Give the Gift of Catholic Reading

Give the Gift of Catholic Reading

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As the holiday season approaches, memories of family traditions begin to resurface. Maybe you remember making Christmas cookies in early Advent. Maybe you left your shoes out for St. Nicholas to fill on his feast day. Maybe your family went Christmas caroling. Maybe you spent your Advent evenings reading Christmas stories about talking elves and neon-nosed reindeer. 

These Christmas traditions build up to one thing – the birth of Christ the King, the Word of God. 

Storytelling is a tradition that goes back to the dawn of time. Families and communities passed down tales, including stories of God and His people. For centuries, books were rare and expensive. 

Things are quite a bit different in the modern world. Books and other types of media are readily available. We read constantly. We read for fun. We read to learn. We read to our children at bedtime. And we read to deepen our faith. 

Amid this abundance, it can be hard to know where to turn for trusted, quality content about the faith. This is where the guidance of the Church and the value of trusted Catholic publishers comes into play. Companies like Liguori Publications are the backbone of the distribution of Truth in the modern era, serving Christ’s faithful through the written word. 

Pope Leo XIV has recently said, “For us Christians, the book is an opportunity to proclaim Christ… At the school of Mary and the Saints, let us nourish ourselves with the Word of God, so that it may shape our way of thinking and acting.” 

This holiday season, gift the modern miracle of the printed word to your loved ones. Here are some book recommendations to help your loved ones deepen their relationship with Jesus as we celebrate His birth. 

This wonderful collection of books is sure to be a favorite for years to come, from bedtime stories to the saintly inspiration to cooking in the kitchen. Books like these keep the Christmas season centered around Christ’s birth while building new memories and traditions that are sure to last for generations! 

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Sacred Pathways 

Spiritual journaling is a practice that goes back centuries. Saints like St. Augustine, St. Therese, and St. Alphonsus Liguori partook in spiritual journaling. Like these saints, your loved ones can transform their relationship with God through these journals. 

The Sacred Pathways series is a beautiful gift option as a set or as individual books. Each journal invites readers to consider the ways that the Lord is drawing us closer to Himself through reflections on the liturgical seasons, our own personal callings, or how to see God in daily life. These journals have soft covers adorned with beautiful, peaceful art, designed to welcome your loved one into a space of intimacy with God as they write their answers to the journal prompts and reflections. 

Sense Ability: Spiritual Renewal Through Your Five Senses | Fr. Byron Miller, CSsR | $19.99 | 828911 

One of the beautiful things about the Catholic faith is that we know to use all five of our senses to engage with God. Throughout the Mass, we use our senses of sight (to observe), sound (hearing singing or bells), taste (when we receive Christ in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist), smell (incense), and touch (our bodily presence in the Church) to worship our Lord. Our relationship with God is expressed through tangible rites and rituals, signs and symbols, sacraments and sacramentals that fully involve our sense of sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. Send your loved one on a journey through a series of reflections that connect your senses to moments in the life of Christ, writings of the saints, and more! 

Walking Toward Virtue: A Journey with Dante | Christopher M. Bellitto, PhD | $19.99 | 828874 

Walking Toward Virtue: A Journey with Dante will make a fantastic gift for the classical literature enthusiast in your life! It takes the reader on a journey using quotes from the poet Dante and his Divine Comedy. Your loved one will learn about the value of virtue, how virtue cures vice, and how to grow in virtue and faith, all while learning about the classic work, The Divine Comedy. 

The Desert Walk: A Journey Through Lent with Jesus | Leslie Albizzatti | $19.99 | 828836 

With Lent following closely on the heels of Christmas this year, The Desert Walk makes a fantastic gift to help your loved one stay focused on Christ throughout the next few months of the liturgical calendar. By stepping into the silence of the desert, readers experience a much-needed respite from the clamor and chaos of the world. Spending a few quiet moments with Jesus can bring healing and restoration, soothe concerns, and quiet any discontent that lies within. 

