Best of
Catholic

1996

Salt of the Earth: The Church at the End of the Millennium - An Interview With Peter Seewald


Benedict XVI - 1996
    Similar to his best-selling book interview in 1985, The Ratzinger Report, he responds with candor and insight, giving answers that are often surprising and always thought-provoking on a series of wide-ranging topics regarding the present and future state of Christianity. Ratzinger begins by discussing his own life, including his family life, being a theology professor and writer, becoming a Bishop, Cardinal and the Pope's top authority on doctrine. He then discusses the problems of the Catholic Church today and talks about the challenges and hopes of the future of Church and the world at the beginning of the Third Millennium.

Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic


David B. Currie - 1996
    Currie's whole upbringing was immersed in the life of fundamentalist Protestantism - theology professors, seminary presidents and founders of evangelical mission agencies were frequent guests at his family dinner table. Currie received a degree from Trinity International University and studied in the Masters of Divinity program. This book was written as an explanation to his fundamentalist and evangelical friends and family about why he became a Roman Catholic. Currie presents a very lucid, systematic and intelligible account of the reasons for his conversion to the ancient Church that Christ founded. He gives a detailed discussion of the important theological and doctrinal beliefs Catholic and evangelicals hold in common, as well as the key doctrines that separate us, particularly the Eucharist, the Pope, and Mary.

Called to Communion: Understanding the Church Today


Benedict XVI - 1996
    The need of the Papal Primacy to ensure Christian unity; the true meaning of the Priesthood as a sacrament and not a mere ministry; the necessity of the Eucharist as the Sacrifice of the Savior now offering Himself on our altars; the role of the Bishops as successors of the Apostles, united with the successor of St. Peter, the Bishop of Rome; the value of suffering in union with Christ crucified; the indispensable service of the laity in the apostolate - all these themes receive from Cardinal Ratzinger new clarity and depth.

Through the Eyes of Jesus: A Trilogy


Carver Alan Ames - 1996
    A book that has and continues to move hearts.

Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word: Meditations on the Gospel According to Saint Matthew, Vol. 1


Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis - 1996
    Erasmo Leiva here acts as our guide, showing Matthew's prose to be not terse so much as economical—astoundingly so given its depth. The lay reader can derive great profit from reading this. Each short meditation comments on a verse or two, pointing to some facet of the text not immediately apparent. Leiva's work is scholarly but eminently approachable by the non-technical reader. The tone is very much gustate et videte, quoniam suavis est Dominus [taste and see how good the Lord is]-as it is "friend, come up higher!". The goal of the book is to help the reader experience the heat of the divine heart/the light of the divine Word. Leiva points to Matthew's gospel as being deeply ecclesial because it is first Christological. He comments on the Greek text, demonstrating to the reader nuances in the text that defy translation into English without serious revision of the text. Leiva uses linguistic analysis to aid the non-Greek reader with the literal meaning of the text; numerous quotes from the Fathers and the liturgy of the church demonstrate the way the Tradition has lived and read the Word of God. His theological reflection vivifies doctrine by seeking its roots in the words and actions of Jesus.

Rise, Let Us Be on Our Way


Pope John Paul II - 1996
    Following the success of the international bestseller Crossing the Threshold of Hope, Pope John Paul II provides the world with a glimpse into his past in Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way. Chronicling the years he spent as a bishop and later archbishop in Krakow, Poland through his election as the first Polish Pope in 1978, he recounts everything from communist efforts to suppress the church in Poland to his efforts to adopt a new and more open style of pastoral ministry. With recollections on his life as well as his thoughts on the issues facing the world now, Pope John Paul II offers words of wisdom in this book that will appeal to people of any faith looking to strengthen their spirituality.

Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Master


Robert Barron - 1996
    The life and spiritual teachings of the Catholic Church's greatest classical theologian as seen through the eyes of a contemporary theologian. Robert Barron examines the life and work of Catholicism's premier scholar and discovers a saintly deep in love with Jesus Christ.

By What Authority? An Evangelical Discovers Catholic Tradition


Mark P. Shea - 1996
    With the breathless excitement of a detective novel, a former Protestant fundamentalist discovers that evangelical Protestantism is itself based on shaky modern traditions.

Works of Love Are Works of Peace: Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity


Michael Collopy - 1996
    Destined to serve as an important historical record, this "illustrated prayer book" vividly portrays the peace and joy that can come when "small things" are done with great love. The more than 180 fine art quality tri-tone photographs, along with spiritual counsel from Mother Teresa, will provide a lifetime of rich material for prayer and meditation. Also included and published for the first time ever, with Mother Teresa's special permission, is an appendix containing the contents of the Missionaries of Charity daily prayer book as well as a most personal and profound letter on the interior life written by Mother Teresa during Holy Week of 1993 and addressed to her entire order. Though meant originally as an instruction and appeal to those in her order, this "I Thirst" letter is certain to become a source of spiritual light and encouragement, drawing innumerable hearts and souls closer to God. Michael Collopy is one of the preeminent portrait photographers of our time, well known for his commissioned portraits of a variety of world figures ranging from Mikhail Gorbachev and Margaret Thatcher to Frank Sinatra and Placido Domingo. A student of such luminaries as Ansel Adams and Richard Avedon, Collopy's work has been published in books, magazines, newspapers, and on record and CD covers worldwide.

