Spirituality
Do I have dark places in my life? Why are these dark places present, and will they overcome me? How can Christ’s love and grace dissipate this darkness? In his newest book on the spiritual life, Fr. John Henry Hanson helps us to understand the alienation come from sin and the redeeming power of Christ. He shows us how, through the beauty of the Liturgy, the dark corners of our hearts encounter and embrace the light of Christ, perhaps for the first time. “The light of Christ is cleansing grace for the soul,” says Hanson. With light comes hope, “and that hope is the light that will guide our walk from darkness to light, from this side of the veil to the place where Christ dwells in glory.”
-The Little Prince Respected Jesuit educator and spiritual director Kevin O'Brien invites you to recognize the opportunities to uncover your meaning and purpose as you navigate the turbulent river of life. Seeing with the Heart is a tour de force that weaves together the author's personal experiences, the 16th-century wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and the insights of sages, poets, artists, and storytellers through the ages. O'Brien reveals how we can realize our potential by embracing our struggles with courage, our questions with curiosity, and our destiny with boldness as we tap into our deepest desires and live lives of authenticity.
Journeying through this book, with its inspiring prose and practical spiritual exercises, will cause a dramatic shift in your perspective. Your day-to-day life will be transformed by a better understanding of who you are and what you are called to be, as well as by a closer relationship with God and others. As O'Brien writes, "If we persist on the journey, with its signposts in the form of questions, we might discover something remarkable: this God whom we seek and question is actually seeking us more." What do you seek? Seeing with the Heart will help you discover the answer. 2024 ACP Excellence in Publishing Awards, First Place: Spirituality
2024 Catholic Media Association Book Awards, First Place: Spirituality Classical
The Spirit is speaking. Can you hear him?If you're longing to become more attentive to God--to listen to him, know his voice and experience his love, spiritual direction can point the way.In Seeking God Together, experienced spiritual director Alice Fryling offers a unique introduction specifically for group spiritual direction: a place where individuals can experience what it means to be listened to and loved by others, so that they can learn to listen more attentively to God in their daily lives and be used by God.Out of her years of being both director and directee, Fryling offers practical, step-by-step guidance for those who would like to start, lead or participate in group spiritual direction. Her book will help you know what to expect and fully equip you for the different aspects of the group experience, including learning to listen to God, using Scripture in a group, navigating different personalities, setting group expectations and asking life-giving questions. She also provides an appendix with opening exercises for use in your meetings together."The intentional goal of group spiritual direction," Alice writes, "is to help each participant become more aware of God in their lives, for the sake of others. Spiritual direction leads you to an awakening of the soul." The Spirit is speaking to you and to others. Here is a book to help you and a group of soul friends listen for and with each other as you seek God together.
An unlikely friendship between Colette Lafia and a silent monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani, where Thomas Merton lived, comes to life through seven years of shared letters. Lafia's palpable openness and warm storytelling lead readers through the same compassionate process that led the author to accept herself, find peace with life, and strive for an ever-deepening relationship with God.
Folded within the deep friendship cultivated through letters exchanged between Colette Lafia, a spiritual director and retreat leader, and Brother René, a Trappist monk, is Lafia's struggle with infertility, insomnia, the loss of her sister, the declining health and eventual death of her father, and her role as caregiver. Brother René's compassion and guidance throughout these trials, and Lafia's responses, provide a template for helping readers to surrender to God in their own struggles.
Readers will find simple exercises and profound advice for living a more conscious and intentional life, with tips such as, "look at yourself through God's eyes," "notice when fear arrives at your door," and "trust all is well." Readers will ultimately discover a new attitude of acceptance and letting go.
Winner of a third-place award in the grief and bereavement category from the Catholic Media Association.
A friend's child dies; a parent gets a cancer diagnosis; your spouse loses their job. Sometimes life and God's plan don't make sense and we end up feeling hurt and angry.In Seriously, God?, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran explore the denial, doubt, and betrayal we experience when we face hardship, pain, and grief, and they encourage us to lean into our feelings and to take each circumstance as a chance to learn more about God.
