Reading scripture is like meeting God in your favorite book club.
The Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible creates that experience by connecting women just like you—beloved daughters of God who want to live his Word in their daily lives. That connection makes this Bible unique.
The Living the Word Bible reflects the beautiful diversity of the Catholic faith through the varied background of its contributors—more than 40 scholars, teachers, religious, authors, ministers, and speakers—as well as the many special features that highlight saints and other holy women from all over the world and throughout Church history.
These voices and stories will encourage you to listen for God in scripture and to grow in holiness.
Want to connect in real time? Join the Living the Word Bible community on Instagram to share your experiences and interact with other women who are reading scripture. For additional encouragement in your journey with the Bible, subscribe to the new Living the Word Bible Podcast with Sarah Christmyer on your favorite podcast app.
The extraordinary and elegant design of the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible draws you into scripture and enhances your reading experience by connecting various features throughout the text, including 50 profiles of women in the Bible, 97 Living in the Light of Faith essays, Take it to Heart questions for reflection and journaling, and quotations from saints and holy women. The tranquil colors of this gold-embossed hardcover and other design elements help you feel at home in the Bible.
What else makes the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible different? Here are some FAQs:
Q: What translation of the Bible is used in this version?
A: The trusted and easy-to-read Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition (RSV-2CE) translation. In addition, it includes exclusive comprehensive cross-references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church that help you to better understand how the Bible connects with what Catholics believe.
Q: What are some of the other unique features of this Bible?
The Living the Word Bible is readable, using large, single-column text on high-quality paper. It also includes two ribbon markers.
Each book in the Bible includes an introduction with an overview, outline, historical context, and key themes.
There are inspiring and beautifully designed quotations from saints and other holy women, including Josephine Bakhita, Dorothy Day, Catherine of Siena, Hildegard of Bingen, Joan of Arc, Thea Bowman, and Thérèse of Lisieux.
You will find questions for reflection and prompts to help expand your reading on a theme in scripture. Bible reading plans help you focus your experience as a year-long adventure or for Advent and Lent.
Q: I already have a Bible; why do I need this one, too?
A: You can absolutely have more than one Bible! Each offers different opportunities for interacting with God’s Word. This version includes more than 400 pages of enriching features created by women for women that will better help you understand scripture and see how God’s Word is at work in your own life. It also has plenty of room in the lightly lined, generous margins for journaling, drawing, and notetaking to help you express your thoughts as you read.
Q: Who are some of the contributors to the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible?
A: Leah Darrow, Sarah Christmyer, Johnnette Benkovic Williams, Sr. Maria Kim-Ngân Bùi, FSP, Sr. Sara Butler, MSBT, Meg Hunter-Kilmer, Catherine Cavadini, Shannon Wimp Schmidt, Lisa Cotter, Sonja Corbitt, and Martha Fernandez Sardina.
Q: Has the extra content in the Bible been through theological review?
A: Yes! The contributions received an imprimatur from Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and were reviewed by Catholic biblical scholars including Christmyer, Cavadini, Mary Healy, Pia de Solenni, and Jennifer Grillo.
Q: Where can I find out more?
A: Check out Ave’s website for more information about the Living the Word Catholic Women’s Bible. And stay tuned for the Living the Word Companion Journal, releasing in May.
This article is brought to you in partnership with Ave Maria Press.
