Catholic Links

Searching for information on Catholic Faith and Teachings can be difficult when using the Internet, as a Google of the word "Catholic" will render over 125 million hits. We've compiled some of the best websites pertaining to the Catholic Faith for your convenience and have organized them under the headings listed below. These sites are among the most popular Catholic sites and the information they provide is sound and correct. In many cases we've provided brief descriptors from the website themselves to assist you in your search for information.

Let us know if you experience a broken link by emailing the Webmaster. Do you have a great Catholic link that you think should be listed below? Shoot us an email and we'll check it out!

Index

Church Authority

Vatican Holy See
This is the official website of the Vatican.

United States Catholic Conference of Bishops
This is the official website for the Bishops of the United States.

Archdiocese of Philadelphia
This is the official website for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Catholic Hierarchy
This website listed all of the current and historical information for Catholic bishops and dioceses throughout the world.

Vocations

Archdiocese of Philadelphia Vocation Office

Little Sisters of the Poor

Marianist NEW!

Norbertine Order Sisters of Saint Joseph

Sisters of Mercy

Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Society of Jesus - The Jesuits

Third Order Religious (Seculars)

Third Orders or Secular Orders, as they are sometimes called, are lay religious orders comprised of men and women who participate in the good works and objectives of the Religious Order. Third Orders are divided into Third Order Regulars (those who live in community and take vows) and Third Order Seculars. Seculars are different from Regulars in that they make a solemn promise (not a vow) and live in the world (i.e., they can be married, have families, work regular full time jobs, etc.) Below are some links to various Secular Third Orders.

Augustinian Seculars

Third Order of St. Benedict

Third Order Seculars of St. Dominic

Franciscan Friars Third Order Seculars

Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites

Trinitarian Secular Third Order

Catholic Research & Teachings

Biblia Clerus
This website offers Sacred Scripture, its interpretation in light of Sacred Tradition and the teachings of the Magisterium, with appropriate theological commentary and exegesis. The downloadable version allows you to connect Sacred Scripture to the complete works of many Doctors of the Church, Councils, Encyclicals, teachings of the Popes, Catechisms, as well as commentaries from secular literature, etc.

Catechism of the Catholic Church
The official Catechism of the Catholic Church with searchable index.

Catholic Answers
This website is one of the largest lay apologetic sites on the internet. Apologetics is a field of Christian theology that aims to present a rational basis for the Christian faith, as well as defend the faith against objections.

Catholic Biblical Association of America
The purpose of the Catholic Biblical Association is to promote, within a context of faith, scholarly study in Scripture and related fields by meetings of the association, publications, and support to those engaged in such studies.

Catholic History
CatholicHistory.net is a resource for students, teachers, researchers, and anyone interested in the history of Catholicism in the United States. Its purpose is to promote deeper and wider understanding of the place of Catholics and the Catholic Church in the history of the American nation.

Code of Canon Law
The official online version of Canon Law maintained by the Vatican with a searchable index.

New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia
This great site features the original 15 volume set from the 1917 Catholic Encyclopedia. While a great resource to use when seeking information, it does not reflect modern thought, moral issues, or teachings.

New American Bible
Maintained by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, this site feature the NAB online with a searchable index.

Papal Encyclicals
This site maintains an extensive collection of papal documents beginning with Pope Honorius (1226 AD) through today.

Readings & Psalms for the Month
Another site maintained by the USCCB featuring the readings and psalms for Sunday Mass.

Catholic Media Resources

American Catholic
This is the webpage was created by the Franciscan's which includes their online magazine, St. Anthony Messenger. Features include faith based articles, e-cards, movie reviews, and saint of the day.

Catholic Digest
A magazine devoted to Catholic living and lifestyle featuring online articles as well as the option to subscribe to a printed verison.

Catholic Online
This website offers Catholic realted news, links, saints, directories and Scriptures. It maintains a comprehensive searchable database.

Catholic World News
As the name iplies, CWN provides global coverage of Catholic news, events, and stories.

EWTN
Site of the Eternal Word Television Network containing TV, radio, and library resources.

Vatican Radio
The official radio of the Vatican featuring programs in 40 different languages from over 60 different countries.

Whispers in the Loggia An informative blog on the happenings in the Catholic Church by Philly native Rocco Palmo.

Religious Gifts & Goods

St. Jude Shop, Inc.

Abbott Church Goods, Inc.

Autom Company

The Catholic Company

The Catholic Shop

Restored Traditions - Religious Art

Stella Maris Books

T. H. Stemper Co.

Prayer & Spirituality

Calix - An International Association of Catholic Alcoholics Calix is an association of Catholic alcoholics who are maintaining their sobriety through affiliation with and participation in the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. Calix welcomes other alcoholics, non members of our faith, or any others, non-alcoholics, who are concerned with the illness of alcoholism and wish to join with us in prayer for their stated purposes.

Calix has a new chapter in the Philadelphia area located at St. Luke in Glenside. This chapter meets on the last Saturday of each month. For more info contact Ken at 215-327-3236 or email at StLukeCalix@comcast.net.

Divine Mercy

How to Pray the Rosary

Liturgy of the Hours ( Divine Office )

Marriage Encounter

Mass Times
This website provides the mass times for Catholic Churches from around the world. Always be sure to contact the parish directly to verify the information on the site, as updating the information is only done if the parish provides the information to the website.

Online Retreat
This 34 week retreat experience for Everyday Life was created by Creighton University.

