The Sacred That Surrounds Us: How Everything in a Catholic Church Points to Heaven

By Andrea Zachman

You'll Never See A Catholic Church The Same Way Again.
Did you know that everything about the confessional in a Catholic church—even its size—was designed in a highly specific way by St. Charles Borromeo to answer objections to the sacrament by the Reformation? Did you know there is both a theological and a practical reason why the credence table is placed where it is?

Each item in a Catholic church is there to point to a larger truth.

Every sacred vessel and item is packed with symbolism and meaning, aimed at making each visit to a Catholic church a powerful reminder of God’s presence and the truths of our Faith.

The Sacred That Surrounds Us helps reveal Catholic churches as shrines of devotion. Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture are made tangible with this book, which explains with clarity the symbolism and history behind the sacred items we see in every Catholic church.

In ancient and medieval times, the faithful knew the meaning of all the sacred items in a church. Today’s Catholics can now re-discover the sacred that surrounds them in church.

“When entering a Catholic church, we step into a spiritual world of wonder and mystery cherished by billions throughout the millennia. But do we understand the multiple aspects of the church and liturgy meant to draw us into worship and sweep us into heaven as we celebrate the Mass together? Thanks to Andrea Zachman, these treasures of Catholic worship hidden in plain sight are now beautifully and simply explained. Every family should own and study this book together.”

—Steve Ray, author, Crossing the Tiber

Softcover, 2019

Beautiful, full color photographs

Catholic Church and Church History, First Communion & Confirmation Gifts