As we all know over the Christmas period we often rely on our television for entertainment and these past few years at least in our homes, the programming has left a lot to be desired. If you, a friend or a family member are looking for easily accessible books to read over the holiday period we have a great selection to offer. eBooks are very handy gifts that cause no clutter and can be read easily via your phone or eReader. eBooks are portable and lightweight, making them very easy to carry around. Instead of carrying multiple bulky books, one eBook reader can hold thousands of eBooks. It saves a lot of space in your home and in your bag. You don’t have to worry about the storage limit.
They’re the perfect gift for those looking to read a lovely book at home comfortably on the couch or those on the go taking a brisk winter walk after their Christmas dinner wanting to take a break with an easily accessible book without the extra weight.
Our range of eBooks are thought-provoking, mindful reads and they’re perfect for this time of year. Take a look at some of our best eBook titles below!
The Synodal Pathway
‘A highly timely book. Pope Francis wants the whole church to discern together the way God wants the Church to go. This book helps a lot for a sane discernment of the style of synodality that really matters.’
Christoph Card. Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna
Emanating from the Irish Church but with contributions from leading scholars in the UK, US, Venezuela, Germany, Italy, France, The Netherlands and Australia, this book of fifteen essays provides:
- An introduction to the meaning of synodality and its rich foundations within the Catholic tradition
- Makes the case for synodality as “that which God expects of the Church of the third millennium” (Pope Francis)
- Argues that failure to embrace the synodal path is not an option if the Church is to have any meaningful role to play in the third millennium.
The 17 Irish Martyrs
Historically, Ireland’s shores have been no stranger to bloodshed for faith. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, this tension was especially palpable. As people heard Mass in secret hideaways and travelled for miles to meet with fugitive priests, they were also fighting a government who wanted to force the Protestant state religion upon them.
From this time of suffering and sacrifice, nearly 460 individuals were put forth as dying for the faith. Yet of that number, only 17 were beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1992, posing the question, in a time of intertwined religious and political upheaval, how do we define a martyr?
Former president Mary McAleese seeks to uncover just that. From Franciscan friars and bishops to diocesan priests and a single laywoman – what made these 17 individuals stand apart from the rest? With a confident retelling of their inspiring stories, we discover that until very recently our divisions and wounds were not so dissimilar from theirs.
An Astonishing Secret
Think well before starting on this book. It is an invitation. It will take you in many directions. Much of it may be new to you. But it will not be new to your heart. Your heart is already familiar with the mysteries we will be exploring. It will recognise the beauty. But your mind needs to escape from the frames and constraints of many past, flawed teachings. So keep your eyes wide open and free as you read. The book is a call to you to stretch your thoughts, emotions and imagination in many ways. There will be ideas about the world and God and yourself that will both trouble and delight your spirit. There will be resistance and confusion. There has to be. There is no other way to widen and deepen your faith-understanding. But it will transform your life. Read the book as you would read a love-letter from God.
How to Defend the Faith Without Raising Your Voice
The Catholic Church in the 21st Century stands as one of the most controversial organisations in contemporary society. Counting more than 1.2billion adherents, to its critics it is out of touch and stuck in the past. Some of its teachings – often challenging – remain little understood and Catholics can often find themselves on the receiving end of a barrage of criticism. How to Defend the Faith Without Raising Your Voice answers some of the most common criticisms of Catholicism and helps Catholics and non-Catholics alike to understand where the Church is coming from on controversial topics like abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage and the use of condoms in the fight against HIV. It aims to reframe the debate to help people understand why the Church teaches what it does and equips Catholics to defend their beliefs in a calm and rational way.
Harvesting Hope with Anthony de Mello
The Catholic Church in the 21st Century stands as one of the most controversial organisations in contemporary society. Counting more than 1.2billion adherents, to its critics it is out of touch and stuck in the past. Some of its teachings – often challenging – remain little understood and Catholics can often find themselves on the receiving end of a barrage of criticism. How to Defend the Faith Without Raising Your Voice answers some of the most common criticisms of Catholicism and helps Catholics and non-Catholics alike to understand where the Church is coming from on controversial topics like abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage and the use of condoms in the fight against HIV. It aims to reframe the debate to help people understand why the Church teaches what it does and equips Catholics to defend their beliefs in a calm and rational way.
What Happened to Fr Seán Fagan?
“A heartbreaking read! Makes one wonder whether there is any future for a Church governance system that has invested so little internal reflection on the human right to freedom of conscience, opinion and belief and absolutely nothing on due process, justice, truth and the dignity of the human person… Stories like Seán’s deserve to be told and to instruct as this does!” – Mary McAleese
What happens when theologians are asked to obey rather than discover? Where is the justice in a Church that deploys harsher punishments to those who mention ordaining women than to those involved in child abuse?
Marist priest and theologian Fr Seán Fagan was widely admired and respected as a courageous and compassionate pastor. For many years he was critical of rigid stances by the Vatican on issues of conscience and sexual morality. In 1997, he published the book Does Morality Change?, which was denounced by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) as not in keeping with Church teaching. In 2008, the CDF reacted out of all proportion to one of Seán’s letters that was printed in The Irish Times, and two years later he was informed that he would be laicised should he publish anything the CDF considered contrary to Church teaching, and should he disclose this censure to the media. If he failed to obey, he would be dismissed from religious life, a punishment that would have rendered him homeless.
He expressed a wish to his close friend Angela Hanley that when he died she ought to “spill the beans in public on what really went on, to shame our sinful church in the hope that it might prevent further repetitions”. This book is a fulfilment of that wish and is Seán’s opportunity to have his side of the story told.
Rainbows & Windmills
Written as a challenge to Christian churches’ rigid focus on doctrine and practice, Rainbows & Windmills offers an introduction to personal spirituality. Framed through Peter Tarleton Stewart’s personal childhood experiences, he advises how to strengthen faith in the 21st century.
The author expresses the importance of church institutions unburdening themselves of out-of-date and unsubstantiated material. Only then can they offer a ‘pilgrim’ model of spirituality to those who have persisted in membership despite the misleading and unscientific positions taken by leaders in recent decades.
Golden Steps to Inner Peace, Happiness & Enlightenment
This is a book of love, healing, wisdom and joy. It will transform your life and the lives of others.
Do you want to reach enlightenment in this lifetime? The opportunity is available to you. There are many levels of enlightenment, and this book focuses on the levels you can achieve in this lifetime. It will guide you on your journey to enlightenment, outlining the golden steps you can take to achieve your goal.
This is a book for everyone, whatever your religion or beliefs. It contains universal truths which you can apply to all areas of your life, to enhance your own spiritual practice. Love is the central theme – loving yourself, others and our planet Earth.
To listen to the recordings, or download the MP3 files, go to http://www.mildredryan.com/free-gifts
All of these eBooks are downloadable via our website to view on your phone, tablet, or eReader/Kindle. To view our full range check out our eBook section on our website here.
Disclaimer: These are electronical books, not physical books.