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What is prayer and why is it so important? Pope Francis teaches that prayer is the "heartbeat of the Church" and our "yes" to an encounter with God: In the human body, there are some essential functions, such as breathing and the beating of the heart. I like to imagine that the personal and communal prayer of us Christians is the breath, the heartbeat of the Church, which instills its strength in the service of those who work, study, teach; which makes fruitful the knowledge of educated people and the humility of simple people; which gives hope to the tenacity of those who fight injustice. Prayer is our saying "yes" to the Lord, to His love that reaches us; it is welcoming the Holy Spirit who, without ever growing weary, pours out love and life upon all. While we are not always conscious of our breath, we can never stop breathing, because this is the source of our physical life. In the same way, prayer is the source -- the very breath -- of our spiritual life. Each time we pray, we encounter God and come to share more fully in his life.

Gathered from the writings and discourses of Pope Francis on the environment, Our Mother Earth sets forth a Christian vision of ecology. Responding to our global ecological crisis, Pope Francis says, will require a global approach in which "the whole human family in the search for a sustainable and integral development" unites to protect our common home. Pollution, climate change, loss of biodiversity, and exploitation of resources will grow exponentially if we do not change our direction in the short term. We need an "environmental conversion," Pope Francis says. For this to be possible, we need a truly ecological education to create a renewed awareness and a renewed conscience. In an exclusive new essay that concludes Our Mother Earth, Pope Francis develops a "theology of ecology" in a profoundly spiritual discourse. This final chapter offers thoughts on how a Christian vision of care for the earth goes well beyond a secular vision of ecology. "This means that it is for humanity's capacity for communion to condition the state of creation. ... It is therefore humanity's destiny to determine the destiny of the universe."

Bring your family to Jesus through Mary with Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children. Featuring a traditional 33-day preparation for consecration, this book is written and beautifully illustrated to help children ages 3-7 to understand and grow in faith and Marian devotion. Each day includes an image of Mary, a short reflection, and discussion questions to spark faith-filled conversations. Supplementary material for parents helps you lead your family through preparation for the consecration at a pace that works for you. Marian Consecration for Families with Young Children combines magnificent, original Marian art and simple, child-accessible text to immerse your entire family in Mary's love and care. Use this book to place your whole family in the care of our Blessed Mother, allowing her to bring each of you closer to Jesus.

When Jim Wahlberg went to prison the second time at 22 years old, he was sentenced to six to nine years for breaking and entering, bargained down from life for home invasion. He had staggered into a Boston cop's apartment, helping himself to the sellable stuff and all the beer in the fridge. The cop came home, found Jim passed out at the kitchen table, beat the hell out of him, and arrested him. But Wahlberg, a 130-pound kid from Dorchester, had learned some things from his life on the street and his first prison sentence. He knew how to survive. And he knew that if he wanted to avoid serving the full sentence, he would have to do something. He did what he was best at: He hustled. He would create the illusion that he was trying to change, that he'd become the model prisoner, not a guy hell-bent on getting out while he was still young enough to drink more, steal more, and do more drugs. He didn't know, though, that the Catholic priest he was trying to hustle was actually hustling him. The Big Hustle is the story of a redeemed life and a family's healing. This is the no-holds-barred, unvarnished, and sometimes brutal true story of Jim Wahlberg, the fifth of nine kids growing up in a working-class Irish Catholic neighborhood outside of Boston, hustling for attention any way he could get it, which led him to the biggest hustle of his life. Against all odds he got clean, he got out, and he got the girl. Jim dedicated his new life as a former addict to working with addicts, and for years has spread the word that recovery is possible. But nothing could have prepared him for what came next. His discovery that his own son was an addict threw Jim into a crisis"š€š"one that led him deeper into his faith and led to healing he never thought possible. This book is a testament to God's power and an invitation to all of us to hope in the darkest places.

