Random House New Releases - Religion - Ritual & Practices

Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers by U.S. Catholic Bishops

2012-09-25T00:30:00-05:00

Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers
Written by U.S. Catholic Bishops

Paperback, 528 pages | Image | Religion - Prayerbooks; Religion - Catholicism; Religion - Ritual & Practices | $9.99 | 978-0-307-98652-8 (0-307-98652-7)

For Catholics, the family is recognized as the "domestic church," and it is in the family that people learn to recognize the love of God and to turn to Him in prayer. It is in the family that people first learn the virtues of living a God-centered life.

Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers contains prayers that have marked the joys, sorrows, and daily routines of many generations. Included in this volume are chapters on basic prayers, daily prayers, a useful calendar of saints, and blessings for all the seasons of the year. Also, included in this compendium are prayers to the Virgin Mary; the Liturgy of the Hours; prayers upon waking, at mealtime and before retiring for the night; prayers and blessings for feast days and holidays; prayers during times of anger, forgiveness, sickness, loss, grief, thanksgiving, conflict; as well as prayers for the Church and lay people alike.

A wonderful gift idea for people of all ages, this handsome book will inspire you and your loved one to enter more deeply into God’s love.

History of God by Karen Armstrong

2011-08-10T00:30:00-05:00

History of God
Written by Karen Armstrong

eBook, 496 pages | Ballantine Books | Religion - History; Religion - Ritual & Practices; Religion - Faith | $11.99 | 978-0-307-79858-9 (0-307-79858-5)

BONUS: This edition contains an excerpt from Karen Armstrong's Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life.

In this stunningly intelligent book, Karen Armstrong, one of Britain's foremost commentators on religious affairs, traces the history of how men and women have perceived and experienced God, from the time of Abraham to the present. From classical philsophy and medieval mysticism to the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the modern age of skepticism, Karen Armstrong performs the near miracle of distilling the intellectual history of monotheism into one superbly readable volume, destined to take its place as a classic.

Judaism - Simple Guides by David Starr-Glass

2011-07-19T00:30:00-05:00

Judaism - Simple Guides
Written by David Starr-Glass

eBook | Simple Guides | Religion - Judaism; Religion - Ritual & Practices; Religion | $10.95 | 978-1-85733-638-2 (1-85733-638-0)

THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU

• to appreciate the wisdom of the world’s oldest monotheistic religion

• to understand what it means to be a Jew

• to recognize the key Jewish festivals and the different aspects of Jewish practice and belief

• to avoid faux pas in conversation, in travelling and in personal relationships

Judaism is the world’s oldest monotheistic religion. While the number of its adherents has always been small, its principles and ethics have influenced Christianity and Islam, and its holy book, the Hebrew Bible, is arguably the foundation document of Western civilization.

The most important principle in Judaism is the belief in a single, ineffable Godhead, who created the universe and continues to govern it with justice and compassion. According to Jewish tradition, Judaism began with the covenant between God and Abraham, the patriarch and progenitor of the Jewish people. The central moment in their spiritual journey was the revelation of His laws to Moses on Mount Sinai, acceptance of which bound them to create a moral and ethical society that would be “a light unto nations”. Traditionally, Judaism places great value on study of the Torah and the observance of its commandments. It is, however, as much a religion of doing as of thinking, and Jews strive for a balance between thought and deed in carrying out the Divine task of “repairing” the world. In modern Judaism there is no earthly hierarchy: authority lies in its sacred texts, religious law, and learned rabbis who interpret those texts and laws for changing times.

Judaism is at once a subtle, practical, collective, and personal religion in which each believer enters into a direct relationship with God. This engaging book is not just a concise and readable introduction to its history, beliefs, teachings, and practices, but a shared exploration of the inner vitality and wisdom of the Jewish world.

ACCESS THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS

Simple Guides: Religion is a series of concise, accessible introductions to the world’s major religions. Written by experts in the field, they offer an engaging and sympathetic description of the key concepts, beliefs and practices of different faiths.

