Mining through a mountain of papal resources, Jason Evert has uncovered the gems and now presents the Church a treasure chest brimming with the jewels of the saint's life. Rekindle your own faith by learning what (and who) captivated the heart of this great saint.

    In this thrilling exploration, Pitre shows how the suffering and death of Jesus was far more than a tragic Roman execution. Instead, the Passion of Christ was the fulfillment of ancient Jewish prophecies of a wedding, when the God of the universe would wed himself to humankind in an everlasting nuptial covenant. To be sure, most Christians are familiar with the apostle Paul’s teaching that Christ is the ‘Bridegroom’ and the Church is the ‘Bride’. But what does this really mean? And what would ever possess Paul to compare the death of Christ to the love of a husband for his wife? If you would have been at the Crucifixion, with Jesus hanging there dying, is that how you would have described it? How could a first-century Jew like Paul, who knew how brutal Roman crucifixions were, have ever compared the execution of Jesus to a wedding? And why does he refer to this as the “great mystery” (Ephesians 5:32)? As Pitre shows, the key to unlocking this mystery can be found by going back to Jewish Scripture and tradition and seeing the entire history of salvation, from Mount Sinai to Mount Calvary, as a divine love story between Creator and creature, between God and Israel, between Christ and his bride—a story that comes to its climax on the wood of a Roman cross. In the pages of Jesus the Bridegroom, dozens of familiar passages in the Bible—the Exodus, the Song of Songs, the Wedding at Cana, the Woman at the Well, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, and even the Second Coming at the End of Time—are suddenly transformed before our eyes. Indeed, when seen in the light of Jewish Scripture and tradition, the life of Christ is nothing less than the greatest love story ever told.

    Why wouldn't she be? She made good money as a programmer at a hot tech start-up, had just married a guy with a stack of Ivy League degrees, and lived in a twenty-first-floor condo where she could sip sauvignon blanc while watching the sun set behind the hills of Austin. Raised in a happy, atheist home, Jennifer had the freedom to think for herself and play by her own rules. Yet a creeping darkness followed her all of her life. Finally, one winter night, it drove her to the edge of her balcony, making her ask once and for all why anything mattered. At that moment everything she knew and believed was shattered. Asking the unflinching questions about life and death, good and evil, led Jennifer to Christianity, the religion she had reviled since she was an awkward, sceptical child growing up in the Bible Belt. Mortified by this turn of events, she hid her quest from everyone except her husband, concealing religious books in opaque bags as if they were porn and locking herself in public bathroom stalls to read the Bible. Just when Jennifer had a profound epiphany that gave her the courage to convert, she was diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition--and the only treatment was directly at odds with the doctrines of her new-found faith. Something Other Than God is a poignant, profound and often funny tale of one woman who set out to find the meaning of life and discovered that true happiness sometimes requires losing it all.

    299, the Roman oracles ceased to prophesy for the Emperor Diocletian. The silence of the gods sparks a bloody storm of persecution that sweeps across the Roman Empire. As the fires of suspicion and hatred ignite all around them, a young man and a young woman are united by a prophecy from the catacombs of Rome...one that will set them on a journey to battle an evil beyond imagining.

    Are you ready for battle? Like it or not, you are at war. You face a powerful enemy out to destroy you. You live on the battlefield, so you can’t escape the conflict. It’s a spiritual war with crucial consequences in your everyday life and its outcome will determine your eternal destiny. You must engage the Enemy. And as you fight, you need a Manual for Spiritual Warfare. This guide for spiritual warriors will help you recognize, resist, and overcome the Devil’s attacks. Part One, “Preparing for Battle,” answers these critical questions: - Who is Satan, and what powers does he have? - What are his typical strategies? - Who fights him alongside us in battle? - What spiritual weapons and armor do we possess? - How do we keep the Enemy out of our camp? Part Two, “Aids in Battle,” provides you these essential resources: - Teaching about spiritual warfare from Scripture and Church documents - Scripture verses for battle - Wisdom and inspiration from saints who fought Satan - Prayers for protection, deliverance, and victory - Rosary meditations, hymns, and other devotions for spiritual combat St. Paul urges us to “fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Tim 6:12). Take this Manual for Spiritual Warfare with you into battle. Charcoal Grey, Premium UltraSoft, rounded corners, embossed cover, silver foil, black ribbons, silver edges, and red accented interior.

    Either we think the subject is too impolite, or we don't want to be branded an intolerant fanatic, or we're afraid we won't represent the pro-life side well enough. With a little knowledge and a few practical and proven techniques, you can become a bold and effective advocate for life.Drawing on over a decade as a pro-life organizer, Horn cuts through the diversions of the "pro-choice" side in order to accurately frame the legal, historical, and medical issue surrounding abortion. He demonstrates with vivid personal examples from years of campus activism the importance of being charitable in all abortion discussions. We must be not just warriors for the pro-life cause, he says, but ambassadors for it.The struggle over abortion has never been hotter, and the stakes could not be higher. Read Persuasive Pro-Life today and never again be afraid to speak up for the precious and fundamental right to life.

    No available in paperback edition - see ISBN 9781938983917

    Now, in The Way of Serenity, Father Morris focuses on a powerful meditation that is too often overlooked by those outside of the recovery community: The Serenity Prayer.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, he reveals 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 biblical passages which demonstrate the healing power of the Serenity Prayer to help us find enlightenment, contentment, and peace in our daily lives.

    The strangeness calls for an explanation, and this book provides it by examining the characters and the story in light of the biblical and historical context. Bestselling author Scott Hahn who has written extensively on Scripture and the early Church, brings evidence to light, dispelling some of the mystery of the story. Yet Christmas is made familiar all over again by showing it to be a family story. Christmas, as it appears in the New Testament, is the story of a father, a mother, and a child -- their relationships, their interactions, their principles, their individual lives, and their common life. To see the life of this "earthly trinity" is to gaze into heaven.

    These brilliant, embattled, and sometimes eccentric men defined the biblical canon, hammered out the Creed, and gave us our understanding of sacraments and salvation. It is they who preserved for us the rich legacy of the early Church.D’Ambrosio dusts off the dry theology and brings you the exciting stories and great heroes such as Ambrose, Augustine, Basil, Athanasius, Chrysostom, and Jerome. This page-turner will inspire and challenge you with the lives and insights of these seminal teachers from when the Church was young.

    In the tradition of beloved spiritual teachers like Francis MacNutt and Michael Scanlan, Be Healed offers in book form Bob Schuchts's popular program for spiritual, emotional, and physical healing through the power of the Holy Spirit and the sacraments.

    Miriam James Heidland’s life as a successful college athlete proved unfulfilling, she went searching for something deeper and ended up falling in love with Jesus. By charting her own journey toward wholeness, Heidland invites young Catholics to pursue their own relationship with Jesus.   Although originally full of athletic ambition and goals for a career in sports news, Heidland was transformed in a very slow but deep way during her undergraduate years, moving from party girl to bride of Christ. In Loved as I Am: An Invitation to Conversion, Healing, and Freedom through Jesus, Heidland helps readers learn from her experience of seeking love in the wrong places and instead finding it in Christ. She shares her struggles—learning she was adopted, battling alcoholism, and healing from childhood sexual abuse—as signs of hope that anyone who desires to know Christ can find him and be loved intimately by him in return. By bringing readers into Heidland’s healing process, Loved as I Am provides a gentle and subtle template for finding peace and freedom in Jesus.

