Books published by Liguori Publications

"Breaking Open the Word assists leaders of adult and teen Christian initiation, as well as Bible study groups, to "break open" and explore the word of God proclaimed in the Sunday liturgy. The Scripture readings in this book are taken directly from the texts use during the Mass, the Lectionary for Sunday Mass. After each reading, the pastoral commentary and reflection questions by biblical scholar Mary Katharine Deeley facilitate meditation and discussion, bringing Scripture alive and making it relevant to today. Breaking Open the Word can be used on its own or in combination with Liguori Publications' Journey of Faith RCIA program. Each reading is cross-referenced to a Journey of Faith lesson, enabling a Lectionary-based approach to catechesis for Christian initiation. Separate volumes of Breaking Open the Word are available for each year of the three-year liturgical cycle, and each includes additional materials for use during Lent and the Easter Triduum. Mary Katharine Deeley, MDiv, PhD, serves as the pastoral associate and director of Christ the Teacher Institute for the Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University"--

During the civil war in Spain in the 1930s, all churches were closed against worship. Many of the churches were burned. All altars, religious images and objects of worship were destroyed. Bells, chalices, monstrances, and candelabras were melted down and used for the war. All monasteries and convents were emptied and their buildings repurposed. Priests and religious were detailed, jailed or shot without due process in the thousands.Redemptorists of Cuenca: Six Martyrs of the Spanish Civil War is a stirring biography of the Redemptorist community at San Felipe Neri in the city of Cuenca, Spain. It recounts the community's founding, the lead-up of the civil war in the early 1930s, the turbulent last days of the Redemptorists in hiding or in jail, to the murder of six of the twelve members of their community in July and August 1936.The poignant stories of the six martyrs are brought to life by quotes from their personal journals. The book concludes with the story of their recognition as martyrs and subsequent beatification on October 13, 2013.

The holy seasons of Advent and Christmas are a time to reflect on God's infinite love for us all and how through the birth of his son, Jesus Christ, Christianity was born. Advent and Christmas Wisdom from St. Thomas of Aquinas guides readers on their spiritual journey to be closer to God and understand how to live the life of a Christian. Offering daily selections from St. Thomas of Aquinas for meditation and prayer, this book is a wonderful way to examine your faith and feelings during Advent and Christmas. The words of this revered saint help focus the reader's reflections on the wonder of creation. These daily Scripture readings and meditations offer a better understanding of St. Thomas' passionate beliefs on the importance of our relationship with God. Through the din of advertisements and gift-buying at Christmas time, we are reminded of his thoughts on virtue and the importance of charity and how it is the essence of our Christian life. These daily affirmations also offer a simple Advent action that you can do to keep the prayers and thoughts of St. Thomas with you all day. Advent and Christmas are a time to prepare for and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Use these reflections and meditations of St. Thomas Aquinas to slow down and remember that because of God' infinite love for us all, Jesus was born--and through him, salvation is ours.

St. Alphonsus Liguori was named a doctor of the Church because of his significant contributions in moral theology. The subject of Conscience is the first treatise in his work Moral Theology (Theologia Moralis).The careful way in which St. Alphonsus outlines the steps to reach a moral decision within a system of principles guarantees the dignity of a personal conscience.Fr. Raphael Gallagher, CSsR, a moral theologian, has produced a faithful and pastoral translation of Leonard Gaudé's critical edition from its original ecclesiastical Latin. Fr. Raphael also provides commentaries on each chapter that place the work in context and make the 18th-century text relevant for today.This is an essential treatise for those who wish to understand St. Alphonsus' approach to moral theology.

Finding Our Way to God offers an approach to spiritual direction using mental prayer that can be used to create healing and peace when conducting guidance sessions with seekers.Based on the teachings of St. Alphonsus Liguori, the founder of the Redemptorists, Fr. Dennis Billy's approach examines the moral life in the context of spiritual direction. While thoroughly Catholic, St. Alphonsus was so pastoral -- focusing on the poor and marginalized -- that the approach can be easily learned and used by adherents of other religious, philosophical, and ethical traditions.In Finding Our Way to God, Fr. Dennis Billy: Teaches active listening, which is essential for spiritual directors. Emphasizes the continuity between a person's spirituality and morality through growth in the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Provides an understanding of how the model of spiritual direction can be adapted to meet the needs of a wide variety of people. Helps the reader use Alphonsian spirituality as a backdrop for conducting spiritual direction.

