What Bible Do Catholics Use? Understanding the Catholic Bible and Its Unique Beauty

Apr 16, 2025

Whether you're new to the Catholic faith, returning after time away, or looking for a thoughtful gift for a loved one’s spiritual milestone, one question often comes up:

What Bible do Catholics use?

It may surprise you that not all Christian Bibles are the same. While they share many of the same books and teachings, the Catholic Bible is unique in its structure, history, and sacred tradition. This guide will walk you through:

What makes a Bible “Catholic”
The best Catholic Bible translations
Key differences from Protestant Bibles
How to choose a Catholic Bible for yourself or as a gift

Through Catholic eyes, let’s dive into the beauty and richness of the Word of God.

1. What Is a Catholic Bible?

A Catholic Bible contains all the books recognized by the Catholic Church as inspired by the Holy Spirit. This includes:

46 books in the Old Testament
27 books in the New Testament

That’s 73 books, compared to the 66 found in most Protestant Bibles.

The Catholic Old Testament includes seven additional books, often referred to as the Deuterocanonical books:

Tobit
Judith
Wisdom
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)
Baruch
1 Maccabees
2 Maccabees

These books were part of the Septuagint (Greek translation of Hebrew Scriptures), which Jesus and the Apostles used and which the Catholic Church officially affirmed at the Council of Trent in the 16th century.

2. Key Features of the Catholic Bible

Besides the book count, Catholic Bibles also feature:

Footnotes and commentary guided by Catholic doctrine
Cross-references to Church teachings and the Catechism
Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat, ensuring fidelity to Church teaching
Liturgical language aligning with Mass readings

These additions make the Bible more complete, and they help Catholics interpret Scripture through the lens of Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium, the Church’s teaching authority.

3. Catholic vs. Protestant Bible: What's the Difference?

Feature	Catholic Bible	Protestant Bible
Number of Books	73 (including Deuterocanonical)	66
Authority	Scripture + Tradition + Magisterium	Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura)
Key Books Omitted	Wisdom, Tobit, 1 & 2 Maccabees, etc.	Included in the Catholic Bible only
Bible Used in Mass	Only Catholic translations with Church approval	Not used in Catholic liturgy

This doesn’t mean one Bible is “bad” and the other “good”—instead, they reflect different approaches to Scripture based on theological principles and Church history.

4. What Are the Best Catholic Bible Translations?

Here are the most trusted, widely used Catholic Bible translations, each with its style and strength:

✝️ New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE)

Used in U.S. Catholic liturgy
Clear, modern English
Great for daily reading and study
Includes introductions, footnotes, and cross-references

✝️ Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition (RSV-CE)

Closer to traditional language
Preferred for academic research and theology
Elegant and reverent in tone

✝️ Douay-Rheims Bible

A traditional translation from the Latin Vulgate
Rich, poetic English similar to King James
Loved by those who cherish historical Catholic texts

✝️ New Jerusalem Bible (NJB)

Popular for personal reflection
Thoughtful literary style
Includes scholarly footnotes and commentary

Each translation serves a different purpose—some are ideal for in-depth Bible study, others for prayer, and others for giving as gifts.

5. When Do Catholics Use the Bible?

Catholics encounter Scripture regularly through:

Mass Readings: Each Mass includes a reading from the Old Testament, a Psalm, a New Testament epistle, and a Gospel reading
Liturgy of the Hours: The Church’s daily prayer, rooted in Psalms and Scripture
Sacrament Preparation: From Baptism to Confirmation and Matrimony
Rosary and Devotions: Mysteries based on biblical events
Personal Study: Many use Bible studies, journaling Bibles, or spiritual reading

A beautiful example is the Virgin Mary Rosary, which invites the faithful to meditate on Christ’s life through Mary's eyes. This deeply biblical prayer ties Scripture with Marian devotion.

6. How to Choose the Right Catholic Bible

Whether you’re buying a Bible for yourself or as a gift, consider the following:

Purpose: Is it for study, daily devotion, or liturgy?
Readability: Choose the translation and print size that best suits your comfort
Annotations: Do you want study notes or a cleaner page layout?
Special Features: Look for maps, ribbon markers, or illustrations
Binding: Hardcover for durability, leather for beauty, softcover for affordability

At Guadalupe Gifts, we offer Catholic Bibles that make meaningful gifts for First Communion, Confirmation, RCIA, or weddings—each rooted in faith and chosen with care.

Pair your Bible with one of our Miraculous Medals or handcrafted rosaries for a complete spiritual gift set.

7. Can Non-Catholics Use a Catholic Bible?

Absolutely. Many non-Catholics are drawn to Catholic Bibles for:

The historical context of the Deuterocanonical books
Rich commentary and tradition-informed notes
A deeper appreciation of Christian roots and unity

Whether you're Protestant, Orthodox, or exploring faith for the first time, a Catholic Bible offers a powerful, prayerful window into God’s word.

Conclusion: God's Word, Rooted in Tradition

The Catholic Bible is more than a book—it’s a living encounter with Jesus Christ, guided by centuries of reflection, tradition, and faithful stewardship.

Understanding what Bible Catholics use is the first step in connecting more deeply with the sacraments, the saints, and the spiritual journey the Church has taken since Christ's time.

Whether you want to deepen your faith or give someone the gift of God’s Word, the Catholic Bible remains a sacred, reliable, and grace-filled choice.