Spirituality
Above all other blessings, the most precious gifts of the Holy Trinity to us are the Mass and the Eucharist. In this awe-inspiring book, Sr. Mary Ann Fatula takes you to the feet of the saints to ponder these Sacred Mysteries. You will learn how to rest in the Lord's intimate physical presence and gain peace of soul, receiving the remedy for temptation, sweetness in struggles, and healing from pain.
As Sr. Mary Ann breaks opens the treasure house of writings on the Holy Eucharist, the saints will lovingly teach you about the immeasurable graces the Lord gives you at Mass and through this most wondrous sacrament. You will learn how to grow in recollection during Mass, how to cherish the Lord's intimate presence in Holy Communion, and how to rest in the Lord in Eucharistic adoration. As your love for the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament deepens, you will begin to treasure anew the delight of the Trinity's intimate love, the light and warmth of the Holy Spirit's anointing, and the joyful hope of eternal salvation.
In pondering with Sr. Mary Ann the insights of Church Fathers and other beloved saints, such as Thomas Aquinas, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Ávila, John Henry Newman, John Vianney, Thérèse of Lisieux, and John Paul II, the Mystery of Faith will come alive to you in a new way. You will never experience Mass in the same way again, nor will you tire of returning to these saints' insights to be inspired again and again.
You will learn that, at every Mass, the Lord Himself makes present to us His most tender Last Supper, His sacred death on the Cross, and His glorious Resurrection in order to feed us with His own precious Body and Blood. You will discover many other astounding blessings that the Lord wants to pour out on us at Mass, such as the grace that transformed St. Elizabeth Ann Seton's skepticism about the Catholic Church into a desire to give everything for the Faith. As you discover how to come to Mass with eagerness and awe, Sr. Mary Ann will unveils:
This is a must-read book for the Eucharistic revival. The saints show us that when people begin to appreciate the truth about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, the Holy Spirit powerfully draws them to the Church, or back to the Church, and immeasurably deepens the joy and love of those who learn to cherish the life-giving treasures of the Mass and the Eucharist.
How do I handle difficult family members?
What do I do if I can't control my emotions?
When do I correct others, and when do I hold my tongue?
Too often we are late in realizing that we mishandled a situation, causing both resentment and frustration. But what if you could approach every situation with the mind of Christ?
Distilled from his decades of experience as a clinical psychologist and a practicing Catholic, Dr. Ray Guarendi, popular radio and TV host, offers here dozens of bite-sized reflections that combine sound spiritual advice with the best of modern psychology.
Dr. Ray will help you address countless daily problems and create a plan of action for your most common troubles. With his trademark frankness and humor, Dr. Ray tackles all the topics that too often bring confusion and heartache, including:
Thinking Like Jesus is more than a self-help book. It will place you firmly into the mindset of a disciple of Christ so you can focus your attention on God and, ultimately, what it will take to spend eternity with Him in heaven.
"What the world most needs today is prayer. It is prayer that will give birth to all the renewals, healings, deep and fruitful transformations we all want for society today.... I am more and more convinced that everything comes from prayer and that, among the calls of the Spirit, this is the first and most urgent one we should respond to."
Many have already benefited from Fr. Jacques' best-selling book on prayer, Time for God. In Thirsting for Prayer Fr. Jacques revisits some of the themes covered in that book and develops new insights that are both profound and practical. These reflections guide us with simplicity on the path to intimacy with God, helping us to develop an actual taste for personal prayer. This "school of prayer" opens us up to the encounter with God that transforms us from within.
What does it mean to be Christian?
Within his many letters, St. Paul tells us that to be Christian is to live in Christ, to live our life with him and in him, and to live his Life in ours. Christ must be the starting point and the guiding thread of every Christian life. He must be our anchor, our focus, and our ultimate desire. Everything we do, we do for his glory.
To Live In Christ: What It Means to Be Christian by Rodolfo Valdes gives us a glimpse into how Christians live out this supreme mission. Every aspect of our humanity must converge in Christ: our life of prayer, the formation of our every dimension, our spiritual struggles, our sense of mission. We must fully grasp that our freedom as children of God and Christ's unconditional love are the strong foundation of our efforts and goals.
We want to live our life in him, to live his life in ours, as he is our source of hope-filled joy.
The Holy Eucharist has nourished the Faith of Catholics for centuries -- but it's all too easy to let routine dull your sense of the transforming power of this sacrament. This book will stir the embers of your love for the Eucharist into a bright glowing flame.
In it, Fr. John A. Kane explores the selfless humility shown by Christ in His presence in the Eucharist, opening the way for you to receive greater spiritual fruit from worthier receptions of Communion and from adoration of Christ in the Eucharist.
You'll learn how the Eucharist is truly a sacrament of love -- a sacrament that not only demonstrates Christ's love for you, but gives you the grace you need to love God and your neighbor with a fervor unquenched by passing changes in fortune or feelings.
As Fr. Kane opens your eyes to how much God longs to be with you in the Eucharist -- and how much He delights in you -- you'll come to experience the Eucharist as that inexhaustible source of grace, peace, and comfort that He intends it to be for you.
Discover from Fr. John Kane:
Life is always full of new and unexpected challenges, but each challenge is also an opportunity to draw closer to God. Fr. Jacques Philippe, a beloved author and renowned spiritual director, will show you how to maintain peace of heart through turbulent times and discern the choices that will be helpful for you and others.
Written in a simple and inviting style, Trusting God in the Present is your spiritual direction manual to trusting God in the midst of difficult times. You'll find that God is, indeed, with you, and he is inviting you to a new perspective, renewed hope, and a more abundant life.
Tap into the wealth and health of Christian civilization with the help of literary critic Joseph Pearce.
After learning the true meaning of the word "civilization"--a society rooted in truth--the reader is taken on a tour of twelve of the most important books ever written, from Augustine to Shakespeare to the masterpieces of nineteenth- and twentieth-century literature. Each work played a role, for better or for worse, in shaping the civilized world.
Great stories, even when flawed, are a reflection of the greatest truths ever taught, and they share in the storytelling power of God himself: Jesus Christ, who not only taught in parables, but lived out the most dramatic tale ever told. Twelve Great Books takes readers deeper into the presence of the Creator through the beauty of the fruits of his creative gifts.
Discover how God used ordinary men, Jesus's twelve chosen disciples, to change the world, and how He can accomplish the same thing through you.
You don't have to be perfect to do God's work. Look no further than the twelve disciples, whose many weaknesses are forever preserved throughout the pages of the New Testament. Join bestselling author John MacArthur in Twelve Ordinary Men as he draws principles from Christ's careful, hands-on training of the original disciples for today's modern disciple, you!
Jesus chose ordinary men--fishermen, tax collectors, political zealots--and turned their weakness into strength, producing greatness from people who were otherwise unremarkable. The twelve disciples weren't the stained-glass saints we imagine. On the contrary, they were truly human, all too prone to mistakes, misstatements, wrong attitudes, lapses of faith, and bitter failure. Simply put, they were flawed people, just like us. But under Jesus' teaching and touch, they became a force that forever changed the world.
MacArthur takes you into the inner circle of the disciples--their selection, their training, their personalities, and their incredible impact. As MacArthur took a closer look at the lives of the twelve disciples, he found himself asking difficult questions along the way, including:
In Twelve Ordinary Men, you'll learn that disciples are living proof that God's strength is made perfect in weakness. As you get to know the men who walked with Jesus, you'll see that if he can accomplish his purposes through them, he can do the same through you.
Fr. Raoul Plus - one of the most popular Catholic authors of the twentieth century - explains how the practice of everyday virtues -- gratitude, moderation, patience in suffering, pity for the afflicted, making good use of time -- is essential to producing supernatural benefits.
Filled with inspiring real-world examples of heroic men and women throughout history, this book teaches you how to develop the essential habits you need to become a saint in these times. You'll learn how to develop an attitude of gratitude like the saints in Heaven and how to cultivate a spiritual life that will make you more productive.
Through these true stories of valor, you will pick up the necessary wisdom to "work out" your salvation, through the grace of the sacraments, in accordance with your state in life. This commonsense approach to Catholic spirituality will help you become the saint you are meant to be.
Although some souls are chosen to manifest heroism, Fr. Plus poses the question: "In our times, should not all souls be chosen souls or become such?" This book will show you how to help authentically transform the world, whether in sickness or in health. "Every Christian can be a redeemer, a savior, a repairer with Christ." In fact, reflects Fr. Plus, they must be. He'll also show you the benefits of:
Reading them will bring your own occasions of grace to the surface. Mark yours when they come and give them away wherever they are needed.
Christian perfection consists in the twofold way of charity: service of neighbor and our direct quest for God's love. Many of us discover ways to love our neighbor, but few achieve intimacy with God. Why? Because we don't know how to prepare ourselves properly to reach this exalted goal.
In these pages, Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen lays out for us a time-tested path toward achieving complete intimacy with God, the path first mapped out centuries ago by the Church's acclaimed master of the contemplative life, St. John of the Cross (1542-1591).
St. John showed that God hungers for union with each of us but also requires arduous efforts on our part, the many details of which Father Gabriel explains in these enlightening pages.
Do you perceive holiness as an unattainable goal for you?
Or is fear of the fatigue of such an effort holding you back?
Absorb this book, and allow gentle St. John to take you by the hand and lead you -- as he has led so many others -- to true intimacy with our Lord.
The key to transforming your life is within your reach.
