Acclaimed Book Offers a ‘Toolbox of Truth’ at Your Fingertips

Fr. Wade Menezes, CPM. Catholic Essentials: A Guide to Understanding Key Church Teachings. Manchester, NH: Sophia Institute Press, 2022. Paperback $18.95. Ebook $9.99. Available from the publisher.

What if there were one book that briefly explained Church teachings?

This is the highly-anticipated manual on the Catholic Faith you need for our times to know and defend your beliefs. It features short, accessible chapters that comprised three television spot series on EWTN: The Crux of the Matter, The Wonders of His Mercy, and In Defense of the Eucharist. Organized by topic for quick referencing, each chapter includes a relevant Scripture passage, quote from a saint, and compelling reflection.

Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois wrote, “In Catholic Essentials, Fr. Wade Menezes, CPM, has taken the catechetical content he has imparted and practiced through multiple video series on EWTN and has provided them to the faithful in book form. He preserves his hallmark calm, clarity, and comprehensiveness, while allowing the reader to readily peruse, study, or pass on the essential doctrines and definitions of our Catholic Faith. He draws constantly from Sacred Scripture, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and more recent saints and popes to craft a mosaic—composed of those countless, brilliant, reflective tesserae from the Church’s treasury—to compose a picture of our faith in Jesus and a reflection of Our Lord, Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

Whether you are striving to be a good Catholic parent, seeking to understand the basics of our faith, or grappling with contemporary issues, this book will help you cultivate your spirituality and grow in virtues.

Fr. Menezes stresses that now is the time to share the benefits of the Sacraments with others. For instance, he highlights the importance of receiving God’s mercy in the Sacrament of Confession. Also presented are a relevant teachings on developing a rightly-formed conscience, examining your conscience, a daily Examen, and types of sin and their consequences.

This is the catechetical tool that you need in these times when so many Catholics do not profess faith in the Holy Eucharist. You will learn about the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, how to evangelize about the Real Presence, explain why we should worship as we believe, and the importance of Eucharistic adoration. Included are practical aspects on the Communion fast, who should receive Holy Communion, and proper reception of the Blessed Sacrament to the placement of the tabernacle and Eucharistic miracles.

Paul Kengor, Ph.D., Grove City College, Author, The Devil and Karl Marx, enthused, “This is my third book from Fr. Wade Menezes, and no doubt, it is essential. Pun aside, Catholics today really do lack an understanding of the Catholic essentials, from morals and virtues to sacraments and liturgy. This concisely ordered and engagingly written book lays out what we need to know and what we must know to grow in the Faith and in holiness. Fr. Wade continues to make us better Catholics and better people. Get this book for yourself and for your family and friends.”

Members of the media may send an email to Sophia Institute Press’ Director of Publicity, Sarah Lemieux at slemieux@SophiaInstitute.com to receive a physical or digital copy of Catholic Essentials, and/or to schedule an interview.