These are the Catholic Books we have produced over the past 10 years!
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184 Days of Empty Churches
This collection of Lockdown Homilies by Fr Jean-Marie Kuzituka Did’ho offers insightful reflections on the Gospels assigned for the celebration of the daily Holy Eucharist during Lockdown in Year A. These reflections are meant to help Christians to pray, recalling those days of confinement. These reflections are brief, easy to read, yet
insightful and practical. -
A Call Within A Call
This book can be read by an academic whose contribution to the world is still needed. This is a useful book for a Minister of the Word, it encourages and challenges the way pastors are viewed in the world. It has something of value to an ordinary person who is searching for meaning in life. You should not rush through this book but rather give yourself time as you read it. It is a thought-provoking book and leads any person into the depth of one’s life.
Fr Thembelani Ngcobo: ArchDiocese of Durban -
A Deacon’s Reflection
The Catholic Permanent Deacon, restored by Vatican II, has not yet been clearly defined and comprehensively understood by the Church throughout her various structures. This book is a simple contribution to a universal process of defining and understanding who the Catholic Permanent Deacon is – his identity, role and relationship – and what this means for the Church moving forward. This book is both helpful and challenging, as it should be.
Many books have been written on the subject of the Catholic Permanent Deacon, but this is the first book to be written by a Permanent Deacon from Africa on this subject. While not professing to be an expert, he brings his lived faith experience combined with a cultivated knowledge of his ministry and profound spiritual insights to a work that sheds much-needed light on a clerical Order that remains mysterious to and poorly understood by many in the Catholic Church. -
An Introduction to the Sunday Readings for Year A of the Lectionary
Fr Joseph Falkiner OP started out by writing weekly reflections on the readings of the day for the Parish newsletter of a Parish where he was working in Soweto.
The response to these insightful little reflections was so positive that started a Facebook page called “Sunday readings – introductions”, on which he posted the reflections. This proved a great success, and he began sharing the reading on various ACTS (Association of Catholic Tertiary Students) pages, as well that of Radio Veritas. The response prompted Fr Stanslaus Muyebe OP, the Dominican Provincial, to ask Fr Joe to compile these Reflections into three volumes (A, B & C). -
Being Catholic
“A faith journey may be personal, an extended personal testimony if you like, something we always encouraged potential evangelisers to develop before we taught the faith-sharing basics. Testimonies help to build relationships, by making the person sharing vulnerable, open to understanding and if need be, to criticism.”
Mike Weldon takes us from his “bog Irish” education at a Catholic boarding school, through years “in the desert” of a secular life outside of the faith through the “decadent 60s” and 70s, an almost accidental re-discovery of his faith, and his experiences as a lay evangeliser in the Charismatic movement, Life in the Spirit Seminars and Alpha. -
Being Charismatic
Lay evangelist Mike Weldon describes his own journey of discernment in the Charismatic Movement in this thought-provoking little book.
Sometimes critical, sometimes self-deprecating, but always honest, this is a look at Charismatic renewal in South Africa through the eyes of a true Faith-seeker. -
Building My Self-Confidence
Going to a Catholic Seminary was really a Copernican moment in my life. If it were not for going to St Francis Xavier Seminary in Cape Town, I do not think that I could have written this book.
This book is based on my experiences as a seminarian, so my experiences may be different from someone else’s. In this book, I do not intend to definitely say these are experiences one would have when joining a seminary. Still, all that is contained in this book is what I learned and discovered about myself as a seminarian and about my fellow seminarians. -
Called to Serve
A Photographic History of the Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg — 1850-2023
This lovely full colour Coffee Table Book documents the history of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg over 173 years, and documents its perishes, and its clerical and other institutions in great detail.
Its 254 A4 pages are packed with information and beautiful, full colour photographs and illustrations
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Christianity in a Cosmopolitan City
Christianity is a communion of believers in Jesus Christ who is theSaviour of humanity. All those who believe in Jesus are called togather as one in Jesus’ majestic name, to share in one faith.