In a world filled with noise, confusion, and constant change, it's easy to feel overwhelmed or off balance. But what if the answer to lasting peace, purpose, and joy is in the virtues you practice every day?
In Unshakeable: Building a Life of Virtue in a World of Chaos, Fr. Mike Schmitz—beloved host of The Bible in a Year and The Catechism in a Year podcasts—reveals how cultivating virtue can help you become the joyful and peaceful person God made you to be.
With his signature clarity, compassion, and honesty, Fr. Mike takes readers on a journey through 15 essential virtues that have the power to help Catholics deepen their faith and anchor their lives in Christ.
Inside Unshakeable, readers will discover:
- How to live out the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love in everyday life
- Practical ways to grow in the cardinal virtues—prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance
- Practical ways to live out in every day life the virtues of
- Faith
- Hope
- Love
- Prudence
- Justice
- Fortitude
- Temperance
- The transforming power of virtuous character traits like humility, loyalty, generosity, and joy
- Real-life examples and saint stories that show heroic virtue in action
- Challenges, reflections, and tools to help them build lasting habits
- And more!
No matter what comes your way, Unshakeable will equip you with the practical tips and inspiration to use the virtues to have joy, purpose, and peace of Christ in all circumstances.
Anxiety. It's practically an epidemic. Twenty percent of Americans suffer from anxiety disorders, and millions more wrestle with worry and stress on a daily basis. For us as Christians, all that worry gets mixed up with a lot of guilt. After all, Scripture tells us, "Have no anxiety at all" (Phil 4:6).
How can we stop worrying and start living an anxiety-free life? As you'll learn in Unworried: A Life Without Anxiety, the answer isn't "just pray more" or "just read more Scripture" or, worst of all, "just stop worrying." If we learn to respect how God made us, we can build new habits of thinking, communicating, and acting that will help set us free from worry.
This book can be used in many ways. It can be used by retreat directors for one-to-one direction of retreatants; by retreatants making a retreat with a director; or by more experienced retreatants who wish to be "alone with the Lord". In addition, this work can be used for a closed retreat of eight days as broken down in the chapters. Or it could be used for a "retreat in daily life" where a person could devote 30 to 60 minutes a day to the themes of this book and prolong the retreat over several weeks or months.
Have you ever thought of yourself as a "vessel of love?" This image speaks to what I envision for the elderhood years. The vast life experiences of the past provided countless opportunities for our love to grow and mature. The persons we have known, what we have done or had done to us, the beliefs stretching our minds and hearts, what we gained and what we shed, the results of our choices and decisions, our deliberate participation in the evolving history of the world--all this and more we bring with us into the final decades.
During this lifetime, whether we've been aware or not, a Presence of immeasurable love has been flowing through those experiences, quietly filling the vessel of our inner being. Like vats of matured wine, our ripened goodness has readied itself to move outward. The Beguine mystic, Mechthild of Magdeburg, trusted that "the great flood of divine love never ceases. ...It flows on and on effortlessly and sweetly and without failing until, finally, our tiny vessel becomes full and spills over." Now is the efficacious time to tend "our tiny vessel" so this graced goodness strengthens in us and benefits the life of those we encounter.
Many Catholics feel deficient, if not hopeless, when they read of the many saints who experienced visions and revelations -- mystical phenomena that seem so distant from their own experience. Or worse, those who do experience such visions and consolations can come to feel that they are especially favored by God and consequently become overly confident in their spiritual progress.
This is the book that explains everything you need to know about true Catholic mysticism. Spiritual master Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D., will guide you in understanding contemplative prayer and the preeminence of faith over revelations in the spiritual life. Drawing from the writings of Sts. Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross, he lays out principles of discernment for both spiritual directors and laypersons on the journey to holiness.
Fr. Gabriel invites you to consider souls such as St. Thérèse of Lisieux, arguably the greatest saint of modern times, who wrote of only two visions in her life -- but experienced mystical union with God. The real goal, he explains, isn't seeking gifts but, rather, opening ourselves to God's grace to attain a Spiritual Marriage with Him.
St. Teresa elucidates what is really meant by phenomena such as ecstasies and raptures in the spiritual life. Fr. Gabriel unpacks her profound mystical insights from Interior Castle to describe the various stages in the soul's journey to God and how one's prayer life develops in each mansion. These teachings are introspective, filled with psychological insights, and reflective of St. Teresa's personal experiences. In this book, Fr. Gabriel also summarizes the many types of visions and locutions the great saint experienced.
