An accessible commentary that illuminates the Christian meaning of masculinity, fatherhood, marriage, and family life through the model of St. Joseph. Significant encyclical with pastoral commentary and discussion questions¿great for individual or group use.

Saint Joseph lived his life hidden in the Divine Light of the Sacred Mysteries. He was a living prayer of faith, trust, and dedication. Understand more clearly the great humility of dear Saint Joseph, who was constantly aware of the goodness of God and the nothingness of himself, in this beautiful account of his life, as revealed by Jesus to Sister Maria Cecilia Baij in 1736.

In his apostolic letter Patris Corde (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis reflects on Saint Joseph and his multifaceted role as a father. The purpose of this letter, Pope Francis writes, “is to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal.” Saint Joseph is a beloved father; a tender, loving father; an obedient father; an accepting father; a creatively courageous father; a working father; and a father in the shadows. As protector, advocate, and guardian of the Holy Family, Saint Joseph has always been venerated as a father to all Christians. With this letter, promulgated on the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis proclaimed a Year of Saint Joseph from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021. Patris Corde ends with a new prayer to Saint Joseph, and the OSV edition includes additional prayers and a litany to this beloved saint.

Keeping a faithful prayer life with your family isn't easy. From herding distracted children to managing the seemingly endless litany of prayers and devotions, our spiritual life all too often feels frantic and burdensome. This isn't the way it should be. Our prayer life, our family life, and our work life should — and can! — be in harmony. When they are, our family is a powerhouse of grace, and Our Lord transforms our home into a little Eden — a little bit of heaven on earth. With simplicity and holy wisdom, authors David Clayton and Leila Marie Lawler show you how to bring peace to your home by integrating your family into the calm, truly joyful way of Mother Church. Her feasts and seasons, prayers and devotions are gifts that draw us closer to God and unfold before us His marvelous plan of salvation. To help you live the liturgical life of the Church more fully, David and Leila reclaim here an almost lost tradition that families used for centuries to build a beautiful bridge between home and church: the little oratory. Consisting of a modest table and icons, the little oratory is a visible sign of spiritual awareness and devotion. It extends the Eucharistic worship of the Mass into the heart of your home, spiritually nourishing your family and preparing them to transform the world through prayer and charity. Building your own little oratory is simple, and in these pages you'll discover just how easy it is. In fact, you likely have most of the pieces in your home already except, perhaps, the sacred art. That's why we've included here seven full-colored icons that are ready for framing, enabling you to get started right away! By following the wise advice in this book, you'll discover the peace and love that flows from a home that is focused on Christ. You'll also learn . . . How to use sacred art to strengthen your prayer life. How to extend Catholic beliefs and devotions into every room of the house. Why the Liturgy of the Hours is important and how it can make your family holy. How to pray the Rosary with children and keep the rowdiest of them calm and reverent. The active role children can and should play in the prayer life of the family. What to do when only one parent takes the spiritual life seriously. How to overcome the feeling that you're too busy to pray. Practical ways to extend the liturgical life into your workplace. And countless other tips to help you practice your faith in the heart of your home. Scott Hahn “This is one of the most beautiful books I've ever seen. How I wish I'd had it when I first became a Catholic, not just for myself, as a husband and father, but for my family, too. If one book has the potential to transform the Catholic family (and society), this is it.” Thomas Howard “This book is a rare treasure.” Christopher West “A superb guide to making that encounter of thirsts a lived experience in the home.” Daria Sockey, author of The Everyday Catholic’s Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours “The Little Oratory will help you discover a pattern of daily prayer that truly fits your family life while creating a place of beauty in the heart of your home." Andreas Widmer, author of The Pope and the CEO “An indispensable resource for anyone seeking to make their home a breeding ground for holiness.” Elizabeth Foss, Founder, In the Heart of My Home “Leila Lawler and David Clayton offer wisdom and grace to Catholics seeking to make their homes a holy shelter.” Joseph Pearce, Editor of The St. Austin Review “Wonderful, inspiring, and deeply practical.” Stratford Caldecott, an Editor of Magnificat UK “A great blessing to Catholic families.” Father Robert Reed, President, CatholicTV Network “A perfect guide for any family who strives to make their home a place to experience the majesty and beauty of the Divine.”

Some Christians are satisfied with an "Arrived Jesus," a Jesus who had fully arrived at the moment of his birth in Bethlehem. He had nothing to learn, nothing to discover, no choices to make, and no place to go except to follow God's tight script for his life. His life was static.Yet, other Christians believe in a "Becoming Jesus," a Jesus who faced many crossroads and decision points, struggles and crises, all of which shaped his faithful response to God. This "Learning Jesus" was born into a world of stereotypes and bias and he, like others, had to overcome these human boundaries in order to become the Savior of the world. Jesus was an imaginative learner and an inspiring teacher. Like all human beings, he was a human becoming.

Incredibly revealing and edifying background of Our Lady, her parents and ancestors, St. Joseph, plus other people who figured into the coming of Christ. Many facts described about the Nativity and early life of Our Lord, as well as the final days of the Blessed Mother–all from the visions of this great mystic.