In this book, the author looks at how Christianity can and mustplay a crucial role to resolve problems of tribalism, xenophobia and racism arising in cosmopolitan cities. Cities and towns are no longer homogeneous. The phenomenon of globalisation and the social, economic and political situations of many countries push people to migrate and immigrate in search of green pastures. One cannot imagine a city lived by one tribe or one race or by citizens of the same country.
As a Christian and clergy, the author wants to preach the Good News of salvation, spreading the Gospel of love, unity, justice and
peace, respect and dignity of human life.
Questions are posed:
What do we do as Christians, regardless of our religious affiliations, to eradicate, in the light of the Bible, the evils of tribalism, xenophobia and racism?
Can the Bible give us practical answers to the vices brought by modernity and secularism in our cosmopolitan cities?
Let us explore with the author this exciting journey of faith. -
Collared & Content: Perspectives @40
Life begins at 40!
In this book, S’milo Mngadi, who has been a Catholic priest for 15 years, shares the perspectives he has gained from his first 40 years on earth.
They range from family to society; politics to people; theology to religion, sexuality to identity and much more.
This is not an autobiography nor a memoir, but a collection of viewpoints arising from his life-experience.
He admits that his views are not absolute and humbly confesses that he might be missing the point altogether.
However, he is convinced that it is a proverbial song which may be, and is in most cases, out of tune with many currently popular tunes, but which he must not die without singing. -
Die Kers Verhaal
‘n Inkleurwerkboek wat ontwerp is om klein kinders van die Kersverhaal te leer en hulle te help om die name van voorwerpe, mense en gebeurtenisse te herken wat hulle in hierdie tyd sal teëkom.
Boek twee in die “Suffer Little Children”-reeks.Hierdie boek is ‘n kombinasie inkleur- en werkboek wat ontwerp is om kinders aan die Kersfees-geloofsverhaal bekend te stel en hulle bewus te maak dat Kersfees nie net oor versierings, liggies en geskenke gaan nie.
In hierdie boek val die klem op die skep van ‘n assosiasie tussen die woorde en die prentjies van mense en gebeurtenisse. Deur kinders aan te moedig om prente in die boek te plak, stel hulle in staat om die boek te verpersoonlik met prente waarvan hulle hou en waarmee hulle verband hou.
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Do You Speak Catholic? Revised Edition
The Little Book of Catholic Words – Definitions, Explanations and Illustrations – New Revised Edition
Now highlighting more than 300 words and phrases. Also includes a new section on Catholic Symbols!
Have you ever wondered what an Aspergillum was? Perhaps not! How about a Sacramental? Or do you know the difference between a homily and sermon? As with any major institution or organisation in the world, the Catholic Church uses words that are exclusive to it – call it “jargon”, if you will. These words can be confusing, not only to outsiders but even to “cradle Catholics”.
This little book attempts to overcome that confusion by providing definitions, explanations and as many illustrations as possible for this array of special words.
As with any major institution or organisation in the world, the Catholic Church uses words that are exclusive to it – call it “jargon”, if you will. These words can be confusing, not only to outsiders but even to “cradle Catholics”. The Church also assigns meanings to everyday words that are completely different to the norm. For example, did you know that there are five different meanings of the word “ordinary” in the Church’s lexicon, but none of them is, well, ordinary? This little book attempts to overcome that confusion by providing definitions, explanations and as many illustrations as possible for this array of special words. It is a sort of combination dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopaedia and pictionary, all in one small book. It makes no attempt to go into the liturgy or theology behind the words, except when that forms part of the definition or explanation, but it does try to illuminate, elucidate and even teach a little!
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Entre Collines et Vallees
Un récit par un Missionnaire Belge au Rwanda-Burundi
Le frère Antoine Colpaert, missionnaire belge de la Congrégation des Frères de la Charité, nous raconte ce qu’il a vu au Rwanda-Burundi et pas nécessairement ce qu’il a fait. Merci à Patience LUKESO Agréable qui a compilé les souvenirs du Frère Antoine afin de les partager avec nous.