In addition, you will receive St. John of the Cross's advice about supernatural experiences, as well as possible sources of these phenomena -- God, the devil, or the soul. Fr. Gabriel further shares his spiritually edifying and even awe-inspiring wisdom on:
The attitude a soul should possess regarding divine favors
How a spiritual director should respond to souls experiencing visions or revelations
The importance of exercising common sense and prudence in the spiritual life
How obedience helps the soul avoid deception and rest tranquilly
Why exercising the theological virtues is the shortest road to holiness
"Wake Up, Lazarus!" examines three general factors that contribute to the spiritual decline of all mainline churches and three factors that are special to the Catholic Church. Hegy describes the inner workings of two successful parishes-oneevangelical and the other Catholic-to illustrate the strategies used that contribute to vibrant and growing church communities. He also reviews various renewal plans and then presents his personal, long-term plan for renewal in the CatholicChurch, with practical implementation suggestions included in each step.
Hegy communicates that the strategy and principles of Catholic renewal must lead passive Sunday church-goers to become active participants; it must help active participants to become involved in parish life; and it must inspire all involved to become committed disciples.
What if we looked at the things we see wrong in the world with empathy, dug below the surface of people's disappointing actions to experience their pain, and understood hurtful words as a cry for consolation? What if we responded with sorrow instead of outrage, and love instead of hate?
If we could do all that, we'd be living as Jesus taught us in the Beatitudes. Fr. Casey Cole, OFM--host of YouTube's Breaking the Habit--wants you to embrace the pain caused by anger and division in the world and then look to Jesus for hope through the Beatitudes.
"The only thing that evangelizes is love," Cole writes. "The only thing that will ever change someone's mind, cause them to turn from their evil ways, accept Jesus into their lives, and become a peacemaker themselves is love. If we want to make peace in our world, we must put down our weapons and take up the cross."
In The Way of Beatitude, Cole explores the meaning of the words Jesus preached at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5: 3-12) and shows you how to get beyond apathy and despair and help Christ bring about the Kingdom of Heaven in the here and now. The Beatitudes, he says, offer a path toward radical change.
You will learn how to:
By sharing his own stories of striving toward supreme blessedness, Cole shows you how to surrender power and move beyond the harmful divisiveness of our world.
Chapters include reflection questions and practical ideas for living the Beatitudes.
FOX News religion analyst, program director of the Catholic Channel on SiriusXM radio, and bestselling author Father Jonathan Morris reveals how the Serenity Prayer offers a sure path to peace and fulfillment for everyone, not just those in recovery programs. The Serenity Prayer states:
Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.
Exploring the prayer phrase by phrase, Morris shows the hope that can be found by gaining a deeper spiritual understanding of its words and by practicing its message. Enlightening and profound, The Way of Serenity includes moving narratives, illuminating historical anecdotes, and pertinent biblical passages that demonstrate the power of the Serenity Prayer to help us grow closer to God and find greater peace and happiness.
Please note: This book deals with some adult content that may not be suitable to younger readers.
Are you ready to leave your comfort zone and embark on a hero's adventure? You will encounter thrilling mountain climbs, explore caves in frigid winter, and dance around the fire in the wild pursuit of God.
Riveting and accessible, this novelized account of the spiritual life is a hero's journey for our times. It tells the story of the conversion of a young man named Austin through the ministrations of a tough inner-city priest, Father Lawrence, who challenges nine college students to take a leap of faith on the path to holiness.
As his friends set out for England, Ireland, and New York City, Austin heads for a remote monastery where he meets Fr. Aelred, a Benedictine hermit who guides him on the spiritual quest. Through a fictional dialogue, author Fr. Dwight Longenecker unveils a twelve-part plan for union with God that parallels the classic purgative, illuminative, and unitive stages of the spiritual life.
You will discover with Austin:
This book is profitable for young adults, casual Catholics, and those more advanced in the spiritual life. Drawing from the wisdom of the Carmelite saints, St. Benedict, St. John Cassian, and other spiritual masters, The Way of the Wilderness Warrior opens the treasure house of Catholic spirituality in a creative, positive, and engaging way.
Best of all, this book will show you how to discern God's will for your life and how to pray without ceasing. In our challenging times, you will be inspired to become a vagabond warrior on your own wilderness journey to the Promised Land.
Are you ready to leave your comfort zone and embark on a hero’s adventure? You will encounter thrilling mountain climbs, explore caves in frigid winter, and dance around the fire in the wild pursuit of God.
Riveting and accessible, this novelized account of the spiritual life is a hero’s journey for our times. It tells the story of the conversion of a young man named Austin through the ministrations of a tough inner-city priest, Fr. Lawrence Roper, who challenges nine college students to take a leap of faith on the path to holiness.
As his friends set out for England, Ireland, and New York City, Austin heads for a remote monastery where he meets Fr. Aelred, a Benedictine hermit who guides him on the spiritual quest. Through a fictional dialogue, author Fr. Dwight Longenecker unveils a twelve-part plan for union with God that parallels the classic purgative, illuminative, and unitive stages of the spiritual life.
