New Releases by Mike Aquilina

Jerusalem, Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, Ephesus, Carthage, Edessa . . . These were some of the ancient cities that once raged against the Gospel and persecuted the Church but later came to admirable faith. Each city had its own unique commerce, culture, and institutions. Each city was different from all the others, and each became more perfectly itself through the influence of Jesus Christ. In the pages of this book, you'll climb the hills of these cities, sail into their harbors, look up in awe at their titanic public works, walk their streets, push your way through their bustling markets. And you'll see how all those things shaped the expression, practice, and history of the Christianity we know today. This is your imaginative entry into the world of the Church Fathers, the saints, and sages who converted the world to Christ. During their era—and in their hostile cities—the Church grew at a steady rate of 40 percent per decade, and practices such as abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia went from commonplace to unthinkable. The Fathers have something important to teach the modern Church about evangelization. Among Mike Aquilina's many works about the Church Fathers, this is his most complete and compelling overview of the Fathers' amazing achievements.

Once again, Mike Aquilina delves into the life and world of a legendary saint too often surrounded by more " legend" and less certainty. While traversing history in an imaginative and engaging way, Aquilina' s keen interest in both historical fact and storytelling combine artfully into a powerful reminder why St. Patrick came to be one of the most beloved and well-known saints of the Catholic Church.

When we survey the history of the Faith, it is undeniable that the lands of northern Africa were profoundly influential in the development of early Christianity. The faith arrived early in Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, Libya, and the territories we now call Eritrea, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. African Christians made decisive contributions in theology, liturgy, biblical studies, and culture. With the Arab invasions of the seventh and eight centuries, much of this history was lost to Europe, though the marks of ancient influence remained. Africa and the Early Church: The Almost-Forgotten Roots of Catholic Christianity uncovers that lost history for interested modern readers, telling the story as much as possible in the words of the great figures in antiquity. To acknowledge these Christians and their churches is to complete the historical picture—and to remember what was once common knowledge.

For the Church Fathers, friendship was at the heart of the Gospel. It was the way to salvation and the most effective means of evangelization. God had taken flesh in order to befriend mankind. Jesus had called his Apostles friends. The first Christians, in turn, spread salvation through friendships of their own. Evangelizing the world was done through one friend bringing another into the Church—where both could be friends with God. Friendship and the Fathers brings together, for the first time, the Fathers’ doctrine and stories of friendship—mostly in their own words. You’ll meet many giants of the early Church, including Minucius Felix, and walk with him as he brings a pagan friend to faith. Basil and Gregory, best friends from school whose friendship was shattered and then restored. Ambrose, who encouraged his clergy to cultivate strong friendships. Augustine, whose grief for a lost friend led him to profound insights—and whose friendship with St. Jerome was fraught with emotional baggage. Rabanus Maurus, the great biblical commentator and writer of hymns, whose counsels on friendship have never before appeared in English.

This full-color study guide will inspire you with its beautiful imagery and life-changing message. Enter more fully into the study with saint quotes on the Eucharist, review notes, reflection questions, additional Scripture readings, and practical tips to delve deeper into the Mass. You'll want to revisit it again and again.

"Pages that follow gives vistas of St. Joseph's world... about Nazareth... about religious practice and education in that place and time... also find out how a carpenter worked in those days..." -- Page 4 of cover.

The Virgin Mary’s part in history doesn’t begin and end with her yes to God. Popular Catholic author Mike Aquilina points out that Mary is at the center of history from creation to the end of time and everywhere in between. In History’s Queen, you’ll learn about the many ways the mother of humanity has left her mark on the great events of time, not only as we see them in the Bible, but also in pivotal events such as Fatima, the battle of Lepanto, and the plague. In this journey through two thousand years of Mary’s active participation in world events, each chapter of History’s Queen highlights a Marian intervention that is emblematic of a particular era, and opens our eyes to the ways in which Mary provides a vital key for understanding both our past and our future. Mike Aquilina—author of The History of the Church in 100 Objects and editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History series—provides a fresh, fascinating, and classical view of history to today’s readers, exploring: Mary’s centrality in the Church Fathers’ view of history; Mary’s role in preserving Byzantium during the explosive rise of Islam; Marian devotion in medieval Ireland that inspired generations of great missionaries; Mary’s role in military victories at Lepanto and Vienna; and the message of peace received by three shepherd children in Fatima that sustained the world through a century of unprecedented violence and apostasy.