"You are a thought of God, you are a heartbeat of God. To say this is like saying that you have a value which in a sense is infinite, that you matter to God in your completely unique individuality." "¬‚¬" Pope Saint John Paul II Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Boys was designed for boys to understand their identity and individuality, with the help of their Catholic faith. Packed full of great art, quizzes, journaling questions, quotes from the saints, Scripture verses, and passages from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Be Yourself journal helps boys become the men God created them to be. Ages 9 and up.

"Maria Goretti, now a Saint, was my good Angel, sent to me through Providence to guide and save me. I still have impressed upon my heart her words of rebuke and pardon. She prayed for me, she interceded for her murderer." "¬‚¬" Alessandro Serenelli Many people are familiar with the story of Saint Maria Goretti and her grisly murder at the age of eleven. On her deathbed, she said of her killer, "I forgive him, and I want him to be with me in heaven." But how did her incredible forgiveness affect her murderer? While it took years, Maria's offer of mercy eventually transformed Alessandro's life. Alessandro's story has never been fully told "¬‚¬" until now. Alessandro Serenelli: A Story of Forgiveness is a captivating story of mercy and forgiveness, both given and accepted. Learn about Alessandro's difficult childhood, the murder of Maria, his prison sentence, his conversion as a result of Maria's intercession, and the final years of his life with a Capuchin community. Through his life story, you'll gain a new understanding of the nature of repentance and of God's patience and unfailing love.

Separation and divorce are heartbreaking realities for families. Many Catholic parents who are divorced feel ill-equipped to help their children cope and seek healing. How can they help their children heal and foster their faith when they are barely keeping it together themselves? In The Divorced Catholic's Guide to Parenting, Catholic author, speaker, and licensed clinical professional counselor and pastoral counselor Lynn Cassella-Kapusinski, herself a child of divorce, takes parents step by step through these challenges. Drawing on her own story and professional experience, she helps Catholic parents walk with their children through the heartbreak of divorce into the healing, peace, and even joy that is possible in their lives. In this groundbreaking work, readers will: Uncover the emotional effects and challenges that divorce or separation may have on children and find concrete, developmentally appropriate ways to address them Understand common problems children face as a result of coparenting difficulties or a parent's personal issues and learn how to communicate constructively about them Navigate circumstances that arise in the later stages of divorce when a parent is absent, or when one or both parents date or remarry Explore ways to use the divorce as a Catholic teaching tool on God, forgiveness, and the beauty of the Sacrament of Matrimony Find outside resources and additional support Throughout this book, Lynn's thoughtful advice reveals how the Catholic Faith and its teachings are the key to loving your children through divorce and preparing them to live full, joyful lives. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lynn Cassella-Kapusinski, LCPC, NCC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor, pastoral counselor, and a leading figure in Catholic pastoral care of children from divorced or separated families. Her work has been recognized by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI,

You've heard Easter's story, You know how it goes: Christ died for our sins And on Easter, he rose. But there's more to the story That you might not know. What happened above when God Triumphed below? Find out the answer in a story you'll treasure: God the Father and the Best Day Ever. With beautiful illustrations and memorable rhyme, this book tells the sweeping story of God's love for us since the beginning of time. Your child will learn how Jesus' life, death, and resurrection opened heaven, so we can spend eternity with God. God the Father and the Best Day Ever shows children that God is a father who is loving and lovable, helping them to grow in a relationship with him that will last a lifetime.

What does it mean to have a part in the Cross of Christ? It means to experience, in the Holy Spirit, the love hidden within the Cross of Christ. It means to recognize, in the light of this love, our own cross." "¬‚¬" Pope Saint John Paul II The Way of the Cross with Saint John Paul II provides a simple but profound opportunity to practice this devotion publicly or privately, during "¬‚¬" and beyond "¬‚¬" the Lenten season. Each of the fourteen stations is interpreted in light of one aspect or event in the life of John Paul II, from tragic losses to physical and emotional demands, his long illness, and the assassination attempt. His lived experience of the Cross is further confirmed by the words of fourteen witnesses who knew him or who were influenced by him. Walk the Way of the Cross with Saint John Paul and, like him, come to know the love of Christ that allows us "to take up that cross once more and, strengthened by this love, to continue our journey.

