My family is sponsoring another family that is coming into the Church this Easter. We've become very close since we were introduced last year, and now that the annulment paperwork is finishing up it looks like it's finally going to happen. Hurray!

I want to get them either a nice family Bible they can list Sacraments in, or a great Study Bible, or a combo of both. I'm thinking if I have to choose I'd rather get them a Study Bible they'll use often, but their needs are a little unique so this isn't as easy as I thought it'd be. I'm going to call EWTN's catalog dept and ask them too, but thought I'd get input here since there are a fair # of converts who will know what would be more "user-friendly" but still very core.

One spouse has no religious backround at all but is leading the family this way. This person has done loads of research on church histories and is naturally drawn to the Catholic faith. This person also can argue some of the encyclicals with the best of them and doesn't need a simple Study Bible.

The other spouse is a convert from a protestant faith, who is not quite as enthusiastic as the other. This person is more used to the "feel" of the church, and a focused effort has been made on the part of some church members to make sure this person "feels" more at home and gets to know people as their spiritual journey deepens a bit more gradually. This person tires quickly at too much in-depth wordy talk, so a Study Bible would need to be one that would actually be read by this spouse too when a question arises.

Much appreciation in any direction you can point me in. We think the world of this family and are just ecstatic they are coming into the Church, and want to get them something that will be used often to help answer that random question that can crop up.

For a complete study bible, the Haydock Commentary is probably the best. The complete text is online here so you can check it out to see if it is what you are looking for.

Not the "big white family Bible" that Protestants think of.... but, this is a helpful Bible for those who interact with non-Catholic Christians

http://www.amazon.com/New-Catholic-Answ ... =8-2-fkmr1

hehehe... my "big white family bible" that was given to me by my protestant parents turned out (as i discovered later) to be a Catholic bible... foreshadowing or prophetic not sure which translation/edition it is, but it was given to us in 1974

I was hoping this one would be updated. I got one for my dh in 2008 that looks like it was last updated in 2005, or maybe even 1997, not totally sure. He uses it all the time for basic answers, but goes to his Fathers of the Church book for more in depth historical stuff. I like it too, and think it's probably what we'll get. I was hoping EWTN sold it, but will order from them for the gifts for the kids. Thanks again!

I was hoping this one would be updated. I got one for my dh in 2008 that looks like it was last updated in 2005, or maybe even 1997, not totally sure. He uses it all the time for basic answers, but goes to his Fathers of the Church book for more in depth historical stuff. I like it too, and think it's probably what we'll get. I was hoping EWTN sold it, but will order from them for the gifts for the kids. Thanks again!

you can say that again

I have to very strongly recommend this Bible it contains both the Clementine Vulgate and the Duay Rhimes side by side and its big and has great print and it looks quite beautiful.

http://www.amazon.com/Douay-Rheims-Clementina-Vulgata-English-Latin-Bible/dp/1905574444

I have this one as well, it does not come in leather but DOES come in hardcover


http://www.amazon.com/Ignatius-Catholic ... 138&sr=8-1

Hardcover is nicer, thanks. I think that will make a great gift. Now, to think of appropriate gifts for the little ones...I need to get these things ordered.

What ages? A nice crucifix for each bedroom is a lovely gift.