Full of wonder and joyful anticipation, the Christmas season is the perfect time for Christians to take a break from their busy schedules and ponder the wonderful works of God--in the depths of their heart.Based on the ancient Christian tradition of meditating throughout the 40 days before and after Christmas, this small monastic book follows the rhythm of the Advent and Christmas journey as it takes place in a particular monastery, a place as small and tiny as Bethlehem itself. This book offers a meditation based in a liturgical, biblical, traditional, or literary text for every day from November 15th to January 13th and then February 1st and 2nd.Best-selling author Br. Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette will help you fill Christmas with moments of quiet prayer. Experience a deepening faith while awaiting in joyful expectation for the Savior's coming.Softcover

Many people, at one time or another, struggle with faith issues about sin, guilt, punishment, and hell. But a small few, particularly Catholics, so fear offending God--or fear never being forgiven by God--that they are unable to participate in daily life without experiencing severe doubt and anxiety. Rather than experiencing faith as a source of peace, their faith causes them to dwell on or second guess every decision they make.These people have scrupulosity. Sometimes called the doubting disease. Many Redemptorists believe their founder, Alphonsus Liguori, struggled with scrupulosity all his life. Because of this, Redemptorists have a special charism for compassionately helping those with this disease achieve peace of mind in their day-to-day struggle.Based on a half-century of questions and answers published in the Scrupulous Anonymous newsletter, Understanding Scrupulosity: Questions and Encouragement addresses concerns related to sin, thoughts, dreams, fantasies, and sexuality, as well as confession, self-worth, prayer, and God's grace.This third edition of Understanding Scrupulosity includes new chapters on identifying and understanding behaviors associated with scrupulosity, and explains the medical breakthroughs of the past decade on how to treat it.

Nature and winter. Depending on where you live, these two words may mean one thing: snow. Snow that makes it harder for you to get out of the house; snow that makes it harder for you to get your holiday chores done; snow that makes traveling treacherous. But what if that snow was an opportunity?These weekly meditations let us reconnect with winter, a season that gives us an opportunity to stay in with family and friends; an opportunity to spend time outside the holiday rush; an opportunity to stay put and reconnect with God.The final book in a series of four seasonal meditations books, Winter Meditations explores religious topics in the context of modern-day life. The twelve reflections in this book follow the rhythms of the winter season, helping you rediscover the beauty of a balanced, God-centered life.

It's a miracle! God created the miracle of marriage so we might realize and cherish God's love for each other even more.... The ultimate love story. --From Prayers and Reflections for Newlyweds Inside are reflective meditations, Scripture, prayer, discussion questions, and activities for the two of you, all designed to help you create new memories together as husband and wife. Newlyweds, use this book to help you celebrate falling in love, getting engaged, the joy of the wedding day, and a long future together as a married couple--all surrounded by God's grace.

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:12From the peaceful setting of his Benedictine monastery in upper New York state, Brother Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette shares the secrets of a simple monastic spirituality and life through the tradition of the Beatitudes. Complete with prayers, reflections, and practical advice, this book will become your companion for simply living these words from Jesus in Matthew's Gospel.The Beatitudes have always challenged Christians through the centuries. In today's fast paced world we long to slow down and learn what it means to: be poor in spirit, take time for our faith to rise from our mourning, become the meek servant of God, choose righteousness, act with mercy, find purity within our own hearts, love one another in peace as the children of God, persevere in justice and love despite the world's opinion, risk living as Jesus lived in the face of false accusations.Brother Victor offers thoughtful guidance to help us appreciate the gift of the Beatitudes as a simple guide for life. Explore with Brother Victor how to BE as Christ called us to live.

A humble peasant and world-famous stigmatist, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina spoke simple words of Christian encouragement and inspiration to all who approached him seeking counsel. In addition to being a biographical sketch of the man affectionately known as Padre Pio, this collection of memorable sayings is a compact and accessible introduction to the life and message of one of the great religious figures of the 20th century.

Inspired by the example and words from the Master, Br. Victor-Antoine encourages readers to strive for the attitude of simplistic living expressed in the Gospels. Using lessons from Scripture, he reminds us of what can be gained by living a life less cluttered by modern distractions and petty grievances to find freedom in Christian simplicity--a simplicity that is deeply rooted in Christ.