Living The Word Catholic Women’s Bible – A Review

Everyone says “self-care” is critical, but what does that really mean?

Spoiler alert: a spa day or hitting the nail salon isn’t it.

To change your life, you need to change your priorities first. To take care of others, you need to take care of yourself first.

If your child is sad, you don’t give them a candy bar and walk away, right? No! You stop everything and give them a hug! Why can’t you take care of yourself like that too, mama?!

Self-care starts from the inside out, not the other way around. If you take care of your spirit and soul, you won’t be able to hide the light that radiates from within you.

This Bible is designed for daily reading and prayer, intended to be a space where you can have a conversation with the Lord and make it a part of your daily life. The generous margins offer ample room for notes and reflections for moments when scripture has touched you personally.

I am so excited about the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible from Ave Maria Press and how this Bible can encourage moms to take care of themselves where it really matters!

About This Bible

The exquisite and refined design of the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible enriches your reading experience by interweaving several elements throughout. These include fifty profiles of women featured in the Bible, ninety-seven Living in the Light of Faith essays, Take it to Heart questions for introspection and journaling, and quotes from holy women and saints. The serene colors and other design elements create an inviting atmosphere, making you feel at ease and at home within the Bible.

Why Buy This Bible?

Sarah Christmyer sets out the motivation for this Bible in her introduction:

This Bible is intended for daily reading and prayer. It is a Bible you can live in, a place where you can carry on a dialogue with the Lord. Generous margins invite notes and provide space to write when you hear a word to you, or to record times when scripture has an impact on your life. It is not a study Bible, so you won’t find exhaustive notes and explanations (there are plenty of Catholic Bibles and commentaries that offer that benefit). What you will find is an invitation to grow not only in knowledge but in understanding of the ways of God and in holiness.

Sarah Christmyer

Upon delving into the essays and reflections within this Bible, I couldn’t help but find myself agreeing with the description of its design. In my own words, I would describe this Bible as a personalized guide, intended to accompany an individual woman on her journey of growth in knowledge and relationship with God. It provides wisdom and guidance on how to live a life that remains faithful to God’s teachings.

What sets this Bible apart is the fact that the contributors have refrained from commenting on every single passage of scripture. Instead, there are extended sections where the Biblical text is left uninterrupted by extra commentary. This approach allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the Word, drawing their own insights and interpretations from the text. Moreover, the essays and reflections are geared towards applying the lessons and teachings of scripture to your everyday life, making it all the more relevant and practical. This Bible provides excellent teachings and practical insight that can be of great benefit to women seeking to deepen their relationship with God.

What Else You Should Know

There are two potential downsides to consider with this Bible: its size and price. This is an impressively large Bible that may give readers pause before taking it outside their home. It would be an ideal resource for use during adoration or for praying with Scripture using Lectio Divina. However, its size and weight may discourage people from doing so.

I personally found it best to keep it on my desk, lay it on my lap, or use a bookstand to hold it up. The sturdy binding makes it easier to handle than most large Bibles that tend to be floppy and thus hard to move. I did not find that to be an issue with this Bible, unlike the other large Bibles I own.

While the price point is a bit steep, listed at $64.95, you should note that is the same price as the Great Adventure Catholic Bible from Ascension Press which is also highly rated among Catholic moms right now. Since I don’t see me using my other Bibles much after getting this one, I think it’s a fair price to pay for all the “extras” you get from this Bible.