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.

View sample pages.

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.

Supple material, blind embossing, foil stamping, precise stitching, and decorative gilding combine to provide an exquisite and unique package for the Word of God. The distinctive features of our St. Joseph Editions, including new maps and Confirmation Record, complete this handsome gift.

Fifty-two weekly reflections inviting young people to read, reflect and act on Pope Francis's words of hope and inspiration in their lives.

He seemed to have it alla beautiful family, a big house, and the celebrity that comes with being a star player in the National Football League. In the late 60s and early 70s, Danny Abramowicz was the toast of New Orleans, but as his Catholic faith faded into the background he felt alone and helpless against the temptations and expectations of fame. And so one day he called out that simple prayer: Lord, please help me! This book is about the answer to that prayer. Danny Abramowicz gives an inside view of his life in the NFL alongside the reinvigoration of his Catholic Faith and the development of a prayerful relationship with Jesus Christ. Join him on his journey from "cultural Catholic" to EWTN television host and evangelizer of Catholic men across the country.

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