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The Thirty Three Doctors of the Church
The 33 Doctors of the Church. Here are 33 chapters about the greatest minds and greatest Saints the Catholic Church has ever produced. Written in a down-to-earth style, The 33 Doctors of the Church is a book that will be loved and appreciated by everyone. This monumental study could easily become 33 small books. But here it is in one compelling volume! Includes St. Athanasius, the defender of the doctrine of Christ's divinity, who was banished 5 times from his diocese for fidelity to Catholic teaching. In a moment of weakness, Pope Liberius even signed his condemnation! Impr. 725 pgs, PB
725 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 21, 2015
A theologian couple lent me this book as a reference for a project that I'm undertaking. I have to say, this is one of the best books about saints that I've ever read. It's beautifully written with a familiar tone, and each Doctor's entry is quite thorough. For sure it's not extremely detailed like you would expect from a biography of a single person. But for a compilation like this, Fr. Christopher Rangers has successfully kept the most important and interesting details to keep each Doctor looking three-dimensional. I'm tired of saints stories that leave you with the impression that saints are perfect humans with supernatural sufferings comforted by supernatural graces, with 100% holiness but 0% personality. Thank you, Fr. Rangers, for this wonderful work of yours! I'm totally getting the revised edition!
June 22, 2009
One of my favorite references--fun to use when I need information and even more enjoyable to peruse when I have time to spend with the wisest in the Communion of Saints, I especially like the individual titles of each illustrious Doctor, i.e., St. Athanasius, the Father of Orthodoxy; St. Ambrose, Patron of the Veneration of Mary; St. Albert the Great, the Universal Doctor, and my beloved patron, St. Teresa of Ávila, the Doctor of Prayer. Quite a few of these religious pillars of the Catholic Church have more than one title, such as St. Augustine, Doctor of Grace and Doctor of Doctors.
A wealth of information and inspiration!
A wealth of information and inspiration!
September 14, 2024
Excellent overview of the Doctors of the Church; each chapter, averaging twenty to thirty pages each, cover basic biographical information and major writings.
Unfortunately, the book is also tainted with Vatican II throughout. For example, it frequently mentions the Novus Ordo feastdays for each saint and the readings for the 1970 Divine Office. It also includes the three female doctors designated by Paul VI and John Paul II, along with quotes from these two popes in other chapters. Considering the destruction and grave scandal they inflicted on the Church since Vatican II, surely the author could have found far better sources for the ideas in these quotes.
Unfortunately, the book is also tainted with Vatican II throughout. For example, it frequently mentions the Novus Ordo feastdays for each saint and the readings for the 1970 Divine Office. It also includes the three female doctors designated by Paul VI and John Paul II, along with quotes from these two popes in other chapters. Considering the destruction and grave scandal they inflicted on the Church since Vatican II, surely the author could have found far better sources for the ideas in these quotes.
January 7, 2013
A very good read. The life of each saint is really very interesting. This must have been a MASSIVE undertaking for the author. Full of knowledge covering the life, teachings, and writings of each doctor. What is fascinating about this book is that, reading it front to back and the saints in the order written (chronological throughout time), you see Tradition alive in the Church, especially with regard to doctrine- how it is defined, passed on, defended... like a history of the entire church. And one sees what makes a saint. As different as they all are, the qualities of holiness common to all shine through- a model for anyone aspiring to it!
My only criticisms are: the author's tone often seems afraid of offending... maybe a little embarrassed, as though trying to "tone things down." Also I wish he had included at least one long, good-sized excerpt of each of the doctors' writings. But seeing as how the work is already over 600 pages I understand his decision not to! (There are many small excerpts, of course.) It's a great starting point and makes you want to read so many of the books they wrote!
Interestingly I had thought it a little strange that St. Therese was made a doctor (even though she is my favorite saint!) but after reading the lives of the others she now seems to fit right in to me :)
All in all a very good read and I'd recommend it!
My only criticisms are: the author's tone often seems afraid of offending... maybe a little embarrassed, as though trying to "tone things down." Also I wish he had included at least one long, good-sized excerpt of each of the doctors' writings. But seeing as how the work is already over 600 pages I understand his decision not to! (There are many small excerpts, of course.) It's a great starting point and makes you want to read so many of the books they wrote!
Interestingly I had thought it a little strange that St. Therese was made a doctor (even though she is my favorite saint!) but after reading the lives of the others she now seems to fit right in to me :)
All in all a very good read and I'd recommend it!
March 16, 2013
The 33 Doctors of the Church offers a great overview of some of the greatest intellects that the Catholic Church has ever known. Written in a style that is both reverent and compelling, the book gives a wonderful biography of each Doctor that imparts upon the reader the key elements of his or her writing, the major events of their life, and their lasting legacy.
Each chapter features primary-source excerpts that give the reader a sense of the overall oeuvre of each Doctor. These excerpts are skillfully woven into each biography so that the accounts of the lives of the Doctors are brought into focus by their own words. It must have been a tremendously time-consuming task for the author to compile the book, but the labor was certainly fruitful. The text is authoritative, informative, and inspiring.
I read this book before bed over the course of several months. It was constant source of interesting and edifying information that helped keep my challenges and achievements in perspective.
There is a great deal of wisdom to be found in the pages of this tome. I recommended this book to anyone that is interested in learning more about the intellectual history of the Catholic Church, and to anyone that is interested in the life of the mind of some of the greatest thinkers of past two millennia.
Each chapter features primary-source excerpts that give the reader a sense of the overall oeuvre of each Doctor. These excerpts are skillfully woven into each biography so that the accounts of the lives of the Doctors are brought into focus by their own words. It must have been a tremendously time-consuming task for the author to compile the book, but the labor was certainly fruitful. The text is authoritative, informative, and inspiring.