You will discover with Austin:
- How our wounds and weaknesses can lead to growth
- Different forms of Catholic spirituality
- How to stay the course and win the great prize of becoming a saint
- How to surrender to God and answer His call to perfection
- Why Confession and the cultivation of virtue are at the very heart of spiritual growth
This book is profitable for young adults, casual Catholics, and those more advanced in the spiritual life. Drawing from the wisdom of the Carmelite saints, St. Benedict, St. John Cassian, and other spiritual masters, The Way of the Wilderness Warrior opens the treasure house of Catholic spirituality in a creative, positive, and engaging way.
Best of all, this book will show you how to discern God’s will for your life and how to pray without ceasing. In our challenging times, you will be inspired to become a vagabond warrior on your own wilderness journey to the Promised Land.
Winner of a 2025 CMA Book Award from the Catholic Media Association: Catholic Social Teaching (First Place).
In an era where social media metrics dominate our sense of connection and happiness, Colin Miller presents a refreshing perspective in We Are Only Saved Together. Drawing from the rich traditions of the Catholic Worker movement, Miller illustrates how true fulfillment lies not in virtual validation but in authentic relationships, shared experiences, and the pursuit of the common good. This timely reminder shows us how the joy we are made for is found in the practice of the Gospel, in the company of others, and especially in friendship with the poor.
While completing his doctoral work in theology at Duke, Miller befriended a group of homeless men who were living outside their church building. As these encounters led to conversations that led to friendships, Miller realized that the Gospel was not primarily about feeding the homeless or meeting their physical needs but about being a community, and this is the antidote to the loneliness, isolation, and emptiness that plagues our world. Along the way, he discovered Dorothy Day, Peter Maurin, and the Catholic Worker movement. Inspired by their work, he cofounded a Catholic Worker House dedicated to common prayer, material simplicity, fellowship with the poor, good work, and everyday community.
This book is not a call to become a strange, marginal, or fringe Catholic; it is a call to become fully Catholic by embracing the essential traditions that have always been at the heart of the Church and finding Christ in the places he promised to meet us: in worship, in community, in the poor. Following the little way of St. Thérèse of Lisieux (one of Dorothy Day's favorite saints), Miller shares practical ideas to consider when seeking to encounter Christ in these places, such as
We Are Only Saved Together is not about becoming a Catholic Worker; it's about becoming a disciple who discovers friendship, adventure, and joy in the Gospel. It's about pursuing a holiness so old it looks new.
Are you ready for an adventure filled with meaningful friendships, community with the poor, and good works? It might not always be easy, but it is definitely worth it. Let's go!
What Christ suffered during his Passion -- for you -- is a powerful source of reflection and meditation.
While we know that Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem around A.D. 33, the details of his sufferings and death have been confused and obscured over the past two millennia. In What Christ Suffered: A Doctor's Journey Through the Passion, Dr. Thomas W. McGovern provides the most accurate, up-to-date understanding of the physical sufferings of Jesus Christ, drawing on ancient Greek and Latin literature about crucifixion, discoveries of ancient images, archaeology, medical reenactment studies, and medical case reports. This volume corrects decades of myths and misunderstandings presented in books and articles and on websites -- myths the author himself disseminated for years until he reanalyzed the data utilizing twenty-first-century advances in modern medicine and archaeological discoveries.
This medical investigation of the Passion allows readers to enter more fully than ever into the reality of what Jesus suffered for our redemption. Drawing on the teachings of Pope Saint John Paul II in Salvifici Doloris, this book invites the reader to a deeper understanding of the meaning and value of human suffering -- and how to practically apply it in their lives. By his sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus has won salvation for the whole world, redeeming even our sufferings through his incredible act of love.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A native of Escanaba, Michigan, Dr. Thomas W. McGovern completed his M.D. at Mayo Medical School. His eight years in the U.S. Army included two years of infectious disease and vaccine research and a dermatology residency at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Denver. He trained in Mohs surgery and Cutaneous Oncology at the Yale University School of Medicine and has practiced Mohs Surgery and Reconstruction for skin cancer in Fort Wayne since 2000. He serves on the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) national board and chairs the Young Member Advisory Committee. He is "living the dream," cohosting Doctor, Doctor, the official weekly radio program of the CMA, which airs on EWTN and is available as a podcast. He and his wife of 30 years, Sally, are raising seven homeschooled children who gladly get a break from his "dad jokes" when he speaks at conferences.
"Dr. Tom McGovern has done all Christians an excellent service by using his medical experience and knowledge to shed light on the harsh reality of Jesus' sufferings. Cutting through many established traditions and well meant misunderstandings, he brings us face-to-face with the Holy Face and helps us glimpse in harrowing detail the physical torment and death of Jesus Christ. What Christ Suffered will remain on my shelves as a valuable resource for Good Friday meditation for years to come."
