The Holy Bible, RSV-CE
The Holy Bible is the most foundational catechetical document that any catechist can own. It is the inspired Word of God and to be ignorant of the Scriptures is to simply fail as a catechist. All catechetical teaching must be soaked in the Sacred Scriptures. The RSV-CE is the standard scholarly bible for use in teaching, and the NAB is the standard for use in the liturgy, so the catechist should own both. Other good translations are the Jerusalem Bible (However, not the New Jerusalem Bible) and the old Douay-Rheims translation which reads more like the King James Version.

Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the "sure norm for teaching the faith" for today. Also absolutely indispensable for the catechist, every catechist should use this catechism to supplement their teaching efforts, especially to ensure content, fidelity to the Magisterium, and orthodoxy. The faith we teach, we teach towards the "Love that never ends" (CCC 25).

Catholic Rites Today by Paulist Press
The "Rites" book contains the breakdown of the different liturgies and sacraments in the Catholic Church. Every parish and catechist should own a copy of the rites in order to teach towards and with the liturgy. It is in the liturgy that we are born again (baptism), find our nourishment (Eucharist), mature (confirmation), come back to God (Reconciliation), and even where our lives draw to a close in Christian burial.

Church Documents
There are some essential Church documents which all catechists should be familiar with: Catechesi Tradendae, Christifidelis Laici, Lay Catholics in the Schools, Guide for Catechists, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Credo of the People of God, Evangellii Nuntiandi, Adult Catechesis in the Christian Community, Ut Unum Sint, Our Hearts were Burning Within Us.

Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
The compendium is a much needed abbreviated catechism based on the larger Catechism of the Catholic Church. Similar to the old Baltimore Catechism it is set up in a question and answer format and is accompanied by beautiful pictures of sacred art. Great for the layman, the CCCC can be used as a teaching aid and supplement for the catechist.

Daily Roman Missal
Every catechist should attend daily mass when possible, and the missal contains the daily scripture readings for the mass. It is helpful for seeing how the Church uses the scriptures together and can give him insights into typology and the organic unity of all of scripture.

Documents of the Second Vatican Council and Other Ecumenical Councils
The Second Vatican Council is the latest council of the Catholic Church. All professional catechists should be familiar with what the documents of the council actually say due to their poor implementation in some areas of the catechetical world. It is also important to know the history of the Catholic Church through its other councils as well.

Educational Philosophy of St. John Bosco
St. John Bosco is one of the patron saints for catechesis. His method of religion, reason, and kindness are a solid foundation for the catechist to develop a philosophy by which they will carry out their teaching.

Faith of the Early Fathers by Jurgans
Every catechist needs access to the writings of the early Fathers. There are many collections available, and this is one of the most cost effective sets. It contains thousands of quotes from many of the greatest fathers categorized and indexed in general and doctrinal indexes.

First Catechetical Instruction of St. Augustine
This text is one of the finest examples of how to share the story of Gods never ending love. St. Augustine teaches one of his deacons how to share the story of our salvation as a whole, effectively, and when necessary, quickly. Every catechist should know the story of salvation and be able to articulate it to others.

General Directory for Catechesis by the Catholic Church
The GDC has been developed by the Church to address how catechesis should be carried out in the Church today. Every catechist should be familiar with the guidelines and principles in the GDC.

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Written for those in business it is still an excellent book for catechists. Catechists, like businessmen and women, deal with people. This book teaches the catechist how to deal with people more effectively, and compliments St. John Boscos philosophy of "get them to love you and they will follow you anywhere."

Liturgy of the Hours
The Hours are the ancient prayer of the Church. While lay catechists are not required to pray the liturgy of the hours, it contains a wealth of information that can be used in teaching. Whenever possible though, catechists should be compelled to pray the Hours with the rest of the Church.

Lives of the Saints
The saints are our brothers and sisters who have lead holy lives for Jesus Christ before us. We invoke their intercession in prayer and at the mass, and their stories can be used to inspire and be a call to conversion through catechesis. Every catechist should incorporate their stories when they can in their own catechesis.

Mystery We Proclaim by Msgr Kelly (OSV)
The question of the method in which the catechist teaches is answered here through the "Ecclesial Method" developed by Msgr. Kelly. The 5 stages of the method are briefly spelled out in our catechetics section. This book gives a much more in depth view of the method and should be read by every catechist. While it is not the only method that works, it is among the best and most effective methods for handing on the faith.

National Directory for Catechesis by the USCCB
Developed by the USCCB for use by catechists in the United States the NDC gives guidelines and principles for those who are charged with handing on the faith in the United States today.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
Every Christian participates in the evangelizing duty of the Catholic Church. Therefore every catechist should be familiar with the rites of initiation into the Church and the process in which both the unbaptized and baptized Christians who are not in full communion with the Catholic Church are nurtured and taught before, during, and after their reception into communion with Gods family.

The Catholic Source Book
Filled with information that otherwise alludes the catechist, this is a great source for looking up otherwise uncategorized or not readily available information. Think "Catholic Culture". What liturgical colors are appropriate for this season? Where did the Celtic cross come from? Who are the doctors of the Church and what are they known for? These questions and more can be answered by this text.

United States Catholic Catechism for Adults
Developed by the USCCB this catechism is based on the CCC, but is developed for practical use by adults in faith formation classes. It is highly readable and includes study questions at the end of each chapter.