Pastoral Books

The Book of Blessings from Catholic Book Publishing contains the blessings of the Roman Ritual for the Universal Church as well as additional proper blessings for use in the United States. This liturgical book includes blessings pertaining to persons, to objects, and to various occasions, as well as blessings and services connected with official parish events. Three valuable indices make the Book of Blessings a practical as well as pastoral liturgical resource. The Book of Blessings is set in highly readable 14-pt. type and is durably bound in brown cloth to ensure long-lasting use.

Communion of the Sick from Catholic Book Publishing is a valuable service booklet for Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist that contains all appropriate readings as well as a series of beneficial pastoral instructions and guidelines. Includes texts for both Communion in Ordinary Circumstances and Communion in a Hospital or Institution. Commentary, history, and appendices have been written for Communion of the Sick by renowned author Rev. Joseph M. Champlin. Printed in large type and in two colors with text set in both English and Spanish, Communion of the Sick is bound in a flexible green paper cover. A handy, essential resource for all Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist.

Marriage and the family are in crisis. In October 2015,
a Synod of Bishops will meet in the Vatican to discuss this
important subject. In preparation for the event, eleven
Cardinals from around the world have written powerful
essays on some of the problems to be discussed: the challenge
of providing adequate marriage preparation in a secularized
world; the need for evangelization and conversion; the relationship
between charity and truth; the situation of divorced
and civilly remarried Catholics; and the demands of authentic
pastoral care.
The authors understand that doctrine and pastoral ministry
are not opposed to one another. They carefully steer a wise
and merciful course that engages genuine concerns, while
avoiding false compassion, which compromises both truth and
authentic love.
This book serves as both a concise introduction to the forthcoming
Synod and a helpful guide to applying Christ's teaching
to the pastoral care of families. Long after the Synod, these
essays will remain valuable for anyone wanting to understand
and to proclaim the Gospel of the Family.

You don't live in a cloister or a monastery, but you take your prayer life seriously and want to explore ways to pray regularly and better. The Liturgy of the Hours is one of those ways--but for those of us who find it a little intimidating, Daria Sockey provides a solid overview to this ancient prayer practice. The Everyday Catholic's Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours will answer questions like: What is the history of the Liturgy of the Hours? How can the Liturgy of the Hours fit into a busy schedule? Why is the Liturgy of the Hours relevant today? Print or online resources: Which is better? There is a rhythm of prayer, not just throughout the day, but throughout the year. Sockey explores the spiritual riches of the seasons, the saints, and special feast days, which add depth and variety to prayer. She also addresses the practice of praying the Scriptures, especially the psalms, and helps the reader to appreciate the universal beauty of these ancient prayers.

Don't let concerns about what page am I supposed to be on? scare you away. Sockey will be your guide to answer common questions and overcome common fears. Your prayer life will never be the same!

These pages aim to help Catholic priests and those who love priests to ponder properly the grace that these consecrated men have received and its implications for their lives. Romanus Cessario, O.P.

The Grace to Be a Priest represents the fruit of one Dominican's service as a priest of Jesus Christ. For more than thirty-five years, Romanus Cessario has taught and advised candidates for the priesthood. In this text, Father Cessario explains how the vocation to the priesthood comes to a man as both gift and mystery. God chooses priests to serve as both instruments of his will and spiritual fathers for his people. They fulfill this divine mission in various ways. Priests become chaste lovers, faithful friends, obedient sons, and shining lights in God's holy Church. Priests administer the seven Sacraments even as they follow the Christ who came to serve not to be served. Again, priests teach the truth with love even as they pray God for the salvation of all people. Drawing on the riches of the Dominican tradition as well as the general principles of Catholic theology, Father Cessario richly illuminates the nature of the priesthood with insights that will instruct priests, seminarians, and laypeople alike.

Romanus Cessario, O.P., serves as a professor of theology at St. John's Seminary in Brighton, Massachusetts. He is a fellow of the Pontifical Academy of Saint Thomas Aquinas and the author of some hundred articles and many books, including Thomas and the Thomists: The Achievement of Thomas Aquinas and His Interpreters; Theology and Sanctity; Introduction to Moral Theology; and The Virtues, or The Examined Life.

Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass from Catholic Book Publishing includes the Rite of Distributing Holy Communion outside Mass, Administration of Communion and Viaticum to the Sick by an Extraordinary Minister, and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. This valuable liturgical resource for Eucharistic worship also contains Scripture readings, antiphons, responsories, prayers after Communion, and prayers at Benediction. Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass from Catholic Book Publishing is bound in a durable cloth cover to withstand many years of use.

