General Books

Gain wisdom and guidance from renowned leadership expert Maxwell with this collection of some of his most inspiring quotes appropriate for those called to lead and those simply seeking God's direction.

33 Days to Merciful Love

Journey with St. Therese of Lisieux and discover  33 Days to Merciful Love: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Consecration to Divine Mercy,  the stirring sequel to the Fr. Gailtley's 33 Days to Morning Glory.

Author: Michael E. Gaitley, MIC

5.5" x 8.4" Paperback

201 pages

A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms: 52 Companions for Your Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul

Guided by the example of the saints, Hendey eloquently links personal stories, scripture, prayer, and soul-strengthening exercises into a spiritually rich and deeply practical resource for Catholic women. This edition includes a new preface and cover and is updated with information about saints canonized since the first edition.

Allow The Book of Saints for Catholic Moms to help you grow in your faith and enrich your heart, mind, body, and soul by spending each week of the year with Lisa M. Hendey and a different saint. This award-winning spiritual guidebook introduces you to popular saints such as Th erese of Lisieux, Teresa of Calcutta, John Paul II, and Patrick, as well as lesser known but equally inspiring saints such as Gianna Beretta Molla and Damien of Molokai.

Each week Hendey offers:

• a thematic prayer intention;
• biographical and devotional information about the saint;
• lessons she learned from each saint;
• daily scripture meditations;
• prayers;
• activities for moms and children; and
• practical, spiritually rich steps that help moms incorporate the wisdom and exemplary faith of each figure into their own lives.

Author: Lisa M. Hendey

ISBN: 9781594712739

6" x 9" Paperback

352 pages

Thomas Merton's sessions with the young monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani showcase Merton's brilliant ability to survey the key figures and synthesize their writings, inspiring his listeners and readers with what it means for the spiritual life. Like its companion volume, A Course in Christian Mysticism, this book is a collection of fifteen lectures that get to the heart of Merton's belief that monastic wisdom and spirituality are applicable for everyone. This compact volume allows anyone to learn from one of the twentieth century's greatest Catholic spiritual teachers. The study materials at the back of the book, including additional primary source readings and thoughtful questions for reflection and discussion, make this an essential text for any student of Christian desert spirituality.

Edited by: Jon M. Sweeney

Paperback 5-1/2 x 8-1/2

Pages 200

ISBN: 978-0-8146-8473-3

Publication Date: 05/15/2019

A History of the Church in 100 Objects

The star of Bethlehem exemplifies the birth of Jesus, the Wittenberg Door is synonymous with the Protestant Reformation, and symbolizes the sexual revolution and that helps tell the story of Christianity.

In this unique, rich, and eye-catching book, popular Catholic author and EWTN host Mike Aquilina tells the Christian story through the examination of 100 objects and places. Some, like Michelangelo's Pieta , are priceless works of art. Others, like a union membership pin, don't hold much monetary value. But through each of them, Aquilina offers a memorable and rewarding look at the history of the Church.

When Catholics tell their story, they don"t just write it in books. They preserve it in memorials, monuments, artifacts, and museums. They build grand basilicas to house tiny relics.

In this stunning book, Aquilina, together with his writer-daughter Grace, show how the history of the Church didn"t take place shrouded in the mists of time. It actually happened and continues to happen through things that we can see and sometimes hold in our hand.

The Christian answer to Neil MacGregor's New York Times bestseller A History of the World in 100 Objects, Aquilina's A History of the Church in 100 Objects introduces you to:

• The Cave of the Nativity (the importance of history, memory, and all things tangible)
• Catacomb niches (the importance of Rome, bones, and relics of the faith)
• Ancient Map of the World (the undoing of myths about medieval science)
• Stained Glass (representative of Gothic cathedrals)
• The Holy Grail (Romance literature and the emergence of writing for the laity)
• Loaves and fish (a link from Jesus to the sacrament of the Eucharist)
• The Wittenberg Door (Martin Luther and the onset of the Reformation)

Each of these and the 93 other items and places in the book tell part of the Christian story. Each is an essential piece of the story of our salvation.

God makes himself known and accessible through material things, always accommodating himself to our condition. It is, after all, the condition he created for us spiritual and material and the form he assumed for our salvation.

Author: Mike Aquilina, Grace Aquilina

6" x 9" Paperback

448 pages

October 20, 2017

A Pope Francis Lexicon is a collection of over fifty essays by an impressive set of insightful contributors from around the globe, each writing on a specific word that has become important in the ministry of Pope Francis. Writers such as Sr. Simone Campbell, Cardinal Blase Cupich, Cardinal Ãscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, Fr. James Martin, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby, and Carolyn Woo explore the Pope's use of words like joy, clericalism, money, family, and tears. Together, they reveal what Francis's use of these words says about him, his ministry and priorities, and their significance to the church, the world, and the lives of individual Christians. The entire collection is introduced by a foreword by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians worldwide, and a preface by one of Francis's closest advisors, Cardinal Seán O'Malley.

