Paperback edition of the Winner of three 2005 Catholic Press Association Books Awards! Design and Production First Place. As the Mother of God, Mary surpasses all other humans and yet is united with all who are to be saved. Here you will find a magnificent and inspiring collection of colorful images, meditations, and prayers about and for Mary, both painted and written.Many of McGraths paintings in this collection are the result of his loving fascination with Black Madonnas, which have inspired pilgrims, saints, and sin-sick souls for centuries. Combined with Richard Fragomenis poetic and candid prayers, these images of Mary speak directly to all people who struggle to find meaning and joy in a world filled with crisis, divisiveness, and insecurity. They speak, too, to the artistic, creative soul in all of us, which longs to see things in new and challenging ways while holding on to the history and traditions of our Catholic heritage.

Insightful thoughts and stunning illustrations illuminate the mystery of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and one of the most popular religious figures. "Blessed Art Thou Among Women" is a beautiful collection of meditations from today's most prominent religious thinkers and popular personalities depicting Mary in all her incarnations throughout history and throughout the world.

Let's talk about Mary. Not everyone needs a brother or sister or savior, or accepts that a savior has arrived historically or will do so one day. But everyone once had a mother. We all need the mother figure, and if any confirmation of this basic fact is required, it lies in the great respect shown "Mary" or "Miriam" by other religions. Jesus does not necessarily figure as a vessel of salvation for Muslims and Jews, but He is held in high regard, and the young woman who gave birth to Him and raised Him is praised. Whoever she was, she must have been substantial, smart and strong. She must have been a fine mother.

In this “irresistible memoir that’s equal parts pathos and belly laughs,” the Irish American writer and actor shares stories from his first decade in the US (People). Malachy McCourt left behind a childhood of poverty and painful memories of his father and mother in Limerick, Ireland, when he followed his brother, Frank, to America in 1952. In A Monk Swimming, McCourt recounts the decade that followed. With not much to his name other than his sharp wit and knack for storytelling, McCourt was unsure what he would do after arriving in New York City. He worked as a longshoreman on the Brooklyn docks, became the first celebrity bartender in a Manhattan saloon, performed on stage with the Irish Players, and told tales to Jack Paar on The Tonight Show. Although McCourt gained success, money, women, and, eventually, children of his own, he still carried memories of the past with him. So, he fled again. He found himself in the Manhattan Detention Complex, otherwise known as the Tombs. He was arrested several times: poolside in Beverly Hills, in Zurich with gold-smugglers, and again in Calcutta with sex workers. McCourt’s journey also took him to Paris, Rome, and even Limerick again, until finally he was forced to grapple with his past. “[A] funny, oddly winning book.” —The New York Times “A rollicking good read that, as the Irish say, would make a dead man laugh.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer “A triumphant tale. . . . You will find yourself laughing through the tears.” —Newsday “Howlingly funny.” —Atlanta Journal-Constitution “Build[s] on the story of the McCourts’ early life so dazzlingly told in Angela’s Ashes by his brother Frank.” —Thomas Keneally, author of the international bestseller Schindler’s List

The 1928 Book of Common Prayer is a treasured resource for traditional Anglicans and others who appreciate the majesty of King James-style language. This classic edition features a Presentation section containing certificates for the rites of Baptism, Confirmation, and Marriage. The elegant burgundy hardcover binding is embossed with a simple gold cross, making it an ideal choice for both personal study and gift-giving. The 1928 Book of Common Prayer combines Oxford's reputation for quality construction and scholarship with a modest price - a beautiful prayer book and an excellent value.

This is a Jewish prayer book, or Siddur, containing prayers, meditations, and texts used during life passage ceremonies including circumcision, marriage and funerals, with variants for Jewish holy days. It includes texts such as the Ten Commandments, the Maimonidean 13 Principles of Faith, and the Pirqe Aboth (Ethics of the Fathers). This Siddur, The Standard Prayer Book, appears to have been widely used in the early 20th century.

The Angelus is a centuries-old Catholic devotion that recalls the annunciation of Christ’s birth by the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary. In Praying the Angelus, popular author and speaker Jared Dees reinvigorates the devotion, shares intimately from his own experience of it, shows us how to get started, and enriches the practice with original meditations to reflect on the words of both the Angelus and the Regina Caeli. Jared Dees was twenty-seven and in his fourth year of teaching religion in a Catholic school when he first experienced the Angelus. The creator of The Religion Teacher website allows the devotion to anchor his prayer life and challenge him to daily conversion of heart and will. Dees introduces the Angelus devotion and explores its rich history and significance for the Church. As spiritual companion and guide, he offers meditations on the words and images of both the Angelus and the Regina Caeli, which is prayed during the Easter season. We find lessons about the power of repetitive prayer, the humility of being a disciple, the importance of admitting time belongs to God, the wisdom of taking time with discernment, and the joy of resting in the Lord’s presence. He shares personal stories of the life-change power of the Angelus and guides both newcomers and those already familiar with the prayer to contemplate the mysteries of salvation that lie at the heart of the devotion—the Annunciation, Incarnation, and Resurrection. Named for the opening words of the devotion's first prayer in Latin, "The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary," the Angelus is typically prayed at 6:00 a.m., noon, and 6:00 p.m. each day. Likewise the Regina Caeli is named for the opening lines of its prayer, "Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia." Praying the Angelus is supported by Dees’s website, TheAngelusPrayer.com, where people can gather online to participate in and share this devotion with others.