Spirituality
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:
In this new book by bestselling author, Edward Sri, we discover the close connection between growing in the virtues and growing in friendship and community with others. A consummate teacher, Dr. Sri leads us through the virtues with engaging examples and an uncanny ability to anticipate and answer our most pressing questions. Dr. Sri shows us in his inimitable, easy-to-read style, that the virtues are the basic life skills we need to give the best of ourselves to God and to the people in our lives. In short, the practice of the virtues give us the freedom to love.
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.
St. Paul asked some disciples, "Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?" They replied, "We have not so much as heard whether there be a Holy Spirit" (see Acts 19:1-2).
Incredible as it might seem after twenty centuries of Christianity, were St. Paul to ask the same question of a great many Christians today, he would receive an answer similar to that of those first disciples in Ephesus. Though the name "Holy Spirit" may be familiar to them, the vast majority of Christians today know very little of Him. But thanks to Fr. Marín, that is about to change.
In these illuminating pages, you will discover the reason for this tragic forgetfulness, the sad result of the mass neglecting of the third Person of the Holy Trinity, and the way to cultivate a fruitful devotion to the Holy Spirit in your life.
You will learn the rich theology of the Holy Spirit as set in Scripture and passed down through Church Fathers, Doctors, and mystics such as Bl. Columba Marmion. Additionally, you will come to fully understand and appreciate the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of Christ and the mission of the Church.
As you discover His gifts and charisms, you will also learn:
Most significantly, you will experience the sweetness of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in your soul and how He showers you with sanctifying grace. You will take a deep dive into the mystery of the Holy Spirit's gifts and the means of fostering them in your life for your salvation. As you allow yourself to bask in the presence of the Spirit, you will grow in fidelity and adoring love and behold His fruits in your life. Above all, you will see how the Holy Spirit is the reciprocal love of the Father and the Son.
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.
Sometimes real breakthroughs in your spiritual life come about only after searing self-examination. Dom Hubert van Zeller encourages "seeking the face of the Lord always," adding that "the whole of our effort of faith, exercised throughout life, amounts precisely to this." When it is pursued properly and consistently, countless benefits, spiritual and otherwise, soon follow.
A Carthusian monk, Dom van Zeller produced works that became exceedingly popular in the 1950s. He had the rare gift of translating monastic spiritual wisdom, developed over centuries, into clear, practical advice for ordinary Catholics seeking to deepen their prayer lives. The Inner Search, one of his most enduring and readable books, takes as its point of departure the psalmist's exhortation to seek the Lord's face continually and reveals:
Dom van Zeller explores false ideas about God's will that impede our progress toward sanctity and explains how to recognize and correct them. He also explains the root cause of unhappiness and the single issue on which our lives will be judged. (Can you guess?)
You will come to understand the relationship between the ascetical life and mystical life and the importance of mental prayer and charity. You will also be consoled by the way the Holy Spirit works to make us contemplatives in the midst of the world. Moreover, you will see what it means to "discover God
present in the soul" (an important step in spiritual progress) and how best to attain this union with the Holy Trinity here on earth.
"The saints are those in whom there is least obstacle to the life of Christ within the soul," van Zeller reflects. In this profound and penetrating classic, you will find out how to open your heart more fully to receive all the graces God wants to give you.
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.
With this modest and simple statement, one of the world's great classics of spirituality begins. An anonymous Russian peasant of the nineteenth century sets out to seek the truth, attempting to follow St. Paul's command to "pray without ceasing." By chanting the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me"), he attains a greater intimacy with God. Generations of readers, including Christians of all persuasions, have benefited by reading of the pilgrim's attempts to discipline his mind toward a constant awareness of God's presence as manifested through Christ's mercy.
In addition to its profound theological and philosophical observations, The Way of a Pilgrim offers an authentic portrait of Russia's social conditions during the final years of serfdom. Readers who appreciate the works of Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy will delight in the author's encounters with a vast range of humanity, from monks, intellectuals, and hermits to peasants, convicts, and exiles.
n the face of a world crisis, which is manifestly deeper than one can imagine, many are inclined to ask: "Has Christianity failed?" Fulton Sheen's Thinking Life Through seeks to answer this critical question. The conclusions the author proposes are far-reaching and touch upon subjects as diverse as the truth and meaning of human sexuality, the purpose of life, discordant marriages, angels, alcoholism, the vocation of the soldier, materialism, parenting, and even the question of spanking children.
On the critical subject of freedom, Sheen writes, "The true definition of freedom is the right to do whatever one ought, and oughtness implies law, goals, purposes, and perfection. Freedom is a moral power and not a physical one. It revolves around what man is rather than what man does. We are more free within the law than outside of it."
Thinking Life Through also addresses the world's political climate, something that in many ways mirrors the present political discourse. Focusing on the tragic decline of post-Christian society, Sheen gives special attention to both the threat of communism and the dangers of socialism. Sheen also gives clarity to the role of the individual and the family while living in a time of moral and political uncertainty. Finally, Sheen addresses good manners and politeness as he states in his quintessential style, "Another effect of materialism is to be seen in the decline of courtesy. There is politeness and decorum and a desire to please others when it is generally recognized that every person bears within himself an image of the Divine." For anyone seeking to grow in wisdom, Thinking Life Through will be your guide.
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:
"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.
Originally published in English in 2008 and now an international bestseller, this new edition includes a helpful study guide for personal or group reflection.
Many people today are thirsty for God and feel a desire for a personal prayer life that is deep and ongoing. But they encounter obstacles that prevent them from following the path seriously and with perseverance. Time for God was written with these desires and difficulties in mind.
Author Jacques Philippe focuses on mental prayer: prayer that consists of facing God in solitude and silence in order to enter into intimate, loving communion with him. Practicing this kind of prayer regularly is considered by all spiritual masters to be an indispensable path that gives access to genuine Christian life-a path to knowing and loving God that empowers us to respond to his call to holiness addressed to each individual.
Philippe draws on years of experience as a spiritual guide to illuminate the fundamental principles of mental prayer and describes some common mistakes and misconceptions that can lead it astray. With simplicity and clarity, he explains the foundational principles for a healthy prayer life and gives advice for overcoming the various obstacles that arise when one sets off on the path of interior prayer.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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!
Aimed at a diverse reading audience, this book describes Brouwer's own struggle to comes to grips with the concept of vocation, incorporates inspirational stories of people and vocation from throughout his ministry, and includes discussion questions at the end of each chapter.
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.
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: