Hello, and welcome to my little corner of the Internet, the place where I muse and wonder and write about all the things nobody is currently paying me to write about, from cooking to motherhood and design.
“The Catholic Table” blog began back in 2015, when I was single and living in Steubenville, Ohio. Then, it was all about cooking and hosting—a way to encourage people to open their homes to the gift of others and open their eyes to seeing food as God meant it to be seen: as a sign of his love and a foretaste of the Eucharist.
Over the years, however, as I’ve married, moved to Pittsburgh, gone through a hellish home renovation, struggled with infertility, and adopted a baby boy, the blog has evolved right along with my life. I’m still writing here about cooking and hosting, but I’m also writing about whatever struggles or blessings have hold of my heart at the current moment, from motherhood to bathroom renovations. I try to see all of it though, through the lens of grace. God wants to illuminate all that we love in this world–babies and Brussels sprouts, paintings and subway tile, friendships and light fixtures–with the light of faith. His grace comes to us through the sacraments, but also through the sacramentals of everyday life, and this place is where I strive to both remember that and understand that.
As for me, I am a writer, by both habit and trade. I write books, bible studies, essays, news stories, profiles and loads of copy for Catholic institutions. In addition to my books, my work has been published in First Things, Touchstone, the National Catholic Register, Our Sunday Visitor, Franciscan Magazine, the Catholic Digest, Legatus Magazine, and more. I’ve been writing for 15 years now, and 12 of those years have been from my home, as a full-time freelancer. As a new mom, I’m continuing to write full-time, while also raising our son. I don’t sleep much.
Since 2012, I’ve written four books of my own: The Catholic Girl’s Guide to the Single Years (Emmaus Road, 2012); These Beautiful Bones: An Everyday Theology of the Body (Emmaus Road, 2013); The American Catholic Almanac (Random House, 2014); and The Catholic Table (Emmaus Road: 2015). I’m slated to complete my fifth—Don’t Paint the Subway Tile: Lessons in Love, Sin, Gin, and Grace from a Real-Life Fixer Upper—this year.
In 2016, I began writing for the women’s ministry Endow. Since then, I’ve written five book-length studies for them—three on the papal documents, “Letter to Women,” “Salvifici Doloris” (On Human Suffering), and “Humanae Vitae” (On Human Life), one on St. Catherine of Siena, and one on St. Hildegard of Bingen and the Doctors of the Church.
I’m also the editor and co-author of a new series of high school theology textbooks, forthcoming in 2019 and 2020. The books will be co-published by the St. Paul Center (Emmaus Road Press) and the Sophia Institute. There are 11 books in the series. I’ve completed nine and have two more to go.
Occasionally—about four to six times a year—I venture out of my home and speak to women, men, and families about food, faith, infertility, the theology of the body, the great women saints, and more. If you’re interested in bringing me out of my corner of the world and into yours, visit my Speaking Page for more information.
You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest (mostly Instagram), where I keep the world supplied with pictures of our son, Toby. I’m pretty sure everyone needs more Toby in their life.
In the meantime, stay a while, poke about, and please come back again.
You had me at wine. The first one. I’m sometimes rude and obnoxious, but only on my own blog. I can’t wait to dive into your writing, because we have some things in common (some happy, some sad). I look forward to learning much from you, for though I am a mom of several, I would much rather write than cook.
I love your comment policy!
you are such an inspiring Catholic woman. I would come over to dinner at your place any time!!!
Hi Emily, I just happened to come across your website. It spoke to my heart. Especially the wine part. I just realized I had heard of you before with your book the Catholic Guide for Single Women. I would like to invite you to take a look at WINE: Women In the New Evangelization. I think we need you connecting with this group. You can e-mail me through the site or at Sharon@CatholicVineyard.com
Hello Emily, I am Roman Catholic too. I am sitting here Sunday evening 9/6 watching you on Ewtn. Wonderful program. And enjoying your input among the other men, the catholic compass is quite interesting. I and my husband are converts to the catholic church. We feel we are home even from the first day. Nice to meet you. God bless, Linda Wolfe
So glad you enjoyed the show! Those are always fun to do!
I love your comment policy too!
Hi Emily,
I loved reading your blog.. you remind me alot of myself.. I would much rather be in the kitchen cooking then writing. I’m a 40 something Nun at The Community of Jesus, I also work at Paraclete Press Publishing, and I cook for both our Retreat facility and Guest House.. Life is GOOD. Another Sister (much wiser and a bit older) and I write a blog on a similar topic.. stop by and let us know what you think. And if you’re ever on Cape Cod, you’re welcome to come and sup at our table! God bless you and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.
http://monasterykitchen.org/
Sr.Estelle
Sisters of the Community of Jesus
Orleans, MA
How fun, Sister! I’ll make sure to check out the blog!
Hi Emily,
Thank you for strengthening us (in our faith) and encouraging us (in living whole-y lives) through the sharing of your insights and experiences.
Come back already! I miss your writing! But I am super excited to hear (on Ave Maria Radio’s More2Life) that you have a The Catholic Table book coming out!! Yay!
Hi! Emily I’ve just received your book “finding joy where food and faith meet”,I am a typical yoyo dieter, I’m 58and still struggling with my weight, I’ve already thought about dieting with the Lord but somehow never managed it.I hope your book will help me to focus on Jesus and be guided by Him to come out of this food problem and to have a sane relationship with food and body. may I ask you to Pray especially for me. I’ll let you know how I get on!I’m Chantal, Catholic, French and living in France. Thanks
Dear Emily,
I have just read your book and plan to blog about it for the blog site of the Catholic Herald in the UK. I am really glad you mentioned Bernanos and Undset in your bibliography, as they are among my favourite authors. Could I be really cheeky and ask you to send me an original recipe that I could include in my blog about your book (one that uses UK quantities, that is fairly simple, suitable for busy mothers and not including pumpkin)? My email address is: famphillips@onetel.com I look forward very much to hearing back from you. God bless – Francis Phillips
Saw you on EWTN March 2,2017.
Ordered The Catholic Table on iPhone.
Looking forward to listening to it!
God Bless , Lou L
Emily, my Catholic bookclub selected your book this month and had a great time discussing it over walnut pumpkin bread (your recipe).
Loved so many things about the book but mostly the idea of the sacramentality of food and how we can grow in virtues with each meal. God bless you!!!
Dear Ms. Chapman: I very much enjoyed your interview on EWTN last night (a rerun?) I’m not Catholic, etc., but your thoughts on faith gave me much to think about, especially on faith and food. Very best of luck with your work and faith–Sincerely yours, Tom
Glad you enjoyed the show. God bless you!
I watched you share your journey, which left me with an enriched, spiritual consolation. I have a friend, a cradle catholic, yet now in his 70s, struggling with his faith & teachings of the RC church. You were so eloquent on how you realized the teachings had a strong foundation.
Which of your books might deal with your understanding & acceptance of these teachings? He is an avid reader and I would like to gift it to him.
“These Beautiful Bones” probably talks the most about the Catholic worldview that I received from my reversion. “The Catholic Table” talks a bit more about my conversion. So glad you liked the show!
JUST WATCHED YOU ON EWTN JH . I WILL PRAY TO OUR LOVING GOD FOR YOUR FUTURE BEAUTIFUL CHILDRAN !
just watched your EWTN Journey Home segment…thank you for sharing. Your story helps me understand my journey. I am not and was not suffering from anorexia but your sharing helped me to recognize my life of sexism. The Grace of St.JP2’s Theology of the Body opened my eyes too. So glad to hear you’ve found your vocation…Linda & I have been married 40 yrs. God bless
Just watched your segment on Journey Home. I loved it!!! Will recommend to friends…many lapsed Catholic women. You and I are exactly the same age and have had different journeys, but we are kindred spirits! Thank you for sharing…and so glad that I’ve now found your blog. God bless you and your work!
Emily, enjoyed meeting you and hearing your talk in Daphne this weekend. Just want you to know that we will be praying to our daughter/saint, Claudia Cecilia (baptized infant), for you and your husband to have a baby! She’s pretty reliable!!
Thank you, Lisa! We had such a great time at the conference and really appreciate the prayers!
Dear Emily, am checking my
Inbox daily so keen to hear how things are going!! With prayers, Laura
Would be interested in an article about fasting during Lent.
New to the site. I would love to email you sometime if I’m able. My life has been much like yours and im desperately sad…trying to find purpose at 56…never thought this would be me. I found you through the lent talks….John Paul and annie . I love your segments.
God bless you! I’m so sorry you are struggling, and will add you to my prayers. Feel free to reach out to me at emilystimpsonchapman@gmail.com. I will do my best to respond, but it might take a while! In the meantime, prayers!
HI Friend…! Just letting you know I got your book (Letters to Myself) at my local library after MONTHS AND MONTHS of waiting!!! Hooray!! I’m so excited… And miss you!