Prayer Books

Prepared by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Missouri, this edition presents these moving passages of the Bible in an accurate and poetic translation, while keeping a smooth cadence especially suited to singing and recitation.

It establishes the definitive form of psalms and canticles that will gradually appear in official Catholic liturgical books such as future editions of the Liturgy of the Hours and the Lectionary for Mass.

Liturgy directors, composers, parish music directors, and the clergy, religious, and lay faithful will value this collection. Anyone who loves to study and pray with Sacred Scripture will find this work to be a timeless treasure.

Let the music of Advent and Christmas draw you into deeper prayer this season with Away in a Manger: Daily Prayers for Advent and Christmas 2025. This beautifully crafted devotional from the Ave Devotionals series invites you to spend just a few minutes each day in quiet reflection, guided by the hymns and carols that echo the joy and mystery of the Incarnation.

St. Pio of Pietrelcina had a deep devotion to the Christ Child. The man more commonly known as Padre Pio also possessed extraordinary and unique mystical gifts: Jesus often came to him in the form of a little child.

In Welcoming the Christ Child with Padre Pio, stories about the saint known for his stigmata and ability to bilocate are woven with scripture and prayer to help you experience Advent—Padre Pio’s favorite season—with greater hope and joy.

Embark on a transformative journey this Advent with Heather Khym, cohost of the Abiding Together podcast, as she extends a heartfelt invitation to embrace stillness and silence amid life’s chaos, allowing God to dwell in the depths of your being. While the world moves at an ever-faster pace, Heather encourages you to pull back from the hustle and create space for our Savior to come into every area of your life—to transform and heal it through his love.

In Encountering Emmanuel, using poignant reflections and accompanying videos, Heather will gently guide you into the areas of your heart where Christ has not yet come—the areas where you’ve shut him out, the places you’ve long forgotten and ignored, or the spaces you’re ashamed to acknowledge. You’ll learn how to invite him in so that he can bring his light, love, peace, hope, and healing into your heart. From the forgotten corners to the shadowed recesses, Heather encourages you to open these spaces to the transformative power of Christ’s love.

Where do we find the answers to the challenges of our time? Fr. Jacques Philippe asserts that the answers – which can renew the Church and save the world – can be found in the “living contact with the mystery of God in prayer.”

Drawing on quotes from the saints, scripture, and the Catechism, the authors “communicate the thirst for an encounter with God in prayer” and “provide the means to persevere faithfully in the practice of meditation.”

It's not always possible to control external events. There are so many things that are outside our control: the past, what others think of us, chronic health issues, other peoples' actions, the weather, unforeseen events. This list goes on and on.

It is possible, though, to gain more control over our interior life.

In his book Interior Freedom, Fr. Jacques Phillipe shows us that we possess, each of us, inside of us a space of freedom that no-one can take away. Despite the most unfavorable outward circumstances, we can claim our freedom because God is its source and its guarantee. Without this, we will always be in search for something else to fulfill us, and we will never understand true happiness.

We live in a day and age characterized by an extraordinary amount of agitation and lack of peace. This tendency manifests itself in our spiritual as well as our secular life. In our search for God and holiness, in our service to our neighbor, a kind of restlessness and anxiety take the place of the confidence and peace which ought to be ours. What must we do to overcome the moments of fear and distress which assail us all too often in our lives? How can we learn to place all our confidence in God and abandon ourselves into his loving care? This is what is taught in this simple, yet profound little treatise on peace of heart. Taking concrete examples from our everyday life, the author invites us to respond in a Gospel fashion to the upsetting situations we must all confront. Since peace of heart is a pure gift of God, it is something we should seek, pursue and ask him for without cease. Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques Philippe is here to help us in that pursuit.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux sought a new way to Heaven: “a little way that is quite straight, quite short: a completely new little way.” Blessed with personal limitations that might have discouraged another, Thérèse believed God would not have given her a desire for holiness if He did not intend for her to achieve it. She learned to humbly accept herself as she was and trust completely in God’s love. 

