As Christians, we are called to evangelization and service of others. Through this page, Cottage of Christian Curios hopes to share meaningful, often life-changing, resources which inspire and deepen faith. Each resource has been thoughtfully selected for its impact and its ability to guide individuals toward a stronger understanding of the Catholic faith, its teachings and traditions, and the early Church. Here, you will find a curated collection of trusted websites, along with a list of books we value and are grateful to recommend.
~ Recommended Websites ~
♱ TOP PICK: Word on Fire – Link Here
This Catholic organization, founded by Bishop Robert Barron, is packed with free resources including readings, books, homilies, videos, and much more!
♱ Ascension – Link Here
Founded by Father Mike Schmitz, this website offers a wide collection of books, free media, and access to his free, educational YouTube series, “Ascension Presents.”
♱ The Eucharistic Miracles of the World – Link Here
This website, designed and created by St. Carlo Acutis, documents the many Eucharistic miracles that have occurred around the globe. This is an excellent resource for deeper devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament!
♱ The Holy See – Link Here
As the official website for the Vatican, this site includes wonderful resources including access to papal documents, news, and liturgical celebrations.
♱ United States Conference of Catholic Bishops – Link Here
Founded by a group of bishops, this organization aims to encourage and promote Catholic activities in the U.S. Their website provides incredible information on prayer, better understanding the Bible, and current events.
~ Recommended Books ~
(Cottage of Christian Curios Book Club!)
Catholic Foundation
♱ The Holy Bible – RSVCE – Link Here
We recommend this Bible as it includes all 73 books, is great quality, can be personalized, and includes room for notes while keeping the font size large enough to read!
♱ Catechism of the Catholic Church – Link Here
Started by St. Pope John Paul II in 1992, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, or CCC (not to be confused with Cottage of Christian Curios ☺︎), is an official summarization of the essential teachings, beliefs, and morals of the Catholic Church.
Early Church Fathers
We selected writings from the earliest Church Fathers to give a better understanding of the beliefs and traditions of the earliest Christians.
♱ The Didache (50-120 AD) – Link Here
♱ The Writings of St. Clement of Rome (96 AD) – Link Here
♱ The Epistles of St. Ignatius of Antioch (107-110 AD) – Link Here
♱ Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians (110-135 AD) & Martyrdom of Polycarp (155-160 AD) – Link Here
Non-Fiction
♱ Summa Theologica – Link Here
Composed by theological genius and Doctor of the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas, between 1265 and 1273. It is a massive, systematic, and unfinished masterpiece of medieval theology. Aquinas stopped working on the project in 1273 following a profound mystical encounter with God. Think of it as a scientific deep-dive into theology!
♱ The Imitation of Christ – Link Here
Written by the Augustinian monk Thomas A Kempis around the year 1418, this gem is packed with wisdom and advice on how to live a holy life focused on Jesus Christ.
♱ Mere Christianity – Link Here
A classic by the beloved C.S. Lewis, this book offers a solid foundation for explaining and defending the Christian faith.
♱ The Story of a Soul – Link Here
This autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux is packed with spiritual wisdom, including her “Little Way”…
Fiction
♱ TOP PICK: The Lord of the Rings – Link Here
An epic trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien, this series follows the adventures of a young hobbit trying to save Middle Earth. The key themes include courage, loyalty, and good versus evil. Tolkien described the trilogy as a “fundamentally religious and Catholic work.”
♱ The Chronicles of Narnia – Link Here
This classic series of seven novels are C.S. Lewis’s brilliant contribution to the fiction side of theology. The Christian parallels are hard to miss, especially in the second, and most famous, novel, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.
If you have a website or book recommendation, feel free to contact us at cottageofchristiancurios@gmail.com for review and possible addition to our recommended resources lists!