Drawing on personal anecdotes and stories from their parish, White and Corcoran--authors of the bestselling and award-winning book, Rebuilt--share important lessons, including:
For anyone who has battled suffering, walked away from faith under the pressure of crushing doubt, never felt safe giving faith a chance, or cared about someone who struggles with these realities, this book treats the problems of suffering and evil not as an argument to be overcome but as an invitation to a deeper faith.
Each chapter relies on biblical stories that provide a wonderful introduction to scripture to those who are not familiar with the Bible and a fresh perspective to those who are. Each chapter also includes questions for self-reflection and discussion. A free parish small-group guide and videos from the authors are available online.
This is a perfect book to give as a gift to friends or family members who are grieving, those struggling with doubts about their faith, or those who are new to faith.
Got a hunch?
It may be a nudge from the Holy Spirit! In a time when man clings to the world instead of Heaven, we are in more need than ever of the Sanctifier's gifts to guide us and to preserve our interior peace.
The renowned Dominican priests Frs. Walter Farrell and Dominic Hughes will help you deepen your relationship with God as they take you on a journey through the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. You'll learn how to be empowered by the Third Person of the Holy Trinity and live in imitation of the Holy Family. By developing an awareness of God's presence, you will grow in Understanding and perceive the truth in an age of confusion. You'll grow in Knowledge and become certain of the "things that are not seen." You'll inculcate Wisdom as you grow in charity, and you will foster Counsel that will aid you in docility.
Your growth in Piety will enkindle within you filial devotion, and Fear of the Lord will give you the reverence of a child for his father. You'll also learn how to grow in courage as the gift of Fortitude conquers your fears and enlivens your confidence. Best of all, as you learn to cooperate in cultivating the gifts of the Holy Spirit in your life, you will find lasting tranquility and joy in living for God's glory. You will also learn how the gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Form you in the virtues needed to exercise Charity toward God and others
Help you to practice temperance and overcome inordinate appetites
Pour out grace to build upon your nature, fortify you, and bolster your faith
Enable you to enter into loving communion with God and reflect His simplicity
Work with others and relate to the theological and cardinal virtues
Provide you with the armor you need for spiritual combat and final victory
"Ours is an age for courage, it is an age for martyrs, it is an age for splendid Catholic living. Now the world looks to the mystical Christ for salvation."
Here is the astonishing true story of the harrowing experiences of a young German seminarian drafted into Hitler's dreaded SS at the onset of World War II. Without betraying his Christian ideals, against all odds, and in the face of Evil, Gereon Goldmann was able to complete his priestly training, be ordained, and secretly minister to German Catholic soldiers and innocent civilian victims caught up in the horrors of war. How it all came to pass will astound you.
Father Goldmann tells of his own incredible experiences of the trials of war, his many escapes from almost certain death, and the diabolical persecution that he and his fellow Catholic soldiers encountered on account of their faith. What emerges is an extraordinary witness to the workings of Divine Providence and the undying power of love, prayer, faith, and sacrifice. Illustrated
A diverse compilation of essays that explore the complex idea of simplicity in our lives, community, and environment, and how buying less and decluttering creates an enriching and sustainable life.
In a rare collection of voices, the authors of Simpler Living, Compassionate Life explore voluntary simplicity as a path to wholeness and abundance. Henri Nouwen, Cecile Andrews, Richard Foster, and 19 other writers encourage you to listen to your own story, and to respond to dialogue about the fundamental issues of life: time, money, food, spirituality, heritage, and community. A diversity of voices and a helpful study guide make this an effective tool for individuals and groups ready to consider alternatives to high-price, high-stress "good life" the riches of simplicity and compassion. "Simpler Living, Compassionate Life is an excellent resource for anyone wishing to have a comprehensive overview of the myriad ways living more simply has positively affected our culture. It is a delightful and practical guide for creating simplicity in our own lives, our communities, and for the benefit of our culture."-Elaine James, author of Simplify Your Life and Inner Simplicity
"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:12
From the peaceful setting of his Benedictine monastery in upper New York state, Brother Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette shares the secrets of a simple monastic spirituality and life through the tradition of the Beatitudes. Complete with prayers, reflections, and practical advice, this book will become your companion for simply living these words from Jesus in Matthew's Gospel.
The Beatitudes have always challenged Christians through the centuries. In today's fast paced world we long to slow down and learn what it means to:
Brother Victor offers thoughtful guidance to help us appreciate the gift of the Beatitudes as a simple guide for life. Explore with Brother Victor how to BE as Christ called us to live.
Faith is essential to our spiritual growth yet, too often, good Catholics hold misconceptions about faith's meaning or role - misconceptions that can lead to spiritual stagnation.
In these pages, Fr. Wojciech Giertych, OP, Theologian of the Papal Household, corrects prominent errors and clearly articulates what faith is, how it works, and how it may expand, or wither, within our soul.
He explains that the initial moment - the spark - of faith which ignites our entire spiritual life comes first from God. Because faith is a divine gift that is alive, we can explore the laws of its development and learn the principles of its nourishment in order to fully live a life of faith that influences our intellectual and moral life.
Fr. Giertych's moving and practical reflections on the spiritual life bring ancient wisdom to bear on our modern age, teaching what it really means to have and grow in faith. You'll come to understand the proper relationship between faith and reason, and you'll deepen your understanding of the role of prayer in the life of faith.
The Spark of Faith will help you focus your attention on God as the fundamental source of all the spiritual goods we need and cherish.
Fr. Giertych has served as the Theologian of the Papal Household for two popes. His is wisdom you can trust.
Do you feel your life is fragmented, disorganized, chaotic? That your mind is always racing, that the pace of life is overtaking you? Author and lecturer James L. Papandrea helps you simplify your life, reduce stress, and understand your higher purpose by taking inventory and rebuilding the five "homes" of your life:
Body--a peaceful haven for your soul
Hands--meaningful work that fosters dignity and doesn't create anxiety
Heart--a welcoming place that nurtures loved ones and a community of friends
Mind--a reflective outlet for creativity
Spirit--a tranquil place of Christian grace
If even one of the homes is unbalanced, harmony and peace can elude you. Contentment and meaning come only with order and structure in all five homes. An integrated workbook walks you through the steps to identifying your strengths and weaknesses. If you're seriously interested in spiritual growth, changing negatives to positives, and reclaiming your higher purpose, Spiritual Blueprint is for you.
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While we commonly develop plans for success in business, fitness, finances, and education, only rarely do we develop strategies for advancing in our spiritual lives.
To address this void, Deacon Richard Eason has prepared this practical and motivational book to help you pursue spiritual excellence and discover the abundant life Our Lord is calling you to experience. This daily guide helps you first identify where you are on your spiritual journey and then pinpoint the specific issues impeding your progress. Best of all, Deacon Eason assists you in developing a personalized spiritual plan and offers you time-tested solutions for overcoming your sins and imperfections. Holiness is required not only to achieve Heaven but also to achieve happiness in this life. This book will empower you to fly with the angels and soar with the saints so you can live a happier and holier life. As you're inspired and trained to become an unwavering spiritual champion, you'll also learn:
Habits of prayer are mere bondage unless they change who you are. The key to spiritual growth is passing from the law of prohibitions into the influences of the Beatitudes. You'll learn how by following the secrets of this holy priest.
Fr. Basil Maturin, a priest wise in the ways of the soul, explains in these pages what you must do -- and what you must allow Christ to do -- in order to come to know Him as you should.
In chapters written for souls hungry to improve their spiritual lives, Fr. Maturin shows you how to move beyond the conquest of particular vices and develop true friendship with Christ.
You'll learn not merely how to pray, but also how to combine prayer with the spiritual virtues that are essential to sure progress in the spiritual life.
With Fr. Maturin's help, you'll soon develop a strong and vigorous character that shines with bright virtues and leads you to an encounter -- face-to-face -- with Christ Himself. You'll also learn . . .
Read this book, and you will soon be drawn closer to Christ as you abide in His presence today, tomorrow, and ever after.
Nearly a century ago, the Trappist monk Jean-Baptiste Chautard sat in the silence of his cell and wrote this classic book, showing us how to live in the noise and bustle of the world and to win more souls for Christ.
Praised by Pope St. Pius X, Pope Benedict XV, and by many cardinals and bishops, Spiritual Handbook for Catholic Evangelists was an instant hit when it was first published in 1912, and has since been read with gratitude by hundreds of thousands of busy parents, teachers, preachers, catechists, and other Christians working in the world to save souls without losing their own.
Generations of Christians have turned to this book because Fr. Chautard understands -- and here offers sure remedies for -- the particular spiritual problems that afflict all of us who try to bring others to Christ. He explains how to avoid the self-righteousness and pride that bring down successful apostles, and the indifference and despair that hobble unsuccessful ones.
Relying on the spiritual wisdom of the greatest saints and mystics of the Church (from St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas to St. Francis de Sales and St. John of the Cross), Spiritual Handbook for Catholic Evangelists shows you how to achieve each of the three essential goals that you must accomplish in your apostolic efforts: you must win souls to Christ; you must promote your own spiritual welfare; and you must give glory to God.
Here is a spiritual handbook that will help you grow closer to Jesus as you spread His gospel, and will make it easier for you -- by your words and your example -- to lead ever more souls to Him.
St. Paul was struck down by divine power, from a bolt of spiritual lightning. In our own lives, we also experience moments of spiritual lightning, whether subtly, dramatically, or circumstantially. Throughout this attention-grabbing book, Deacon Richard Eason reveals how to let God's power run wild in your soul so that you can be formed in Christ's values and revel in the abundant life.
Through compelling real-life examples, including sports analogies, Deacon Eason focuses each chapter on a specific teaching, grace, and spiritual reflection to empower you on the road to salvation. Also included for each teaching are questions for personal contemplation and to foster group discussions. These potent and enlightening reflections show you how to identify the "lightning experiences" God uses to touch your soul. They will help you discover:
Additionally, Deacon Eason will help you perceive how to grow in docility to the Holy Spirit, develop a truly personal relationship with God through a dedicated prayer life, and reach out to others in selfless love. He includes multiple methods to aid you in cultivating virtue and self-discipline, from the sacraments, to the daily examen, to keeping a scorecard. He also reflects upon the importance of Our Lady in our spiritual lives, revealing stunning modern-day miracles obtained through her intercession.
Through personal anecdotes and inspiring stories, Deacon Eason reveals how to develop strength and courage during times of suffering and ways to obtain healing. He shows you how to garner the benefits of "autopilot faith" and develop trust in God through prayer, leading to positive transformation, spiritual tranquility, and increased joy and happiness. By the end of the book, you will have the tools to develop a "spiritual bucket plan" for attaining life's ultimate goal -- eternal life with Jesus in Heaven.
Here is the book that will help you climb St. Paul's "eight steps," to attain happiness, holiness, and Heaven. Best selling author Kevin Vost breaks open St. Paul's life and spirituality through the lens of St. Thomas Aquinas as well as other saintly and noble men and women. You will see how human knowledge (e.g. science and philosophy) point to the truth of the Divine and how the virtues St. Paul proposes in his letter to the Philippians lead to abiding joy.
In this gem of a book, Dr. Kevin Vost reveals hidden treasures such as:
Each chapter unpacks one of these outstanding virtues and contains an invaluable "Summing Up" section. Further highlighted are exemplary individuals to imitate in their exercise of the heroic virtue, from St. Dominic to Our Lady and St. Joseph to St. Agnes of Rome and St. Brigid to Aristotle and Cicero. Also contained are several handy tables that break down the teachings of St. Paul and St. Thomas in connection to the Sacred Scriptures and your daily life for easy referencing.
You will find the six types of grace and their effects that God is waiting to pour into your life. Most significantly, you will find our practical ways to develop each virtue, the fruits that result, and how to reap them in your daily life. Thus you will see how loveliness begets friendship and much more.
Msgr. Laurence Spiteri weaves nearly five hundred Scripture references into thirty rich spiritual reflections about your call as a child of God and how to weather life's storms. His introspective guidance on topics from the Creed and the sacraments to persecution, scandals, injustice, and suffering will help assuage any turbulence in your soul and provide you with a "retreat" from the noise of our times. With practical insights, Msgr. Spiteri will help you deeply experience God's consoling love and cherish Christ anew.
You will find spiritual food to refresh your soul and nourish you on your journey, and you will learn:
Additionally, you will learn about how God spoke to the prophets via "landline" and how we are called to share our Faith with future generations. You will also discover the five phases of God's relationship to His people in the Old Testament and how they apply to us today.
