Top 10 Catholic Resources to Deepen Your Faith in 2026

As we journey through 2026, the call to grow deeper in our Catholic faith remains more vital than ever. In a world filled with distractions and rapid change, the treasures of Catholic tradition, Scripture, the sacraments, prayer, and the wisdom of the saints continue to offer timeless truth, practical guidance, and profound encouragement for believers seeking to grow closer to God.

If you happen to be a new Catholic who is just beginning to understand faith or you have been a believer for a whole lifetime and want to have a closer relationship with Christ, the right spiritual resources can be the ones that make your journey easier. The list created here contains ten most important Catholic resources that are, by their inspiring, challenging, and nurturing capacities, responsible for the authentic spiritual growth, the very source of the new flow of believers, dinosaurs of the Church.

1. The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Why It's Essential: The Catechism is the definitive summary of Catholic teaching, covering everything from the Creed to the sacraments, moral life, and prayer. Published in 1992 and revised in 1997, it remains the authoritative guide to understanding what the Church believes and teaches.

What You'll Gain: A comprehensive understanding of Catholic doctrine presented in clear, accessible language. The Catechism answers life's biggest questions: Who is God? What is the meaning of life? How should we live? It's organized into four parts covering the profession of faith, the celebration of the Christian mystery, life in Christ, and Christian prayer.

2. Catholic Bible (Various Editions)

Why It's Essential: Scripture is the living Word of God and the foundation of Catholic faith. A good Catholic Bible includes all 73 books (including the deuterocanonical books) and provides helpful study notes, maps, and concordances.

What You'll Gain: Direct access to God's revealed Word, which nourishes faith, guides moral decisions, and deepens your relationship with Christ. Regular Bible reading transforms how you understand God's plan for your life and for all of humanity.

Popular Editions: The New American Bible (Revised Edition), Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition, and the ESV Catholic Edition are all excellent choices. For young people, the Catholic Youth Bible offers age-appropriate commentary and life application.

3. Daily Missal or Sunday Missal

Why It's Essential: The Missal contains all the prayers, Scripture readings, and responses for Mass. Following along with your own Missal helps you participate more fully in the liturgy and deepens your understanding of the Eucharistic celebration.

What You'll Gain: A richer experience of the Mass as you follow the prayers of the priest, meditate on the readings beforehand, and reflect on them afterward. Many missals include additional prayers, explanations of the liturgical seasons, and reflections on the saints' feast days.

4. The Liturgy of the Hours

Why It's Essential: Also known as the Divine Office, the Liturgy of the Hours is the official prayer of the Church, prayed daily by priests, religious, and laypeople worldwide. This ancient practice sanctifies different times of the day through psalms, hymns, Scripture readings, and prayers.

What You'll Gain: A structured prayer life that connects you to the universal Church praying around the world. The Liturgy of the Hours deepens your relationship with Scripture (especially the Psalms), provides rhythm to your day, and unites your prayers with Christ's eternal intercession.

5. Devotional Books and Prayer Guides

Why It's Essential: Catholic devotional literature offers practical guidance for prayer, meditation, and living out the Gospel in daily life. From classic spiritual writings to contemporary reflections, devotional books provide the wisdom of saints and spiritual masters.

Popular Titles Include:

Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, OCD
Breaking the Bread devotional series by Scott Hahn
My Daily Bread by Fr. Anthony Paone, SJ
Books by and about favorite saints like St. Teresa of Avila, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and St. Faustina

What You'll Gain: Structured daily reflections, prayers for specific needs, guidance for spiritual practices, and inspiration from those who have walked the path of holiness before us.Start writing here...

6. The Rosary and Rosary Prayer Books

Why It's Essential: The Rosary is one of the most beloved Catholic devotions, combining vocal prayer with meditation on the mysteries of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. Praying the Rosary brings peace, strengthens faith, and invites Mary's intercession.

What You'll Gain: A simple yet profound prayer practice that can be done anywhere, anytime. The Rosary provides structure for meditation, comfort in difficult times, and a powerful weapon against spiritual warfare. Accompanying prayer books offer Scripture passages, reflections, and additional prayers to enrich your devotion.

7. Lives of the Saints

Why It's Essential: The saints are our spiritual heroes—ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives of holiness. Reading their stories inspires us, teaches us, and reminds us that sanctity is possible in every state of life.

What You'll Gain: Concrete examples of Christian virtue in action, patrons for your particular circumstances, inspiration during trials, and a sense of belonging to the great communion of saints across all ages.

Popular Collections:

Butler's Lives of the Saints
Saint biography series for children
Patron saint reference books
Stories of modern saints and blessed

8. Catholic Children's Books

Why It's Essential: Forming children in the Catholic faith begins early. Quality children's books introduce little ones to Bible stories, saints, prayers, and the sacraments in age-appropriate, engaging ways.

