Recommended books and web sites on the Early Church Fathers

Faith of the Early Fathers: Three-Volume Set [Paperback] William A. Jurgens (Translator)

From Amazon:

A beautiful collection studying the writings of early Church Fathers. This three book set studies the early Faith in three time periods.

• Volume 1: the Pre-Nicene and the Nicene eras; 450 pp.
• Volume 2: the Post-Nicene era through St. Jerome; 297 pp.
• Volume 3: St. Augustine to the end of the patristic period; 430 pp. Complete set.

The Fathers Know Best [Paperback] by Jimmy Akin

From Amazon:

The Fathers Know Best: Your Essential Guide to the Teachings of the Early Church is a unique resource. It introduces you to the teachings of the first Christians in a way no other work can. It is specially designed to make it easy for you to find the information you want and need. Amazing features in this fact-packed book include:

• More than 900 quotations from the writings of the early Church Fathers, as well as from rare and important documents dating back to the dawn of Christian history.
• Mini-biographies of nearly 100 Fathers, as well as descriptions of dozens of key early councils and writings.
• A concise history of the dramatic spread of Christianity after Jesus told his disciples to evangelize all nations.
• Special maps showing you where the Fathers lived, including many little-known and long-vanished locations.
• A guide to nearly 30 ancient heresies, many of which have returned to haunt the modern world.
• The Fathers' teaching on nearly 50 topics, including modern hot-button issues like abortion, homosexuality, and divorce.

This ground breaking work presents the teachings of the early Christians in a way unlike any other book. It flings open the doors of the crucial but little-known age covering the birth of Christianity and the triumphant march of the gospel throughout the ancient world.

The Fathers of the Church, Expanded Edition [Paperback] by Mike Aquilina

This expanded edition features full references and citations, a topical index, detailed bibliography, and ancient texts available in English for the first time in more than a century.

The Fathers of the Church is an excellent place to pass on those same teachings and traditions -- long established as an indispensable reference tool for clergy, seminarians, RCIA candidates, and lay Catholics who want to strive to live up to the "Faith of Our Fathers."

Four Witnesses: The Early Church in Her Own Words [Paperback] by Rod Bennett

From Amazon:

• What was the early Church like?

Contrary to popular belief, Rod Bennett shows there is a reliable way to know. Four ancient Christian writers — four witnesses to early Christianity — left us an extensive body of documentation on this vital subject, and this book brings their fascinating testimony to life for modern believers. With all the power and drama of a gripping novel, this book is a journey of discovery of ancient and beautiful truths through the lives of four great saints of the early Church:

• Clement of Rome
• Ignatius of Antioch
• Justin Martyr, and
• Irenæus of Lyons

The Mass of the Early Christians [Paperback] by Mike Aquilina

• What did the first Christians believe about the Eucharist?
• How did they follow Jesus' command, Do this in remembrance of me?
• How did they celebrate the Lord's Day?
• What would they recognize in today's Mass?

The answers may surprise you.

In The Mass of the Early Christians, author Mike Aquilina reveals the Church's most ancient Eucharistic beliefs and practices. Using the words of the early Christians themselves — from many documents and inscriptions — Aquilina traces the Mass's history from Jesus' lifetime through the fourth century. The Mass stood at the center of the Church's life, evident in the Scriptures as well as the earliest Christian sermons, letters, artwork, tombstones, and architecture. Even the pagans bore witness to the Mass in the records of their persecutions.

In these legacies from the early Church, you will hear and taste and see the same worship Catholics know today: the altar, the priests, the chalice of wine, the bread, the Sign of the Cross...the Lord, have mercy ...the Holy, holy, holy ...and the Communion.

You will see vividly how Jesus followed through on his promise to be with us always, until the end of time.