Free ebook: “An Exposition of the Epistles of St. Paul, and of the Catholic Epistles”, by Archbishop John MacEvilly

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• An Exposition of the Epistles of St. Paul, and of the Catholic Epistles; Consisting of an Introduction to Each Epistle, An Analysis of each Chapter, a Paraphrase of the Sacred text, and of a Commentary, Embracing Notes, Critical, Exegetical, Explanatory, Dogmatical, Interspersed with Moral Reflections, 6^th edition, enlarged, revised, and corrected, by Dr. John MacEvilly, Archbishop of Tuam (Dublin: M.H. Gill and Son; New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1898). With letters of approbation from Blessed Pope Pius IX and Pope Leo XIII, and from other prelates.
  • Volume 1 and 2 may be read online (on this page) at e-Catholic 2000;
  • Volume 1 is available in various (pdf, epub, mobi/kindle, etc.) formats at Internet Archive and Open Library; and Volume 2 is available at Internet Archive and Open Library.
  • Of the 3^rd edition (Dublin: W.B. Kelly; London: Simpkin, Marshall & Co., 1875), Volume 1 is available at Internet Archive, with a 2^nd copy at Internet Archive and Open Library; and Volume 2 is available at Internet Archive and Open Library.
  • Volume 2 of the 4^th edition (Dublin: M.H. Gill and Son; New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1891) is available at Internet Archive and Open Library.
  • The ebook of Volumes 1 and 2 of the 6^th edition may be purchased at Google Books.

On the Feast of St. Paul in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. For other legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with mercy upon the people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her spouse, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of the Holy Mother the Church. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. (From Sancta Missa)

Free ebook: “The True and the False Infallibility of the Popes”, by Joseph Fessler

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• The True and the False Infallibility of the Popes: A Controversial Reply to Dr. Schulte, by Joseph Fessler, translated from the 3^rd edition and with an Introduction by Ambrose St. John of the Oratory (London: Burns and Oates, 1875). With the Approbation of Blessed Pope Pius IX. Available in various formats (pdf, epub, mobi/kindle, etc.) at Internet Archive and Open Library. Another impress (New York: Catholic Publication Society, 1875) is available at Internet Archive and Open Library, with a 2nd copy at Internet Archive and Open Library.

On the Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul in the Roman Rite. For other legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

“Then Jesus came into the neighbourhood of Caesarea Philippi; and there he asked his disciples, What do men say of the Son of Man? Who do they think he is? Some say John the Baptist, they told him, others Elias, others again, Jeremy or one of the prophets. Jesus said to them, And what of you? Who do you say that I am? Then Simon Peter answered, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

“And Jesus answered him, Blessed art thou, Simon son of Jona; it is not flesh and blood, it is my Father in heaven that has revealed this to thee. And I tell thee this in my turn, that thou art Peter [kepha], and it is upon this rock [kepha] that I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven…

“From that time onwards Jesus began to make it known to his disciples that he must go up to Jerusalem, and there, with much ill usage from the chief priests and elders and scribes, must be put to death, and rise again on the third day. Whereupon Peter, drawing him to his side, began remonstrating with him; Never, Lord, he said; no such thing shall befall thee. At which he turned round and said to Peter, Back, Satan; thou art a stone in my path; for these thoughts of thine are man’s, not God’s…” (St. Matthew xvi, 13-19,21-24, formatting supplied)

Free ebook: “Five Books of S. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, Against Heresies”, translated by John Keble

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• Five Books of S. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, Against Heresies, translated by John Keble, with the Fragments that Remain of His Other Works (Oxford, London: James Parker & Co.; London, Oxford, Cambridge: Rivingtons, 1872). With a Preface by P.E. Pusey. Volume 42 of A Library of the Fathers of the Holy Catholic Church, Anterior to the Division of the East and the West, translated by Members of the English Church. May be read online, and available in multiple formats (pdf, epub, text, kindle/mobi, etc.), at Internet Archive and Open Library, with a 2^nd copy at Internet Archive, and 3^rd (incomplete) copy, which begins only on page 6, at Internet Archive. May be read online, and available in PDF format, at Hathi Trust Digital Library.
• N.B.:
  • St. Irenaeus’s opus (written around 180 A.D.) was intended as a comprehensive apologia for authentic or Catholic Christianity against Gnosticism. Considering that he was a student of St. Polycarp, who was a student of St. John the Apostle, St. Irenaeus’s work strongly evidences the continuity of Catholic teaching (including on the sacraments, the Roman primacy, the apostolic succession of the bishops, sacred tradition, etc.) since Apostolic times.
  • Readers are generally advised to focus on Book III and IV, which provide an eminently readable summary of Christian teaching. They may choose to omit, absent need or preparation, the detailed summary and refutation of Gnostic errors contained in Books I and II, and the eschatological speculations contained in Book V.
  • This text is also available at Forgotten Books, whose freely downloadable pdf text has some pages missing (and replaced with a truly tacky poster for non-members).
  • This translation was made by a non-Catholic, albeit by a pioneer of the Oxford Movement that led so many to the one true Church. However, unlike the translation contained in Philip Schaff’s otherwise excellent Ante-Nicene Fathers series, it does not appear to have the anti-Catholic preface and footnotes inserted by the editor thereof. (The Schaff text is reproduced without footnotes in the New Advent online edition.)

