Confirmation

Following Christ isn't always easy. You need faith, courage, patience, and love.

Colleen Swaim looks at eight young souls who became saints for the against-the-current, selfless heroism of their teen years. In addition to the inspiring stories, Ablaze includes maps, recipes, prayers, journal prompts, scripture references and reflection questions to help the reader apply the saints' experiences to every day life.

Read how an Italian high school student inspired thousands as she faced cancer joyfully. Follow a new Christian as he marches to his death by fire after standing firm in his faith in the face of a wretched king. Lock arms with a young man and his crucifix as he dares brawling teens to throw the first stone.

We are all called to follow Christ in our own ways. This book will inflame your heart with vivid storytelling, saintly challenges, prayers, images, and more. Discover how you can set your world ablaze with love for the Lord!

Features: Saint Dominic Savio; Saint Teresa of the Andes; Saint Kizito; Blessed Chiara Luce Badano; Saint Stanislaus Kostka; Saint Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception; Blessed Pedro Calungsod; and Saint Maria Goretti.

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Paperback

Review by Lisa M. Hendey, CatholicMom.com webmaster:

If you're a mom of teens like me, you're constantly on the lookout for books and resources that will help inspire your family. With this new book by Colleen Swaim -- her first, but hopefully just the start of a prolific writing career -- we discover a treasure of the faith for Catholics young and old.

Ablaze is aimed at teens, but truthfully, the resources contained within this book will aid anyone looking to grow in sanctity and faith. Colleen profiles the lives of eight young saints and blesseds, sharing their path to sainthood with accounts that are filled with insight and detail. She has a voice that truly manages to bring these stories to life. Perhaps it's her work as a high school teacher that has provided her with an insight into what will move, challenge and inspire young people. Ablaze is filled with so much more than simply biographical details, including sidebars, vocabulary descriptions, maps, sacramental lessons, and even recipes. Journal prompts, prayers, scripture references and reflection questions help the reader to fully interact with the content presented, applying it to the challenges of every day life.

Each of the saints profiled, though living in different periods of history, has a freshness and a relevance to the world our teens face today. Colleen Swaim aptly brings their heroic virtues to light in a way that will have teens (and grown ups too!), eagerly interacting with her content and asking for more. I give Ablaze my highest recommendation and will enjoy sharing it with my own son this summer.

Gifted youth leader Mark Hart, aka the Bible Geek, asks and answers the real questions that puzzle Catholics. This updated and expanded edition of a bestselling classic deals with concerns about God, temptations, personal issues, social media and technology, and more. Solutions to typical situations you face today are rooted in Scripture and Catholic tradition and provide fascinating advice and strong encouragement for living an authentic Christian life.

Crossing the Goal: Playbook on the Virtues from Emmaus Road Publishing maps out a strategy for becoming godly men. Written by Coach Danny Abramowicz and team members Peter Herbeck, Curtis Martin, and Brian Patrick of the popular EWTN Global Catholic Network series by the same name, this Bible study guide serves as a companion to the sports-format show. While readers can use the study guide on their own, it is even better when shared with a group of men. The Leading a Discussion section gives sure-to-win pointers to the quarterbacks or group leaders. To Talk About suggestions can launch discussions or give readers things to think about on their own. Complete with on-screen photos and space for taking personal notes, the team's playbook briefly summarizes the main points of the nine episodes. Segments featured for each episode include Kickoff (tackling a real problem men face), Game Plan (identifying the virtue needed to overcome the challenge), The Red Zone (serving up advice from the men who have been there), and The End Zone (applying practical, faith-filled wisdom to secure the victory). Pre-Game and Halftime sections further inspire readers of this book to become the virtuous men God has called them to be. Episodes included in Crossing the Goal: Playbook on the Virtues: Courage Perseverance: Staying in the Game Temperance: Removing the Junk Temperance: Getting in Shape Wisdom: Living the Truth Justice: Giving What Is Due Faith: A Radical Choice Hope Love: An Act of the Will

Add this small book to the mix of tablets and smartphones that are daily accessories in every teen\'s life. The author, a father of 4 and a veteran high school teacher, talks the talk that will get their day off the fast track and onto the right track. In a matter of minutes they will read Scripture, a brief reflection, and a prayer that relates to their lives--friends, family, bullying, church, life choices. There is no proselytizing in these pages, no accusations or condemnations--only the repeated and clear message that Jesus loves them and wants to help them. This book comes with a lifetime guarantee: if they read it, He will come. Confirmation, Graduation, Birthday, any day--hands down, Daily Companion for Young Catholics is the right fit.

From playing video games to sleeping-in, teens can think of countless things they would rather do than go to Mass on Sunday morning. That is, unless they knew what they were missing. Do I Have to Go? explains the meaning and the mystery of Mass in such a way that teens will be asking, Why wouldn't I go? With wit, clarity, and common sense, Matthew Pinto and Chris Stefanick answer the tough questions teens have about the Mass-from the rituals contained in the liturgy, to the doctrines of the Eucharist and the priesthood. When teens understand that the Mass is literally the meeting place between heaven and earth, they will have a newfound sense of awe and a deeper understanding of their role as a Catholic in a post-modern world. In Do I Have to Go? you will learn: Why the Mass is an essential part of the Christian life The mystery of the Eucharist as the Real Presence of Jesus's Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity How the redemptive work of Jesus Christ is communicated to and through the Church and the sacraments The meaning of all the gestures and symbols of the the Mass How the Mass has developed from its roots in the Old Testament, through its institution by Christ The importance of the liturgical seasons for the spiritual life And much, much more

Centering yourself on Christ each day is critical to living out God's call for you. These 365 age-specific reflections offer teen readers the Good News each day of the year. Short reflections suggest ways to apply the message to their lives, and short prayers invite readers to pray with the Bible. Its handy size makes Good News, Day by Day perfect for teens on the go. It's an inspiring prayer companion to The Catholic Youth Bible(R).