That message was broadcast around the world — literally — during the international debut of Fr. Chris’ third book (and already a bestseller), Understanding the Sacraments: God’s Grace Guaranteed! God and Mary at work “I knew all along that I wanted to launch this book in places where God and Mary are working, where the Catholic faith is growing and especially devotion to the message of Divine Mercy,” Fr. Chris recalls. “That meant going around the world to Australia and New Zealand, and England, which is Mary’s dowry.” Soon after an appearance on EWTN Bookmark with Doug Keck, which started the book launch in the United States, Fr. Chris boarded a plane Down Under for the 18-hour journey to New Zealand. There he participated in the Divine Mercy Conference in Auckland, and visited St. Bede’s College in Christchurch. Then it was on to Australia with stops in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. From there, he embarked on a 24-hour journey to London, England, for a week of talks, hosted by the Divine Mercy Apostolate. Among the highlights: the Flame of Love Conference in Birmingham, and two pilgrimages: to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, and to Ipswich, home to the greatest Marian devotion, Our Lady of Grace. Well-wishers Wherever he went, Fr. Chris signed books and posed for photos with throngs of well-wishers. Rosalynn and Kieran Robinson traveled 400 miles from their home in Glasgow, Scotland, to hear Fr. Chris speak at St. Joseph’s Parish in Chalfont St. Peter, west of London. “We started watching his ‘Explaining the Faith’ videos on YouTube,” Keiran said. “We have a spiritual connection. Father Chris is a great preacher and explains things really well.” The strong response to Understanding the Sacraments is reassuring, Fr. Chris notes. “People are looking for a refresher on what they may have learned way back in religious education classes. The Sacraments are vital to our Catholic faith. They are entrusted to us by God. It makes our Catholic Church unique from all other Christian denominations, apart from the Orthodox.” By grace alone In his book, he recalls a common misconception. “I hear all the time, ‘Father, I’m a good person. I’ll get to Heaven when I die.’ Or, ‘I’m fine; I never killed anybody.’ Well, Jesus’ words in the Bible and the message conveyed to St. Faustina in her Diary say something a bit different. Narrow is the road to life and few follow it (see Mt 7:13-14). Wide is the path to destruction and many are on it. Heaven is not a prize for those who are good by nature, but for those who are made good by sanctifying grace. We need the help of God’s grace, which is guaranteed only in the Sacraments. “The bottom line? Start accepting Christ now, so that when He comes to you at the end of your life, it will be easier to say, ‘Yes!’ And the best way to begin is by understanding the vital role of the Sacraments in getting you to Heaven.” Marian Helper • Fall 2025 • Marian.org 11 Father Chris is mobbed by well-wishers outside St. Dominic’s Priory-The Rosary Shrine in London, England, all eager to have their copy of Understanding the Sacraments signed. To order Understanding the Sacraments: God’s Grace Guaranteed! (Product code B67-UNDB), visit ShopMercy.org or call 1-800-462-7426.
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