Organize XXV Catholic Book Fair in the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico

From August 22 to 31, the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City will host the XXV Catholic Book Fair, an event dedicated to the dissemination of theological, liturgical, pastoral, devotional and catechetical content.

In an interview for ACI Prensa, Itzel Guadalupe Mares Cadena, director of the Dimension of Education and Culture of the Primada Archdiocese of Mexico, explained that the fair represents an opportunity to promote reading “as an enriching activity, not only intellectual, but also spiritual”.

He also indicated that attendees will be able to access texts that “invite reflection, personal growth and to meet God. We will offer alternatives to the superficial content that often dominates the secular editorial market.”

Mares Cadena acknowledged that it is difficult to find “good Catholic books” in commercial bookstores and stressed that this fair guarantees materials that “are faithful to Catholic teaching, especially in times of ideological confusion.” He pointed out that the event constitutes a “way of fighting ignorance or doctrinal confusion in a world with so many contradictory voices.”

He added that the fair will also offer a “space where the faithful can share concerns, discover new readings and feel part of a believing community with similar interests. It allows dialogue between authors, readers and pastoral leaders.”

On the other hand, Mares Cadena said that, through “accessible books, testimonies and Catholic narrative literature, you can reach the heart of people who would not attend a mass”, or who are far from faith, so this fair also presents itself as an “important tool for evangelization for current challenges.”

Fair news

For this edition, bookstores and editorials such as Missionary Christ, Verbum, Divine Word, Good Press, San Pablo, Paulina, Casa del Catequista, Difemusa, Distributor The Reliquary, Plazacatólica, Holy Spirit in Movement Library, Editorial Santa Teresa and Pastoral Editions and the Archdiocean weekly from the Archdiocesan from faith will participate.

Among the novelties, Mares Cadena shared that books like The carpenter’s sonby Roberto O’Farrill (Verbum); Spiritual adviceby David García Pulido; Mystical and prophecy of consecrated life todayby María Elena Pacheco; Teresa de Jesús: Pedagogy of Loveby Jesús Barrena Sánchez; as well as the Christian initiation catechesis itineraries, a Guadalupana lottery and materials on the magisterium of the Church.

Exhibition of relics

As part of the fair of the fair, the exhibition of relics of Santos will be held. Seas Cadena explained that first and second grade relics of various saints can be admired, including Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, and pointed out that visitors will be able to “visit this exhibition and also request a moment of devotion and prayer before some relic in particular”.

The director concluded by inviting the faithful to “discover resources that help us grow as a Catholic Church”, and said it is worth participating “in something that was thought and prepared especially for Catholic families and people who are interested in the knowledge and deepening of their faith.”