Top Catholic Books in the Public Domain

Due to Christianity low status in our modern liberal age, there has been a tremendous treasure trove of impressive Catholic books available for free in the public domain – all thanks to technology. Below is a list of top 10 Catholic books in the public domain that you can read and download for free. Believe me, they’ll surely have a positive impact on your life if you take your time to go through them.

Don Quixote

by de Cervantes, Miguel

Don Quixote has been generally recognized as the first modern novel due to its experimental form and literary playfulness. The Spanish novel was published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615 and has haunted readers for nearly four hundred years.

Orthodoxy

by Chesterton, G.K.

This work of G.K Chesterton published in 1908 is a must-read for every lover of Catholic books as it’s regarded as a classic of Christian apologetics. The book presents an original view of the Christian religion and in the writer’s word “answer to a riddle” – answer to natural human needs.

Apologia Pro Vita Sua

By Newman, John Henry

Apologia Pro Vita Sua (A defence of one’s life) published in 1864 after Newman quit his position the Anglican vicar of St. Mary’s, Oxford in response to Charles Kinglsey of Church of England.

Story of a Soul

by Thérèse of Lisieux, St.

This book – An autobiography of Therese of Lisieux, a French Discalced Carmelite nun was first published on the 30th of September, 1898 a year after her death. The book became a modern spiritual classic, translated into over 45 languages and was recorded to be read by millions.

Quo Vadis

by Sienkiewicz, Henryk

Quo Vadis was published in Polish under its Latin title meaning “where are you going” which alludes to a New Testament verse “John 13:36. It is a historical novel that tells a story of love that spring up between a young Christian lady and a Roman officer.

Lord of the World

by Benson, Robert Hugh

This dystopian science fiction novel – published in 1907 centres upon the reign of the Antichrist and the end of the world. The novel has been called prophetic by Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis, Dale Ahlquist, and Joseph Pearce.

Abandonment to Divine Providence

by de Caussade, Jean

Abandonment to Divine Providence – a treatise on the practice of total abandonment to Divine Providence, that is giving yourself completely over to God will delight readers of all faith. This spiritual guide book for the faithful contains a message that many Christian may find freeing and inspiring.

The City of God

Augustine, St.

This book by a Christian philosopher was a response to pagan claims that the sack of Rome by barbarians was one of the consequences of the abolition of pagan worship by Christian emperors in 410. Augustine’s work presents human history as a conflict between the City of God and Earthly City – a conflict destined to end in victory for the latter.

The Imitation of Christ

by A’Kempis, Thomas

This Christian devotional book by A’Kempis, Thomas is filled with the spirit of the love of God with understanding and comfort to millions of readers in over 50 languages. The Imitation is divided into four books namely Book one – “Helpful Counsels of the Spiritual Life”, Book Two – “Directives for the Interior Life”, Book Three – “On Interior Consolation” and Book Four – “On the Blessed Sacrament”.

The Divine Comedy

by Alighieri, Dante

Aside from personal and practical motivations “The Divine Comedy” is written to provide instruction purposes such as lessons to readers about living ethically and following God. This must-read work is an epic poem about people going to Heaven, Purgatory, or Hell at the afterlife.