Catholic Books - M

If you purchase one prayerbook - this is the one to get. Makes a great gift. Our Sunday Visitor.

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You and your family push aside the curtain and enter a room at the back of the private home. You are warmly greeted by friends who have gathered on this Sunday morning to celebrate the Lord's Day.

You listen as the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read. Then the predecessor explains the readings and exhorts all present to live a life worthy of the Savior.

After a few moments of prayer, bread and wine are blessed, broken, and distributed to all present. Before you leave for home, a collection is taken up for the needs of the Church.

Sound familiar? It should. It's the same Mass we celebrate today. Only this account comes from the year 67 A.D. -- barely 30 years after Christ's death.

In The Mass of the Early Christians, author Mike Aquilina uses anecdotes and historical texts to show vividly how the Mass was celebrated at the beginning of the Christian Church, trace its progression over the ages, and highlight the fascinating diversity that arose as Christianity spread throughout the world.

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Based on the traditional St. Ignatius retreat (trusted by Catholics for centuries) and adapted for children, this clear, simple, thoughtful presentation of the Faith is invaluable for parents seeking to form their children in holiness.

My Path to Heaven covers such essentials of the Faith as God’swill, angels, Heaven and Hell, the Fall of man, the Holy Trinity, the Incarnation, the Nativity, the Passion, salvation, the sacraments, faith,hope, love, and contrition, and it teaches children the relevanceof these truths in their lives and in the decisions they make.

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An in depth explanation of the Rosary. Written in a short, simple, and pleasing style, this book will deepen the prayer life of all who read it. Catholic Book Publishing Co., 1982.

Pages: 96; Size: 5 1/2 X 7 inches;Paperback.

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Featuring a new chapter, Leading Others to Christ (co-written with Dr. Scott Hahn)by Jeff Cavins.

Jeff Cavin's My Life on the Rock is one of the most moving, inspiring and even entertaining conversion stories you will ever read. My Life on the Rock is the dramatic, emotional and humorous conversion story of Jeff Cavins, one of the brightest new teachers and converts to come into the Catholic Church in recent years. Jeff's story is one of "rebellion" and homecoming. He rebelled against his father and his faith - and then returned home after a series of providential events.

A Protestant pastor of 13 years, Jeff's story will make you laugh, make you cry, and keep you turning page after page. The host of EWTN's popular show, "Life on the Rock", Jeff spent 12 years as a Protestant pastor before returning to the Catholic faith. His story is filled with unique twists and turns: he was shot at, fasted for a month (and not by choice!), and witnessed to celebrities like Walter Cronkite, Sophia Loren, and renowned atheist, Madalyn Murray O'Hair, for which he was almost fired.

The new chapter, Leading Others to Christ, shows the Catholic reader how to lead non-Christians to a relationship with Jesus Christ, and non-Catholic Christians to see the Church as the most complete way to experience Christ.

My Life on the Rock is the perfect book for friends who have left the Church, and those who desire a powerful story of Catholic conversion.

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These insights by Father de Lubac on a variety of subjects are rich and profound meditations, aphorisms and pieces of wisdom that express the freshness, incongruities and challenges of life. This is a book of inspiration by a master of the spiritual life that provides excellent material for prayer and meditation, as well as great homily ideas for the clergy. Henri Cardinal de Lubac, considered one of the outstanding theologians of the twentieth century, wrote numerous books on spiritual and theological topics including The Christian Faith, The Motherhood of the Church, Catholicism, and The Splendor of the Church. Sewn Softcover, 131 pages. Ignatius Press, Spring 2002

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Christians of all sorts love Mere Christianity, the classic book by C. S. Lewis that spells out what all Christians believe. But that book is only a beginning. To get the whole story of the Christian faith, you need to come home to the Catholic Church.

That’s where this book comes in. It homes in on the areas where Christians don’t agree. What the Church teaches bout Mary, the papacy, the Mass, Purgatory, the Communion of Saints, and so on... these are the things that always come up when Protestants and Catholics get together. Here at last is a brief but convincing explanation of those Catholic doctrines. You’ll see why the Christian faith is found in its completeness only in the Catholic Church.

For any Catholic who enjoyed Lewis’s book, this is the Catholic response you’ve been waiting for. For any Protestant, it’s a perfect way to get to know what Catholic Christians really believe and why they believe it. By taking the famous Lewis classic as its starting point, More Christianity will help all Christians understand one another better. Our Sunday Visitor Fall 2002.