Ideal for spiritual seekers and travellers alike, Simple Guides aims to open the doors of perception. Together the books provide a reliable compass to the world’s great spiritual traditions, and a point of reference for further exploration and discovery. By offering essential insights into the core values, customs and beliefs of different societies, they also enable visitors to be aware of the cultural sensibilities of their hosts, and to behave in a way that fosters mutual respect and understanding.

Orthodox Church - Simple Guides by Katherine Clark

2011-07-19T00:30:00-05:00

Orthodox Church - Simple Guides
Written by Katherine Clark

eBook | Simple Guides | Religion - Orthodox Churches; Religion - Ritual & Practices; Religion | $10.95 | 978-1-85733-640-5 (1-85733-640-2)

THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU

• to appreciate the depth and beauty of the dominant form of Christianity in Greece, Russia and much of Eastern Europe

• to understand the tenets, nature and holy days of Orthodox belief

• to recognize the physical features of an Orthodox church, and the spiritual significance of icons

• to know what to expect and how to conduct yourself during Orthodox services and ceremonies

Orthodoxy is the dominant form of Christianity in Greece, Russia, parts of Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Its practices are largely unfamiliar in the West, and have remained essentially unchanged since the earliest days of the faith. This lucid introduction outlines the tenets, nature and holy days of Orthodox belief with the Western reader in mind. It describes the physical church, especially icons, services, and common practices, and offers advice to visitors on how to conduct themselves so that they are accepted and feel comfortable.

Several chapters concern the life of Jesus and the beginnings of Christianity; others trace the origins and history of the Church, with particular attention to its great champion, Constantine the Great. The present structure of the Church is described in brief, and the split between the Eastern and the Western Churches is related with differences clearly explained.

The great antiquity and beauty of its liturgy, its essentially minimal hierarchy and its mystical yet pragmatic approach make the Orthodox religion a powerful medium for its profound and universal message. This deceptively simple volume takes the reader on a journey to the heart of the Christian tradition.

ACCESS THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS

Simple Guides: Religion is a series of concise, accessible introductions to the world’s major religions. Written by experts in the field, they offer an engaging and sympathetic description of the key concepts, beliefs and practices of different faiths.

Ideal for spiritual seekers and travellers alike, Simple Guides aims to open the doors of perception. Together the books provide a reliable compass to the world’s great spiritual traditions, and a point of reference for further exploration and discovery. By offering essential insights into the core values, customs and beliefs of different
societies, they also enable visitors to be aware of the cultural sensibilities of their hosts, and to behave in a way that fosters mutual respect and understanding.

Protestant Tradition - Simple Guides by David Rhymer

2011-07-19T00:30:00-05:00

Protestant Tradition - Simple Guides
Written by David Rhymer

eBook | Simple Guides | Religion - Protestantism; Religion - Ritual & Practices; Religion | $10.95 | 978-1-85733-636-8 (1-85733-636-4)

THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU

• to discover how Protestantism developed and spread from Europe to America

• to appreciate the wide range of interpretations of Protestantism, and the core beliefs and practices shared by the principal Protestant Churches

• to understand the special history of the Church of England

• to gain a perspective on the evangelical movements of the twenty-first century

ACCESS THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS

Simple Guides: Religion is a series of concise, accessible introductions to the world’s major religions. Written by experts in the field, they offer an engaging and sympathetic description of the key concepts, beliefs and practices of different faiths.

Ideal for spiritual seekers and travellers alike, Simple Guides aims to open the doors of perception. Together the books provide a reliable compass to the world’s great spiritual traditions, and a point of reference for further exploration and discovery. By offering essential insights into the core values, customs and beliefs of different
societies, they also enable visitors to be aware of the cultural sensibilities of their hosts, and to behave in a way that fosters mutual respect and understanding.