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Father Paul Fahy – Called to be an Apostle
SA Catholic Online Books, on behalf of the Kouga Catholic Community, has produced a book celebrating the Golden Jubilee and Ministry of the late Fr Paul Fahy of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth. This book is a celebration of the life of Fr Paul Fahy after 50 years of Ministry to the people of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth. It is a verbal and pictorial record of his seven pastoral assignments, his formative years, his family and his friends and colleagues. It also, sadly, documents his last days in the Diocese and his moving and inspiring Requiem Mass, attended by nearly 1000 people and concelebrated by more than 40 priests.
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Franciscan Spirituality
The goal of a good Franciscan formation is to form within the student a genuine Franciscan heart. This entails both academic and experiential learning anchored in the rich spiritual depths of the Franciscan Intellectual-spiritual tradition. If the goal is a well-formed Franciscan heart, then the starting point is a thorough immersion in the sources of our tradition.
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Franciscan Spirituality – Revised Version
My main aim is to clarify some of the mis-conceptions and even myths about the Franciscan Order and its Spirituality, which are coming from various ill-informed sources… My mission is to get Francis and Clare to speak to you as intimately and as fraternally as possible so that the dust that others would have thrown over your mind may be blown away.” – Friar Cascarino Valentine OFM, PhD, STD, STL
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From Bruised Reeds to Patmos Island
Any person who participates daily in the Mass of the Catholic Church will, over the 2 & 3 year Lectionary cycle, hear, pray, and acclaim Scripture passages from every single book of the Bible, both OT and NT. But in addition, the length, breadth, and depth of Scripture which permeates both the Architecture of the Eucharist and the thousands of prayers expressed in its Liturgy is a topic which Michael Mahony takes up in the final book of his trilogy on the Eucharist, From Bruised Reeds to Patmos Island. In doing so, he challenges and recalibrates the term, “A Bible-believing Church”.
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iBali leKrisimesi
Le yiNcwadi yokuSebenza nefuna abantwana bafaka imibala. Yenzelwe ukufundisa abantwana ngebali leKrisimesi kwaye iluncedo ukuze abantwana baqaphele amagama ezinto, abantu kunye neziganeko abazakudibana nazo ngeli xesha. Iyincwadi yesiBini kungcelele lwe” Suffer Little Children”
Le ncwadi yindibaniselwano yombala kunye nencwadi yomsebenzi eyenzelwe ukwazisa abantwana kwiNdaba yoKholo lweKrisimesi kwaye ibenze baqonde ukuba iKrisimesi ayikho nje izinto zokuhombisa, izibane kunye nezipho. Ukukhuthaza abantwana ukuba bancamathisele imifanekiso encwadini kubavumela ukuba babhale incwadi ibe yeyabo ngemifanekiso abayithandayo nabahambelana nayo

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Introductions to the Sunday Readings for Year B of the Lectionary
Fr Joseph Falkiner OP started out by writing weekly reflections on the readings of the day for the Parish newsletter of a Parish where he was working in Soweto.
The response to these insightful little reflections was so positive that he started a Facebook page called “Sunday readings – introductions”, on which he posted the reflections. This proved a great success, and he began sharing the reading on various ACTS (Association of Catholic Tertiary Students) pages, as well that of Radio Veritas. The response prompted Fr Stanslaus Muyebe OP, the then Dominican Provincial, to ask Fr Joe to compile these Reflections into three volumes (A, B & C). -
Journal of a Cancer Warrior
This wonderfully inspirational little book by cancer survivor and devoted Catholic Maria Da Costa documents her nearly 30 years as a cancer survivor. However, she goes much further than that – she also radiates optimism, inspiration and love.
The picture below depicts Maria on her little scooter at a Bikers’ Rally she organised to raise funds for Cansa. -
Le Renouveau Charismatique Catholique
Le Renouveau Charismatique Catholique est l’un des mouvements en forte croissance dans l’Eglise. Il est vecteur de beaucoup de bien et a permis à beaucoup de redécouvrir la grâce de leur baptême et de vivre pleinement leur confirmation comme témoins de Jésus Christ. Cependant, il nécessite le besoin d’un accompagnement adéquat pour éviter toute déviation de la foi catholique.