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A moving first-hand account of Mother Teresa and her work, written by someone who worked by her side. As an idealistic young volunteer, author Susan Conroy spent a summer serving in one of Mother Teresa’s orphanages and in the Home for the Dying. “In a city where I found hell on earth,” she says, “I also found each day a deep sense of peace and incredible happiness.”

It was an experience that changed her life forever. She learned why Mother Teresa had found real joy in working with the poorest of the poor. Along the way, she took striking photographs that have never been seen before now — photographs that show Mother Teresa at her everyday best. This is an account you won’t soon forget, told with simple and loving directness by an eyewitness. Paper, 224 pages. Our Sunday Visitor Spring 2003.

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You'll meet a wide variety of Catholics, including Father Mychal Judge of New York City; Dr. Tom Dooley; Pope John Paul I, (The smiling pope); St. Edith Stein; and many more.

Their stories are sometimes far from saintly, but they share a trust and love in the Lord worthy of our emulation. Softcover, 192 pages. Our Sunday Visitor Spring 2003

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Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker movement, once declared: “Don’t call me a saint. I don’t want to be dismissed that easily.” Nevertheless, the cause for her canonization began in 2000, and her prophetic example remains a provocative challenge to the status quo that cannot be easily dismissed. This intriguing biography of the highly controversial journalist and social activist draws from her voluminous writings and the testimony of people who knew her well. It explores the connections between Day’s formidable public achievements and her private life of prayer, Scripture study, and devotion to the Sacraments. The result is a stirring portrait of a champion of justice for the poor and oppressed who worked tirelessly to awaken the conscience of a nation. Paperback 146 Pages Servant Publications, October 2002

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By merely human standards, the life of Solanus Casey was no great success story. A mediocre student who couldn’t keep up in diocesan seminary, he barely made it through the seminary of the Capuchin friars. When he was finally ordained, they made him a “simplex priest”—one who is not allowed to hear confessions or preach doctrinal sermons. So Casey spent fifty-three years in lowly service as a sacristan and doorkeeper. Nevertheless, he graciously accepted this humble station in life, and God rewarded him with a remarkable ministry of spiritual counsel and divine healings. Today he ranks among the most prodigious wonder-workers in Church history. This book tells the startling story of the simple friar whose loving concern for everyday people dramatically transformed thousands of lives. Paperback 156 Pages Servant Publications, October 2002

A legend in his own lifetime, Francis was canonized in 1226. Within two years of his death, work began on the great Basilica that bears his name. Two churches, one built on top of the other and set into the rocky hillside at Assisi, were decorated with some of the most important frescoes in Europe.

The 28 scenes from Francis’ life are the treasure of the Upper Church. They speak to us of humanity, and deeply reflect Francis’ capacity to bring Christianity closer to people.

On September 26, 1997, an earthquake struck Umbria, causing part of the Basilica to collapse. Miraculously, the fresco-cycle—part of the very fabric of the Church—although damaged, is for the moment still intact. This book illuminates defining moments from the life of Francis, and brings alive for a new generation of readers his message of peace, love and unity.

An introduction by Father Maximilian Mizzi, OFM Conv., Director of the Franciscan International Centre for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue in Assisi, is an inspiration to readers, whatever their faith.

Special Highlights:

--Inspiring texts are taken directly from writings of St. Francis or books about him.
--Glorious fresco illustrations from the Basilica in Assisi illuminate this book with 28 important scenes in the life of Francis.
--Insightful introduction to life and message of St. Francis by Fr. Maximilian Mizzi.
64 pages, Hardcover, Ignatius Press Fall 2003.

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Written by a personal friend of Cardinal Van Thuan, this moving biography chronicles the life of the man Pope John Paul II says was "...marked by a heroic configuration with Christ on the cross." From a communist jail cell, to Rome as the leader of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan remained a man of unshakable faith and undying hope. Paperback, 290 pages, Pauline Books & Media Fall 2003.

Some of America's greatest sports figures talk about the spiritual strength that sustained them in moments of glory and pain.

Among those featured are Bob Cousy, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Mike Ditka, Roger Staubach, Stan Musial, and Jim O'Brien.

An exciting, touching, funny, sad, inspiring book by an award-winning sports writer and former athlete. A great gift for any sports fan. Over 70 black and white photos! 240 pages, paperback, Ambassodor Books.

