Joined by Grace: A Catholic Prayer Book for Engaged and Newly Married Couples

Joined by Grace introduces engaged and newly married couples to the rich traditions of Catholic prayer: how Catholics pray, texts of our most commonly used prayers, and a primer on devotions.

A warm invitation to the faith and a simple approach to Catholicism, Joined by Grace is a book for beginners and those who want to know more about Catholic prayer life. The book offers guidance about the ways to pray, background information on prayers and devotions, and simple how-to-instructions. Family members and friends, as well as pastors, mentor couples, and others working in marriage ministries will find this a perfect gift for engaged and newly married couples.

Couples can learn how to pray spontaneously, offer thanks and praise, petition God, and express sorrow. There is guidance on blessings, praying with scripture, and liturgical prayer. The book also can be used to learn common Catholic prayers such as the Our Father, Doxology, and Hail Mary. Beyond the most essential Catholic prayers, the book offers insight and instruction for participating in the great devotions of the Church such as the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, the Angelus, and Eucharistic Adoration. The last part of the book offers meditations on the seven sacraments as conduits of grace in our everyday lives.

John Bosio is a former marriage and family therapist, director of religious education, and diocesan family life coordinator. He worked for 23 years in international human resources in various corporations.  He is a member of the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers.
 
He and his wife, Teri, are retired but remain active in parish and family ministry, serving parishes and dioceses around the country. The Bosios lead couples retreats and workshops on family ministry for deacons and priests. They wrote Joined by Grace, a marriage preparation program from Ave Maria Press. They produced three parish-based marriage enrichment programs: Six Dates for Catholic Couples, The Beatitudes: A Couple’s Path to Greater Joy, and  Four Dates for Catholic Couples: The Virtues.
 
John earned his bachelor’s degree in sacred theology from Catholic University in Washington, DC, a master’s degree in theology from St. Paul’s College, also in Washington, and a master’s in education from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. He was certified as a marriage and family therapist in 1977. He is the author of three books and a number of articles on marriage, including Why Get Married in the Church: The Lifelong Blessing of a Catholic Wedding. The Bosios live in in Nashville, Tennessee, and have two daughters and one grandchild.

Teri Bosio is a former diocesan family life coordinator, director of adult faith formation and RCIA, and director of religious education. Born in Burlington, Vermont, she earned her associate’s degree from Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas, and a bachelor’s degree in management and human relations from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee.  She is a member of the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers. Teri and her husband, John, are retired, but remain active in parish and family ministry, serving parishes and dioceses around the country. The Bosios lead couples retreats and workshops on family ministry for deacons and priests. They wrote Joined by Grace, a marriage preparation program from Ave Maria Press and produced three parish-based marriage enrichment programs: Six Dates for Catholic Couples, The Beatitudes: A Couple’s Path to Greater Joy, and  Four Dates for Catholic Couples: The Virtues. The Bosios live in in Nashville and have two daughters and one grandchild.