The Bookshelf

One of the joys of designing within a long standing religious tradition, is the abundance of scholarly writing, magisterial teaching, and visual material that is available for research, study, and reference for new design work.  Here’s a collection of liturgical and classical design resources, loosely gathered according to category.  The list is certainly not exhaustive, and always seems to be growing.  Please let us know if you are aware of other items that would be excellent resources for ecclesiastical design, but are currently missing from this list – including architecture, interiors, sacred art, and furnishings.

Liturgical Theological Resources

  • The Spirit of the Liturgy – Ratzinger, 2000
  • Wellspring of Worship – Corbon, 2002
  • The Lamb’s Supper – Hahn, 1999
  • God is Near Us – Ratzinger, 2003
  • Feast of Faith – Ratzinger, 1986
  • A New Song for the Lord – Ratzinger, 1996
  • Adoremus Bulletin (Journal)
  • Sacred Architecture (Journal)

Papal and Official Documents and Resources

  • Catechism of the Catholic Church – CDF, 1994
  • General Instruction of the Roman Missal – USCCB, 2003
  • Sacrosanctum Concilium – Vatican II Documents, 1963
  • Lumen Gentium – Vatican II Documents, 1964
  • Built of Living Stones – USCCB, 2000
  • Sacramentum Caritatis – Benedict XVI, 2007
  • Spiritus et Sponsa – John Paul II, 2003
  • Ecclesia de Eucharistia – John Paul II, 2003
  • Letter to Artists – John Paul II, 1999
  • Mediator Dei – Pius XII, 1947
  • Musicae Sacrae – Pius XII, 1955
  • Eucharisticum Mysterium – Sacred Congregation of Rites, 1967
  • Rite of Dedication of a Church and a Altar, 1989

Architecture & Sacred Art – Essays & Visual Resources

  • Catholic Church Architecture and the Spirit of the Liturgy – McNamara, 2009
  • Architecture in Communion – Schloeder, 1998
  • The Beauty of Holiness and the Holiness of Beauty – Saward, 1997
  • Till We Have Built Jerusalem – Bess, 2006
  • Heavenly City; The Architecture of Catholic Chicago – McNamara, 2005
  • In Tiers of Glory – Rose, 2004
  • The Architecture of Ralph Adams Cram and His Office – Anthony, 2007
  • The Evidential Power of Beauty – Dubay, 1999
  • Beauty for Truth’s Sake – Caldecott, 2009

Non-Religious Design Resources

  • The Eyes of the Skin – Pallasmaa, 2005
  • The Ethical Function of Architecture – Harries, 1998
  • Body and Building – Dodds & Travenor, 2002
  • Beauty – Scruton, 2009
  • Experiencing Architecture – Rasmussen, 1962
  • Leisure; The Basis of Culture – Peiper, 1963
  • Classical Architecture for the Twenty-First Century – Gabriel, 2004
  • McKim, Mead, & White; the Masterworks – White, 2003

Traditional Building (Journal)