Death and Life Everlasting

This is a partial list of ebooks on what Catholic Christians in the Latin Church have customarily called the Last Things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell.

I. Doctrines and Meditations on the Last Things

A. The Last Things in General

  1. The Beauty and Truth of the Catholic Church: Sermons from the German, adapted and edited, Volume V, by the Rev. Edward Jones, with an Introduction by the Most Rev. John Ireland (St. Louis, Mo.; London: B. Herder, 1916). With Imprimatur. Available at Internet Archive [N.B. This volume includes discourses on the moral law and the last things.]
  2. The Christian’s Last End; or, Sermons on the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Hell, and Heaven, in Seventy-Six Sermons: Adapted to All the Sundays and Most of the Holy-Days of the Year; with a Full Index of All the Sermons, an Alphabetical Index of the Principal Subjects Treated, and Copious Marginal Notes, Volume 2, 2nd edition, by the Rev. Father Francis Hunolt, priest of the Society of Jesus, translated from the original German edition of Cologne, 1740, by the Rev. J. Allen (New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1893), may be read online, and available in pdf, mobi/kindle, epub, and other formats, at Internet Archive.
  3. Encyclical Letter “Spe Salvi” on Christian Hope, by Pope Benedict XVI (30 November 2007). May be read online on this page of Catholic Culture; on this page of Pope Benedict XVI in America; at the Holy See; and at Catholic News Agency. A summary by Dr. Jeff Mirus may be read on this page of Catholic Culture (December 05, 2007) and a digest by John Gueguen is available at Illinois State University.
  4. Eschatology: or, The Catholic doctrine of the last things: a dogmatic treatise, by Joseph Pohle, translated by Arthur Preuss (St. Louis, Mo.: B. Herder, 1918, c1917) With Imprimatur. Volume XII of the Pohle-Preuss Dogmatic Theology series. Available on multiple formats at Internet Archive and Open Library (Digitizing sponsor: MSN, Book contributor: Kelly Library, University of Toronto).
  5. The Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Hell and Heaven, by Father Martin von Cochem, O.S.F.C. (New York, Concinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers). Available in various formats at Internet Archive and Open Library, and in pdf format at the University of Toronto Libraries; and may be read online at Catholic Tradition. It may also be found at Forgotten Books, but with some pages accessible only to members.
  6. The Future Life: According to the Authority of Divine Revelation, the Dictates of Sound Reason, the General Consent of Mankind, by Joseph Casimir Sasia, 1843-1928 (New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger brothers, 1918). With Imprimatur. Available on Internet Archive and Open Library (Digitizing sponsor: MSN; Book contributor: Kelly Library, University of Toronto).
  7. The Last Things, by Abbé A. Michel, translated by the Rev. B. V. Miller, D.D. (London and Edinburgh: Sands & Co.; St. Louis, Mo.: B. Herder). With Imprimatur (1929). Available at Catholic Apologetics Information. [NB: Please approach other materials on the website with caution, as some have an extremely negative view of the Second Vatican Council, which must be corrected in light of Pope Benedict XVI’s hermeneutic of continuity.]
  8. Sermons on the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Hell, and Heaven: Adapted to All the Sundays and Holydays of the Year, Volume 1, by the Rev. Father Francis Hunolt, priest of the Society of Jesus, translated by the Rev. J. Allen (New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1897). With Imprimatur. May be read online, and available in pdf, mobi/kindle, epub, and other formats, at Internet Archive; and also available in pdf format (on this page) at Saints’ Books (also linked from Sancte Pater).
  9. Sermons on the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Hell, and Heaven: Adapted to All the Sundays and Holydays of the Year, Volume 2, by the Rev. Father Francis Hunolt, priest of the Society of Jesus, translated by the Rev. J. Allen (New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1897). With Imprimatur. May be read online, and available in pdf, mobi/kindle, epub, and other formats, at Internet Archive; and also available in pdf format (on this page) at Saints’ Books (also linked from Sancte Pater).
  10. Some Current Questions in Eschatology, by the International Theological Commission (1992). Published with the approval of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, President of the Commission. May be read online at the Holy See. Summary by Professor Alfred J. Freddoso may be read online at his website.

