Unboxing.
@storyboardc.
This May, I signed up for a free trial of the Word on Fire Institute in honor of the Month of Mary.
What drew me in was the Marian book they were featuring—it was one I had been wanting to read for a while, and it was also being used for that month’s book study.
I had been part of Word on Fire back in 2019, and it felt like the right time to revisit it.
I’ve admired Bishop Barron ever since I first saw his Catholicism series while working at the little Catholic bookstore. His ability to speak truth with clarity and beauty has always stayed with me.
Now that he’s the bishop of my home diocese, I often find myself wishing I were still there—to meet him, to be spiritually led by someone whose voice has shaped my faith from afar. He’s a force in the Church today—steadfast, thought-provoking, and deeply rooted.
When the package arrived, I wasn’t disappointed. The attention to detail and beauty in the presentation was exactly what I’ve come to expect from Word on Fire—it’s part of their signature.
Inside the box was three thoughtful selections—each beautifully presented:
The Mary Pages: An Atheist’s Journey to the Mother of God This was the book I was most excited about—and the reason I signed up for the trial in the first place. Written by poet and convert Sally Read, The Mary Pages is part memoir, part spiritual reflection. Raised in an atheist home, Read was still drawn to images of the Virgin Mary as a child. That early fascination stayed with her through years of searching—through loneliness, difficult relationships, and an ongoing tension between her feminist values and her growing curiosity about Marian devotion.
I am only beginning the book, but her storytelling is beautiful and the Marian artwork throughout the book is beyond complimentary to the reading experience.
Centered: The Spirituality of Word on Fire This book is designed as a foundation for the Word on Fire movement—especially for those who want to understand the deeper spiritual and theological heart behind Bishop Barron’s work.
It explores what Word on Fire calls its “Eight Principles” and invites readers not just to take in information, but to let it shape how they live and share the faith.
What I appreciated most is how it doesn’t separate personal spirituality from evangelization. It reminds you that the two go hand-in-hand—that sharing the faith begins with being deeply formed in it yourself.
It’s not a complex read. The chapters are bite-sized—easy to pick up as needed. It almost feels like having Bishop Barron within reach. And the clothbound cover makes it feel special, like something you’ll keep close for a long time.
A helpful roadmap for staying grounded—especially when the world, and even the Church, can feel overwhelming or noisy.
Evangelization & Culture Journal This issue is beyond beautiful. As a Graphic Design student, I was immediately struck by the quality and visual storytelling. Every page feels intentional, and the theme—prayer—feels especially timely.
This Month of Mary has been a challenging one for me personally, and today I’m planning to simply rest and spend time with this journal.
Companion Access to the Word on Fire Institute
The free trial also includes full access to the Word on Fire Institute’s digital platform—a library of talks, courses, and the monthly book study community.
I’ve been enjoying re-exploring familiar content and discovering new material. But I’ll be honest—the format can feel a bit overwhelming at times. There’s a lot available, and I’ve had to give myself permission to move through it slowly, without feeling pressured to “keep up.”
I also can’t help but feel, once again, like I don’t quite fit the typical Catholic mold. I often wish there was more representation and space for people like me—whose paths into the Church haven’t looked traditional.
That said, I still appreciate having the platform available. It’s something I can return to when I’m ready, and just knowing it’s there adds depth and dimension to this experience.
final thoughts
I signed up for this trial looking to revisit something familiar and to have a companion for the Month of Mary.
What I received was a quiet reminder to keep showing up—to prayer, to beauty, and to where I am right now.
And for now, that’s enough.
Love, Cynthia