What You'll Gain: Tools to pass on the faith to the next generation, bedtime story options that nourish souls, resources for religious education, and ways to make the faith come alive for young hearts and minds.

Popular Categories:

Bible stories for children
First Communion and Confirmation preparation books
Picture books about saints
Prayer books for children
Activity and coloring books with Catholic themes

9. Sacramental Preparation Resources

Why It's Essential: The sacraments are encounters with Christ that transform our lives. Proper preparation helps us receive these gifts with greater understanding, reverence, and readiness.

What You'll Gain: Clear explanations of each sacrament's meaning, practical guidance for preparing to receive them worthily, prayers for before and after, and ways to live out their grace in daily life.

Key Resources:

First Communion preparation books and prayer books

Confirmation study guides and journals
RCIA materials for those entering the Church
Marriage preparation resources
Books on Confession and the Eucharist

10. The Roman Missal and Ritual Books

Why It's Essential: For priests, deacons, and those involved in liturgical ministry, having the official ritual books of the Church is essential. These books contain the prayers, rites, and ceremonies for Mass and other sacraments.

What You'll Gain: The authentic texts used in Catholic worship, proper understanding of liturgical celebrations, resources for planning and leading worship, and a deeper appreciation for the Church's liturgical tradition.

Available Books:

The Roman Missal (for celebrating Mass)
The Book of Blessings
Ritual books for Baptism, Marriage, Funerals, and other sacraments
Lectionaries for proclaiming Scripture

Making the Most of Your Spiritual Reading

Reading Catholic books is more than an intellectual exercise—it's a spiritual discipline that can transform your relationship with God. Here are practical tips for maximizing your spiritual reading:

Pray before you read: Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to what God wants to teach you through the text.

Read slowly and reflectively: This isn't a race. Take time to ponder meaningful passages, reread sentences that strike you, and let the words sink into your soul.

Apply what you learn: Spiritual growth requires action. Identify one or two practical steps from each reading session and implement them in your life.

Discuss with others: Join or start a Catholic book club, discuss insights with a spiritual director, or share what you're learning with your small group. Community enhances understanding and provides accountability.

Keep a spiritual journal: Write down insights, prayers, questions, and how God is speaking to you through your reading.

Revisit key passages: The best spiritual books deserve multiple readings. Return to challenging or encouraging sections as needed throughout the year.

Be patient: Transformation takes time. Don't rush through books just to check them off a list. Let God's truth work deeply in your heart.

The Power of Catholic Spiritual Resources

Throughout two millennia, Catholics have recognized that reading sacred texts, praying with the Church, and learning from the saints are crucial spiritual disciplines. While nothing replaces personal encounter with Christ in the sacraments, these resources serve as valuable companions on the journey of faith. They can:

Deepen your understanding of Catholic teaching and tradition
Provide language for experiences you couldn't articulate
Offer practical tools for prayer and spiritual practices
Connect you with the wisdom of believers across time and cultures
Inspire you to pursue deeper intimacy with God
Equip you to share the faith with others
Strengthen your identity as a Catholic Christian

Moving Forward in Your Spiritual Journey

As you consider which of these resources to add to your spiritual life, remember that growth in holiness is both a gift and a pursuit. God graciously works in us through His sacraments and the Holy Spirit, but He invites us to actively participate in the process through spiritual disciplines—including reading, prayer, and study.

The year 2026 offers fresh opportunities for spiritual development. Whether you're just beginning your Catholic journey or you've been practicing the faith for decades, there's always room to grow deeper, love more fully, and serve more faithfully.

Don't let this list overwhelm you. Start with one resource that resonates with your current needs. Use it regularly, prayerfully, and practically. Allow God to speak to you through Scripture, through the prayers of the Church, and through the witness of the saints. Share what you're learning with others. And watch as these simple spiritual practices transform your life in ways you couldn't have imagined.

May these resources bless your walk with God, strengthen your Catholic faith, and inspire you to pursue spiritual growth with fresh passion and purpose throughout 2026 and beyond.

Conclusion

At A.T. Merhaut, Inc., our mission has always been to support and uplift the spiritual journey of every Catholic believer. Just as we provide meaningful gifts that help families celebrate their faith, we also encourage you to pursue resources, books, and practices that draw you closer to God daily.

Merhaut wishes you a blessed spiritual journey, today and always. May God's presence guide your steps, deepening your faith and strengthening your walk with Christ with every prayer you offer and every page you read. Merhaut to explore our complete collection of Catholic books, devotionals, missals, rosaries, and spiritual resources for every stage of your faith journey.