Spiritual

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.

This timely compilation of John Henry Cardinal Newman's own words on a wide variety of subjects will inspire readers to live an authentic Christian life. Brother Berry's careful selections convey the heart of Newman's teachings, story, and spirit, deepening your familiarity with this saintly and influential man of God.

As an Anglican priest, Newman led the Oxford Movement that sought to return the Church of England to its Catholic roots. His conversion to Catholicism in 1845 rocked Victorian England. After becoming an Oratorian priest, he was involved in the establishment of the Birmingham Oratory.

Published: September 1, 2010

Pages: 128

Size: 5 x 7

ISBN: 9780764819100

he Confessions of Saint Augustine is considered one of the greatest Christian classics of all time. It is an extended poetic, passionate, intimate prayer that Augustine wrote as an autobiography sometime after his conversion, to confess his sins and proclaim God's goodness. Just as his first hearers were captivated by his powerful conversion story, so also have many millions been over the following sixteen centuries. His experience of God speaks to us across time with little need of transpositions.

This acclaimed new translation by Sister Maria Boulding, O.S.B., masterfully captures his experience, and is written in an elegant and flowing style. Her beautiful contemporary translation of the ancient Confessions makes the classic work more accessible to modern readers. Her translation combines the linguistic accuracy demanded by 4th-century Latin with the poetic power aimed at by Augustine, not as discernible in previous translations.

• Format: Paperback
• ISBN/UPC: 9781586176839
• Publication date: July 16, 2012
• Height: 8
• Size: 5.2 x 1.4
• Pages: 522

Gay and Catholic: Accepting My Sexuality, Finding Community, Living My Faith

In this first book from an openly lesbian and celibate Catholic, widely published writer and blogger Eve Tushnet recounts her spiritual and intellectual journey from liberal atheism to faithful Catholicism and shows how gay Catholics can love and be loved while adhering to Church teaching.

Eve Tushnet was among the unlikeliest of converts. The only child of two atheist academics, Tushnet was a typical Yale undergraduate until the day she went out to poke fun at a gathering of philosophical debaters, who happened also to be Catholic. Instead of enjoying mocking what she termed the zoo animals, she found herself engaged in intellectual conversation with them and, in a move that surprised even her, she soon converted to Catholicism. Already self-identifying as a lesbian, Tushnet searched for a third way in the seeming two-option system available to gay Catholics: reject Church teaching on homosexuality or reject the truth of your sexuality. Gay and Catholic: Accepting My Sexuality, Finding Community, Living My Faith is the fruit of Tushnet"s searching: what she learned in studying Christian history and theology and her articulation of how gay Catholics can pour their love and need for connection into friendships, community, service, and artistic creation.

Author: Eve Tushnet

ISBN: 9781594715426

5.5" x 8.5" Paperback

224 Pages

On-sale date: October 20, 2014

Coached by Joan of Arc book is a dialogue between the reader and Joan of Arc, the woman Mark Twain called “easily and by far the most extraordinary person the human race has ever produced.”

As we explore her virtue-infused life, this astonishingly modern woman takes us by the hand, coaches us, whispers wise advice and lessons in noble leadership in our ear. Far from being anachronistic, her way of life and virtuous example is eternally new, for she follows precepts that are above human weakness.

Joan is for all of us – men and women of today, living and working in the midst of the world. She is for us all a coach, a mother, and an excellent teacher of the elevated, virtuous, and courageous life.

St. Paul’s initial transformation was a dramatic shift from Saul to Paul, from persecutor to believer, from darkness to light. And yet, the scales falling from his eyes was only the beginning: he lived and taught the lesson of transformation for the rest of his life. 

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.

The Gospel of St. Matthew Shares with us astonishing words of Jesus: a promise of everlasting happiness, far removed from the usual recipes for gratification.

Blessed are the poor in spirit! Blessed are those who mourn! 
Happy are the meek!...

Fr. Jacques shares with us a profound clarity to the full scope of meaning behind Christ’s eight beatitudes, and in turn, outlines for us a way in which we can live them in our daily lives. We learn how each beatitude gives insight into how we can situate ourselves in an honest and fulfilling relationship with God, with oneself, and with others, and how to confront head-on the difficult realities of life.

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.

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.

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.”

