The Didache Bible: With Commentaries Based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church

I teach Salvation History to people who want to convert to the Catholic Church as part of the conversion process (not the typical American RCIA program; we spend an academic year on the Bible before approaching the Catechism directly). The first thing I recommend is that they get a good Catholic Bible, and if they want one in English, to get the Didache. I tell them that if they are only going to get ONE English-language Catholic Bible in their lives, this is the one to get. It is easy to read (good font size), has two ribbons and color maps, hard-bound - so it's a book that doesn't put you off but invites you to read it. It IS heavy and substantial; you'll want another, smaller Bible if you want one to carry around. But this one has good footnotes and most importantly, many pages with explanations of Catholic teachings and references to the Catechism. ALL of my students who have bought one have been delighted with it, and so happy to have such a helpful Catholic Bible to read and refer to in classes as well as to see them through decades of Bible-reading and study. Our pastoral community has been blessed with the donation of a number of these Bibles, so even when our people can't afford to buy a Bible, or would rather get one in their native language (my students are from all over the world), this is the Bible we use in our classes so everyone is reading from the same translation. I have a number of different translations, and have only begun teaching using this one, but I'm very happy with it as a classroom Bible that I know will be a good 'family Bible' for my students in their future after reception into the Catholic Church. If anyone asked me to recommend 'a good Catholic Bible', this is the one I always suggest for people who want to see how Catholic teaching can be found in the Bible. (If they already have this one, and want one with more notes on the text itself, I recommend the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible - New Testament and whichever of the published OT books the Ignatius project has put out. The Didache is more Catechism-oriented, so those two together would be about all the average Catholic would need to read and study the Bible and find Catholic teaching in scripture.)

This is a wonderful Bible. I can think of some improvements, but all in all, it is a beautiful edition. 1) References to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). Originally, like others have said in their reviews, I thought the actual quotes from the CCC would be included. However, there are some brief summaries and the CCC is cited. At first I was disappointed, but then I realized that including full quotes from the CCC would easily double the size of the Bible, so obviously, it isn’t practical. 2) Scattered throughout the Bible, there are commentaries, based on CCC teaching. I love these. They say so much in just a page. 3) There are introductions to each book. They are important to understand the book in context. 4) Extensive footnotes that don’t just cite the CCC, but add a little bit more of info. 5) Connections to other scriptures are great so when I come across something, I can go to the other verses, sometimes in other books, and see the consistency of the writers. 6) Plenty of column and other space for me to write my own notes, and I am a prolific note writer. I write in ALL books that I own. 7) The page thickness is so much better than so many other Bibles I own (I do own a few!). I do not use highlighters, not even those advertised for Bibles, because in my experience, wet highlighters do bleed through. Instead I use “8-color” mechanical pencils, which are more like having a set of map-pencils-in-one and these pencils are dry. I can “highlight” without bleed through. So, I cannot say for certain if a highlighter would bleed through this Bible’s pages, but they SEEM sturdy enough to withstand a wet marker. 8) I do wish this Bible came with tabs. I bought my own and attached them, but already tabbed would have been nice. 9) I also wish this Bible came in paperback. It would make it easier to use. I have the leather bound edition, and I do like it, but a paperback is easier when it comes to study, and mark ups. All in all, this Bible is a treasure and I would give it a 4.9 stars if I could. But, since I can’t, I give it 5 stars.

This great Bible is an Ignatius Bible. It is a great source for studying the Bible in depth as well as regular reading of the Scriptures. In addition to have updated/modern language that helps understand the Scriptures easier since you are not reading antique words that are no longer in use in modern times, the Bible contains tons of explanations, references to Catechism, maps, and concepts to assist the reader to “get it”. While reading throughout the Bible will take a little longer if you decide to review all the supplemental explanations (sometimes about half of the pages are notes about the verses explaining allegory, other related verses references addressing the same concepts/teachings, relationships to Catechism or prior/future events), the language used is so reader friendly that you rarely need to read a paragraph multiple times to understand it. This Bible is the Revised Standard Version- Second Catholic Edition (RSV -CE2) which is the version that Jeff Cavins uses in Bible in a year - also Father Mike in his Bible in a year podcast. Lastly, the Bible itself has marking ribbons, is sturdy, and was properly packed without damage. Very pleased and I highly recommended it. I hope this helps you in your decision and I want to reassure you that if you are looking for a Bible, it means you are seeking God and that fact alone is probably pleasing God. Do not stop your efforts to be obedient and getting closer to God.

A must have for notes and annotations and commentary. Useful for non Catholics

Updated to my original view. I originally wrote: "Excellent bible resource and faithful to the majesterium." and gave the Didache bible 5 stars. However after doing more research comparing what the catholic church traditionally teaches, some of the introductory essays to the books in the bible, call into question matters of the Catholic faith, that the writings are not the inspired word of God, since it questions the authorships. The Pontifical Biblical Commission under the authority of the majestium declared the authorship of Genesis, Isaiah and Daniel to be true, as well as Paul writing the book of hebrews and 2 Peter. While footnotes and apologetical essays are faithful to the majesterium, the authors took liberties in using the modernist historical critical method to write about these books, which casts doubt on the faith. This bible has gotten rave reviews, however modernists are wolves in sheep's clothing and do dodgey things like this.

The best Bible I have possessed so far. Beyond expectations.

I communicated with the seller to enquire if there were any marks on the book and they were very quick to respond. Even though the book was described as "Used, Very Good" it could have been brand new. It arrived very quickly and I am very happy with my purchase.

Love having this Bible in my collection of Catholic reading and reference material.