Word on Fire
The Word on Fire Bible, Volume I: The Gospels, Hardcover
The hardcover first volume of the Word on Fire Bible, covering the four Gospels with commentary from Bishop Robert Barron and others, plus artwork.
Books & Liturgical Resources
Catholic Bibles
A Catholic Bible contains all 73 books, including the deuterocanonical books, and carries an imprimatur. The Bibles listed here use four translations: the NABRE, which is the basis of the US Lectionary; the RSV Second Catholic Edition used by Ignatius and Ascension; the NRSV-CE used in the Word on Fire volumes; and the Douay-Rheims. Bindings range from hardcover to bonded, genuine and imitation leather. Editions differ in type size, study notes, artwork and whether the whole Bible or only part of it is included.
A lector practicing readings should use the NABRE, since it matches what is proclaimed at Mass; the Catholic Bible Press large-print and XL editions suit that use. A parish Bible study following the Great Adventure program needs the Ascension edition. Priests and catechists who want notes on every page should look at the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. The Word on Fire volumes are for reading the Gospels and New Testament with commentary and art. Traditional communities prefer the Douay-Rheims from Baronius.
8 catholic bibles
Eight Bibles are listed: three Word on Fire volumes, two full study Bibles, two large-print NABRE editions and a Douay-Rheims.
Word on Fire
The Word on Fire Bible, Volume I: The Gospels, Leather
The leather-bound edition of the Word on Fire Gospels volume, released in June 2020, with the same commentary and art as the hardcover.
Word on Fire
The Word on Fire Bible, Volume II: Acts to Revelation
The 841-page hardcover second volume covering Acts, the Letters, and Revelation, with 120 commentaries from Bishop Barron and over 275 from saints and scholars.
Ascension
The Great Adventure Catholic Bible, Second Edition
A complete RSV-2CE Bible in imitation leather, organized around the Bible Timeline learning system, with a Bible in a Year reading plan and maps.
Ignatius Press
Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, Old and New Testaments
The complete Ignatius Catholic Study Bible with Old and New Testaments in bonded leather, pairing the RSV-2CE text with study notes and essays.
Baronius Press
Douay-Rheims Bible, Large Size, Black Leather
A large-size Douay-Rheims Bible from Baronius Press in a flexible black leather cover with stitched edges, gilt page edges, and two ribbons.
Catholic Bible Press
NABRE Large Print Catholic Bible, Leathersoft, Brown
The New American Bible, Revised Edition, in a large-print Comfort Print setting with a brown Leathersoft cover, published by Catholic Bible Press in 2020.
Catholic Bible Press
NABRE XL Catholic Bible, Leathersoft, Black
The New American Bible, Revised Edition, in the extra-large Comfort Print setting with a black Leathersoft cover, published by Catholic Bible Press in 2022.
Side by side
The specifications the makers publish, in one table.
Questions before you order
Which Bible translation is used at Mass in the United States?
The US Lectionary uses the New American Bible, with the readings slightly adapted for proclamation. The NABRE, the 2011 revised edition, is the closest Bible to the Lectionary text, and lectors and homilists usually prefer it for preparation. Other approved translations are fine for study and prayer.
What does RSV-2CE mean?
The Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition, published by Ignatius Press in 2006, updates the 1966 RSV Catholic Edition with modern pronouns and Lectionary-based changes. It is used in the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible and the Great Adventure Catholic Bible and is approved for Catholic use.
Is there a large-print Catholic Bible?
Yes. The Catholic Bible Press NABRE Large Print edition uses the publisher's Comfort Print typeface at large-print size, and the NABRE XL edition is larger still. The large-size Douay-Rheims from Baronius Press also uses bigger type than the standard edition. Study Bibles with notes generally use smaller type.
Which Bible makes a good Confirmation or ordination gift?
A leather-bound full Bible with the recipient's name stamped on the cover is traditional. The Word on Fire leather Gospels volume, the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible and the Douay-Rheims in black leather all suit a gift. Hardcover editions are better for daily study use.