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‘Idiot’s Guide to Catechism’ author has new book on Catholic prayer

By John Gleason

In 2008, author Mary DeTurris Poust published the “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Catholic Catechism,” which brought the core teachings of Catholicism into plain English.  Today, the award-winning writer has published a book designed to deepen one’s spiritual life through prayer and worship with “The Essential Guide to Catholic Prayer and the Mass.”

The book, published last month by Alpha Books, addresses just about everything related to prayer: why people are drawn to it; prayer in Church; Mary in daily prayers and the intercession of saints; a treasury of most often used prayers; a guide to the correct way to pray the rosary and a section on upcoming changes in the liturgy. 

“'The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Catholic Catechism’ was a real nuts and bolts book on Catholic teaching, what we believe and the basics of our faith,” Poust said by phone from Delmar, N.Y.  Her new book, she added, explores Catholic spirituality and prayer.

“The Essential Guide to Catholic Prayer and the Mass” is for just about anyone: practicing Catholics, those who have been away from the Church and non-Catholics who want to know about Catholic prayer. 

“We have such a beautiful treasure of prayers and devotions,” Poust said. “There really is something for everyone. I want to help people see there are many different ways that Catholics pray.”

The book is broken down into several sections. In the first, “Drawn to Prayer,” Poust looks at the foundation of prayer and how prayer is designed to help us climb to spiritual heights.  She notes that even for those who grow up praying, it’s easy for a prayer life to fall by the wayside. 

“We learn the basics as kids, memorize prayers and the rosary, but then many of us stop our faith formation,” she said.  “Our prayers get stuck, it becomes rote and we lose sight of how it can take us to a deeper place.”

In the section titled “Mary and the Saints,” Poust explores the Blessed Mother as a role model, devotions to Mary and how we can ask the help of the saints, whom she refers to in the book as the Church’s most popular men and women.

“We have so many saints from different times and from all walks of life,” she said.  “We wouldn’t think anything of asking our friends to help us out with something, so why not ask our friends in heaven, the people who go before us. We can turn to them and join them in prayer.  That is such a powerful thing.” 

The guide can be used to develop the habit of prayer, Poust said. Part of developing that habit, she added, is adapting a willingness to be quiet.

“It can be hard to just stop and listen,” she said.  “We’re bombarded with messages and communication; it’s hard to just sit and not talk at all. But a critical part of prayer is the willingness to just be quiet, even for just a few minutes, and listen to what God is saying to us. Otherwise it’s just a lot of talking, hoping we’re going to get the answer we want as opposed to being open to what God wants for us.”

Poust also explores the Mass as the ultimate prayer. The publication of “The Essential Guide to Catholic Prayer and the Mass” is timely, she said, noting that changes are coming to the liturgy this year.

“I hope that the new changes will reinvigorate faith and people’s interest in the Mass,” she said. “I talk about the new language and add some explanation as to the reason for the changes.”

“The Essential Guide to Catholic Prayer and the Mass” retails for $16.95 and is available online at www.Amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and through the publisher, Alpha Books, at www.penguingroup.com.

More information on Poust, her columns and other writings, is available at www.marydeturrispoust.com.