Have you ever wondered what it takes to create Living Faith? The process for each issue actually starts about seven months before the issue date!
First, our editorial team creates a plan and assigns a date to each one of our dedicated team of writers. Since you are familiar with Living Faith, you know that devotions are based on the daily Mass readings, and our writers select a Scripture verse or verses that inspires them. What you may not know is that because of our quarterly schedule, we are all thinking about Christmas in March or Easter in September (or sometimes even June when Lent and Easter fall really early)!
Well in advance, our editorial team also works with our design and marketing teams to select an inspirational Scripture quote you will find echoed in the Scriptures that quarter and thoughtful imagery for the cover.
After a few weeks’ time when the devotions have been delivered by our writers, we edit, format, check Scripture and calendar items, proofread and finalize the text. We also curate, write and assemble all the other editorial features in the magazine like the prayers and blessings, the editor’s letter and formal business content such as the mast page and once a year the Statement of Ownership (you can spy this toward the back pages in our January, February, March issues).
The next crucial next step in our publication journey is seeking an imprimatur from the Archdiocese of St. Louis. This approval affirms that the publication contains nothing contrary to Catholic teaching. You can find this notice on our mast page.
Once the imprimatur is approved, we finish putting into place all the other materials like circulation forms and our Spiritual Resources that you will find in the back pages of each issue and any other outstanding items. We prepare files for our large print edition, and the staff has a last pass review from cover to cover of both our pocket and large editions before heading off to the printer.
Printing proofs are carefully reviewed, ensuring that each issue meets the publication’s standards before reaching the hands of our valued readers around the world.
As one issue comes to fruition, the cycle begins anew. Assignments are made, ideas are cultivated and the journey toward the next publication begins with the same dedication that our many staff members have had throughout the last 40 years.
