This year, winter caught me by surprise. One day I was out hiking in the leaves; the next I was scraping ice off my car (welcome to the Midwest). In the same way, the holiday season can catch us off guard.
Maybe you are like me and have been saving Instagram posts all year long, just waiting to start your Christmas list. Or maybe you are at a loss of where to look first. Have no fear: We have selected some of the best products for you to make 2020 fruitful and beautiful — Catholic planners, journals, literature, art, home items, etc. — and have partnered with many Catholic companies to give you a little treat through exclusive Radiant discounts. Browse through our selection and check out all of the featured shops to find the perfect gifts for yourself or for other Catholic women in your life.
(***Don’t forget: Radiant newsletter subscribers always get 25% off on OSV books and free standard shipping! Subscribe now or check your most recent email for the discount code!)
Planners, journals and calendars
Monk manual
Monk Manual is a 90-day planner meant to provide a monastic structure to your everyday life. Broken up into monthly, weekly and daily opportunities to plan and reflect on your life, this planner hits all the marks. Not only does it help organize your schedule and encourage productivity, but it also provides thoughtful questions and prompts, such as your biggest accomplishments from the month, what God taught you this week, meaningful moments you don’t want to forget, and ways you can improve tomorrow. If you are looking for a planner that not only motivates you to get things done but also helps you become a better version of yourself, Monk Manual might be for you.
Price: $38.00
Discount code: “Radiant” for 10% off (expires Dec. 31, 2019)
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Blessed is She Liturgical Calendar Year Planner 2020
Another planner option is the Blessed is She Planner, which combines your busy schedule with the liturgical calendar set by the Church. With daily saints, frequent novena reminders and liturgical colors all year long, your faith and schedule will naturally unfold together. The monthly, weekly and hourly layout is perfect for the busy woman, and it even has pages to fill with your lists — grocery, to-do, prayer intentions and goals galore!
Price: $58.00 (8×10) or $48.00* (6.25×8.25) — *Does not have the weekly or daily schedule
Discount code: “RADIANTMAG” for 10% off (expires Dec. 31, 2019)
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Every Sacred Sunday
It doesn’t matter whether you are single girl in the pews or a mom of littles — it can be difficult to feel prepared for Mass. With the Every Sacred Sunday journal, you will feel ready to enter into the Liturgy of the Word every week or have a resource to reflect on the readings after Mass. The journal includes the Mass readings for Sundays and Holy Days, and it provides space to journal through Scripture, beautiful watercolor images to encourage prayer, and important prayers in the inside covers. It covers the liturgical calendar — starting in Advent on Dec. 1 — so grab yours now or have a loved one buy it so you can start the new year on the right foot.
Price: $44.95
Discount code: “RADIANT19” for 10% off
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The Catholic Scripture Calendar 2020
Make Scripture a priority this year with the Catholic Scripture Calendar. With designs by Blessed is She and Erica Tighe Campbell, this 2020 calendar is elegant, modern and inspiring. Each month has a hand lettered Scripture verse on which to reflect, and the readings for every Sunday are listed to help you prepare for Mass or for Lectio Divina.
Price: $14.95***
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Journaling Through the Gospels and Psalms
If reading the entire Bible seems intimidating, start with the Gospels and Psalms — the stories of Jesus and the poems about God’s goodness and fidelity. This journaling Bible of the Gospels and Psalms from OSV is made of thick paper — none of those flimsy pages you might be used to from typical Bibles — with wide margins to allow you to slow down with Scripture and record how the Word of God moves your heart. It even comes in two colors, rose and navy!
Price: $34.95***
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Art & Music
The Saints Project
If you are looking for modern artwork of the saints, look no further. The Saints Project by Kristyn Brown produces images of saints using people like you and me in their photos. Newest to the collection are images of St. Maximillian Kolbe and the hemorrhaging woman from Scripture, but don’t miss some favorite saints, including John the Beloved, Padre Pio, Teresa of Avila, Maria Goretti and numerous versions of Our Lady and the Holy Family!
Price: $35-105 (depending on size)
Discount code: “RADIANT” for 20% off
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Blair Barlow Art
I recently have fallen in love with the gorgeous sacred art produced Blair Barlow Art. While any of the pieces in this shop will make a great addition to your mantlepiece or wall, the “Agnus Dei” print is especially timely for Christ’s nativity. While you are looking around, don’t miss the beautiful images of “The Marriage of Mary and Joseph.” Stunning
Price: $45 (9×12), $65 (11×14)
Discount code: “RADIANT” for 20% off
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“Awakening” CD
Maybe you’re like me and rarely listen to CDs anymore, but hear me out — this one is worth it. Taylor Tripodi is an emerging Catholic musician and singer, and her newest album, “Awakening,” released earlier this fall includes seven new songs that speak to the brokenness of our hearts, the ache in the waiting, the struggle to trust, and hope in God’s goodness and fidelity. I received a copy of the CD back in September, and I’ve been listening to the songs nearly nonstop whenever in my car. If you are searching for good Catholic music that you don’t hear on the radio, look no further — “Awakening” is the album for you.
