God knows what's on our minds and in our hearts, but we still need to verbalize our innermost thoughts, feelings, and intentions. That's prayer. In this easy-to-read, down-to-earth introduction to conversation with God, you'll discover, or rediscover, what you need to be able to "pray without ceasing." In this brief booklet, author, mom, wife, and Secular Franciscan Barb Szyszkiewicz helps you strengthen your connection to God through prayer. You'll learn: How to pray alone and establish an intimate connection with God How to pray with the whole Church What the saints teach us about prayer When to pray, including formal and informal times for prayer Different styles and methods of prayer, including the prayers of the Church, adoration, meditation, music, art, and journaling Your connection to God in prayer can happen anywhere, at any time. No special equipment is needed, and no dress code, no reservation, no admission fee. All you need is an open heart and a willingness to engage with our Creator.
The Liturgy of the Hours sanctifies each day with prayer, by following a daily rhythm throughout the liturgical year. If you love praying with Sacred Scripture and you appreciate structure, the Liturgy of the Hours is a perfect fit. It's not a practice you'll pick up overnight - but this guide is exactly what you need to begin. The Handy Little Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours is your easy-to-read, down-to-earth introduction to the daily prayer of the Church. In this brief booklet, author, wife, mom, and Secular Franciscan Barb Szyszkiewicz helps you understand and practice this beautiful devotion. You'll learn: The different formats, settings, and ways to pray the Liturgy of the Hours Who can pray it (spoiler alert: everyone!) The fruits of this form of prayer and how it connects to the Mass The five "canonical hours," or times of the day, when the Liturgy of the Hours is prayed A quick start guide is also included, so you can begin praying the Liturgy of the Hours whenever you're ready!
The Blessed Mother and the twelve apostles remained in the Upper Room in prayer for nine days after the Lord's Ascension. From those nine days of prayer, the tradition of novenas — praying for a specific period of time for a special intention — was born. The word "novena" is derived from the Latin novem, meaning nine. The Handy Little Guide to Novenas is your easy-to-read, down-to-earth introduction to this beautiful devotion. In this brief booklet, author and novena enthusiast Allison Gingras helps you understand and practice this ancient, yet totally relevant, form of prayer. You'll learn: The fundamentals of novenas — when to pray them, for how long, and to whom The biblical connections of novenas The proper mindset for praying a novena, including what not to do Recommendations for tried-and-true novenas
Confession. Reconciliation. Penance. It's a sacrament with many names, but most of us seem to have a similar reaction to it: Do I have to go? It's been too long. Doesn't God already know I'm sorry? I don't remember how to do it. I'm embarrassed. I'm scared. Michelle Schroeder has been there. She admits to skipping Reconciliation for years]€]until she realized that, to experience God's mercy most fully, she needed to ask for it. Here, in non-sugar-coated language, she encourages you to: See and understand why Confession is necessary in the first place Acknowledge what's holding you back from going Brush up on your examination of conscience Get over it and go: You'll be glad you did Discover the amazing benefits of Confession Forgive yourself as God forgives you In this easy-to-read booklet, you'll gain the confidence you need to return to the Sacrament of Confession, where you will experience God's mercy and unconditional forgiveness.
Many Catholics view fasting as hard, burdensome, weird, or only for Lent. This little book demonstrates that fasting can be so much more than that! It's an opportunity for prayer, reflection, and solidarity with the suffering of the world. The Handy Little Guide to Fasting is your easy-to-read, down-to-earth introduction to this ancient practice. Author, speaker, and award-winning journalist Deacon Greg Kandra presents a way to blend faith and fortitude to make fasting more spiritually fulfilling. You'll learn: Some practical pointers when fasting The difference between fasting and abstinence What the Church teaches about fasting The various options for fasting (hint: It's not just about food!) Each brief chapter concludes with reflection questions and a prayer for your fasting journey.
Jesus counted many women among his closest followers during his earthly ministry. He encountered, forgave, and healed women, including the woman at the well, the hemorrhaging woman, and the woman caught in adultery. And their lives were changed forever. Our lives are also changed when we spend time with Jesus in Eucharistic adoration. In Draw Close to Jesus: A Woman’s Guide to Eucharistic Adoration, Merridith Frediani offers women heartfelt, practical guidance for meeting Jesus in adoration and allowing him to transform us. Containing reflections, encouragement, passages from Sacred Scripture and the Catechism, as well as stories from the saints, this book is divided into five helpful sections that can be read in any order: An introduction to Eucharistic adoration for beginners Going deeper in understanding God’s greatness, his mercy, and his abundant love The fruits received from a closer relationship with Jesus Facing obstacles in our prayer life The richness of the Catholic Faith God calls to us in the depths of our hearts. He wants us to come to him and rest. We do not need to bring anything; we just need to show up. He knows the world is pulling us in many directions, and our many responsibilities can be overwhelming. He knows we make mistakes, yet he keeps inviting us. When we come to him, we open ourselves to the one who loves us most deeply. We bring him our empty vessel, and he fills it. We adore him, and he loves us back — wholly and completely — for no other reason than that we are his.
