Jesus Our Refuge

by Matt Fradd

In a restless world, we often chase satisfaction, only to find it fleeting. Matt Fradd invites you to discover Jesus, Our Refuge. This clear and honest guide reveals the Heart of Christ as humanity’s true home. Packed with Fradd’s relatable stories and wisdom, it’s a must-read for anyone seeking meaning and refuge amid life's spiritual battle.

Genres: Christianity, Catholic

183 pages, Paperback

Published October 23, 2025

About the author

Matthew Fradd is Australian by birth and Catholic by choice. After experiencing a profound conversion at World Youth Day in Rome in 2000, Matthew committed himself to inviting others to know Jesus Christ and the Church He founded. As a missionary in Canada and Ireland, Matthew proclaimed the Gospel to over ten thousand teens and young adults. Matthew has also served the Church through full-time lay ministry in Australia,Ireland, Canada, and Texas. Matthew has been seen or heard on the BBC, EWTN, The Irish Morning Show, and Catholic Answers Live, where he has shared his personal story of sin, redemption, and healing to people all over the world.

Recently, Matthew, his fearless Texan wife, and their three beautiful children (Liam, Avila, and baby on the way) moved to sunny San Diego where Matthew now works as an Apologist and Speaker with Catholic Answers. Matthew best demonstrates his infectious passion for the faith when he speaks about the many wounds that pornography inflicts, the healing that Christ offers in the Sacraments, and the freedom that the Church proposes in Her teachings on the virtue of chastity.

In recent years, Matthew has confronted our pornographic culture and has launched the website www.theporneffect.com. With patient understanding and yet with firm resolve, Matthew has pointed those who are addicted to or who have been wounded by pornography to the only source of true freedom and lasting healing: Jesus Christ and the Sacraments.

Matthew Fradd has been heard or seen on the BBC, EWTN, The Irish Morning Show, and Catholic Answers Live, and he continues to share his personal story of addiction, redemption, and healing to people all over the world.

Reviews

[Blaine Holbrooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was blown away by Jesus our Refuge. I love Matt Fradd but I did not think he would be the best author. Turns out he’s not and I think if you ask him, he’d agree that writing books isn’t his best skill. What makes this book so good is that it’s a relatable, understandable, and simple explanation of the Gospel and Life in Christ.

It’s perfect for people living in our modern society. Matt does a great job of explaining our identity found in relationship with Our Creator, ways we “miss the mark” in this relationship, and how Grace, humility and virtue are the answer to our problems.

Highly recommend for anyone. Lots of people will be getting this book for Christmas this year.

[Lauren Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I enjoyed reading from one of my favorite Catholic speakers/podcasters. This book laid out so simply the need for Christ as a friend and an attentive Savior. The quotes from so many great Saints are ones that I will continue to pray with.

[Brenda Conyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Next to “Imitation of Christ”

This book will be a classic. It is good for any soul anywhere on the journey of faith. It is also good for the soul not yet on the journey!
Fradd writes about deep matters of the heart and soul with clarity. And he has some unique understandings of parables and scriptures worth pondering and praying with.
His explanation of God’s forgiveness is fresh and so clear. I am a grandma who has been an avid Catholic reader for 30 years—-I have never quite understood God’s grace and total forgiveness until reading this book.
I am praying through it a second time.
And, after reading such a work, one is naturally drawn to want to “do something!” to spread the Good News. And he gives you such an opportunity!
I am grateful for the book and the opportunity to share it.

[Scott Sirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the most important issue which is Jesus great love for us and how He acts as our Shepherd and Father. Jesus is a real historical person but fully Divine as He said and is the Son Of God and He is the key to our salvation unlike other religious figures. The author focuses on God’s love us despite our sin and calls us by name unlike the Devil who calls by our sin. The author brilliantly uses Hansel and Greta, Saint Faustina, Cardinal Van Thuan and Dismas and the greatest parable the Prodigal to explain God’s great love for us. The author clearly states the Truth which is Jesus is our Refuge.

[Yancy Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic summary of living for Christ

Jesus Our Refuge is a beautifully written book with practical steps for walking in Christ and learning to live in Christ’s mercy and extending it to others. Wonderful reflections and insights from the Bible and the saints just flow effortlessly from the page. While it is an easy read, it is filled with profound truths, and at times challenging insights. Highly recommended.

[Jonah Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This released at the perfect moment for me. It's just what I needed for my current stage in life. A great reminder of our Lord's infinite love, and a wonderful call to entrust everything to Him. A delightful short read, written in an entirely accessible way.

I can't say it's a masterpiece. But it doesn't claim to be, and it's excellent.

[Paul Uponi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid book! Not the most dramatic or revolutionary thing, although it wasn't trying to be. It's a humble meditation and reflection that you should give to people regardless of denomination or even religious persuasion

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish everyone would read this. It is genuine, simple and warm. Anyone curious about having a faith or anyone already considering themselves a Christian can find something here. This book feels like a warm hug.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

“‘Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth.’ But when a culture tries to soar with only one wing- reason severed from faith- it doesn’t rise; it plummets. And so it has.”

[Alfonso de Arriba Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

surprisingly easy read that still went very deep. I appreciated how practical and grounded it was. the book gently but clearly helped me see how often I look for refuge in false comforts, and how Jesus alone is the true place of rest, safety, and healing.

[Gayle Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[Sarah Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read! Beautiful, sweet, wonderful. Fradd lays out the gospel in a clear, moving way as a Catholic layman. I highly recommend and will be giving this to my loved ones.

[B+ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s good

[Colin Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book everyone can drink deeply from.

[Nicole Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful. One of my favorite things about Matt Fradd is he always leads us to other great spiritual giants. I bought a book by Fr Robert Benson after some of his work in here.