"I am Jesus. And I want to say, 'Happy First Holy Communion Day!'" In this unique gift book, Jesus speaks warmly and lovingly to children who are receiving him in the Eucharist for the first time. In twelve scenes from Scripture from Creation to Pentecost, Jesus explains that it is his Father's plan for each child to be part of their family of love. He invites the child to be his friend and to draw close to him in the Eucharist and in prayer. Each Scripture scene is colorfully illustrated by Italian artist Maria Cristina Lo Cascio. This book also features An opening dedication page; Pages to record memories, including photos, church programs, and a space for children to write or draw; Traditional prayers such as the Our Father and Hail Mary.

I am Jesus. Im your friend and I love you. And Im waiting for you to come to Mass! Jesus loves children and wants to draw close to them during the Mass. In this beautifully illustrated book, Jesus speaks directly to children, explaining the Mass by linking the liturgy to scenes from the Gospels. Reading this book with children will help them understand what is happening when they go to Mass and why Jesus is so happy they are there. Illustrations of objects used at Mass, as well as several prayers for children, are also included. This book can be read before Mass to help prepare children for the celebration or brought to Mass so that children can follow each part of the liturgy. The goal is to help children connect the actions of the Mass with Jesus gift of himself in the Eucharist.

A brother and sister celebrate and prepare for this Catholic rite of passage in the twenty-fourth title in Natasha Wing's best-selling paperback series featuring rhyming text in the style of the classic Clement C. Moore holiday poem. On the night before their First Communion, a brother and sister get ready for this important event. All the family is there--family, grandparents, godparents--to help them prepare for the following day.

An appealing gift for children aged 7+ to give as a memento of the occasion and a guide to the meaning of the life of faith

Most children are baptized as infants. This beautifully illustrated book will endure for years after that special day, helping children to realize that at their baptism, they became a child of God and a member of his family, the Church. Jesus speaks directly to the children, explaining step by step what happened at their baptism and why. Each part of the rite is linked to a scene from Scripture, such as the story of Noahs Ark and Jesus own baptism in the Jordan. Pages for photos and other memories make this a thoughtful gift for any child who is being baptizeda gift they will enjoy as they begin to understand the special friendship they have with Jesus.

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.”

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From one of the world’s most influential spiritual thinkers, a long-awaited book exploring what it means that Jesus was called “Christ,” and how this forgotten truth can restore hope and meaning to our lives. “Anyone who strives to put their faith into action will find encouragement and inspiration in the pages of this book.”—Melinda Gates In his decades as a globally recognized teacher, Richard Rohr has helped millions realize what is at stake in matters of faith and spirituality. Yet Rohr has never written on the most perennially talked about topic in Christianity: Jesus. Most know who Jesus was, but who was Christ? Is the word simply Jesus’s last name? Too often, Rohr writes, our understandings have been limited by culture, religious debate, and the human tendency to put ourselves at the center. Drawing on scripture, history, and spiritual practice, Rohr articulates a transformative view of Jesus Christ as a portrait of God’s constant, unfolding work in the world. “God loves things by becoming them,” he writes, and Jesus’s life was meant to declare that humanity has never been separate from God—except by its own negative choice. When we recover this fundamental truth, faith becomes less about proving Jesus was God, and more about learning to recognize the Creator’s presence all around us, and in everyone we meet. Thought-provoking, practical, and full of deep hope and vision, The Universal Christ is a landmark book from one of our most beloved spiritual writers, and an invitation to contemplate how God liberates and loves all that is.