Catholic Media
Discover a wealth of resources designed to help parents and caregivers nurture their family's faith. From insightful websites to engaging podcasts and enlightening books, a world of Catholic resources is just a click away. Empower your family's spiritual journey with these valuable tools!
Have some you'd like to share with us? Email cpi@olvcharities.org.
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Podcasts
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Podcasts for Kids
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Books for Tweens & Teens
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Books for Kids
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Movies & Shows for All
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Movies & Shows for Kids
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Studies & Series
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Novels
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Spiritual Classics
Books & Graphic Novels for Tweens & Teens
Beckoning
Tabby Long is a non-Christian girl in a Catholic school whose world gets turned upside down when her dad, who has never been a man of faith, experiences a miraculous healing on Good Friday. Her father’s dramatic religious conversion alienates her mother, who deserts the family. In her struggle to understand what has happened to her family, Tabby follows the suggestion of her school’s religion teacher, and she begins spending time reading Scripture while in Eucharistic Adoration. Ages 9-12. Claudia is also the author of many Catholic children’s book such as The Miracle of the August Snow, St. Paul’s Nephew to the Rescue, The Christmas Light, The Wordless Weaver, and many more!
Chime Travelers
The Chime Travelers Bundle is packed with all five fun and inspiring adventures from the series kids love! Each book transports kids back in time to meet a major saint and discover their legacy. You’ll also find featured prayers, a short biography of the saint, and discussion questions to help children connect what they are learning to their lives. Included in this new bundle are these five incredible stories from author Lisa M. Hendey: The Secret of the Shamrock, The Sign of the Carved Cross, The Whisper in the Ruins, The Mystery at Midnight, and The Strangers at the Manger. Chime Travelers is a delightful and entertaining way to show children the beauty and power of Catholicism. Grade Level: 2-5. Lisa is also the author of many books for children and adults including I’m a Saint in the Making, 5-Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath, I Am God’s Storyteller, Saints Like Me – Toddler Edition, I am Earth’s Keeper, A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms, The Handbooks for Catholic Moms and The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living.
Father of the Fatherless: The Story of
Nelson Baker
Get ready for an action-packed, full-color comic book biography that brings to life the inspiring story of Father Nelson Baker, priest of the Diocese of Buffalo, New York and founder of OLV Charities. After converting to Catholicism at 9 years old, Nelson was determined to follow God’s will in his life, under the watchful care of Our Lady. Initially he became a successful businessman, but God had bigger plans for Nelson. God called him to open his generous heart to the poor and disadvantaged youth of Buffalo, becoming a father to the fatherless and establishing a “City of Charity” for the poor and most defenseless in society. Readers will be captivated by the heart of a loving pastor who spent his entire life for others, becoming a true apostle of charity. Ages 10-14. Voyage Comics also has a series called Messages from Our Lady, a series called Miracles of the Eucharist with Carlo Acutis, as well as other stories of saint and soon-to-be saints, such as Lily of the Mohawks: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Servant of the Suffering: Rose Hawthorne, Champion of the Poor: Father Joe Walijewski, and The Tale of Patrick Peyton
Fr. Finn Series
Father Francis Finn, S.J., was an early 20th-century Jesuit priest who wrote delightful children's stories about life in Jesuit boarding schools. Taken from his years of experience teaching Catholic boys, Father Finn writes about various human personalities with warmth and humor that makes for enjoyable reading for the whole family. Easy to pick up and hard to put down, these books are joys to read not only for young people, but also for adults! In Ethelred Preston, Fr. Finn's engaging narration entertains readers with a new student, Ethelred, who livens things up at Henryton Boarding Academy. The adventures intertwine a host of Catholic topics and present an entertaining and inspiring vision of childhood. Claude Lightfoot follows the antics of a reckless 12-year-old boy who constantly acts first and thinks later. After getting in a clash with some bullies, Claude is obliged to miss his First Communion. Continuing with the same main characters from Claude Lightfoot, Fr. Finn again paints a vivid picture of the all-American boy in That Football Game: And What Came of It, covering a variety of Catholic topics while also giving a stalwart defense of the game of football. Fr. Finn continues his knack for describing the Catholic Faith through the vicissitudes of everyday life, just the way it should be. Ages 10+.
