The search for good Catholic online resources is a journey we all undertake. Most often we are blessed to get them with hardly any effort, but there comes that time once in a while where no matter how much we search we just don’t get the right one. There are times, we do get resources and use them, only to know that many of them were not Catholic at all, and thus very often we land ourselves with our foot in our mouths.
With the expanding world of web, I thought it would be good to have a collective list of authentic and reliable Catholic online resources which could be used by one and all to be well informed about the faith and thus spread it to all whom we meet.
Here I have listed a few of the Catholic websites with a brief description on each.
This is the most important resource for Catholics. It contains Church documents, encyclicals, homilies, Catechism of the Catholic Church, prayers and so on. It’s a treasure house of inspiring teachings, addresses and written documents by our current Pope and also most of our former Popes. You will find Church documents specific to a topic/theme viz. Mary, rosary ,apostles, social justice, pro-life, marriage, lay movements, saints, etc. If you are looking for good well written theology, this is the place. Note: The language is formal and rich; it would help to sit with a dictionary.
Asking questions and finding answers is a quest written in all of our lives. It is said that the day we stop exploring is the day we stop living. There are always a few things beyond our mere understanding, or our knowledge level just halts at the line, so here’s a site which helps us when we get stuck. It has a collection of resources from various speakers and authors, who explain and defend the faith. Here you will find that every possible question on the Catholic faith is answered – from the Galileo controversy to liturgical queries. It has a special collection of resources for Catholics, as well as for other christians and and non Christians. They also have a collection of videos on, apologetics, church, evangelization, pro-life, and more. Their impressive radio show covers many topics and can be downloaded for free.
An online news cum resource library. It caters to every need of a Catholic. It showcases Catholic news from around the world, along with reflections on daily Bible readings, prayers, and information about saints. Their video library consists of news, counseling sessions, vocations, youth, Vatican and so on. It not only deals with your spiritual health, but also helps you in your physical health.
EWTN – Eternal Word Television Network is a global Catholic Networking Portal and is the largest religious media network in the world, transmitting programms 24 hours a day to more than 148 million homes in 144 countries and territories. It all started with Mother Angelica’s inspiration to spread the Word of God to everyone in the world. She started her own TV studio on monastery property in Irondale, which now houses the network. EWTN airs family and religious programms from a Catholic point of view in English, Spanish and Dutch. It has tonnes of articles and television shows which will definitely help you grow in the Spirit. Also an online radio is available for free. They have a special corner for the kids and also good resources for pro-life and faith related teachings.
Everyone is aware and is a part of Facebook, Google+, Twitter and other social networking sites. However, few of us know that the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney has its own social networking site, which helps youth focus on Christ Jesus and His teachings. It is said that our lives are moulded by the company we keep and the environment we live in. That’s reason enough to be a part of XT3, and have the right company to grow in the Spirit together. The features you should really spend some time on are, the year of faith calendar, XT3 TV, library, and ask a priest.
The USCCB is an assembly of the hierarchy of the United States and the U.S. Virgin Islands who jointly exercise certain pastoral functions on behalf of the Christian faithful of the United States. The online site promotes and helps the laymen in their walk of faith with different resources to understand the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Church and different aspects of life. It helps in promoting vocations, and also spiritual teachings, by means of audio and video.
This online forum is well known among most Catholics for it helps them in practicing Catholicism in the traditional way. There are debates and discussions (with final conclusions) on how we can deepen our faith. The site’s main focus is not just for Catholics but for prospective catholics and protestants too too.
Fish Eaters wishes to inspire catholics to do all in their power:
- to preserve the traditional mass and all the other traditional sacramental rites
- to learn, teach, and guard every last drop of the faith in the same way that catholics have learned, taught, and guarded it for two millennia
- to practice traditional devotions and popular customs that have always served to build strong catholic families and communities, and to keep us all close to Christ
Called to Communion aims to reconcile and reunite catholics and protestants. It does so by engaging in charitable discussion (with genuine disagreements) and clarifying certain misunderstandings, in a context of continual prayer for each other and for the unity of all God’s people. The site hosts myriad articles which give a better understanding of the catholic church. It has articles specific to apologetics, catholic life and devotion, the church, Mary, sacraments and so on.
Another online news portal of Catholic news, along with information and resources. It encourages catholics to be true christians. The information on the site helps readers cope with a range of spiritual, moral, political, social, cultural, and ecclesiastical challenges with which sincere catholics must daily contend in every aspect of their lives—including the family, the inner life of the church, education, the workplace, public policy, and the interplay between faith and culture. It has a good collection of resources, as well as the liturgical year, and Catholic Website Reviews and so on.
The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology is a non-profit research and educational institute that promotes life-transforming Scripture study in the catholic tradition. The site features online Bible studies, apologetics, Scripture and also audio resources too. Its Sunday Bible reflections by Dr. Scott Hahn are a good read. You could also check Dr. Scott Hahn’s site, where you will have a chance to read a few more in-depth articles.
A list of articles on theology, history, philosophy, life & leisure and literature makes the St. Peter’s list. The site helps to reflect on the beauty and truth of the catholic tradition. It has humor mixed with serious stuff, which makes reading really interesting.
An encyclopaedia of catholic articles, pertaining to all categories you could think of. It is a collection of articles and resources posted on other sites; a single portal to find the resources you are searching for.
This is a blog for Catholic men.
More than ever, the church needs men. Sadly, many catholic men have believed the lie that being holy isn’t manly, and that the faith is boring. They leave religion to women and children and simply tune out. But holiness is for men. There is nothing more difficult, rewarding, or manly than becoming a saint. The spiritual life is full of combat, struggle, hardship, and adventure. It requires blood, sweat, tears, perseverance, and courage. It isn’t for the faint hearted. Catholic men are called to leave mediocrity behind and to strive for greatness. The Catholic Gentleman exists to inspire men to holiness—to love God, to serve others, and to deny self. And to do it all with class and classic manly flair.
ZENIT aims to look at the modern world through the messages of the Pope and the Holy see, inform about the happenings of the Church in the world, and the topics, debates and events that are especially interesting to Christians worldwide.
The range of news includes:
- The activities of the Pope: apostolic trips, documents, meetings with heads of states and important social, cultural and religious figures. We give particular emphasis to the activities of the Holy Father and his addresses. His words stimulate reflection, not just among Catholics.
- Interviews with men and women of the Church and political and social figures about topics of special interest.
- The international scene, with special emphasis on questions relevant for Christians and the life of the Catholic Church.
- The activities of the Holy See: diplomatic efforts, humanitarian initiatives, cultural events, and profiles of the Catholic Church’s leaders.
- Features on social, political and religious topics at the center of public debate. Special attention is given to themes related to the defense of life and the family, social justice, bioethics, euthanasia, abortion, contraception, respect of human rights, religious freedom, and the persecution of Christians in the world.
Aleteia, from the ancient Greek “Aletheia”, “truth”, is a worldwide Catholic network sharing faith resources for those seeking Truth.
There are 1.2 billion Catholics in the world, and more than 2 billion Christians. By uniting our forces we will be able to represent a significant international voice online, in the global cultural panorama.
Aleteia is a service in six languages: English, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian.
Aleteia is a project of the Foundation for Evangelization through the Media (fem-roma.org).
These sites would really help you in your adventure to find the truth, to clear your doubts and get a better understanding about the Catholic faith. But more importantly if you really want to know the true Heart of God, you should read and reflect on Sacred Scriptures and spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament where God will himself help you in your search for answers.
If you know any of the other sources which are reliable and good, do share them in the comments below, and I shall update the same.