"Christians make the Mass, and the Mass makes Christians." So said the Martyrs of Abitina, North Africa, in A.D. 304. The Mass was the reality most essential to the life of believers, and it deeply affected everything they did. In Work Play Love popular author Mike Aquilina shows how the Eucharist shaped three basic dimensions of life for the early Christians. ​ Work. Christians brought the fruits of their labor to the altar—not only bread and wine, but also cheese, olives, honey, dried fish, and freshly pressed oil. As they worshiped, they consecrated the world itself to God. In turn, this affected the way they approached their work. It was not just toil. It was an act of love, undertaken for the Father. They labored in imitation of Jesus the laborer. Made one with Christians in the Eucharist, Jesus worked through them and in them. ​ Play. The Mass was a leisurely, contemplative act, but it was celebrated on a normal workday in the Roman world. It was useless by the standards of the city. And yet it called forth—gently, gradually—the most creative responses. The Mass inspired new forms of music, poetry, architecture, and painting. At liturgy Christians stood back and reconsidered the cosmos from God's perspective. They saw their lives as part of a profoundly new and different narrative. This made for new and different art. ​ Love. Christian ritual demanded personal and communal acts of charity. The earliest descriptions of the Mass show the importance of the collection and its distribution to the poor, the imprisoned, and the home-bound sick. Deacons and deaconesses were dismissed to take Communion to the same people in need. The fruits of the Mass extended beyond the time of liturgy—and the bounds of Christian community. Christians took care even of their persecutors. This led to the establishment of institutions of universal charity, a first in human history. The story of the Mass is not simply a rehearsal of ancient texts. It's a drama of personal and societal transformation. This book tells the story as much as possible in the lively words of the early Christians and draws from the most exciting discoveries of recent archaeology. It is a powerful imaginative encounter with the first generations of our Christian ancestry.

In Ancient Wisdom, Living Fire, bestselling author John Michael Talbot skillfully weaves his own spiritual journey with thirteen lessons he learned from the fathers of the Church and explains how their witness became part the foundation of his own faith and ministry. Talbot will reveal how the great martyrs, saints, theologians, and mystics of the Church provide real links, through the apostles, to Jesus himself.

“From the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.”—Malachi 1:11 One Old Testament passage seized the imagination of the early Church—and directed Christian hearts and minds toward the Eucharist. It was the oracle of Malachi 1:11, and it was cited (like Isaiah’s Suffering Servant oracles) to prove the identity of the Messiah through His Church and His Sacrament. In The Eucharist Foretold: The Lost Prophecy of Malachi, Mike Aquilina reveals that the Messiah’s true identity—and the identity of the Eucharist—helps us find our identity as “catholic,” and will lead us to discover our roots in the religion of ancient Israel. To the early Christians, Malachi’s oracle defined who they were individually and as a Church.

Winner of a 2020 Catholic Press Association book award (first place, best new religious book series). Suspense, politics, sin, death, sex, and redemption: Not the plot of the latest crime novel, but elements of the true history of the Catholic Church. Larger-than-life figures such as Athanasius of Alexandria, Augustine, and Constantine played an important part in the history of the Christianity. In The Church and the Roman Empire (AD 301–490): Constantine, Councils, and the Fall of Rome, popular Catholic author Mike Aquilina gives readers a vivid and engaging account of how Christianity developed and expanded as the Roman Empire declined. Aquilina explores the dramatic backstory of the Council of Nicaea and why Christian unity and belief are still expressed by the Nicene Creed. He also sets the record straight about commonly held misconceptions about the Catholic Church. In this book, you will learn: The Edict of Milan didn’t just legalize Christianity; it also established religious tolerance for all faiths for the first time in history. The growth of Christianity inspired a more merciful society: crucifixion was abolished; the practice of throwing prisoners to wild beasts for entertainment was outlawed; and slave owners were punished for killing their slaves. Controversy between Arians and Catholics may have resulted in building more hospitals and other networks of charitable assistance to the poor. When Rome fell, not many people at the time noticed. Books in the Reclaiming Catholic History series, edited by Mike Aquilina and written by leading authors and historians, bring Church history to life, debunking the myths one era at a time.

These eye-opening pages document the many ways in which Christians penetrated and civilized that debased Roman empire, introducing then-radical notions such as the equal dignity of women, respect for life, protection of the weak and vulnerable, and the obligation of rulers to serve those they rule and maximize their freedom.

"One Old Testament passage seized the imagination of the early Church and directed Christian hearts and minds toward the Eucharist. It was the oracle of Malachi 1:11, and it was cited (like Isaiah's Suffering Servant oracles) to prove the identity of the Messiah through His Church and His Sacrament. Author Mike Aquilina argues that the Messiah's true identity-and the identity of the Eucharist-helps people find their identity as "catholic," and will lead them to discover their roots in the religion of ancient Israel. To the early Christians, Malachi's oracle defined who they were individually and as a Church"--

New poems, translations, interviews, and book reviews in a yearly literary journal for Catholic Poetry.

“Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you; heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’” —Luke 10:8-9 When Jesus sent seventy disciples on ahead of him, part of their mission was to heal the sick. In fact, they were supposed to heal the sick before they preached the Gospel. Best-selling author Mike Aquilina calls this command the healing imperative. And it’s an imperative that ushered in the world of modern medicine. The Healing Imperative: The Early Church and the Invention of Medicine as We Know It reconstructs the fascinating history of a uniquely Christian institution: the hospital. Underlining how the virtues of charity and hospitality motivated the first generations of Christians, along with Jesus’ explicit command to heal the sick, Aquilina shows just how revolutionary the actions of Christian doctors and nurses were and how they transformed society in ways that still reverberate today. The radical developments in health care spearheaded by Christians influenced culture, society, and civilization. As The Healing Imperative proves, now more than ever, the compassion of Christians is needed to guide the world of medicine. Jesus’ command still resonates, and Aquilina urges us to respond.

We hear often that “the word of God is living and effective” (Heb 4:12). But what does that really mean for our day-to-day lives? A Joyful Noise reveals how the Psalms, sung by everyone from King David to Jesus to the Early Church Fathers to your church choir, are deeply rich and meaningful for our lives today. Author Mike Aquilina shows how to “change the racket” of modern life—to turn from noise that distracts us toward the Psalms, those ancient songs that ring with eternal truths to this very day. Each of the thirty-five Psalms found within are paired with easy-to-read modern translations of meditations from the Fathers of the Church. The text includes questions to help reflect on the Psalms and apply these meditations to everyday life. Mike Aquilina invites you to participate more fully in a tradition as old as the People of God: to turn from the clamor of life to make a joyful noise to the Lord!

Music is the most effective delivery system for feelings—love, joy, sadness, glory. The early Church Fathers knew that music also has power over minds, and they used that power to maximum effect, writing hymns through which the early Christians would learn, retain, and spread the Gospel message. In How the Choir Converted the World, best-selling author Mike Aquilina demonstrates how the earliest Christians used music to transform a world that desperately needed transforming. As Aquilina suggests, “If we did it once, we can do it again.”

A fantastic savings for the best of Catholicism! Get the Catholic for a Reason series full box-set: four books for the price of two!and a beautiful, sturdy box to display your keepsake. The Catholic for a Reason series presents the biblical foundation of Church teaching through the wisdom and experience of today's best apologists and scholars. Essential matters of faithGod's plan of salvation, the Church, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mass, the Sacrament of Matrimony, and Catholic identityare examined through the lens of Scripture to provide fresh insight and understanding for today's Catholics. This gorgeous box-set includes: Scripture and the Mystery of the Family of God explains the teachings of the Catholic Church in light of God's plan for mankind revealed to us in Scripture. Authors Scott and Kimberly Hahn, Curtis Martin, Sean Innerst and more help define our heavenly Father's loving plan to save us. Scripture and the Mystery of Marriage and Family Life explores the scriptural basis of God's plan for the family. Scott and Kimberly Hahn, Mike and Terri Aquilina, and other Catholic authors and their spouses testify to the joys, struggles, and sanctity found in marriage. Find encouragement from these lessons on the covenant of marriage, parenting, sexuality, and much more. Scripture and the Mystery of the Mass lays the biblical foundations of the heart of Catholic life: the Liturgy. Deepen your understanding of the Mass with this collection of essays by authors Scott and Kimberly Hahn, Jeff Cavins, Edward P. Sri, and others. Scripture and the Mystery of the Mother of God explores the mystery of Mary, the Mother of God, through the personal study and reflection of nine well-known CatholicsScott Hahn, Jeff Cavins, Tim Gray, Curtis Martin, Kimberly Hahn, Edward Sri, Curtis Mitch, Sean Innerst, and Leon Suprenant. The result is a moving tribute and a convincing testimony that clarifies misconceptions about Catholic teaching on the Virgin Mary.

Discover the Life and Times of Ben Hur In this must-have for fans of the epic film, acclaimed author Mike Aquilina offers an unflinching look at the life and times in which the epic adventure of Ben-Hur is set. Once you explore the gripping times in which the Roman Empire ruled the world, countless scenes throughout the film will have greater meaning and a significance that only knowledge of history can provide. You’ll come to a deeper understanding of the Roman penal system that led Judah Ben-Hur to the galleys, the struggle to survive disease and martyrdom, the inevitable destiny of the slave, and the truth about the Roman games that gave birth to the famous chariot race that remains one of the most memorable experiences in cinematic history. As you strip away centuries of accumulated tradition and look at Jesus of Nazareth with fresh eyes, you’ll also share with Ben-Hur the exciting, confusing, and life-changing experience of meeting Jesus for the first time. Armed with new wisdom and keen insights into the fascinating history of the Roman Empire, you’ll never watch Ben-Hur the same way again.