    The Didache Bible also includes numerous apologetical inserts to assist the reader in understanding the Church's teachings on current issues. After publishing the books of The Didache Series, Midwest Theological Forum set out to fill a need for a Catholic edition of Sacred Scripture with explanatory and apologetical commentaries based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The publication of the Didache Bible, based on these principles, fulfills the desire of Pope St. John Paul II as expressed in his Apostolic Constitution Fidei Depositum: "The Catechism of the Catholic Church . . . is a statement of the Church's faith and of catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition and the Church's Magisterium. I declare it to be a sure norm for teaching the faith" (no. IV). The Didache Bible is a valuable resource for students and those participating in Scripture studies. Ideal for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith and intended to be accessible by all Catholics in its level of scriptural scholarship. Available in the Ignatius Bible Edition (Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition) Features 27 full-color biblical maps, including the journeys of Jesus Christ More than 100 apologetical explanations that help to answer common questions about the faith Includes a comprehensive, 43-page glossary and a topical index

    You can use this book however you like - as a daily devotional, as a year round novena, to follow the liturgical seasons - or, just pick it up and read as the Spirit leads you. God has given us the duty, power and privilege of praying for the release of the holy souls. Now Susan Tassone has given you a powerful way to accomplish that mission.

    How can men and women overcome the interior and exterior battles and discover the love they desire?From “Hey” to “I do”—as well as the inevitable “gray areas” along the way—Emotional Virtue offers a compelling blueprint for how to navigate relationships and thrive in every stage of life—not just survive.

    Thomas Aquinas, popular author Peter Kreeft says that his amazement has continually increased not only at Aquinas theoretical, philosophical brilliance and sanity, but also at his personal, practical wisdom, his existential bite. Yet this second dimension of St. Thomas has usually been eclipsed by the other. Kreeft wrote this book to help bring that sun out from its eclipse. He provides easily digestible samples of the religious wisdom of Aquinas.Here are 359 pieces of wisdom from St. Thomas s masterpiece, the "Summa Theologiae," which Kreeft says are literally more valuable than all the kingdoms of this world because they will help you to attain the one thing needful, or the greatest good, the ultimate end and purpose and meaning of life. Three of its names are being a saint, beatitude ( supreme happiness ) and union with God. That was the principle for Kreeft in choosing which passages to use: do they help you to attain your ultimate end - sanctity, happiness, union with God? St. Thomas would have agreed with writer Leon Bloy, who often wrote that in the end there is only one tragedy in life: not to have been a saint .These 359 gold nuggets have helped Kreeft in the struggles of real life, to live in the real world, to grow closer to the Lord, and he hopes they will do the same for his readers. After each passage directly from Aquinas, Kreeft provides brief spiritual commentary to help explain it and apply it - practical, personal, existential, livable thoughts.He has framed these readings as answers to questions that people actually ask their spiritual directors. Each answer is taken word for word from Aquinas.Among the many topics Aquinas and Kreeft cover here include: The problem of evilInterpreting the BibleLove vs. knowledgeReconciling justice and mercyHuman freedom and divine graceAngels and demonsThe need for theologyPredestination and free willThree kinds of goods"

    Francis de Sales comes this short, practical guide that will develop in you the soul-nourishing habits that lead to sanctity. St. Francis de Sales is widely regarded as one of the greatest spiritual advisors in the history of the Church, and we have drawn from his letters the wisest advice for those prepared to take the next step on their spiritual journey. As he did for saints and sinners in his own time, St. Francis de Sales will stiffen your resolve, help you gain small victories over unruly passions, and restore in you a trusting confidence in Jesus Christ. Soon you’ll find yourself delivered from the chains of self-love as your soul opens to divine goodness and your heart shaped into a fitting place for Christ to dwell and reign eternally. If you find it difficult to live amid the clamor of the world with your eyes fixed on Christ alone, let St. Francis de Sales teach you how to live as a true rose among thorns as you learn . . . --What to do when you stop finding consolation during prayer --How to place yourself in the presence of God --How busy people should pray --Do you fear vice more than you love virtue? A guide to discernment --How to be patient with your family --The dangers of too many devotions --How to know when your feelings are from God or the devil --What to do about repeated spiritual dryness --The three things you must do to be at peace --How to avoid thoughts that give us anxious and restless minds Absorb the wisdom in these holy pages, and you’ll soon make true progress on your spiritual journey and navigate with confidence the treacherous waters of our secular world.

    When the Catholic Church calls us to a "New Evangelization," that's simply a reminder us of what has always been true. The good news is: you can do it - you can evangelize - and Scott Hahn shows you how.

    Inside, you will find a word-for-word English translation of the Latin text of the Mass, together with photos, diagrams, notes and explanations that will help you not only follow along, but also to understand the history and significance of the ceremonies in which you are taking part. In addition, you will find sections explaining the main differences between the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms, a discussion comparing the development of the Mass with that if its sister liturgy, the Divine Office, and exploration of the English translation of the Bible, a full glossary, and finally, recommended prayers intended to help you prepare when receiving sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist.

    Therese teach you perfect trust. Learn how Therese of Lisieux trusted God through tragedy, scruples, spiritual darkness, and physical suffering. Connie Rossini pairs episodic stories from the saint’s life with memories of her own quest to trust. With Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and insights from psychology, Rossini leads readers to surrender their lives completely to Jesus.Practical and accessible, Trusting God with St. Therese includes questions for reflection that make it perfect for book clubs and faith-sharing groups.

    Chesterton famously replied simply, I am. People who reflect on life's problems find many of them of to be of their own making. We want to be happy and yet we often seem to be the source of our own unhappiness--as well as that of others. Even when that is not the case, our lives, as blessed as they may be, have their share of disappointments, shocks, and disillusionments. How do we respond? Do we become cynical and try at all costs to get as much pleasure as we can? Or do we recognize we were made for more?In this classic work, Fulton Sheen explains the secret of authentic happiness: being spiritually remade. A genuinely spiritual life, Sheen contends, consists in more than obeying a set of commands, submitting to certain laws, reading the Bible, or even following the example of Jesus. Before all else, it consists in being re-created and incorporated into a new, higher kind of life--the supernatural life of grace--and brought into a new kind of spiritual relationship--as a child of God through Jesus Christ.What does it mean to be a Christian? Christianity is not a system of ethics; it is a life. It is not good advice; it is Divine adoption. Being a Christian does not consist in being kind to the poor, going to Church, reading the Bible, singing hymns, being generous to relief agencies serving on Church committees, though it includes all of these. It is first and foremost a "love relationship.""

    Mr. Blai is an auxiliary member of the International Association of Exorcists, a peritus of religious demonology and exorcism in the Roman Catholic church, and he trains priests in exorcism and deliverance on a national level in the United States. He has worked on demonic cases for about 10 years and has combined this with his professional training in adult clinical psychology, brain research experience, and clinical exposure to mental illness. This unique perspective and experience has been summarized here for the public audience.

    This series was originally given to schoolgirls during World War II.

    . . which is precisely what we are called to do in Lent!

    Some will challenge you to deepen your prayer life; others will open your mind to new ways to serve others. Each of the forty ways includes a reflection to help you understand more about Lent and why it matters. You'll learn how to have a more creative experience of Lent. You'll discover positive, proactive ways to take action instead of the same old routine of giving something up. The result will be spiritual transformation and a closer walk with Christ—not only during Lent but throughout the year.The audio edition of this book can be downloaded via Audible.

    A Companion for the Forty Days of Lent, featuring original meditations on the Gospel reading of each day by fifteen gifted authors. Each issue of the Lenten Companion is never the same as the last and contains these one-of-a-kind extras that you won’t find anywhere else: - Inspiring reflections from some of the most gifted Catholic writers for each day - Faith-filled essays - Prayers, poetry, and devotions - Meditations for the Way of the Cross - A treasury of spiritual insights

    Michael Gaitley, MIC, has done in 33 Days to Morning Glory to promote true devotion to Mary, and what he has done in Consoling the Heart of Jesus to promote devotion to the Merciful and Sacred Heart of Jesus, he now does in 'You Did It to Me' to promote the works of mercy. Fr. Michael Gaitley [MIC] has a genius for bringing together the spiritual and corporal works of mercy under the umbrella of 'The Five Scriptural Works of Mercy' that Jesus will use to judge us at the end of the world, Matthew 25:31-46. He then enriches these Scriptural texts on mercy with the practical insights of St. Pope John Paul II, St. Faustina, and Pope Francis.He also has a very fertile imagination in bringing to life practical ways of implementing these works of mercy in our own individual lives, in our parish ministries as well as in the workplace, together with a plan of action for making these works of mercy concrete and livable.