This handy little book will increase your understanding of this ministry. It will help you to carry it out well. You will discover that you become stronger in your faith in other ways, too. You will come to realize that a lector is far more than someone who simply stands up and reads aloud from the lectionary--much, much more than that. Also available in Spanish: RPS123/04.

In this highly anticipated English translation according to the Second Typical Edition, the Ordo Celebrandi Matrimonium \is presented with an enrichment of the Introduction, rites and prayers, and with certain changes introduced in keeping with the norm of the Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1983\ (Decree of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments). The revision of this Ritual Edition, which is divided into four chapters and includes three Appendices, incorporates changes in accord with the Third Typical Edition of The Roman Missal, updated Lectionary texts, and The Revised Grail Psalms. This Clothbound Edition includes all the enhanced features that celebrants have come to know and trust from Catholic Book Publishing: large, easy-to-read type; printed and reinforced end papers; a sturdy cover; and satin ribbon markers to add an elegant finishing touch. Specially produced acid-neutral cream paper from established, quality mills ensures a high level of opacity and consistency of the highest degree. While providing highly readable type for text and music, this volume also boasts a proven layout that respects functional page-turns.

Speaking on the sanctity of life from the pulpit can be a challenging--but beautiful--undertaking for any preacher. In Proclaiming the Message of Life, Fr. Frank Pavone offers a comprehensive guide to presenting a life-affirming message from the Sunday Lectionary readings for the entire three-year cycle. Fr. Pavone, one of the most prominent pro-life leaders in the world, provides pro-life reflections for every Sunday. This book will be both a valuable tool and a source of deep reflection for priests, other ministers, and lay people alike who wish to speak with wisdom and love on this important topic. Pavone addresses the principles of pro-life preaching as well as common objections to the clergy preaching on this subject. With wisdom and clarity he lays a foundation for this valuable teaching based on Scripture and sound pastoral practice. Proclaiming the Message of Life is essential reading for priests, deacons and pastors, as well as the lay faithful who wish to speak effectively about one of the most compelling issues of our time.

This study edition contains the officially approved texts and rubrics for the following: Institutions of Readers and Acolytes; Ordination of Deacons, Priests, and Bishops; Rite of Religious Profession; Blessing of Persons: Abbot, Abbess; Consecrating to a life of Virginity; Rite of Commissioning Special Ministers of Holy Communion; Dedication of a Church and Altar. Appendices include: Reception of the Bishop in the Cathedral Church, Blessing of Pontifical Insignia, the Rite of the Blessing of Oils, the Rite of Consecrating the Chrism, Crowning of the Image of the Blessed Virgin.

The Catholic Church today finds itself in the midst of a crisis. The flock is scattering, and while some shepherds bravely set off in search of those lost and wandering sheep, others drive them, and many more, further from the fold.

But the Church has seen and weathered numerous crises in its two millennia, and always one or more of its priests and bishops stood up and rallied the faithful: whether to rebuke an Emperor or oppose a policy, encourage the faithful or defend the faith, bishops and priests ascended the pulpit and delivered sermons that met the pressing needs of their own times, sermons which should be read and remembered by Catholics of all times. You will find comfort within these pages as you read the words of these heroic pastors of souls including:

St Ambrose of Milan, St Augustine, St John Chrysostom, St Edmund Campion, Pope St John Paul II, . . . and seven others.

Enter into the minds and thoughts of some of the bravest, most eloquent, homilists the Church has produced. More than one was killed for the words they uttered which you will find in these pages. But they counted not the cost.

Guided by Rev. Paul D. Scalia's introduction and commentaries, you will come to see that the Church has faced crises and survived, even thrived, before. In fact, it is one of the marks of her authenticity, as it has often been said, that no mere human institution could have survived the persecutions and scandals that the Catholic Church has withstood over 2000 years.

If you are a priest or bishop, just maybe reading these words of men not unlike yourself, will inspire you to stand and be counted and preach God's word from the pulpit without counting the cost.

The Shorter Book of Blessings from Catholic Book Publishing is a handy-sized edition of the larger Book of Blessings that includes only the blessings that are celebrated outside Mass. It contains the New American Bible translation for all Scripture readings to ensure conformity with the Catholic liturgical Lectionary. This handy liturgical resource is printed in two colors, with each blessing set in easy-to-read sense lines and carefully arranged for the celebrant. The Shorter Book of Blessings is bound in flexible brown simulated leather.