Books bought in Rome
There are three bookshops that I always visit in Rome: the Vatican bookshop, Ancora (Via Conciliazione) and Leoniana (Via dei Corridori). I have learnt to leave plenty of room in my suitcase. Here is what I bought this year:
The Bones of St Peter by John Evangelist Walsh. Singa-Tala, Manila 1982
The story of the excavations in 1939 and the identification of the bones of St Peter.
Saints of the Roman Calendar by Enzo Lodi, translated by Jordan Aumann. St Pauls 1992
What is says, basically - following the new calendar. Has a historical note for each saint, followed by a "message and relevance" note drawing on the texts of the liturgy. Needs to be supplemented by "Saints of the English Calendar" for England.
The Fifteen Saturdays by Bartolo Longo. Shrine of Poppeii (1993)
The "Presentation" says that they have updated the style of the text so I am glad to have an English translation rather than an annoyingly modernised Italian original. It also says
Pray, Pray, Pray. Editrice Shalom (1998)
This was one of a number of beautifully produced paperbacks on sale in the Vatican bookshop. Over 1000 pages of prayers, novenas, chaplets, meditations etc. ordered according to the persons of the Trinity, Our Lady and the Saints. There is a website for Editrice Shalom but although it has a union flag button, it does not take you to an English section. At any rate, they seem to be putting out devotional books in English.
Mother Theresa. Come be my light. The private writings of the "Saint of Calcutta" edited by Brian Kolodiejchuk MC. Doubleday (2007)
I was hoping that this would be simply the words of Bl. Mother Theresa. There are quite a few of those but there is a lot of editorial and explanatory text too. I'll reserve judgement until I have read it this one.
Vademecum di Teologia Morale by Gerardo Cappelluti OP. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. (1995)
A short handbook of moral theology, solidly based on St Thomas.
Roma Sacra. Tha Vatican Grottoes. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. (2003)
Illustrated historical and archeological guide to the grottoes under St Peter's Basilica - which I did not get to visit this time. A beautiful book with lots of colour and monochrome illustrations.
Dominus Est by Bishop Athanasius Schneider. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. (2008)
This was the one I really wanted - I have read it today and will post some thoughts on it later.
One great thing about buying books in Rome is that they are often so reasonably priced. The "Pray Pray Pray" was 12 euros, Bartolo Longo (over 400 pages) was 5.20 euros.
The Bones of St Peter by John Evangelist Walsh. Singa-Tala, Manila 1982
The story of the excavations in 1939 and the identification of the bones of St Peter.
Saints of the Roman Calendar by Enzo Lodi, translated by Jordan Aumann. St Pauls 1992
What is says, basically - following the new calendar. Has a historical note for each saint, followed by a "message and relevance" note drawing on the texts of the liturgy. Needs to be supplemented by "Saints of the English Calendar" for England.
The Fifteen Saturdays by Bartolo Longo. Shrine of Poppeii (1993)
The "Presentation" says that they have updated the style of the text so I am glad to have an English translation rather than an annoyingly modernised Italian original. It also says
"The thoughts, however, though not corresponding to theological ideas of today in several points, we have maintained intact, just as the saintly author conceived them through his sincere personal experience"so thank goodness for that.
Pray, Pray, Pray. Editrice Shalom (1998)
This was one of a number of beautifully produced paperbacks on sale in the Vatican bookshop. Over 1000 pages of prayers, novenas, chaplets, meditations etc. ordered according to the persons of the Trinity, Our Lady and the Saints. There is a website for Editrice Shalom but although it has a union flag button, it does not take you to an English section. At any rate, they seem to be putting out devotional books in English.
Mother Theresa. Come be my light. The private writings of the "Saint of Calcutta" edited by Brian Kolodiejchuk MC. Doubleday (2007)
I was hoping that this would be simply the words of Bl. Mother Theresa. There are quite a few of those but there is a lot of editorial and explanatory text too. I'll reserve judgement until I have read it this one.
Vademecum di Teologia Morale by Gerardo Cappelluti OP. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. (1995)
A short handbook of moral theology, solidly based on St Thomas.
Roma Sacra. Tha Vatican Grottoes. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. (2003)
Illustrated historical and archeological guide to the grottoes under St Peter's Basilica - which I did not get to visit this time. A beautiful book with lots of colour and monochrome illustrations.
Dominus Est by Bishop Athanasius Schneider. Libreria Editrice Vaticana. (2008)
This was the one I really wanted - I have read it today and will post some thoughts on it later.
One great thing about buying books in Rome is that they are often so reasonably priced. The "Pray Pray Pray" was 12 euros, Bartolo Longo (over 400 pages) was 5.20 euros.