    James Mallon shares with us the many ways for bringing our parishes to life. Through humorous and colourful stories, Mallon challenges us to rethink our models of parish life, from membership-based communities to assemblies of disciples of Jesus who proclaim and share the good news with all peoples. Accessible and engaging, Divine Renovation turns to the Church’s many writings on evangelization and mission so as to articulate practical ways for injecting new life into our parishes. Pastors and parish ministers will be inspired by this book and turn to it for many years to come.

    Spend a few minutes every day with the Holy Father as you read a brief meditation by him followed by a few reflection questions designed to help you ponder and receive God's love.

    Michael The Archangel: A Powerful Catholic Novena" brings to you some of the Catholic Church's most potent prayers in nine easy days honoring St. Michael The Archangel. Designed to give the reader in about seven to nine minutes a day an opportunity to call upon the very defender of all things heavenly: St. Michael. The Holy Bible is full of references to his leadership in God's heavenly army.Recently, Pope Francis along with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI recently consecrated the Vatican City State to St. Michael and to St. Joseph. Should we not also do the same for our families, homes, and places of work?It is purposely priced inexpensively because it is a very short ebook and in addition it allows the purchaser to gift numerous copies inexpensively to their loved ones.

    This booklet offers meditations by Pope Francis on the twenty mysteries of the Rosary and the life of Jesus and Mary. Immerse yourself in the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, and Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary with scripture passages and easy-to-understand reflections from our Holy Father. Each mystery is accompanied by beautiful, full-page color illustrations. This convenient booklet fits easily into a pocket or purse and makes a perfect gift.

    Then terminal cancer happened. The best doctors despaired. And Artie dared to look for a miracle. Artie had never put much stock in mysticism or miracles. But when his best friends bought tickets to fly with him to Croatia to the controversial shrine at Medjugorje where healings were known to happen, he dared it all. They found themselves in powerful ways sharing spiritually, even praying together, something they would have found very odd before. And when they came home Artie was healed—completely. The cancer was gone. The doctors at Mass General Hospital were astounded yet could offer no explanation. Six Months to Live relates not only Artie’s miraculous healing but his spiritual transformation and the hope and inspiration he offers to thousands who hear his story.

    The seventeen-volume CCSS series, which will cover the entire New Testament, relates Scripture to Christian life today, is faithfully Catholic, and is supplemented by features designed to help readers understand the Bible more deeply and use it more effectively in teaching, preaching, evangelization, and other forms of ministry. Drawn from the best of contemporary scholarship, series volumes are keyed to the liturgical year and include an index of pastoral subjects.

    The Glory of the Crusades

    Michael Gaitley, MIC, is an engaging read that reveals hidden gems and highlights inspiring truths about the Divine Mercy Image. It covers the great grace and key elements of the Image with remarkable depth and clarity. Also includes instructions on how to enthrone the Image in your home, an enthronement prayer, and two bonus appendices.

    Catholics tend to think of them as different from the rest of us. They’re cast in plaster or simpering on a holy card, performing miracles with superhero strength, or playing a harp in highest heaven. Yet they are very near to us in every way. In this lively book, Scott Hahn dispels the false notions and urban legends people use to keep the saints at a safe distance. The truth is that Jesus Christ has united heaven and earth in a close communion. Drawing deeply from Scripture, Dr. Hahn shows that the hosts of heaven surround the earthly Church as a "great cloud of witnesses." The martyrs cry out from heaven’s altar begging for justice on the earth. The prayers of the saints and angels rise to God, in the Book of Revelation, like the sweet aroma of incense.Dr. Hahn tells the stories of several saints (and several angels too) in a way that’s fresh and new. The saints are spiritual giants but with flesh-and-blood reality. They have strong, holy ambitions—and powerful temptations and opposition that must be overcome. Their stories are amazing and yet familiar enough to motivate us to live more beautiful lives. In this telling of their story, the saints are neither otherworldly nor this-worldly. They exemplify the integrated life that every Christian is called to live.Still, their lives are as different from one another as human lives can be. Dr. Hahn shows the heavenly Church in all its kaleidoscopic diversity—from Moses to Mary, Augustine to Therese, and the first century to the last century.Only saints will live in heaven. We need to be more like the saints if we want to live in heaven someday. Dr. Hahn shows us that our heavenly life can begin now. It must.

    I’ve identified three gifts that Thérèse has given me, which I would like to offer in this book to everyone seeking to find more meaning in their faith and their journey to find God.” --Patrick Ahern Transformation in our lives happens when we live with the confidence that "God is nothing but mercy and love.” In this inspiring book, beloved author Patrick Ahern looks at the teachings of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, through the lens of his own personal experiences in which this  "saint for our times" played such an important role for more than seventy years.  With honesty and humility, he delves into the transformational love that infused her faith, led her to be named one of only four female Doctors of the Catholic Church, and gave Ahern’s own journey direction and meaning.  Ahern focuses on what he calls the three gifts of Thérèse:  her universal appeal, her conviction, and her little way. Echoing Therese’s recognition that bureaucracy, penances, rules and commandments miss the message of love that she knew to be true, he says, "She convinced me that someone as ordinary as I could aspire to the love of God, which filled her heart to overflowing." He hopes the same for his readers.

    Follow in the saints footsteps, learn from their example, and become the spark of authentic social justice that sets the world on fire.

    But she was a woman with a will whose strength has been matched by few souls in history. Mother Teresa broke death’s stranglehold on the poor of Calcutta, and she showed us how to conquer the sin and darkness in what she called the “slums of the hearts of modern man.” Part biography and part spiritual reading, these pages bring to light little-known stories from Mother Teresa’s life that will help you to grow in your love of God. You will learn her approach to reading Scripture, what enabled her to persevere through agonizing nights, and the remarkable — some would say mystical — events that led her to start the Missionaries of Charity. In considering Mother Teresa, her private visions, and her secret sufferings, David Scott has discovered scores of early episodes and chance encounters that point to later, larger meanings. These remarkable patterns, he suggests, show that Mother Teresa’s life was choreographed from above, as if a divine script had been written for her from before her birth. In these pages, you will meet for the first time the Mother Teresa who challenged the ancient Goddess of Death and became the first saint of our global village. You will read as she describes, in long-secret letters, the dark night of her soul. The woman you will meet is one that God himself sent to you as a clear sign that despite pain and suffering in our lives and in our world, God’s good love will prevail . . . beginning in the slums of our hearts. We are all called to holiness, and the saints are sent to us as “real life” examples of God’s love. With Mother Teresa as your guide, you’ll learn how to follow God’s call and find holiness in a world marked by the shadow of death and growing indifference to God. Indeed, you’ll learn how to be an everyday missionary of Christ’s love in the ordinary activities of your daily life.

      Born to a wealthy family in Turin at the dawn of the 20th century, Pier Giorgio Frassati was good-looking, popular and athletic.  He spent much of his youth climbing the rugged Italian Alps, disappearing into the clouds for days at a time. He was quick with a joke or a prank and enjoyed a good time.  It seemed he was blessed with everything a young man could ask for.    But he hungered for more.   Despite coming from a family of such prestige, Pier Giorgio spent most days in the slums of Turin, visiting the poor and serving the sick.  His love for Christ burned within him and brushed off on everyone he came into contact with – from lepers and orphans to college friends and political diplomats. He shared his Faith with kindness and charity, and defended it passionately against the evils of Fascism, even coming to blows with Mussolini’s thugs on numerous occasions.    Pier Giorgio touched the lives of thousands, yet his high-society parents remained unmoved by the life he led as they frowned upon his religious practices and charitable work.  Reaching them would be his last challenge, his final mountain to climb.  To the Heights is an unforgettable novel about Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.  Dig deeper than the biographical facts and discover the heart of a charismatic young man whose soul blazes brightly and uniquely among the host of heaven.