“It is moving to read the accounts of Guadalupe, sensitively written and steeped in tenderness. In them the Virgin Mary, the handmaid “who glorified the Lord” (Lk 1:46), reveals herself to Juan Diego as the Mother of the true God. As a sign, she gives him precious roses, and as he shows them to the Bishop, he discovers the blessed image of Our Lady imprinted on his tilma... Beloved Juan Diego, “the talking eagle,” shows us the way that leads to the ‘Dark Virgin’ of Tepeyac, that she may receive us in the depths of her heart, for she is the loving, compassionate Mother who guides us to the true God. Amen.”
-HOMILY OF THE HOLY FATHER JOHN PAUL II, in the CANONIZATION OF JUAN DIEGO, July 31, 2002
48 pages; Paperback. Ligouri Publications Fall 2003

While Mother Teresa has always stressed action over words, it's the latter which have provided hope and comfort to millions. The collection of quotes, stories, and prayers in this book are all her own words and experiences. They were compiled from various sources. Her undying faith and concern of the human spirit is reflected in these passages. In her years of work, Mother Teresa has brought God to millions in places of darkness. Let her share her hope, faith, and love with you.

128 pages, size: 5" X 7" inches, paperback.

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Because of these four qualities, marriage fully respects the equal dignity of husband and wife as persons, and it also recognizes and values the complementarity of their sexuality. Likewise, marriage honors the truth that each new human life brought about by the marital union is a person equal in dignity to his mother and father. Thus, May probes the social significance of this complementarity of men and women, as well as the reasons why human beings are to be begotten only in an act of spousal love, not made by new "reproductive techniques."

This profound and readable work is rooted in the understanding of marriage proclaimed by the Catholic Church, particularly by Pope John Paul II, the greatest champion of marriage and family in the world today. May devotes particular attention to John Paul II's vision of the family in his eloquent and heart-filled Letter to Families. 143 pages, paperback, Ignatius Press.

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“My faith and my family bring me an abundance of joy. When I slow down enough to recognize it, I know that my heart spills over with the goodness of God’s grace. When a simple soul is filled with such an overwhelming surplus of undeserved blessing, it’s hard to keep the good fortune to oneself. Thus the biggest part of what I hope to accomplish here is to share the bounty--with my friends, with my neighbors, and with you. As it turns out, happiness loves company, too.”

Share the happiness--as well as the challenges--of Danielle Bean’s sometimes chaotic, often inspiring, always blessed life as the mother of six young children. In an essay collection that takes us from the aisles of the local grocery store to the beauty of a memorable Christmas midnight Mass, Danielle joyously welcomes us into her home and her family.

Every Catholic mother will delight in discovering humor, truth, and a wellspring of spiritual nourishment in these beautifully written stories.

KEY FEATURES:

*Thirty short essays deliciously brewed with love, spiced with wit, and steeped in faith.
*Perfect book for moms to relax with at the end of a long day
*Great gift idea for ALL mothers!

Paperback, 192 pages. Pauline Books & Media, Winter 2005.

Adele Dirsyte's simple words to Our Lady and Our Lord, secretly penned more than a half-century ago in a Siberian prison, continue to reveal ...

The message she fearlessly taught The truth for which she was imprisoned and tortured The belief for which she gave her life.

They are the message, the truth, and the belief of a faithful follower of Christ, of a beloved child of Mary. They are the prayers of all who suffer.

Adele Dirsyte was born in Lithuania in 1919. She was arrested in 1946 for Catholic activities that were considered "contra-revolutionary" and sent to a prison in Siberia. There, with the help of several companions, she secretly wrote and bound copies of a prayer book that became known as "Mary, Save Us." She died in prison in 1955 and is now a candidate for beatification. This is her prayer book.

Our Sunday Visitor Spring 2005.

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Some Christians claim to reject Tradition in preference to a supposedly "Bible only" Christianity. Catholics, on the other hand, venerate Tradition, yet often without adequately understanding it. In this masterful book, the great theologian Yves Congar explains why Tradition is an inescapable aspect of a fully biblical Christian faith. He explores the various forms of Tradition and discusses the relationship between Scripture and Tradition, as well as the role of the Magisterium of the Church. The Meaning of Tradition clears up misconceptions held by many Evangelical Christians and even some Catholics on this important subject. Congar's study of Tradition greatly contributed to the teaching of Vatican II and to a deeper appreciation of the Church Fathers. 175 pages Paperback Ignatius Press Spring 2005.

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St. Thérèse’s mother herself a saint? Zélie Martin and her husband Louis were declared Venerableby the Church in 1994 for their “Heroic Virtue,” and the couple’s cause is now progressing toward Beatification. Zélie married at 27, bore 9 children, ran a home business and did a superb job of raising 5 daughters—including “the greatest saint of modern times.” (st. Pius X). She died of breast cancer at 45, but her greatness was recognized by her family and her friends, and is now known to the world. Zélie suffered many of the ordinary burdens of life, yet she was happy, loved her children “madly” and enjoyed them immensely.