First given as a retreat by renowned author Father Jacques Philippe, The Way of Trust and Love navigates excerpts of St. Thérèse’s writings phrase by phrase, extracting powerful, resonating insights. To Thérèse, the journey seemed “little” as she traveled it. A hundred and fifteen years after her death, the message of the young saint and Doctor of the Church has traveled around the world inspiring millions. With this newly translated study of her spirituality, many today will rediscover—or find for the first time—the relevance of “the little way,” in all seasons of life.

Fifty years after the death of Bernard of Clairvaux, Alan of Lille died in 1202 or 1203 among the CisteOCIAns at Cîteaux. Celebrated in his own time as doctor universalis, Alan made pioneering contributions in a variety of genres. Best known today for his influential epic poems, the Anticlaudianus and the Complaint of Nature, Alan also composed a theological dictionary, a handbook for preachers, a defense of the catholic faith against the Cathars, and one of the first Marian commentaries on the Song of Songs. Translated here in its entirety for the first time, Alan’s Elucidatio in Cantica Canticorum illumines his other writings and provides a measure for the originality of his Mariology.

Ann W. Astell is the John Cardinal O’Hara Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. The author of seven books and the editor or co-editor of seven volumes, she has recently published essays on Honorius Augustodunensis, Bernard of Clairvaux, Eadmer of Canterbury, and Aelred of Rievaulx.

Mission and ministry work can often be very demanding, so making time to hit the pause button for reflection before meetings and other important work has become a valued practice in many Catholic faith-based organizations. These pauses for spiritual reflection can enliven institutions, support the wide variety of individuals who work in Catholic organizations, and strengthen their important contributions to society. Designed for professionals in any organizational setting, Together Through Reflection serves as a helpful resource for mission formation and crafting fruitful reflection experiences for both personal and group use. Deegan-Krause offers theologically grounded content, prompts for thought and prayer, practical guidance, and other content to inspire a creative process.

Designed as a resource for faith-based, mission-driven leaders to use with their teams, this accessible guide offers practical direction for producing an effective and prayerful reflection experience. Professional ministers and chaplains, as well as lay leaders serving in Catholic organizations or institutional settings, and all engaged with shepherding Catholic identity into the future will find Together Through Reflection an essential resource for building community and living a reflective life.

There is no better season to renew one’s relationship with God than Easter, the most joyful days of the church’s year. Rejoice with these inspiring reflections on the daily Mass readings. In just a few minutes each day, the insightful meditations of Rejoice and Be Glad can help you embrace, live, and share the good news of the great paschal mystery.

Alice Camille, M.Div., is a catechist and author of twenty books, including A Little Book of Light, and God's Word Is Alive. She is also a contributor to Give Us This Day.

Develop a daily habit of prayerful conversation with the Lord with Pocket Guide to Prayer. 

Pocket Guide to Prayer is a beautiful, inspiring book written by Edward and Beth Sri, with contributor Fr. Mark-Mary Ames, CFR, that gives anyone confidence in knowing God and building a relationship with him. As an "on-ramp" into understanding the various tools for prayer that the Church offers us, this pocket guide will help Catholics build a fulfilled and deeply satisfying prayer life. 

This short but complete guide helps Catholics enter into prayer with more consistency and devotion. It empowers anyone on their faith journey to prioritize daily conversation with God.

Filled with insight on many facets of prayer, Edward and Beth with Fr. Mark-Mary show Catholics how to:

• Get started with prayer
• Understand vocal prayer, meditation, and contemplation
• Learn how to respond to distractions, dryness, and other common struggles experienced in prayer without being discouraged
• Shape their lives around a habit of prayer
• Build a life of prayer in the family and the home
• Understand popular devotions
• And more!

