The Didache Series

Written in the first century, the Didache [DID-uh-kay] is the first known Christian catechesis and the earliest known Christian writing outside of Scripture. The name of the work, Didache, is appropriate for such a catechesis because it comes from the Greek word for "teaching" and indicates that this writing contains the teaching of the Apostles and, as such, it is the teaching of the Church.

Today, the most comprehensive catechesis is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Didache Seriespresents the life and doctrine of the Catholic Church in the context of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the teachings of Vatican II as witnessed by the pontificates of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. The series also draws from Sacred Scripture, the lives of the Saints, and the Doctors and Fathers of the Church.

The Didache Series has been published since 2003 at the invitation of Francis Cardinal George of the Archdiocese of Chicago, who requested a series of "texts that would set out clearly and adequately the teaching of the Catholic Church." Each textbook of the Didache Series has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church by the USCCB.

The Didache Series: Complete Course

The Didache Complete Course is comprised of four books, each designed to be covered in the course of one academic year.

Introduction to Catholicism: 2nd Edition

An introduction to the teachings of the Catholic Church and an in-depth explanation of what it means to be Catholic. The Universal Call to Holiness is the main theme throughout the book. Topics include the Blessed Trinity, the Church, the Creed, Sacred Scripture, the Seven Sacraments, the Ten Commandments, and the lives of the Saints.

The History of the Church

This book presents the story of God's intervention into human history from the Incarnation until the present day. It emphasizes God as the Lord of history and his actions that demonstrate his love for his People. An excellent resource for anyone seeking to know more about the history of the Catholic Church.

Our Moral Life in Christ

A detailed study of the moral life in Christ-based on his teachings in the Gospels, the Ten Commandments, and the Beatitudes-which enable Christians, with God's grace, to imitate the life of Christ in their lives, to make correct moral decisions, and to spread the Kingdom of God on earth in their journey toward eternal salvation. This book presents the life of Christ and his teachings as the basis of moral theology.

Didache Series: Parish Edition

Created in accordance with the USCCB Curriculum Framework for Parish and Youth Ministry Programs, Midwest Theological Forum has adapted its well-known Didache Semester Series textbooks for Catholic High Schools into an easy-to-use format for parishes and home study programs. Each of the Didache Semester titles has been divided into individual weekly lessons intended to be covered over the course of one semester. The full-color, illustrated text provides ample column material, which includes:

• Vocabulary terms, Focus Questions,
• Guided Exercises,
• Discussion,
• Questions,
• and quotes from the YouCat.

Faith And Revelation: Parish Edition

This first book of the Didache Parish Series, authored by Dr. Scott Hahn, presents a basic understanding of Sacred Scripture as the inspired Word of God. It examines both the Old and New Testaments with particular attention focused on the Gospels as the message of Jesus Christ. This text also explains how to read and reference the Bible.

The Blessed Trinity: Parish Edition

This second book of the series examines the mystery of the Blessed Trinity - The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - as revealed in Sacred Scripture. Themes include discussion of the Blessed Trinity as one God in Three Divine Persons, Pentecost, and the Blessed Virgin Mary, the intercessor for mankind.

The Church: Parish Edition

This text, authored by Dr. Scott Hahn, presents how the Church, established by Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, continues the salvific ministry of Christ in the world today. Themes include the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, the Universal Call to Holiness, the Marks of the Church, and the teaching authority of the Church.

The Sacraments: Parish Edition

Jesus Christ, through his great love for us, instituted the Sacraments and entrusted them to the Church. This book examines each Sacrament as a primary source of grace and an intimate encounter with Jesus Christ. Each of the Seven Sacraments is presented in its own chapter.

More titles coming soon!

Coloring Books for Children

These Catholic coloring books help to make learning the faith more enjoyable for children as well as help them to engage more with the subject matter. $2.75 each.

"Bible Adventures Coloring Book" from offers 32 illustrations of Old Testament heroes, acts and revelation to color.

"Favorite Catholic Saints Coloring Book" offers 32 illustrations of Saint heroes to help children learn about the heroes of the faith.

"The Life of Mary Coloring Book" from tells Mary's story from a Catholic perspective. With 32 pages of coloring and activities, this book provides children a fun way to learn about the first Christian.