     Ample notes accompany each page, providing fresh insights by renowned Bible teachers Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch, as well as time-tested interpretations from the Fathers of the Church. They provide rich historical, cultural, geographical or theological information pertinent to the Old Testament book - information that bridges the distance between the biblical world and our own. It also includes Topical Essays, Word Studies and Charts. The Topical Essays explore the major themes of Job , often relating them to the teachings of the Church. The Word Studies explain the background to important Bible terms, while the Charts summarize crucial biblical information "at a glance". Scott Hahn, Ph.D., well-known as the author of several best-selling books including Rome Sweet Home and The Lamb's Supper, is a professor of scripture at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, and a very popular scripture scholar and speaker. Curtis Mitch, a former student of Scott Hahn, is the General Editor of the complete Ignatius Study Bible series. PRAISE FOR the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible: "With copious historical and theological notes, incisive commentary and tools for study, the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible is outstanding for private devotion, personal study and Bible study groups. It is excellent for evangelization and apologetics as well!" -- Stephen Ray, Host ,The Footprints of God series "The Ignatius Study Bible is a triumph of both piety and scholarship, in the best Catholic tradition: simply the most useful succinct commentary that any Christian or other interested person could hope for." -- Erasmo Leiva, Author, Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word

    As attacks on the priesthood intensify, you have a vital role to play in supporting priestly renewal and vocations. Those men who have answered God’s call depend upon you to wield the most powerful weapon against the evil one — prayer.Here celebrated retreat master and author Kathleen Beckman offers Church-approved ways in which you can contribute to the welfare of the Church. Priests, seminarians, consecrated religious, and laypeople will all benefit from insights into the indispensability of the Catholic priesthood, the mission of praying for priests in the context of the New Evangelization, testimonies of spiritual mothers and priests, and scriptural rosaries dedicated to priests, vocations, and reparation.Although both men and women are responsible for priestly renewal, Kathleen explains the special vocation of spiritual motherhood of priests. This vocation is embedded with graces that enable women to work together with Our Lady and the Holy Spirit for the sanctification of priests. Holier priests lead to a holier Church. Because prayer is a source of grace and the mother of all virtues, you can call down showers of graces upon the priesthood. The Church and her priests need your prayers now more than ever, and here you’ll find your special calling from God that must be fulfilled for the salvation of souls.

    This Companion features original meditations on the Gospel reading of each day by nineteen gifted authors. Each issue of the Advent Companion is never the same as the last and contains these one-of-a-kind extras that you won’t find anywhere else: - a variety of beautiful blessings and essays - an Advent Penance Service - specially-commissioned poetry - a unique feature: the Advent Stations

    From herding distracted children to managing the seemingly endless litany of prayers and devotions, our spiritual life all too often feels frantic and burdensome.This isn't the way it should be. Our prayer life, our family life, and our work life should — and can! — be in harmony. When they are, our family is a powerhouse of grace, and Our Lord transforms our home into a little Eden — a little bit of heaven on earth.With simplicity and holy wisdom, authors David Clayton and Leila Marie Lawler show you how to bring peace to your home by integrating your family into the calm, truly joyful way of Mother Church. Her feasts and seasons, prayers and devotions are gifts that draw us closer to God and unfold before us His marvelous plan of salvation.To help you live the liturgical life of the Church more fully, David and Leila reclaim here an almost lost tradition that families used for centuries to build a beautiful bridge between home and church: the little oratory. Consisting of a modest table and icons, the little oratory is a visible sign of spiritual awareness and devotion. It extends the Eucharistic worship of the Mass into the heart of your home, spiritually nourishing your family and preparing them to transform the world through prayer and charity.Building your own little oratory is simple, and in these pages you'll discover just how easy it is. In fact, you likely have most of the pieces in your home already except, perhaps, the sacred art. That's why we've included here seven full-colored icons that are ready for framing, enabling you to get started right away!By following the wise advice in this book, you'll discover the peace and love that flows from a home that is focused on Christ. You'll also learn . . .--How to use sacred art to strengthen your prayer life.--How to extend Catholic beliefs and devotions into every room of the house.--Why the Liturgy of the Hours is important and how it can make your family holy.--How to pray the Rosary with children and keep the rowdiest of them calm and reverent.--The active role children can and should play in the prayer life of the family.--What to do when only one parent takes the spiritual life seriously.--How to overcome the feeling that you're too busy to pray.--Practical ways to extend the liturgical life into your workplace.--And countless other tips to help you practice your faith in the heart of your home.

    - Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel, 114A Year of Mercy with Pope Francis will draw you into God's unfailing mercy, strengthening, healing and equipping you to fulfill his plan for your life. Spend a few minutes every day with the Holy Father as you read a brief meditation by him followed by a few reflection questions designed to help you ponder and receive God's love. These bite-sized quotes and engaging questions will fit easily into your busy schedule. But what a powerful few minutes they will be! God doesn't tire of us, Pope Francis has said, but "we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy." Join him in exploring the infinite love and unfailing compassion of the God who is always "there first," ready to receive and embrace us.

    The contributors are Walter Cardinal Brandmüller; Raymond Cardinal Burke; Carlo Cardinal Caffarra; Velasio Cardinal De Paolis, C.S.; Robert Dodaro, O.S.A.; Paul Mankowski, S.J.; Gerhard Cardinal Müller; John M. Rist; and Archbishop Cyril Vasil', S.J.Cardinal Kasper appeals to early Church practice in order to support his view. The contributors bring their wealth of knowledge and expertise to bear upon this question, concluding that the Bible and the Church Fathers do not support the kind of "toleration" of civil marriages following divorce advocated by Cardinal Kasper. They also examine the Eastern Orthodox practice of oikonomia (understood as "mercy" implying "toleration") in cases of remarriage after divorce and in the context of the vexed question of Eucharistic Communion. The book traces the long history of Catholic resistance to this practice, revealing the serious theological and pastoral difficulties it poses in past and current Orthodox Church practice.As the authors demonstrate, traditional Catholic doctrine, based on the teaching of Jesus himself, and current pastoral practice are not at odds with genuine mercy and compassion. The authentic "gospel of mercy" is available through a closer examination of the Church's teachings."Because it is the task of the apostolic ministry to ensure that the Church remains in the truth of Christ and to lead her ever more deeply into that truth, pastors must promote the sense of faith in all the faithful, examine and authoritatively judge the genuineness of its expressions and educate the faithful in an ever more mature evangelical discernment."- St. John Paul II, Familiaris Consortio

    While your child is preparing for his first Confession, it's easy for you both to feel overwhelmed. And even if first Confession was a while ago, perhaps you wish that you and your child had a better understanding of the sacramentA Little Book about Confession for Children explains the hows and whys of going to Confession. It includes step-by-step instructions for preparing and receiving this beautiful sacrament of healing, which draws us into the infinite mercy of God. The book even provides an examination of conscience just for kids.Everything you and your child need to know about the Sacrament of Reconciliation (or Confession) can be found in this informative little book with charming four-color illustrations. Perfect for preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time, this little book is sure to be used over and over again.

    This edition would be perfect on which to base a Lent course or to use as a talking point for home groups.Whether or not you choose to read the extracts multiple times or once straight through, Howells’ latest work will lead you to new heights in your Christian journey and personal walk with God. It is the ideal gift for friends, family or anyone else preparing themselves for the sacrifices of Lent.

    His most challenging words, however, echo those of Jesus himself, the One who asks that we love God first and then love our neighbors as ourselves. Pope Francis’ words in this booklet are a starting point for prayer. Each day includes a suggested Scripture reading, most often from the day’s Mass.

    Then one day forces beyond his control start a cascade of misfortune that leaves him blind and nearly destitute. It is then that an affable travelling musician, who calls himself Ace Redbone, shows up on his doorstep claiming to be a distant relative. In an effort to alleviate his family's dire situation, Tobit allows his son, Tobias, to accompany Ace Redbone on a quest to collect a long overdue debt. Together, Ace, Tobias, and a most peculiar dog named Okra set off on a journey that will lead to unexpected consequences. Currents of grace begin rippling through not only Tobit's family but his entire community as hidden crimes are revealed and justice, which had almost been despaired of, is served. This retelling of the biblical story of Tobit, set in North Carolina during the Depression, brings to life in surprising ways the beloved Old Testament characters, including the important but often overlooked family dog.

    KENNEDY, VINCE LOMBARDI , DOROTHY DAY, FULTON SHEEN, AND ANDY WARHOL HAVE IN COMMON? They’re all Catholics who have shaped America. In this page-a-day history, 365 inspiring stories celebrate the historic contributions of American men and women shaped by their Catholic faith. From famous figures to lesser-known saints and sinners, The American Catholic Almanac tells the fascinating, funny, uplifting, and unlikely tales of Catholics’ influence on American history, culture, and politics. Spanning the scope of the Revolutionary War to Notre Dame football, this unique collection of stories highlights the transformative role of the Catholic Church in American public life over the last 400 years.Did you know…• The first immigrant to arrive in America via Ellis Island was a 15-year-old Irish Catholic girl?• Al Capone’s tombstone reads “MY JESUS MERCY”?• Andrew Jackson credited America’s victory in the Battle of New Orleans to the prayers of the Virgin Mary and the Ursuline Sisters?• Five Franciscans died in sixteenth-century Georgia defending the Church’s teachings on marriage?• Jack Kerouac died wanting to be known as a Catholic and not only as a beat poet?• Catholic missionaries lived in Virginia 36 years before the English settled Jamestown?

    The first half is a powerful teaching on how the divine reading and speaking out of Scripture can completely change your connection to God through his Word. And the second half includes 21 of John Paul’s favorite Scripture passages along with meditation instructions and questions to ponder. The purpose of this book is to help connect you with the Living Spirit of God’s Word in a fresh and exciting way.The Art of Praying the Scriptures will help you:• Understand the history of Lectio Divina and how it has developed since early Christianity• Learn what it truly means to meditate on the Word of God• Rediscover the beauty of communion and all its benefits• Recognize the unique spiritual rhythm God has given you in prayer• Discover the Four Stages of Lectio Divina (the Divine Reading)• Prepare your heart through 9 important steps before prayer• Uncover the secret to reading Scripture through the ears of your heartIf you’ve ever found yourself feeling disconnected from God or seem to be stuck in a “wilderness” season, it may be time to add a spark to your quiet time. The Art of Praying the Scriptures is truly a fresh look at this spiritual discipline practiced by saints and mystics for over 1900 years. Begin your journey into a deeper relationship today with this exciting new spiritual tool.

    The Book also contains principles in relation to judging contradictory magisterial statements as well as how one should approach an erring magisterial member.

    Cora Evans recounts the life of Jesus Christ as an eyewitness, beginning with the first meeting between Jesus and Peter, on the shores of Mount Carmel Bay. With vivid detail and dialogue, this unique account breathes new life into well-known figures of the Gospels. Readers gain startling insights into Mary of Magdala's conversion, Herod's ferocious personality, and John the Baptist's courage. Experience the awe of the disciples in the Upper Room at the Last Supper, and stand in the holy sepulcher at the moment of the Resurrection. With a book that is sure to renew appreciation for the loving Heart of Jesus, the author has created an enduring masterpiece.

    This one goes deeper, showing us how the Sacrament of Reconciliation can heal us and bring us closer to God. Cardinal Donald Wuerl uses his gift for teaching the faith to discuss how best to examine our conscience, how to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal our sins to us, and why a regular prayer time is crucial in order to get the most out of Confession and grow in our relationship with the Lord. Scriptural examples as well as stories from the saints and from Catholics today help illustrate his points. This book will change your experience of Confession and brings its fruits into your life!

    In this book, the reader will meet seven saints who lived seven virtues, and will discover concrete ways that they can live those virtues in their own lives. Each chapter will include:• A quote from the saint• A personal reflection on each saint• A brief biography• A discussion on the spirituality of each saint, and concrete examples how to emulate this saint and grow in the virtue that saint models• A prayer to conclude each chapter, asking for the intercession of that saintSeven Saints for Seven Virtues covers a wide range of spirituality and life circumstances, demonstrating that everyone, in every role of life, has the opportunity to live a virtuous life.

    These pages show 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.

    When your earthly life ends, it will be too late to change your destiny. In the midst of the hectic demands, busy schedules, and countless interruptions of every day, this book gives you the surefire, divinely instituted "apps" for becoming the man God wants you to be. Use them! Your family is counting on you. - See more at: http://www.emmausroad.org/Journey-to-...

    Maybe you know someone who visited a monastery for a month to learn how to pray. Maybe you don’t have that kind of money or spare time. But you still want to learn to pray. Don’t worry. You don’t need money or a monastery. You have this book. You have a sense of humor. And you have God’s grace. You’re ready to pray. Prayer is how we talk with God. The Bible says we should do it constantly. Jesus said it’s the one thing we need to do. Your soul was made to be in conversation with God. Nobody knows you better. Nobody cares more about you. The good news is that prayer isn’t something exotic or esoteric – not when Matthew Leonard talks about it. He makes the methods manageable. (Promise: you won’t have to twist your body into a pretzel, hire a coach, or learn a foreign language.) So if you’ve never read a book on prayer, you’ve got the right one. And if you’ve read lots of books on prayer, you’ve still got the right one. It’s got laugh-out-loud humor, great storytelling, and rock-solid instruction. Prayer Works is fun and fast-paced. It will put you on your knees – after you’re finished slapping them. This is authentic Catholic spirituality as you've never encountered before. “‘Prayer Works!’ is a joyful announcement that work, family life, friends and chores don t have to keep you from prayer. They can all be invitations to prayer. Matthew Leonard, in an engaging style, shows how ancient Catholic prayer traditions still meet the needs of today’s Catholics.” —His Eminence Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington

    This unique, in-plain-English study guide offers a paraphrased summary of every article in Pope Francis' latest groundbreaking document, with a reflection/discussion question for group or individual use.

    He asked the faithful to read a passage every day, saying, "This is the word of Jesus!" This small pocket-sized book, with a durable Kivar cover, has the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles with a beautiful Italian fresco on the cover just like the Pope's! Take it with you and read it anytime you have a few minutes during the day. On the bus! Waiting for an appointment! Anytime!

    John of the Cross and St. Therese of Lisieux, shows you here how to enter into an intense, sustained communion with God. Bishop Martinez doesn’t offer new rules of prayer or demand that you abandon the forms of meditation that suit you. He simply reminds you that our God is a hidden God. To find Him, says Martinez, we have to seek Him, but through His ways, not ours. If we do that, the gaze of faith will always find Him right where He hides: in the spiritual desolation that led us wrongly to believe He was far away. Martinez shows you how to live in the obscurity of faith, detached both from consolations and desolations, and why this is best for your soul. The Christian who learns to do this leaves behind the perturbations of the world that shake the faith of those who don’t. In the obscurity of faith, the Divine Master will listen to you, speak to you, and instruct your soul, but without the noise of words. Says Martinez: “Once you know how to profit from faith and to live by faith, you will always find God. You will have solved your problem; you will have discovered the great secret of the interior life.”

    Counsels on voluntary poverty or celibacy, for instance, have been seen as an option for a small minority of Christ s followers. The same cannot be said about the love of enemies. This does not fall in the if you would be perfect category. It is, instead, basic Christianity, which Jesus taught through direct instruction, through parables, and by the example given with his own life. And yet it is undoubtedly the hardest commandment of all, one that runs counter to our natural inclinations. It is, as Jim Forest shows, a commandment that calls for prayer, discernment, and constant practice. Along with reflections drawn from scripture, the lives of the saints, and modern history, Forest offers nine disciplines of active love, including praying for enemies, turning the other cheek, forgiveness, and recognizing Jesus in others, that make the love of enemies, if not an easier task, then a goal worth striving toward in our daily lives."

