Cyrillona (fl. 396) was a younger contemporary of Ephrem the Syrian whose work has been celebrated as comparable in both beauty and its significance for our understanding of early Syriac Christianity. This study reassesses conventional claims about the author’s identity, date, and the constitution of his corpus. It introduces each of Cyrillona’s five surviving poems and examines their poetic form and genre, structure and rhetorical features, and critical questions of text, interpretation, and theology.

A good homily not only engages listeners but demonstrates the speaker’s keen understanding of scripture and its enduring relevance for Christians today. An effective preacher is someone who understands the complex and ultimately rewarding nature of this challenge and strives to communicate core scriptural values in a way that is clear and concise but never simplistic. In Speaking from Within, Kieran J. O’ Mahony explores ways in which homilists can improve and develop their skills by engaging, first and foremost, in prayerful self-reflection, because ‘only from within that personal encounter can we hope that a word of life will be spoken’. The book also focuses on the integral place of the lectionary to preachers, before underscoring how a sincere and attentive reading of the scriptures is key to writing an effective, meaningful homily. Speaking from Within will inspire not only all who preach, but also those who pass on their faith in any way.

Once upon a time there was a fox cub, who awoke one morning with ‘something puzzling on his mind’..

In this series of scriptural reflections about life in the Bethany of Jesus' time, Penny Roker offers insights for today's Christians to help them understand and react to their own personal challenges. Each chapter takes an episode from the Gospels as its starting point, before concluding with a prayer for either personal use or group exercises.

In Fasting And Feasting, Aidan Mathews, the Irish poet and playwright, deploys his inimitable prose style in a deeply personal and heartfelt consideration of the two most inspiring events in the Christian calendar: Christmas and Easter. Comprising a series of radio scripts, broadcast at the two liturgical seasons over the last ten years, Fasting And Feasting is an urgent and earthy examination of key events in the Catholic tradition, as well as a profoundly moving account of the author’s own faith journey. A seamlessly executed hybrid of confessional writing and shrewd scriptural analysis, Fasting and Feasting is a thought-provoking and necessary volume that takes a refreshing flesh-and-blood approach to its understanding of the Gospels and the core values of Christianity

This book proposes a model for explaining unity and diversity in early Christianity that centers about a clear confessional identity, allowing both extreme expressions of diversity of texts and traditions while explaining the exclusion of teachers, texts, and traditions that deviated from the confessional norm.

“The illness of a loved one often brings with it fear and anxiety for the rest of the family, especially those who have to care for the sick person. They hardly know what to do when it comes to the spiritual needs of the person. If the family has lost touch with the Church, they may find it hard to know what to do or how to pray. People who are seriously ill may want to be put in touch with the Lord, and they need to be helped to do this. This book is intended to assist those in ministering to the spiritual needs of their loved ones.” - Fr Kevin J. Scallon CM “Often in my priestly ministry I have looked for just such a resource. This book is a great gift to those who care for the sick and the dying. Its tender prayers will turn a time of trauma into an experience of hope and grace. I pray that this book will do untold good both for those who are dying as well as for their loved ones who often feel so helpless in the face of sickness and the approach of death.” - Fr Peter John Cameron OP, Editor-in-Chief, Magnificat

To celebrate 2016 being declared the Extraordinary Year of Mercy by the Vatican, Peter McVerry - a tireless campaigner for the rights of homeless people - has written an incisive and impassioned exploration of mercy as presented in the four Gospels. By examining the qualities of forgiveness, empathy and forbearance, as embodied by Jesus Christ, The God of Mercy highlights how the God of the New Testament calls on Christians everywhere to act with an unerring sense of compassion to those around them. Far from being a God who punishes or excludes those who fail to uphold Church ‘law’, the God of Mercy rewards those who oppose hypocrisy, and reach out wholeheratedly to the marginalised and dispossessed.

The story of St Patrick, Ireland’s beloved patron saint, is brought to life in this beautifully illustrated and engaging account. Learn about Patrick’s childhood in Wales, his years spent as a slave in County Antrim, and his triumphant mission to bring the good news of God’s mercy to the people of Ireland. Explore how his simple message of love inspired all who knew him and how, even today, people follow in his footsteps by climbing to the top of Ireland’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick. Suitable for children aged seven to eleven.

The Coup of Jehoiada and the Fall of Athaliah explores the discursive and historiographical techniques used to incorporate 2 Kings 11 into the larger deuteronomistic history. More specifically, this book explores how and why the report of Athaliah’s execution was not incorporated into the deuteronomistic history the same way as other Ahabite death reports found in 1 Kings 14 – 2 Kings 10.

Mercy has been the defining characteristic of Pope Francis’ papacy – a papacy that has captured the hearts and minds of believers and non-believers alike. It’s little wonder then that the Holy Father has announced 2016 as the Extraordinary Year of Mercy. In The Message of Mercy, Amalee Meehan considers the subject of mercy, not only through a careful reading of relevant Scripture passages, but by exploring revealing extracts from literary classics and pertinent, sometimes surprising, examples from popular culture. This engaging and encouraging work calls on readers to question their own understanding of mercy – towards both themselves and others – and in so doing foster a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God.

This beautifully designed book of prayers and reflections, thoughtfully compiled by Ailís Travers, is the ideal gift for teenagers and young people. Containing words of wisdom from poets, philosophers, leaders and saints, it provides solace and comfort for teenagers as they cope with the ups and downs of life. Proceeds from this book will go to the Blue Ribbon Fund, which was set up to provide practical financial support to families of those who need to travel for heart transplantation surgery.

This volume offers an array of theological and sociological studies on Family, Love, and Marriage in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. As new ways of understanding these institutions and concepts emerge in a modern society, this compilation sponsored by the Sophia Institute of Eastern Orthodox Studies incorporates a revisiting of biblical and Patristic understandings as they are received in the wider Orthodox Christian perspective.

If life is a journey, shouldn’t we ensure that every moment, experience and relationship enhances, rather than detracts, from it? In this practical and warm-hearted guide, life coach Marian Byrne provides simple yet effective ways to change our daily routines and to combat negative thinking. The advice presented here has worked for countless others – it really is tried and tested. By challenging ourselves to make those first small steps towards change and to embrace a new mindset, we can add life to our years and enhance our life journey immeasurably.

Four women are formally part of the magisterium – the official teaching body of the Roman Catholic Church. Here, theologian Mary T. Malone adeptly explores the stories of these visionaries. She introduces us to the wisdom of the formidable Hildegard of Bingen; the all-encompassing compassion of Catherine of Siena; the groundbreaking writings of Teresa of Ávila; and finally, the heartfelt ‘Little Way’ of the much-loved Thérèse of Lisieux. This timely and engrossing work brings to life the trials and triumphs of these inspiring women, whose bravery and intellectual prowess opened the door for new discussions on the role of women in the Church.

To celebrate Pope Francis’ declaration of 2016 as the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, Anna Burke ponders the nature and quality of mercy in this considered book of reflections. By exploring a series of pertinent Gospel questions, The Quality of Mercy highlights how, in practising forgiveness and charity, we are living out Christ’s teachings in the most fundamental way. Jesus taught us that mercy can take many forms, and may not always appear in obvious guises. We must learn to understand what mercy means for our life journey, but, more importantly, we must learn to give it generously, in the spirit that Christ intended.