Free resources for parish families

Help families begin a simple prayer routine at home. Parish staff, catechists and family ministry leaders can share links to these free guides in a bulletin, parent email or parish resource page.

Christus Lumen is an independent lay Catholic project. These resources are offered for personal and family devotion. For parish questions or suggestions, contact Christus Lumen.

Catholic Advent Activities for Families

Prepare for Christmas with a short family prayer and a practical four-week plan. Use what you already have and choose one habit to begin.

Read the free family Advent guide →

Guides, books and tools

Catholic Resources

Practical guides from Christus Lumen, along with a short list of Catholic books and resources I genuinely use and recommend. The goal is not to collect everything, but to give you useful tools for faith at home, prayer and understanding the Catholic faith more deeply.

Free family guides

Practical help you can use right away.

These resources are free to use. No signup, email address or subscription is required.

Free Family Guide

Bringing Your Family Back to Confession

A practical guide for parents and children who want to prepare for Confession together, especially when it has been a while.

  • Step-by-step Confession walkthrough
  • Examination of conscience for adults
  • Examination of conscience for children
  • Help returning after years away
View the Confession Guide

Free PDF. No email required.

Free Family Guide

Preparing Your Child for Middle School

A presentation and printable companion pack for Catholic parents navigating the changes, pressures and conversations that often come with the middle school years.

  • Parent and family handouts
  • Eight low-pressure family activities
  • 16-week conversation calendar
  • Editable PowerPoint presentation
View the Middle School Guide

PDF and PowerPoint. No email required.

More than a download

Need help with what is happening at home right now?

The guides on this page are practical tools. Faith at Home goes further with guidance for questions, resistance, prayer and the difficult faith moments that come as children grow.

Explore Faith at Home

Recommended reading

Books and tools worth returning to.

A short list organized by what each resource is actually useful for.

Some links below are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not determine what I recommend.

For Reading Scripture

The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible

The one I reach for when I want to understand a passage more deeply. The notes are substantial without being overwhelming and remain grounded in Catholic interpretation.

View on Amazon →

The Great Adventure Catholic Bible

Built around the Bible Timeline approach, which makes the larger story of Scripture easier to follow. A helpful option if you have found the Bible difficult to navigate as a whole.

View on Amazon →

For Prayer & Devotion

Spiritual Warfare Rosary

A sturdy rosary I use for regular prayer and devotions connected with St. Michael. It holds up well to frequent handling.

View on Amazon →

St. Benedict Medal Black Onyx Stone Rosary

A substantial, durable rosary for someone looking for something made for regular use rather than occasional display.

View on Amazon →

For Going Deeper

Diary of St. Faustina: Divine Mercy in My Soul

The source behind the Divine Mercy devotion. It is not a quick read, but few books have shaped how I think about God’s mercy more.

View on Amazon →

Story of a Soul, by St. Thérèse of Lisieux

St. Thérèse’s account of finding holiness in small, hidden and ordinary acts. Especially helpful when grand spiritual ambitions feel out of reach.

View on Amazon →

Why these resources?

This is intentionally a short list. Christus Lumen is not meant to be a catalog of Catholic products. I would rather make a few practical guides freely available and recommend a small number of books and tools that have genuinely been useful than fill this page with links simply for the sake of having more.