Books published by Ave Maria Press

Reflective, insightful, and useful, this enduring favorite sucessfully integrates solid scriptual research with contemporary psychological insights. All those interested in communications skills and better relationships will find it useful.

Fr. Jean Danielou discusses the mission of the angels by following a historical order, looking at guardian angels, the angels and the sacraments, the spiritual life, death, and the Second Coming.

In "Full of Grace," Watkins tells her own dramatic story of miraculous healing and conversion to Catholicism, along with the stories of five others, including a homeless drug addict, a stripper, and a modern-day hero. Each story is accompanied by scripture, prayer, and discussion exercises designed to remind readers of Mary of Medjugorje's intercession on their behalf and God's personal love for them. Watkins gives nationwide talks and workshops and works as a spiritual director in the Bay Area, in addition to maintaining an active website and e-mail newsletter.

Often, people feel drawn to prayer but are timid and unsure about how to pray. For over thirty years, this book has demystified prayer for countless thousands. Friendly and inviting, Opening to God, now available in a revised, updated edition, explains what prayer is all about, then turns to techniques that ready the soul to encounter God. Mining his rich experiences as a Jesuit missionary and spiritual director, Thomas Green, S.J., shakes away the cobwebs and banishes stodgy assumptions about spiritual life that is fed by the practice of prayer. A must-have resource, both for beginners and practiced pray-ers who want to cultivate a more meaningful prayer experience.

An affirmation of St. Ignatius's motto, which was to "find God in all things."

Cannato's theme of observing Lent through the lens of "new physics." It seeks to stir the reader to look at scripture through the lens of modern scientific discoveries.

With insight reminiscent of The Screwtape Letters, Rev. Louis J. Cameli challenges readers to reconsider what theyve always believed about the devil. In some ways, it's easy to believe in a devil who makes heads spin round and enables people to levitate. Many movies and books about possession and exorcism have trained spiritual seekers to identify evil by its expected Hollywood conventions. By contrast, in The Devil You Dont Know: Recognizing and Resisting Evil in Everyday Life, Cameli, nationally renowned pastoral leader and priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago, paints a challenging, unsettling portrait of the devil as a formidable adversary who works great harm, often in quiet, less-seen ways. While remaining a fixture of popular culture, the devil hasuntil nowbeen largely ignored in contemporary spiritual writing. Cameli exposes the devil's tactics of deception, division, diversion, and discouragement, in individuals and also in institutions. This thoroughly biblical, deft exploration considers the personal and social dimensions of sin, and offers both enlightenment and hope in the power of Christ to overcome evil.

The Catholic Spirit presents the truths of Catholicism in the context of the arts: great and classic artwork, literature, music, and Church writings. A text that enriches the learning experience, The Catholic Spirit sends teens on a journey through classical art, literature and musical forms that bring greater clarity to important topics of religious significance found in Church teachings. Christ, creed, Church, sacrament, prayer, and morality are some of the topics included in the text. Organized around chapters that follow the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the text includes primary source material from various periods of Church history with contextual and background text to help students understand their significance. Several additional research opportunities are included to encourage teens to further their study of the key Church teachings through reading, viewing, and listening to classical period pieces.

Noted Washington, D.C. pastor and teacher Msgr. Peter J. Vaghi offers a simple introduction to Catholicism blending sound Catholic teaching with scripture, the wisdom of the saints, literature, and personal anecdotes to offer a synopsis of the faith suitable for lifelong Catholics and inquirers alike. Vaghi deftly explains how this oldest of the Church's creeds is not only a summary of Catholic beliefs, but an invitation to entrust oneself to God. Twelve chapters corresponding to the twelve articles of the Creed offer a fast-paced tour of the Catholic faith, with particular attention to sometimes neglected aspects distinctive to Catholicism. Questions for reflection and prayers are included for group and/or devotional use. The inaugural book in the Pillars of Faith series, The Faith We Profess: A Catholic Guide to the Apostles' Creed is an ideal resource for RCIA groups, adult faith formation, and Catholics of all ages wanting to reflect and pray on the meaning of their faith and to deepen their commitment to Christ and the Church.

There is nothing you need more than the warm, reassuring voice of one who has traveled this path before. . . and survived after suffering the death of a spouse. In Finding Your Way After Your Spouse Dies, Marta Felber offers just such a voice-caring, hopeful, always pointing ahead to a tomorrow that will be a little easier than today. Having experienced her own spouse's death, Felber is never glib or simplistic. She knows the grief her readers are feeling and she encourages them to give it full expression. At the same time, she offers sound, practical suggestions on how to navigate difficult days. This book shies away from none of the difficult issues of bereavement. Felber gently urges her readers toward careful, honest examination of the issues they face.

The experience of losing a parent in death is almost universal -- and yet many who feel this loss for the first time are surprised at how painful it can be. Even those well into adulthood are often taken aback by the deep sense of loneliness, the sense of being "orphaned", that the death of a mother or father can bring.In Finding Your Way After Your Parent Dies, Rev. Richard Gilbert has created a compassionate guide for those struggling with the loss of a parent. Bringing many years of experience in bereavement counseling, Gilbert sketches out some of the issues that arise in the wake of a parent's death and offers practical suggestions for navigating these difficulties. From the disorientation that can come immediately after death to relating to the surviving parent to healing old emotional wounds, the topics dealt with here will be of tremendous help to many.Combining a warm, empathetic approach with an expertise in grief, Gilbert's Finding Your Way After Your Parent Dies is a resource that will be deeply appreciated by those who have lost a parent and by those ministering to them.

A comprehensive look at collaborative ministry, chronicling its development and the often painful issues ministers confront.