August 2025
The Future of Synodality: How We Move Forward from Here
By Kristin M. Colberg and Jos Moons, S.J.
Through the synodal process, Pope Francis called the church to reimagine our common discipleship by reflecting on communion, participation and mission. He envisioned an inclusive ecclesial community of shared ministry. In this book, Kristen Colberg and Jos Moons suggest some frameworks for making his vision a reality.
This book stresses the common identity of the people of God and the shared ministry of the Word. It argues that our baptismal identity imbues us with a shared charismatic presence in the world as disciples of Christ. The authors make a strong case for how the church should embrace the Synod on Synodality as an invitation to renewal and reform so that all baptized Christians can effectively respond to its invitation to communion, summons to participation, and commitment to mission.
—Ferdinand Okorie, C.M.F., Editor-in-Chief, U.S. Catholic
How can the church continue to grow in a more synodal style? Now that the Synod on Synodality (2021–2024) has ended, Kristin Colberg and Jos Moons begin to answer this key question in essential ways.—Liturgical Press
Paperback: $29.95
Available at bookstores or from Liturgical Press at litpress.org
July 2025
The Glacier Priest: Father Bernard Hubbard and America’s Last Frontier
By Josh McMullen
Father Bernard R. Hubbard captured the national imagination when he and his dogs brought the beauty of Alaska into the American mainstream. From the 1920s to the 1950s, the “Glacier Priest,” as he was called, pioneered new ideas not only of the Alaskan wilds but also of the Jesuit priesthood. Whether it was doing interviews about the priesthood while dressed in flannel, leading his dogsled team 1,600 miles to five missionary bases, or celebrating Mass in the shadow of the formidable Mount Kamai, for Hubbard the work of faith and of seeing the divine beauty of God’s work in the world were one and the same.
As readers of the The Glacier Priest discover, Hubbard’s ministry occurred at a particularly interesting time in the histories of both Alaska and Catholicism in the United States: The annexation of the 49th state and the election of the first Catholic president would both happen shortly before his death in 1962. In sum, The Glacier Priest tells the thrilling adventures of a man who redefined a life of faith and made an indelible mark on American history.
—James Chung McKenna, editorial assistant, U.S. Catholic
Discover the true story of the Jesuit priest, explorer, geologist, and photographer who brought the wilds of Alaska—and his Catholic faith—to the American public.—University of Notre Dame Press
Hardcover: $38.00
Available at bookstores or from University of Notre Dame Press at undpress.nd.edu
June 2025
Giotto: The Life of the Virgin Mary – The Scrovegni Chapel
By Federica Millozzi
Although small, the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua—originally built as a funerary monument for banker Enrico Scrovegni—looms large in cultural significance, thanks to the series of frescoes by 14th-century master Giotto di Bondone. Today, the restored chapel is part of the complex of the Musei Civici di Padova. But one need not make the trip to Padua to be inspired by these breathtaking paintings. The lush photographic prints in Giotto: The Life of the Virgin Mary – The Scrovegni Chapel offer an intimate look at Giotto’s vivid, ornate work.
The book showcases paintings from each fresco cycle: The Life of the Virgin Mary, The Life of Jesus, The Vices and Virtues, and The Last Judgment. Text by Federica Millozzi, curator of the Civic Museums of Bassano del Grappa, offers background on the artist and the chapel, as well as explanations of the scenes in each print, calling attention to the artist’s genius with human form and expression. This gorgeous book offers not only a rich aesthetic experience but a cultural education as well.
—Rebecca Bratten Weiss, digital editor, U.S. Catholic
Explore the enchanting perspective of Giotto’s masterpieces, which enrich those who enter the Scrovegni Chapel. Immerse yourself in the history of Mary, Jesus Christ, and allegories of Vices and Virtues.—Paulist Press
Paperback: $99.95
Available at bookstores or from Paulist Press at paulistpress.com
May 2025
Dorothy Day: Spiritual Writings
Edited by Robert Ellsberg
A compelling collection of Dorothy Day’s insightful meditations, Dorothy Day: Spiritual Writings is a thoughtful exploration of the radical faith that guided her witness. Edited by Robert Ellsberg, the collection focuses on themes central to Day’s life and work—prayer, community, nonviolence, and the works of mercy—and reveals how her spirituality fueled her unwavering commitment to justice and hospitality. For those seeking to connect faith with action, this book offers a deeper understanding of the spiritual principles that drove her transformative work.
—Sarah Butler Schueller, senior editor, U.S. Catholic
Devoted to the poor and deeply influenced by the “Little Way” of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Dorothy Day’s spirituality extends these principles to the social realm through the works of mercy. —Orbis Books
Paperback: $19.95
Available at bookstores or from Orbis Books at orbisbooks.com
April 2025
Less Helping Them More Healing You
By Jean P. Kelly
Many writings on spiritual practices can feel frustrating. They often rely on the assumption that one has the freedom to “get away from it all” for extended periods—whether through the financial means and time resources needed for a silent retreat or the luxury of spending long stretches in nature communing with God.
Jean Kelly’s new book, Less Helping Them More Healing You, is different. On the second page, she writes about how, for a while, her spiritual practice looked like 15 minutes of “me time” a few times a week. For her, spiritual practices aren’t something that happen apart from the rest of your life; they take place in the midst of life’s messiness—and, indeed, can give you the skills and resiliency to deal with the worst life throws at you.
Kelly’s book is a refreshing reminder that spiritual growth doesn’t require a retreat from life—it happens in the thick of it. Her book is a valuable read for anyone seeking a new approach to contemplation or who feels too overextended to start an entirely new practice.
—Emily Sanna, managing editor, U.S. Catholic
Kelly’s book teaches seekers of practical wisdom how all kinds of texts can become sacred through the regular practice of spiritual reading. “If you can read, you can meditate,” insists the author. —ACTA Publications
Paperback: $18.95
Available at bookstores or from ACTA Publications at actapublications.com
March 2025
The Mole of Vatican Council II
By Richard A. Zmuda
In The Mole of Vatican Council II, Richard A. Zmuda weaves together the story of the real-life priest and journalist Father Xavier Rynne, who worked secretly to uncover a conspiracy among the Roman Curia to put a stop to the radical vision of the Second Vatican Council. Although technically a work of historical fiction, the overarching story is drawn directly from eyewitness accounts of Vatican II and Rynne’s own writings and stretches from the election of Pope John XXIII in 1958 to the Council’s closing ceremonies in 1965.
While the idea of a thriller set during Vatican II might seem strange at first, Zmuda executes it masterfully, balancing a faithful recounting of historical events with plenty of gripping palace intrigue. You might get some curious looks reading it at the beach this summer, but you won’t be able to put it down long enough to notice.
—Nathaniel Hunter, associate editor, U.S. Catholic
For readers of all ages who want the real story behind Vatican II but also want to read what the Irish Catholic calls a “singular and entertaining book.” —ACTA Publications
Paperback: $19.95
Available at bookstores or from ACTA Publications at actapublications.com
February 2025
We Are Only Saved Together
By Colin Miller
We navigate a time where it sometimes feels easier to be divided from one another rather than united. Whether because of the rise of social media or intense political rifts, real human connection feels more out of reach than ever before. Colin Miller, a Catholic Worker, faces this problem in We Are Only Saved Together, reminding us that authentic relationships are not only fulfilling but necessary in order to reach a common good.
Reflecting on the vision of Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker movement, Miller pushes for readers not simply to become Catholic Workers themselves but rather to discover the humanity—and holiness—that rests inside everyone around us. Building community, as Miller explains, is messy work that can make us feel like fools, but “by being such fools—together—we discover, even now, the joy for which we are destined.”
—James Chung McKenna, editorial assistant, U.S. Catholic
Drawing from the traditions of the Catholic Worker movement, We Are Only Saved Together illustrates how true fulfillment lies in authentic relationships and the pursuit of the common good. —Ave Maria Press
Paperback: $17.95
Available at bookstores or from Ave Maria Press at avemariapress.com
January 2025
Composing Sacred Scripture: How the Bible Was Formed
By Donald Senior, CP
Father Donald Senior’s remarkable career in biblical scholarship was not limited to academic scholarship. He made biblical studies accessible to everyone, drawing people of faith into a personal reading of scripture. Composing Sacred Scripture is no different: It provides readers the opportunity to deepen one’s knowledge of scripture and to nourish one’s spiritual life.
Readers gain appreciation of the formation of the books of the Bible. This book discloses the process of collecting the written books that became the Bible over a long period of time. It reveals that the Bible is not a homogenous collection of books but rather a rich variety of literary narratives that form the essence of our faith. This book helps believers appreciate the fact that the Bible is the “word of God” but written in human language. The Bible is not just a historical narrative more so, it is the Word of God that nourishes the faith of believers.
—Rev. Ferdinand Okorie, C.M.F., editor-in-chief, U.S. Catholic
Don Senior deftly describes the anatomy of the Bible, the history of its development, and how God’s Word is revealed through human words. —Liturgical Training Press
Paperback: $13.95
Available at bookstores or from Liturgical Training Press at ltp.org