-- - Fr. Dwight Longenecker, author of The Mystery of the Magi, blogger, speaker, and parish priest
"St. Augustine taught that faith seeks understanding, and in that spirit, McGovern offers a medical exposition of Jesus Christ's Passion. But he does more than that, inviting the reader on a journey that will move this knowledge from the head to the heart. A journey well worth taking!"
-- Curtis Martin, founder of FOCUS
"I am very happy and proud to recommend for your reading What Christ Suffered: A Doctor's Journey Through the Passion by my friend from my university days, Dr. Thomas McGovern. It will inspire your faith and help you appreciate what we read in Isaiah: 'He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities.'"
--Archbishop Alexander Sample, Archdiocese of Portland
Dr. McGovern's What Christ Suffered is not only a serious look at the medical dimensions of Christ's suffering and death, it is rich in spiritual insights along the way. As you watch Jesus walk the way of the cross, you accompany him. You become aware of Jesus' physical burdens and medical complications but also learn how to, ideally, walk with him in suffering. While others have attempted to analyze the medical facts of Christ's suffering and death in the past, no one has scoured the literature and tested competing hypotheses with the consistency and determination of Dr. McGovern. It is a perfect blend of faith, science, apologetics, and spirituality."
-- Al Kresta, CEO of Ave Maria Radio and host of Kresta in the Afternoon
"Dr. Thomas McGovern's remarkable new book, What Christ Suffered: A Doctor's Journey Through the Passion, marks a major contribution to the study of the Passion with arguably the most complete analysis and reflection on the suffering of Christ. There have been other scientific studies, such as A Doctor at Calvary by Pierre Barbet, MD, but McGovern's work is unique in the way that it combines both the most recent medical understanding of what the Redeemer suffered and a powerful and rich theological and spiritual reflection on its meaning. McGovern's book will be the standard text on the physical sufferings of Christ for many years to come."
-- Dr. Matthew Bunson, author of The Encyclopedia of Catholic History
"This book needs to be on your reading list! Dr. McGovern presents medical, biblical, and archeological evidence to take readers to pivotal moments of Jesus' suffering. His description of places and events awakens the senses to see, feel, and hear the salvific suffering endured for us. After reading this, you will understand the joy from suffering and love Jesus more."
--Dr. Michael Parker, President of the Catholic Medical Association
"When Dr. McGovern spoke to Benedictine College students about a doctor's view of the Passion of Christ, our students began asking (demanding) that the presentation be written in a book so others would be able to be inspired and moved like they were -- and now it is! Dr. McGovern looks at the Passion through a doctor's eyes but also with an understanding of the suffering that Jesus went through for us. He is able to address the difficult facts of the Passion with faith in the love and compassion of Jesus Christ, knowing that this had to happen for God's will to be done. This book should be required reading for all Christians during Lent."
-- Stephen D. Minnis, President, Benedictine College
This medical investigation of the Passion allows readers to enter more fully than ever into the reality of what Jesus suffered for our redemption. Drawing on the teachings of Pope Saint John Paul II in Salvifici Doloris, this book invites the reader to a deeper understanding of the meaning and value of human suffering — and how to practically apply it in their lives.
Never has there been spiritual reading as powerful as What Jesus Saw from the Cross, the book that will intensify your love for Jesus by burning the events of His Passion into your memory and imagination.
Written early in the 20th century by Rev. A. G. Sertillanges, a priest who lived in Jerusalem, this acclaimed devotional classic gives you vivid and dramatic details not included in the Gospel: With Jesus, you'll be jostled by crowds as you enter Jerusalem, choke on the dust of the narrow streets, experience the exotic oriental smells of the city at festival time, share the Last Supper with the disciples, stare into the face of Jesus' accusers, and be there as He dies on the Cross.
Do you remember when Jesus begged His disciples to "watch one hour" with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane? With this book, you can watch not just one but many hours with Jesus.
Read it slowly and prayerfully. The vivid details and the gripping narrative will soon take over: you'll find yourself engaged in a personal retreat, an interior pilgrimage, and a profound meditation on the love and sufferings of Jesus on the Cross.
From Christ's cross, you will
When God Is Silent shows you how to trust God even when He seems unresponsive and remote -- even when, as in the famous incident in the Gospels, He seems to sleep while you are buffeted by the storms of life.
Author Luis Martinez quotes that beautiful line from the Song of Songs -- "I sleep, but my heart is awake" -- and confirms that with Jesus this is indeed the case: His love for you never sleeps, no matter what.
Martinez shows how you can make better sense of your life once you realize that God has actually been closest to you when He seemed farthest away; and once you learn why He often speaks to you only in silence. Best of all, Martinez teaches you the secret of true happiness, which you can achieve even amid the troubles that are inescapable elements of every human life. With sober realism and simple faith, this book will show you how to discover -- and then to take refuge in -- the comfort our Lord offers you, even when He seems to sleep.