B. Death 

  1. Meditations on Our Last End and on Sin and the Sacrament of Penance, by Brother Philip (New York: La Salle Bureau of Supplies, 1911). With Imprimatur. Available in multiple formats at Internet Archive and Open Library.
  2. Preparation for Death; or, Considerations on the Eternal Maxims, Useful for All as a Book of Meditations, etc., by Saint Alphonsus M. Liguori, translated by an Italian clergyman, approved by the Right Reverend Bishop Fitzpatrick, 8th edition (Boston: Thomas Sweeney, 1854). With episcopal approbation. Available in multiple formats (epub, pdf, mobi/kindle, etc.) at Internet Archive and Open Library. Also available at HathiTrust Digital Library, and (with some pages accessible to members only) at ForgottenBooks. What appears to be a modification with modernized English of this translation is available in pdf format in 4 parts (Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part IV) at Documenta Catholica Omnia; and in pdf format in 4 parts (Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part IV) at Good Catholic Books: Saint Alphonsus de Liguori. The audiobook is available in 2 parts at the Youtube channel Classic Catholic Audiobooks: Part 1 and Part 2.
  3. Preparation for Death, by Saint Alphonsus De Liguori, edited by Rev. Orby Shipley (Philadelphia, J.B. Lippincott & Co.; London: Rivingtons, 1869). Available in PDF format on this page (CLICK HERE) of Saints’ Books.
  4. “The Anguish of an Absence: Three Meditations on Holy Saturday”, by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), 30 Days, Issue 03-2006. May be read online (on this page) at 30 Days.

C. Immortality of the Soul

  1. Christian Anthropology, by John Thein, with an introduction by Prof. Chas. G. Herbermann, Ph.D. (New York, Cincinnati: Benziger Brothers, 1892). Available at Internet Archive. [N.B., No Imprimatur, but published by a reputable Catholic publisher.]
  2. A Manual of Modern Scholastic Philosophy, Volume I: Cosmology, Psychology, Epistemology (Criteriology), General Metaphysics (Ontology), by Cardinal Mercier and Professors of the Higher Institute of Philosophy, Louvain, authorized translation and eighth edition by T.L. Parker and S.A. Parker, with a preface by P. Coffey, Ph.D. (London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co.; St. Louis: B. Herder, 1916). Available in various formats at Internet Archive and Open Library.

D. Heaven

  1. The Eternal Happiness of the Saints, by Cardinal Bellarmine (St. Robert Bellarmine), translated by the Rev. John Dalton (London, Dublin, Derby: Thomas Richardson and Son). Available in various formats (pdf, kindle/mobi, epub, etc.) at Internet Archive. Also available on this page  at the eLibrary of Saint Patrick Basilica Ottawa; on this page of Good Catholic Books; and at Forgotten Books (with some pages accessible by members only). Chapter 1and Chapter 2 of the work are reproduced at Et Verbum.
  2. The Happiness of Heaven, 3rd edition, by Rev. F.J. Boudreaux, S.J. (London: Burns & Oates, 1881). Available in various formats (pdf, epub, kindle/mobi, etc.) at Internet Archive and may be read online at Google Books. An earlier edition (Baltimore, New York: John Murphy Company), with 1870 approbation, is also available at Internet Archive.
  3. A Manual of Ascetical Theology: or, The Supernatural Life of the Soul on Earth and in Heaven, by Arthur Devine (London; New York: R. & T. Washbourne, 1902). With Imprimatur. Available on Internet Archive and Open Library (Digitizing sponsor: MSN; Book contributor: Kelly Library, University of Toronto).

E. Hell

  1. The Sight of Hell, by Rev. John Furniss, C.SS.R. (Dublin: James Duffy and Co., Limited, 1874). Books for Children and Young Persons, Book X. With the permission of superiors. Available at Open Library and Internet Archive.
  2. Sin and its Consequences, 2nd edition, by Henry Edward Manning (London: Burns and Oates, 1874). Available in various formats at Internet Archive, with a 2nd copy at Internet Archive and Open Library. A microfilm copy of the 3rd edition (London: Burns and Oates, 1876) is available at Internet Archive and Open Library. Another edition (New York, Montreal: D. & J. Sadlier & Company) is available at Internet Archive and Open Library, with a 2nd copy at Internet Archive and Open Library; and yet another edition (New York: P.J. Kenedy & Sons) is available at Internet Archive and Open Library.

