CTS Publisher’s Desk

The Stabat Mater is a beautiful 13th-century hymn and popular Lenten devotion, which focuses on the suffering of the Blessed Virgin Mary as she stands at the foot of the cross. In this episode, Fr Armand de Malleray talks about the origins of the Stabat Mater and how it became associated with praying the Stations of the Cross, the structure of the hymn and how it gently introduces us to Jesus' suffering through His Mother. Fr de Malleray also talks about what inspired his new book for CTS, Meditations on the Stabat Mater. Order your copy of Meditations on the Stabat Mater now: https://bit.ly/35NfhzK

Unpack the popular Catholic devotion of praying the Stations of the Cross with Fr Marcus Holden, as he explains the history of this devotion and the connection with St Francis of Assisi, and how the devotion grew and flourished over the centuries. He also explores different versions of the Stations of the Cross, such as those written by St Alphonsus Liguori and St John Henry Newman, and shares the inspiration behind his own edition of the Stations of the Cross, written at the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem and intended to be used easily in a parish setting.   Get your copy of Fr Marcus Holden's new book Stations of the Cross: A Via Dolorosa now: https://bit.ly/3GctToU  Explore our full selection of Stations of the Cross, including those by St Alphonsus Liguori and St John Henry Newman: https://bit.ly/3rhMMmf

We talk to Katy Carl, editor in chief of Dappled Things magazine, about the O Antiphons, which are recited by the Catholic Church at Vespers in the last days of Advent. We discuss the recent popularity of the O Antiphons, the depth of meaning and symbology in the O Antiphons, the importance of beauty in worship, and the centrol role of the Magnificat as the prayer of a woman. Get your copy of Katy Carl's new book from CTS, Praying the Great O Antiphons: https://bit.ly/greatoantiphons Katy Carl is the editor in chief of Dappled Things magazine and the author of As Earth Without Water (Wiseblood Books, 2021). She is a senior affiliate fellow of Penn’s Program for Research on Religion and Urban Civil Society, and is pursuing her MFA in creative writing at the University of St. Thomas in Houston.

Fr Lawrence Lew OP discusses his new book Mysteries Made Visible: Praying the Rosary With Sacred Art, and his love for photography. He shares his favourite images to photograph, why images are so important in prayer, his role as Promoter General for the Holy Rosary for the Order of Preachers, and about what makes his new rosary book so special. Click here to order your copy of Mysteries Made Visible.

In this video, Fr Stephen Wang discusses his new book SYCAMORE: The Catholic Faith Explained, and the origins of the SYCAMORE course. Discover the inspiration behind SYCAMORE, the challenges of communicating the faith in our times, and how the SYCAMORE book responds to those challenges. ------------------------------------------ Order your copy of SYCAMORE: The Catholic Faith Explained. Find out more about SYCAMORE.

In this first episode of the new season, we discover the significance of praying the Our Father during Lent, as we talk to CTS author and editor of Ignatius Insight, Carl E. Olson. Learn how praying the Our Father can deepen your appreciation of the Eucharist, and how it reminds Christians that we are not made for this world. Carl E. Olson is the author of Praying the Our Father in Lent, available to order from CTS. 

The current pandemic has brought the issue of mental health to the realm of public conversation, but what role can faith play in struggles with mental health? Fr Billy Swan, a regular contributor to Word on Fire and a parish priest in Ireland, explores this issue in today's podcast, examining saints who suffered from mental health problems, the impact of Christian faith on mental health, and the hope that faith has to offer. Fr Billy Swan is the author of the CTS publication Finding God: Faith and Mental Health and a priest of the Diocese of Ferns in Ireland. He holds a degree in chemistry and worked for a number of years for a pharmaceutical company before entering seminary. He was awarded a Licentiate and Doctorate in Systematic Theology from the Gregorian University in Rome and served for four years as the Director of Seminary Formation at the Pontifical Irish College. He is currently based at St Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. Fr Swan is a regular contributor to the Word on Fire blog and has a deep interest in the relationship between faith and science, the New Evangelization, early Irish Christianity and priestly formation.

How do you help young people discover the Catholic faith? Fr Michel Remery, who is responsible for Youth Ministry in Luxembourg, explains how to combine both the digital continent and the physical world to bring the Catholic faith alive for young people, while relating his own experiences of sharing his own enthusiasm for the faith with young people.  Fr Michel Remery is the author of the CTS book Online With Saints. Click here to order and find out more.

What is the Directory for Catechesis and why does it matter for us today? Discover why this new Vatican Document is relevant to our modern culture and its particular value for catechists and schools in this interview with Dr Petroc Willey. Dr Willey is Professor of Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, formerly worked at the Maryvale Institute in Birmingham, and is one of the Consultors for the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation, which promulgated the new Directory.

What does catechesis look like in our ever-changing world? We chat to Hannah Vaughan-Spruce, CTS author of "A Handbook for Catechists", about the new Directory for Catechesis and the importance of the changes made since the last edition. What does catechesis look like in a digital culture? How can catechists facilitate an encounter with God? Why is it important to have catechists who have experienced the love of God in their lives? What is the role of parents, grandparents, and godparents in catechesis? We explore these questions and more! ----------  As well as being the author of A Handbook for Catechists, today's guest Hannah Vaughan-Spruce is the Executive Director of Divine Renovation UK, the author of the Confirmation course Transformed in Christ, and a study on why Catholics leave the Church.  ------------  Order your copy of the Directory for Catechesis here: https://bit.ly/38RW2Cx  Get A Handbook for Catechists here: https://bit.ly/32ggPhU