"The Life of Jesus" coloring book from tells the story of Jesus' life, including his miracles and parables.

Books for Children

These books are made to teach children the basics of our faith and are ideal for preparing those who are making their sacraments. All books are hardcover with beautiful illustrations. $4.95 each.

This beautifully illustrated book teaches children about the Eucharist.

Beautifully illustrated book that helps children learn about receiving Communion.

A wonderful, beautifully illustrated book to help children learn the Mysteries of this great prayer that honors Our Lady. 

Helps children understand the meaning of going to Confession. Full-color illustrations.

This beautifully illustrated book teaches children two of the best-known and best-loved prayers of all time.

The Catholic Children's Bible

Until now, there were only two choices in Bibles for children: one created for adults and one that was simply a collection of stories written for children.

Introducing The Catholic Children’s Bible from Saint Mary’s Press!  It’s the first-ever complete children’s Bible that not only inspires, but empowers children to read, live, understand, and love the Word of God. The stories of our Catholic faith come alive with vivid,awe-inspiring artwork, larger text, and many more design features that not only enhance comprehension but create enjoyment as well.

I Can Read It! Intentional design elements such as fonts built for early readers, increased line spacing, bold vocabulary words, colorized text, minimal hyphenation, and simple column dividers help make this a Bible children can read on their own. 

I Can Find It! Unique navigational features such as colorized tabs, large chapter and verse numbers, full Scripture references, and clear and concise story titles, are all designed specifically for early readers and to help children easily locate passages and stories. 

I Can Understand It! Young children will be able to understand and relate to God’s Word through the Understand It! and Tell It! sections, bold vocabulary words and easy-to-understand definitions, the realistic artwork and borders, the introductions to the Old and New Testaments, and the many pictures, maps, and time lines that are included throughout the Bible. 

• Children will know and understand God’s saving plan revealed through 125 featured story spreads highlighting key Bible passages.

 

• Vibrant illustrations and borders immediately engage children and allow them to dive in to Scripture and become immersed in the stories.

 

• Understand It!, Live It!, and Tell It! sections help bring God’s Word to life for the youngest of readers.

 

• Unique navigational features designed specifically for early readers help children easily locate passages and stories.

 

• Intentional design elements such as fonts built for early readers, increased line spacing, bold vocabulary words, colorized text, minimal hyphenation, and simple column dividers help make this a Bible children can read on their own.

Activity Booklet and Leader Guide also availble.

Hardcover $37.95

Paperback $29.95

Books for Men

Men are rediscovering the importance of the spiritual life. And Father Larry Richards is helping them do it. While some writers apply a one-size-fits-all approach to the Christian life, Father Richards draws on his many years of ministry and his own experience as a man to inspire other men as men.

In Be a Man!, he recounts his struggles to learn true manhood, as well as the inspiring stories of others he has served in his decades as a priest. He tells men how to focus on the right goal, how to live as a beloved son of God, of the need to acknowledge one's faults and to live according to the Holy Spirit, to be a man of true love and of wisdom, to appreciate properly the differences between men and women, to pursue holiness, and to make a difference in the world. Not preachy but direct, Father Richards challenges men to be strong, without putting on a mask of false strength or machismo. He calls men to admit their weaknesses and limitations, while urging them to find strength in faith and genuine love to overcome their sins and faults.

Although a celibate priest, he minces no words when it comes to the place of sexuality for the unmarried man as well as for the married man. He shows that true manliness is not opposed to love but thrives on it. Father Richards stresses that a relationship with Christ reveals the meaning of a man's life and his identity as a man. He inspires men to become the true heroes they long to be men of authentic courage, compassion and integrity. This is a highly readable book for men by a man who knows how to talk to men about the things that matter most. $15.95

The Rosary is for old ladies and funerals. Or is it? In David N. Calvillos debut book, he reveals how each week thousands of men of all ages and backgrounds join together each week in the Real Men Pray the Rosary movement and are seeing the fruit of this spiritual discipline in their lives and families. A new centerpiece of Catholic mens spirituality, this dynamic book and movement brings men together, deepening their devotion to Christ through Mary. Often surprising and always inspiring, Calvillo combines storytelling with a profound, inviting guide and convincingly shows how the Rosary is alive and well todayfor men. In a world filled with ubiquitous distractions and technology, Calvillo helps men to unplug from time to time and tap into this simple system of prayer that takes only minutes each day, but whose transformative power is beyond measure. He shares why the Hail Mary is the perfect prayer and concludes with a 33-day Rosary Challenge so readers can experience for themselves how praying several minutes each day for thirty-three days radically changes their lives. $12.95

New Daily Devotionals!

