Donald Calloway, MIC, calls on all of us to turn to St. Joseph, entrust ourselves, our Church, and our world to our spiritual father's loving care, and then watch for wonders when the Universal Patron of the Church opens the floodgates of Heaven to pour out graces into our lives today. Definitely a book for our time, Consecration to St. Joseph is dedicated to meeting the challenges of the present moment and restoring order to our Church and our world, all through the potent paternal intercession and care of St. Joseph. This book has everything you need to take your love and devotion to St. Joseph to a whole different level: a thorough program of consecration to St. Joseph; information on the 10 wonders of St. Joseph; and prayers and devotions to St. Joseph. Accessible, motivating, this book will kick off a great movement of consecration to our spiritual father and change the world.

     It's been a diabolical masterpiece, one that has compromised the work of the Church in every way and has left countless lives in ruin. Many Catholics are understandably asking, “Why should I stay? Why not abandon this sinking ship before it drags me or my children under?" In this stirring manifesto, Bishop Robert Barron, founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, explains why this is not the time to leave, but the time to stay and fight. Reading the current crisis through the lenses of Scripture and Church history, Bishop Barron shows that we have faced such egregious scandals before; that the spiritual treasures of the Church were preserved by holy men and women who recommitted themselves to fighting evil; and that there is a clear path forward for us today. For Catholics questioning their faith, searching desperately for encouragement and hope, this book will offer reasons to stay and fight for the Body of Christ.

    He addresses such topics as widespread doctrinal confusion, the limits of papal authority, the documents of Vatican II, the Society of St. Pius X, anti-Christian ideologies and political threats, the third secret of Fatima, the traditional Roman rite, and the Amazon Synod, among many others. Like his fourth-century patron, St. Athanasius the Great, Bishop Schneider says things that others won’t, fearlessly following St. Paul’s advice: “Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching” (2 Tim 4:2). His insights into the challenges facing Christ’s flock today are essential reading for those who are, or wish to be, alert to the signs of the times. Reminiscent of The Ratzinger Report of 1985, Christus Vincit will be a key point of reference for years to come.“At this critical moment in the life of the Church we must reflect carefully on all that confronts us and discern what is true, good, and beautiful from what is evil. We cannot but be grateful to a faithful apostle such as Bishop Athanasius Schneider for his clear and courageous analysis of the state of the Church in our day. May this book assist all who read it in living their particular vocation with greater fidelity and zeal, for the glory of Almighty God and the salvation of souls.”—ROBERT CARDINAL SARAH“No other bishop in recent memory has so tirelessly given of himself in the service of the truths of the Catholic Faith. In this wide-ranging interview, Bishop Schneider, through the account of his life and ministry and through his responses to the crucial questions of the day, gives powerful witness to his profound love of Our Lord and of His Mystical Body, the Church. This book will be of great help to the faithful, and to all people of good will, in navigating the grave confusion, division, and error prevalent in our times. It reveals the heart of a true shepherd of souls, after the Heart of Christ, the Good Shepherd.”—RAYMOND LEO CARDINAL BURKE“St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus (‘the Little Flower’) said that humility is courage for the truth, and courage to serve. Bishop Schneider is a humble and heroic witness to the truth, and a courageous servant. His love for Christ and the Church is strong and deep and heartfelt, like St. Paul’s (Gal. 2:11–20). To the various questions regarding the crises we face (relativism, secularism, modernism, indifferentism), he responds as a faithful pastor and a perspicacious theologian. I found myself inspired and challenged.”—SCOTT HAHN“A product of the persecuted Church in the Soviet Union, Bishop Athanasius Schneider powerfully appeals in this interview for a return to the classical doctrine, worship, and devotion of the Roman Church. Not all readers will agree with everything in his analyses, but they will find it difficult to dissent from his fundamental perception: the Church requires a radical re-supernaturalization that will save it from internal secularization, free it from the domination of all-too-human agendas, and inspire it with new ardor for its divinizing mission.”—FR. AIDAN NICHOLS, O.P.“Reading this wide-ranging interview with one of the most outstanding bishops in the Church today is an experience of profound joy and gratitude. Bishop Schneider explains and defends Catholic truth with deep insight and total conviction.

    Bishop Gavin Ashenden, Chaplain to the Queen of England (2008-2017) comments in his foreword to the book, “I devoured it, unable to put it down.”…“Inspirational…I highly recommend it,” says Fr. John Struzzo. Monsignor Ralph J. Chieffo urges, “Read this prophetic book and believe,” Dr. Mark Miravalle writes, “THE WARNING should be widely read and discerned seriously with an open mind,” and Fr. Bernardin Mugabo makes the heartfelt appeal, “I wish everyone would read this!”Bishop Ashenden, begins his foreword with, “Every so often a book falls into one’s hands that is particularly powerful in unveiling the mystery and power of God’s purpose for his Church today, and this is one such. If you are wondering whether or not you should take the time to read it, let me strongly encourage you to do so.”The prophecies of the Warning, as outlined and illustrated in this book, have come to us through saints and mystics, including St. Pope Pius IX, St. Pope Paul VI, St. Faustina Kowalska, Blessed Anna Maria Taigi, and Servant of God, Maria Esperanza. Some of these spiritual luminaries are still alive, such as exorcist, mystic, and Superior General, Fr. Michel Rodrigue; stigmatist and mystic, Janie Garza; and founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute, Matthew Kelly. Not only does THE WARNING substantiate an event of monumental importance, which appears to be on the horizon of time, but also carries the reader through compelling testimonies of those who have already experienced it personally and against their will. The book culminates in the spell-binding story of Marino Restrepo, hailed as a St. Paul for our century. Formerly a well-to-do Hollywood music producer who sank into serious sin and the New Age movement, he endured a torturous kidnapping by Colombian guerilla rebels for over half a year, during which he experienced an illumination of conscience. In addition, he received a unique gift of infused knowledge of divine matters, which he has been sharing with the world since 1999 in his world-wide, bishop-approved apostolate. And his is only one of the stories. . .The prophecies and testimonies of the Illumination of Conscience promise to astound, entertain, challenge, and prepare those who read this book and who believe.

    Indeed, countless nemeses from Nero to Napoleon succeeded only in creating sympathy and martyrs for our Catholic Faith. That all changed in the mid-19th century, when clandestine societies populated by Modernists and Marxists hatched a plan to subvert the Catholic Church from within. Their goal: to change Her doctrine, Her liturgy, and Her mission. In this captivating and carefully documented book, Dr. Taylor Marshall pulls back the curtain on their nefarious plan, showing how these enemies of Christ strategically infiltrated the seminaries, then the priesthood, then the episcopacy, and eventually the cardinal-electors – all with the eventual goal of electing one of their own as pope. You’ll come to see that the seemingly endless scandals plaguing the Church are not the result, as so many think, of cultural changes, or of Vatican II, but rather the natural consequences of an orchestrated demonic plot to destroy the Church. In these gripping pages, you’ll discover: • How popes of the 1800s discovered a plot to infiltrate the Church • How theologians suspected of being Modernists became Vatican powerbrokers. • How modifications in Catholic canon law enabled predator priests like Theodore McCarrick to stay in positions of power. • How Our Lady of La Salette gave a prophetic warning of the plot to infiltrate the Church. • How the chief architect of liturgical reforms was discovered to be a Freemason. • Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s role in exposing the Communist infiltration of the priesthood. • How the confusing history of the Third Secret of Fatima relates to the infiltration of the Catholic Church. • That Pope Paul VI explained that Vatican II was not infallible. • How Pope Paul VI revoked the voting rights of cardinals over 80, thus guaranteeing that all voting cardinals were appointed by him. • How the criteria for sainthood shifted from a person’s historical acts to his personal beliefs. • The complex roots of the St. Gallen Mafia and how they plotted to modify Catholic doctrine and elect Pope Francis.