Roman Catholic Church - Simple Guides by Edmund Hartley

2011-07-19T00:30:00-05:00

Roman Catholic Church - Simple Guides
Written by Edmund Hartley

eBook | Simple Guides | Religion - Catholicism; Religion - Ritual & Practices; Religion | $10.95 | 978-1-85733-639-9 (1-85733-639-9)

THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU

• to appreciate the significance of one of the largest organized religions in the world

• to understand the history of the Church, and what it means to be Roman Catholic

• to recognize the Catholic Church’s key practices and beliefs

• to avoid faux pas in conversation, in traveling and in personal relationships

The Roman Catholic Church is the largest Christian denomination in the world. Although it has evolved over time and spread to every continent, its belief, structure and liturgy date back to the one Church founded by Christ. This personal introduction by an English priest, whose experience includes many years of service with the British army, is offered as one man's guide to the origins and practices of Catholic Christianity.

The book considers the Jewish roots and historical context of Christianity. It traces the evolution of thought that culminated in the message of its founder, and the impact of Jesus' teachings on his followers. It recounts the history of the early Church, its aims and beliefs, and the formulation by the Church Fathers and the great ecumenical councils of answers to questions of faith, morals and teachings. Thematic chapters deal with the topics of faith and reason, how to recognize truth, authority, myth, the question of sin, judgement and deliverance, and the meaning of the sacraments. Others deal with historical events, changing attitudes, religious practices, institutional structures and sacred texts.

Written in an informal and friendly style, this guide is the perfect introduction to a rich, complex and profoundly influential system of belief.

ACCESS THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS

Simple Guides: Religion is a series of concise, accessible introductions to the world’s major religions. Written by experts in the field, they offer an engaging and sympathetic description of the key concepts, beliefs and practices of different faiths.

Ideal for spiritual seekers and travellers alike, Simple Guides aims to open the doors of perception. Together the books provide a reliable compass to the world’s great spiritual traditions, and a point of reference for further exploration and discovery. By offering essential insights into the core values, customs and beliefs of different
societies, they also enable visitors to be aware of the cultural sensibilities of their hosts, and to behave in a way that fosters mutual respect and understanding.

Zen Buddhism - Simple Guides by Diana St. Ruth

2011-07-19T00:30:00-05:00

Zen Buddhism - Simple Guides
Written by Diana St. Ruth

eBook | Simple Guides | Religion - Zen Buddhism; Religion - Ritual & Practices; Religion | $10.95 | 978-1-85733-637-5 (1-85733-637-2)

THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU

• to appreciate the significance of this particular school of Buddhism,famous for its focus on meditation and self-awakening

• to understand the history of Zen and the ‘Ways of Zen’

• to discover how Zen is a way of life — not a belief system

• to avoid faux pas in conversation, in travelling and in personal relationships

Zen (in Chinese, Ch’an) is the form of Buddhism which the great teacher Bodhidharma brought to China from India in the late fifth century. Today it is practised mainly in Japan and Korea,. Based upon the understanding that each of us has the potential for complete awakening, Zen is in fact a coalition of practical ways of stilling the mind in order to attain self-knowledge.

Because the realization of the true nature of reality, including one’s own, is not an intellectual pursuit but an experienced truth, Zen teachers transmit the truth (dharma) from mind to mind or heart to heart without the use of words, using different techniques to break through the limitations of the logical mind.

This engaging book explains the essence of Zen in simple terms.. It traces its development and looks at its unique methods of teaching, such as meditation, koans — startling paradoxes that stop the intellect — the use of texts, ceremonies, poetry, and the martial arts. It describes life in monasteries and in the everyday world. Because Zen is rooted in Reality, its practitioners often experience a delightful sense of wonder in the commonplace. This democratic and liberating philosophy does not require us to give up our own traditions, but rather helps us to deepen our understanding of them, and continues to inspire growing numbers of followers in the West.