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Church Triumphant & Catholic Novenas 

The Advent and Christmas seasons are full of widely celebrated feast days, from setting out our shoes on St. Nicholas' Day, to braided buns on St. Lucy’s feast day, to the celebration of the visit from the wise men on Epiphany. The beautiful volumes of The Church Triumphant and Catholic Novenas will help your loved ones bring prayer with the saints in the Body of Christ into these little moments during the celebration of Christmas and throughout the year. 

Catholic Novenas: A Classic Collection | A Redemptorist Pastoral Publication | $27.99 | 828942 

A novena is a nine-part prayer, typically done over nine days, that brings us closer to Christ through time. Novenas in honor of saints are moments of shared friendship with the court of heaven. We ask the saints to join their prayers with ours and, as we do, our friendship with them and with God grows. 

Catholic Novenas gives readers over 20 different novenas that invite different saints to pray. In addition to novenas, this collection includes shorter intercessory prayers to the saints. 

This beautiful book is complete with a flexible leatherette cover with a ribbon marker, making it a book that will elevate your loved one’s home and soul. 

The Church Triumphant: Praying with the Saints | A Redemptorist Pastoral Publication | $28.99 | 828959 

As Catholics, we know to appreciate the sanctity of time. The changing of the liturgical seasons and the Liturgy of the Hours are two shining examples of how God, through the Church, consecrates even the passing of the hours. 

The Church Triumphant will guide readers to be deliberate about creating a holy hour through a variety of one-hour devotions to be prayed with the saints that will bring the reader closer to God. 

This beautiful book is complete with a flexible leatherette cover with ribbon marker, making it a great gift as a stand-alone item or as a pair with Catholic Novenas. 

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Blessed Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen 

As we approach the holiday season, one new Blessed rises to the surface of the Church’s attention. The gift of works of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen will help your loved ones to enter into the Advent season, strengthen their faith life, and learn about the new Blessed’s life and philosophy. 

Advent and Christmas with Fulton J. Sheen: Daily Scripture and Prayers Together with Sheen's Own Words | A Redemptorist Pastoral Publication | $14.99 | 807497 

Celebrate Advent and Christmas with Fulton Sheen this year! The soon-to-be Blessed will lead you in reflections that will help you to slow down and focus on Christ this holiday season. Those looking to grow in their prayer life and become more attuned to the joy of Advent and Christmas will find a wonderful guide in this spiritual companion. 

Fulton J. Sheen Trilogy | Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen | $32.99 | A00084 

This collection contains three works by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: The Cross and the Beatitudes, Characters of the Passion, and Seven Words of Jesus and Mary. With each of these works, Ven. Sheen brings the reader deep into Christ’s passion. In his usual down-to-earth style, Sheen brings to life Jesus’ first miracle at Cana, his act of bearing his cross, his Sermon on the Mount, and his last words on the hill of Calvary, as well as those who played important roles in the Passion drama. All three titles are available separately. 

From the Angel’s Blackboard: The Best of Fulton J. Sheen | Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen | $22.99 | 439256 

This book contains the very best of the writings of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Timeless truths and spiritual wisdom from the bishop who touched the lives of millions are presented in three sections: Mind, Heart, and Spirit. These special texts are a testament to Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's own tenacity, which won him a loyal worldwide following. 

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Introducing Children to the Sacraments: A Parent’s Guide | A Redemptorist Pastoral Publication | $24.99 | 828935 

Christ says, “Let the little children come to me.” 

Through prayerful parenting and the early sacraments, parents and guardians lead their children to a life of Christ. Introducing Children to the Sacraments will guide your loved ones to enter into life with God throughout every stage of parenthood. This beautiful book is a gift that will stay with your loved ones throughout their years of parenting. It contains prayers, education materials, and guidance for parents throughout every stage of their child’s life, from conception to Confirmation. 

