Adoring The Saints

Mexico is famous for spectacular fiestas that embody its heart and soul. An expression of the cult of the saint, patron saint fiestas are the centerpiece of Mexican popular religion and of great importance to the lives and cultures of people and communities. These fiestas have their own language, objects, belief systems, and practices. They link Mexico's past and present, its indigenous and European populations, and its local and global relations. This work provides a comprehensive study of two intimately linked patron saint fiestas in the state of Guanajuato, near San Miguel de Allende—the fiesta of the village of Cruz del Palmar and that of the town of San Luis de la Paz. These two fiestas are related to one another in very special ways involving both religious practices and their respective pre-Hispanic origins. A mixture of secular and sacred, patron saint fiestas are multi-day affairs that include many events, ritual specialists, and performers, with the participation of the entire community. Fiestas take place in order to honor the saints, and they are the occasion for religious ceremonies, processions, musical performances, dances, and dance dramas. They feature spectacular costumes, enormous puppets, masked and cross-dressed individuals, dazzling fireworks, rodeos, food stands, competitions, and public dances. By encompassing all of these events and performances, this work displays the essence of Mexico, a lens through which this country's complex history, religion, ethnic mix, traditions, and magic can be viewed.

This inspiring coloring book for children presents beautifully detailed pictures, ranging from symbols of the Eucharist to images of the saints who contributed to our understanding and devotion to the Eucharist. Written and illustrated by artist Katherine Sotnik, this book teaches as it entertains, showing the vessels for the liturgy as well as explaining the different names and terms that the Eucharist has.

Saints introduces some popular saints, explains how to recognize them, relates the stirring story behind each painting, and encourages you to take a closer look.

Pocket Guide to Adoration equips Catholics with the tools they need to improve the way they pray and cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist. Drawing from the wisdom of the Church and the writings from spiritual masters like St. Teresa of Avila and Fulton Sheen, Fr. Josh Johnson has produced an evergreen resource that Catholics will want to take with them every time they go to Adoration. This pocket guide includes: Stories of Eucharistic miracles Lectio divina prompts and reflections Inspiration from the saints Litanies and devotionals, including the Litany of Trust by Sr. Faustina Maria Pia of the Sisters of Life. Its small size makes it easy to carry, fit into a purse or handbag, or hand out at your parish. It has a beautiful Alpha Cowhide cover that will last for years. Catholics who struggle to stay focused in prayer, who struggle to be consistent in their relationship with Jesus, who don t know what to do in Adoration, or who simply need encouragement and inspiration to get there, will deeply appreciate this tiny but mighty book. This essential pocket guide by Fr. Josh Johnson teaches Catholics: How to remain fixed on the face of Jesus during adoration. What to do with the distractions that will inevitably come in prayer. How to discern with the Holy Spirit the invitation from Jesus to rest during their time in Eucharistic Adoration. How to overcome spiritual dryness. How to pray with the Sacred Scriptures. How to pray with the mysteries of the Rosary during Adoration. How to pray with the lives of the saints. How to discern practical, concrete actions to take after Adoration.

Christianity has always been a "creedal" religion in that it has always been theological. It was rooted in the theological tradition of ancient Israel, which was unifi ed by its historical credos and declaratory affi rmations of faith. No pre-theological era has been discovered in the New Testament or in the history of the Christian community. From the beginning Christianity has been theological, involving men in theological refl ection and calling them to declarations of faith. A non-theological Christianity has simply never endured, although such has been attempted, for instance, by individual seers in the sixteenth century and also by collaborators with totalitarian ideologies in the twentieth century. The creeds presented here range from the ancient faith of the Hebrews and the creed-like formulas of the New Testament to the Barmen declaration of 1934 (framed by the Christians in Germany who faced the threat of Nazism) and the Batak Creed of 1951 (in which Indonesian Christians gave authentic expression to their religious belief in the idiom of their own culture. All the creeds are in some sense "offi cial," and every major division of Christendom is represented, including the Younger Churches. The volume ends with the messages of the most important assemblies dealing with the Ecumenical Movement. This single volume, containing all the major theological affi rmations of the Christian community, is a source book for the study of Christian theology. It comprises a record of the Church's interpretation of the Bible in the past and an authoritative guide to its interpretation on the present. Indeed, it is a guide to an understanding of the Christian interpretation of life. "John H. Leith" was Pemberton Professor of Theology at Union Theology Seminary. He was a member of numerous societies including The Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, New Hope Presbytery and the American Society of Church History. He is the author of numerous books including "The Best of Times and the Worst of Times for Religion, Especially Christian Faith, John Calvin's Doctrine of the Christian Life," and "An Introduction to the Reformed Tradition."