliefs, such as why Catholics honor Mary.JustificationHow Catholics understand justification, faith and works, and where Catholics and Protestants differ.Sola ScripturaIs the Bible the only authority? A Catholic look at sola scriptura, Scripture and Tradition.PurgatoryWhat purgatory is, why Catholics believe in it and how we pray for the souls there.The Holy SpiritWho the Holy Spirit is, the third Person of the Trinity, and how He works in our lives.The Holy TrinityThe mystery of the Holy Trinity, one God in three Persons, explained simply.Gifts of the Holy SpiritThe seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, from wisdom to fear of the Lord, and what each one means.Fruits of the Holy SpiritThe twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit and how they show in a Christian life.The Immortal SoulWhat the Church teaches about the human soul, its immortality and our final destiny.SinWhat sin is, the difference between mortal and venial sin, and the path to forgiveness.Seven Deadly Sins and Corresponding VirtuesThe seven deadly sins and the virtues that overcome each one.Works of mercyThe seven corporal and seven spiritual works of mercy, with ways to live them today.Precepts of the ChurchThe precepts of the Church: the basic duties every Catholic is asked to keep.The Four Marks of the ChurchOne, holy, catholic and apostolic: the four marks of the Church explained.AbortionCatholic teaching on the dignity of human life from conception and the Church's response to abortion.HomosexualityWhat the Catholic Church teaches about homosexuality, same-sex marriage and the dignity of every person.
The Bible
How Catholics read Scripture, the different Bible translations and how to choose one.
The BibleHow the Bible came to be, the books of the Catholic canon and how the Church reads Scripture.How to Read the BiblePractical tips for reading the Bible as a Catholic, and where to start.Types of BiblesCatholic Bible translations compared, including the NABRE, RSV-2CE and Douay-Rheims.Portable, Pocket-Sized, and Small Catholic ItemsPocket-sized and travel Bibles, prayer books and devotionals that go anywhere.Bible Study SuppliesBible study helps for Catholics: commentaries, guides and study tools.
The Church & the Liturgy
Church history, the papacy, the liturgical year, feast days, vestments and sacred objects.
The Church: A Brief HistoryWhy the Catholic Church holds it is the one Church Christ founded, from Scripture and history.Great Moments in Church HistoryKey moments in Church history, from the early councils to the modern popes.The PapacyThe papacy explained: St. Peter, apostolic succession and the role of the pope.The PopeWho the pope is, how he is chosen and what papal infallibility does and does not mean.Advent and Christmas Gift GuidePreparing for Advent and Christmas: Advent wreaths, Nativity sets, Christmas books for children and gifts of lasting faith.Liturgical SeasonsThe seasons of the Church year, Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time, and their colors.Liturgical VestmentsThe vestments a priest wears at Mass, what each one is called and what it symbolizes.Liturgical ObjectsThe objects used in Catholic worship, from the altar and tabernacle to candles and holy water.Sacred VesselsThe sacred vessels of the Mass: chalice, paten, ciborium, monstrance and more.Types of Feast DaysSolemnities, feasts and memorials: how the Church ranks her feast days.Holy Days of ObligationThe Holy Days of Obligation, what each feast celebrates and the Scripture behind it.Catholic SymbolsThe meaning of Catholic symbols such as the Chi-Rho, the fish, the lamb, the dove and the IHS.Cross TypesTypes of crosses and crucifixes, from the Latin cross to the San Damiano and Celtic cross.Da Vinci Last SupperThe story and meaning behind Leonardo da Vinci's painting of the Last Supper.
Quizzes, Lists & Interviews
Test your knowledge, browse our reading lists and hear from Catholic authors.
Catholic List of ListsA collection of Catholic lists: the sacraments, virtues, commandments, beatitudes and more.Fun Catholic QuizTest your knowledge of the Catholic faith with this fun quiz.Catholic Quiz AnswersAnswers to our Fun Catholic Quiz, with short explanations.Catholic Recommended ReadingOur family's recommended Catholic reading for every stage of the spiritual life.Interview with Amy WelbornOur interview with Catholic author Amy Welborn about faith, family and writing.Interview With Dave ArmstrongOur interview with Catholic apologist Dave Armstrong about explaining and defending the faith.Interview with Mike AquilinaOur interview with Mike Aquilina about the early Church Fathers.