Price: $15
Discount code: “RADIANT25” for 25% off
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Literature
“Becoming Women of the Word”
Sometimes I forget or mitigate the important role the women of the Old Testament had in leading to the Messiah’s coming. In fact, besides the story of Ruth, I never truly took the time to know these matriarchs. In her newest book, Sarah Christmyer dives into the stories of 11 women from the Old Testament, sharing unique insights on how we can relate to them over 2,000 years later.
Price: $16.95
Discount code: “RADIANT” for 20% off and free shipping (expires Jan. 31, 2020)
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Ever Eden
As Amy O’Connell shared in her recent article for Radiant, good literature is incarnational, revealing the human person. If you or someone you know is looking to be challenged by stories and poems written from a Catholic perspective, Ever Eden is the perfect gift. Each piece of creative nonfiction, fiction and poetry is written by Catholic women just like you, and if my experience is any proof, you are sure to find at least one piece that resonates with you. Buy the full year subscription for the best price and get four beautifully designed issues of Ever Eden shipped directly to your door in 2020.
Price: $48.00 (yearly subscription), $16.50 (single copy of the winter issue)
Discount code: “RADIANTDEC19” for free shipping, through Dec. 31
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“Created for Love”
First of all, I’m in love with this design and wish I was engaged myself so I could use it! Secondly, and more seriously, we know that it takes much more than finding the ideal dress to prepare your heart and soul for marriage. “Created for Love” is the perfect reflection journal to guide any bride-to-be along her journey to the altar, allowing her to capture these moments of anticipation and reflect on what it means to be a woman. Add this hardbound book to your list if you or someone close is preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage this upcoming year.
Price: $29.95***
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“Encountering Mother Teresa”
Even your non-Catholic friends will be poring over this book of previously unpublished photos of Mother Teresa. Perfect to display on your coffee table, “Encountering Mother Teresa” contains interviews with people who knew the saint of Calcutta best and over 200 photos by Linda Schaefer, a well-respected photographer who had the rare opportunity to document the work of Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity. Fall in love with this modern saint and let her legacy seep into your home this year.
Price: $39.95***
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More books of interest
If you want some spiritual reading by a popular saint, don’t miss this hardbound Noll Classic edition of “The Dialogue” by Catherine of Siena.
“Praying the Rosary with John Paul II” uses reflections based on JPII to change up your Rosary game.
“Stay Connected” journals for Catholic women are perfect for individual or group study, addressing Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ invitation to a life of grace, and Catholic classics from seven inspiring men and women.
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Home items
Stella Maris candles
This year, don’t just buy any candle to make your house smell cozy. Stella Maris Candles & Co. has three Catholic themed candles — Guadalupe, Baptism and Victory — made from natural soy in small batches, and they are scented with smells such as rose, lily, myrrh and frankincense (the last one is meant to smell like holy chrism — who can refuse having your house smell like a newly baptized baby?). Each candle burns for about 40 hours, and they are perfect for prayer time or daily use.
Price: $36-38
Discount code: “RADIANT100” (free shipping on purchases of $100 or more)
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Just Love Prints
Just Love Prints has you covered for stocking stuffers with their collection of vinyl stickers. Newest to the shop is their “Courage, dear heart” sticker (any Narnia fans?) and a quote by Archbishop Fulton Sheen (coffee lovers will especially appreciate this one). If you are looking for a different gift but like the print, many are also featured on mugs!
Price: $25 (10 pack of stickers or one mug)
Discount: All purchases get automatic free shipping
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Be A Heart
Seasonal party goods and accessories are just fine and dandy, but what if you gave them a Catholic spin? Be A Heart is the perfect place to look for these goodies. While I encourage you to explore the shop, their Holy Friends collection is a great place to start. Because, really, who doesn’t need an apron with your favorite saints? Also, for those of you with littles, check out their Baby and Child selection of Catholic-themed headpieces and swaddles.
Price: $6-20 (depending on item)
Discount code: “RADIANT” for 10% off
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I hope some of these items caught your eye, for either yourself or a dear friend. And if you are looking for a more extensive list, Our Sunday Visitor’s Christmas gift guide has suggestions for the entire family!