Books
Discover our signature books. You can read these independently or as part of one of our programs.
Happy Together
The Catholic Blueprint for a Loving Marriage
About The Book
What you believe about your marriage and about your spouse shapes the way you treat your mate. Ultimately what you believe about marriage influences whether you are happy or miserable in your relationship, and whether you stay married or not.
We Christians believe that God intends for marriage to bring joy to the human heart. We are a gift to each other and find fulfillment and happiness together. However, being a gift is not easy. Fortunately God had given us Christ who shows us how to be a gift and gives us the graces to follow him.
St Paul advised the Ephesians: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church.” (Ephesians 5:25) Blessed John Paul II echoed the words of Paul when he wrote in his Letter to Families (1994) “Husbands and wives discover in Christ the point of reference for their spousal love.”
Happy Together asks the questions: How do we follow Christ's example in being a gift to each other? How are we to love our spouse as Christ loved the Church? The author finds the answer to these questions in Christ's acts of love for the Church as expressed in the Seven Sacraments.
In Baptism he welcomes us to his Kingdom.
In Confirmation he bind us to himself with the seal of the Holy Spirit.
In the Eucharist he gives himself totally to us, even to the point of dying on the cross.
In the sacrament of Reconciliation he forgives us.
In the Anointing of the Sick he heals us.
And in Holy Orders and Matrimony he serves the Church.
The Blueprint of Love, the qualities of spousal love that are explored in the chapters of this book are:
-Welcoming and Accepting each other
-Keeping our Commitment to being present to each other
-Being willing to Sacrifice for the sake of the relationship
-Forgiving and being willing to ask forgiveness
-Helping each other Heal
-and Serving each other and together Serving God.
In Christ's love for the Church we find the blueprint for our loving. When spouses follow the example of Jesus they become an image, a sacrament of divine love to each other and to their community.
Reviews
"Eminently readable, this book is full of practical wisdom, common sense, and articulates a truly spiritual approach to marriage. Married couples will recognize themselves in its pages, and find realistic ways to grow in their understanding, love and commitment to each other. This book is a treasure.”
Msgr. Charles D. McGlinn
Pastor, Cure of Ars Catholic Church
Leawood, Kansas
"All marriages are imperfect, yet they can still be happy and holy. This book shows you how. The author skillfully blends stories, examples, questions, Scriptural references and a solid presentation of church teachings to offer an excellent resource for couples and marriage enrichment groups"
H. Richard McCord, Ed. D.
Past Executive Director, USCCB Committee on Marriage and Family
"John Bosio has captured the essence of married couples living a life of faith centered on Jesus Christ. His helpful advise and guidance will help couples understand the essential elements of a loving relationship. He offers the simple truth of how prayer and being involved with a community of believers can transform a troubled marriage and repair relationships. Of the numerous books dedicated to resolving potential marital difficulties, "Happy Together-the blueprint for a loving marriage" offers a unique perspective by bringing scripture, liturgical ritual, and prayer into the mainstream of married life. Couples who are serious about deepening their relationship with each other and with God will find "Happy Together – The blueprint for a loving marriage" a superb resource that provides step by step guidance and straight forward advice."
Deacon Hans M. Toecker,
Chancellor, Diocese of Nashville
“Very readable, easy language, down to earth, honest, great anecdotes, not preachy or crowded with footnotes, although the footnotes offer valuable information."
William F. Urbine, Ph.D.
Past President, National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers
Blessed Is Marriage
A Guide to the Beatitudes for Catholic Couples
About The Book
In a world full of distractions and noises that compete for our attention it has become more and more difficult to hear the whisper of God’s voice that speaks to us deep within our heart.
Blessed is Marriage calls spouses to pause and to listen to God’s voice. The Beatitudes of Jesus, which are introduced here as a path to holiness and happiness in marriage are attitudes that allow us to turn away from the noise in order to turn toward God to listen to him, and to follow his promptings. In the chapters of the book each Beatitude is explored and applied to day-to-day married life.
One of the premises of this book is that true happiness in marriage is not something we create on our own. Happiness grows from each spouse’s holiness. It is only when both spouses are in tune with God’s voice that they can find true contentment in God’s presence and in the company of each other.
The book gives a faith-based perspective on dealing with issues that all couples face in their married life, such as the disillusionment of unfulfilled dreams, the stress and exhaustion of working and raising a family, the temptations encountered in the work environment and through social media. It also spotlights the blessings of marriage: the goodness of human sexuality, the gift of children, and the joys of a committed relationship.
What is unique about the book is its approach. The author intertwines three strands of wisdom: the research from social sciences, the tradition of the Catholic Church and the lived experiences of married couples.
Reviews
"The things that matter most are almost never urgent… and growing our marriage is one of those things. It is so easy to let all the urgent stuff of life take priority. But isn't it time you made growing your marriage a priority? Let John Bosio show you how. In this deeply insightful and practical book he outlines simple ways to take your marriage to the next level."