But how can God’s Word dwell in us if we haven’t memorized it? How can it comfort and guide us if it doesn’t live in our hearts?

In Memorize Scripture, Catholic speaker, podcaster, and worship leader Jackie Francois Angel invites you on a 12-month journey into the timeless beauty and transformative power of scripture memorization. With 120 carefully selected verses, each organized into 12 thematic chapters, Jackie equips you with practical tools to make memorization simple, meaningful, and accessible.

Drawing from her own experiences of falling in love with God’s Word, Jackie reveals hidden treasures within each verse—uncovering layers of wisdom that have illuminated her own faith journey. From the comforting embrace of Psalms to the profound teachings of the Gospels, Jackie shares firsthand how scripture can become a constant companion, echoing in your heart and guiding your every step.

Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of Eucharistic worship with Behold, Believe, Become—where the ordinary becomes extraordinary and the Mass becomes a soul-saving, life-changing encounter with Christ, our Eucharistic Lord.

In Behold, Believe, Become, Timothy P. O’Malley, a distinguished leader in the Eucharistic Revival movement and bestselling author of Becoming Eucharistic People and Real Presence, shows you how to see differently—through newly formed habits of contemplation—fifteen ordinary, physical things that the Church uses at Mass to point us toward Christ. You will explore layers of meaning found in noble doors and stained-glass windows, sunlight and water, oil and fire, altars and church pews, and bread and wine become Body and Blood. O’Malley helps you see how each element tells us something about who Christ is and who we are to become as Christian people.

Inspired by the towering genius of the twentieth-century liturgical movement, Fr. Romano Guardini (1865–1968), O’Malley offers an unconventional walk through the Mass, highlighting that “matter matters.” This book doesn’t delve into the intricate history of Eucharistic Prayers or the doctrinal meaning of various words and actions. Instead, it provides a unique exploration of the material stuff of the Mass that we encounter from the time we enter the church until the time we depart at the end.

Follow the spiritual wisdom of one of the twentieth century’s great theologians, Romano Guardini, as you prepare your mind, body, and heart for Mass. Guardini’s sacramental imagination influenced the liturgical renewal that took shape in the Second Vatican Council, and has been highly praised by Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.

Romano Guardini’s Meditations before Mass and Sacred Signs collects two seminal works from Guardini that are both filled with brief meditations on the fundamental elements and actions of the liturgy. Taken together, these two classics provide readers with a treasure-trove of reflections on the source and summit of Christian life—The Eucharist.

A friend’s child dies; a parent gets a cancer diagnosis; your spouse loses their job. Sometimes life and God’s plan don’t make sense and we end up feeling hurt and angry.

In Seriously, God?, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran explore the denial, doubt, and betrayal we experience when we face hardship, pain, and grief, and they encourage us to lean into our feelings and to take each circumstance as a chance to learn more about God.

Do you question whether God really exists? Have you considered walking away from your faith because you’ve been hurt by someone in the Church or because you struggle with some of its teachings? Or maybe you’ve already left? Are you carrying around guilt for something you’ve done and don’t feel you are worthy of God’s love?

Rebuilt Faith, written by Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran—authors of the bestselling book Rebuilt—proposes five simple steps to learn (or relearn) more about your Catholic faith and deepen your relationship with God.

In Rebuilt Faith, you will learn that rebuilding and renewing your faith starts with a nagging feeling that you want something more—more connectedness, more community, and more purpose. That’s the spark that leads to a flame that burns brightly around Jesus, the foundation of living and growing in faith.

ISBN: 9781646802012

Paper back

In an era marked by Eucharistic revival, synodal renewal, and Jubilee celebrations, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran—the bestselling authors of Rebuilt—offer a practical guide to revitalizing your parish through small groups. In The Transformative Power of Small Groups: A 7-Step Guide for Building Vibrant Catholic Communities, they show you how to foster faith-based friendships, which result in vibrant communities that not only sustain Christian love and service but also change the world.

This concise guide shows how small groups can become the backbone of your parish’s pastoral care, discipleship, and evangelization efforts. Through their signature blend of engaging storytelling—highlighting real-life successes and struggles—White and Corcoran share examples of how small group members rally around each other during times of crisis, challenge one another toward spiritual growth, and provide meaningful support in everyday life.

