A Catholic Bible contains 73 books, seven more than most Protestant Bibles, including the seven deuterocanonical books. To choose one well, start with a translation that carries Church approval. In English, that includes the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) and Catholic editions of the Revised Standard Version and New Revised Standard Version. In Spanish, editions such as the Biblia Latinoamericana are widely used across Mexico and Latin America. Then match the size and edition to how you will use it: daily prayer, large print, or a gift for a sacrament like baptism, First Communion, a quinceañera, or a wedding.
What makes a Bible Catholic? The 73 books
The clearest mark of a Catholic Bible is its table of contents. A Catholic Bible has 73 books: 46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. Most Protestant Bibles have 66, because they do not include seven Old Testament books that the Catholic Church has always received as inspired.
These seven are called the deuterocanonical books:
- Tobit
- Judith
- Wisdom
- Sirach, also called Ecclesiasticus
- Baruch
- 1 Maccabees
- 2 Maccabees
A Catholic Bible also includes longer portions of Daniel and Esther. So when you pick up a Bible and want to know whether it is Catholic, look for these books and for the phrase "Catholic Edition" or an official Church approval on the opening pages.
These books are not an afterthought. They hold some of Scripture's most loved passages, from the story of young Tobias and the angel Raphael to the courage of the mother and her sons in Second Maccabees. Their presence is one clear way a Catholic Bible reflects the Scriptures the early Church prayed with.
Approved Catholic Bible translations in English
Not every translation is approved for Catholic use, so this is the first thing to check. An approved Catholic Bible carries ecclesiastical approval, often shown as a nihil obstat and an imprimatur, or is named among the translations the bishops have approved.
Well known approved English options include:
- New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE), widely used by Catholics in the United States.
- New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, a careful, readable translation.
- Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, valued for its dignified, traditional language.
The United States bishops keep a public list of approved translations. You can review it on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website. If a Bible is not clearly Catholic, it may be missing the seven deuterocanonical books, so the approval and the book list go hand in hand.
How do you choose among the approved options? The NABRE reads in clear, contemporary American English and is the version many United States Catholics hear echoed at Mass. A Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition keeps a more traditional, formal style that many readers find beautiful for study and prayer. The New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition sits between the two. Any of them is a faithful Catholic Bible, so the choice comes down to the language that helps you read and pray more often.
Catholic Bibles in Spanish (Biblia católica en español)
For many of our families, the heart Bible is a Spanish one. Several Spanish editions carry Church approval, and the right choice is any edition with a clear ecclesiastical approval and the full 73 books.
The most widely used option in Mexico and across Latin America is the Biblia Latinoamericana, sometimes called the Biblia Latinoamérica. First published in the early 1970s, it carries a nihil obstat and imprimatur, contains all 73 books, and is loved for its accessible language, which is why so many parish Bible groups use it. There are also newer approved translations, including one prepared by the bishops of Latin America for the Spanish speaking Church.
If your family reads together at Mass or in a prayer group, it helps to ask which edition your parish uses, so your Bible matches what you hear proclaimed. For a gift, a Spanish Catholic Bible with a beautiful cover and the person's name inside becomes a keepsake as much as a book. What matters most is that the edition carries clear Church approval and includes the full 73 books.
At Nuestra Fe we specialize in Spanish Catholic Bibles and sacramental gift editions, so we can help you find the right one. Our Spanish Bible with a metallic Guadalupe cover pairs an approved Catholic text with a design that honors Our Lady, and the Biblia Latinoamericana in large print is a favorite for readers who want bigger, easier type.
How to choose a Catholic Bible by use case
Once you have a Catholic text you trust, the practical question is how you will use it. That decides the size, the print, and the edition.
For daily prayer and study
If you will read every day, look for a Bible with readable type, good footnotes or a short introduction to each book, and a cover that survives daily handling. A ribbon marker and a sturdy binding matter more here than a fancy finish.
Large print for grandparents
For older eyes, large print (letra grande) is a real gift. It lets grandparents keep reading Scripture comfortably, without strain, well into their later years. A larger, lighter edition that lies flat is easier to hold during long prayer. Look for a generous font size, good spacing between the lines, and paper that does not let the text show through from the other side.
Gift Bibles for sacraments
Many Bibles are bought as sacramental gifts, and these are meant to be kept for life. A gift Bible often has a special cover, a gift box, and a page to inscribe the person's name and the date. Common occasions include:
- Baptism, often given by the godparents as the child's first Bible.
- First Communion, a lasting keepsake from padrinos or grandparents.
- Quinceañera, presented and blessed as a sign of faith.
- Wedding, given to the couple to build their home on the word of God.
If you are shopping for a First Communion gift, our guide for parents on planning First Communion explains how a Bible fits alongside the candle and rosary.
The quinceañera Bible and the wedding Bible
Two Hispanic traditions give the gift Bible a special place: the quinceañera and the Catholic wedding.
At a quinceañera, the young woman celebrates her fifteenth birthday with a special blessing. The United States bishops describe it as a blessing, not a sacrament, in which "signs of faith (medal, Bible, rosary, prayer book) which have been blessed" may be given to her, often after she renews her baptismal promises. A beautiful quinceañera Bible becomes a keepsake of the day she claimed her faith as her own. Our gold quinceañera Bible is made for exactly this moment.