As Monsignor breaks open teachings on our Blessed Mother, you will see how Our Lady is the bearer of our hope and intercedes for the victory of life. Regardless of the sufferings she experienced, Mary remained calm as her heart was united with the Holy Trinity and embraced God's silence with trusting surrender.
This book will inspire an intimate love of Christ in your heart and fire a love for the Holy Eucharist in your soul. It will help you fall in love with Jesus and come alive in the Faith as never before. You will glimpse the unseen mystery -- the greatest miracle that awaits you daily -- and, with Our Lady, will adore the silent wonder of His love.
At last a spiritual book for Catholics who have to devote more time to making dinner and picking up the kids than to meditation and prayer! Essential (and easy) reading for busy Catholics, Strength in Simplicity shows you how to grow closer to God in the things you already do every day, without burdening you with numerous devotions or complicated methods.
Author Emmanuel de Gibergues explores the virtue of simplicity -- that is, having the single intention of pleasing God in all that you do. You'll learn what a difference simplicity can make for you -- as it did for our Lord and our Lady. You'll come to recognize the signs of true simplicity and find out how to practice simplicity toward God and in your life's activities. Even better, you'll find the secrets of practicing simplicity within yourself -- a deceptively difficult spiritual discipline that de Gibergues makes easy here.
As this book helps you bring the calming and transforming virtue of simplicity into every part of your life, you'll become better able to direct all things to God and learn new ways to be attentive to His presence in your life. Don't rush through life without this saving message!
Strength in Simplicity reveals to you:
Winner of a second-place award in the Catholic social teaching category from the Catholic Media Association.
Mary Pezzulo intended to learn all about God through graduate studies in philosophy and Christian ethics, but serious illness ruined those plans and landed her young family in desperate straits. Despite chronic illness, deep poverty, blatant discrimination, and the cruelty she encountered, Pezzulo began tripping over God in the tiny works of mercy she offered to others and received herself. With striking candor and gritty faith she shows us how we also can meet God in the smallest acts of love.When Pezzulo began her blog Steel Magnificat in 2016, she never imagined she would be writing so much about poverty, discrimination, abuse, or the loneliness of chronic illness. Nor did she realize that the corporal and spiritual works of mercy would bring stark clarity and unflinching hope to her life. She had moved to Steubenville, Ohio, to study philosophy and ethics so that she could teach people about Jesus and make the world a better place. She expected to find God in beautiful churches, inspiring books, and the spoken words of brilliant scholars. But when her life and professional ambitions crumbled around her, she entered a terrible darkness and floundered in desperate poverty, illness, and the lingering trauma of abuse.
In that dark time, Pezzulo began to know mercy, finding God in countless tiny acts. In Stumbling into Grace she shows how the works of mercy have become her anchor in turbulence and calm, piercing sorrow and ridiculous joy, overcoming despair and bringing enduring hope. Now she shares with you how to live the works of mercy in your own life.
The greatest test of your faith won't come from routine encounters in your work, family or social life. Nor will it come from extraordinary challenges or temptations. No, your greatest test will be whether you will trust God when you suffer, or whether you will, in the words of Job's wife, "curse God and die."
In Suffering with a Purpose, Dom Hubert van Zeller helps you prepare now for all your sufferings in life by enabling you to see them with the eyes of the Spirit.
Van Zeller, the wise author of Holiness for Housewives, maintains that you can understand the mystery of suffering only by means of the Passion of Christ. In this book, he explores the fourteen stages of the Passion narrative, plumbing the inner meanings of each in order to reveal why there has to be pain, and what you should do (and should not do) about it.
In his explorations of the Passion, van Zeller uncovers a great deal to help you through dark times. He reminds you that suffering, properly understood, cannot and should not extinguish happiness, and shows you how to accept your crosses with love.
Above all, van Zeller shows you that suffering has a purpose, and he uses Christ's Passion to sharpen your vision of life's meaning. With help from this perceptive book, you'll learn how not to grow disheartened or to give in to discouragement, but to see your crosses for what they are, and to bear them with perseverance.