I read this book before bed over the course of several months. It was constant source of interesting and edifying information that helped keep my challenges and achievements in perspective.
There is a great deal of wisdom to be found in the pages of this tome. I recommended this book to anyone that is interested in learning more about the intellectual history of the Catholic Church, and to anyone that is interested in the life of the mind of some of the greatest thinkers of past two millennia.
June 26, 2013
It's a miracle! I finally finished this book only to be informed that there are 2 doctors who are in it. Rats! This is a great book to learn about the doctors. It's easy to read and gives the personal sides as well as the theological sides of each doctor.
June 3, 2009
Very good summary of all the Doctors of the Catholic Church; is filled with information and inspiration.
January 5, 2026
First, in spite of rating this book highly, it should be noted that it is dated in that there are now 38 Catholic saints given the designation "Doctor of the Church." The five designated so since this book was written are: St. Irenaeus of Lyon (2022), St. Gregory of Narek (2015), St. John of Ávila (2012), St. Hildegard of Bingen (2012), and St. John Henry Newman (2025).
That said, this is a terrific book. I am basing this review on the stories of: St. Jerome, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Albert the Great, and St. John of the Cross.
The reader is in good hands with the author Fr. Christopher Rengers. I am sure for each saint, there are reams of information, yet in about 20 pages per saint, Fr. Christopher does an excellent job of guiding us through each saint's life. By the end of each portion that I read, I felt like I understood the each saint's history, the time that he lived in, his personality, his relationships with others, his impact during his lifetime, his impact since he has died, and how his life can be an inspiration for me. Sprinkled appropriately throughout each section are quotations from each saint's vast writings. Also included, when appropriate, are bits about the saint's foibles, preferences, and appearance.
I confess that I have had this book for many years but have totally failed to benefit from it, except from knowing who the 33 doctors were because there is a handy list on the back cover of the book. I think my problem was that I thought I would spread out the 20 pages on the life of each saint over the week during which their feast day was celebrated. I probably never made it past two days before forgetting this great plan. My recommendation is to read the story of each saint in its entirety, in one sitting. Luckily, I am home sick today, so I took the time to do this. It has turned a lovely book sitting on my book shelf into a beautiful reference. Though, I knew a good bit about each of the four saints read about, I now have a much, much better understanding of them as persons. Most importantly, I am more inspired to learn more about them and to read more of their writings. I give great credit to the author for this. Fr. Christopher Rengers was a great choice to be the author of this book. I just wish that he were still alive so that he could write about the new doctors for an updated version of this book.
I highly recommend this book and am so thankful to have a copy myself.
That said, this is a terrific book. I am basing this review on the stories of: St. Jerome, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Albert the Great, and St. John of the Cross.
The reader is in good hands with the author Fr. Christopher Rengers. I am sure for each saint, there are reams of information, yet in about 20 pages per saint, Fr. Christopher does an excellent job of guiding us through each saint's life. By the end of each portion that I read, I felt like I understood the each saint's history, the time that he lived in, his personality, his relationships with others, his impact during his lifetime, his impact since he has died, and how his life can be an inspiration for me. Sprinkled appropriately throughout each section are quotations from each saint's vast writings. Also included, when appropriate, are bits about the saint's foibles, preferences, and appearance.
I confess that I have had this book for many years but have totally failed to benefit from it, except from knowing who the 33 doctors were because there is a handy list on the back cover of the book. I think my problem was that I thought I would spread out the 20 pages on the life of each saint over the week during which their feast day was celebrated. I probably never made it past two days before forgetting this great plan. My recommendation is to read the story of each saint in its entirety, in one sitting. Luckily, I am home sick today, so I took the time to do this. It has turned a lovely book sitting on my book shelf into a beautiful reference. Though, I knew a good bit about each of the four saints read about, I now have a much, much better understanding of them as persons. Most importantly, I am more inspired to learn more about them and to read more of their writings. I give great credit to the author for this. Fr. Christopher Rengers was a great choice to be the author of this book. I just wish that he were still alive so that he could write about the new doctors for an updated version of this book.
I highly recommend this book and am so thankful to have a copy myself.
April 21, 2019
This book is exciting and informative and entertaining and educational. It is an easy read that keeps your interest and introduces you to the many, complex personalities which make up the Church. It demonstrates varied approaches to God and to holiness without being "preachy."
The Communion of Saints is too great a topic to discuss each of them individually, so this is a good cross-section of holy men and women who grace God's altars. They come from many and varied backgrounds and conditions, and all manage to meet, serve and honor God, and to share their gifts with others, illuminating a path to a personal relationship with Him.
These doctors come from both the eastern and western churches, and all have close relationships with God and shared that relationship to bring others into His presence.
The only shortcoming of this book is that it does not automatically "update," so it fails to include the additional doctors named to the Church since its original publication. There are now 36 Doctors of the Church.
This is an excellent read and invites and draws the reader in to contemplate their own life and how they may grow closer to God. Cannot recommend it highly enough.
The Communion of Saints is too great a topic to discuss each of them individually, so this is a good cross-section of holy men and women who grace God's altars. They come from many and varied backgrounds and conditions, and all manage to meet, serve and honor God, and to share their gifts with others, illuminating a path to a personal relationship with Him.
These doctors come from both the eastern and western churches, and all have close relationships with God and shared that relationship to bring others into His presence.
The only shortcoming of this book is that it does not automatically "update," so it fails to include the additional doctors named to the Church since its original publication. There are now 36 Doctors of the Church.
This is an excellent read and invites and draws the reader in to contemplate their own life and how they may grow closer to God. Cannot recommend it highly enough.
May 19, 2023
This helped me understand the written works and Holiness of these Doctors of the Church. .
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews