Answers to essential questions about the Resurrection—what Christians believe and why it matters.

 The staggering claim at the heart of Christianity is that through Jesus Christ, God has defeated death. The Resurrection is not an abstract doctrine to be understood only by the mind, nor is it a matter of blind faith. It is the reality that changes the destiny of every believer.

In Why the Resurrection Matters: 8 Pivotal Truths for Every Believer, Fr. Patrick Briscoe, OP, invites you to see your life through the lens of Christ’s victory over death—and to move beyond feel-good faith toward the gritty, resilient Christian hope that sustains us through suffering, loss, and ultimately our own deaths. 

Drawing on the full breadth of biblical teaching and Catholic theology, Fr. Patrick explores the Resurrection and answers essential questions about what Christians believe—and why it matters:

• Is Jesus the Lord?
• Did Jesus have to die on the Cross?
• What evidence is there for the Resurrection?
• What does it mean to say that Christ descended into hell?
• What happened when Jesus rose from the dead?
• What does the Resurrection mean for me now?
• How does the Resurrection give us hope and peace?
• Where is the Resurrection leading us?

Fr. Patrick—a leading voice in Catholic media—brings together theological rigor and the heart of a pastor. As a Dominican preacher, he has a gift for making the truths of the Catholic faith accessible through vivid stories, memorable images, and practical insight. Whether serving college students or praying with actors on the set of The Chosen, Fr. Patrick has become a trusted guide for those who want to move beyond surface-level answers and integrate their faith more deeply into everyday life.

At a time when the drama of Jesus’s Resurrection is being brought vividly to life in productions such as The Resurrection of the Christ and The Chosen, Why the Resurrection Matters offers an opportunity to encounter the mystery at the heart of it all. By exploring the why behind the Cross, the historical evidence for the Resurrection, and the theology of Christ’s glorified body, this book reveals the Resurrection not simply as an event of the past but as the foundation of Christian hope today—and the pattern for our own life, death, and eternal destiny.

Perfect for individual or group study, Why the Resurrection Matters includes free companion videos featuring Fr. Patrick and a downloadable study guide to help you go deeper. Find these free resources at avemariapress.com.