Archive for the 'Books' Category
An Introduction to Lectio Divina
The Roman Catholic Chuch teaches us that we should pray by singing songs during the mass, saying a prayer and being silent so that we can prepare ourselves to listen to God’s words. Praying to God is essentially forming a wonderful relationship with God that is full of trust, faith and love. There are a variety of Catholic Books to learn how to pray.
In the book Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina the “Catholic theologian and biblical scholar Dr. Tim Gray walks the reader through the Bible and the wisdom of the saints to reveal the practical steps of this great treasure of our Tradition. Learning the simple steps of lectio divina will provide a practical and effective way for you to enhance your prayer life through the power of God’s Word.”
Party planning is my life. Seriously, I live for the moments I can send out my carefully crafted, handwritten invitations to request the presence of my closest friends and family. Then I prepare for the spectacular by decorating my living room and kitchen with bright pink and soft yellow streamers, balloons and centerpieces. And as I wait for the first guest to arrive I anxiously pace about the house, straightening picture frames and dusting bookcases.
Ding dong! As the party members file into my home I greet them all with tiny presents. I couldn’t decide between Catholic gifts and books, so I went with hand-embroidered towels. Providing each guest with a party favor is an important tradition in my family. We feel it’s necessary to honor a friendship with a token of lasting love and appreciation. And handing out gifts is always a crowd pleaser.
For Catholics, baptism is a new birth. The child is consecrated to Catholicism using the symbols of water and Spirit. Baptism is a happy occasion that is typically celebrated with food for the guests and gifts for the baby. Common Catholic baby christening gifts are keepsakes featuring inspirational sentiments. These are personalized and are meant to be kept and given to the baby when he is older.
Just because this is a Catholic rite and the baby is being baptized doesn’t mean that the baby gets baptism gifts catholic. It is common practice to give the baby toys and clothes and books that would be given just like in any other occasion. Great baby gifts are baby clothes, booties and mittens. Babies grow so fast, mommy will appreciate a sure supply all the time.
It’s good to know that certain religious stores do not limit their items and offerings to English-speaking patrons. A few good Catholic stores online sell both English and Spanish books, as well as a variety of other remarkable religious stuff like patron saint medals, rosaries, and home decor.
The Pray the Rosary Booklet is an excellent and affordable publication that is available in both English and Spanish. Its new expanded edition features the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries, plus the five luminous mysteries. Full color illustrations and matching text render each mystery more special and meaningful. Best for novenas, this pocket-sized booklet can be purchased for personal use or given as a gift. The Spanish version will surely be appreciated by those who consider Spanish their first language.
Other noteworthy Spanish Catholic books are Mi Primera Biblia, Orar con El Padre Pio and Historia de un Alma – Santa Teresa de Lisie
For many parents their baby’s baptism is the most important day in their lives. In the Catholic Church the baptism signifies the purification of the infant’s soul by removing both the guilt and punishment of Original sin. Catholic parents believe that delaying an infant’s baptism can put the child’s soul into jeopardy should he die unbaptized.
This is such a special day that most Catholic parents invite all their friends and family to the church to celebrate the event. Many people bring religious baptismal gifts to these occasions. One good gift idea is a baptism book. These books include prayers that a child can say at bedtime along with simply expressed statements of Catholic Christian belief that are young-children appropriate. These books are sentimental keepsakes that can help kids better understand the importance of their baptisms, since most were too young to remember the event.