Turn your sufferings into a path to salvation as Dom van Zeller shows you:
- The astounding signifi cance of Christ's decision to appear among men as a failure
- What Christ's falls on the way of the Cross can teach you about your own sorrows
- The importance of being willing to share in the sufferings of others, and to carry their crosses as if they were your own (Do you dare?)
- How you can grow holy and give glory to God even in the crosses that you feel too weak to carry
- Why it is not, in fact, healthier to focus on enjoyment and trying to avoid all suffering
Emptiness. Burnout. Financial worries. Physical suffering.
Does your life ever feel like a storm surge?
World-champion surfer and adventurer Bear Woznick has spent decades on the ocean, riding its waves. He doesn't stand on the shore with his toes in the sand; he goes out into the deep water to watch and wait -- and, if need be, to paddle hard to survive.
In this compelling spiritual memoir, Bear takes you on a journey from the "mountain waves" of Hawaii to "the Wedge" of Newport Beach, California, showing how his experience surfing led him to a profound encounter with God: "Wave after timeless wave breaking on the shore drew me into a contemplation of God's eternity."
Journey with Bear through the winter and summer swells of his life, and how he learned to become a "soul surfer." Drawing from decades of his own reflections and growth, he'll show you how to:
Go into the deep to find communion and intimacy with God
Be bold and decisive even when there's no surf in sight
Attune your soul to God, like a tandem surfboarder, and plunge into the waves
Surrender yourself to the Creator, just as a surfer abandons himself to an epic wave
Let go, rest in God, and allow Him to work in your life
Detach from the false comforts of the world to be free, like a surfer leaving the shore
Enter the ocean's solitude and be transformed to contemplate God face-to-face
Humble yourself before the awesome power of God so He can raise you up over the waves
Have you given everything to God? If not, why not?
Experience the one-of-a-kind spiritual shock therapy of Fr. Larry Richards for effective Christian living.
A gifted and captivating speaker, preacher, author, and retreat master, Fr. Richards will challenge you to let go of attachments, assumptions, and excuses that hold you back and give yourself more fully to God.
What is it in your life that you hold on to so tightly that you can't surrender it in order to receive everything God wants to give you?
Take a plunge with the tough-love life coach we all wish we had. Surrender yourself.
Take a free fall of faith and allow Jesus to to catch you.
Imagine a dialogue between Jesus and someone we read about in scripture, someone who had an extraordinary encounter with the Lord. The daughter of Jairus, a synagogue official, had such an encounter. What might she have thought upon meeting him? What might she have learned in years following, from being in his presence? Her words to Jesus might sound like your own as she shares with us her struggles, her prayers, and her questions to the Lord. His words to her might sound like the answers you too need to hear.
All of us are born with distinct personality traits. Some of us live for crowds and parties; others seek solitude and time for quiet reflection. Some of us are naturally pushy, while others are content just to get along. We don't pick and choose these traits; they're just part of the way we're made.
For in the womb God doesn't merely mold our body; He also gives us the temperament that, all our days, colors our understanding, guides our choices, and serves as the foundation of our moral and spiritual life.
Ancient philosophers identified four basic temperaments, and over the centuries, countless wise souls have used these four to understand human nature. Now comes The Temperament God Gave You, the first Catholic book on the subject in 70 years. Here veteran Catholic counselor Art Bennett and his wife Laraine provide an accessible synthesis of classical wisdom, modern counseling science, and Catholic spirituality: a rich understanding of the temperaments and what they mean for you and for your family.
Drawing on decades of study, prayer, and practical experience, Art and Laraine show you how to identify your own temperament and use it to become what God is calling you to be: a loving spouse, an effective parent, and a good friend. Best of all, they give you a Catholic understanding of the four temperaments that will bring you closer to God and help you discover the path to holiness that's right for you.
Peace. Happiness. Holiness.
You'll find yourself growing in each of these qualities as you come to understand -- and learn to use as you should -- the temperament God gave you.
Take the temperament test!
All of us are born with distinct personality traits. Some of us live for crowds and parties; others seek solitude and time for quiet reflection. Some of us are naturally pushy, while others are content just to get along. We don’t pick and choose these traits; they’re just part of the way we’re made.
For in the womb God doesn’t merely mold our body; He also gives us the temperament that, all our days, colors our understanding, guides our choices, and serves as the foundation of our moral and spiritual life.
