Catherine McAuley (1778-1841), the founder of the Sisters of Mercy in 1831, frequently gave oral instructions to the first Mercy community. Though she sometimes spoke explicitly about their religious vows, her words were always focused on the life, example, teachings, and evangelic spirit of Jesus Christ, emphasizing "resemblance" to him, and fidelity to the calls of the Gospel. Her instructions have, therefore, a broad present-day relevance that can be inspiring and encouraging for all Christians. They are the "shining" words of a companion, a soul-friend, who offers guiding light to those who wend their pilgrim way toward the full embrace of God's merciful reign.

A powerful, moving, and revelatory novel set in nineteenth-century Africa--the captivating story of the loyal men and women who carried the body of explorer and missionary David Livingstone from Zambia to Zanzibar so that his remains could be returned home to England. Dawn, 1 May 1873, on the outskirts of Chitambo's village, near Lake Bangweulu in modern-day Zambia. The Scottish explorer and missionary David Livingstone has died. He had been heading south in the African interior on an increasingly maniacal mission to penetrate the greatest secret of Victorian exploration. He wanted to find the source of the world's longest river, the Nile. Instead, on an isolated and swampy floodplain, Dr. Livingstone found his death. How Livingstone is to be buried will be decided by his African companions, a group of sixty-nine men, women, and children. They decide that come what may, Livingstone, his papers and maps, must all be carried to England. They bury his heart and other organs under a tree and dry his flesh like jerky in the sun. Over nine months, battling severe illness and hunger, hostile chiefs and unknown terrain, all while taking a tortuous route of more than 1,000 miles to the coast to avoid marauding slave traders, they march with Livingstone's body and the evidence of his explorations. Their journey has been called "the most extraordinary story in African exploration." In this novel, their story is retold anew in the distinct, indelible voices of Livingstone's sharp-tongued female cook, Halima; a repressed, formerly enslaved African missionary named Jacob Wainwright; and the collective voice of the retainers. The result is a profound and tragic journey--an epic like no other--that encompasses all of the hypocrisy of slavery and colonization while celebrating resilience, loyalty, and love. In Out of Darkness, Shining Light, Petina Gappah has created an ambitious and artful masterpiece.

Make Me a Shining Lamp is a collection of nine short stories that share the life of 'Abdu'l-Bahá in a fun and inspirational way for children four to eight years old. Each story serves as a mini-lesson to teach a virtue and includes a quote from 'Abdu'l-Bahá, a reflection question, and a prayer. Forming a relationship with 'Abdu'l-Bahá is an exciting journey for children. Learning to love 'Abdu'l-Bahá inspires children to connect with their best selves and nurture the seeds of virtue within their hearts. Virtues serve as compass points to guide a child's choices and actions, helping them become shining lamps and brilliant stars. Prayers and reflections at the end of each story help young hearts think about their own lives and values while nurturing a meaningful relationship with their Creator. Dispersed throughout the book are photos of 'Abdu'l-Bahá. His tender eyes and magnetic countenance serve to both engage and open hearts.

A Bahá?í-inspired rhyming children's picture book including a prayer and descriptions of 'Abdu'l?Bahá. Abdu'l-Bahá was the son of Bahá'u'lláh, a Messenger of God for the Bahá?ís. 'Abdu'l-Bahá's was the head of the Baha'i' Faith when His Father died and led a life of service to humanity. This book is written to share 'Abdu'l?Bahá's kind spirit, dedication to serving others, and to make His love for all known, even for the youngest of readers.

Mary C. Sullivan, R.S.M., is Professor Emerita of Language and Literature, and Dean Emerita of the College of Liberal Arts, at the Rochester Institute of Technology. She is the author of numerous works, including The Correspondence of Catherine McAuley, 1818-1841 (CUA Press) and Catherine McAuley and the Tradition of Mercy.