St. Anthony Messenger Press is pleased to announce the release of What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About the First Five Years of Marriage by Roy Petitfils. As a professional counselor and married person, Petitfils has had numerous occasions to test and develop his theories of what makes a marriage work, especially in those critical first years. As he writes in the introduction:

"If you are reading this book, perhaps it is because you sense something of the importance and sacredness in marriae. You want to give your marriage the very best chance to 'make it.' Somewhere inside you feel a desire to have a great relationship, one marked by deep intimacy, joy, and significance.

"I share those same desires. I am convinced that it is not only possible for marriages to thrive, but that it is God's plan for marriage. God designed marriage to be joyful...[but] Marriages are not self-sustaining and do not survive on autopilot. They require constant attention and intentional effort.'

With these thoughts in mind, Petitfils goes on to share information "in areas that are vital (author's italics) to healthy relationships" so readers can gauge where to place their "intentional efforts." This book can help those newly married, those contemplating marriage, and the already married who feel their relationship has gotten off track. To order this book, visit our online catalog here.

St. Anthony Messenger Press is pleased to announce the release of A Priest Forever: Nine Signs of Renewal and Hope by Alfred McBride, O. Praem., just in time to celebrate The Year for Priests as announced by Pope Benedict XVI. Early reviews of this book have been very complimentary:

"Every priest will find in this book nourishment for his soul, encouragement for his vocation, and advice for his ministry. This is a spiritual gem." -- James Martin, S.J., author, My Life with the Saints

 

"...a large serving of wisdom and common sense. A Priest Forever is a call to appreciation of what priests are and what they do. If priesthood is important to you for whatever reason, so is this book." -- Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of Cincinnati

"...an invaluable reflection of a faithful priest on his vocation. I recommend Father McBride's insights to anyone who seeks a deeper understanding of the priest's vocation and ministry." -- Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York

"...a master catechist at work in describing the tremendous gift of the priesthood. In a fresh and solid way this book bolsters and strengthens a priest's spirit and commitment." -- Most Reverend David L. Ricken, Bishop of Green Bay

"...a priest's life as I know it--the joys, problems, and challenges. Father Al McBride uses his own wide experience and that of priests across the country to give practical ways of growing. I recommend this book for spiritual reading, a personal retreat or to be read chapter by chapter by priests' support groups." -- Jeremy Harrington, O.F.M., guardian and commissary of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land.

Order this book here.

St. Anthony Messenger Press announces the release of The Mass: A Guided Tour by Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M., S.T.D. In this volume, Fr. Richstatter invites readers to join him as he explores the Mass: "if you are looking for a different kind of adventure, pack your bags and let's begin." Richstatter uses simple, easy-to-understand language to explore and explain the Mass. The result is a guide to what the Mass means to our Catholic faith and how everything from the Instroductory and Concluding Rites, the Liturgies of the Word and the Eucharist invite us to experience that faith more deeply and express it more fully.

St. Anthony Messenger Press announces the release of the new Sixth Revised Edition of Saint of the Day: Lives, Lessons & Feasts by Leonard Foley, O.F.M.; revised by St. Anthony Messenger magazine editor, Pat McCloskey, O.F.M. Fr. Foley wrote in the foreword to the original edition:

"Most saints weren't private people concerned with 'saving their soul.' There were a few hermits, of course, but so many of them were out there in the front lines doing the Church's work, at times in spite of the Church itself. Because there were reformers, prophets, leaders, people who did what was right regardless of opposition, they were controversial. Some were even dismissed from their religious orders for being troublemakers."

A perennial best-seller, this new edition adds many new saints and saints-to-be such as Mother Teresa, Jeanne Jugan, Damien of Molokai, and more. Ligourian magazine said, "We highly recommend it." Modern Liturgy commented, "Combining short biographies and insightful reflections, this book offers a practical, inspirational assist when it comes to seeking, finding and receiving the friendship of the Lord in our everyday lives as the saints did."

St. Anthony Messenger Press announces the release of a new volume in its Called to Holiness: Spirituality for Catholic Women series, Creating New Life, Nurturing Families: A Woman's Perspective. In this book, Callahan poses the question:

"What makes a woman a hero?

"Does she need to possess almost superhuman qualities or an ability to leap tall to-do lists in a single day? Must she grab headlines or set out to save our world?