E-1. Hell and the Number of the Saved

  1. “Balthasar and Salvation: What Does He Really Teach?”, by Ralph Martin, Josephinum Journal of Theology, Vol 21, no. 2 (2014): pp. 1-29. Available in pdf format on this page of Renewal Ministries.
  2. A Critical Examination of Key Claims Karl Rahner Makes About His Thesis of the Anonymous Christian, by Brantly C. Millegan (2015). School of Divinity Master’s Theses and Projects. 10. Available in pdf format on this page at University of St. Thomas Research Online.
  3. “Fewness [of those saved]: One Hundred and One Texts”. A collection of quotes from the Sacred Scriptures and the Saints. May be read online on this page of Saints’ Quotes.
  4. “Hell and Hope for Salvation”, by Germain Grisez and Peter F. Ryan, S.J., New Blackfriars, Volume 95, Issue 1059 (September 2014): pp. 606-615. May be read online on this page and available in pdf format on this page of Wiley Online Library. Available in pdf format on this page through this page of The Way of the Lord Jesus, which states: “This article is copyright © 2014 The Dominican Council and the authors; published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. under a Creative Commons Attribution license (see http://olabout.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-815641.html); provided this entire paragraph is included, anyone may without payment freely copy, distribute, transmit, adapt, and commercially or non-commercially use this article.”
  5. “The Little Number of Those Who Are Saved” (Homily), by St. Leonard of Port Maurice.The text may be read online at Our Lady of the Rosary Library and Today’s Catholic World, and is available in pdf format on this page of Saints’ Books. Under the title The Little Number of Those Who Are Saved OR aka The Fewness of Those Catholics Saved (St Athanasius Press, 2009), the Kindle edition may be purchased at Amazon.The audio is provided with this video on the Sensus Fidelium Youtube channel and with this video on the Kate & Mike Catholic Crusade Youtube channel.
  6. “Of the Small Number of Those that are Saved”, by Jean Croiset, May be read online on this page of Endeavoring Catholic Perfection, and at Wikisource. A different translation with Early Modern orthography may be read on pages 159–175 of A Spiritual Retreat for One Day in Every Month (1698?), the microfilm copy of which is available in pdf, epub, mobi, and other formats at Internet Archive.
  7. Will Many Be Saved?: What Vatican II Actually Teaches and Its Implications for the New Evangelization, by Professor Ralph Martin, S.T.D. [Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Archdiocese of Detroit] (Grand Rapids: Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2012). The ebook and/or the printed book may be purchased at Verbum and Amazon.

F. Purgatory

  1. Assist the Souls in Purgatory: An Excellent Means to Obtain Aid in All Our Needs (Clyde, Mo.: Benedictine Convent of Perpetual Adoration, 1951). With Imprimatur. Available in pdf format on this page of the University of Dayton.
  2. Charity for the Suffering Souls: An Explanation of the Catholic Doctrine of Purgatory, by John A. Nageleisen (Cincinnati, Ohio: S. Rosenthal & Co., 1895). With Imprimatur, and bearing the approbation of multiple bishops. Available in various formats at Internet Archive.
  3. The Consolations of Purgatory, by Rev Fr. Henri Faure, translated by W. Humphrey Page, Privy Chamberlain to H.H. Pius X (London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow: R. & T. Washbourne; New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benziger Brothers, 1912). With Imprimatur. May be read online and available in various formats (pdf, djvu, epub, Kindle/mobi, Daisy, text) at Internet Archive.
  4. Manual of the Purgatorian Society; Containing Spiritual Reading and Prayers for Every Day of the Month, also the Ordinary Prayers of a Pious Catholic (Boston, Mass. : Redemptorist Fathers, 1894). With Imprimatur. Available in pdf format on this page of Catholic Kingdom. Also available at HathiTrust Digital Library; and may be read online, and available in pdf, mobi, epub, and other formats at Internet Archive.
  5. The Prisoners of the King: Thoughts on the Catholic Doctrine of Purgatory, by Henry James Coleridge, S.J. (London: Burns and Oates, 1889). May be read online, and available in mobi, epub, pdf, and other formats, at Internet Archive; and available in pdf format at Forgotten Books (some pages may be accessed only by members). The 1884 edition is also available at Internet Archive.
  6. Purgatory, Dogmatic and Scholastic: The Various Questions Connected with it Considered and Proved, by Rev. M. Canty, P.P. (Dublin: M.H. Gill and Son, 1886). With Imprimatur. Available in various formats (pdf, epub, mobi/kindle, text, etc.) at Internet Archive.
  7. Purgatory; Illustrated by the Lives and Legends of the Saints, by Rev. Francis Xavier Schouppe, S.J. (d. 1904), with notes by Father W.H. Kent, O.S.C. (d. 1912) (London: Burns, Oates & Washbourne, 1920). With 1893 Imprimatur. May be read online, and available in various formats (PDF, epub, txt, Kindle/mobi, djvu, and Daisy) at Internet Archive.
  8. The Souls in Purgatory, by Rev. Joseph Husslein, S.J. (New York: America Press, 1920). With Imprimatur. Available in pdf, mobi, epub, and other formats at Internet Archive; and also available at Hathitrust Digital Library.