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Musings …in a Strange Time
These Musings began as weekly letters during the Covid-19 lockdown of 2020. This was how a country Bishop sought both to make sense of his own confusion and to reach out to his people, in a strange time. Six months on, when the lockdown was suddenly lifted, he was left with a collection of 24 reflections. They are gathered here in a simple book.
At times it is the liturgical calendar that stimulates the reflection, at times it is a burning social issue that provokes it. The Author draws on enduring truths of the Christian faith and of our common humanity in inviting us into a conversation that is urgently needed. How shall we respond to this pandemic? What is it calling forth from us? How will the pandemic re-shape us both as individuals and in our society? What will it require of our world?
The reflections, while personal, will find a wide resonance – we are all in this together. In small ways they might help us to discover a new solidarity and a shared vision, one that is founded on deep and abiding human values. The conversation has already begun: it will continue for some time – these are still early days. This little book might just inspire and encourage us. -
My First Book of Catholic Words
A Colouring Workbook designed to teach little children to recognise the names of objects, people and events they will encounter at the church.
Book One in the “Suffer Little Children” Series.This book is a combination colouring and workbook designed to introduce small children to the objects, people and events they encounter in church through word/picture association. Children, depending on their age, can either colour in the pictures provided or paste their own pictures into the book, or both!
There is also a Word Search Puzzle section at the back of the book, featuring the words in the book, for older children (and the Mommies and Daddies!)
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Nurturing Our Relationship
A Workbook for Couples
This is the toolbox to fix, and maintain, your conjugal relationship as a joyful and satisfying one. This book helps you to identify the parasitic thoughts, attitudes, words or behaviours that are likely to sabotage your relationship. You will also learn another way of interacting that rekindles the fire into your “couple”. The book empowers you with the skills to be doctors of your own relationship. You have the tools; get down to mending your “couple”!
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Of Family and Faith
Deacon Doug Boake, inspired by a legal ordeal that beset his family, has written a comprehensive book about the issues facing modern Catholic families, and the role faith in supporting each and becoming the glue that binds them together in today’s world.
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Parish Pastoral Companion
Fr Andrew Thomo, a Diocesan priest from the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, has written an invaluable and long overdue “Companion” for Catholic Parishes in Southern Africa.
The book lays out the structures and functions of the Parish, together with the rules and regulations which govern them, as well as the Canon Law behind the implementation of various aspects of the operation of the Parish, including pertinent sacraments.
The object of the book is to promote “vibrant and meaningful Liturgical Celebrations, spiritual awakening and renewal in the Parish, sound administration, self-sustainability, education and formation, and the dissemination of information to the parishioners”.
“All these are of paramount importance for an effective, vibrant, spiritually enriching and ethical Parish.”
The book has a “Nihil Obstat” from the Archdiocese of Johannesburg. -
Pastoral Letters on Mary and Matters Ancestral
Archbishop Buti Thlagale OMI of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg has produced a compilation of his homilies and pastoral letters on Mary, as well as issues of African traditional beliefs in the context of Catholicism.
The book, “Pastoral Letters on Mary and Matters Ancestral” was compiled by the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, Fr Jean-Marie Kuzituka Did’ho, and forms part of the Mother of Mercy Marian Shrine project.
The homilies on Mary were delivered with the intention of promoting the veneration of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, and to gather support for the project of building a Marian Shrine in the Archdiocese, the “Mary, Mother of Mercy” Shrine in the Magaliesberg. -
Prayers of the Sodality of the Sacred Heart
The Sodality of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Archdiocese of Johannesburg Branch) commissioned the publication of its very own Book of Prayers.
The book contains a selection of the most common prayers and litanies in daily use by members of the Sodality, and is presented in three languages – English, isiZulu and Sesotho – all in one book!
