Free ebook: “Apostolic Succession Explained”

See this legally free ebook:

• Apostolic Succession Explained; A Short Treatise in which Certain Theological Questions of the Day are Calmly Examined and Resolved, by a Priest of the Order of Charity (London, Dublin, Derby: Thomas Richardson and Son, 1850). Available at Google Play Books.

See also these related texts:

• The Basis for Catholic Belief in Apostolic Succession [Tract/Pamphlet], by Timothy L. Hollingworth. 8 pages. Available in pdf format at For My Flesh Is True Food.
• Catholic Teaching on Apostolic Succession, by the International Theological Commission (1973). Reprinted from the Tablet, 27 July, 3 August, and 10 August 1974. May be read online at the Holy See.
• “God’s Point of View: Apostolicity and the Magisterium: A Lecture Delivered to the St. Anselm Institute at the University of Virginia”, by Archbishop Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., S.T.D., Ph.D., Nova et Vetera, English Edition, Vol. 6, No. 2 (Summer 2008): pp. 271-290. The text is available on this page through the table of contents of Vol. 6, No. 2 of Nova et Vetera at the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology.
• “Having a vision from on high” (“Apostolic Succession: Spiritual and Historical Tie to Christ”), General Audience Address of Wednesday, 10 May 2006. May be read online on this page and, under the title “Apostolic Succession: Spiritual and Historical Tie to Christ”, on this page of Catholic Culture; on this page of the EWTN Library, and at the Holy See. A different translation is provided at Catholic Online.
  • [This text was delivered as part of the series of General Audience Addresses by Pope Benedict XVI delivered in March-May 2006, which we have indexed under the title Communion with Christ through Apostolic Tradition and Succession.]

On the Feast of Saint Matthias the Apostle in the Roman Rite. For other texts and ebooks, you may access the List of Free eBooks (Arranged by Title), the List of Free eBooks (Grouped by Subject), the List of Worth-It Catholic Books & eBooks, and the main page of the Catholic eBooks Project.

“In those days Peter, rising up in the midst of the brethren, said… Men, brethren, the Scripture must be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost foretold by the mouth of David, concerning Judas… Who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry… For it is written in the book of Psalms: … let another take his bishoprick.

“And they appointed two, Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And praying, they said; Thou, O Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, shew which of these two thou hast chosen, To take the place of this ministry, and apostleship….

“[A]nd the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” (Acts i, 15-26. Formatting supplied)