    The Church's official New American Bible lectionary texts for Mass are presented in a convenient easy-to-read format. Your lectors will find it a useful tool as part of their preparation to proclaim God's Word at Mass. It is also helpful for homily preparation, for classroom teachers for school liturgies, and for individual personal prayer, Scripture study and reflection. It is the perfect companion for Living Faith Daily Devotions. Alternate Readings are included for some Sundays and feast days.

    Pope Francis and The Joy of the Gospel helps people of all walks of life-diocesan leaders, parish staff and volunteers, families and laity-live out the Holy Father's vision for the renewal of the Church and the New Evangelization.

    

    For those who find themselves living in a kind of spiritual coma, Jesse jolts them out of that lukewarm, tepid state. Instead of passively allowing circumstances wash over you, Catholics, Wake Up! shows how to claim every situation for the Lord. We are called to be spiritual warriors, and are meant to triumph with God’s strength over life’s difficulties. This powerful book will energize and empower you to take action and live your Catholic faith vibrantly and courageously.

    Commonly prayed after receiving the Blessed Sacrament, it has a rich history and an abundance of meaning. Sister Marie Paul Curley, FSP, delves into both as she reflects on the prayer, the Eucharistic imagery within, and its application for every Catholic.Every line of the prayer is full of import and meaning. Sister Marie Paul reflects on each line of the prayer in individual chapters, helping you to search deeper within the simple words. Each chapter contains a section that could be used as a guided holy hour for an individual or a group, or just read as further reflection.With practical applications, thoughtful meditations, and centuries' worth of tradition, Soul of Christ: Meditations on a Timeless Prayer is designed to bring you closer to Christ. Explore the richness of this ancient treasure of the Catholic Church, and join the communion of saints in praising the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ through the Anima Christi.Features & Benefits: Contemporary reflections on a traditional prayer Features a guided holy hour in each chapter Contains an appendix with information about how to make a holy hour "This is a lovely book, rich in content and warm in tone. The author's unhurried contemplation, phrase by phrase, of this classic prayer, the Soul of Christ, revealed to me new depths in it and will change the way I pray it."-Timothy M. Gallagher, OMV, author of The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide to Everyday Living"Each chapter draws your deeper into the mystical experience of the Soul of Christ and invites you into union with Jesus. As a retreat leader, I envision this book as a blueprint for a marvelous weekend retreat focused on intimacy with our Lord." -Dr. Mary Amore, Executive Director, Mayslake Ministries

    

    They provide rich historical, cultural, geographical or theological information pertinent to the Old Testament book - information that bridges the distance between the biblical world and our own.It also includes Topical Essays, Word Studies and Charts. The Topical Essays explore the major themes of Judges and Ruth, often relating them to the teachings of the Church. The Word Studies explain the background to important Bible terms, while the Charts summarize crucial biblical information at a glance.

    A lightbulb goes on, and everything feels new. But with that sense of exhilaration comes the realization: in order to take one’s faith seriously, things must change. “What do I do now?” “How can I keep this alive?” The authors of Encounter Jesus believe that what’s really being asked is: “Now that I’ve discovered Jesus, how do I become his disciple? What do I have to do to continue to encounter him?” An encounter with Jesus is a very significant experience, and Fr. Dave and Deacon Ralph show readers how to move from discovering their faith to following Jesus wherever he leads them along the path of discipleship.

    The result has been confusion, dismay, devastation. To the surprise of some, however, the same half-century has witnessed a growing counter-movement of Catholics who find in the Church’s traditional liturgy a perennial witness to the orthodox faith, a solid foundation for the interior life, an ever-flowing source of missionary charity, and a living embodiment of the true Catholic spirit. In this book, Peter Kwasniewski presents a fearless critique of the path of liturgical novelty and a detailed apologia for liturgical tradition in all its beauty, richness, and profundity, addressing such topics as solemnity, sacredness, the language of symbols, contemplation, participation, the symbiosis of lex orandi and lex credendi, silence, music, worship in Latin, and Gregorian chant. He confronts the humanism, rationalism, utilitarianism, and modernism so prevalent in the liturgical reform, assesses the prospects and limitations of a “Reform of the Reform,” and reflects on the great gift of Summorum Pontificum. In the end, Kwasniewski argues for a zealous recommitment to Catholic Tradition in its fullness, starting with divine worship and embracing the whole realm of faith and morals, including integral Catholic social teaching. “I heartily recommend Peter Kwasniewski’s new book for those struggling to come to terms not only with what happened to the liturgy of the Catholic Church, but with why those changes have had such disastrous consequences. As he shows in one aspect after another of the Mass, the changes have taken us further away from that inner transformation of the worshipper which is a secondary purpose of the liturgy, after the worship of God.”—JOSEPH SHAW, President of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales “To come out of the present crisis we need to restore the liturgy in all its sacredness. Resurgent in the Midst of Crisis is a very important work that leads us to meditate in depth on the permanent value, theological centrality, and beauty of the traditional liturgy of the Church.”—MSGR. IGNACIO BARREIRO, Executive Director of HLI’s Rome Office “Peter Kwasniewski is one of a handful of 21st-century Catholic authors really in touch with our tradition who can, at the same time, carefully explain what is at stake in both the Catholic intellectual world and the culture as a whole. He is devastating in delivering his points, which he makes without wasting a word.”—ROGER A. MCCAFFREY, President of Roman Catholic Books “Combining deeply human insight with supernatural faith, Prof. Kwasniewski presents a compelling case for the continuing necessity of the traditional Latin Mass for the Church’s life and mission. Without questioning the validity of the modern rite, he illuminates in many ways how the older liturgy more clearly expresses the Faith and more richly nourishes the faithful.”—FR. THOMAS KOCIK, author of Reform of the Reform? A Liturgical Debate: Reform or Return “The topics of these essays are all of vital importance to our appreciation of the Church’s liturgy. With an abundance of wit and learning, Dr. Kwasniewski offers invaluable encouragement towards a greater love and greater understanding of our liturgical tradition.”—GREGORY DIPIPPO, managing editor of New Liturgical Movement “The author presents a well-argued, documented case that the present crisis in the Church will not be overcome until there is a return to the traditional Latin liturgy, a revival of the true social teaching of the Church, and a restoration of the study of St.

    Pacwa brings his devotion to the Blessed Mother alive for every Catholic in the next in his series of wildly popular Bible studies. Mary - Virgin, Mother, and Queen: A Bible Study Guide for Catholics looks at Old and New Testament texts that are relevant to the Marian doctrine, including: God's promise in Genesis that a woman's offspring would strike the head of the serpent The Old Testament Ark of the Covenant as a symbol of Mary Mary's fiat The wedding at Cana Mary at the cross The woman and the dragon in Revelation And more Mary - Virgin, Mother, and Queen is perfect for use as a parish Bible study, or for individual learning. Each chapter includes background and study exercises, and questions for reflection and discussion.Fr. Mitch enlightens, clarifies, and challenges Catholics to a renewed devotion to the Blessed Mother, through whom we are drawn nearer to Christ.

    Then she offers a how-to of home brewing, with plenty of recipes and tips to inspire your own home brews. With Sarah's skill at storytelling, you'll soon see something more than froth here: A conversation with The Catholic Drinkie is where brew meets faith.

    Based on the rules of life of John Cassian and Saint Basil, Benedict invites us to go further back to the scriptural basis of all Christian and monastic living and pursue our spiritual journey by the guidance of the Gospel.This book of reflections on the tools for good living is intended to be read very slowly, one section at a time. In addition to communicating reflections on each verse of chapter 4, Casey invites readers to:·         continue the process of reflection for themselves·         apply what is written to their own lives·         draw on their own wisdom and insight·         and, ultimately, broaden their experience of monastic spirituality

    You are bonded together to cultivate in each other those virtues that lead to sanctification. That's why this book isn't just about saving your marriage it's about transforming it into a joyful, loving relationship.In these pages, acclaimed author and psychotherapist Gregory Popcak shows you how to heal the hurt in your marriage and develop the crucial habits necessary to resolve conflicts, renew the love you once had, and discover the passion you always wanted.Dr. Popcak's clinical experience and recent research show that the difference between happy and unhappy marriages lays in the habits both good and bad that are practiced in the home. Here you'll discover the simple steps needed to root out behavior that leaves you resentful and demoralized, and to begin practicing positive habits that facilitate mutual respect and cultivate admiration.

