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Catholic Reformation—Study Aids

Saints and Heroes #8
Catholic Reformation
shows how the Church tried to reform itself in the century following Luther's revolt.
Subjects include the Council of Trent, new and reformed religious orders, Religious Wars, and important
characters of the Reformation era.
[1520 to 1650 A.D.]
These pages summarize much of the material needed to study for the Catholic Reformation review questions. Most are derived from Leading Events in Church History, saint dictionaries, and other public domain sources.
Read Online | Printable |
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Overview — Catholic Reform Before Luther |
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Council of Trent |
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New and Reformed Religious Orders |
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Saints and Heroes of the Reformation |
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Catholic Martyrs and Uprisings |
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Reformation Era 'Wars of Religion' |
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Printable Homework Questions |
The following histories from Seton and Tan Books are popular with Catholic students but other Church histories cover most essentials topics. In addition to history references it is helpful if students have access to saint dictionaries or biographies.
Reading assignments from Seton and Tan that correspond to Catholic Reformation are given below.
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Witness to the Faith by Seton Press
This introductory church history is written at an eighth grade level so it is
accessible and covers most of the main topics of Christian history.
Chapters relating to the Catholic Reformation Period (1500-1650) A.D., include the
Council of Trent, the Jesuits and other New Religious Orders, Saints
and Catholic Heroes of the Reformation, and Wars of Religion.
Reading Assignment: Chapters 19-21 pp 277-315
(19) England Lost to theFaith, (20) The catholic Reformation, (21) Great Saints of the Reformation.
Church History by Fr. John Laux (TAN books)
This church history is written for a college prep high school audience
and assumes a basic knowledge of European history. Starting at the dawn of
the Roman Empire and proceeding in to the 20th century, Fr. Laux presents
the story of the Church is a masterful and readable manner appealing to
older students as well as adults. The period of interest for the Catholic Reformation unit,
covers 1500-1650 A.D., and corresponds to 'Section III, Period One.
Reading Assignment: Section III, First Period, chapters 3, 4, 5, pp 446-500
(3) Disruption of the Church in England, pp 450-458, (4) Catholic Reaction and Revivial, pp 458-480,
(5) Leaders of the Catholic Reformation, pp 480-500.
The saint biographies and Catholic histories listed below are in the public domain.
CLICK ON COVER IMAGE to download an EPUB to your tablet or smart phone.
CLICK ON TITLE to read online (internet required).
Church History—Vol IV : Early Modern Times by Sisters of Notre Dame
Fourth of a five volume history of the Church, this book covers the causes of the
Religious Revolt in Germany, Switzerland, and England, the Religious Wars in the Netherlands and France,
the Ottoman attacks on Christendom, and the work of true reformers within the Church to restore Europe
to the true faith.
There are many online videos dealing with Calvin, Luther, and the Early Reformers. The following are relatively short and simplistic, vidoes on topics related to the Renaissance and early reformation era. Many are cartoon based rather than lecture based, appropriate for younger students and entertaining for older students:
- The Dutch Revolt and Eighty Years War (13 minutes)
- French Wars of Religion (Cartoon) (5 minutes)
- Hanchuk History: Bartholomew's Day Massacre (7 minutes)
- Revolt in the Netherlands Evan Flitz (5 minutes)