"No, says Sidney Callahan. A hero is simply a woman who makes small, daily self-sacrifices out of love for others. Nowhere is this definition more embodied than in the love of wives and mothers for their families."

Read more about this dynamic addition to this series  here.

St. Anthony Messenger Press announces the release of  Finding My Voice: A Young Woman's Perspective by Beth M. Knobbe, part of the Press's Called to Holiness series. Mike Hayes, senior editor of the Catholic blog, www.BustedHalo.com, said, "This book should be required reading for all men and women in their twenties and thirties who are on the journey of self-discovery and who look to the church (and to Beth Knobbe) for wisdom! Beth intimately understands the world of young adults. Finding My Voice will serve my ministry well for years to come."

St. Anthony Messenger Press announces the release of The Story of the Church: Revised and Expanded by Father Alfred McBride, O. Praem. In the Introduction to the book, Fr. Al writes, ”For two thousand years, the Catholic Church has housed an unruly family of saints, sinners and ordinary folks. Its history is a record of a boisterous lot of people—inspiring, infuriating, sometimes frustratingly dull and often engagingly charming.”

With rich storytelling and a reader-friendly style, Father Al McBride spans twenty-one centuries of church history, highlighting peak moments from a human perspective that responds to a question increasingly on the Catholic mind: How did we get here from there—and where are we heading next?

Updated and reformatted with new chapters, sidebars, bibliography and index, The Story of the Church is ideal for classroom use, small groups or individual study.

St. Anthony Messenger Press announces the release of  Thank God Ahead of Time: The Life and Spirituality of Solanus Casey by Michael H. Crosby, O.F.M. Cap. This new edition reveals the life of a man recently venerated by the church, and who is now on the road to sanctification. Appointed by the Vatican as the "External Collaborator to the Relator" for the cause of canonization of Capuchin Father Solanus Casey, Michael Crosby gives us an inspiring and insightful story of one person's unswerving faith in God's abiding presence throughout the universe. 

The author writes, "In researching his life and writing [Casey's] biography, I have been challenged to find my own 'ways and means close at hand,' whereby, as I reflect on his life and spirituality, I might move toward my own kind of 'astonishing familiarity' with God. For this I always will be most grateful....Whatever happens officially will not change my deep gratitude for being touched by his life and message." 

Newly released by St. Anthony Messenger Press is The Simple Way: Meditations on the Words of Saint Francis,  by Murray Bodo, O.F.M. According to Bodo, this gift-sized book “is meant as a help to meditation, as a book to pray with, and as a personal notebook.”

Each quotation from Francis is accompanied by the author’s reflections and space to record your own meditation or prayer. Section titles include "A Simple Way to Love God," "A Simple Way of Living," "A Simple Way to Love One’s Neighbor," "A Simple Way of Prayer" and "A Simple Way to Love God’s Creatures."

Teresa V. Baker, author, Franciscan Way of the Cross: The Peace Prayer, writes, “Whether reading Francis’ words for the first time or reading them with a renewed vigor, these reflections offer all people the opportunity to interface with the world in the manner of the Poverello.”  Go here to order this book.

St. Anthony Messenger Press announces the release of two new titles in its groundbreaking new series Called to Holiness: Spirituality for Catholic Women: Embracing Latina Spirituality and Awakening to Prayer.

   

In Awakening to Prayer: A Woman's Perspective , author Clare Wagner breaks the process of coming to prayer into six stages: noticing, awakening, thirsting, struggling, nurturing and transforming. Each of these stages has its own experiences and tasks which serve to deepen prayer life. At the end of each chapter, “Food for Thought” questions help you examine your thinking on the chapter’s subject and a ritual formalizes your completion of the chapter’s tasks. Check this book out here.

 

Embracing Latina Spirituality: A Woman's Perspective, by Michelle A. Gonzalez, defines the essence of Latina spirituality. For the non-Latina reader, this book serves as a window into a particular Roman Catholic spirituality which can enrich the reader’s spiritual life. Personal identity and spirituality is intimately entwined with community and family. Read more about this book here.

 

All five volumes in the Called Holiness series released so far can be seen here, at the series' home website, along with articles and other information posted by the series authors. Reading guides, discussion questions, rituals and applications to daily life are available to help readers discover how their own life experiences reveal the sacred.