Spiritual Life
A Tale of Hope
by Josephine Nobisso
With exquisite artwork and evocative text, this original fable explores the events of Jesus' life, and demonstrates the role of the Virgin Mary as the benevolent agent of God's people. Reduced to desolation by a king and prince who feel they have been wronged, the residents of a once-favored village must seek help from the queen, a native of their devastated town. Religious subjects are presented clearly in an allegorical style that proves entertaining, and also serves to provide children with examples of virtue and good behaviour.
Also available in paperback.
Hardcover with dust jacket, size 11.75" x 8.25", 32 pages
by Mother Mary Loyola
The King of the Golden City is an allegorical tale which has stood the test of time because of the beauty of its symbolism and the richness of its spiritual advice. Written for children yet beloved by all, the only complaint lodged against it has been that its main character is female, leaving many boys to feel that this tale is better suited for girls.
Encouraged by the original French translators of this book, who created parallel editions for boys and girls, we have now remedied this single fault!
In this brand new edition adapted especially for boys, readers will find the tale of Dilectus and his friends every bit as charming and instructive as before--and now boys as well as girls will find it easy to become the hero of the story and make it their own!
Softcover, size 8.5" x 5.5", 130 pages
by Rev. William R. Kelly
Instructions in Story Form for Use in the Primary Grades
Follow Tom and Ann as they learn about the Sacraments from their Uncle John. What is grace, and how do we get it? And how do the Sacraments help us? What are the outward signs of each Sacrament? Find the answers to these questions and more in Our Sacraments.
Paperback, size 8" x 5.25", 130 pages
by A Sister of Notre Dame
This collection of First Communion day stories has remained popular among children ever since they were first published in the early 1920s. They have stood the test of time for two simple reasons: they are wonderful stories, and they are all true. Even those that are sad have the power to inspire young and old with renewed love for our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
Originally published as two separate books, True Stories for First Communicants and First Communion Days, they were reprinted in 1949 with new illustrations by Rosemary de Souza. Years later, in 2003, this 1949 impression was brought back into print by Neumann Press. We have gone back to the original books, combined both sets of stories under one cover, and have restored the original black and white illustrations by Wilfrid Pippet.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 198 pages
by E.T.W. Branscombe
Come along on a journey toward our Heavenly Home as we learn about God and His Church, how to talk to Him in Prayer, and how to receive His graces for the journey through the Sacraments.
Why did God make us?
Why is it sometimes hard to be good?
What can we do when we have hurt our best friend Jesus through sin?
Find the answers to these questions and more in Heavenward Bound.
Paperback, size 7.5" x 9.25", 96 pages
by Mother Mary Loyola
In Hail! Full of Grace, Mother Loyola brings her full talent for storytelling to bear on the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary. Like a tourguide to the Holy Land, she brings the reader along on a journey through the lives of our Lord and of his Blessed Mother. We experience, through her vivid illustration, the breathless anticipation, the drudgery and hardship, the depths of sorrow and despair, and the heights of joy unimaginable. No detail escapes her notice as she travels on, until her readers feel less that they have meditated upon the mysteries of the Rosary, and rather more that they have experienced them firsthand.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 207 pages
by Fr John Furniss, C.SS.R
One of the devil’s favorite ways of tempting us to follow him down the broad path is by convincing us there is no hell. Yet Christ himself admonishes us in the Gospels:
“And if thy hand scandalize thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life, maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into unquenchable fire: Where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not extinguished.” (Mk. 9:42-43)
What better reminder can we have to remain on the narrow path, despite its hardships and sorrows, than a vivid picture of the torments awaiting us at the end of the broad path? The Sight of Hell is just such a picture. Based on scriptural passages and the accounts of the saints, this book seeks to describe for us—yes, even for children!—the very real horrors that await the wicked in this life.
Suggested Age Range:5-12
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 64 pages
by Fr Gerald T Brennan
These Angel Food books, frosted with Christ-like charm, simplicity, and attractive truths, are here served for the additional delight of the many who have enjoyed other Father Brennan books.
Volume I includes: "The Devil at the Door", "Marty's First Mass", "The Girl in the Shabby Dress", "The Boy Who Made God Smile", etc...
Each volume also has a topical index relating various subjects in the stories to chapters in the Baltimore Catechism (No. 2).
Hardcover, size 7.25" x 5.5", 114 pages
by Fr Gerald T Brennan
These Angel Food books, frosted with Christ-like charm, simplicity, and attractive truths, are here served for the additional delight of the many who have enjoyed other Father Brennan books.
Volume II includes: "The Orphan's Plea", "A Surprise for a King", "Half Past Three", etc...
