Winner of a 2016 Association of Catholic Publishers 2016 Excellence in Publishing Award: Inspirational Books (Second Place). Our Lady, Undoer of Knots: A Living Novena is a unique guided meditation from veteran Catholic journalist Marge Fenelon, who has created a new devotional practice from this classic novena that is a favorite of Pope Francis. Since the seventeenth century, Catholics facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles have turned to Our Lady, Undoer of Knots through a special novena--nine days of prayer for divine intervention. Catholic columnist Marge Fenelon resurrects this ancient tradition, also known as the Unfailing Novena, by reflecting on nine sacred sites associated with Pope Francis's 2014 pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Reflecting on such holy places as Bethlehem, the Mount of Olives, and the Temple Mount, Fenelon helps readers explore the "knots" or impossible situations in their own lives in order to find peace.
Winner of a 2018 Catholic Press Association Award: Sacraments. (Second Place). In the first book to directly integrate the Twelve Steps with the practice of Catholicism, Scott Weeman, founder and director of Catholic in Recovery, pairs his personal story with compassionate straight talk to show Catholics how to bridge the commonly felt gap between the Higher Power of twelve-step programs and the merciful God that he rediscovered in the heart of the sacraments. Weeman entered sobriety from alcohol and drugs on October 10, 2011, and he's made it his full-time ministry to help others who struggle with various types of addiction to find spiritual wholeness through Catholic in Recovery, an organization he founded and directs. In The Twelve Steps and the Sacraments, Weeman candidly tackles the struggle he and other addicts have with getting to know intimately the unnamed Higher Power of recovery. He shares stories of his compulsion to find a personal relationship with God and how his tentative steps back to the Catholic Church opened new doors of healing and brought him surprising joy as he came to know Christ in the sacraments. Catholics in recovery and those moving toward it, as well as the people who love them will recognize Weeman's story and his spiritual struggle to personally encounter God. He tells us how: Baptism helps you admit powerlessness over an unmanageable problem, face your desperate need for God, and choose to believe in and submit to God’s mercy. Reconciliation affirms and strengthens the hard work of examining your life, admitting wrongs, and making amends. The Eucharist provides ongoing sustenance and draws you to the healing power of Christ. The graces of Confirmation strengthen each person to keep moving forward and to share the good news of recovery and new life in Christ. Weeman's words are boldly challenging and brimming with compassion and through them you will discover inspiration, hope, sage advice, and refreshingly practical help.
There have been thousands of books written about prayer and millions of sermons preached about it, yet people continue to wonder: Why doesn’t God answer me when I cry out to him? In light of all the problems we face in life, we want to know why God is often so “silent” when we pray to him. Anthony DeStefano, author of the bestselling A Travel Guide to Heaven, knew there had to be an answer to this mystery, so he set out on a quest to find prayers that God says yes to all the time. The result is an extraordinary new book that has the ability to dramatically change the lives of readers of all faiths. Each short, powerful prayer in Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To addresses a particular problem people commonly face in life—from accepting the existence of God to trying to make ends meet; from getting through terrible suffering to coping with everyday stress; from overcoming fear to finding your God-given destiny. Presented with a certainty and vigor that are sure to pique the interest of even those who are not spiritually inclined, these prayers will help readers find solutions to life’s most difficult situations and provide meaningful and inspiring answers to the vexing questions we have about the purpose of our time on earth. In a world awash with superficial self-help books and deceptive gimmicks, Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To is the real thing. Using hundreds of scriptural references to support his claims, DeStefano writes in a simple, straightforward, and uplifting manner that makes the most profound theological matters understandable to all. In the words of the author, “This is a spiritual treasure chest that is available to everyone….This book is about prayers that work—really, truly work.”
Readers of The Imitation of Christ have sometimes asked why Thomas à Kempis does not mention the Blessed Virgin in his magnificent work. The present book is an answer to their question, compiled from his many devotional writings about her. In its selections it is unique, preserving the poetic heart of its author better than other edited works.
... ʺHow can prayers said over and over again like that be any good?ʺ Mistress Margaret was silent for a moment. ʺI saw young Mrs. Martin last week,ʺ she said, ʺwith her little girl in her lap. She had her arms around her motherʹs neck, and was being rocked to and fro; and every time she rocked she said ʹOh, mother.ʹ ʺ ʺBut, then,ʺ said Isabel, after a momentʹs silence, ʺshe was only a child.ʺ ʺ 'Except ye become as little children --' ʺ quoted Mistress Margaret softly ‐ ʺyou see, my Isabel, we are nothing more than children with God and His Blessed Mother. To say, ʹHail Mary, Hail Mary,ʹ is the best way of telling her how much we love her. And, then, this string of beads is like Our Ladyʹs girdle, and her children love to finger it, and whisper to her. And then we say our Our Fathers too; and all the while we are talking, she is showing us pictures of her dear Child, and we look at all the great things He did for us, one by one; and then we turn the page and begin again. ...
Winner of a 2020 Catholic Press Association book award (second place, pilgrimages-Catholic travel). In My Queen, My Mother: A Living Novena, award-winning author Marge Steinhage Fenelon brings you along on a pilgrimage to nine Marian shrines across the United States. Each day of this spiritual journey helps you encounter God and a deeper relationship with the Blessed Mother. “My Queen, My Mother, I give myself entirely to you.” The opening line to the Little Consecration sets the framework of this unique, nine-day pilgrimage, which culminates in a consecration to Mary. This living novena is similar in style and structure to the pilgrimage Fenelon developed in the bestselling and award-winning Our Lady, Undoer of Knots. The key difference, however, is that the first living novena was framed by Pope Francis’s visit to the Holy Land. For My Queen, My Mother, Fenelon chose sacred destinations that reflect the Catholic heritage of the United States. The nine Marian sites Fenelon visits are: Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche, St. Augustine, Florida; National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, New Orleans, Louisiana; St. Mary’s Mission and Museum, Stevensville, Montana; Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows, Starkenburg, Missouri; Basilica and National Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, Carey, Ohio; The National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, Champion, Wisconsin; Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs, Auriesville, New York; House of Mary Shrine, Yankton, South Dakota; and Our Lady of Peace Shrine, Santa Clara, California. Even if you can’t make a physical pilgrimage as Fenelon did, you can still make a spiritual one through her extended guided meditation. Each day you’ll learn about a different shrine to Mary: its history, charism, and graces. Fenelon will also guide you to visit a new “place” in your heart, to understand more about yourself and how to open your heart more fully to Mary. You are not tied to a pilgrimage of nine consecutive days: You can complete the spiritual journey in nine weeks or even nine months. There are reflection questions at the end of each chapter.
As a spiritual director Saint Claude, canonized by Pope John Paul II, ranks among the masters of the spiritual life. He gave guidance to countless souls, including Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, the seventeenth-century French visionary who received the Sacred Heart revelations. In prayer she heard Jesus say of Father Claude that his "talent is to lead souls to God". Saint Claude was a clever psychologist who easily read the hearts of others. His sure judgment, aided by grace, enabled him to understand the difficulties of people and to give them sound advice. Readers of this spiritual gem, which contains excerpts from his notes, letters, and retreats, will find it full of practical wisdom on confession, Mass and Communion, confidence in God, peace of soul, love of neighbor, and much more.
The Church encourages us to ask for the intercession of the saints, to locate our prayer within the annual round of the Church's year, and to make our prayer in the tradition of the great figures of Scripture. The novenas in this beautifully bound collection help us to pray in all of these ways. It contains a rich selection for many different needs and intentions, including popular novenas to our Lady and the Holy Spirit.