Sacred Space
Daily online prayer and scripture reflections from the Irish Jesuits.

3-Minute Daily Retreat
This daily retreat is made available by Loyola Press. You can logon daily via the link above, or if you like what you see when you visit, you can register at the site and have the retreat e-mailed to you every morning.

Traditional Catholic Prayers & Devotions

Heeding God's Call NEW!
This faith-based organization working to end gun violence through various advocacy programs.

Catholic Publishers

Alba House

Ave Maria Press

Ignatius Press

Liguori Publications

Liturgical Press

Liturgy Training Publications

Loyola Press Books

Our Sunday Visitor

Pauline Books & Media

Paulist Press

St. Anthony Messenger

Saint Mary's Press

Local Catholic Shrines

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is home to several National Shrines and there are several more located in or near the Delaware Valley area. Consider making a visit or pilgrimage to one of the following local shrines:

National Shrine of St. John Neumann - Philadelphia

National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia - Philadelphia

Central Association of the Miraculous Medal Shrine - Philadelphia

National Centre for Padre Pio - Barto, PA

National Shrine of St. Katharine Drexel - Bensalem, PA

National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa - Doylestown, PA

Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Ann - Scranton, PA

St. Jude Shrine - Baltimore, MD

National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes - Emmitsburg, MD

National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton - Emmitsburg, MD

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception - Washington, DC

Local Retreat Centers

Cranaleith Spiritual Center
A ministry of the Sisters of Mercy, located in the Somerton section of Philadelphia

Sisters of St. Joseph Spirituality Center
A ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph, located in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia

Malvern Retreat House
Operated by the Laymen's Retreat League, located in Malvern, PA

St. Raphaela Center
A ministry of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, located in Haverford, PA

Franciscan Spirituality Center & Clare House A ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis, located in Aston, PA

Mother Boniface Spirituality Center A ministry of the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity, located in Philadelphia, PA

The Spirituality Center at Daylesford Abbey
A ministry of the Norbertine Order, located in Paoli, PA

Looking to Volunteer?

Aid for Friends
Aid For Friends' mission is to serve needy, isolated shut-ins, primarily the frail elderly, in the 5 county Greater Philadelphia area, with free daily home-cooked meals delivered weekly by empathetic volunteer visitors, and also to provide shut-ins with free out reach services. The goal is to help our homebound "client/friends" maintain their cherished independence by supporting their determination to remain in their own homes for as long as possible and to enhance their quality of life.

St. Francis Inn
St. Francis Inn is located in the Kensington section of Philadelphia and is operated by the Franciscan community. The community is composed of religious and lay people called to live and minister among the poor and homeless. They serve the poor and homeless through the operation of a daily soup kitchen, a thrift shop and a women's day center. St. Francis Inn is always looking for individuals and groups to volunteer their time and talent to assist with their mission of ministering to the poor and homeless.

Elizabeth Ministry International
An organization of woman to woman mentoring for the joys, challenges and sorrows of the childbearing years founded by Capuchin Father, Rev. Kurt Gessner.

Catholic Organizations

American Catholic Historical Society
The American Catholic Historical Society (ACHS) was founded for the purpose of collecting and preserving materials relating to American history and the contributions of Catholics to the building of our great nation, as well as the Catholic Church in the United States. Founded in 1884, it is the oldest historical organization of its kind in the United States.

Ancient Order of Hibernians
The AOH is an Irish Catholic Fraternal Organization for men and women, dedicated to the principles of Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity. Meetings are held monthly and membership is limited to practicing Roman Catholics of Irish descent.

The Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima, USA
The Blue Army is a world wide organization dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima that promotes Eucharistic prayer and the Rosary, as well as penance, especially the generous acceptance of the duties of our state in life. If offers a wide variety of spiritual programs.

Catholic Charities
Founded in 1910, Catholic Charities USA is one of one of the nation's largest social service networks. Catholic Charities agencies and institutions nationwide provide vital social services to people in need, regardless of their religious, social, or economic backgrounds. Catholic Charities USA supports and enhances the work of its membership by providing networking opportunities, national advocacy and media efforts, program development, training and technical assistance, and financial support.

Catholic Relief Services
Catholic Relief Services was founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States. Its mission is to assist the poor and disadvantaged, leveraging the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to alleviate human suffering, promote development of all people, and to foster charity and justice throughout the world.

Catholic Network of Volunteer Service
Catholic Network of Volunteer Service (CNVS), established in 1963, is a non-profit membership organization of 200 domestic and international volunteer and lay mission programs. Currently, more than 10,000 volunteers and lay missioners serve in these programs throughout the U.S. and in 108 other countries.

Central Association of the Miraculous Medal
The mission of the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal (CAMM) is to render honor to Mary Immaculate through the promotion of her Miraculous Medal. In Mary's Name the Association also supports the education of future Vincentian priests and brothers, its aged and infirm religious members, and its apostolic works on behalf of the poor.

Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic men's fraternal benefit society that was formed to render financial aid to members and their families. Mutual aid and assistance are offered to sick, disabled and needy members and their families. Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works.

MOM - Heart of the Home Ministry
MOM - Heart of the Home Ministry is a movement for spiritual renewal in the Roman Catholic Church. It is dedicated to Mary, Our Mother. Through days of renewal and other spiritual opportunities, this movement rejuvenates, elevates, and empowers motherhood. Designed for, by, and about mothers, it builds community through newsletters and various projects.