Each volume also has a topical index relating various subjects in the stories to chapters in the Baltimore Catechism (No. 2).
Hardback, size 7.25" x 5.5", 125 pages
by Fr Gerald T Brennan
These Angel Food books, filled with Christ-like charm, simplicity, and attractive truths, are here served for the additional delight of the many who have enjoyed other Father Brennan books.
Angel Food for Boys & Girls, Volume III, contains over two dozen short stories, including: "Is God Very Big?", "Jesus! Are You There?", "A Mother's Note," and many more.
Each volume also has a topical index relating various subjects in the stories to chapters in the Baltimore Catechism (No2).
Hardcover, size 7.25" x 5.5", 114 pages
by Fr Gerald T Brennan
These Angel Food books, frosted with Christ-like charm, simplicity, and attractive truths, are here served for the additional delight of the many who have enjoyed other Father Brennan books.
Angel Food for Boys & Girls Volume IV includes: "St. Peter Goes Shopping", "The Priest of Times Square", "Jesus' Workshop", etc...
Each volume also has a topical index relating various subjects in the stories to chapters in the Baltimore Catechism (No. 2).
Hardcover, size 7.25" x 5.5", 126 pages
First Prayers For Little Catholics
by Sister M. Juliana, O.P., of the Maryknoll Sisters
Explains the sign of the cross, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and prayers before and after meals. Filled with illustrations on every page.
Age range from 2-10
Paperback, size 6.3" x 5.2", 32 pages, Impr, 1951
For other titles in this series please click here.
With the Church, Volume 2
The Ascension to Advent
by Mother Mary Loyola
When writing the first volume of With the Church, Mother Loyola took care to focus on the "meat" of the Church Year. Bedridden and suffering one illness after another, she could not take for granted that she would finish both volumes. How grateful we are that God allowed her the time to complete not only this book, but another--her swan song, Trust.
While this volume focuses no less on what our Lord has done for us, it does so always in the context of the burning question: what have YOU done for HIM lately? This is perhaps the most personal and immediate of her writings, with many reflections showing her readiness for death and a remembrance of those who had played a significant part in her life, such as her early mentor, Fr. John Morris, Frank Sheed and Maisie Ward, both a driving force behind the Catholic Evidence Guild, and especially Fr. Herbert Thurston, her longtime friend and editor, who at the time was in the midst of his colossal revision of Alban Butler's Lives of the Saints--which no doubt explains why this is the only one of Mother Loyola's major works that does not list him as editor.
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 340 pages
The Voyage of the Pax
An Allegory
by Dom Bede Camm, O.S.B.
In writing this allegory to help explain the religious life to the boy oblates in his charge, Dom Bede drew upon the struggles he experienced during his conversion, as well as an experience from his Oxford years, when shipwrecked off the coast of Spain. Left clinging to the wreckage along with his fellow passengers for 17 hours, upon being rescued, he decided to consecrate his life to the service of God in thanksgiving.
The Voyage of the PAX, then, is a thrilling seafaring allegory portraying the journey of life, with its many threats to our souls, as a voyage of several young men, crossing the high seas to reach their home in the Golden City. They must work hard and make difficult decisions in order to pass the straits of Mors and enter into the haven of Æternitas.
This story is a perfect follow-up for those who loved Mother Mary Loyola's The King of the Golden City.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 72 pages
Talks before Confirmation
by Mother Mary Loyola
Any book on the sacrament of Confirmation can explain what Confirmation is, but this is the only book that explains, in the most original and engaging manner, what Confirmation does. It is both a dialogue and a travelogue, taking the reader on a journey from the Crusades to the Crimea; from medieval ceremonies of Knighthood to early modern methods of warfare.What does it mean to be a Soldier of Christ? For the true child of God, life is a daily battle against a well-concealed foe--that is, our own flaws and failings--and Mother Mary Loyola proposes to arm young recruits adequately for this task, leaving no stone unturned in her quest to root out this 'enemy at home'. This is the sort of basic training no young Catholic should be without.
Please note: this is considered a revised edition due to the correction of errors in the original text, the addition of selected footnotes, and minor clarifications in punctuation or phrasing. No material has been removed or rewritten.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 354 pages
by Caryll Houselander
Tales about Catholic children to form your own little ones in holy wisdom and piety.
Caryll Houselander is best known for the intensity of her vision of the suffering Christ and His immeasurable love for us, a theme that she frequently spoke of with breathtaking luminosity in her many books about Him.
Few know, however, of the many remarkable stories she wrote for Catholic children — delightful tales that are simple but not shallow. Indeed, like her books for adults, they manifest a tender love of Christ and His little ones not commonly found among us these days.