This is no set of encyclopedia entries. It's a reflective, inspiring, and often heartfelt book that offers engaging answers to the question "What is this surprising Pope up to?"

Edited by Cindy Wooden and Joshua J. McElwee

218 pages , 6" x 9" Hardcover

Publication Date: 01/25/2018

In Abba Isn"t Daddy and Other Biblical Surprises, Burton answers a number of fascinating questions that help you become more familiar with the Bible and your Catholic faith.

Have you ever wondered whether Christ is Jesus" last name?

Did you know that when Jesus called God Abba he didn"t really mean the familiar Daddy as you may have been taught?

Could the Our Father have originally been a Jewish prayer?

Burton answers these questions and many others in Abba Isn"t Daddy and Other Biblical Surprises: What Catholics Really Need to Know about Scripture Study. The book will satisfy your curiosity about biblical subjects you"ve heard of and passages you"ve wondered about but never really pondered deeply nor understood.

Burton, a renowned scripture, introduces you to basic principles of scripture study and aids in your exploration of intriguing questions about the life of Jesus.

In part 1, Burton examines the history of the Bible, tools for scripture study, and the importance of archaeological, cultural, and linguistic discoveries for understanding the Bible. He also offers a fascinating explanation of how the geography of Israel played a crucial role in the Bible"s content and development.

In part 2, Burton addresses interesting questions related to the origin and meaning of topics in the New Testament.

Abba Isn"t Daddy and Other Biblical Surprises is a perfect resource to encourage you to learn the principles of scripture study and undertake a deeper reading of the Bible.

Author: William L. Burton, O.F.M.

Format: Paperback

Pages: 192

Trim size: 5.x 8.inches

ISBN: 978-1-59471-839-7

On-sale date: March 8, 2019

Angels and Saints: Who They Are and Why They Matter

We often pray with the saints in our Catholic practice or see paintings of angels by famous artists, but who are they really? What do they do? Can they really intercede for us?

Elizabeth Klein, assistant professor of theology at the Augustine Institute, leads us through a soul-inspiring exploration of Catholic teaching on angels and saints and why they matter to us as individuals and to the Church.

Throughout the book, Klein answers common questions about the angels and saints in order to give us a deeper understanding and appreciation of the role they play in our lives, the Mass, and in the life of the Church. She also equips us to better discuss with non-Catholics what we believe about angels and saints.

In Angels and Saints, Klein explains that these heavenly companions are gifts from God. They are our friends and are joined to us in the mystical Body of Christ. They invite us to love God and each other perfectly as they do.

In this book, you also will learn that

• Angels appear throughout the Bible in many forms.
• TheCatechism of the Catholic Church says that angels are perfect, immortal, have souls, and are as individual as humans.
• Both the Old and New Testaments provide strong evidence that each one of us has a guardian angel.
• The Communion of Saints refers to the Church, the Body of Christ of which we are a part. This means we have true contact and unity with all members of the Church, both living and dead.
• No matter your state in life, you can find a canonized saint very like you.
• When we pray to saints, we are really asking them to pray to God on our behalf.
• Relics are the remains of saints, including their body or parts of it, clothing or items they have used, or something put into contact with the saints body or one of its parts. Relics are mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments.
• A saints feast day is the day of their death the day they entered eternal life.

Books in the Engaging Catholicism series from the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame help readers discover the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith through a concise exploration of the Churchs most important but often difficult-to-grasp doctrines as well as crucial pastoral and spiritual practices.

Pages: 160

Trim size: 5 x 7 inches

ISBN: 9781646802371

The life of Christian discipleship begins at Baptism. Through the life-saving waters, a new Christian is freed from sin, shares in the death and Resurrection of Christ, and is made a member of the Body of Christ, the Church. But with this gift from God comes important responsibilities. This short booklet explores the Catholic understanding of the Sacrament of Baptism and the baptized Christian's important role in sharing the light of Christ. The questions at the end of each short chapter will help readers reflect upon what it means to be a Christian disciple in the world today, living lives of justice, charity, and love.

Also available in Spanish - OWSAFD

ISBN 9781616716868

By their baptism, the faithful are called to make Christ tangibly present in the world. To understand this vocation, it is necessary to grasp what it means to share in a royal priesthood and a mission to preach the Gospel to draw others into life in the Body of Christ. Author Stephen S. Wilbricht, csc, presents a discussion on the communal nature of baptism for parish groups to reflect upon for a deeper understanding of what their discipleship entails.

