Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for your Catholic friends and family, but not sure where to start? In today’s Basilica Book Club post, we’re here to help! Whether you’re shopping for your mom or dad, a niece or nephew who’s just learned to read, or the unapologetically hipster friend, there’s a book for every Catholic on your Christmas shopping list. Explore books on counter-cultural living, cooking, manhood, and more below!
For the classy gent: The Catholic Gentleman
Amidst today’s rampant cultural confusion about the meaning of masculinity and femininity, The Catholic Gentleman provides a practical guide to virtuous manhood. It turns to the timeless wisdom of the Catholic Church to answer the important questions men are currently asking. In short, easy-to-read chapters, Sam Guzman offers pithy insights on a variety of topics, including:
- The value of tradition
- The purpose of courtesy
- What real holiness is and how to achieve it
- How to deal with failure in your spiritual life
For the hipster: The Catholic Hipster Handbook
Amidst our self-centered world, being a Catholic hipster is all about a countercultural attitude that prioritizes the community of believers over the self. It’s about yearning to learn more about the faith by seeking out the obscure practices and histories that comprise the new “Catholic cool.”
Though the concept of the Catholic Hipster first started in 2014 with the “Catholic Hipster of the Year” contest on Tommy Tighe’s blog, the movement really took off on Twitter, where a group of funky countercultural Catholics gathered to swap one-liners, hilarious hipster memes, and all things authentically Catholic. In this book, join The Catholic Hipster podcaster Tommy Tighe as he helps you rediscover everything awesome about the Catholic faith. Together, with a group of hipster friends – including Sarah Vabulas, Anna Mitchell, Fr. Kyle Schnippel, and Lisa M. Hendey, he shares a love for extraordinary saints, prayers, and reflections, and dares readers to put their faith into action with practices for their own lives.
For the scholar: Five Proofs of the Existence of God
This book by Edward Feser provides a detailed, updated exposition and defense of five of the historically most important philosophical proofs of God’s existence: the Aristotelian, the Neo-Platonic, the Augustinian, the Thomistic, and the Rationalist. It also offers a thorough treatment of each of the key divine attributes: unity, simplicity, eternity, omnipotence, omniscience, perfect goodness, and so forth, showing that they must be possessed by the God whose existence is demonstrated by the proofs. Finally, it answers at length all of the objections that have been leveled against these proofs.
This work provides one of the most ambitious and complete defenses of traditional natural theology currently in print. Its aim is to vindicate the view of the greatest philosophers of the past – thinkers like Aristotle, Plotinus, Augustine, Aquinas, Leibniz, and many others – that the existence of God can be established with certainty by way of purely rational arguments. It thereby serves as a refutation both of atheism and of the fideism that gives aid and comfort to atheism.
For the history buff: A Concise History of the Catholic Church
Covering the life of Christ, the election of Pope Benedict XVI, and everything in between, A Concise History of the Catholic Church has been one of the bestselling religious histories of the past two decades and a mainstay for those looking for a definitive, accessible history of Catholicism.
With a clarity that will appeal to any reader, Thomas Bokenkotter divides his study into five parts that correspond to the major historical and epochal developments in Catholicism. His authoritative, thorough approach takes readers from the Church’s triumph over paganism, through “the sound and fury of renewal,” to a new section devoted to discussing dissent and current developments in the ecumenical movement. This edition features new informative illustrations, as well as a wide-ranging bibliography which makes it an invaluable sourcebook.
For the woman in your life: Centering Prayers for Women
Amidst the busyness and noise of modern life, Centering Prayers for Women provides a moment of deep quiet, inviting you to draw closer to the love of God. This collection of 365 daily prayers for moments of silence and meditation is now available in a beautiful new edition made especially for women. Structured by the natural seasons of the year, this book offers simple daily devotions ideal for centering your heart at the beginning or end of the day. Whether you’re seeking a personal retreat or communal prayer, Centering Prayers for Women is an invaluable resource.
For the gourmet: The Vatican Cookbook
For over 500 years, the members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard have served as the elite protectors of the popes – now they’re unveiling the secrets of the finest modern Roman cuisine. Featuring a unique collection of exceptional recipes and classics served at Vatican tables for centuries, The Vatican Cookbook covers everything from the simple to the sublime, from everyday staples to holiday feasts. Best of all, it pays tribute to Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Saint John Paul II with their favorite dishes from their homelands of Argentina, Bavaria, and Poland.
You can also enjoy legends handed down by Swiss Guards since the days of Michelangelo and superb photographs giving a look behind the scenes to Vatican City’s hidden gems. For all who love to cook and for all who are fascinated by the wonders and grandeur of the Vatican, the Pontifical Swiss Guard is pleased to present The Vatican Cookbook.
For the art lover: The Story of Our Salvation in Art
Take a biblical journey through salvation history with 40 artistic masterpieces from greats such as Raphael, Caravaggio, Titian, Rubens, Murillo, Rembrandt, and others. This eclectic collection spans artistic trends across the ages, presenting high-quality renderings of paintings, sculptures, and tapestries showcasing various techniques. Together, the Mouquin sisters provide spiritual and artistic commentaries to reveal the great things the Mighty has done for us (cf. Lk 1:49).
For the niece or nephew: The Little Golden Bible Storybook
Introduce your children to the greatest stories of the Bible with The Little Golden Bible Storybook. The simple retellings and bright illustrations make sharing the Good News a warm and enriching experience for you and your children. Part of the enduringly popular Golden Books series, this padded board book will delight children ages 2-4.
*Book descriptions adapted from their respective publishers.
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