Faith Magazine

FAITH, the magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing, is published ten times per year and sent to every registered Catholic home in the diocese.

Many of our fellow Catholics have become disconnected from the life of the Church. Bishop Boyea believes FAITH is the best way to reach out to them, and also to give active Catholics the content and tools they need to evangelize.

Through inspiring stories of Christian witness, insightful advice for daily living, clear and accurate teaching about the Catholic faith, and news from around the world and across the Diocese of Lansing, this award-winning publication helps to connect people with Jesus and his Church.

The books listed below are FAITH Magazine current or past title recommended reads beginning with the September 2024 issue. Diocese of Lansing residents may receive a 30% discount on one copy of each of this month's featured titles displayed in the first row below by applying the discount code found in the current issue. 

Let FAITH Magazine know what you think by leaving a book review!

Faith Magazine

12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation

12 Steps to Holiness and Salvation
Liguori
$16.95

The 12 Steps to Holiness is compiled from the writings of St. Alphonsus Liguori and is rated as one of the most beautiful and inspiring books by numerous TAN readers. St. Alphonsus develops, in the most simple language, yet with the greatest learning, the 12 key virtues necessary for salvation: faith, hope, love of God, love of neighbor, poverty, chastity, obedience, meekness or humility, mortification, recollection, prayer and self-denial or love of the cross. This book is written with such an encompassing view that its message is for all—religious or layman, the young or the old, the pious or the wayward. The reader will marvel at the balance, the simplicity, the learning, the interest, the calm and the holy unction that penetrate this work. And he will find himself repeatedly marking significant passage and returning to them again and again for instruction and edification. Here is a book, quite simply, for everyone who would save his soul.

The 12 virtues we must all acquire to be happy in this world and to save our souls. Many of our readers rate this the most beautiful and inspiring book they have ever read. For absolutely all! One of TAN's top 5 best-selling books. Impr. 210 pgs, PB
ISBN/SKU: 
9780895552983
Publication Date: 
1993-11-01
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
Author: 
Publisher: 

Abandonment to Divine Providence

Abandonment to Divine Providence
de Caussade, Jean-Pierre
$18.00
For more than 250 years, this simple classic of inspiration has guided readers of all faiths to the open-hearted acceptance of God's will that is the sure path to serenity, happiness, and spiritual peace.

"A spiritual classic of the first order... a book for all those who truly seek God." --Dom David Knowles

"Father de Caussade has a wonderful way of encouraging the doubtful, of nurturing the personal surrender that is so much a part of the development of faith. The book is a mystery of its own -- and is definitely not for Christians only." --Rabbi Joshua Chasan

"Abandonment to Divine Providence is a classic perhaps more necessary now than ever before. It's a little book that rightly rejects the spirituality of fear and trembling (and the modern preoccupation with dreary self-absorption) in favor of an abiding trust in God's active benevolence. This is a work one reads again and again, always with gratitude and astonishment." --Donald Spoto, Author of Blue Angel and The Dark Side of Genius

ISBN/SKU: 
9780385468718
Publication Date: 
1993-04-01
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
Publisher: 

Be Healed: A Guide to Encountering the Powerful Love of Jesus in Your Life

Be Healed: A Guide to Encountering the Powerful Love of Jesus in Your Life
Schuchts, Bob
$17.95

“Somewhere deep inside each one of us is a burning desire to finally become the person God created us to be.”

Do you suffer from spiritual or emotional wounds that are keeping you from reaching that goal? The bestselling book Be Healed is based on retired Catholic therapist Bob Schuchts’s popular program for spiritual, emotional, and physical healing. Incorporating elements of charismatic spirituality and steeped in scripture and the wisdom of the Church, this book offers hope in the healing power of God through the Holy Spirit and the sacraments.

Schuchts, founder of the John Paul II Healing Center, sensitively shares his own journey of healing after enduring a series of betrayals in high school—his father’s infidelity, his parents’ divorce, his older brother’s drug addiction—and his subsequent periods of struggle with God and faith.

Be Healed includes helpful tools such as charts, tables, lists, reflection questions, and personal challenges to guide you on your journey of healing. Schuchts’s trusted process for finding inner peace and healing is boldly Christ-centered, maintaining focus on the person of Jesus as “the life-giving and ever-present physician of our souls.” Schuchts will help you recognize your brokenness and find your hope and healing in the risen Christ.

In the tradition of beloved spiritual teachers like Francis MacNutt and Michael Scanlan, Be Healed offers in book form Bob Schuchts's popular program for spiritual, emotional, and physical healing through the power of the Holy Spirit and the sacraments.

