In the early 1960s, Pope John XXIII called the Second Vatican Council together to wrestle with this question. The answers, found in the sixteen documents produced by the Council, created many changes in how Catholics “do” church.

While some outward expressions of Vatican II were quite obvious, such as the Mass being said in the local language, not just in Latin, and the turning around of the priest to face the congregation, many Catholics may not be aware of the profound reordering of their church that lay at the heart of Vatican II. Two accessible, easy-to-read books from St. Anthony Messenger Press express the scope of these deeper, more dramatic changes:

Vatican II Today: Calling Catholics to Holiness and Service , based on St. Anthony Messenger’s newsletter series, Vatican II Today, brings together articles discussing the many facets of the Council’s decisions and how they continue to impact our beliefs, our spirituality and our mission as a people called to holiness.

A Concise Guide to the Documents of Vatican II by Edward P. Hahnenberg takes an in-depth look at each of the sixteen documents produced by the Council, examining the background, language and context overview of each. Professor Norman Tanner, S.J., of the Gregorian University in Rome, commented, “Readers are helped both to understand what happened at the time of Vatican II and to reap the fruits of the Council for their own lives today.”

Pope Benedict XVI has proclaimed the Year of Paul to begin June 28, 2008. In making this proclamation Pope Benedict observed: ". . . as in early times, today too Christ needs apostles ready to sacrifice themselves. He needs witnesses and martyrs like St Paul. Paul, a former violent persecutor of Christians, when he fell to the ground dazzled by the divine light on the road to Damascus, did not hesitate to change sides to the Crucified One and followed him without second thoughts. He lived and worked for Christ, for him he suffered and died. How timely his example is today."

How well do you know St. Paul? How prepared are you to join Pope Benedict in this celebration of his life and journey? St. Paul: Called to Conversion, A Seven-Day Retreat by Ronald Witherup introduces Paul as a man filled with conviction, a real flesh-and-blood person who experienced life to the full and struggled on his own with the same difficulties and challenges we all deal with. Witherup presents a Paul who is forceful, yes, but also tender and compassionate.

The book includes insightful discussion of the major themes of the Paul’s letters, opening and closing prayers, and thoughts for reflection. It offers an excellent way to get to know  this champion of Christ.

There’s no better time than now to learn about the man dazzled by Christ.

In June, the traditional month of weddings, we’d like to pose a question to all married people: Where does your marriage fall on the fulfillment spectrum? At one end there’s the barely tolerable; at the other is happiness, and even, dare we imagine, bliss. Does “happy marriage” seem like the ultimate oxymoron? What can Catholics do to transform or enhance their marriages?

One way to begin is to invite God into the midst of it. God is in the business of transformation and redemption and immersing ourselves in him can begin the process. St. Anthony Messenger Press has several books that can help guide the way:

Together But Alone: When God Means Something Different to Your Spouse by Donna Erickson Couch enables husbands or wives in the midst of an unfulfilling marriage to find their spiritual footing and move forward with or without their spouse’s participation. Richard Rolheiser called this “a needed book, balm and guidance for anyone suffering from moral loneliness.” 

When a Catholic Marries a Non-Catholic by Robert J. Hater provides guidance for those navigating between two spiritual traditions. Tips for both the married (or marrying) couple and parish professionals range from how to manage the wedding ceremony itself to creating a faith-filled home environment.

In the foreword to Marriage: It’s a God Thing, author William P. Roberts points out that “[s]ince the Second Vatican Council, a much richer understanding of the meaning of Christian marriage as a sacrament has evolved.” Rather than providing obstacles to spiritual growth, Christian marriage can be the very vehicle by which spiritual growth is achieved. Roberts offers practical tips to help couples achieve deeper intimacy with one another and with God by responding to everyday challenges with prayer, honesty and introspection.

May, the traditional month of Mary, puts us in mind of her special prayer, the Rosary. St. Anthony Messenger Press offers several titles to help you in pursuing this devotion:

In Praying the Rosary: New Reflections on the Mysteries, author Gloria Hutchinson begins each mystery with a personal reflection linked in some way with the Mary-Jesus event, a meditation based on Scripture, tradition or the author’s interpretation of the event, and a brief “Response” that challenges readers to make the Rosary their own. The author comments, “Only by praying the rosary contemplatively will we recognize it as a ‘sweet chain’ linking us to God and to each other....May we never take up our beads, crafted in wood, glass, stone or clay, without remembering how securely we are embraced in the circle of Christ’s love, Mary’s intercession, others’ care.”

Patricia M. Robertson, in The Rosary: Worry Beads for Anxious Parents , offers heartfelt reflections on the mysteries of the Rosary which will enrich and deepen your own rosary meditations. She writes, “Good mysteries are wonderful. They keep our attention, keep us wondering, keep us coming back for more until the denouement when all is explained, everything comes together and makes sense.”

If praying the rosary is not a regular practice of yours, 101 Inspirational Stories of the Rosary (I84470), by Sister Patricia Proctor, OSC, will inspire you to begin. These stories, from ordinary people, tell of the rosary’s power to heal, convert, protect and aid. One reader commented, “The wonderful stories in this book show that miracles can happen everyday to anyone through the power of the Rosary. I think I’d better dust off my rosary!”

