Haydock Douay-Rheims Bible

I previously wrote a review about the Loreto Publication's Haydock Douay-Rheims Bible on Amazon.ca although I bought my copy directly from Loreto Publications. I decided to make a copy of the review I wrote on Amazon.ca and post it here since I originally bought my copy on this website. My original review can be found below.

"The hardcover looks great with the gilded gold design. The hardcover is also well constructed and feels durable to me. However, I don't think that it uses a real leather covering.

Below are some features of this bible:
1) Includes a English translation of The Decree of the Council of Trent Concerning the Canonical Scriptures. There is also an "appendix" that shows the 72 canonical books recognized by the Council of Trent.
2) Tables of scripture weights, measures, coins, and a table to scripture time.
3) Preface that is around three pages.
4) Beautiful line art drawings throughout the bible.
5) Detailed notes from Fr. Haydock and various commentators, including the early Church Fathers. There is also a list of principal commentators.
6) Chronological Index for both the Old and New Testaments.
7) Pages to record births, marriages, deaths, and family history.
8) General preface for the New Testament and an essay on reading the holy scriptures and other topics.
9) Each book of the bible has an introduction before the actual text.
10) Table of References
11) Illustrated and comprehensive Catholic bible dictionary
12) Comprehensive History of the Books of the Holy Catholic Bible

As you can see, this bible is packed with features. I personally prefer to the commentary on this bible compared to the commentary on the Ignatius Study Bible for the New Testament (and on the booklets for the Old Testament), especially for the prophecies that have not yet been fulfilled. That is a great compliment from me for the notes on the Haydock Bible because I think that the commentary on the Ignatius Study Bible is well researched and written.

My only "complaint" is that the font of the commentary on the Haydock bible is very small. People with poor eyesight may need to use a magnifier to read the commentary.

I also think that the section on the history of the books of the bible is very interesting and informative. That section of this bible is well written and includes beautiful illustrations.

One important thing to note is that this edition is a facsimile of an original 1859 Haydock bible. The notes are complete and unabridged. While doing my research on which edition to buy, I learned that the other recently released editions of the Haydock Bible have abridged commentary. I prefer the complete and unabridged commentary so I bought this edition published by Loreto Publications.

I am also including some pictures for reference purposes. Some reviewers mentioned that this book has glued binding. I am not sure if I agree. As you can see from the last picture I attached, the pages still include the folds/signatures. When I consulted with a professional bookbinder, I was told that if the folds/signatures are still there, the book is most probably sewn. However, I cannot see the sewn threads (because of the deep gutter) so I understand why other reviewers thought that this book used glued binding."

To be able to look up any verse and read what the saints, Doctors and Fathers of the Church had to say about it is invaluable!

This is the ‘holy grail’ of Catholic bibles, with the best, mot faithful commentary of any Catholic translation. This edition is physically gorgeous;it is a reproduction of an old version, immaculately done....