Many pastoral leaders feel ill-equipped to respond to the turmoil of those who face the death by suicide of a loved one. Responding to Suicide is the first book written for Catholic leaders that takes a holistic approach to understanding suicide and ministering effectively in its aftermath.

More than a dozen leading mental health practitioners, Catholic theologians, and pastoral care experts share how best to respond to suicide as leaders in parishes, schools, healthcare systems, and other Church settings. The book offers a cross-disciplinary approach that provides basic information about the central role of mental health in suicide and clarifies Church teaching about suicide, funerals and burials for those who have died by suicide, and their afterlife.

Death by suicide is usually sudden, often violent, and frequently comes at the end of a long and difficult struggle with a mental illness. Heaped on top of that is a social stigma that leaves loved ones in shock and often burdened with shame. Responding to Suicide addresses common concerns of the bereaved following a suicide: skepticism that Catholic leaders will understand; fear that the Church teaches that their loved one is in hell; and belief that they will find little if any support in the Church.

When someone you love dies by suicide, confusion, shame, and guilt often add to the emotional upheaval and spiritual turmoil in your life. When a Loved One Dies by Suicide was written by Catholics who have lost a loved one due to suicide. The contributors share their personal stories of loss, of learning to cope with the crushing grief, of finding comfort in faith and community, and of discovering hope as they began to move forward again.

Suicide, although common, too often is hidden in our culture and in the Catholic Church. When a Loved One Dies by Suicide dispels the misconceptions about what the Church teaches about suicide and offers a wealth of guidance and support to help you find your own path toward healing. The contributors include Deacon Ed Shoener, Bishop John P. Dolan, Msgr. Charles Pope, Leticia Adams, Tom and Fran Smith, and clinical experts in the field of mental health and suicide.

Catholic school teachers have a special vocation to reach the hearts and minds of young people, even in the midst of never-ending lesson planning, grading papers, and trying to lead a balanced life. Called to Teach, a book of 366 short, thought-provoking reflections, can help teachers stay focused on their Christ-centered mission by providing a source of energy, renewal, and affirmation for their day.

This collection of one-minute daily reflections offers a prayerful opportunity to recapture the joyous expectation Christ has in mind for Catholic teachers. Each day begins with a scripture passage that sets a theme and provides much-needed encouragement as a reminder of the daily gifts present in a Catholic school. Justin McClain, a theology and Spanish teacher at Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, Maryland, will help teachers take a fresh look at everyday benchmarks of success in lesson planning, classroom prayer, and dealing with difficult theological questions. He also addresses needs outside the classroom—relaxation and a good night’s sleep, healthy eating habits, continuing education, and more time for prayer.

Every educator needs a friend to turn to when they are facing a rowdy classroom, challenging parent interactions, tense staff meetings, or even just the everyday demands of teaching. Seasoned teacher Amy Cattapan recommends you form a posse of saintly mentors who are always there to offer inspiring examples and powerful intercession.

In A Saint Squad for Teachers, Cattapan introduces you to a team of forty-five diverse and relatable saints ready to lift you up and intercede for you during every twist and turn of the school year. By drawing from the stories and wisdom of these heavenly educators and holy mentors, you’ll not only flourish as a teacher but also tackle the highs and lows of your calling with renewed vigor and unshakeable hope.

Topics related to Catholic social teaching emerge regularly in American political and civic discourse, often connected to discussions about religious freedom, abortion, immigrant rights, racism, capital punishment, and health care. This third edition of A Concise Guide to Catholic Social Teaching by Rev. Kevin E. McKenna incorporates the essential teachings of Pope Francis in Evangelium Gaudium, Laudato Si’, and Amoris Laetitia to offer a clear, beginner-level reference tool and study guide for Church leaders and other interested Catholics to help them navigate this vast body of teaching.

Building on core themes of human dignity, community, rights and responsibilities, option for the poor, dignity of work, solidarity, and care of creation, McKenna distills a vast amount of Catholic teaching into easily digestible summaries, each carefully referenced to its primary source and correlated to pressing issues making today’s headlines. 

This practical and thorough guide remains a perennial favorite for study and reference in Catholic parishes, universities, and ministry formation programs.

Losing a child is devastating. For Catholic parents who lose a child before or shortly after birth, this profound grief often comes with distinctive, sudden, and difficult questions about God, the Church, and who they are now as parents to the child they have lost. Why did God let this happen? Where is my baby? Can the Church help me make sense of this? What do we do now?