ISBN/SKU: 
9781594714764
Publication Date: 
2014-03-23
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
Author: 
Publisher: 

Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus, Revised and Expanded (Revised)

Forming Intentional Disciples: The Path to Knowing and Following Jesus, Revised and Expanded (Revised)
Weddell, Sherry A
$19.95

How can we transmit a living, personal Catholic faith to future generations? By coming to know Jesus Christ, and following him as his disciples.

As we emerge from a pandemic into a post-Christian world, these are times of immense challenge and enormous opportunity for the Catholic Church in the United States. Consider these statistics:

  • Fully 10 percent of all adults in America are ex-Catholics.
  • Nearly three-quarters of young Catholics think that they could be a good Catholic without going to Mass every Sunday.
  • Catholic marriages have declined by almost two thirds since 1969, even as the number of Catholics in the United States has grown significantly.
  • Only one third of Catholics believe that the bread and wine actually become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ at the consecration during Mass.
  • If the Church is to reverse these trends, the evangelizers must first be evangelized. In other words, Catholics in the pew must make a conscious choice to know and follow Jesus before they can draw others to him.

    Ten years after it was first published, Forming Intentional Disciples is still helping scores of Church leaders, parish staff, and all Catholics transform parish life from within. World-renowned author and speaker Sherry Weddell leads you through the steps that will help Catholics enter more deeply into a relationship with God and the river of apostolic creativity, charisms, and vocation that flow from that relationship for the sake of the Church and the world.

    ISBN/SKU: 
    9781681922072
    Publication Date: 
    2022-09-26
    4
    Average: 4 (1 vote)
    Author: 
    Publisher: 

    Holiness for Everyone: The Practical Spirituality of St. Josemaria Escriva

    Holiness for Everyone: The Practical Spirituality of St. Josemaria Escriva
    Sammons, Eric
    $17.95

    In this spiritual powerhouse of a book, Eric Sammons organizes the wisdom of St. Josemaría Escrivá into an action plan for living out holiness in your everyday life. The goal: to foster God's grace within you so that you can be transformed into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ.

    Declared "the saint of ordinary life" by Pope John Paul II, St. Josemaría Escrivá -- a twentieth-century Spanish saint and founder of Opus Dei -- did more than anyone to convey that holiness isn't reserved for those in religious life but is a universal call for all of us, whatever our vocation. St. Josemaría's riches-to-rags story is an inspiration for anyone who seeks to answer Jesus' call to "be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

    In these pages, you'll discover details about his mystical experiences as well as the nitty-gritty of his daily living. What's more, you'll find out how to implement a plan based on his everyday spirituality. Specifically, you will learn:

    • How to be a contemplative in a noisy world
    • How to offer your work to God and make the secular sacred
    • How to be a faithful apostle, not an activist
    • How to use suffering to draw closer to Christ
    • How to incorporate spiritual disciplines into your prayer life
    • How to identify and overcome your chief vices and replace them with virtues

    In page after page, Eric Sammons unpacks St. Josemaría's spirituality and offers you practical reflections and suggestions for meditation, oral prayer, and contemplation. With this book as your guide, you'll soon make a habit of powerful spiritual exercises that will assist you in advancing in holiness and keeping Christ at "the pinnacle of all activities."

    In this spiritual powerhouse of a book, Eric Sammons organizes the wisdom of St. Josemaria Escriva into an action plan for living out holiness in your everyday life. The goal: to foster God's grace within you so that you can be transformed into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ.

    Declared "the saint of ordinary life" by Pope John Paul II, St. Josemaria Escriva - a twentieth-century Spanish saint and founder of Opus Dei - did more than anyone to convey that holiness isn't reserved for those in religious life but is a universal call for all of us, whatever our vocation. St. Josemaria's riches-to-rags story is an inspiration for anyone who seeks to answer Jesus' call to "be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

    In these pages, you'll discover details about his mystical experiences as well as the nitty-gritty of his daily living. What's more, you'll find out how to implement a plan based on his everyday spirituality. Specifically, you will learn:

  • How to be a contemplative in a noisy world
  • How to offer your work to God and make the secular sacred
  • How to be a faithful apostle, not an activist
  • How to use suffering to draw closer to Christ
  • How to incorporate spiritual disciplines into your prayer life
  • How to identify and overcome your chief vices and replace them with virtues
  • In page after page, Eric Sammons unpacks St. Josemaria's spirituality and offers you practical reflections and suggestions for meditation, oral prayer, and contemplation. With this book as your guide, you'll soon make a habit of powerful spiritual exercises that will assist you in advancing in holiness and keeping Christ at "the pinnacle of all activities."