There is a lot of information online about the practice of spiritual communion, not all of which you might find helpful. So you might be wondering: Is spiritual communion just something between me and Jesus? Is spiritual communion of no value if I can't receive the Eucharist? Is spiritual communion "just" a private prayer or devotion? (It's none of those things.) The suspension of Masses worldwide as an effort to control the spread of COVID-19 has many Catholics longing for holy Communion, but even in normal times there are other reasons Catholics may be unable to attend Mass or receive the Eucharist. That's why it's more important than ever for Catholics to understand and practice spiritual communion. In The Handy Little Guide to Spiritual Communion you'll learn: What spiritual communion really means, and what it can mean to you What makes spiritual communion possible The criteria for making an act of spiritual communion What saints can teach us about spiritual communion A variety of prayers and devotions you can use for spiritual communion Gain clarity, comfort, and encouragement in The Handy Little Guide to Spiritual Communion.
Working mom Michelle Schroeder knows how busy we all are, so she packs a lot of info into this brief, easy-to-read booklet. You will not only explore the nuts and bolts of Eucharistic Adoration but also discover great reasons and times to enter into the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, including: When life is moving fast and you need to be refreshed When you just feel the need to be with Jesus When you need answers and direction from a loving God When you need focus in prayer When you’re experiencing spiritual dryness When you need to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation In The Handy Little Guide to Adoration you will learn, as Michelle did, the life-changing benefits of Eucharistic Adoration.
Pray in a new and creative way this Lent by joining the women of WINE: Women In the New Evangelization on a journey through Christ's passion, death, and resurrection. What if you could have been a witness to the events of the last days of Jesus’ life—walking with him as he entered Jerusalem, observing his crucifixion, and embracing him on Easter? Walk in Her Sandals, edited by popular Catholic author and speaker Kelly M. Wahlquist, takes you deeper into your relationship with Jesus by helping you relate to him in a profoundly intimate way. Looking at six universal gifts of women through the eyes of women in the gospels, the book guides you on a prayerful and creative journey through the days of Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost. As you imagine the experience of the women who met Jesus, you will discover how each of them expressed one of six, distinctive, feminine gifts identified in the writings of St. John Paul II. Through the eyes of an imagined woman who watched Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, you will understand how she conveyed the gift of receptivity. Through the hands of Veronica, who reached out to wipe the face of Jesus, you will discover how sensitivity is present and can grow in your own life. These gifts, along with generosity, prayer, maternity, and the Holy Spirit, come to life through the vivid portrayal of women who walked with Jesus. Their imagined stories are complemented by the real accounts of contemporary women who share their own stories of receiving and cultivating these gifts. Walk in Her Sandals is a collaborative effort, edited by Wahlquist with contributions from twelve leading Catholic women writers, all of whom are associated with the organization she founded—WINE: Women In the New Evangelization. The contributors will help you break open the scripture, reflect upon it and apply it to your own life, and share those insights in a small-group setting through the use of questions and challenges. Each chapter unfolds in eight movements: A Moment to Ponder: Wahlquist sets the stage for the theme of that chapter. Entering the Scripture: Sarah Christmyer, codeveloper of The Great Adventure Catholic Bible Study, reveals the riches of the scripture that corresponds with the day, both in the biblical narrative and in the liturgical year. Walk in Her Sandals: Stephanie Landsem, author of the biblical fiction series The Living Water, draws you into the story and allows you to experience what it may have been like for women who lived and walked with Jesus. Unwrapping the Gift: Catholic author, speaker, and faith-formation leader Pat Gohn shows how each woman demonstrates a particular feminine gift and invites you to nurture that gift in yourself and understand anew the beauty of your dignity and vocation. Reflect on the Meaning: Writers including CatholicMom.com founder Lisa M. Hendey and popular media personality Teresa Tomeo offer insight, encouragement, and inspiration for your own journey through their personal stories. Lectio and Meditatio: A prayerful reading of the scripture and a guided meditation to draw you more deeply into an intimate relationship with Jesus. Questions for Group Discussion: Carol Younger, senior fellow at the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, offers a helpful tool to share your experience with other women. Walking in the New Evangelization: Wahlquist offers two ways to contribute to the New Evangelization—first by growing in your contemplative spiritual life and then by giving you practical suggestions to enhance your active spiritual life. Walk in Her Sandals will allow you to enter more fully into life in Christ by praying over his passion, death, and resurrection. It will help you experience a conversion of heart and recognize your own giftedness.
At your fingertips, powerful prayers from Fern Nichols, the founder of Moms In Prayer International, the movement that has spawned hundreds of thousands of moms around the world to pray for their kids. Every mother will feel encouraged to pray diligently for her children, no matter their age, when she opens the pages of Mom’s Little Book of Powerful Prayers and discovers prayers from Scripture for her child’s every need: their protection, challenges, health, friendships, character, anger, sadness, fears, and more.