In A Catholic Guide to Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss, Abigail Jorgensen serves as a companion and guide through perinatal loss in light of Catholic teaching. She addresses difficult medical, theological, and practical questions asked by loss parents and the friends, family, pastors, ministers, and medical professionals who support them.

Jorgensen has first-hand experience, both as a mother who has lost children in miscarriage and as a Catholic bereavement doula—someone who walks with families through early child loss. Through her own experiences, she discovered how hard it can be to find adequate answers and spiritual help from within the Church, so she wrote the book that she and her clients have needed.

When a serious illness or a health crisis occurs, few people are prepared to deal with it, and when faced with big medical decisions, patients often are confused and overwhelmed, and they are sometimes too sick to make important decisions. Many times, decisions fall to family and loved ones who don’t always know the patient’s wishes. Intensive Caring: A Practical Handbook for Catholics about Serious Illness and End-of-Life Care is the perfect resource to help everyone involved navigate the complexities of healthcare during serious illness and end-of-life care.

In Intensive Caring, Dr. Natalie King, a palliative care physician, shares real-life patient stories and provides practical medical information to bring clarity and understanding to these complex healthcare decisions. In this easy-to-navigate guide, King helps you and your loved ones think through the issues at hand and align your decisions with your values and faith while safeguarding the sacred dignity of human life.

Ann Garrido’s 2009 article in America magazine on the spirituality of administration in Catholic settings created a wave of demand in this successful academic administrator’s already full speaking schedule. Garrido admits that she sometimes finds administration draining, even boring, as it fractures her days into “tiny shards of time” that make it impossible to focus on “the big ideas.” And yet she has found spiritual gifts in her many years as a theologian, parish minister, and administrator in higher education. In Redeeming Administration, she reveals those gifts by examining twelve spiritual habits for Catholic leaders in parishes, schools, religious communities, and other institutions—presenting a saint who embodies each habit—and showing readers how to experience their administrative work as a crucial ministry of the Church.

A brief prayer and questions for personal reflection, group conversation, or spiritual direction complete each chapter. Free downloads to accompany Redeeming Administration include a small-group guide and prayer resources.

Catholic theologian Ann M. Garrido—author of the bestselling and award-winning book Redeeming Administration—continues her work on Christian leadership by examining power not as a manipulative force in short supply but as Jesus understood it: an abundant good meant to be shared and put to use for the sake of harmony and holiness.

In Redeeming Power, Garrido helps you develop a spirituality of power by considering the skills and personal qualities that will enable a healthy and holy use of power in your role as one who leads. Garrido explores key passages from the creation stories of Genesis where we find the roots of how Jesus understood power. She shows how God shares divine power with all humans and calls leaders to specific ways of exercising power that will benefit the people and institutions they serve.

A leading Catholic intellectual explains why the teachings of the Second Vatican Council are essential to the Church's future and the world's

The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) was the most important Catholic event in the past five hundred years. Yet sixty years after its opening on October 11, 1962, its meaning remains sharply contested and its promise unfulfilled.

In To Sanctify the World, George Weigel explains the necessity of Vatican II and explores the continuing relevance of its teaching in a world seeking a deeper experience of freedom than personal willfulness. The Councils texts are also a critical resource for the Catholic Church as it lives out its original, Christ-centered evangelical purpose.

Written with insight and verve, To Sanctify the World recovers the true meaning of Vatican II as the template for a Catholicism that can propose a path toward genuine human dignity and social solidarity.

Ciao! Meet Carlo: an Italian fifteen-year-old techie who loved coding, video games, animals, and also lived a life that put him on the highway to heaven!

Set to become the first millennial saint, Blessed Carlo Acutis was a vibrant, faith-filled Italian teenager who loved technology and the Eucharist. This kid-friendly biography is the perfect introduction to Carlo fascinating and moving story.

You Can Be a Saint! is a series of kid-friendly biographies about the many inspiring, diverse, and holy people on the path to sainthood. 

Features of the series:

• Written in an engaging, narrative form 
• Colorful, playful illustrations and design 
• Fun and informative sidebars
• Perfect for children ages 8-11
• Durable, high-quality hardcover