Through one of the world’s most beloved and inspirational prayers—the Peace Prayer—Franciscan priest Albert Haase offers a concise look at how we can help sow the seeds of peace in our world. In Instruments of Christ: Reflections on the Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi, Father Haase reflects on each phrase of the Peace Prayer. He gives us a clear vision of what it means to be a peacemaker.

This pocketbook has 81 pages. Each of its 12 chapters (the chapters are only three or four pages long) begins with a brief story and ends with questions for reflection. It is wonderful book for reflection or small-group sharing. In his introduction, Father Haase tells us:

He goes on to talk about who really wrote the Prayer of Peace. (Click here if you would like to read about the history of this beautiful prayer.)

Until next month, may you be aware of Christ with you and in you. May you know God’s peace and joy and enjoy all good things. Merry Advent!

I keep waiting for an opportunity to share with you the great series of Can You Find books that we publish. I’ve finally decided that I will have to use Christmas and gift-giving time as my excuse.

I have given each of my six grandchildren of reading or read-to age the book Can You Find Jesus? Introducing Your Child to the Gospel, written by Philip D. Gallery and cleverly illustrated by Janet L. Harlow. They love them. The books follow the Where’s Waldo? format, asking the youngsters to find not only Jesus in the scene but also several other objects.

Can You Find Jesus? has 13 two-page searches that take you from the birth of Jesus through his death, resurrection and ascension, up to the final chapter, “Jesus Lives On.” There is also a wonderful parent guide for each search to help parents and children talk about the picture and event. (Click here to see what the search and guide look like.) If you’re looking for a great gift for the children on your Christmas list, consider this book. You will enjoy it as much as they do.

Who today isn’t longing for peace—in their hearts, their homes, the world?

A college professor of mine signed letters with “Peace, eventually.” It rings true to my life—there is little peace to be found in my days, but I place my hope and faith in finding true peace, eventually.

I remember yearning for that short period between my daughter’s bedtime and my own. “Ah!” I thought, “Peace at last!” And when I was teaching junior high students and would return to my apartment after a long and trying day or week. “Ah!” I thought, “Peace at last!” And when all the parish buildings had emptied of religious education students and the parking lot of cars. “Ah!” I thought, “Peace at last!”

These short periods of welcome peace came following times of great activity. But I don’t begin to think that that kind of peace is all that I can find in my life. I want more. I long for more—something lasting, a peace in my soul.

I find the promise in Paul’s letter to the Philippians quite stirring: “…the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (4:7). It brings me comfort to think of God’s peace guarding both my heart and mind. I turn to God in anxious moments and in times of uncertainty and pray for God’s peace.

As we enter a particularly busy time of our year, my prayer for you is that you stay focused on Christ, the Prince of Peace. When I ground myself in Christ, my priorities line up correctly, I find time to take care of myself, I manage to get everything done that I need to do and even find enjoyment in the doing. It’s then that I feel the “peace of God that surpasses all understanding.” This makes me long for the day when I can keep a constant focus on Christ and experience that eventual and lasting peace that my college professor wished for me.

A new DVD resource that celebrates two saints we often think of when we hear the word peace is Assisi Pilgrimage: Walking in Faith With Francis and Clare. I’ve selected a clip (Windows Media | RealMedia) chronicling the visit of pilgrims to the dormitory of St. Clare at San Damiano. There they celebrate a healing service, praying for their own healing and that of others. As St. Clare was known to have the gift of healing, it is an appropriate and meaningful location for such a time of prayer. As Murray Bodo, O.F.M., a pilgrimage guide, states at the end of the clip, “I have seen through the years many, many healings there—especially healing of memories, healing of hatreds people are holding on to, grudges. They somehow fall off there.”

May you find peace in these busy days of Advent as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace! Peace, eventually.

Norbertine Father Alfred McBride has written a wonderful guide to the Eucharist: A Short History of the Mass. He offers an illuminating look at the history and meaning of each element of the Mass, stories of saints who illumined our understanding of it, and a window on the Church and political influences that challenged it. Dozens of illustrations and informative sidebars make this a fascinating “must read” for all Catholics—especially for RCIA candidates.

Ralph Martin is no stranger to the topic of prayer. In his involvement with Renewal Ministries in Ann Arbor for over more than two decades and as director of graduate programs in the new evangelization at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, he has often spoken of the special role prayer plays in our relationship with God. His new book, Hungry for God, is a classic introduction to the tools needed for entering into an active life of prayer and a life as a Christian in a complicated world. There are lots of answers for anyone who has ever asked, “How do I pray?”