Tantum ergo Sacramentum Veneremur cernui Down in adoration falling, Lo! The Sacred Host we hail These words, written by the great theologian St. Thomas Aquinas, have inspired millions over the past seven centuries. St. Thomas's devotion to the Eucharist was profound. His brother Dominicans recalled that he would spend long hours kneeling before the tabernacle. When he faced a particularly difficult problem, he would lean against the tabernacle, as if to rest against the Master's heart as did the Beloved Disciple at the Last Supper. Now St. Thomas's immortal poems of praise - in both their original Latin and stunning translation - have been assembled along with insightful meditations and commentary by Mike Aquilina in Praying in the Presence of Our Lord with St. Thomas Aquinas.

The best-selling book, now updated with new content and a great new cover! This is a great resource for all Catholics, and perfect for RCIA candidates. Includes an updated examination of conscience, as well as updates on spiritual direction, Marian consecration, helpful Catholic apps, and lots more.

Donald Wuerl is one of the most accomplished and influential churchmen of the last half-century-a time of great seismic shifts in society and in the Church. Ordained a priest in the 1960s, he served as a Vatican official during the pontificate of Pope Paul VI. Ordained a bishop by Pope John Paul II, he came to lead two major American sees. Created a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI, he emerged as a world leader in Catholic thought and pastoral practice. He has played key roles in several Roman synods. He remains a close and trusted advisor of Pope Francis. This book is an account of his pastoral years, his years as bishop and archbishop. He has lived as a public figure for most of his life; and even among public figures he has been known for his professional transparency. Yet he has made his reputation not by bombast, grand gestures, or provocative public statements. He has chosen instead to work quietly and work hard, to unify, to gain consensus, and to serve the Catholic Church and its faith. This book shines a light on his quiet work in the last three decades-work accomplished in the churches, in the fields, all across the world, and over coffee breaks in meetings of bishops and cardinals. As a bishop, archbishop, and cardinal, Donald Wuerl has learned from great mentors. He has learned from his own successes and his own mistakes. And he has emerged as a great leader and example for anyone who desires a life of service-anyone looking for "something more pastoral."

Based on the epic NBC television event, A.D. The Bible Continues: Ministers and Martyrs offers an unflinching look at the lives and sacrifices of those first Christians who were given the task of spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Relying on the ancient documents, as well as latest archaeological findings and scientific research, acclaimed author Mike Aquilina takes you on a journey through the Apostolic Age, bringing to life the ancient streets and crowded marketplaces through which Mary and the Apostles journeyed as they built a Church that lasts even to our day. You'll also discover the beliefs of the early Christians, what they taught about the Eucharist and the Divinity of Christ, how their Church services resembles today's Mass, and how Rome became the spiritual center for Christianity. Read these pages, and you'll come to see that despite the best efforts of their enemies, the blood of the Apostles did not snuff out the Faith but brought forth great saints whose holy deeds and brave examples gave the besieged Church a vigor that lasts even to today. A.D. The Bible Continues: Ministers and Martyrs will give you confidence that the Church is indeed Christ acting in the world, and that no matter how ruthless her opponents, she will endure to the end of time. "I pray that readers of this book will experience the blessings of the apostolic tradition on every page." -Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington "When you watch A.D. The Bible Continues you will want to have Sophia Institute Press's two resources at your side. They are beautifully produced and packed with important information, helping to bring to life the Acts of the Apostles in a new and fresh way." -Father Jonathan Morris New York Times Bestselling Author, The Way of Serenity

People often imagine that the Church Fathers looked like their icons and smelled of incense, heroic figures wrapped in fine liturgical vestments of silk and lace, engulfed in billows of smoke from their golden censers. Yet, truth be told, even in their writings they resemble more the tattered cloak of Jesus or the dusty sweat-soaked habits of the early Desert Fathers and Mothers. Theirs is an utterly incarnational spirituality. It is heaven-sent, but it moves forward with both feet on the ground of the earth. In this powerful work, John Michael Talbot tells the story of how these men deeply influenced his spiritual, professional and personal life. Coming to the Christian faith as a young man during the turbulent 1960s, he soon grew a fond of the Church Fathers, including St. Ambrose, St. Jerome, St. Augustine and Gregory the Great and found guidance, reassurance and wisdom on his path to Jesus. “The First Epistle of Saint Peter,” writes Talbot, “tells us that we are ‘a spiritual temple built of living stones.’ The early Church Fathers represent the first rows built upon the foundation of the Apostles. And that sacred building project continues throughout history to our time today. But it rests on the Fathers. It depends on them.”

Not just a tour guide, this unique book is designed especially for Catholic pilgrims who want to visit the sites where the history of our salvation was played out. Scripture readings put each site in its historical context. Devotions, hymns, and prayers are included for important sites. If you're planning a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, this is the one book that has everything you need.

Mike Aquilina's poems represent different angles of approach to the themes found in his bestselling nonfiction books: spiritual seeking and striving amid the stuff of everyday work and family life. His measures are formal. His humor superabundant.