Basic Thomistic Reading List
I often get asked by those who are interested in the theology and philosophy of St Thomas where they should begin their studies of Thomism. To that end, I have put together an elementary reading list that covers both theology—dogmatic and moral—and philosophy.
The first books you should read are basic and general works that introduce the basic concepts, categories, and technical language of scholasticism. Without a working knowledge of these things, you will find more complex works impenetrable.
1. Msgr Paul J Glenn, SJ: A tour of the Summa.
2. Fr John Hardon, SJ: Catholic Dictionary.
3. Fr Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, OP: Reality: A Synthesis of Thomistic Thought.
4. Fr A.D. Sertillanges, OP: Foundations of Thomistic Philosophy.
5. Edward Feser: Introduction to Scholastic Metaphysics.
6. Fr John Wippel: The Metaphysical Thought of Thomas Aquinas.
7. Sr Helen James John: The Thomist Spectrum.
Fr Glenn’s book is a concise and faithful summary of each and every article of the Summa. Glenn also authored several other introductory books on ontology, natural theology, sociology, and logic. Fr Hardon’s dictionary is a very helpful reference book for those still getting to grips with the often confusing vocabulary of Catholic theology and scholastic philosophy. Garrigou-Lagrange’s Reality is a masterpiece that covers dogmatic theology as well as metaphysics. Lagrange was one of—if not the most—eminent Thomists of the 20th century. Finally, Sr Helen James John’s book provides a brief but concise history of the different schools within Thomism and the differences between their approaches and doctrine (e.g. strict observance Thomism, transcendental Thomism, existentialist Thomism, etc.).
Metaphysics:
1. Fr Henry Koren: An Introduction to the Science of Metaphysics.
2. Fr John Rickaby, SJ: General Metaphysics.
3. Fr Henri Grenier: Thomistic Philosophy, Vol. II: Metaphysics.
Dogmatic theology:
1. Fr Charles Coppens: A Systematic Study of the Catholic Religion.
2. Fr Ludwig Ott: Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma.
3. Fr Joseph Pohle, SJ: Dogmatic Theology.
4. Jean-Hervé Nicolas, OP: Catholic Dogmatic Theology.
5. Fr Joseph Scheeben: A Manual of Catholic Theology.
6. Fr Thomas Joseph White, OP: Principles of Catholic Theology (all volumes).
Just a note on Pohle: his dogmatic treatises are excellent and indispensable, but he was a Jesuit and thus his treatment of the subject of predestination deviates from the Thomistic doctrine.
Moral Theology:
11. Fr Dominic Prümmer, OP: Handbook of Moral Theology.
2. Fr Romanus Cessario: Introduction to Moral Theology.