Jesus Our Eucharistic Love


Stefano M. Manelli - 1996
    Originally written in Italian, this latest edition is the most complete and accurate English translation. It is the most popular of the Academy of the Immaculate books. A valuable aid for reading meditatively before the Blessed Sacrament.

Meditations from a Simple Path


Mother Teresa - 1996
    This pocket-sized little book distills the very best of Mother Teresa's wisdom that was so apparet in A Simple Path. Of help and comfort not only to catholics but also to non-catholics who are interested in her profound, yet entirely practical views on how to help others as well as ourselves.

Persons: The Difference Between `Someone' and `Something'


Robert Spaemann - 1996
    Persons takes issue with major contemporary philosophers, especially in the English-speaking world (such as Parfit and Singer), who have contributed to the eclipse of the idea, and traces the debate back to the foundations of modern philosophy in Descartes and Locke. Robert Spaemann offers extended discussions of the sources of the idea in Christian theology and its development in Western philosophy. He also provides anumber of pointed discussions of pressing practical questions--for example, our treatment of the severely disabled human and the moral status of intelligent non-human animals. The book covers a great deal of ground before coming to a focused conclusion: all human beings are persons.

Blessed Miguel Pro: 20th Century Mexican Martyr


Ann Ball - 1996
    This young Jesuit spent most of his short life in the priesthood dodging the Mexican police as he ministered to the underground Church during the Mexican Revolution. Fr Pro's quick wit and keen sense of humor were put to good use as he pedaled around Mexico City on his bicycle in various disguises, en route to administering the Sacraments, giving spiritual talks or begging food and money for the poor. But behind the disguises beat the heart of a Saint - as the Mexican people testified by turning out in throngs to pay their last respects after his martyrdom. Fr Pro offered his life for the Catholic Faith and his last words on this earth were: "Viva Cristo Rey" - Long live Christ the King! Blessed Miguel Pro makes history come alive and highlights the dramatic conflict between the Church and her enemies that continues even to this day. Every member of the family will be delighted by this fast-paced true story of a modern Catholic hero who proclaimed both in life and death the reign of Christ the King.

Iota Unum: A Study of Changes in the Catholic Church in the Twentieth Century


Romano Amerio - 1996
    New low-cost paperback version.

Gift and Mystery: On the fifteth anniversary of my priestly ordination


Pope John Paul II - 1996
    In concluding Gift and Mystery, the pope writes to his brother priests, 'Learn to see in your priesthood the Gospel treasure for which it is worth giving up everything.' Surely in the life of this pope we see an extraordinary example of someone who has treasured the gift of his priestly ministry for more than fifty years."- From the foreword of Carl A. Anderson, Supreme Knight, Knights of Columbus

The Church Visible: The Ceremonial Life and Protocol of the Roman Catholic Church


James Charles Noonan - 1996
    This landmark study faithfully represents the external life of the Church--its ceremonies, traditions, vesture, insignia, and protocol.

The Mystical Rose: Thoughts on the Blessed Virgin from the Writings of John Henry Cardinal Newman


John Henry Newman - 1996
    Newman examines the New Testament and the writings of the Church Fathers to show that this devotion is on a firm apostolic foundation. Then he explains the doctrinal bases of the titles given to Our Lady in the Litany of Loreto: Mystical Rose, House of Gold, Mirror of Justice, Queen of Angels, Tower of Ivory, Singular Vessel of Devotion, Queen of Martyrs, and more. Newman's deep insights into Our Lady will deepen your love for the Mother of God.

The Psalms: Meditations for Every Day of the Year


Joan D. Chittister - 1996
    Joan Chittister sees them as a lexicon of the human condition, assuring us of God's caring presence and loving help in every situation. In this beautifully designed book, Chittister provides a favorite psalm for each month and a reflection on the prayer for each day so that the psalm can become a benedition that pulsates in our hearts.

The Essential Rosary


Caryll Houselander - 1996
    Yet its instructions are formatted so unobtrusively that once you know how to pray the Rosary, they're no longer seen. Then the book becomes just a beautiful devotional companion for those who pray the Rosary regularly. The Essential Rosary includes the full text of each prayer in the Rosary and Scripture quotations to assist meditation.