At a Catholic wedding, the padrinos de biblia y rosario present a Bible and rosary, a sign that the couple will root their marriage in prayer and Scripture. You can read more about these sponsors in our guide to Catholic wedding traditions. Our gold accented wedding Bible with Our Lady of Guadalupe is designed to be handed over on the wedding day and kept for a lifetime.
Helpful features to look for inside
Beyond the translation and the cover, a few features make a Bible easier to pray with and to study.
- Footnotes and book introductions that explain the background of each book and clarify difficult passages.
- Cross references in the margins that connect related verses.
- Maps and a short concordance to help you find people, places, and themes.
- A ribbon marker, or two, to hold your place in daily reading.
- Readable type and a layout that does not feel cramped.
A Bible with good notes gently teaches as you read, which is a real help for anyone growing in the faith or returning to Scripture after some time away.
Cover materials and quality
A Bible you plan to keep deserves a cover that lasts. When you compare editions, look at how it is made, not only how it looks.
- Metallic and gold accented covers make a striking gift and hold up well when handled gently.
- Imitation leather and hardcovers balance durability with a comfortable feel.
- Gilded page edges and ribbon markers add beauty and make daily reading easier.
- A gift box protects the Bible and turns it into a proper presentation for a sacrament.
- Binding that opens flat without cracking, so the Bible survives years of use.
Our sacramental Bibles are prepared with the same care as the rest of our keepsakes, handcrafted detailing by Mexican artisans, many near La Villa de Guadalupe, on editions meant to be treasured.
Caring for your Bible
A good Bible can last for generations with a little care.
- Keep it away from moisture, heat, and direct sun, which fade and warp covers.
- Handle it with clean, dry hands, and teach children to do the same.
- Use the ribbon marker instead of folding page corners.
- Store it upright on a shelf or flat, not crammed or bent.
- Inscribe the name and date in the gift page, so it becomes a family heirloom with a story.
With that small amount of care, a well made Bible can pass from parent to child, gathering underlines, holy cards, and quiet memories along the way, until it becomes one of your family's most treasured possessions.
Frequently asked questions about Catholic Bibles
What is the difference between a Catholic Bible and a Protestant Bible?
A Catholic Bible has 73 books, while most Protestant Bibles have 66. The difference is seven Old Testament books, the deuterocanonicals: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and 1 and 2 Maccabees, plus longer portions of Daniel and Esther. The Catholic Church has always received these books as inspired Scripture, so a true Catholic Bible includes them.
Which Catholic Bible translation is best in English?
There is no single best translation, but strong approved choices include the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE), widely used in the United States, and Catholic editions of the Revised Standard Version and New Revised Standard Version. The right one depends on whether you prefer more traditional or more contemporary language. Look for a clear Catholic Edition and Church approval.
What is the best Catholic Bible in Spanish?
The Biblia Latinoamericana is the most widely used Catholic Bible in Mexico and Latin America. It carries Church approval, contains all 73 books, and uses accessible language, which is why parish groups favor it. Other approved Spanish editions exist as well. The key is choosing any edition with a clear ecclesiastical approval and the full Catholic canon.
What Bible do you give for a quinceañera?
A quinceañera Bible is a keepsake edition, often with a special cover and a gift box, presented and blessed during the celebration. The bishops note that blessed signs of faith, including a Bible, rosary, medal, or prayer book, may be given to the young woman. Many families choose a Spanish Catholic Bible with an elegant cover she will keep for life.
Why does a Catholic Bible have more books?
The Catholic Bible includes seven deuterocanonical books that were part of the Scriptures used by the early Church. These books were later set aside in most Protestant Bibles during the Reformation. The Catholic Church continued to receive them as inspired, so a Catholic Bible preserves the fuller canon of 73 books that Christians had long used.
What version of the Bible do Catholics use?
Catholics use an approved Catholic edition that contains the full 73 books. In English, common choices include the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) and Catholic editions of the Revised Standard Version and New Revised Standard Version. In Spanish, the Biblia Latinoamericana is widely used. Look for a Catholic Edition and clear Church approval on the opening pages.
What are the 7 extra books in the Catholic Bible called?
They are called the deuterocanonical books: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, and First and Second Maccabees. A Catholic Bible also includes longer portions of Daniel and Esther. The Church has always received these books as inspired Scripture, which is why a Catholic Bible has 73 books while most Protestant Bibles have 66.
Do Catholics use the King James Bible?
Generally no. The King James Version is a Protestant translation, and most editions leave out the seven deuterocanonical books, so it is not among the translations approved for Catholic use. For prayer and study, the Church recommends an approved Catholic edition, such as the NABRE in English or the Biblia Latinoamericana in Spanish, with the full 73 books.
Find the right Bible for your family
Whether you are looking for a Bible for daily prayer, a large print edition for a grandparent, or a keepsake for a sacrament, we are glad to help you choose. Explore our Catholic Bibles collection, with Spanish editions and sacramental gift Bibles handcrafted to be read, prayed, and passed down.