Through practical tips and personal stories, Pocket Guide to Prayer empowers Catholics to approach the Lord in their daily life through prayer each and every day.

“Pocket Guide to Prayer is an easy to read introduction to the spiritual life. This informative and practical resource will both inspire and encourage the reader to cultivate a deeper relationship with God through daily prayer.”

–Fr. Josh Johnson

Help get to the root of sin in your life with Fr. Josh Johnson’s simple method.

Pocket Guide to Overcoming the Seven Deadly Sins is a beautiful, prayerful book by Fr. Josh Johnson that helps readers better understand the ways sin affects them in their daily lives, gives practical guidance and accompaniment, and reminds them of the power of surrendering to God in these areas and enlisting his help on the journey.

The small but powerful book by Fr. Josh Johnson helps Catholics learn how to overcome patterns of sin and strengthen their relationship with God as a result.

Fr. Josh  leads readers through a 7-day plan using his exclusive 3Rs system: Resolving to grow in the virtues that oppose the sin by using Scripture, renouncing the lie, and remembering God’s love. This 7-day plan for each vice helps Catholics conquer the battle against that particular sin and grow in virtue.

Begin the journey as Fr. Josh accompanies Catholics in a gentle way on: 

• What each of the seven deadly sins are
• How to identify if one struggles with a type of sin 
• How to strengthen the fight against sin through prayer
• Reflection questions to help readers understand the sin’s effects
• The practical 7-day challenge and tips for overcoming each individual sin
• A daily examination of conscience to help readers evaluate wins and growth areas.

Ultimately, Catholics will be inspired to seek God’s grace, forgiveness, and help as they battle against the effects of sin in their lives.

Not only does this resource help readers better understand the ways sin affects them in their daily lives, but it also reminds them of the power of surrendering to God in our struggles, and enlisting his help on the journey.

Read the same wisdom that has inspired many great saints.

Since the beginning of creation, men and women have been made to share in the very life of God. Yet the constant call to holiness is often met with the distractions and temptations of the world. 

The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas à Kempis, speaks directly to this struggle: How can we live in the world while pursuing Christ and a life of holiness?

Rooted in Scripture, The Imitation of Christ offers practical wisdom for daily Christian living, helping us loosen our grip on worldly concerns so that we may hold fast to Christ. 

This spiritual masterpiece has shaped the lives of countless saints like St. Teresa of Avila, St. Thomas More, St. Ignatius of Loyola and continues to guide ordinary people in their every walk of life.

Written with an exclusive translation, Ascension’s edition of The Imitation of Christ presents all the teachings of this classic in a fresh, accessible way, making it the perfect companion for anyone seeking to grow in prayer, faith, and intimacy with Jesus.

This special edition includes:

• Expert commentary to illuminate and contextualize the text
• An exclusive English translation by Fr. Dylan Schrader which is faithful to the original translation, yet accessible for today’s reader
• Beautiful sacred art insert of Christ the King from Ascension’s Sacred Art Collection of Holy Men and Women by Tianna Williams
• A general introduction to set the stage for your reading
• Elegant design with a hard, leatherlike cover, foil stamping, and a ribbon bookmark—ideal for prayer, reflection, and daily use

While reading The Imitation of Christ, you will draw closer to God through wisdom that has inspired saints for centuries, and walking step by step toward a life more fully united with Christ.

The timeless spiritual classic—now beautifully refreshed with a new translation, sacred art, and a companion podcast.

For over 1,500 years, The Confessions of St. Augustine has captivated readers as one of the most powerful and personal works of a Doctor of the Church. Written as a prayer to God, it reveals Augustine’s journey from sin to sanctity, bearing witness to God’s transformative grace and the soul’s longing for heaven.