Did Adam & Eve Have Belly Buttons?
With more than 130,000 copies sold, Did Adam & Eve Have Belly Buttons? is the number one book for Catholic teens. It offers today’s young Catholics 200 clear and insightful answers to questions about the Catholic Faith. This book captures the attention of teens by directly addressing their concerns, misconceptions, and challenges. The revised edition adds over 500 Bible and 800 Catechism of the Catholic Church references and has been granted an imprimatur. Check out Did Jesus Have a Last Name? by Matthew Pinto and Jason Evert, the sequel to Did Adam and Eve Have Belly Buttons?
Do I Have to Go?
From playing video games to sleeping in, teens can think of countless things they would rather do than go to Mass on Sunday morning. That is, unless they knew what they were missing. Do I Have to Go? explains the meaning and the mystery of Mass in such a way that teens will be asking, ‘Why wouldn’t I go?’ With wit, clarity, and common sense, Matthew Pinto and Chris Stefanick answer the tough questions teens have about the Mass—from the rituals contained in the Liturgy, to the doctrines of the Eucharist and the priesthood. When teens understand that the Mass is literally the meeting place between heaven and earth, they will have a newfound sense of awe and a deeper understanding of their role as a Catholic in a post-modern world. In Do I Have to Go? teens will learn: • Why the Mass is an essential part of the Christian life. • The mystery of the Eucharist as the Real Presence of Jesus’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. • How the redemptive work of Jesus Christ is communicated to and through the Church and the sacraments. • The meaning of all the gestures and symbols of the Mass. • How the Mass has developed from its roots in the Old Testament, through its institution by Christ. • The importance of the liturgical seasons for the spiritual life.
How I Stayed Catholic at Harvard:
40 Tips for Faithful College Students
A Harvard graduate, Rhodes Scholar, and devout Catholic tells you everything you need to know about keeping your faith at a modern university. In How I Stayed Catholic at Harvard, Aurora Griffin draws on her recent experience, and shares forty practical tips relating to academics, community, prayer, and service that helped her stay Catholic in college. She reminds us that keeping the faith is a conscious decision, reinforced by commitment to daily practices. Aurora’s story illustrates that when you decide your faith matters to you, no one can take it away, even in the most secular environments and under strong peer pressure. Throughout the book, she shows how being Catholic in college did not prevent her from having a full “college experience,” but actually enabled her to make the most of her time at Harvard. Aurora encourages students who are about to begin this formative journey, or those now in college, that the most valuable parts of college life -- lasting friendships, intellectual growth, and cherished memories -- are experienced in a more meaningful way when lived in and through the Catholic faith.
Lepanto's Lady
Every October 7, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. What many may not know is that this title was bestowed on the Blessed Mother after the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, the most epic sea battle in the history of Christendom. Lepanto’s Lady is based on the real-life events of the Battle of Lepanto and introduces readers to Rosa, a young girl from Amalfi who must use her strength and cunning to stay clear of slave traders and ruffians as she travels alone in search of her father, who has been captured by enemies. Can Rosa manage this treacherous journey with the help of newfound friends? How will she find and save her father? Lepanto’s Lady is a riveting tale that demonstrates the undeniable power of the Rosary. Ages 10+. Laurie J. Schmitt is also the author of Champions of the Rosary, Giorgio’s Miracle, and Someday Saints: America’s Blesseds, Venerables, and Servants of God: Father Solanus Casey, Bishop Frederic Baraga, and Father Samuel Mazzuchelli
One the Edge of Darkness (Book 1, Wingfeather Saga)
Andrew Peterson spins a quirky and riveting tale of the Igibys’ extraordinary journey from Glipwood’s Dragon Day Festival and a secret hidden in the Books and Crannies Bookstore, past the terrifying Black Carriage, clutches of the horned hounds and loathsome toothy cows surrounding Anklejelly Manor, through the Glipwood Forest to mysterious treehouse of Peet the Sock Man (known for a little softshoe and wearing tattered socks on his hands and arms). Full of characters rich in heart, smarts, and courage, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness presents a world of wonder and a tale children of all ages will cherish, families can read aloud, and readers’ groups are sure to discuss for its layers of meaning about life’s true treasure and tangle of the beautiful and horrible, temporal and eternal, and good and bad.