Here are twelve of Houselander's best tales, charmingly illustrated with Renée George's lively drawings of pirates and princesses, castles and kings.
Through the tale of Jack and Jim, even young children will grasp the meaning of Christ's suffering; in Racla the Gypsy, they'll discover the charity which is at the heart of the Eucharist; in the The Curé's Guest, they'll see how Christ makes up for the sins of others.
All the stories touch on Catholic themes, but these tales are not really catechetical. Yes, they do take for granted that Catholicism — especially prayer and the Mass — plays a large role in the lives of these children, but they do something more . . . and more important.
Tale after tale introduces children to the tender love that Jesus has for each of them, and to the fire of love for Him that can burn in the hearts of Catholics — even in the hearts of little ones like themselves.
There is no better gift you can give to a young child.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 160 pages
The Catechism Explained by Stories and Examples
Organised according to the questions and answers of the Baltimore Catechism
by Fr Francis Spirago
From the author of The Catechism Explained: An Exhaustive explanation of Christian Doctrine, now comes the Catechism Explained: By Stories and Examples. This classic work draws from saints, classical antiquity, medieval and early modern figures, and cultural stories to illustrate what the teachings of the Catholic faith are. Fr. Spirago, in his introduction notes:
“The great value of examples and illustrations in teaching children and the uneducated is universally acknowledged. The Romans used to say: Verba movent, exempla trahent (Words influence, examples attract). The reason for this is that examples stimulate the imitative instinct, which is strong in most people, especially in the young; consequently they are a powerful factor in education. In imparting instruction, also, examples are of no slight assistance, for they serve to elucidate the teaching, to render the lesson interesting and attractive, and keep the attention of the scholar from wandering. The teacher need only say: Now, children, I am going to tell you a story, and all eyes are forthwith fixed on him.”
Spirago’s wonderful volume of Catechetical Stories has been arranged around the question and answer format of the Baltimore Catechism. Thus, each question and answer of the Catechism has accompanied by a series of stories illustrating its teaching, drawn from the depths of Catholic Tradition. This new addition has been supplemented by stories from the lives of the saints and historical anecdotes.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 536
Also available in Hardcover.
by Fr Manousos
Originally published by the Catechetical Guild in 1955 (Imprimatur Francis Cardinal Spellman), this is the "comic" book companion to Know Your Mass. Both illustrated by Addison Burbank in full color.
The book presents the life of Our Lord from the Annunciation to His Ascension in a manner easily understood by children. Adults will find the seamless integration of the Gospels informative as well.
An ideal companion to Know Your Mass, which presents the unbloody Sacrifice of the Mass...here, children learn to know and love He Who is the Sacrifice. Even students who excel in religion class often do not KNOW Our Lord...they don't yet understand Scripture, the Gospels do not read like the stories they are used to. The Life of Christ introduces them to their Savior in a way they can understand and love.
Great for religion classes and makes an excellent gift for the Feast of St. Nicholas, Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, First Holy Communion, name days, birthdays, etc. Highly recommended.
96pp, softcover, 393 full color illustrations
by Fr. Manousos
Originally published by the Catechetical Guild in 1954 (Imprimatur Francis Cardinal Spellman), this is a "comic" book unlike any other. Know Your Mass is a detailed, fully illustrated, step by step explanation of the Traditional Latin Mass now reprinted for the first time in full color!
The book presents the theology of the Mass in a manner easily understood by children and yet is incredibly interesting and informative for adults as well. This should come as no surprise to those who have read The Seven Sacraments, another Angelus Press reprint by Fr. Manousos, who has the amazing ability to take solid theology and present it to children...without dumbing it down. He was truly a gifted writer.
This makes Know Your Mass an excellent catechetical tool for all ages. All parts of the Holy Sacrifice are covered, from the preparation for Mass, the altar, sacred vessels and vestments, liturgical actions, the sanctuary, and some liturgical history as well, including helpful suggestions for children to get the most or should we say GIVE the most at Mass. Ideal, NO, PERFECT, as a First Holy Communion gift. Great for converts as well.
Anyone who delves into this book cannot come away ignorant of the true significance of the liturgical representation of Our Lord's Sacrifice on Calvary that is the Holy Mass. Highly recommended.
Paperback, size 10" x 7", 96 pages
The Promises of the Sacred Heart
by Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik, S.V.D.
This book by beloved author Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik, introduces Catholic children to the Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Among the features of this book are:
- a list of the twelve promises that Jesus told Saint Margaret Mary He would keep to those who honor His Sacred Heart
- full-color illustrations
- a prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for each of the twelve promises
- a offering prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
- a prayer of thanksgiving to the sacred Heart of Jesus
- durable sewn paperback binding