    ISBN/SKU: 
    9781644137727
    Publication Date: 
    2022-11-22
    5
    Average: 5 (1 vote)
    Author: 
    Publisher: 

    Introduction to the Devout Life - Philothea

    Introduction to the Devout Life - Philothea
    Sales, Francis de
    $19.95
    As no sensible person would make a long road trip without first consulting a map, so the person intent upon gaining Heaven should first resort to a competent guide to reach that Goal of all goals. And no better guide to Heaven exists than An Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Doctor of the Church. It is at once easy to read, being laid out in short chapters, yet thorough, authoritative, reliable, kind and gentle a mirror of its author. It is a book, moreover, for all, because all are called to the devout life. True devotion to God, the author points out, adorns every vocation. The devout life, moreover, is a lovely, a pleasant, and a happy life. (p. 5)

    Addressed as a personal letter to Philothea, the lover of God which genuinely represents the reader the book covers: our first desire to lead a devout life to our full resolution to do so, how we should approach God in prayer and the Sacraments, the practice of 16 important virtues, remedies against ordinary temptations, and becoming confirmed in our practice of devotion. St. Francis says, Devotion is spiritual agility and vivacity, by means of which charity works in us, or we in her, with love and readiness; and as charity leads us to obey and fulfill all God s Commandments, so devotion leads us to obey them with promptitude and diligence. (p. 3)

    An Introduction to the Devout Life is a book to be read with pencil in hand. It is a book to be read again and again. It is a book to make your guide for the rest of your life. It goes to the heart of becoming good. Its aim is to help you be rid of sin and even the inclinations to sin. Alone, its 10 brief meditations in Part I will orient you toward God for the rest of your life. No one will come away without being profoundly impressed and without being motivated to enter upon the devout life . . . which leads ultimately to God and to Heaven.

    This is the original TAN edition now with updated typesetting, fresh new cover, new size and quality binding, and the same trusted content.

    ISBN/SKU: 
    9780895552280
    Publication Date: 
    1994-07-01
    5
    Average: 5 (1 vote)
    Author: 
    Publisher: 

    Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper

    Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper
    Pitre, Brant
    $18.00
    A revelatory exploration of the Jewish roots of the Last Supper that seeks to understand exactly what happened at Jesus' final Passover.

    "Clear, profound and practical--you do not want to miss this book."--Dr. Scott Hahn, author of The Lamb's Supper and The Fourth Cup

    Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist shines fresh light on the Last Supper by looking at it through Jewish eyes. Using his in-depth knowledge of the Bible and ancient Judaism, Dr. Brant Pitre answers questions such as: What was the Passover like at the time of Jesus? What were the Jewish hopes for the Messiah? What was Jesus' purpose in instituting the Eucharist during the feast of Passover? And, most important of all, what did Jesus mean when he said, "This is my body... This is my blood"?

    To answer these questions, Pitre explores ancient Jewish beliefs about the Passover of the Messiah, the miraculous Manna from heaven, and the mysterious Bread of the Presence. As he shows, these three keys--the Passover, the Manna, and the Bread of the Presence--have the power to unlock the original meaning of the Eucharistic words of Jesus. Along the way, Pitre also explains how Jesus united the Last Supper to his death on Good Friday and his Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

    Inspiring and informative, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist is a groundbreaking work that is sure to illuminate one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith: the mystery of Jesus' presence in "the breaking of the bread."

    ISBN/SKU: 
    9780385531863
    Publication Date: 
    2016-02-02
    4
    Average: 4 (1 vote)
    Author: 
    Publisher: 

    Jesus Shock (paper)

    Jesus Shock (paper)
    $12.00
    ISBN/SKU: 
    9781937509170
    Publication Date: 
    2012-06-09
    4
    Average: 4 (1 vote)

    Little Way: A Journey to the Summit of Love

    Little Way: A Journey to the Summit of Love
    Bouilloc, Judith
    $16.99

    Henri, hiking on the mountain, finds the path hard and steep to reach the top. On the way, he meets a young girl, Thérèse, who is about to help him discover the joy of little things, the strength of prayer and, above all, the little way that leads to God.

    An inspiring spiritual journey masterfully brought to life for children to easily understand the little way of love of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, better known as the "Little Flower". Her famous teachings on spiritual childhood are perfect for children to understand how much God loves them and how to grow close to Jesus.

    ISBN/SKU: 
    9781621645696
    Publication Date: 
    2022-04-16
    4
    Average: 4 (1 vote)
    Author: 
    Publisher: 

    Mere Christianity

    Mere Christianity
    Lewis, C S
    $17.99

    "C.S. Lewis is the ideal persuader for the half-convinced, for the good man who would like to be a Christian but finds his intellect getting in the way." -- Anthony Burgess, New York Times Book Review

    Our moral consciousness and moral judgements are proof to the human race that a moral being exists--God.