ISBN 9781616716851

80 Pages

Paperback

As leaders in the faith community, the parish staff are to guide the faithful to embrace their baptismal call to make Christ tangibly present in the world. To support parish administrative staff, this resource presents an examination of the communal nature of baptism by author Stephen S. Wilbricht, csc, concrete examples from pastoral ministers of ways discipleship is lived out, and seven short prayer services that reflect on aspects of baptism.

ISBN 9781616716844

Paperback 6x9

144 Pages

Aperuit Illis - Apostolic Letter Instituting the Sunday of the Word of God.

Inspired by the Scripture passage in which Jesus appears to the Eleven and opened their minds to understand the Scriptures(Lk 24:45), the Apostolic LetterAperuit illisof Pope Francis institutes theSunday of the Word of Godon the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. In so doing, the Pope encourages the regular reading of Sacred Scripture in order to set the hearts of the faithful burning within them (cf. Lk 24:32). Includes a Commentary of the Most Rev. Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization.

• ISBN:9781947070653
• Pages:48
• Author:POPE FRANCIS
• Size:4 1/4 X 6 3/4
• Color:FULL COLOR
• Binding:PAPERBACK

Father Augustus Tolton was the first identified black American ordained to the priesthood in the United States. He was born into slavery and escaped to freedom with his mother and siblings under harrowing circumstances. Throughout his life he displayed a great devotion to the Lord and the Catholic faith despite facing racism within the Church at nearly every turn. Still, he felt and preached that the Catholic Church's teaching that all people are children of God regardless of race made it the true church for African Americans in the United States following the Civil War. In Augustus Tolton, Joyce Duriga brings to light his quiet witness as a challenge to prejudices and narrow-mindedness that can keep us insulated from the universal diversity of the kingdom of God.

Author: Joyce Duriga

128 pages , 5 3/8 x 8 1/4 paperback

Publication Date: 09/15/2018

As a parent, do you struggle with trusting God"s will for your life and for those you love? Are you tired and afraid?

In Be Brave in the Scared, Catholic writer Mary Lenaburg shares how the overwhelming demands of caring for her severely disabled daughter ultimately taught her and can teach you that trusting in God and accepting his will can lead to profound joy, no matter what challenges you face.

Be Brave in the Scared is an uplifting account of human frailty (and stubbornness) surrendered to faith. Lenaburg tells the heart-rending story of how caring for her severely disabled daughter affected her self-image, marriage, family life, and faith.

Although she initially struggled to accept God"s will and her own limitations, Lenaburg ultimately learned how to trust God. She found in that trust inexplicable joy, even during the most difficult days of her life. She writes boldly and authentically about challenges we all encounter, such as trials with control, blame, exhaustion, fear, and acceptance.

Each chapter concludes with an invitation to write and a place for readers to express their thoughts and feelings. Lenaburg"s extraordinary story affirms that God"s redeeming love never fails and that he is there to help us through all of the challenges we encounter.

Author: Mary E. Lenaburg

Format: Paperback

Pages: 160

Trim size: 5.x 8.inches

ISBN: 978-1-59471-883-0

On-sale date: May 10, 2019

BeDADitudes: 8 Ways to be an Awesome Dad

In BeDADitudes, internationally known marriage and family expert Greg Popcak draws on more than twenty years as a counselor as well as his own experience as a father to show how the Beatitudes can be viewed as a practical guide to understanding the love of God and applying that love to being a better father.

In the first book to uniquely focus on the Beatitudes and fatherhood, Greg Popcak helps you stop focusing on yourself and instead focus on God, learning how to be the father God wants you to be by becoming a servant leader in your home.

As a father of three children, Popcak realized that Jesus" call to be humble in the first Beatitude Blessed are the poor in spirit stands in direct opposition to what modern men learn growing up. Instead, they are taught they should live a life of unbroken success, defined by promotions at work and beautiful wives and honor students at home.

The Catholic author, speaker, counselor, and radio host will show that when you practice meekness, you will connect with your family by asking them questions and listening closely to their responses. By practicing mercy, you come to know your own sins, the difficulties that lie on the path to sainthood, and how your family needs to hear about God"s grace in their lives.

In BeDADitudes, you discover the profound love of God found in the Beatitudes and understand how that love can transform you into being an awesome dad.

Author: Gregory K. Popcak

ISBN: 9781594717185

5.5" x 8.5" Paperback

192 Pages

On-sale date: March 3, 2017

Before You Split: Find What You Really Want for the Future of Your Marriage

In Benedict Backwards, Terrence Kardong builds the case that the Rule of Benedict is best read "backwards," that is, with emphasis on the last chapters, not the first ones. Benedict starts out dependent on the Rule of the Master, but he ends on a much more self-assured note, revealing more about his own thoughts on matters of monastic life. Kardong shows the final chapters of the Rule are primarily about community, and they provide insight into Benedict's vision for his monks.