What if the Catholic Faith could make you a better runner? What if running could make you a better Catholic? Before you toss these ideas out with your last pair of running shoes, take the next thirty days and put them to the test. In The Catholic Runner: 30 Days of Motivation and Inspiration, Catholic runner Chris East-erly becomes your personal trainer and running buddy, encouraging you with stories of his own running successes and failures, along with Scripture, saints quotes, and insights that will keep you going or get you started. The brief daily devotions come with a (totally doable) running challenge and a prayer to keep with you during your day. Whether you're preparing for a 5K or a marathon, or you want to start running to improve your health, during these thirty days you'll notice changes. You'll find yourself growing closer to God and becoming a better runner "€" and a better Catholic! "€" because you'll be giving it all to him. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Chris Easterly is a professional screenwriter and independent filmmaker. A graduate of the prestig-ious Warner Brothers Television Writers Workshop, he has written for Fox, Cartoon Network, and the Hallmark Channel. His memoir Falling Forward was selected as an exclusive Amazon Kindle Single. Represented by Bauman Management in Los Angeles, he is a member of the Writers Guild of America.

In this special book from the creators of Tiny Saints(R) young readers get the chance to experience the saints in a new and vibrant way. Featured are: Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Peter, Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint Juan Diego, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Moses the Black, Saint Therese of Lisieux, Saint Florian, Saint George, Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Joseph, Saint Gianna, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint John Paul II, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Saint John Bosco, and Saint Maria Goretti.

When following her heart meant leaving home to live among fellow Christians, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha needed to trust. The journey was long and full of obstacles. But the voice in her heart was the voice of God, and He never lets us down. In You Do Not Need to Worry, young readers meet Saint Kateri Tekakwitha in a lesson inspired by the Gospel (Matthew 6).

You must love the Lord Your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind]€] and love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27. In Love God, Love me, Love You, young readers meet Saint Martin de Porres, a very special saint who lived to serve others. He leaves them with a simple gift to remember the "greatest commandment" found in Luke's gospel.

St. Therese of Lisieux once said, "The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm." What a perfect message for children from a saint nicknamed "The Little Flower." In I Am Little, Too, young readers will meet Saint Therese of Lisieux and learn just how special it is to be yourself.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati used to tell his friends how much he loved to feel "that pure joy which can only be felt in the mountains." He loved that there was a place he could go for peace and time with God. In I'm Joyful in the Mountains, young readers will meet this amazing young man and feel encouraged to connect with God through experiences that bring joy!

A beautiful way to introduce children to beloved saints with amazing illustration, rich with color and detail, reminiscent of magnificent stained-glass windows. Each page includes a Latin word associated with that particular saint, along with a brief discussion of the word's meaning.

You said yes. And now you're engaged. Congratulations! You're caught up in a whirlwind of wedding planning. But while everything out there is wrapping you in the superficial, everything inside you craves substance, rest, and simple joy. You want to prepare your heart and soul for this journey of marriage. Created for Love is the perfect reflection journal to help you be present in each moment of your engagement, moving past the to-do list so that you can treasure this time long after the wedding day. Here you'll find ten reflections on each of the characteristics that make a woman uniquely feminine "€"and encounter each one in yourself "€" as you grow to become the woman God made you to be, including: ReceptivityGenerositySensitivityMaternity Plus, there is space for journaling, Scripture to pray with, and saints to encourage you! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Chloe Langr is a Catholic author and podcaster. She's passionate about the feminine genius and is constantly inspired by Saint John Paul II. Chloe and her husband Joseph live with their family in Kansas City, Kansas. Find more about Chloe on her blog 'Old Fashioned Girl.