    Drawing heavily on the spiritual lives and works of many Carmelite Saints (Mary Magdelene De Pazzi, Michael of St. Augustine, John of St. Sampson, Father Dominic of St. Albert, Father Maurus of the Child Jesus, Father Michael de la Fuente, as well as Theresa of Jesus, and John of the Cross), the Directory was prepared as a tool for preparing and training novices in the Order, but more than a practical training manual, it captures the essence of living the Carmelite way of life and stands alone as a unique work in understanding Carmelite Spirituality.If one wants to know what it means to be 'Carmelite' this is the place to begin.Part of Amazon's "MatchBook" program. Download the Kindle version for free after purchase of a print copy.

    Theresa Aletheia Noble, a former fallen-away Catholic, shares her own story of return to the Church as well as practical tips to invite your loved ones back. She encourages you to meet your loved ones where they are while giving tips to encourage them to return to the Church. She emphasizes the importance of humility, faith, personal sanctity and hope in the journey we take with those we love. With her gentle encouragement, Sr. Theresa Aletheia will help you to continue to hope for the conversion of your friends and family, so that you might share the joy of the Father when The Prodigal You Love returns home.

    if a myth can be found. Setting out into hostile wilderness with a man who serves the queen--but is the King's man--Josiah begins crossing into the wilds of his own soul... and into a realm beyond reason.As masks begin to slip, Rianne's aristocratic life is revealed as all but secure. Believing herself to stand alone against a master thespian and murderer, caught between the treacherous past and a bleeding future, she is forced to wonder if darkness has the power to consume the light.

    A timely follow-up to The Little Book of Saints and The Little Book of Angels, this treasure of a book offers an enlightening tribute to the Virgin Mary. The stories, miracles, and mysteries of Mary provide readers with inspiration, comfort, and a growing understanding of the history surrounding this religious icon. Beautifully illustrated with color lithographs from missals and prayer books, and elegantly packaged with a padded cover, gilded edges, and a ribbon marker, The Little Book of Mary makes a special gift for devotees of Mary, Easter, confirmation, first communion, and Mother's Day.

    But as this thoughtful and engaging book points out, these saints also could be foolhardy, obstinate, stubborn, and dismissive. In other words, they were a lot like everyone, with a mixture of different qualities and characteristics. What makes the stories of the thirteen men and women in Fearless so compelling is that a distinctly American way of holiness begins to emerge from their lives and their work. These were people who walked the streets of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Orleans, and Denver. They traveled along California’s coast and into the Southwest, penetrated the heartland of Indiana and Missouri, and reached out into the territorial islands of the United States.Captivating illustrations for each saint highlight the depth of their souls, and give readers an idea of the strong characteristics exemplified by these men and women.Fearless will bring the reader through the history of the Catholic Church in America in an intimate and personal way, with the stories of the saints and blessed who helped Christianity become part of this country’s fabric. These men and women did not set out to be saints, only to live out the Gospel as they best knew how. They followed their hearts and God’s will to build a better place for the people of the New World.

    Paul Glynn told the powerful story of Dr. Nagai, a Christian convert of remarkable courage and compassion who ministered to the many victims of the atomic bomb attack, The Smile of a Ragpicker brings us the heroic and moving story of Satoko Kitahara, a young, beautiful woman of wealth who gave up her riches and comfort to became one with the ragpickers. She plunged into the life of the poor, regardless of the consequences.In nine remarkable years at Sumida Park in Tokyo, Satoko showed through her Christian commitment and serenity how the lives of so many people could be changed by one person. Importantly, she helped the poor recover their self respect and dignity.In finding Christ, Satoko found herself. The journey was not easy but her strong new Christian faith assured her that Christ would be with her. Like many of the saints, Satoko experienced the “dark night of the soul”. A restless young rich woman, she was led by the Holy Spirit to forget her reservations and pride and live with the poorest of the poor. The Lord heard the cry of the poor, and He sent them Satoko. She became known as “Ari no Machi no Maria”—Mary of Ants Town. She inspired all those she touched.Every day Satoko encountered Christ in some new and challenging way. She was calling the Church back to identification with the poor. She showed the strength of her internal faith. Like Dr. Nagai, she expressed her faith through the sensitivity and beauty of her own culture. Satoko died a young woman, in dire poverty in a Tokyo slum. Yet her death, mourned by many thousands, reflected her triumphant life of deep Christian faith and charity.This book is a powerful story of reconciliation, not between countries, but between people of different social, economic and religious backgrounds, inspired by a frail young woman of luminous faith. Illustrated with photos.

    Whether you're uneasy or elated about your son's interest in the priesthood, this book is for you.

    The husband's name is Joseph. The child's name is Jesus. The working mother is Mary. Reviews: “When I contemplate the Holy Family, I often wonder about those ‘hidden years’ -- the decades left biblically undescribed that laid the foundation for Jesus Christ's public ministry. In Working Mother, Erin McCole Cupp offers us one possible scenario in a story that is emotionally gripping and filled with heart. Based on known biblical precepts, Working Mother contemplates the depths of Mary and Joseph's ‘yes’ to God's will for their lives." Lisa M. Hendey, author of The Grace of Yes and Founder of CatholicMom.com “It's not often that we're given a look at the Virgin Mary as a real person without somehow finding her diminished. And yet, that's exactly what McCole-Cupp does in this novella. It's not only a delightful read, but one that will increase your appreciation for the Mother of God.” Sarah Reinhard, Author and Blogger, SnoringScholar.com “Working Mother is an intimate and compelling glimpse into the lives of the Holy Family during their exile in Egypt. Reading [Working Mother ]helped me to understand a bit of the physical and emotional struggles that the Holy Family might have faced in their daily lives. I came away with a greater respect for their strength and a greater empathy for their humanity. Well done!” Laura Nelson, CatholicMom.com contributor, Green4God.blogspot.com blogger “As a working mother, it’s hard to find time to read for enjoyment. A novella rich with imagery and pulsing with palpable faith, Working Mother is not to be missed. You will find yourself seeing through the eyes of Mary only to look back at yourself. If you struggle coming to terms with working outside of the home and living out your vocation as wife and mother, this is a must read.” Cristina Trinidad, fillingmyprayercloset.com “Erin McCole Cupp's 'Working Mother' pulls us into the daily life of the Holy Family. The story portrays how the Lord creates miracles from the mundane, answering prayers and weaving the tapestry of our lives in the most unpredictable of ways. I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. The writing was excellent and the tone was reflective. Prayerfully read, Cupp's story is edifying.” AnnMarie Creedon, Author, Angela’s Song “Imagine the Holy Family's journey to Egypt from an inside perspective. How might Mary have been called upon to be faithful in the details of supporting her family? How might Joseph have grown in his relationship with God as his son? Enjoy a refreshing perspective of an ancient journey through vivid details, drawing us closer to God.” A. K. Frailey, Author, The Road Goes Ever On: A Christian Journey Through The Lord of the Rings “Erin McCole Cupp gives the term “working mother” an unexpected twist in this thought-provoking story. Imagine a different time, a different place, and a familiar figure thrust into a role never imagined. Then stir in sacrificial giving with no guarantees and without a roadmap…” Leslie Lynch, Author, Hijacked, Unholy Bonds, Opal’s Jubilee

    

    Newman's personalism is found in the way he contrasts the theological intellect and the religious imagination. Newman pleads for the latter when he famously says, in words that John F. Crosby takes as the motto of his book, I am far from denying the real force of the arguments in proof of a God ...but these do not warm me or enlighten me; they do not take away the winter of my desolation, or make the buds unfold and the leaves grow within me, and my moral being rejoice. In The Personalism of John Henry Newman, Crosby shows the reader how Newman finds the life-giving religious knowledge that he seeks. He explores the heart in Newman and explains what Newman was saying when he chose as his cardinal's motto, cor ad cor loquitur (heart speaks to heart). He explains what Newman means in saying that religious truth is transmitted not by argument but by personal influence.Crosby also examines Newman's personalist account of what it is to think; he explains what it is for a person to think not just by rule but by his spontaneous living intelligence. Crosby examines the subjectivity of Newman, and shows how the modern turn to the subject is enacted in Newman. But these personalist aspects of Newman's mind, which connect him with many streams of contemporary thought, are not the whole of Newman; they stand in relation to something else in Newman, something that Crosby calls Newman's radically theocentric religion. Newman is a modern thinker, but not the modernist he is sometimes mistaken for. The inexhaustible plenitude of Newman derives from theunion of apparent opposites in him: the union of his teaching on the heart with his theocentric teaching, of the subjectivity of experience with the objectivity of revealed truth. Crosby writes for a broad non-specialist public just as Newman did.

