Pope Gregory the Great Pastoral Rule

Writings of Pope St. Gregory the Great

Pope Leo XIII

Kolbe’s Greatest Books Volume 76

Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903) was pope for 25 years (1878-1903) during which time he guided the Church into the modern world. Leo is best know as the “Father of Modern Papal Social Teaching”. As such, his encyclical “Rerum Novarum” is known as the “Magna Carta” of Catholic social doctrine. He was also a great devote of the Virgin Mary and of her rosary and scapular, which he saw as instrumental to spiritual renewal effecting the temporal order. Leo was a staunch opponent of Liberalism, but tempered his opposition with charity and a diplomatic understanding of political, economic and social renewal in the light of the Divine Law and of natural reason.

Rev. Edward Cahill S.J.

Kolbe’s Greatest Books Volume 92

Rev. Cahill (1868–1941) was an Irish Jesuit Priest and Professor of Church History and Catholic Social Doctrine. He was also a champion of Catholic social thought and its application in the “Free State of Ireland“.

Though his thoughts are presented in a pre-Vatican II mode aimed more at hardcore truth than pastoral sensitivity, Father Cahill possesses a vast wealth of understanding and offers a thorough and encompassing analysis of Catholic social teaching along with objective and irreplaceable historic data that is extremely helpful in understanding Catholic culture.

Special emphasis is given to private property distribution and Christian common law. Cahill also examines the family, economy, politics and effects of Protestantism and Free Masonry on social development

Saint Augustine: The City of God

Saint Joan of Arc

Kolbe’s Greatest Books Volume 52

Saint Joan of Arc (1412–1431), “The Maid of Orléans“, was (like the Old Testament heroines, Deborah, Jael, and Judith) called by God to lead her nation against a menacing foe intending to usurp her vacant throne and diminish her ancient faith. Out of nowhere, a teenage girl of peasant stock was elevated as the rampart of Catholic France against “Reformation” minded England, which appeared to be on the verge of triumph in the latter part of the Hundred Years War. Led ever onward by the inspirational Maid of Orleans, the flower of French chivalry experienced victory after unexpected victory, which resulted in coronation at Reims Cathedral of the dauphin, Charles VII, as King of France. Inspired by Sts. Michael, Margaret and Catherine, Joan lit a holy fire in the hearts of Frenchmen leading to the expulsion of England and the safeguarding of the cultural patrimony of France, a pivotal moment in French and world history.

Saint Louis Marie de Montfort’s Love of Eternal Wisdom

Saint Louis Marie de Montfort’s Love of Eternal Wisdom
Kolbe’s Greatest Books Volume 68

Saint Pope John Paul II

Kolbe’s Greatest Books Volume 101

Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) was pope for 27 years (1978-2005) during which time he guided the Church into the new millennium. Saint John Paul is best know as the “Pope of Mercy” and for his essential role in the downfall of communism and the inauguration of Catholic spiritual and social renewal known as the “New Evangelization“. The New Evangelization is also known as the “Hour of Mercy” and the “Era of Peace“, granted by Christ to honor His mother under whose banner His Church is being prepared for a world-wide Catholic renewal before His return as the “Just Judge”. His social trilogy is simply required reading for anyone interested in modern social renewal with the mind of Christ, and His bride, the Holy Catholic Church.

Saint Robert Bellarmine: Treatise on Civil Government

Kolbe’s Greatest Books Volume 60

Essential reading for clarification about absolute monarch and divine right, which as Bellarmine demonstrates, are not Catholic political ideas. Bellarmine provides an insightful understanding of limited monarchy and mixed government from the dual perspectives of faith and reason that are much needed for Christian politics and social renewal.

Saint Teresa of Avila: The Interior Castle

Saint Teresa of Avila: The Interior Castle
Kolbe’s Greatest Books Volume 59

The Interior Castle is a Classic in mystical theology and the sublime mysticism of Mt. Carmel.

Saint Teresa is a Doctor of the Church and master of the spiritual life. She is an outstanding guide for modern spirituality leading to the union of man with God known as divinization, Trintarian Humanism and among the Orthodox, as theosis.