Shadow in the Dark
An attack by bandits in the middle of the night leaves a young boy with no memory of who he is or where he is from. Nursed back to health by the devoted monks in a Benedictine abbey, he takes the name Alexander, or Xan for short. Aided by the kindly Brother Andrew, Xan commits himself to finding out who he really is. Does he have a family? Are they still alive? And who—or what—is the shadowy figure creeping around the abbey in the dead of night? Embark on an adventure while reading Shadow in the Dark as young Alexander tries to recover his memory and, with his new friends, uncover the mystery of the shadowy figure in the dark. Check out the other books in The Harwood Mysteries: The Haunted Cathedral: The Harwood Mysteries (Book 2), The Fire of Eden: The Harwood Mysteries (Book 3), The Merchant’s Curse: The Harwood Mysteries (Book 4), Murder at Penwood Manor: The Harwood Mysteries (Book 5), and The Devil’s Ransom: The Harwood Mysteries (Book 6)
Shadow of His Wings: A Graphic Biography of Fr. Gereon Goldman
Here is the astonishing true story of the harrowing experiences of a young German seminarian drafted into Hitler's dreaded SS at the onset of World War II. Without betraying his Christian ideals, against all odds, and in the face of Evil, Gereon Goldmann was able to complete his priestly training, be ordained, and secretly minister to German Catholic soldiers and innocent civilian victims caught up in the horrors of war. How it all came to pass will astound you. Father Goldmann tells of his own incredible experiences of the trials of war, his many escapes from almost certain death, and the diabolical persecution that he and his fellow Catholic soldiers encountered on account of their faith. What emerges is an extraordinary witness to the workings of Divine Providence and the undying power of love, prayer, faith, and sacrifice. Grade Level: 5-10.
Sisters of the Last Straw
Meet the Sisters of the Last Straw, a community of sisters working hard to overcome their bad habits. Join these lovable misfit nuns as they learn to love God and forgive one another in this complete set of books! Grade Level: 1-4
The Ball & The Cross
When two men decide to fight for their respective beliefs, they discover to their astonishment that an unbelieving world won’t let them, and they find themselves partners and fugitives from the law in this steampunk satire. Penned by G.K. Chesterton in 1909, this whimsical and biting novel eerily foreshadows a world in which “tolerance” is the only god and all those who believe ideas are worth dying for are forced to stand together to defend freedom of speech and belief. For high school-aged readers and up. G.K. Chesterton is also the author of Orthodoxy, The Everlasting Man, The Complete Father Brown Stories, St. Francis of Assisi, In Defense of Sanity, The Man Who Was Thursday, Manalive, The Flying Inn, The Club of Queer Trades, The Dumb Ox, What’s Wrong with the World, Heretics, The Well and the Shallows, The Catholic Church and Conversion, and many more!
The Chestertons & the Golden Key
Summer vacation turns into an adventure for the three Nicholl sisters when Mr. Gilbert Chesterton and his wife Frances come to town! Eleven-year-old Clare hopes to write a detective story. Eight-year-old Cece wants to be a champion roller-skater. And ten-year-old Joan just wants to learn how to play the locked piano in the family living room. But as they befriend the Chestertons, skating accidents, surprising friendships, puppet shows, and mystery-solving ensue! Don't miss this charming children's tale that stars one of the greatest writers of the 20th century in a truly delightful and exciting text perfect for young kids who love to read and learn. Grade Level: 3-7.