Matthew Kelly
Founder of DynamicCatholic.com and New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Levels of Intimacy
"John Bosio has done it again! He's written another insightful and honest reflection on Marriage, this time taking Pope John Paul II's words to the Youth of the World (World Youth Day, 2002) quite seriously when the Pope said that God created man and woman to be happy together, and the Sermon on the Mount is the map for our journey to such happiness. John has unpacked the Beatitudes, and mapped the course for any of us who are married to raise the bar in virtue in our marriages. His companion book and DVD program make this message accessible as Dates for Catholic Couples, which we ourselves found quite meaningful. May many marriages become Bless-ed!"
Lorrie & Don Gramer
Family Life Directors, Diocese of Rockford, and Lorrie is President of the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers and Consultant to the Dioceses of California through Healthy Relationships California
"Virtues are skills for Christian living that lead to healthy and holy marriages. This book lays out a practical and spiritually inspiring path to marital health and holiness. It’s a wonderful resource for living the Christian vocation to married life and love."
H. Richard McCord
Past Executive Director Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
"John Bosio’s newest resource, Blessed is Marriage, A Guide to the Beatitudes for Catholic Couples provides married couples with a new way of understanding one of our Catholic faith’s most familiar Gospel stories. Through John’s insights and examples, Catholic couples can deepen their relationship with God, grow in holiness, and strengthen their own marital relationship."
Frank Hannigan
Director of Family Ministries, Archdiocese of Chicago
Thanks, John—just letting you know that I have been using your Blessed is Marriage book to prepare couples for marriage. Based on some of their responses to the FOCCUS inventory, I select chapters for them to read together and then we use the group questions to dig a little deeper. The response from my couples has been very positive. Truly appreciate your efforts to enlighten the world on the sanctity of Marriage.
Peace,
Deacon Larry
“He is with you. He is in you!” John 14:17
Deacon Larry Boldt
Archdiocese of St. Louis
Joined By Grace
A Catholic Prayer Book for Engaged and Newly Married Couples
About The Book
A warm invitation to the faith and a simple approach to Catholicism, Joined by Grace
is a prayer book for beginners and those who want to know more about Catholic prayer life. The book offers guidance about the ways to pray, background information on prayers and devotions, and simple how-to instructions. Family members and friends, as well as pastors, mentor couples, and others working in marriage ministries will find this a perfect gift for engaged and newly married couples.
Reviews
"Joined by Grace is more than a prayer book. It is an invitation to prayer."
Most Reverend David R. Choby, Bishop of Nashville.
Six Jars of Love
Loving Attitudes to Help Married Couples Reconnect
About The Book
SIX JARS OF LOVE can help you experience God's grace within your marriage. Taking inspiration from Cana, where Jesus turned six jars of plain water into exquisite wine, the authors suggest that with the intersession of Mary and the intervention of Jesus couples can enjoy the exquisite wine of their relationship.
This easy to read inspirational book is an excellent wedding gift. It is full of stories and anecdotes that relate through simple language the spiritual reality of married life.
Reviews
I LOVED this work! The overall approach is so reader friendly and powerfully effective! The language is real and always relatable to anyone and the format is such that it flows smoothly paging through the work to find what grabs you, or to read it straight through without tiring. Bravo for sure!
Deacon Stephen Bowling
Family Life Director, Louisville, KY
Comments from our leaders:
Recalling the miracle of the six jars of water turned into choice wine at Cana, Teri and John Bosio provide a hands-on reflection for every married couple. Grounded on the awareness that the grace of Christ empowers married couples, Six Jars of Love explores six keys to enrich marital love on the journey of life. This book also could serve as a wonderful guide for groups of couples seeking to enrich their marriage.
Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz
Six Jars of Love invites Catholic couples to recognize the presence of Mary and Jesus in their marriage ready to help them as they helped the couple at the wedding at Cana. The book is an invitation for spouses to pray and grow in love following Jesus’ example – a useful reading for all couples to enjoy together.
Bishop J. Mark Spalding
Raising A Catholic Family Today
A Handbook For Parents
Winner of 2023 CMA Book Award
About The Book
The Handbook Includes:
Invitations to personal reflection,
Suggestions for family activities,
Questions for family conversation and
A guide for group discussion.
The Handbook is supplemented with 6 FREE audio conversations with parents about:
The challenges of raising a Catholic family today
Creating a home that fosters growth in faith
Protecting children from dangerous intruders
Taking control of the electronic devices
Remembering God's presence in the home
Making your home a school of prayer
Teaching your children how to love
Celebrating the passing of time with gratitude and in synchrony with the liturgical calendar of the Church
Recognizing that your family is part of a larger community
Reviews
“Encouraging, inspiring, and down to earth.”
“I could not put it down!”
“I wish I had this book when my children were young.”