This book was written by her daughter Celine, who had access to Zelie’s letters and to the reminiscences of her older sisters in the Carmel of Lisieux. It is authentic and inspiring, showing what a tremendous life’s work and accomplishment it is to be a truly Catholic mother. Looking at Zélie’s picture, one can see her incredible character, integrity, goodness, constancy and love. TAN Books & Publishers Spring 2005.

Compiled and with an introduction by Marianne Lorraine Trouvé, FSP

Pope John Paul II has always been profoundly devoted to Mary, the Mother of God. This love for Mary shines through the impressive body of writings he has given to the Church; in addition to his Marian writings, he has mentioned her in virtually every major document. Here is a beautiful collection of his thoughts on Mary: her faith, her holiness, and the gift she made of herself to God— and to us.

A must-have for all who love and venerate Mary! A magnificent gift book—for Mother’s Day, or any occasion.

Includes full-color photographs of Pope John Paul II at Marian shrines and sites around the world.

Contains over 100 excerpts from the Pope’s writings on many different aspects of Mary:

• Mary’s Faith
• Mary, Biblical Woman, Mother of the New Creation
• Mary’s Holiness
• Mary, Virgin and Mother
• Mary, Mother of Sorrows
• Mary’s Spiritual Motherhood
• Mary and the Eucharist
• Mary and the Church
• The Rosary and Devotion to Mary

Paperback, 128 pages, Pauline Books & Media, June 2005.

Rich in humor and culture, passion and love for the cause of God and of man, Milestones is the autobiography of one of the most influential men in the Catholic Church at the turn of the millennium. In his famous Apology, Cardinal Newman accounted for his conversion to Catholicism. In this biography, which in certain respects recalls Newman's masterpiece, Ratzinger tells of his family life, the years of the Nazi oppression and of the war, his extraordinary academic path, and his participation in the Second Vatican Council. Illustrated. 156 pages, paperback, Ignatius Press.

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The extraordinary saga of Mother Angelica, founder of the multimillion-dollar Eternal Word Television Network and “the most influential Catholic woman in America” according to Time magazine.

In 1981, the year after Ted Turner founded CNN, a simple nun, using merely her entrepreneurial instincts and $200, launched what would become the world’s largest religious media empire in the garage of a Birmingham, Alabama, monastery. Under her guidance, the Eternal Word Television Network grew at a staggering pace, both in viewership and in influence, to where it now reaches over a hundred million viewers in hundreds of countries around the globe.

Born Rita Rizzo in Canton, Ohio, in 1923, Mother Angelica was abandoned by her father and raised in poverty by a mother who suffered from suicidal depressions. As a young woman, Rita developed severe abdominal pain that doctors dismissed as a “nervous condition,” but when she sought the prayers of a local mystic, her symptoms disappeared. Awakened to the power of prayer, she vowed to dedicate her life to God and became a cloistered nun, expecting to spend her life hidden from the world. But Rita’s faith soon compelled her to unlikely endeavors, from establishing a monastery in Alabama to starting the world’s first Catholic cable network. Relying solely on “God’s providence,” Mother Angelica built an empire without concern for budgets or fund-raising campaigns, achieving what even the highest levels of the Catholic Church had been unable to do.

Raymond Arroyo combines his journalist’s objectivity and eye for detail with more than five years of exclusive interviews with Mother Angelica. He traces Mother Angelica’s tortured rise to success and exposes for the first time the fierce opposition she faced, both inside and outside of her church. It is an inspiring story of survival and proof that one woman’s faith can move more than mountains. Doubleday Books, Hardcover Fall 2005

Maybe you've heard of Pope John Paul II's theology of the body and wondered, vaguely, what it's all about. Maybe you've never heard of it until now and are asking, theology of the what? Maybe you're already familiar with the basics and are ready to incorporate this teaching on sex, love and marriage into your own life.

Whatever your level of understanding, you're probably ready for some good news about sex in a culture littered with the bad news of divorce, adultery, sexually transmitted disease, heartache and loneliness. Servant Books, Fall 2005 This guide is designed to help you appropriate the Pope's astonishing message: True, lasting love—that which humanity enjoyed in the beginning, before the Fall—is possible here and now. In nine straightforward lessons, Men and Women Are from Eden introduces the reader to the pope's warm, deeply biblical understanding of God's original plan for men and women, a plan that brings with it healing of mind in regard to sexuality and the body.

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A completely new novena to St. Joseph that utilizes his most popular titles. Illustrated.