G. Limbo and Sheol

  1. “Holy Saturday and the Harrowing of Hell”, by Dr. Lawrence Feingold STD (Saint Louis, MO: Association of Hebrew Catholics, 2010). This is Talk #7 of Series 6: Themes of the Incarnation, in the Association of Hebrew Catholics Lecture Series: The Mystery of Israel and the Church. The text of the lecture (in pdf format) and the audio of lecture (in mp3 format) together with the audio of questions and answers are available through this page of the Association of Hebrew Catholics.
  2. “The Meaning Behind ‘He Descended into Hell’”, by Fr. William Saunders, O.P., April 13, 2017. May be read online on this page of Catholic Exchange and on this page of Catholic Straight Answers.

H. General Resurrection and Final Judgment

  1. Catholic Fiction part 1 Booklet, by Godwin Delali Adadzie. Available on Internet Archive, which described the tract thus: “Is the Roman Catholic Church the whore of Babylon? How to refute the claim that Bible Prophecy Reveals Next And Last Pope Will Be A Devil Impersonating John Paul II. Courtesy of the Sts. Peter and Paul Catechism Ministry – Ghana. website: http://www.amen.co.nr. Follow us on http://www.twitter.com/Apologetics”
  2. On the Resurrection of the Dead, by Athenagoras of Athens (2nd century AD). May be read online on this page of New Advent and at Early Christian Writings.
  3. The Return of the King: Discourses on the Latter Days, by Henry James Coleridge, S.J. (London: Burns and Oates, 1915). May be read online, and available in various formats (pdf, epub, kindle/mobi, etc.) at Internet Archive.  The 1894 edition is also available at Internet Archive, and the 1883 edition at Internet Archive.

II. Liturgical and Private Prayers for the Dead

  1. Indulgenced Prayers and Aspirations: An Abounding Source of Blessings for the Living and the Dead. With a Preface and Explanation of Indulgences (Clyde, Mo.: Benedictine Convent of Perpetual Adoration). Available in pdf format on this page of the University of Dayton.
  2. The Mystery of Death-Life in the Maronite Catholic Church [Thesis], by Nadim Abou Zeid (November 2001). Available in PDF format on this page through the University of South Africa.
  3. Nine-Day Novena Prayer for the Dead (Catholic Filipino-Australian Chaplaincy, Archdiocese of Brisbane). Available in PDF format on this page of the Catholic Filipino Australian Chaplaincy of Brisbane.
  4. Pastoral Letter on the Christian Burial of the Dead, by Cardinal Raymond L. Burke, D.D., J.C.D. (Diocese of La Crosse, 2 November 2000). May be read online (here) at Catholic Culture; and may be read (here) at the Marian Catechist Apostolate. [N.B., Although the last part of the text provides norms specific to the diocese of then-Bishop Burke, much of it made up of doctrinal and canonical explanations that may be of general use.]
  5. A Planner for Catholic Funerals. 24 pages. Available in PDF format on this page of The Catholic Parishes of Northeast Wyoming.
  6. The Raccolta or Collection of Indulgenced Prayers & Good Works, translated by Ambrose St John of the Oratory of St Philip Neri, Birmingham (London: Burns & Oates; New York, Chicago, Cincinnati Benziger Bros, 1910). With approbation from the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith and the Archbishop of Westminster. May be downloaded in PDF format through the Saints’ Books index. May also be read online or downloaded in various formats (PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Daisy, Full Text DjVu) at Internet Archive and Open Library (Digitizing sponsor: MSN, Book contributor: Kelly Library, University of Toronto).

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