From the author of the best-selling book "Rediscover Catholicism" comes an inspiring new way to rediscover Lent. In this new book, you will find: a brief citation from a daily lectionary reading; a reflection on the beauty and importance of the Catholic faith and practice; a thought-provoking questions for meditation; and a brief prayer. These timely and inspirational words will help renew your enthusiasm for being Catholic, while encouraging you to delve more deeply into the spirituality of the lenten season.

How well do you know Jesus? I think about this often, and I always come to the same realization. I don't know Jesus anywhere near as well as I would like to know him. The desire is there, but life gets in the way. There are times when I seem to be making great progress, and other times when I wonder if I know him at all. But I always arrive back at the same inspiring and haunting idea: If there is one person that we should each get to know in a deeply personal way, it is Jesus the carpenter from Nazareth, the itinerant preacher, the Son of God, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the Lamb of God, the new Adam, the Messiah, the Alpha and the Omega, the Chosen One, the Light of the World, the God-Man who wants good things for us more than we want them for ourselves, the healer of our souls. The best time to rediscover Jesus is right now. You are holding this book in your hand at this very moment for a reason. I don't know what God has in store for you, but I am excited for you.

We are capable of so much more than we think. You have no idea what you are capable of. None of us do. God is constantly trying to open our eyes to the amazing possibilities that he has enfolded in our being. The saints continue this work, encouraging us to explore all our God-given potential, not with speeches but with the example of their lives. When we have the courage to collaborate with God and pursue our truest self, he lights a fire within us that is so bright and warm, it keeps shining long after our days on this earth have come to an end. The lives of the saints have captivated the people of every age for this very reason. There are two questions that confront the people of every place and time, questions that confront you and me today: Are you satisfied with the direction the world is moving in? Are you satisfied with your life? These questions are always before us, within us, around us. They are part of our spiritual quest and part of our human quest. These questions linger in our minds when we read the news of happenings in our own country and around the world. They tickle our souls when we witness the battle between good and evil, however it manifests in our own lives. Are you satisfied with the direction the world is moving in? This is one of life's inescapable questions, and we each respond with passionate action or selfish indifference. Our collective dissatisfaction with the direction of the world leads to the consensus that the world needs changing. And yet, we seem gripped by exasperation and paralyzed by the false belief that we can't do anything about it. The saints dispel that exasperation and inspire us to bold action. They remind us over and over again: We can change the world.

Take time this Advent to rediscover what it means to be Catholic with "Rediscover Advent," the new book from internationally known speaker and author Matthew Kelly. Each day you will find a brief citation from one of the lectionary readings for the day, a reflection on some aspect of Catholic faith and practice taken from Kellys bestselling book "Rediscover Catholicism," one or two questions for meditation, and a brief prayer. These timely and inspirational words will help renew your enthusiasm for being Catholic, while encouraging you to delve more deeply into the spirituality of the Advent season. Designed for individual reading or for group study, Rediscover Advent is the perfect companion as you prepare for the coming of Christ, both this year and for years to come.

We live hectic lives in a chaotic world. All this can lead to confusion that fogs the mind,unsettles the soul, and leads to poor decisions. Amidst such chaos and confusion, our soulsyearn for peace and clarity. We long to hear God¿s voice with greater clarity.God wants to put things in order. He wants to rearrange our priorities. If we let him, we will behappier than we ever thought possible in this lifetime, and finally then we will come to knowthe peace for which we all yearn, but so few of us ever find. Our Catholic spirituality isconstantly inviting us to establish the deep roots of order in our lives, and one of the best waysI know to do that is by praying the Rosary.The Rosary works. It¿s a very powerful way to pray. There is just something about it that settlesour hearts and minds. It puts everything in perspective and allows us to see things as they reallyare. It reaches deep down into our souls and puts us at ease, creating a peace that is rare andbeautiful. When I pray the Rosary, I am a better person. It makes me a better son, brother, husband,father, employer, neighbor, citizen, and a better member of the human family. It teaches me toslow down, calm down, let go, surrender, and listen. The Rosary teaches me how to simply be; and that is not a small or insignificant lesson. It is the perfect prayer for busy people in a busy,noisy, confused world.But don¿t take my word for it. Try it for yourself. Develop a habit of praying the Rosary.The Rosary will focus you. It will calm your heart, mind, and spirit, so you can hear the voice ofGod. It will open the eyes of your heart so that you can recognize him at work in your life. It willlead you to make better decisions, become a better listener, get clear about what matters mostand what matters least, and fill your life with peace and order. Discover for yourself thetreasures of this powerful, ancient prayer.

The annual Lenten pilgrimage to dozens of Rome’s most striking churches is a sacred tradition dating back almost two millennia, to the earliest days of Christianity. Along this historic spiritual pathway, today’s pilgrims confront the mysteries of the Christian faith through a program of biblical and early Christian readings amplified by some of the greatest art and architecture of western civilization. In Roman Pilgrimage, bestselling theologian and papal biographer George Weigel, art historian Elizabeth Lev, and photographer Stephen Weigel lead readers through this unique religious and aesthetic journey with magnificent photographs and revealing commentaries on the pilgrimage’s liturgies, art, and architecture. Through reflections on each day’s readings about faith and doubt, heroism and weakness, self-examination and conversion, sin and grace, Rome’s familiar sites take on a new resonance. And along that same historical path, typically unexplored treasures—artifacts of ancient history and hidden artistic wonders—appear in their original luster, revealing new dimensions of one of the world’s most intriguing and multi-layered cities. A compelling guide to the Eternal City, the Lenten Season, and the itinerary of conversion that is Christian life throughout the year, Roman Pilgrimage reminds readers that the imitation of Christ through faith, hope, and love is the template of all true discipleship, as the exquisite beauty of the Roman station churches invites reflection on the deepest truths of Christianity.

Pope John Paul II's pontificate has been one of the longest and most eventful of the whole history of the Catholic Church. More importantly, this Pope's enduring and courageous preaching of the Gospel message throughout the world has meant that an unprecedented number of people have been exposed to its challenging and invigorating influence. People of the most varied cultures and degrees of Christian commitment have listened to this ambassador of Christ as he addressed their needs and concerns while digging deep into the words of Jesus. Many have been moved to take up the Gospels themselves and rediscover their on-going relevance. Others have felt their devotion to the Church strengthened or have better understood its call to conquer evil with good, violence and hatred with forgiveness, selfishness and pride with humility and self-giving. The present volume is a small representation of John Paul II's teaching presented as a help to those who wish to live the Christian Church's season of Lent more meaningfully. However, it can also meet the interest of inquirers who wish to know something of the Pope's message to Christians and of his hopes for a world in which the respect for truth and the knowledge of God's love bring joy and peace to the hearts of many. Book jacket.