    In the tradition of Michael Gaitley s bestselling 33 Days to Morning Glory, Three Moments of the Day presents a classic Catholic tradition in a way that is fresh and compelling. Jesuit retreat master Christopher Collins introduces three simple, yet powerful prayer habits that are at the foundation of both the Sacred Heart devotion and Ignatian spirituality and that assist the reader in turning intentionally toward the Sacred Heart of Christ. In Three Moments of the Day, Collins guides readers through the morning offering, evening reflection, and how to ponder the gift of the Eucharist throughout the day."

    Thomas wrote, then turn to The One-Minute Aquinas, the fast-paced book that provides busy readers with simple, readable explanations of the truths that, for 750 years now, have caused the works of St. Thomas to be sought out by kings and popes, scholars and saints, as well as by ordinary souls like you — hungry to know God and to love him more and more.In this book’s lucid pages, author Kevin Vost gives you small, digestible portions of St. Thomas’s life-giving wisdom that you can enjoy one minute at a time. Tables and graphics will help you grasp and remember St. Thomas’s key ideas with a minimum of time and effort.Best of all, in The One-Minute Aquinas you’ll find quick, sure refutations of the countless relativistic, secular, and pseudoscientific ideas that are so influential in our culture today — and so shallow, contradictory, and wrong!Pope John Paul II declared that “the Church has been justified in consistently proposing St. Thomas as a master of thought and a model of the right way to do theology.” Now The One-Minute Aquinas enables even those with limited time and only a modest education to benefit from the wisdom of this great saint.Here, with minimal effort and among scores of other things, you’ll finally come to know and understand:--Why God permits evil--Heaven: what it is (and is not)--Five simple proofs that God exists--Why God became man--Why Jesus let himself be tempted--How you can grow quickly in virtue--Why all souls need the sacraments--Why Jesus let himself be crucified--The causes of lust--The natural law and the Commandments--The soul, free will, sin, and damnation--The angels, their ranks, and their powers--How God governs (and refrains from governing)--God’s power and its limits--The Bible: why didn’t Jesus just write it himself?--The surprising qualities of our resurrected bodies

    The Messiah would have known he had dedicated his whole life to God and had built a deep and powerful financial kingdom right under the noses of both Pilate and Herod, a financial kingdom ready to equip and supply the Messiah's army when he returned. He and the secret organization he was a member of just needed the Messiah to step forward, claim his kingdom, and drive out the armies of Rome as the prophecies of old had foretold. Therefore, he can't be the Messiah.Yet Addi could not deny the miracles this Jesus had demonstrated, even driving out demons, so surely God must be with him. The man was fearless and bold when he taught the people, his message powerful and amazing, yet different from what the Pharisees and Sadducees were teaching; teaching that had not gone unnoticed by them.What must I do to inherit eternal life? Addi shook his head, feeling a little confused. Of all the questions he had wanted to ask the man, that was not one of them. Or was it?About the storyThe Apostle John stated at the end of his gospel if every one of Jesus’ acts and encounters were to be written down, the whole world would not have room for the books that would need to be written. What is even more difficult to grasp is the idea each of those acts and individual encounters with the Son of God had an even deeper story and history leading up to, and following, that brief meeting. A story and history we will never know fully until we see Jesus. This book tells the story of one of those hundreds of encounters we read about in the four Gospels. It is the story of the Rich Young Ruler and the journey that led him to ask Jesus what would ultimately end up being the most important and revealing question of his life. What must I do to inherit eternal life?In looking at the young man before him, the creator of the universe knew there was far more going on behind, within, and around this influential and wealthy young man than the simple question he had asked Jesus. There always is. In the same all knowing way, Jesus’ response had far more meaning behind it than the young man could have ever imagined, or perhaps wanted to hear. At the end of his encounter with Jesus, we read the rich young man went away sad, because he was asked to give up everything if he were to follow Jesus. Jesus goes on to explain to his disciples how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. Afterward their only response was, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus' replied; "With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."For many, that is where the story of the rich young ruler ends. However, there is a strange verse in Mark 14:51, about a "young man" who was following Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, as Jesus was led away after his arrest. The verse does not seem to belong or have a purpose behind it, but God always has a reason for everything.This novel is not about the ending of this young man's life after his initial encounter with Jesus, but about the beginning of it. It is the untold story of the dangerous and impossible road he would have to travel if he were to find his Savior, his purpose, and ultimately his quest for eternal life. With God, all things are possible.

    Peter's Square and Paul VI Audience Hall between September 1979 and November 1984. However, his integrated vision of the human person - body, soul, and spirit - has rarely gone beyond the popular topics of moral theology associated with sexuality and marriage. Now, Susan Windley-Daoust, a passionate disciple of John Paul's complete work, devoted spiritual director, and popular Assistant Professor of Theology at St. Mary's University of Minnesota, extends the Theology of the Body to what it means to be human during the experiences of childbirth, impairment, and dying. Are there spiritual signs in these bodily events that are central to the human experience? Oh yes! And the signs mysteriously and wonderfully point to God.

    You’ll come to understand the inner logic of Jesus’ ministry: why He did what He did, including puzzling aspects of His life — ones that may trouble your mind and your faith.You’ll find out why Jesus’ life had to take the course it took — why He couldn’t have been the earthly King many were expecting, and why He couldn’t have conformed to the conventional ideas of a warrior, a hero, or even just a successful man.You’ll even see why He had to be abandoned by everyone — including His disciples — yet His Father remained close to Him then, just as He remains close to you now. Your new insight into why Jesus chose His particular paths then will illuminate the paths He is choosing for you now, for which you’ll be filled with gratitude!Let your newfound knowledge of Jesus blossom into joy as — directed by these pages — you open yourself to the One whose whole being will resound in your heart and will nourish your soul.

    They both served and were served by the most influential saint of the twentieth century.Polish journalist Wlodzimierz Redzioch, a longtime employee of the Vatican newspaper, L Osservatore Romano, interviewed almost two dozen men and women for this book. Among them are lifelong friends who knew the pope (as Karol Wojtyla) in Krakow and people who cared for him during his pontificate, such as his physician and his secretary. Also here recalling their memories of the pope are some of those who worked beside him inside the Vatican a papal photographer, a papal spokesman, and curial officials, including the German cardinal who became his successor, Joseph Ratzinger.All of those interviewed tell remarkable stories about Pope John Paul II beginning with his courageous witness in Communist Poland and his important participation in the Second Vatican Council, continuing through his election to the papacy and the challenges of his pontificate, and ending with the sufferings of his final years. The process of his beatification and canonization is also discussed.Through these previously unpublished stories and anecdotes, a composite portrait emerges of a prayerful and thoughtful man with heroic faith, hope, and charity. Capable of discussing, listening, and delegating, John Paul II was also a decisive leader who unabashedly defended the Catholic faith. With his natural flair for friendship and his gifts of joy and humor, he had a tremendous impact on the world because he deeply touched the hearts of countless people everywhere."