Books are, of course, the primary apostolate of Goretti Publications. While we also publish a wide variety of pamphlets and other apologetic materials, our primary purpose is to make quality Catholic books available to the faithful either without charge or with only a minimal fee. Here, then, is our selection of Catholic works, available for download for no charge. Those Catholics looking for shorter works are encouraged to browse The Covadonga Review, where some excellent shorter works, both scholarly and fictional, can be found under the same conditions as all the works published by Goretti Publications.
A brief note on our imprimatur, to explain the somewhat strange-looking construct on our copyright pages.
Nonfiction
Distributism: A Catholic System of Economics
Donald P. Goodman III
This non-technical work is an attempt to explain the Catholic principles which govern an authentically Catholic and Thomistic economic system. Relying, as always, heavily on St. Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle, Goodman interprets the papal encyclicals in light of Thomistic principles and their plain meaning in order to explain distributism clearly and comprehensibly. This work is intended, like most of Goodman's works, for the layman; however, it offers much to think about even for the professional economist. It provides critiques of both socialism and capitalism as well as explicating the solution to the ills of both, distributism. The book is a much-needed summary of papal economic teaching focusing almost entirely upon the three great encyclicals Rerum Novarum, Quadragesimo Anno, and Centesimus Annus. Recommended for all Catholics, even those not sympathetic to distributism. 146 pp., index. pdf. Version 1.4, 13 March 2008.
The Distributism Debate
Br. Alexis Bugnolo, John Clark, James Fitzpatrick, John Sharpe, Thomas Storck, Thomas Woods, et al.
A chronicle of a debate about distributism, rather than a justification or critique of it in itself. In the early years of this century, an informal debate was sparked on the Internet by an article written by John Clark in Latin Mass Magazine attacking distributism, a system of economics intended to conform to the social teachings of the Church. This debate, except for the original article, has been condensed into this single work, along with a list of references for those interested in futher reading. 155 pp. pdf. Version 2.4, 3 August 2007.
The Modesty Handbook
Donald P. Goodman III
Written to explain the much-forgotten virtue of modesty in terms satisfying to the theologian yet understandable to the layman, this book explains the Catholic principles of modesty in a clear and concise way. Relying heavily on St. Thomas Aquinas and the Fathers of the Church, it simply and clearly explains the nature of the virtues in general and modesty in particular. It then places modesty among the other virtues and addresses the most important particular aspects of modesty, explaining in detail what the principles of modesty demand in terms of clothing, hair, skin, and bearing. 93 pp., index. pdf. Version 1.4, 24 March 2008.
Rightful Aspirations
David Sonnier
Many people have questioned the need for the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum. According to these skeptics, the people who wanted to have access to the Traditional Mass of the Latin Rite already had access to it resulting from Ecclesia Dei (1988), in which Pope John Paul II asked bishops and clergy throughout the Church to respect the "rightful aspirations" of those requesting it. This book will convince you otherwise. It is the true story of a six-year effort of an Army officer to work within the system and obtain access to the Traditional Mass for himself, his family, and other soldiers and their families. Were he a mediocre soldier it would be easy to brush off this disturbing story. Instead, it comes from a 1981 West Point graduate who loved the Army and was in every way a model soldier: principled, talented, multilingual, and able to handle diverse responsibilities, such as Special Forces Detachment Commander, General's Aide, and any number of jobs requiring an advanced degree in Computer Science. He watched as Catholic chaplains he trusted manipulated the system to ensure that no instances of the Traditional Mass emerged, while they systematically worked to destroy the faith of anyone committed to Catholic Tradition and undermine the authority of the Catholic Church from within the ranks. At some point, as he puts it, "it was no longer possible to serve in an Army in which Witchcraft, Voodoo, and Wicca are generously supported by the chaplains and the Mass of the Ages is forbidden." Rightful Aspirations serves as a shocking example of the failure of Ecclesia Dei and the need for a stronger statement from the Holy Father which, unfortunately, came far too late for many. 220 pp. pdf. Version 1.0, 26 October 2007.
Thomistic Salvation: A Layman's Guide
Donald P. Goodman III
Examining in detail most of St. Thomas Aquinas's writings on original sin, baptism, and salvation, this work provides the Thomistic answer to many of the disputes currently widespread in the Church today. Providing extensive quotations to back up his points and verifying them in the original language, Goodman contradicts both the Feeneyites on one side and the modernists on the other, exposing the true Catholic position on such issues as baptism of desire, Limbo, and original sin. 76 pp., index. pdf. Version 1.4, 25 July 2007.