    Only a few followed him to Calvary. What will you do? No Greater Love is a biblical pilgrimage that reveals Christ’s amazing love for us. Best-selling author Edward Sri guides you through the last hours of Christ's life. You will walk step-by-step with Jesus from the Garden of Gethsemane to the Mount of Calvary. Every step of the way, Old Testament prophecies, messianic expectations, biblical symbolism, and historical context shed light on the mystery of Christ's suffering and death. Experience a deeper understanding and appreciation of God’s immeasurable and unconditional love as you draw closer to Jesus than you ever have before.

    He analyzes the spiritual, moral, and political collapse of the Western world and concludes that "the decadence of our time has all the faces of mortal peril."A cultural identity crisis, he writes, is at the root of the problems facing Western societies. "The West no longer knows who it is, because it no longer knows and does not want to know who made it, who established it, as it was and as it is. Many countries today ignore their own history. This self-suffocation naturally leads to a decadence that opens the path to new, barbaric civilizations."While making clear the gravity of the present situation, the cardinal demonstrates that it is possible to avoid the hell of a world without God, a world without hope. He calls for a renewal of devotion to Christ through prayer and the practice of virtue.

    From the spoiling of this relationship followed the decay of the entire family, and almost overnight, our once pro-life culture became pro-lifestyle, embracing everything that felt good. Sixty million abortions later, women aren’t showing signs of health, happiness, and fulfillment. Increased numbers of divorce, depression, anxiety, sexually transmitted disease, and drug abuse all point to the reality that women aren’t happier, just more medicated.  Huge cultural shifts led to a rethinking of womanhood, but could there be more behind it than just culture, politics, and rhetoric? Building off the scriptural foundations of the anti-Christ, Carrie Gress makes an in-depth investigation into the idea of an anti-Mary—as a spirit, not an individual—that has plagued the West since the ’60s. Misleading generations of women, this anti-Marian spirit has led to the toxic femininity that has destroyed the lives of countless men, women, and children. Also in The Anti-Mary Exposed: How radical feminism is connected to the errors of Russia, spoken of by Our Lady of Fatima.The involvement and influence of the goddess movement and the occult. The influence of “female” demons, such as Lilith and Jezebel.The repulsive underbelly of radical feminism’s chief architects.A look at the matriarchy, a cabal of elite women committed to abortion, who control the thinking of most women through media, politics, Hollywood, fashion, and universities.  The antidote to the anti-Mary is, of course, Mary, the Mother of God, known widely as the most powerful woman in the world and the source of the belief that women ought to be treated with dignity. She is a beacon of all the virtues and qualities—purity, humility, kindness, beauty—that oppose this sinister force that has cast its spell upon so many women. Mary’s influence is unparalleled by any woman in history. She is the perfect model of Christian femininity, who desires to be a spiritual mother to us all, leading us to her Son, and to the fulfillment of our heart’s deepest desires.

    Spiritual perfectionism—an obsession with flawlessness rooted in the belief that we can earn God’s love—is dangerous because so many of us mistake it for virtue. Its toxic cycle of pride, sin, shame, blame, and despair distorts our vision, dulls our faith, and leads us to view others through the same hypercritical lens we think God is using to view us. As a lifelong overachiever who drafted her first résumé in sixth grade and spell-checked her high school boyfriend’s love letters, Colleen Carroll Campbell knows something about the perfectionist trap. But it was only after she became a mother that she started to see how insidiously perfectionism had infected her spiritual life, how lethal it could be to her happiness and her family, and how disproportionately it afflicts the people working hardest to serve God. In the ruins of her own mistakes, Colleen dug into Scripture and the lives of the canonized saints for answers. She discovered to her surprise that many holy men and women were, in fact, recovering perfectionists. And their grace-fueled victory oer this malady—not perfectionist striving—was the key to their heroic virtue and contagious joy. In The Heart of Perfection, Colleen weaves the stories and wisdom of seven ex-perfectionist saints (and one heretic) with Scripture and beautifully crafted tales of her own trial-and-error experiments in applying that wisdom to her life. Gorgeously written and deeply insightful, Colleen Carroll Campbell’s The Heart of Perfection is a “must-read” (Jeannie Gaffigan, executive producer of The Jim Gaffigan Show) that “gives us permission to…walk in the freedom of God’s unconditional love” (Jennifer Fulwiler, author of One Beautiful Dream). For a free Heart of Perfection reading guide for book clubs, visit Colleen-Campbell.com.