The book is printed A6 landscape and is small enough to fit into a handbag or jacket pocket.
The book is published on behalf of the Sodality by SA Catholic Online Books, -
Preparing for Marriage
A Workbook for Engaged Couples
This book offers an in-depth look at premarital counselling and is designed to assist engaged couples to prepare themselves for a long and fulfilling marriage. It is NOT about preparing for the wedding itself!
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Soiling the Hands
This collection of seven books is one ordinary person’s exploration of the relationship between God and the human race, centred around the revelation of Jesus Christ who became One of Us in order that humanity could, in turn, share in the life within God.
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St Mark’s Gospel – In the Footsteps of Jesus, according to St Mark
Fr W H “Billy” Barnes has written a “blow by blow”, clear and easy-to-follow commentary of this Gospel, for use by Bible Study Groups and those, who may not be theological scholars, wanting a clearer understanding of this scripture.
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The Act of Sustainable Covenant
At the same time, in this book he challenges Catholic readers to take a fresh look at the much neglected Concluding Rites of the Eucharist, claiming that the link therein between the Eucharist and the Kerygma is central to achieving the purposes of the New Evangelisation, particularly with regard to the laity’s role in such evangelisation.
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The Bystander
The Bystander was written in response to criticism directed at the teachings of the Catholic Church, and the writing responds to both religious and atheistic writers. In offering a response, the author attempts to contrast the vantage point or perspective of the critic with that of the Catholic Church. However, the perspective which one adopts will depend partially on where or in whom one perceives that the final court of appeal will lie.
Critics of the teachings of the Catholic Church usually accept human reason as the final Court of Appeal, while Catholics perceive a profession of faith as the final Court of Appeal. Also, a profession of faith is often the outcome of a council of bishops. -
The Catholic Church – 200 years in Southern Africa
This book is nothing short of a work of wonder and I believe that Marumagae Moshe was inspired by the Holy Spirit to undertake such a mammoth task. This book is nothing short of a work of wonder and I believe that Marumagae Moshe was inspired by the Holy Spirit to undertake such a mammoth task. In this book you are invited to understand and appreciate what the Catholic Church really is, what it’s Mission is about, what the challenges are that confronts her, what the issues are that she continues to face, what possible paths she ventures into as a new dawn arises. You are invited to respond positively to a call to identify a role that you as member of this Church can play, this therefore means that you are to submit yourself to be used by the Holy Spirit and say: “Thuma Mina…Nkosi yami”, I truly commend this book.
Moeketsi Joseph Tedile – September 2018 -
The Charismatic Renewal – The Catholic Church’s Way
One of the fastest-growing movements in the Church is the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. It is a vector of much good and has enabled many to rediscover the grace of their baptism and to fully experience their confirmation as witnesses of Jesus Christ.
However, it requires the need for adequate oversight to avoid any deviation from the Catholic faith.
Father Djese Benoit shares his many years of pastoral experience with Charismatic Renewal in the DRC, his country of origin, and in South Africa where he works as a Priest Fidei Donum. -
The Christmas Story
A Colouring Workbook designed to teach little children about the Christmas story and help them to recognise the names of objects, people and events they will encounter at this time.
Book Two in the “Suffer Little Children” Series.This book is a combination colouring and workbook designed to introduce children to the Christmas Faith Story and make them aware that Christmas is not just about decorations, lights and presents.
In this book, as in our previous ‘Words’ book, the emphasis is on creating an association between the words and the pictures of people and events. Encouraging children to paste pictures into the book allows them to personalise the book with pictures they like and relate to.
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The Dependent God
In this first book, The Dependent God, Michael Mahony relates in a radical way (the word Dependent is not a metaphor) his understanding of the Incarnation and the Atonement, along with the journeys of two ‘containers’ which God brought about in history so as to prepare the way for God to become One of Us. The first container was the ancient Hebrew people, and the second was the evolution of human language.