The Chronicles of Narnia
Readers of all ages—whether they are experiencing Narnia for the first time or returning once again to the magical world—will love seeing the creatures and landscapes of C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series in gorgeous color. The Chronicles of Narnia have enchanted millions of readers for over sixty years, for here is a world where a witch decrees eternal winter; where there are more talking animals than people; and where battles are fought by Centaurs, Giants, and Fauns. Ages 7+. C.S. Lewis is also the author of Mere Christianity, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, Till we Have Faces, A Grief Observed, The Problem of Pain, Surprised by Joy, The Four Loves, Reflections on the Psalms, The Weight of Glory, The Space Trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, The Hideous Strength), and many more!
The Golden Key & Other Fairytales
Enter what G.K. Chesterton called “the glorious fairyland of George MacDonald”! This delightful collection of classic stories will introduce the reader to the “forgotten father of fantasy fiction.” According to C.S. Lewis, there is “hardly any other writer who seems to be closer, or more continuously close, to the Spirit of Christ Himself,” and MacDonald deeply influenced the Christian fantasy writers who followed him, including J.R.R. Tolkien and Madeleine L’Engle. This beautiful collection includes MacDonald’s stories “The Golden Key,” “The Light Princess,” and “Little Daylight,” as well as stunning full-color illustrations by Anastasia Nesterova and an introduction for the young reader by children’s book author and Editor of Word on Fire Spark Haley Stewart. It is sure to spark the imagination of any reader. Grade Level: Pre-K-5.
The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings
Immerse yourself in J.R.R. Tolkien's epic masterworks The Hobbit and the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings (The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King) with this stunning four-volume, deluxe paperback boxed set. In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins is whisked away from his comfortable, unambitious life in Hobbiton by the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves. He finds himself caught up in a plot to raid the treasure hoard of Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. The Lord of the Rings tells of the great quest undertaken by Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship of the Ring: Gandalf the wizard; the hobbits Merry, Pippin, and Sam; Gimli the dwarf; Legolas the elf; Boromir of Gondor; and a tall, mysterious stranger called Strider. Tolkien's three volume masterpiece is at once a classic myth and a modern fairy tale—a story of high and heroic adventure set in the unforgettable landscape of Middle-earth. Ages 15+.
The Pope's Cat
This is the story of a stray cat, Margaret, born on the Via della Conciliazione in Rome, how she’s adopted by the Pope, and then “rules” the Vatican from museum to floorboard! No one has a closer view of what’s happening in the world’s tiniest nation, Vatican City, than Margaret. But she wasn’t always Margaret, and she wasn’t always the Pope’s cat. She started out as a stray on the streets of Rome, and there are those in the Vatican who wish she’d never been allowed inside. Follow Margaret in the first book of the Pope’s Cat Series as she explores the ‘Ins and Outs’ of the Catholic Church. Other books in this series include Margaret's Night in St. Peter's (A Christmas Story), Margaret's First Holy Week, Margaret and the Pope Go to Assisi, Before Margaret Met the Pope. Grade Level: 1-4.
The Saints Chronicles
The Saints Chronicles bring vividly to life the stories of courageous Christians from the earliest days of Christianity to modern times. All five volumes of this Graphic Novel Series are packed with engaging texts and dramatic images that captivate and inspire readers of all ages. The stirring adventures of these brave Christian souls remind us that God has in mind for each of us a unique mission, worthy of all our imagination and all our daring. Appealing to readers of all ages, these four Graphic Novels will enhance literacy and promote content retention while introducing Catholic saints in a form that can be enjoyed again and again.