Learn to get through the times when God seems distant, as you discover:
When Your Days are Dark, God is Still Good biblical advice to help you trust in difficult times
"We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
It's easy to see the work of God's hands when things are going right--a promotion, a new baby, or a financial windfall. But what about when things go wrong? How could God possibly make good out of illness, death, or betrayal?
In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul boldly asserts that God uses all the circumstances of our lives--good and bad--to express his love for us. In When Your Days Are Dark, God Is Still Good, Gary Zimak--author of the bestselling and award-winning Give Up Worry for Lent!--shares personal stories and scripture narratives to show you that God is not only present in your pain but also uses your pain to transform you into a holier, more compassionate person.
St. Paul's confidence was born of conviction as one who had endured great suffering for the Gospel--and had found God faithful. Zimak looks at the story of Paul and other biblical figures in both the Old and New Testaments to show how God used their painful circumstances to bring about good, including:
Each chapter includes questions for reflection and a prayer.
Too many people who claim to be Catholic are simply "going through the motions." They brush up against the Church in what might be described as episodic ways, best symbolized by attendance that is limited to Christmas, Easter, weddings, or funerals.
What can be done to encourage such "part-timers" to reestablish the lines of communication with their parish, thereby becoming more fully alive in the faith without adding to the guilt they may already be feeling?
This inspirational book features over 30 real life stories, reflections, Scripture passages, and discussion questions. They combine to establish a channel that will enable lapsed Catholics return to rich, active religious participation.
Now those who let their Catholicism cool can realize that they are not alone, and that reigniting the embers of their faith and their love for the Church is possible.
Paperback
In this intimate and down-to-earth book, Danielle Bean encourages women of all stages of life to slow down and experience the little whispers of God that are present in their everyday moments.
Danielle writes about real, heartfelt moments that every woman can relate to. The constant striving after achieving more can be relieved. Even more, the ability to do less with more intention can provide a growing awareness of God’s constant presence and interior peace (even if the exterior is still chaotic).
Whisper is perfect for anyone looking to develop a more intimate relationship with the ever-present God. Grab a copy and a cup of tea (or a glass of wine) and dive in to learn from Danielle how to grow closer to God.
Suffering is one of the most challenging and inescapable mysteries of life -- even for the innocent. Thinkers have long been vexed by the idea that a good God permits suffering, and it has been a stumbling block for many souls striving to live lives of faith. But what if we've been looking at suffering improperly all this time? What if, instead of serving as evidence against God, suffering represented the very proof of a loving God?
In this transformative and enlightening book, Dr. Paul Chaloux -- adjunct professor of theology at the Catholic University of America -- demonstrates that suffering is not retribution from an angry, vengeful God but the saving action of a loving God who directs us away from evil and toward eternal joy in Heaven.
Educated in his own "school of suffering," Dr. Chaloux explains the four tasks of suffering that are essential in the economy of salvation and why, if suffering were to be abolished, no one would be saved. Using well-known stories from Scripture and the lives of the saints, he explains numerous other aspects of God's use of evil and suffering in His plan for our salvation, including:
Here are straightforward and faithfully Catholic answers to questions that have vexed souls and troubled believers for centuries: if God is all good, why does He allow evil? Why do even those who devote their lives to pleasing Him meet with setbacks and disasters?
Why Bad Things Happen to Good Catholics will banish from your mind forever the temptation to think that events unfold according to blind chance -- or even that evil ultimately triumphs in this world. The author, Fr. Henri Morice, helps you see the bad things that happen to you in the glorious light of God's loving Providence. He dispels some of the mystery surrounding human suffering to reveal how God draws goodness -- for your own soul and for the souls of others -- out of even the worst tragedies you suffer. You'll discover here how to recognize God's love working in all the events of your life, day by day, moment by moment.
Fr. Morice also helps you recognize how (believe it or not) God actually needs you in His plan for the world, and how He speaks to you daily in subtle ways. He instructs you in how you should respond to God's call in your daily life, and how trust in God's Providence will bring you peace more lasting than any worldly satisfaction.
This remarkable guide even shows you how to set aside -- forever! -- worry about the future, how to deal with misfortune, and how to develop full and lasting confidence in God. Why Bad Things Happen to Good Catholics will charge you with renewed gratitude for the God who loves you more than you have ever imagined!
Here are straightforward and faithfully Catholic answers to questions that have vexed souls and troubled believers for centuries: if God is all good, why does He allow evil? Why do even those who devote their lives to pleasing Him meet with setbacks and disasters?