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The Diocese of Tzaneen – 50 Years Plus
A history of the Catholic Diocese of Tzaneen, in the Province of Limpopo in South Africa.
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The First Dominican Friars in Boksburg, Brakpan and Springs: South Africa (1917-1927)
This book speaks of the arrival of Catholic priests (friars of the Dominican Order) in the gold-mining towns of Boksburg, Brakpan and Springs a century ago, and how they coped or failed to cope with their situation. Arriving from a very different milieu in England, they found it difficult to fit in. They chose not to get involved with the racial and social animosities, the labour unrest, and even the socio-economic factors that led eventually to an apartheid government. Instead they focused on the task of building up parishes.
The social situation they encountered led to frustration. Personal relationships between them deteriorated, and most of the first group returned overseas unhappy or ill. It was only after 1925 with the arrival of more friars, that the work of building not just churches, but of living communities of priest and people, could be begun. It was due to the persistence of two men, Bede Jarrett and Laurence Shapcote, that the mission survived at all. -
The Great Collaboration
He follows the list of documents with a comprehensive ‘Case Study’ of every piece of manuscript evidence in the NT which undergirds the historical reliability of the Resurrection of Jesus. This evidence is based upon the 1432 distinct manuscripts which underpin today’s accepted NT Greek text. The book concludes with three chapters which face the controversial topics of the inspiration, authorship, and ‘inerrancy’ of biblical texts head-on.
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The Jigsaw Puzzle Church
n this, the fourth book in the collection, the author draws heavily from seminal works by Edwin Hatch in the 19th Century and Raymond E. Brown in the 20th to identify how this came about. The insights prove to be remarkably applicable to The Church of the 21st Century.
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The Spirit Is Among Us
The Permanent Diaconate
“This book aims to give the reader an overview of the theological and pastoral nature of the diaconate and thus to clarify the fundamental identity of the deacon, for those who are discerning such a call as aspirants and those who are already candidates for the office. In so doing, it assists students for the diaconate in grasping the theological, pastoral, spiritual, sacramental and sociological aspects present in this vocation, and thus it intends to foster the intellectual formation and deacon students. It is important for everyone engaging in this ministry to acquire a deep understanding of the identity of diaconal ministry. Fidelity to one’s vocation depends upon a clear knowledge of the nature of one’s call. Such clear knowledge helps ensure a firm foundation for a lifelong commitment to the diaconate.”
From the foreword by Dabula A Mpako, DDArchbishop of Pretoria and 1st Vice President of the SACBC -
The Worship of All Nations
This collection of seven books is one ordinary person’s exploration of the relationship between God and the human race, centred around the revelation of Jesus Christ who became One of Us in order that humanity could, in turn, share in the life within God.
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Transformation in Black & White
Fr Lindani Zwane, in his 25th year as a priest, has written this excellent little book about his experiences of transformation and change in the Catholic Church in South Africa, following the nation’s transformation to democracy.
It is a heartfelt and sincere examination of the joys and challenges facing a black priest in a multicultural environment.
He experienced the satisfaction of succeeding in making his local church more alive, being supported in this process by many, but also finding others opposing him, some leaving the parish and a few even leaving the Catholic Church. Change can create tensions, misunderstanding and conflict.
The book is Fr Linda’s “Examen of Consciousness” (Examination of Conscience) and a reflection of his own journey of spiritual growth. He hopes the book will come in handy to someone who might just be in need of this comfort of knowing, and the assurance that it is normal to go through these experiences in the course of one’s life journey and leadership. -
Via Dolorosa
Via Dolorosa looks at the dramatic events around the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, from the Last Supper to the Burial of Christ, through the eyes of bystanders and bit players in the drama. Interspersed among these vignettes are appropriate Prayers and wonderful Poems, as well as a glimpse at the original Jewish traditions, Psalms and Prayers surrounding some of these events depicted. These include the Passover meal (the Seder), the Kaddish (Prayer for the Dead), and the Jewish burial customs of the day.
Via Dolorosa was the very first book ever produced by SA Catholic Online Books!