The Truth is Out There
Brendan and Erc are just your average interplanetary mailmen trying to find their way in the galaxy. But one day, while piloting cargo through the far reaches of space, they suddenly find themselves on a journey they didn’t expect: a journey to the truth. A totally new kind of Catholic resource for apologetics and evangelization, The Truth Is Out There combines the visual excitement and quirky humor of graphic novels with solid popular philosophy and theology. The result is a book in which everyone from teens to adults can find accessible answers to questions about God, the soul, true happiness, and much more—and have fun doing it! And because Brendan and Erc start their journey at the very beginning, readers don’t have to be Catholic—or possess any kind of faith—to appreciate the thoughtful ideas and arguments they’ll encounter. If you just have an open mind (and a sense of adventure) you will come away from these pages with a clearer sense of life’s purpose, and a better understanding of the reasons for believing in God, Jesus, and the Church. And if you’re already a believer, The Truth Is Out There will deepen your knowledge of the Faith and sharpen your skills at defending it. Grade Level 2-7. Check out The Big Picture: Brendan and Erc in Exile (Volume 2) and The Weapons of War: Brendan and Erc in Exile (Volume 3)
To the Heights
Enter the heart of a passionate young man who in his brief life reached the heights of adventure, friendship, and sanctity. Born to a wealthy family in Turin at the dawn of the 20th century, Pier Giorgio Frassati was good-looking, popular and athletic. He spent much of his youth climbing the rugged Italian Alps, disappearing into the clouds for days at a time. He was quick with a joke or a prank and enjoyed a good time. It seemed he was blessed with everything a young man could ask for. But he hungered for more. Despite coming from a family of such prestige, Pier Giorgio spent most days in the slums of Turin, visiting the poor and serving the sick. His love for Christ burned within him and brushed off on everyone he came into contact with—from lepers and orphans to college friends and political diplomats. He shared his Faith with kindness and charity, and defended it passionately against the evils of Fascism, even coming to blows with Mussolini’s thugs on numerous occasions. Pier Giorgio touched the lives of thousands, yet his high-society parents remained unmoved by the life he led as they frowned upon his religious practices and charitable work. Reaching them would be his last challenge, his final mountain to climb. To the Heights is an unforgettable novel about Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Dig deeper than the biographical facts and discover the heart of a charismatic young man whose soul blazes brightly and uniquely among the host of heaven. Grade Level 6+.
Will Wilder: Relic of Perilous Falls
Fans of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Peter Lerangis's Seven Wonders series will embrace this first epic adventure in a rollicking new series by a New York Times bestselling author. Will Wilder is a mischievous, headstrong twelve-year-old with an otherworldly gift—he alone can see the nefarious creatures encroaching on Perilous Falls. For nearly a century, a sacred relic has protected his hometown from the raging waters surrounding it. But when Will "borrows" the relic for his own purposes, he accidentally unleashes an ancient evil. As boats sink and hideous creatures crawl from the rising waters, Will must set things right before it is too late. With the help of his sweet (if lethal) Great Aunt Lucille, the curator of a museum of powerful artifacts, Will proves that the actions of one twelve-year-old boy can change the world. Age Range: 8-12 years, Grade Level: 3-7. Raymond is also the author of Will Wilder #2: The Lost Staff of Wonders, Will Wilder #3: The Amulet of Power, The Spider Who Saved Christmas, The Thief Who Stole Heaven, The Wisemen Who Found Christmas, and Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve, and a Network of Miracles.
Woman in the Trees
Set within the expanses of the American frontier, this story follows Slainie, an inquisitive pioneer girl, whose life is forever transformed when a mysterious seer shows up at her door. Amidst the backdrop of the Civil War, family tragedy, and the nation's most destructive wildfire, Slainie must navigate her rugged pioneer life as she encounters love and loss, and comes face to face with the story of America's first approved Marian apparition. Theoni is also the author of Jellybean: A Baby's Journey to God, which she wrote with her husband Bastian.