Subtitle: Reading the Rule in the Twenty-First Century
Author: Terrence G. Kardong

PRODUCT DETAILS
ISBN: 9780814646182
Details: 142 pgs , 6 x 9 
Publication Date: 03/01/2017

Boundless Compassion: Creating a Way of Life

"Living compassionately is rarely convenient and often downright challenging," writes Joyce Rupp, bestselling and award-winning author and retreat leader. The definitive Christian guide to compassion, Boundless Compassion is the culmination of Rupp's research and work as co director of the Servite Center of Compassionate Presence. Through this six-week personal transformation process for developing and deepening compassion, Rupp nudges, encourages, and inspires you to grow in the kind of love that motivated Jesus" life and mission for his disciples.

With master teacher Joyce Rupp, you will learn to develop compassion as never before. You will discover compassion from science, medicine, theology, spirituality, sociology, and psychology. You will be encouraged to explore personal and professional expressions of compassion, and to re-energize your ability to offer loving kindness to those around you.

Rupp has felt the call to walk with others in their suffering since she was a young member of the Servants of Mary, whose charism is compassion. She eventually cofounded the Boundless Compassion program with Sr. Margaret Stratman, O.S.M.

Based on the format and theme of Rupp"s bestselling books like Open the Door and her popular workshops conducted by the Center of Compassionate Presence, Boundless Compassion has the power to transform your life, giving you wisdom, confidence, understanding, and inspiration to be a more caring presence. It will help you build on relational skills, learn self-care, gain wisdom for incorporating loss and suffering into your active life, and find ways to show compassion at work.

By the book's end, you will feel prepared to live with a renewed commitment to a compassionate presence for yourself and those who are in the midst of pain, struggle, and transition.

Author: Joyce Rupp

ISBN: 978193206

6" x 9" Paperback

224 pages

On-sale date: March 2, 2018

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

Joel Stepanek grew up believing that humility required shunning success, never accepting praise, and embracing a crummy life so that God would reward him in heaven. Then he became successful at being a missionary. On a quest to find balance, Stepanek discovered powerful wisdom hidden within a nineteenth-century prayer that radically changed his life: the Litany of Humility. He shows you what he has learned about true Christian humility and how to right-size your expectations for living this crucial virtue.

As Stepanek, director of resource development at Life Teen, began to study and pray with the Litany of Humility, he discovered a pattern for spiritual growth that now anchors the way he lives. In Chasing Humility, he helps you explore eight essential aspects of humility in the life of a Christian: authenticity, confidence, gratitude, love, praise, empowerment, mentoring, and breaking barriers.

In addition to humorous and engaging stories and theological reflections, each chapter gives you practical exercises for spiritual growth such as:

• creating an authenticity diagram to explore how you see yourself, how you think God sees you, and how you believe others do;
• learning to keep a gratitude journal; and
• developing habits of speech that acknowledge and praise others for successes, rather than remaining focused on your own accomplishments.

This book will not only help you to understand and embrace the importance of humility, but teach you to love the virtue as well.

Author: Joel Stepanek

Format: Paperback

Pages: 160

Trim size: 5.x 8.inches

ISBN: 978-1-59471-895-3

On-sale date: April 5, 2019

Has the contemporary American polity remained capable of asking itself questions about its purpose and integrity? We recall our optimistic beginnings, sure of God blessing, yet something has gone wrong. We are at odds with each other and even our friends. What brought us to this moment, and is there anything we the people can do?

In Claiming Your Voice, Vest examines four contemporary deforming patterns: market culture, American empire, climate crisis, and racism. In consideration of the Christian foundations in prophetic imagination and Benedictine spirituality, she illustrates that Americans are called to provide energy for hope, to cut through public numbness, and to penetrate the deceptions of imperial consciousness so that God and the sacred again become visible and empowering for all our people.

Everyone knows there is a "crisis" in the Catholic Church and in the world around us. Some say it is capitalism gone wild. Others say it is the decay of tradition, family, and objective truth. Still others say it is the rise of radical, reactionary conservatism. Though all may not agree on the nature of the crisis, who doesn't agree that there is one, and who isn't worried?

For Larry Chapp, crisis is always the norm of Christian existence. In a cold, dying world choked by greed, the Gospel calls for radical love and radical living according to the Sermon on the Mount. Using the theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar, Peter Maurin, and Dorothy Day, Chapp argues that the real remedy to the disease of sin is not niceness, not political liberation, not fancy liturgical dress, not technical rigor, but a free decision to live totally and joyfully in Jesus Christ, without compromise.

Just as the martyrs chose God over life itself, so each Christian must, in the crucial hour, choose Jesus over all things. Everything hinges on the moment of Christian witness.