Now, this enduring work is available in a stunning new edition—the only one to feature:

• A fresh, faithful translation, developed in consultation with the original Latin, by Dr. Matthew K. Minerd
• Insightful commentary from Dominican friars Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., and Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P.
• Striking new sacred art of St. Augustine by Tianna Williams
• The Catholic Classics podcast with Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., and Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P., featuring a full audio reading, expert reflections, and a free reading plan

Rediscover a masterpiece of conversion, grace, and the restless heart—made beautifully accessible for today’s reader.

A message from the Catholic Classics podcast hosts:

“Some books simply need to be read. The book that you hold in your hands is one of them. The Confessions of St. Augustine is a classic of Christian spirituality. For centuries it has rewarded its readers with a wealth of insight into God, self, evil, and the whole range of human experience. With each generation, it continues to draw men and women into a profound encounter with the living God. By the intercession of St. Augustine and through his modest and humble confession, may we set out with renewed fervor in our own conversion.”

—Fr. Gregory Pine, O.P., and Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P.

The official Carmelite translation of Story of a Soul, now enhanced with expert commentary, new sacred art, and a companion podcast!

One of the most beloved spiritual classics of the Church, Story of a Soul reveals how St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s “Little Way” leads us to holiness through humility, trust, and love, even in the face of great suffering.

This is the only edition that features:

• A foreword by Cardinal Anders Arborelius, O.C.D.
• Insightful commentary by Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P., and Anne-Elisabeth Giuliani
• The complete English translation from Thérèse’s original, unedited manuscripts—and the only translation authorized by the Carmelite Order
• 25 historical images from the life of St. Thérèse, provided by the Carmelite Order and thoughtfully woven throughout the text
• A comprehensive appendix including St. Thérèse's explanation of her coat of arms, a chronology, a biblical index, and more.
• The Catholic Classics podcast with Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P., and Fr. Michael-Joseph Paris, O.C.D., featuring a full audio reading, expert reflections, and a free reading plan

“These men teach us how to grow as Christians by walking the way of the Cross. The Cross is as close to us as the limitations of our own humanity. The Cross is woven into all our relationships. Drawing closer to God is infinitely rewarding but also terribly hard, and demands everything from us. Living in community fortifies our identity and sustains our purpose, but it also confronts us with the whole range of human weakness, starting with our own. St. Anthony was left to battle wild beasts, feeling that God had abandoned him. St. Benedict was nearly poisoned twice by men who should have been his closest friends and collaborators. The wisdom that is enshrined in these monastic rules was hard-won and continues to speak to all of us who are trying to be faithful followers of Christ!”

–Fr. Boniface Hicks, OSB

The powerful witness of the Church’s early saints gives guidance on striving for heaven to all the faithful.

A beautiful compilation of influential and inspiring works by saints and doctors of the Church, these classic yet relevant texts were written by the early monastic fathers:

• St. Benedict of Nursia
• St. Gregory the Great
• St. Basil the Great
• St. Athanasius

Saints of the First Monasteries is a book about saints, written by saints who have had a great impact on the Church. It contains four unabridged, foundational texts:

• The Life of St. Anthony written by St. Athanasius
• The Greater Rule of Our Holy Father Basil, Archbishop of Caesarea by St. Basil the Great
• The Life and Miracles of St. Benedict by St. Gregory the Great
• The Rule of St. Benedict by St. Benedict of Nursia

Through these writings, gain deeper insight on subjects like:

• embracing Christ and the Cross
• living a communal life
• revitalizing and renewing the Church and your own heart

This timeless Catholic Classics edition of Saints of the First Monasteries also includes:

• An introduction and commentary by Fr. Boniface Hicks, OSB, Rev. Dr. Christiaan Kappes, and Jerome C. Foss, PhD
• A full-color image of St. Benedict from Ascension’s Sacred Art Collection of Holy Men and Women by Tianna Williams
• A leatherlike cover, foil stamping, and a place-holding ribbon

Classic and beautiful, this book draws all Catholics into a deeper relationship with God in their pursuit of holiness through the honest, authentic wisdom from some of the Church’s greatest saints.