Why does the Catholic Bible have 73 books?

📜 Introduction

The Church receives as inspired the books of the Greek translation used by the apostles, which includes Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees and parts of Esther and Daniel, called the deuterocanonical books. Protestant editions usually have 66 books because they leave them out. The Catholic canon was confirmed by the Council of Trent.

⭐ Key ideas

• The apostles used the Greek translation of the Old Testament (Septuagint).
• Seven deuterocanonical books: Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch and 1-2 Maccabees.
• The canon was confirmed by the councils of Hippo, Carthage and Trent.

✍️ Practical activity

Find the seven deuterocanonical books in Module 2 and read the summary of one.