On the Feast of St. Irenaeus of Lyons in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite. For other legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with mercy upon the people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her spouse, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of the Holy Mother the Church. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. (From Sancta Missa)

Online text: “The Miraculous Picture of the Mother of Perpetual Succour”

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• The Miraculous Picture of the Mother of Perpetual Succour. Available in PDF format (on this page) at Catholic Pamphlets.net

On the Feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite (calendar of Russia). For other legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with mercy upon the people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her spouse, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of the Holy Mother the Church. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. (From Sancta Missa)

Online ebook: “The Way”, by St. Josemaria Escriva

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• The Way, by St. Josemaria Escriva (1934, 1939). May be read online (on this page) at Josemaria Escriva Works.
  • (N.B., The website states: “All intellectual property rights pertaining to the contents of these pages are reserved. Text and images may not be reproduced without authorization from the copyright holders…”)

On the Feast of Saint Josemaria Escriva, Founder of Opus Dei.

O God, through the most Blessed Virgin Mary, you granted your priest St. Josemaría countless graces, choosing him as a most faithful instrument to found Opus Dei, a way of holiness through daily work and the ordinary duties of a Christian. Grant that I too may learn to turn all the circumstances and events of my life into opportunities to love you and serve the Church, the Pope and all souls with joy and simplicity, lighting up the paths of the earth with faith and love. Through the intercession of St. Josemaría, please grant the favour I request (here make your petition). Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be. (Text from Saint Josemaria Escriva)

Free ebook: “The Catholic Doctrine on Justification”, by Francis Patrick Kendrick

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• The Catholic Doctrine on Justification: Explained and Vindicated, by the Right Rev. Francis Patrick Kenrick (Philadelphia, Eugene Cummiskey, 1841). Available in various formats (pdf, epub, mobi/kindle, etc.) at Internet Archive and Open Library.

On the Feast of St. Prosper of Aquitaine. For other legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with mercy upon the people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her spouse, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of the Holy Mother the Church. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. (From Sancta Missa)

Online text: “Instruction on Infant Baptism”, by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

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• Instruction on Infant Baptism “Pastoralis Actio”, by the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, approved by Pope St. John Paul II, October 20, 1980. May be read online at the Holy See, the EWTN Library and the Catholic Information Network.

On the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptizer (John the Baptist) in the one true Church. For other legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with mercy upon the people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her spouse, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of the Holy Mother the Church. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. (From Sancta Missa)

Online text: “Catholicism & Capital Punishment”, by Avery Cardinal Dulles

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• “Catholicism & Capital Punishment”, by Avery Cardinal Dulles, First Things 112 (April 2001): 30-35. May be read online (on this page) at First Things. Available in PDF format at the University of Texas—Pan American.

On the Feast of St. Joseph Cafasso. For other legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with mercy upon the people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her spouse, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of the Holy Mother the Church. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. (From Sancta Missa)

Online text: “On Christians as Citizens”, by Pope Leo XIII

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• Encyclical “Sapientiae Christianae” on Christians as Citizens, by Pope Leo XIII (January 10, 1890). May be read online (on this page) at the Holy See. May be read online and available in mobi/Kindle format and in epub format at Papal Encyclicals Online
  • Included in The Pope and the People; Select Letters and Addresses on Social Questions, by His Holiness Pope Leo XIII, edited by the Rev.  William H Eyre (London and Leamington: Art and Book Company; New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1895), available at Internet Archive and Open Library (which also contains the Encyclicals “Rerum Novarum” on the Condition of the Working Class, “Immortale Dei” on the Christian Constitution of States, and “Inscrutabili Dei Consilio” on the Evils of Society, among others)

On the Memorial of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More, and of Saint Paulinus of Nola, in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite; and in solidarity with U.S. Catholics in their Fortnight of Freedom. (Its logo below is from the Diocese of Steubenville.) For more legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

“It is a high crime indeed to withdraw allegiance from God in order to please men, an act of consummate wickedness to break the laws of Jesus Christ, in order to yield obedience to earthly rulers, or, under pretext of keeping the civil law, to ignore the rights of the Church; ‘we ought to obey God rather than men.’… No better citizen is there, whether in time of peace or war, than the Christian who is mindful of his duty; but such a one should be ready to suffer all things, even death itself, rather than abandon the cause of God or of the Church…

“Hallowed… in the minds of Christians is the very idea of public authority, in which they recognize some likeness and symbol as it were of the Divine Majesty, even when it is exercised by one unworthy… But, if the laws of the State are manifestly at variance with the divine law… then, truly, to resist becomes a positive duty…

“[W]hen necessity compels, not those only who are invested with power of rule are bound to safeguard the integrity of faith, but, as St. Thomas maintains: ‘Each one is under obligation to show forth his faith, either to instruct and encourage others of the faithful, or to repel the attacks of unbelievers.’ To recoil before an enemy, or to keep silence when from all sides such clamors are raised against truth… is base and is insulting to God, and… incompatible with the salvation of mankind…

“The chief elements of this duty consist in professing openly and unflinchingly the Catholic doctrine, and in propagating it to the utmost of our power…

“[P]rivate individuals… may take upon themselves… the task of communicating to others what they have themselves received, becoming, as it were, living echoes of their masters in the faith… Let each one… bear in mind that he both can and should, so far as may be, preach the Catholic faith by the authority of his example, and by open and constant profession of the obligations it imposes.” (Pope Leo XIII, Sapientiae Christianae, citations omitted)

Online text: “Affirming Love, Avoiding AIDS: What Africa Can Teach the West”, by Matthew Hanley and Jokin de Irala

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• Affirming Love, Avoiding AIDS: What Africa Can Teach the West, by Matthew Hanley and Jokin de Irala, with a Foreword by Edward C. Green (Philadelphia: National Catholic Bioethics Center, 2010). Available in PDF format (on this page) at Bioetica.

On the Feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga in the Roman Rite. For other legally free ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title) and the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject).

O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with mercy upon the people who cry to Thee; and by the intercession of the glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her spouse, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints, in Thy mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of the Holy Mother the Church. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen. (From Sancta Missa)