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It is easy to fall in love with a Hosanna Revival Bible.
With their hand-painted covers, floral spines, and stunning "heirloom" feel, they are arguably the most beautiful Bibles on the market today. We see them all over Instagram, and naturally, many Catholic readers find themselves asking the same question:
"I love the look, but can I actually use one?"
The short answer is: Hosanna Revival Bibles are Protestant editions.
However, that doesn't mean a Catholic can't own one. Here is everything you need to know before you buy.
The Main Difference: The Missing Books
The primary difference between a Catholic Bible and a Hosanna Revival Bible is the Canon (the list of books included).
Hosanna Revival publishes their Bibles in standard Protestant translations—usually the ESV (English Standard Version), CSB (Christian Standard Bible), or NLT (New Living Translation).
This means they contain 66 books, not the 73 books found in a Catholic edition. They do not include the Deuterocanon (or Apocrypha) such as Tobit, Judith, 1 & 2 Maccabees, or Sirach.
Can a Catholic Use One?
While you wouldn't use one for Mass or for studying those specific Deuterocanonical books, many Catholics still buy Hosanna Revival Bibles for three specific purposes:
1. New Testament Study The text of the New Testament—Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the Epistles—is virtually identical in meaning across traditions. If you are looking for a beautiful Bible to journal through the Gospels or the letters of Paul, a Hosanna Revival edition is a perfect companion.
2. The Psalms & Proverbs Many of the Hosanna Revival designs can be read for specific books. Using a floral, wide-margin edition to pray through the Psalms is a wonderful devotional practice, regardless of the translation.
3. The "Prayer Journals" If you want the Hosanna Revival aesthetic without worrying about the translation at all, their 5-Year Prayer Journals contain no Bible text—just beautiful, structured space for your own prayers.
Which Translation Should You Pick?
If you decide to go ahead, which of their translations will feel most familiar to you?
- The ESV (English Standard Version): This is an "essentially literal" translation. It is very similar in style and accuracy to the RSV-CE (Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition), often used by Catholic scholars.
- The CSB (Christian Standard Bible): A balance of accuracy and readability, essentially midway between a formal translation and a modern one.
- The NLT (New Living Translation): A "thought-for-thought" translation that reads like a modern novel.
The Verdict
If you need a Bible that has every book approved by the Catholic Church (including Tobit and Maccabees), a Hosanna Revival Bible might not be your primary "everyday" Bible.
But if you are looking for a stunning, high-quality edition for New Testament journaling, private prayer, or as a beautiful second copy for your bookshelf, there is no reason you can't enjoy the artistry of Hosanna Revival.