    Mere Christianity explores the core beliefs of Christianity by providing an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear a powerful, rational case for the Christian faith. A brilliant collection, Mere Christianity remains strikingly fresh for the modern reader and at the same time confirms C. S. Lewis's reputation as one of the leading writer and thinkers of our age.

    The book brings together Lewis' legendary broadcast talks during World War II. Lewis discusses that everyone is curious about: right and wrong, human nature, morality, marriage, sins, forgiveness, faith, hope, generosity, and kindness.

    ISBN/SKU: 
    9780060652920
    Publication Date: 
    2001-02-06
    5
    Average: 5 (1 vote)
    Author: 
    Publisher: 

    Prayer for Beginners

    Prayer for Beginners
    Kreeft, Peter
    $15.95
    Peter Kreeft brings his unique insights to this most important area of our spiritual lives. He claims he himself is still a beginner in prayer, and this book is for all those, like him, who feel that they are not good at praying but desire to become much better at it. Thus, Kreeft offers simple, but profound advice and practical steps for developing a prayer life based on the time-tested wisdom of the saints and great spiritual writers, especially the principles found in Brother Lawrence's classic, The Practice of the Presence of God. In short, straight-forward and unsentimental chapters, Kreeft covers all the key areas for understanding and developing that intimate form of communication with our Creator that we call prayer. He covers such areas as the necessity of prayer, various motives and methods, steps, patience, suffering, sin, faith, and grace.
    ISBN/SKU: 
    9780898707755
    Publication Date: 
    2000-02-29
    5
    Average: 5 (1 vote)
    Author: 
    Publisher: 

    Prayers, Promises, and Devotions for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

    Prayers, Promises, and Devotions for the Holy Souls in Purgatory
    Tassone, Susan
    $13.95
    "The holy souls are eager for the prayers of the faithful, which can gain indulgences for them. Their intercession is powerful. Pray unceasingly. We must empty purgatory!" - St. Pio of Pietrelcina

    Tireless advocate for the holy souls in purgatory, Susan Tassone, invites you to join her in the call to action from St. Pio to empty purgatory. Become a prayer warrior on behalf of the suffering souls and bring comfort to them and to yourself along the way.

    Tassone provides an unprecedented treasure trove of spiritual tools - including devotions, meditations, and wisdom from the holy souls and patron saints of souls in purgatory - that you can use to take an active role in this vital and rewarding vocation. Sharing her deep understanding and personal connection with the centuries-old tradition of praying with supernatural charity for the holy souls, Tassone will inspire you with her passion and educate you with her meticulous research. In addition, she provides an avenue for the attainment of spiritual gifts for acts done for the souls that cry out for relief.

    ISBN/SKU: 
    9781612785561
    Publication Date: 
    2012-10-01
    5
    Average: 5 (1 vote)
    Author: 
    Publisher: 

    Return: How to Draw Your Child Back to the Church

    Return: How to Draw Your Child Back to the Church
    Vogt, Brandon
    $24.95
    The statistics are troubling: 6.5 people leave the Catholic Church for every one that joins, and 50% of young people who were raised Catholic are no longer Catholic today. The Catholic Church is hemorrhaging young people. Behind these statistics are countless stories of wounded families. Millions of mothers and fathers are longing for their prodigal children to come home to the Church, crying: "Where did we go wrong?" The passive wait-and-see approach is no longer an option. We need a different strategy. We need to understand the real reasons why our young people drift away, and we need a game plan to bring them home. We need Return.
    ISBN/SKU: 
    9781943243747
    Publication Date: 
    2021-03-08
    5
    Average: 5 (1 vote)
    Author: 
    Publisher: 

    Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart

    Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart
    Philippe, Father Jacques
    $12.95
    We live in an age characterized by agitation and lack of peace. This tendency manifests itself in our spiritual as well as our secular life. In our search for God and holiness, in our service to our neighbor, a kind of restlessness and anxiety take the place of the confidence and peace which ought to be ours. What must we do to overcome the moments of fear and distress which assail us? How can we learn to place all our confidence in God and abandon ourselves into his loving care? This is what is taught in this simple, yet profound little treatise on peace of head. Taking concrete examples from our everyday life, the author invites us to respond in a Gospel fashion to the upsetting situations we must all confront. Since peace of heart is a pure gift of God, it is something we should seek, pursue and ask him for without cease. This book is here to help us in that pursuit.
    ISBN/SKU: 
    9780818909061
    Publication Date: 
    2002-01-01
    5
    Average: 5 (1 vote)

    What Happens At Mass

    What Happens At Mass
    $14.95
    ISBN/SKU: 
    9781616710446
    Publication Date: 
    2011-07-31
    4
    Average: 4 (1 vote)