Islam - Simple Guides by Danielle Robinson

2011-07-12T00:30:00-05:00

Islam - Simple Guides
Written by Danielle Robinson

eBook | Simple Guides | Religion - Islam; Religion - Ritual & Practices; Religion | $10.95 | 978-1-85733-633-7 (1-85733-633-X)

THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU

• to appreciate one of the world’s great religions and the Islamic way of life

• to understand what it means to follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad — ‘the Messenger of God’

• to recognize Islam’s key practices and traditional beliefs

• to avoid faux pas in conversation, in travelling and in personal relationships

ACCESS THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS

Simple Guides: Religion is a series of concise, accessible introductions to the world’s major religions. Written by experts in the field, they offer an engaging and sympathetic description of the key concepts, beliefs and practices of different faiths.

Ideal for spiritual seekers and travellers alike, Simple Guides aims to open the doors of perception. Together the books provide a reliable compass to the world’s great spiritual traditions, and a point of reference for further exploration and discovery. By offering essential insights into the core values customs and beliefs of different societies, they also enable visitors to be aware of the cultural sensibilities of their hosts, and to behave in a way that fosters mutual respect and understanding.

Shinto - Simple Guides by Ian Reader

2011-07-12T00:30:00-05:00

Shinto - Simple Guides
Written by Ian Reader

eBook | Simple Guides | Religion - Shintoism; Religion - Ritual & Practices; Religion | $10.95 | 978-1-85733-631-3 (1-85733-631-3)

THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU

• to appreciate the significance of Japan’s own religion in everyday life

• to recognize the key traditions and festivals (matsuri) of the Shinto year

• to understand what you will see at Shinto shrines and in Shinto rituals

• to gain insights into the controversies surrounding Shinto, politics and nationalism

ACCESS THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS

Simple Guides: Religion is a series of concise, accessible introductions to the world’s major religions. Written by experts in the field, they offer an engaging and sympathetic description of the key concepts, beliefs and practices of different faiths.

Ideal for spiritual seekers and travellers alike, Simple Guides aims to open the doors of perception. Together the books provide a reliable compass to the world’s great spiritual traditions, and a point of reference for further exploration and discovery. By offering essential insights into the core values, customs and beliefs of different
societies, they also enable visitors to be aware of the cultural sensibilities of their hosts, and to behave in a way that fosters mutual respect and understanding.

Sikhism - Simple Guides by Sewa Singh Kalsi

2011-07-12T00:30:00-05:00

Sikhism - Simple Guides
Written by Sewa Singh Kalsi

eBook | Simple Guides | Religion - Sikhism; Religion - Ritual & Practices; Religion | $10.95 | 978-1-85733-634-4 (1-85733-634-8)

THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU

• to appreciate one of the historic religions of the Indian subcontinent

• to understand what it means to be a Sikh, especially the guru—disciple relationship

• to recognize the key festivals of the Sikh year and the different aspects of Sikh worship and practice

• to avoid faux pas in conversation, in travelling and in personal relationships

ACCESS THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS

Simple Guides: Religions is a series of concise, accessible introductions to the world’s major religions. Written by experts in the field, they offer an engaging and sympathetic description of the key concepts, beliefs and practices of different faiths.

Ideal for spiritual seekers and travellers alike, Simple Guides aims to open the doors of perception. Together the books provide a reliable compass to the world’s great spiritual traditions, and a point of reference for further exploration and discovery. By offering essential insights into the core values, customs and beliefs of different
societies, they also enable visitors to be aware of the cultural sensibilities of their hosts, and to behave in a way that fosters mutual respect and understanding.

Theravada Buddhism - Simple Guides by Diana St. Ruth

2011-07-12T00:30:00-05:00

Theravada Buddhism - Simple Guides
Written by Diana St. Ruth

eBook | Simple Guides | Religion - Buddhism - Theravada; Religion - Ritual & Practices; Religion | $10.95 | 978-1-85733-632-0 (1-85733-632-1)

THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU

• to appreciate the timeless wisdom of the oldest form of Buddhism in existence today

• to understand what it means to be a Buddhist

• to recognize the key practices and traditions of Theravada Buddhism

• to avoid faux pas in conversation, in travelling and in personal relationships

ACCESS THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS

Simple Guides: Religion is a series of concise, accessible introductions to the world’s major religions. Written by experts in the field, they offer an engaging and sympathetic description of the key concepts, beliefs and practices of different faiths.

Ideal for spiritual seekers and travellers alike, Simple Guides aims to open the doors of perception. Together the books provide a reliable compass to the world’s great spiritual traditions, and a point of reference for further exploration and discovery. By offering essential insights into the core values, customs and beliefs of different
societies, they also enable visitors to be aware of the cultural sensibilities of their hosts, and to behave in a way that fosters mutual respect and understanding.

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Scott Hahn

2011-02-15T00:30:00-05:00

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper
Written by Brant Pitre
Foreword by Scott Hahn

eBook | Image | Religion - Catholicism; Religion - Christianity - Theology - Christology; Religion - Ritual & Practices | $11.99 | 978-0-385-53185-6 (0-385-53185-0)

In recent years, Christians everywhere are rediscovering the Jewish roots of their faith. Every year at Easter time, many believers now celebrate Passover meals (known as Seders) seeking to understand exactly what happened at Jesus’ final Passover, the night before he was crucified.

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist shines fresh light on the Last Supper by looking at it through Jewish eyes. Using his in-depth knowledge of the Bible and ancient Judaism, Dr. Brant Pitre answers questions such as: What was the Passover like at the time of Jesus? What were the Jewish hopes for the Messiah? What was Jesus’ purpose in instituting the Eucharist during the feast of Passover? And, most important of all, what did Jesus mean when he said, “This is my body… This is my blood”?

To answer these questions, Pitre explores ancient Jewish beliefs about the Passover of the Messiah, the miraculous Manna from heaven, and the mysterious Bread of the Presence. As he shows, these three keys—the Passover, the Manna, and the Bread of the Presence—have the power to unlock the original meaning of the Eucharistic words of Jesus. Along the way, Pitre also explains how Jesus united the Last Supper to his death on Good Friday and his Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Inspiring and informative, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist is a groundbreaking work that is sure to illuminate one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith: the mystery of Jesus’ presence in “the breaking of the bread.”

From the Hardcover edition.

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Scott Hahn

2011-02-15T00:30:00-05:00

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper
Written by Brant Pitre
Foreword by Scott Hahn

Hardcover, 240 pages | Image | Religion - Catholicism; Religion - Christianity - Theology - Christology; Religion - Ritual & Practices | $21.99 | 978-0-385-53184-9 (0-385-53184-2)

The Torah by Rabbi Rodney Mariner

2010-11-15T00:30:00-05:00

The Torah
Introduction by Rabbi Rodney Mariner

Hardcover, 400 pages | Kuperard | Religion; Religion - Ritual & Practices; Religion - Reference | $34.95 | 978-1-85733-380-0 (1-85733-380-2)

A classic early 20th century translation by the Jewish Publication Society is graced by reproductions of ancient frescoes, medieval illuminated manuscripts, and paintings by contemporary artists.

   • Bound in blue cloth with illuminated front cover, bears all the hallmarks of a classic work.
   • This edition brings together one of the most beautiful renderings of the Hebrew Bible in the English language with a wealth of Jewish art and imagery.
   • Seventy-four ancient colour illustrations using archive material from many major collections & museums enhance the epic journey through time of a unique people.
   • The text selected is the classic 1917 Jewish Publicaton Society translation which brings alive the history of the Jewish people in a classical way.
   • In addition to the contents a synoptic contents has been added to the beginning of each book of the Torah to help the reader locate the better known events and their themes.
   • The Hebrew texts as they actually appear in the Torah scroll have also been included for several significant passages.
   • This edition would grace any home or make an ideal present for any rite of passage.
   • An introduction by Rabbi Mariner sets the tone of this magnificent yet perfect sized edition of the best selling book in the world.

Wisdom from the Monastery by Bernhard Muller

2010-10-26T00:30:00-05:00

Wisdom from the Monastery A Program of Spiritual Healing
Edited by Peter Seewald
Contribution by Lucia Glahn, Simone Kosog and Bernhard Muller

Trade Paperback, 384 pages | North Atlantic Books | Religion - Christian Life - Personal Growth; Body, Mind & Spirit - Spirituality - General; Religion - Ritual & Practices | $18.95 | 978-1-55643-923-0 (1-55643-923-7)

For almost two millennia, Christian men and women have banded together to live in devotion to God and humanity. Recent studies have shown that, on average, men and women in Holy Orders are healthier and live longer than the rest of us. What timeless solutions to the things that ail us might we have dismissed in our rush into the modern age?

Written by three very modern seekers who visited monastic communities to explore facets of the contemplative life, Wisdom from the Monastery reveals what these lay practitioners found so rewarding and deeply relevant to their lives today. Originally published in Germany as three separate volumes, the U.S. edition combines these major aspects of monastic practice: fasting, healing, and meditation. The book’s warm, engaging tone presents millennia-tested practices of contemplative Christianity free from Church dogma. One need not be Catholic, nor even Christian, to benefit from fasting, herbal and other natural remedies, and profound approaches to prayer, meditation, and silence. Readers learn what characterizes the best monastic communities and discover a sense of the retreat experience as spiritual adventure. Featuring over 100 photographs, daily exercises, personal anecdotes, and fascinating snippets on monastic experience through the ages, Wisdom from the Monastery introduces readers to a cast of remarkable monks and nuns who have chosen lives of renunciation and simplicity. Within these pages, monastic wisdom demonstrates its relevance across millennia and beyond monastery walls.

Do I Kneel or Do I Bow? by Akasha Lonsdale

2010-03-30T00:30:00-05:00

Do I Kneel or Do I Bow? What You Need To Know When Attending Religious Occasions
Written by Akasha Lonsdale

Trade Paperback, 336 pages | Kuperard | Religion - Ritual & Practices; Travel - Special Interest - Religious; Religion - Comparative Religion | $19.95 | 978-1-85733-524-8 (1-85733-524-4)

In today’s multicultural society we are increasingly likely to meet and become friends with people from different religious backgrounds, and to find ourselves attending an unfamiliar ceremony. When this happens, there can be few of us who know exactly what to expect, or are confident about how to behave.

This book will help you:
• to understand the backgrounds to the key festivals, ceremonies, and practices of the major world religions
• to participate in the main holidays and festivals of the different religious calendars
• to know what to expect and how to behave when invited to attend a Protestant, Catholic, Christian Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist service
• to join in the family celebrations of friends from different backgrounds

Armed with this basic information, you will feel relaxed enough to enjoy the occasion–and perhaps inspired to discover more about the spiritual world view of another cultural tradition.

It is very easy to potentially give offence when you are unfamiliar with another’s faith tradition. So here’s some quick Top Tips:

1. Don’t take alcohol to a Muslim celebration

2. Never point your feet at the Murti (sacred deity) in a Hindu Temple

3. Be prepared to stand for up to three hours at an Orthodox Christian wedding

4. Don’t take flowers to a Jewish funeral

5. Keep your head covered at all times inside a Sikh Gurdwara (Temple)

6. Flowers are welcome at a Catholic or Protestant funeral

7. Be prepared to be gender segregated at a Muslim wedding

8. Cover your arms, legs and chest, but not your head, at a Buddhist Temple

Do I Kneel or Do I Bow? by Akasha Lonsdale

2010-03-16T00:30:00-05:00

Do I Kneel or Do I Bow? What You Need To Know When Attending Religious Occasions
Written by Akasha Lonsdale

eBook, 336 pages | Kuperard | Religion - Ritual & Practices; Travel - Special Interest - Religious; Religion - Comparative Religion | $19.95 | 978-1-85733-534-7 (1-85733-534-1)

Roman Catholic Church - Simple Guides by Edmund Hartley

2009-05-05T00:30:00-05:00

Roman Catholic Church - Simple Guides
Written by Edmund Hartley

Trade Paperback, 144 pages | Kuperard | Religion - Catholicism; Religion - Ritual & Practices; Religion - Reference | $10.95 | 978-1-85733-441-8 (1-85733-441-8)

The Catholic Home by Meredith Gould

2009-04-22T00:30:00-05:00

The Catholic Home Celebrations and Traditions for Holidays, Feast Days, and Every Day
Written by Meredith Gould

eBook, 272 pages | Image | Religion - Catholicism; Religion - Ritual & Practices | $9.99 | 978-0-307-55052-1 (0-307-55052-4)

A practical, inspiring guide to Catholic observances and celebrations for the home.

For centuries, the Catholic Church has offered an abundance of splendid traditions that extend religious and spiritual practice into daily life. Now, Meredith Gould reintroduces these customs and rituals to modern Roman Catholics.

Using the liturgical calendar, The Catholic Home provides familiar and new ways to celebrate each season and its special days. Gould reviews major holy days, select saints’ days, familiar prayers, and suggests meaningful ways to prepare as a family for such sacraments as Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist, and Matrimony.
This book includes a concise history of each ritual and clarifies the meaning behind it by highlighting celebrations of Catholic holidays from different parts of the globe. Your family will learn to make Advent wreaths, Jesse trees, St. Lucy’s crowns, King’s cakes, All Souls altars, traditional foods, and participate in family devotions.
Throughout The Catholic Home, Gould’s down-to-earth practicality and sense of humor give the activities she describes modern relevance no matter how ancient their origins. Excerpts from the official Catechism of the Catholic Church are included to illuminate Church doctrine on matters of faith and ritual. This indispensable guide will appeal to Catholics young and old and inspire beloved family traditions to be handed down from one generation to the next.

Hinduism - Simple Guides by Venika Mehra Kingsland

2008-01-15T00:30:00-05:00

Hinduism - Simple Guides
Written by Venika Mehra Kingsland

Trade Paperback, 144 pages | Kuperard | Religion - Hinduism; Religion - Ritual & Practices; Religion - Reference | $10.95 | 978-1-85733-437-1 (1-85733-437-X)

THIS BOOK WILL HELP YOU

• to appreciate the principal religion of the Indian subcontinent that has no recognized leader or founder

• to understand what it means to be a Hindu

• to recognize the key deities, and the holidays and festivals of the Hindu year

• to avoid faux pas in conversation, in travelling and in personal relationships

ACCESS THE WORLD’S RELIGIONS

Simple Guides: Religion is a series of concise, accessible introductions to the world’s major religions. Written by experts in the field, they offer an engaging and sympathetic description of the key concepts, beliefs and practices of different faiths.

Ideal for spiritual seekers and travellers alike, Simple Guides aims to open the doors of perception. Together the books provide a reliable compass to the world’s great spiritual traditions, and a point of reference for further exploration and discovery. By offering essential insights into the core values, customs and beliefs of different societies, they also enable visitors to be aware of the cultural sensibilities of their hosts, and to behave in a way that fosters mutual respect and understanding.