Ancient philosophers identified four basic temperaments, and over the centuries, countless wise souls have used these four to understand human nature. Now comes The Temperament God Gave You, the first Catholic book on the subject in 70 years. Here veteran Catholic counselor Art Bennett and his wife Laraine provide an accessible synthesis of classical wisdom, modern counseling science, and Catholic spirituality: a rich understanding of the temperaments and what they mean for you and for your family.
Drawing on decades of study, prayer, and practical experience, Art and Laraine show you how to identify your own temperament and use it to become what God is calling you to be: a loving spouse, an effective parent, and a good friend. Best of all, they give you a Catholic understanding of the four temperaments that will bring you closer to God and help you discover the path to holiness that’s right for you.
Peace. Happiness. Holiness.
You’ll find yourself growing in each of these qualities as you come to understand -- and learn to use as you should — the temperament God gave you.
Then reach for this modest book by Fr. P.J. Michel, S.J., a savvy professor of theology whose wisdom and common sense have been forged not only in the classroom, but by decades of ardent prayer and service to penitent souls in the confessional.
Here Fr. Michel explains where your temptations come from and helps rid you of them (and of your fear of them). He teaches you how to best respond to the different kinds of temptations that assail you, and he even shows you how to profit spiritually from your temptations, no matter how strong or frequent they may be! From these clear, succinct pages you'll learn:
She creates, cares, teaches, accepts, sacrifices, heals, and celebrates with us. She is Mother Church and we are her children. We are all called to love those God entrusts to our care just as Mother Church loves us.
Loehr asks, “Why do we refer to the Church as she or Mother Church? And what does this reveal about the nature of the Church and the nature of motherhood?” Each chapter of The Church Is Our Mother explores one theme mothers and Mother Church have in common: creation, caring, teaching, acceptance, sacrifice, healing, and celebration. A study guide offers relevant meditations from the liturgy, the Catechism, the saints and the sacraments, and also shares personal stories from seven other mothers to inspire readers on their own journeys of faith and family.
Both a personal memoir and a universal call to understanding, The Church Is Our Mother will act as a springboard for other women to delve ever more deeply into the beautiful mystery of Mother Church, and offers a new perspective on the tremendous importance of the vocation of motherhood itself.
But how do we experience all that God has given us? By going to the inner chapel, that sacred place within each person where God waits to love us unconditionally. There, God gives us all we need to find our way to a life of hope instead of despair, peace instead of continued restlessness, and joy instead of anxiety. Becky Eldredge offers readers down-to-earth stories, prayer experiences to try, and enthusiastic encouragement for spiritual growth and a deeper friendship with God. The Inner Chapel will inspire individuals but also provide excellent material for small groups and people going on retreat.
As a convert from atheism Madeleine Delbrêl -- now a Servant of God -- arrived near Paris in 1933 with "no secrets and nothing to hide," as she put it. Her only desire was to live in unconditional openness to the gospel and to become a true neighbor to those living near her, especially the poor. She made friends with people from every stratum of society, believers and nonbelievers alike. In her day-to-day life, she discovered and articulated what is required of the follower of Christ.
This classic spiritual masterpiece consists mainly of Madeleine's private writings, which joyfully reflect God's personal love of each and every person. These precious pages include excerpts from her letters, notes, and poetry on daily living the Christian faith in modern culture. You will learn how to cultivate your spiritual life, value sufferings that arise, and more. "A Simple Guide for Simple Christians" will furnish you with priceless maxims on how to grow in prayerful surrender and love of God and neighbor, regardless of your circumstances.
You will also discover:
Madeleine's intense awareness of God's reality and presence gave her an ongoing dynamism in her struggles against injustice and unhappiness in all its forms. As she rubbed shoulders with atheists, her love of God grew more and more alive, and she became a model for those grappling with faith. She will inspire you to carry out those twin commandments of loving God and neighbor that she described as "inseparable but distinct."
Madeleine's writing is filled with true love, genuine hope, and heartfelt compassion. She will help you fall in love with God and let yourself be loved as His cherished creation. Through her meditations, you will also learn to grow deeper in prayer and to experience the faith that she said is the "temporal commitment of eternal love."