Why Bad Things Happen to Good Catholics will banish from your mind forever the temptation to think that events unfold according to blind chance — or even that evil ultimately triumphs in this world. The author, Fr. Henri Morice, helps you see the bad things that happen to you in the glorious light of God's loving Providence. He dispels some of the mystery surrounding human suffering to reveal how God draws goodness — for your own soul and for the souls of others — out of even the worst tragedies you suffer. You'll discover here how to recognize God's love working in all the events of your life, day by day, moment by moment.
Fr. Morice also helps you recognize how (believe it or not) God actually needs you in His plan for the world, and how He speaks to you daily in subtle ways. He instructs you in how you should respond to God's call in your daily life, and how trust in God's Providence will bring you peace more lasting than any worldly satisfaction.
This remarkable guide even shows you how to set aside — forever! — worry about the future, how to deal with misfortune, and how to develop full and lasting confidence in God. Why Bad Things Happen to Good Catholics will charge you with renewed gratitude for the God who loves you more than you have ever imagined!
176 Pages
Since the beginnings of the Church, much has been written about the Trinity in the Creator. In this accessible book for ordinary Christians, Peter Kreeft reflects on a different topic: the Trinity in the creation.
Because, as G. K. Chesterton put it, in creating us, God "broke His own law, and made a graven image of Himself", it comes as no surprise that we find a Trinitarian structure embedded in our lives--not to mention the universe itself. While the fact that so many things come in threes does not prove the dogma of the Trinity, it does give powerful clues to this truth about the nature of ultimate reality.
Join the journey with Peter Kreeft and explore the threefold structure of everything.
Why does God hide - day-in and day-out - from those of us who yearn to hear His voice? When we do good, there's no heavenly applause. When we do evil, no divine rebuke. And when great horrors visit us, He rarely intervenes. In good times and bad, there's just silence . . . the awful silence of God.
Now comes Why God Hides, this magnum opus of Fr. John Portavella, written after many decades of listening to God's silence - in his own life and in that of thousands of his parishioners. Those years of listening, reading, thinking, and praying have made ever more clear to him - and with the help of this book, will make clear to you - that, in fact . . .
God is not silent nor is He hidden,
if only you know how to listen
and learn where to look.
Time and again in the events of salvation history and in the trials and joys of our daily lives, Fr. Portavella here unveils the Face of God and lets us hear His voice, speaking in every instance words of sweet love.
Why God Hides is a remarkable, once-in-a-lifetime book that scatters the darkness of our minds, giving us myriad glimpses of our supposedly hidden God, bringing with each of those glimpses the consolation and joys we have yearned for so long.
We're all starting to hear people ask how the world has gotten to be the way it is. Grafted onto the usual complaints about why people are so greedy, self-absorbed, and callous toward one another are new expressions of frustration about even more fundamental concerns. Why can't we agree on concepts that used to be basic common sense? Why does our very language now seem to be a minefield that only the most wily and tactical (or cynical) among us can navigate?
The only way to understand fully how we have arrived at this state -- and what, if anything, we might be able to do about it -- is to embark on a journey back in time to see where we went off the rails. With candor and occasional humor, Dan LeRoy tells the sweeping story of Western thought from its beginnings to the present, revealing the souls and idiosyncrasies of its greatest thinkers. Through stirring vignettes, he tells the real story of how our customs and thought patterns developed and then relates it to our current moment of rupture.
In pages that sometimes read like an Indiana Jones adventure, LeRoy explains the detour that philosophy took nearly a thousand years ago that has led Western society to its current, dire situation. With sharp pen and clear eye, he reveals:
You will find out about amazing discoveries during the early days of rationalism, from mathematical equations to intervals between music notes, and how this universal ratio applied to another scientific revelation. Along the way, you will see the relevance of famous (and infamous) beliefs, including the Realm of Forms, the Four Causes, and Pascal's Wager as well as dualism, humanism, materialism, and pantheism. Additionally, you will learn about how these ideologies provided the basis for modern-day politics, education, and belief in the transcendent, and the bridge between ancient philosophy and Christianity.
LeRoy unveils the ways in which the beliefs our society has largely abandoned still affect our everyday lives. Knowing why we think what we think is the only way to recover the ideas -- many of them Christian in origin -- that can help turn things around and restore belief in the Unmoved Mover. This is a philosophy book not just for philosophers but for all of us.
The hermits of Screte who turned their backs on a corrupt society remarkably like our own had much in common with the Zen masters of China and Japan, and Father Merton made his selection from them with an eye to the kind of impact produced by the Zen mondo.
We all want to live well, but how can we put that desire into action? With thoughtful reflection on the biblical wisdom writers and the Rule of Benedict, Irene Nowell shows us how we too can live the good life. Each chapter includes reflection questions and meditative prayers, guiding us on a renewed journey toward wisdom and encouraging us to embody this wisdom more in our daily lives.