Random House New Releases - Religion - Ritual & Practices

Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers by U.S. Catholic Bishops

Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers Written by U.S. Catholic Bishops

History of God by Karen Armstrong

History of God Written by Karen Armstrong

Judaism - Simple Guides by David Starr-Glass

Judaism - Simple Guides Written by David Starr-Glass

Orthodox Church - Simple Guides by Katherine Clark

Orthodox Church - Simple Guides Written by Katherine Clark

Protestant Tradition - Simple Guides by David Rhymer

Protestant Tradition - Simple Guides Written by David Rhymer

Roman Catholic Church - Simple Guides by Edmund Hartley

Roman Catholic Church - Simple Guides Written by Edmund Hartley

Zen Buddhism - Simple Guides by Diana St. Ruth

Zen Buddhism - Simple Guides Written by Diana St. Ruth

Islam - Simple Guides by Danielle Robinson

Islam - Simple Guides Written by Danielle Robinson

Shinto - Simple Guides by Ian Reader

Shinto - Simple Guides Written by Ian Reader

Sikhism - Simple Guides by Sewa Singh Kalsi

Sikhism - Simple Guides Written by Sewa Singh Kalsi

Theravada Buddhism - Simple Guides by Diana St. Ruth

Theravada Buddhism - Simple Guides Written by Diana St. Ruth

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Scott Hahn

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist Unlocking the Secrets of the Last SupperWritten by Brant Pitre Foreword by Scott Hahn

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Scott Hahn

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist Unlocking the Secrets of the Last SupperWritten by Brant Pitre Foreword by Scott Hahn

The Torah by Rabbi Rodney Mariner

The Torah Introduction by Rabbi Rodney Mariner

Wisdom from the Monastery by Bernhard Muller

Wisdom from the Monastery A Program of Spiritual HealingEdited by Peter Seewald Contribution by Lucia Glahn, Simone Kosog and Bernhard Muller

Do I Kneel or Do I Bow? by Akasha Lonsdale

Do I Kneel or Do I Bow? What You Need To Know When Attending Religious OccasionsWritten by Akasha Lonsdale

Do I Kneel or Do I Bow? by Akasha Lonsdale

Do I Kneel or Do I Bow? What You Need To Know When Attending Religious OccasionsWritten by Akasha Lonsdale

Roman Catholic Church - Simple Guides by Edmund Hartley

Roman Catholic Church - Simple Guides Written by Edmund Hartley

The Catholic Home by Meredith Gould

The Catholic Home Celebrations and Traditions for Holidays, Feast Days, and Every DayWritten by Meredith Gould

Hinduism - Simple Guides by Venika Mehra Kingsland

Hinduism - Simple Guides Written by Venika Mehra Kingsland

Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers
Written by U.S. Catholic Bishops

History of God
Written by Karen Armstrong

Judaism - Simple Guides
Written by David Starr-Glass

Orthodox Church - Simple Guides
Written by Katherine Clark

Protestant Tradition - Simple Guides
Written by David Rhymer

Roman Catholic Church - Simple Guides
Written by Edmund Hartley

Zen Buddhism - Simple Guides
Written by Diana St. Ruth

Islam - Simple Guides
Written by Danielle Robinson

Shinto - Simple Guides
Written by Ian Reader

Sikhism - Simple Guides
Written by Sewa Singh Kalsi

Theravada Buddhism - Simple Guides
Written by Diana St. Ruth

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper
Written by Brant Pitre
Foreword by Scott Hahn

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper
Written by Brant Pitre
Foreword by Scott Hahn

The Torah
Introduction by Rabbi Rodney Mariner

Wisdom from the Monastery A Program of Spiritual Healing
Edited by Peter Seewald
Contribution by Lucia Glahn, Simone Kosog and Bernhard Muller

Do I Kneel or Do I Bow? What You Need To Know When Attending Religious Occasions
Written by Akasha Lonsdale

Do I Kneel or Do I Bow? What You Need To Know When Attending Religious Occasions
Written by Akasha Lonsdale

Roman Catholic Church - Simple Guides
Written by Edmund Hartley

The Catholic Home Celebrations and Traditions for Holidays, Feast Days, and Every Day
Written by Meredith Gould

Hinduism - Simple Guides
Written by Venika Mehra Kingsland