32 pp., Size: 4 X 6 1/4

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This short booklet offers a novena of prayers and meditations in honor of the Holy Spirit.

32 pp., Size: 4 X 6 1/4

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As it was for Mother Teresa, so it can be for the rest of us. By standing close to Our Lady we can find the grace and courage to overcome our own personal trials and crosses. Summon the same powerful presence and aid of Our Lady by following the example of Mother Teresa.

"Sitting with Mother Teresa, watching her tend to the sick and the dying, feeling the aura of holiness around her person, seeing her bent in prayer, lost in God -- how often I asked myself if I was not seeing something of Our Lady, experiencing a glimpse of the Virgin of Nazareth." -- Joseph Langford, MC, author and co-founder of the Missionaries of Charity Fathers. Copyright: 2007 Pages: 128, Hardback

This collection of private writings and reflections, most of which have never been made public, is a moving chronicle Mother Teresa’s spiritual journey, including her darkest moments of desolation. These letters have been compiled by a friend, Father Brian Kolodiejchuk, M.C., the postular for her cause for sainthood and director of the Mother Teresa Center. She emerges from her letters as a classic mystic whose spirit burned with the fire of charity and whose heart was tested and purified by an intense trial of faith, a true dark night of the soul. Ignatius Press Fall 2007 Hardcover 416 pages.

Oliva helps men develop and refine the skill of reflective living. He shows how the four basic male archetypes can be used as tools to help men grow toward maturity and wholeness. The positive and negative dimensions of each archetype are illustrated by the personal stories of thirteen men whom the author interviewed.

Author : Max Oliva

Format: Quality Paperback
Pages: 160
Dimensions: 5 1/2 X 8
Published: Sept. 1997

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No. of Pages: 96
Size: 4 X 6 1/4 inches
Color: FULL COLOR
Cover: HARDCOVER WITH DUST JACKET

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That’s why, over 700 years ago, St. Thomas Aquinas perfected an easy method for his students to memorize most any information, but especially the truths taught by Christ and His Church.

By the time you finish this book, you will have memorized dozens of key teachings of the Church, along with hundreds of precepts, traditions, theological terms, Scripture verses, and other elements of the Faith that every good Catholic needs to know by heart.

Memorize the Faith! will teach you and your children how to remember anything, but it’s particularly useful to those involved in religious education: catechists and converts, CCD teachers, RCIA members, and homeschoolers of all ages.

Pages: 272; Size: 6 X 9

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Its visual impact and beauty, as well as its different perspective, makes Mary, Mother of God: Her Life in Icons and Scripture both a treasured addition to one's personal library and a lovely gift idea. The explanation of the symbolism of the icons and the lovely images themselves will serve as inspiration for meditation.

Pages: 144; Size: 8.25 X 8.25 Inches; Edited by: Giovanna Parravicini; Translated by: Peter Heinegg

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This guide is for 2010.

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This collection of some of the best-loved Bible stories will provide young children with a gentle introduction to the stories of our faith. This board book treasury is beautifully illustrated throughout in full color and has gold edges, a golden padded cover, and a ribbon marker.

No. of Pages: 42
Size: 5 1/8 X 5 1/8
Color: GOLD/ILLUSTRATED
Cover: PADDED HARDCOVER

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In a three-pronged approach, this book explores the theological meaning of the Mass, examines the role to which baptized Catholics are called in its celebration, and helps readers to discover the meaning of its words, songs, gestures, and ritual actions. Illustrated.

No. of Pages: 128
Size: 5 X 7
Cover: FLEXIBLE

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This finely crafted pocket-sized book with supple imitation leather cover and gold-edged pages provides a practical and permanent way to record the birthdays and anniversaries of friends and loved ones. A spiritual thought, inspired by the Saint-of-the-Day, appears on each page for every day of the year. There is ample space to include personal reflections or notes. A final prayer brings a meaningful conclusion to the daily remembrance.

No. of Pages: 384
Size: 3 1/2 X 5 1/2 inches
Cover: Lavender Imitation Leather

What is so special about Sacraments?
How did the rituals and traditions of the Mass get started?
Why do we have a pope?
What's the point of going to confession?

Father Joe Classen has heard all these questions and more from parishioners, fishing buddies, neighbors, and acquaintances. They seem to recognize right away that this straight-shooting and approachable young priest speaks a language they understand.

You will find real questions and direct answers from a passionate, engaging priest who wants nothing more than to share his love of the Faith in real life terms. Get to know what the Church teaches and why, and discover Father Joe's secret recipe for a happier, more fulfilling life.
Our Sunday Visitor 2009 Paperback, 240 pages.