Mother Teresa is known for her radiant smile and the joy of Christ that she brought to all she met, even in the most challenging circumstances. These daily stories and meditations in her own words point to the secret of living in that joy: simplicity, humble surrender to Jesus, thankfulness, and, above all, a heart filled with God s love. These keys will unlock the gift of joy in every thirsting heart. $12.99

For Catholics, the saints are arguably our best role models for holy living. In this page-a-day book for women, Melanie Rigney gives us a wellspring of interesting and diverse female saints who aptly show the way to be better disciples of Christ. Through their lives and experiences, we find examples of how to meet the challenges of daily life, be strengthened in our faith, and, in the process, become the people God created us to be. You ll meet saints who may be familiar to you, such as Teresa of Avila, Elizabeth Ann Seton, Monica, Lucy, Agnes, and Katharine Drexel. With them, there are others less familiar, and many whom you will not have known before: Cunegund, Mechtildis of Edelstetten, Hildegard, Mary Magdalen Postel, Rose of Viterbo, Anna Pak A-gi of Korea, and Mary Faustina Kowalska. $15.99

Books for Women

Pat Gohn draws on decades of women’s ministry experience, her popular Catholic women’s podcast Among Women, and her own story as a wife and mother, proclaiming the Church’s compelling vision of every woman: you have dignity (blessed), you are gifted (beautiful), and you have a mission (bodacious).

The lively and unforgettable Gohn guides readers through moments of her life that have shaped her identity and understanding of womanhood—abiding love and talent for music, breast cancer in her thirties, and coming to understand true feminism in light of Church teaching and Mary’s example. More than a mere memoir, Blessed, Beautiful, and Bodacious: Celebrating the Gift of Catholic Womanhood offers readers insight into the writings of Blessed John Paul II, which articulate four gifts unique to every woman: generosity, receptivity, sensitivity, and maternity. With humor, faith, and the open-hearted tone of a trusted mentor, Gohn shares how she became empowered to embrace her blessings, beauty, and bodaciousness, and how readers can do the same. $14.95

Wrapped Up: God's Ten Gifts for Women offers a healthy alternative to the false messages women hear today. Each chapter focuses on a different gift a woman is meant to discover and unwrap, ultimately leading to peace and fulfillment. Cheryl draws from her extensive knowledge of Old Testament women to unveil life lessons found in the rich history of our faith, and Teresa uses her media expertise to reveal how to counter the cultural messages that inundate women today. Together, the authors provide a timeless and timely look at God's life-giving gifts. $15.99

Ruth's generosity, Anna's faith, Abigail's pure and upright conscience, the fortitude of the mother of Maccabees: These are some of the virtues and lessons we can learn from the women of the Old Testament and apply to our daily life. Author Pía Septién tells us eleven stories about women of the Old Testament and presents them as material for personal spiritual reflection. Every chapter offers the biblical story narrated in prose, quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and reflection and discussion questions. As a Bible study, this book offers you a new focus that will strengthen your faith and improve your life. Women of the Old Testament include: Ruth Shiphrah and Puah Miriam Abigail Hagar Leah Michal Hannah. $8.95

Author Stacy Mitch's background in college campus evangelization comes through loud and clear in this biblically rich and eminently practical study. Courageous Love takes seriously the fact that everyone is called to holiness, and offers sound, spiritual guidance to women of all ages and backgrounds. $9.95

Children's Book of Saints

Picture Book of Saints by popular Catholic Book Publishing author Rev. Lawrence G. Lovasik, SVD contains the lives of over 100 popular saints. Written in a simple, informal style that will delight parents, teachers, and children, the life of each saint is beautifully illustrated in full color. Picture Book of Saints comes in a colorfully illustrated cloth binding.
$9.95

The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth

The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, Third Edition is the same understandable and down-to-earth guide to all things Catholic. This book is an eye-opener and a page-turner, whether you are brushing up on specific Catholic terms and concepts or learning them for the first time.

The third edition contains everything that people loved about the second, plus, new content and additional updates to make it even more useful to students, teachers and catechists. The enhancements include a greater emphasis on Scripture, additional review questions at the end of every chapter, and:

Special features including:

Six distinct sidebars (Did You Know?, Live It!, Pray It!, Catholic Wisdom, Saintly Profiles, and Scripture Connection) in every chapter that provide additional information that deepens and applies the primary chapter content.

Seven to ten content review questions at the end of every chapter.

• Appendix summarizing Catholic beliefs and practices
• Appendix with popular Catholic prayers and devotions
• Appendix that shows and explains Catholic signs and symbols
• Appendix listing patron saints and their causes
• A comprehensive glossary of Catholic terms and short definitions
• A six-page church history timeline
• An exhaustive index to the contents of the entire Handbook

The Subcomittee on the Catechism, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has found this catechetical text, copyright 2013, to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Teacher and Catechist Guides Available
$29.95

The Catholic Youth Bible

There's Only One! . . . And it just got better!

The Catholic Youth Bible in the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Catholic Edition will be a true companion, helping you find the answers you seek and helping you make connections to Catholic beliefs and traditions.

Over 700 lively articles help you . . .

• Pray It! Use the Bible for personal prayer.
• Study It! Understand and make sense of what the Bible says.
• Live It! Apply the Bible to real-life situations you're facing now.

This New Edition Features:

• New! 40 expanded Catholic Connection articles that provide a more complete presentation of those Catholic teachings that are scripturally based.
• New! 28 articles that address the seven principles of Catholic social teaching.
• New! 40 pages of four-color inserts that help you pray, study, and live the Bible and Catholic teachings.
• New! Illustrations throughout to provide a visual context for the biblical stories.
• New! Over 275 articles updated to reflect contemporary issues and biblical scholarship.

Plus:

• Introductions to the major sections of the Bible and all the books of the Bible.
• Biblical connections to many different cultures, illustrating the universality of the Catholic Church.
• Insights into how the Church has interpreted key Scripture passages throughout history.
• A glossary of Scripture-related terms.
• Five special indexes: Sunday readings for cycles A, B, and C; 10 color maps; a four-page color timeline; and three pages of full-color biblical art.

Teacher Aids Also Available

$29.95

Youcat and the NEW Youcat Prayer Book!

YOUCAT is short for Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church, which was launched on World Youth Day, 2011. Developed with the help of young Catholics and written for high-school age people and young adults, YOUCAT is an accessible, contemporary expression of the Catholic Faith. The appealing graphic format includes Questions-and-Answers, highly-readable commentary, summary definitions of key terms, Bible citations and inspiring and thought-provoking quotes from Saints and others in the margins. What's more, YOUCAT is keyed to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, so people can go deeper. It explains:

• What Catholics believe and why (doctrine)
• How Catholics celebrate the mysteries of the faith (sacraments)
• How Catholics are to live (moral life)
• How they should pray (prayer and spirituality)

The questions are direct and honest, even at times tough; the answers straightforward, relevant, and compelling. YOUCAT will likely become the "go-to" place for young people to learn the truth about the Catholic faith. Illustrated.

What Pope Benedict XVI has to say about the YOUCAT project:

"Study this Catechism with passion and perseverance. Make a sacrifice of your time for it! Study it in the quiet of your room; read it with a friend; form study groups and networks; share with each other on the Internet. By all means continue to talk with each other about your faith."

YOUCAT - The Youth Prayer Book, helps them to live their faith and deepen their spiritual lives.

The book includes modern, new prayers, along with traditional prayers, and the time-honored prayers of Holy Scripture. It also gives a lot of practical advice on how to pray: in the morning, in the evening, and in between; in sorrow or in joy. The prayer book is illustrated with many photos of young people from all over the world.

Customized Journals

These journals are perfect for putting in your back pocket or a purse! They come in dark red, pink, yellow and green. They can be customized with any of our pre-loaded designs or any design you choose!Journals are 3.75" x 5.5" leatherette with an elastic closure and ribbon bookmark. 160 pages. $12.99