“A mom cannot spend every hour of every day—24/7—filling other people’s needs without running dry, unless she takes some time along the busy road to fill up for herself.” – Tammy Bundy, Catholic Mom 24/7

This year, why not give all the mothers in your life something that lasts longer than flowers, candy or perfume—how about a gift of nourishment for her soul? Here are some book suggestions that celebrate and inspire Mom:

Moms will recognize and relate to the situations described in Catholic Mom 24/7: Daily Meditations for Busy Mothers by Tammy Bundy. A mother of four herself, Tammy relates to the daily stress and massive to-do lists of today’s mom. You’ll find humor, understanding and the peace of daily reflection and prayer in this small, purse-friendly book. 

It’s a story that is every parent’s worst nightmare, but as told in My Joy, My Sorrow: Karen Ann’s Mother Remembers, by Julia Duane Quinlan, it’s also a story of hope, love and redemption. The headline-making ordeal of Karen Ann Quinlan captured the country’s attention like nothing else in the 70s, and no one can tell the inside story better than Karen Ann’s mother.

And what a dramatic story it is, told in Julia’s quiet voice. When it was all over, the case of Karen Ann Quinlan resulted in significant changes in medical protocols, the rights of patients, the growth of hospices and living wills, and how we all look at death and dying today. But it’s also a story of mother’s love, a love that never gives up and never fails.

Mothers will appreciate the practical and spiritual advice in Make Room for God: Clearing Out the Clutter, by Susan Rowland. What mother can’t relate to this statement from the beginning of the book: “Not long ago, I was wandering around in my own little world, stressed out by all the things I believed I had to do, frustrated by the clutter that was filling my closets and my mind, and all the while longing for something better. I worked too much, prayed too little and added to my load with long lists that never got done.”

In this heartfelt book, Susan provides not only the practical steps of how to clear clutter, but also the spiritual reasons of why. Moms will find inspiration in learning how another mother decluttered her space, and in doing so, also decluttered her mind and heart and life.   

Every year, May offers Catholics a whole month to reflect on the Mother of God, to honor her with May crownings, to celebrate all mothers with Mother’s Day. This May, expand your reflection on and appreciation of Mary with books from St. Anthony Messenger Press.

Mary and Me: Catholic Women Reflect on the Mother of God, by Ginny Kubitz Moyer, offers stories of Mary from women from all walks of life – from lay to religious, cradle Catholics to converts, young to mature. You’ll likely find a story that resonates with your own personal experience of Mary today. 

In The Miracle of Lourdes: A Message of Healing and Hope, Father John Lochran retells the familiar story with deep insight and new appreciation, providing an armchair pilgrimage for those who haven’t been to Lourdes and a memoir for those who have.

Images of Mary, by Alfred McBride, O. Praem., explores ten images of Mary and explains their evolution and influence, tracing her appeal through different eras and cultures.

Vincenzina Krymow's Mary’s Flowers: Gardens, Legends and Meditations, a beautiful book celebrating both Mary and May flowers, would make a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day. Learn the legends behind flowers named for Mary and their biblical origins. Thirty illustrations by A. Joseph Barrish, S.M., based on medieval woodcuts, bring each bloom to colorful life.   

February, when we celebrate Black History Month, is an ideal time to explore African American spirituality. Whether the African American faith tradition is part of your personal history or a tradition you want to learn more about, you will discover rich resources in three books: Songs of Our Hearts: Prayers for Black Catholics, Sweet, Sweet Spirit: Prayer Services From the Black Catholic Church and African Saints, African Stories: 40 Holy Men and Women.

Songs of Our Hearts transcends denominational boundaries and provides a collection of prayers deeply rooted in the Black experience. Brief essays that begin each section of prayers delve into the history of Africans in the Americas, providing insights into a spirituality whose aim is liberation and whose grace is reconciliation. Editors Cecilia A. Moore, Ph.D., C. Vanessa White, D. Min., and Paul M. Marshall, S.M., composed the book so that you will find prayers not only for personal reflection and meditation but that you can use in communal settings.

In Sweet, Sweet Spirit you will find prayer services from the Black Catholic church that inspire, evangelize and are ecumenical—that are “truly Black and truly Catholic.” Authors Joseph A. Brown, S.J., Ph.D., and Fernand Cheri, III, O.F.M., share the gift of the Spirit in this creative collection of libation and anointing rituals, prayer services, litanies and intercessions.

As Christians committed to the universal church, the heroes of African Saints, African Stories show us how to remain faithful despite struggles, disappointments and setbacks, writes author Camille Brown, Ph.D. They continue to show us how to embrace the gospel in our ordinary day-to-day lives. At the heart of the book is a chance for each of us to be spiritually charged and enriched by our heroes, to see Christianity in action and to learn about the contributions of people of color to the church.

All of these resources will enhance school curricula, energize sacramental preparations and revitalize Bible study groups, black history programs and parish council meetings. And they make great gifts!

Why not take a walk with Jesus this Lent? In his new, pocket-sized devotional booklet, Daily Reflections for Lent 2008: Walk With Jesus, Fr. Alfred McBride provides short, inspirational reflections for each day of Lent, based on the daily Scripture readings, with an eye to uniting us to the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.

As Fr. McBride notes in the introduction: “Jesus walks with us and helps us carry our crosses and make sense out of our pain. The secret is love. Reason has short wings. Love has an eagle’s wingspan. The lenten liturgy is our angel showing us how to undergo a spiritual conversion....”