April 2014: A Month to Remember
This April will be a memorable month for Catholics around the world. Along with Easter, we will be celebrating two special canonizations and the publication of the first book by Pope Francis for the general public.
On April 27, Divine Mercy Sunday, two beloved popes — John XXIII and John Paul II — will be canonized in Rome. The festivities will be worldwide, with special Masses and massive public events to be held in many cities in many different countries. Both popes, besides being models of holiness, were among the most influential men of the last 100 years, within the Church and in global affairs.
Novalis is honouring the occasion with a number of special publications. Our double-faced prayer card (with John XXIII on one side and John Paul II on the other) has been in huge demand already and continues to be widely sought. We also have two booklets — Walking with Saint John XXIII and Walking with Saint John Paul II — that provide daily spiritual reflections drawn from their abundant wisdom.
There’s more. John Paul II: A Saint for Canada, by Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB, reflects on this spiritual giant’s impact on our own country. And Saint John XXIII: A Saint for Modern Times, by Canadian writer Lucinda Vardey, reminds us all how and why this amazing figure brought the Church into dialogue with contemporary society.
All of these resources can help you learn more about both figures and pray with them with their own words.
To add to the excitement, Pope Francis has offered his own vision of the church called The Church of Mercy. In this new book, Francis employs his imitable, down-to-earth style to talk heart-to-heart with the world. Anticipation has been mounting since its publication was announced in March. Novalis, as the exclusive distributor for this book in Canada, has been able to secure a sizable number of copies to serve you. Watch for it in late April in your favourite bookstores and online at novalis.ca.
So this spring, enjoy your dose of papal wisdom. Who knows when we will be so graced again?
-Joseph Sinasac, Publishing Director