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Catholic Adventures 

Bringing warmth into the foundation of a child’s faith is an important part of introducing them to God’s love. One beautiful way to do this is to read aloud a delightful book to your child and show them stories of how we love God and God loves us. Memories like these will build a foundation that will help your child to love reading and to love God. 

The Catholic Adventures is a bright, clever series that will excite the children in your life to engage with the faith! The stories follow Father Nate, a real priest from Indiana, as he goes about his life as a Catholic priest. Father Nate finds God’s gifts everywhere and enjoys many things, including exercising outdoors, playing musical instruments like the tuba, and cooking healthy foods. 

The Advent Adventures with Father Nate | Mia Toschi, Madalyn Allender, Saraidee Reyes-Villa | $19.99 | 829024 

Advent is a time of preparation and penance. The Advent Adventures with Father Nate will help the children in your life understand the Advent Season more deeply. This book truly is the perfect early Christmas gift or gift for the feats of St. Nicholas. 

In this book, children will learn about the joy of giving as well as be introduced to saints celebrated throughout Advent. The entire family will be invited into the spirit of a prayerful Advent. 

The Lenten Adventures with Father Nate | Mia Toschi and Madalyn Allender | $19.99 | 829031 

With Lent coming early next year, The Lenten Adventures with Father Nate is a great gift choice to set the children in your life up for the next season of Penance in the liturgical year. 

The Lenten Adventures with Father Nate guide children through the traditions and events of the Lenten season. In this book, Father Nate explores concepts surrounding prayer, reflection, and fasting. He also introduces some saints that are celebrated during the Lenten season, including St. Patrick and St. Joseph. This book is a fantastic way to introduce children to the journey of Lent and help them enter more deeply into the season. 

The Sunday Mass Adventures with Father Nate | Mia Toschi and Madalyn Allender | $24.99 | 829048 

The Sunday Mass Adventures With Father Nate guides children through the traditions and rituals of the Mass. Father Nate explores concepts surrounding prayer, liturgical traditions, and sacramentals. He explains to children about the symbolism and spirituality of the Mass, from the colors of the vestments to sitting and standing. This book is a fantastic way to introduce children to the depth of Sunday Mass and the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. 

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Cookbooks 

In addition to celebrating the birth of Christ, Christmas is a time for good food and making memories with family. Christmas cookies, Christmas dinner, and Christmas snacks lay a foundation for families to have traditional recipes. Working together to create a meal or dessert creates memories and helps us grow in virtue together as we “till and keep” our kitchens together with our loved ones. 

You can bring new recipes and traditions into your family with these fantastic cookbooks. There is something for giftees of all ages! 

Saintly Bites for Children: Mixing Faith, Fun, and Family Time in the Kitchen | Shelby Siegfried | $29.99 | 828744 

Saintly Bites for Children brings faith, food, and family together in the kitchen, blending the engaging narratives of saints with easy-to-follow recipes that were crafted with young chefs in mind. The result is a collection of dishes that not only nourish the body but also feed the soul, making every meal a journey of faith with flavor. With over 65 recipes and stories of saints from around the world, there is sure to be something for every family. 

12 Months of Monastery Soups: International Favorites | Brother Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette | $30.99 | 439317 

What better way to get cozy for the winter season than with a batch of soup rooted in the history of the Church? 12 Months of Monastery Soups is sure to be a go-to resource for your loved ones during the cold months.  This collection of healthy recipes follows the orderly cycle of the 12 months of the year, features seasonally fresh produce, and includes basic recipes for stocks and sauces. 

From St. Hildegard’s Kitchen: Foods of Health, Foods of Joy | Jany Fournier-Rosset | $20.99 | 819513 

From St. Hildegard’s Kitchen is the ideal gift for the Catholic health enthusiast in your life. This book includes recipes for everything from salads to pasta to desserts. It also contains a measurement conversion table, cooking terms, special bread-making instructions, lists of ingredients with definitions, sources for rare ingredients used in the recipes, and more! 

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Order these wonderful books for your loved ones and give the gift of Catholic reading this Christmas!