As one reviewer wrote: "Every person interested in lived Christianity in today's atheistic culture should find this book worth reading over and over again."
Due to life's wounds, many experience a disordered self-image. Bound by pain and fear, they block God's merciful light, love, and forgiveness from entering into their hearts.
Here is the book that will help set you free and open your thirsty soul to receive the torrents of God's compassion and healing.
Each passage is akin to the stroke of a paintbrush on the canvas of an icon, revealing the beauty of God's Word and His compassion at work even in the seemingly mundane events of our lives. These masterful reflections are ideal for reading time in Adoration or during your daily meditation.
Mother Iliana explains that the Word who spoke "You are the light of the world" to His disciples speaks this same word to each of us, His children, who are bound by the darkness of self-rejection. It is in the Father's gaze of love that you will discover who you really are: His own beloved child, an heir to His kingdom, the very light of His eyes.
By the hand of God, you will experience how the pain of your suffering leads to a "monsoon" of love. Above all, you will see how the Father delights in you and waits for you, His beloved child, simply to rest in His arms and gaze into the healing light of His eyes.
The Father's own light is within you, Mother Iliana shares, a light that radiates to a suffering world. Your story, which is unique and riveting and worth telling, is your entry point into a truly personal relationship with a God who penetrates the very heart of your wounds and waits for you to encounter Him through them and experience His intimate love and healing.
"When people stop believing in God, the problem is not that they will believe in nothing, the problem is that they will believe in anything." --C. S. Lewis
Business luminary Bob Trussell uses plain language and simple logic to merge scientific theory with philosophy, religion, and the Bible to make an air-tight case for belief in God and all that that can mean for your current life and the life to come. He contends that while most Americans possess some level of belief in God along the scale of zero to one hundred, those with greater belief live happier and more hopeful and peaceful lives on this earth.
The Logic That God Exists leads you step-by-step through a train of reason that shows not only that God might exist but that He must exist. The book explains in scientific terms how everything cannot come from nothing, how paintings must have painters, computer code must have programmers, and how therefore creation must have a Creator.
In these fascinating pages, you will also discover:
Trussell masterfully condenses the logical proofs into understandable lists and summarizes how these truths relate to our modern experience. Also contained is a beginner's guide to applying the Christian faith to your daily life. Above all, you will discover why you are here and how to attain the true fulfillment of all your desires -- now and in eternity.
"The world will be saved when we have a sufficient number of souls devoted to reparation and not before." -- Fr. Raoul Plus, S.J
The great Jesuit Fr. Raoul Plus lived and wrote in an era of immense suffering -- war, early death, religious indifference -- that coexisted, not surprisingly, with robust Catholic faith and practice. He called for spiritual maturity before greater scientific advancements.
In this spiritual masterpiece, Fr. Plus explains every facet of reparation for individual penitents and offers simple, practical ways you can help repair what is falling into ruins in our Church and in our world. You will find inspiring answers to all the key questions about reparation, including:
- What reparation is and why it matters
- Why everyone should make reparation
- How reparation should be made (and what to avoid!)
- Why devotion to the Sacred Heart and the Holy Eucharist are vital to reparation
- Why our Lord wants reparation to be the foundation of Christian living
Fr. Plus's work is replete with compelling anecdotes that illustrate how developing a spirit of reparation is critical to advancing spiritually. Fr. Plus provides rich insights and examples from our Lady and saints who lived lives of sacrifice, including John the Evangelist, John Vianney, Mary Magdalene, Margaret Mary, and several modern saints.
Through a dozen scriptural passages that Fr. Plus unpacks, you will learn the theology behind reparation and how to teach it to others. You will also learn how to develop a spirit of reparation according to the circumstances of your life, how to compensate for the sins of others, and why spiritual direction is advised for discerning the types of reparation most suitable for you.
Above all, you will experience the Call of the King to discover the path that leads to the ultimate goal -- joy with the Lord in the afterlife. Each page invites you to enter into Christ's Heart by sharing in His work of redemption, even in the most seemingly insignificant ways.
This book, which covers priestly, religious, and lay reparation, includes Pope Pius XI's celebrated encyclical on reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Miserentissimus Redemptor, as well as a treasury of approved reparation prayers: your complete guide to the nature and practice of reparation.
