College of Saint Mary Books

The world is coming to an end when powerholders are self-absorbed and the masses persist in feeling charitable. Charity is one of the side effects of contemplation, which is more than having exalted visions of the divine. Contemplation is within the reach of all who have been baptized, all who embrace God as more than a 911, all who go beyond worldly ambitions in prayer, all who take part in the Mass. Emptying the mind of what we have created may at first let in a depressing darkness, sort of like seeing angels leaving a hill: my sister calls it the shrapnel of scrooging through how you have lived your life. Ultimately, finding peace and strength in Godly love is WHAT IS CONTEMPLATION is all about. Author Thomas Merton includes his own illustrations and the book's message links well with THE CONTEMPLATIVE HEART by James Finley, GOLD FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH by George Maloney, and DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL by St John of the Cross.

The St. Mary's Press College Study Bible offers the New American Bible translation of Scripture treasured by our Conference of Catholic Bishops. The articles and support materials offer sound scholarship that supports the faith development and educational goals of students from Catholic, Ecumenical Christian Denominations and Inter-Religious heritages. I have used the SMP College Study Bible in parish, senior high school and university teaching. My students and I find it an excellence text. The use of BCE and CE rather than BC and AD to identify historical eras, is essential. Students need to recognize language that is in virtually all their college textbooks in the humanities. As a person of faith, I find that the designation of BCE and CE can equally mean Before the Christian Era and the Christian Era.
Respectfully,
Dr. Sheila O'Connell-Roussell,
Marylhust University Faculty Scripture and Pastoral Ministry

Wow finally a Bible written to a college/High School student user friendly, wait a minuite, in the introduction of the text, in several places we see the use of the term BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) what happened to BC and AD a term that has been in use for over oh I don't know hundreds of years, is this some kind of way to water down Catholic Christianity, some kind of way to be politically correct? This totally discouraged me about this Bible in the wrong hands this could cause confussion with people, I wish they (the publishers) would call it what it is. BC/AD

The college years are years of questioning and searching and seeking understanding to the deeper meaning of one's life. The College Study Bible from Saint Mary's Press is an excellent resource for these deep questions of faith, offering supportive and definitive articles, maps, illustrations, charts, art and photos to enhance the learning process. Young adults will find this Bible an important companion to their learning and relevent to their lives today. Still in doubt? Read the introduction by college students Brigitte Fischer and Carolyn Olson to catch a bit of their excitement about this new Bible...and then go and get your own!
Barbara Murray, D.Min.
Facilitator, Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation, University of Dayton

This bible is a treasure for the serious student. It gathers in one place much information required for unbiased scripture study. It has proven to be invaluable in my exegetical research, containing a scholastically-accepted scripture translation, as well as extensive notation to aide in understanding of the text. It is augmented with many maps and charts, as well as explanatory essays that aid in viewing the scriptures in light of the social and historical world in which they were composed and had early use. I have also found it valuable for my own personal spiritual use in interpretation of scripture. I would recommend it to students at high school level or above, as well as anyone seriously examining the meaning of bible scripture.

This small book is a large treasure. This book is very helpful to teenagers who are undergoing the transition of high school to college. The short reflections are comforting and give these young adults a sense that they are not alone in this transition. I also think it helps adults get a spiritual sense of what young adults face when they move through the various stages of life.

I was impressed by the power and depth of some of the reflections and poems listed in this work. Suitable for young adults/teenagers, especially as a resource for anyone who is involved in youth ministry.

This small book is a large treasure. This book is very helpful to teenagers who are undergoing the transition of high school to college. The short reflections are comforting and give these young adults a sense that they are not alone in this transition. I also think it helps adults get a spiritual sense of what young adults face when they move through the various stages of life.

I was immediately captivated and drawn into the "college" world by Professor Lawry's rich details and shared personal experience with his daughter, Lili.
An intimate, effective and beautifully old-fashioned form of communication, which the recipient can refer to throughout life to recall her loving dad's presence in her life.
To me, this is the ultimate way of expressing love and guidance without making demands and issuing threats. "Lili" can read on her own terms, whenever/wherever, doing so in private and express her feelings of acceptance or disagreement in a safe, silent zone.
Professor Lawry's unabashed model of sharing love and patience with his students instills a comforting feeling that, as a learned and scholarly man, he has grasped the true meaning of life and not just how to survive one's college years.
I recommend these "letters to Lili" to anyone for any reason. You will find humor, wisdom, practicality, numerous references to poets and other valuable authors to further your understanding of reading and learning and lots of heart and soul.
I've given copies to "parent" friends and to their children who are about to embark on college life.
Pie Dumas
Author & Life Coach

John Lawry has an excellent way with words when it comes to describing college to freshman. In this book, he and his daughter communicate about how her freshamn year is going. Since Lawry is a college profesor himself, he has alot to add. Another one of his books, "College 101", I also reccomend, if you enjoy this one. Definetly an excellent choice for parents to not only read themselves, but to send with their child to college.