The Daily Devotional That Reaches 500,000 Catholics—Including 49,000 Prisoners Who Get It Free
What happens when a small Catholic community launches a devotional magazine in 1981—and 40+ years later, it's become the largest Catholic daily devotional in the world?
Meet The Word Among Us—the Catholic devotional magazine that has helped millions of Catholics pray with Scripture since 1981. With over 500,000 subscribers in 35 countries and 15 languages, this nonprofit publisher has quietly become one of the most influential Catholic media organizations in the world.
But what makes The Word Among Us truly remarkable isn't just its reach—it's the mission behind it. Since 1989, the organization has provided free subscriptions to prisoners and military personnel, reaching some 49,000 inmates who otherwise couldn't access these spiritual resources.
A Simple Format That Works
The genius of The Word Among Us is its simplicity.
Each daily issue provides:
- The Mass readings for that day
- A meditation based on one of the readings
- Practical reflection on living the Christian life
- Feature articles on Catholic themes and saints
The format means Catholics can prepare for Mass, pray with Scripture, and grow in their faith—all in about 15-20 minutes a day.
For busy Catholics who want to go deeper but don't know where to start, The Word Among Us removes the barriers. You don't need to be a theologian. You don't need hours of free time. You just need a few minutes and an open heart.
40+ Years of Daily Faithfulness
The Word Among Us was founded in 1981, emerging from a Catholic charismatic community with a vision: to help ordinary Catholics encounter Christ in Scripture.
For over four decades, the magazine has been faithful to that mission—publishing meditations for every single day of the Church year, year after year.
Today, Jeff Smith serves as President and Joseph Difato as Publisher, continuing the legacy with:
- Print and digital subscriptions: Read in the format that works for you
- A mobile app: Daily meditations wherever you go
- A book publishing division: Deeper Catholic resources for those who want more
- Free content at wau.org: Daily meditations accessible to everyone
The organization remains a not-for-profit, keeping its focus on mission over profit.
Ministry to Prisoners and Military
Perhaps the most beautiful aspect of The Word Among Us is its commitment to those who can't afford a subscription.
Since 1989, the organization has provided free magazines, books, and literature to:
- Prisoners in correctional facilities across the country
- Military personnel serving at home and abroad
Through The Word Among Us Partners, the ministry works with prison chaplains to supply Catholic materials. Currently, some 49,000 inmates receive these resources at no cost.
For a prisoner encountering the Faith for the first time—or trying to grow deeper while incarcerated—a daily devotional can be transformative. It's a lifeline to Christ when other sources of grace are limited.
What Subscribers Say
The Word Among Us has been a quiet companion in the faith lives of hundreds of thousands of Catholics. Many report that:
- It helped them develop a daily prayer habit they never had before
- The meditations make Scripture come alive and feel personally relevant
- It prepares them for Mass each day so they get more out of the readings
- The simplicity makes it sustainable even during busy seasons of life
- It's a spiritual touchpoint they can count on every single day
For many Catholics, The Word Among Us is the most consistent part of their spiritual life—a daily appointment with Christ that has continued for years or even decades.
The Book Publishing Ministry
Beyond the magazine, The Word Among Us Press publishes Catholic books on:
- Meditations and devotionals
- Saints and spiritual classics
- Prayer and spiritual growth
- Scripture study resources
- Catholic living and formation
These books are available through the organization's online bookstore, extending the mission of making quality Catholic resources accessible to all.
Why This Matters
In an age of information overload and spiritual distraction, The Word Among Us offers something rare: a focused, faithful, daily encounter with Scripture.
The organization demonstrates that:
- Daily consistency matters — Small daily steps build lifelong habits
- Scripture transforms lives — Even a few verses, prayerfully considered
- Accessibility is key — Resources should reach those who need them most
- Nonprofit mission endures — 40+ years of serving the Church without chasing profits
When you support The Word Among Us, you're supporting:
- A proven ministry that has helped millions encounter Christ
- Prisoners and military personnel who receive free subscriptions
- Daily faithfulness to publishing meditations every single day
- A Catholic nonprofit that puts mission first
How You Can Support
- Subscribe: Visit wau.org/subscribe for print or digital options
- Download the app: Available on iOS and Android
- Donate to Partners: Support prison and military ministry at waupartners.org
- Browse the bookstore: Find deeper resources at bookstore.wau.org
- Gift a subscription: Help someone you love develop a daily prayer habit
Discover More Catholic Publishers -- Go Paid
The Word Among Us has been putting Scripture in the hands of 500,000 Catholics daily for over 40 years. Paid subscribers get our full guide to Catholic publishers, devotional resources, and media ministries -- from print magazines to apps to book publishers you've never heard of.
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Have you used The Word Among Us for your daily prayer? How long have you been a subscriber? Drop a comment below—we'd love to hear your experience!
Find The Word Among Us:
- Website: wau.org
- Subscribe: wau.org/subscribe
- Bookstore: bookstore.wau.org
- Partners (Prison/Military): waupartners.org
- App: Available on iOS and Android
- DCB Listing: Find The Word Among Us on Discover Catholic Business
Sources: The Word Among Us, The Word Among Us Partners, Association of Catholic Publishers