    

    This is not an abstract invitation but a deeply personal and intimate one. There is so much happening in the world and so much happening within our own hearts, minds, and souls. All this makes it is easy to lose sight of what matters most and get absorbed in what matters least.Mother Teresa is an icon of goodness, one of the most beloved women in history. How did she become so much to so many people? Little by little. Small acts performed with great love. You become an icon of goodness by striving to be good and by consistently doing good.On these pages, you will find the essential teachings of Mother Teresa. They provide remarkable insight into the depths of her heart, mind, soul, and life. They will comfort you in your affliction and afflict you in your comfort. But most of all, in the midst of all this activity and noise of your life, you will hear Mother Teresa encouraging you by gently saying: Do something beautiful for God with your life!

    As a parent, do you struggle with trusting God’s will for your life and for those you love? Are you tired and afraid?In Be Brave in the Scared, Catholic writer Mary Lenaburg shares how the overwhelming demands of caring for her severely disabled daughter ultimately taught her—and can teach you—that trusting in God and accepting his will can lead to profound joy, no matter what challenges you face.Be Brave in the Scared is an uplifting account of human frailty (and stubbornness) surrendered to faith. Lenaburg tells the heart-rending story of how caring for her severely disabled daughter affected her self-image, marriage, family life, and faith.Although she initially struggled to accept God’s will and her own limitations, Lenaburg ultimately learned how to trust God. She found in that trust inexplicable joy, even during the most difficult days of her life. She writes boldly and authentically about challenges we all encounter, such as trials with control, blame, exhaustion, fear, and acceptance.Each chapter concludes with an invitation to write and a place for readers to express their thoughts and feelings. Lenaburg’s extraordinary story affirms that God’s redeeming love never fails and that he is there to help us through all of the challenges we encounter.

    He shows you how to let go of the anxiety-producing areas of life in order to find the lasting peace that comes from trusting God. During the season of Lent, Catholics and other Christians frequently give up something they enjoy as a measure of penance or self-discipline—and often fall back into old habits at the first “Alleluia!” In Give Up Worry for Lent!, Zimak offers fellow worriers practical, scripture-centered advice on how to relinquish the need to control the uncontrollable—not just for Lent but for good—and how to find peace in Christ. From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, Zimak guides you to ponder a scripture passage and to apply it to your own life by following four simple steps: read reflect respond pray As you continue to meditate on scripture and practice the simple action steps at the end of each reflection, you will find it easier to replace old worries with new messages of hope and to change your life forever.

    

    In its origins and its formulation, in the truths it contains, in its careful preservation over the centuries and in the prayerful study and elucidation of its mysteries, Scripture is inseparable from Catholicism. This is fitting, since both come from God for our salvation. If you re a Catholic who sometimes gets intimidated by the Bible, The Bible Is a Catholic Book will help you better understand and take pride in this gift that God gave the world through the Church. We are the original Bible Christians! And even non-Catholics will appreciate the clear and charitable way that Jimmy explains how the early Church gave us the Bible and how the Church to this day reveres and obeys it.

    Her daily tweets about memento mori - Latin for remember your death - contained quotes and insights that have inspired others to remember death daily. Many have found this ancient practice to provide an important perspective on their lives in view of Jesus' call to repentance, conversion, and the hope of resurrection.And now Sr. Theresa Aletheia's series of tweets has led to a memento mori-inspired Lenten devotional. Each day contains a refection written by Sr. Theresa Aletheia based on the liturgy of the day for all of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. The devotional also includes a memento mori examen or review of the day, a daily moment of intercessory prayer, and daily reflections on death from the tradition, including the Church Fathers and many of the saints. Prompts are provided for journaling that can be used along with the Remember Your Death: Memento Mori Journal, also available from Pauline Books.Lent is a time when we remember the death of Christ and the sacrifice he made to give us eternal life. This devotional will help you to meditate on your own mortality and the incredible gift of salvation in preparation for Easter. Whether you get a skull for your desk, a memento mori journal, or a Lenten devotional, it is vitally important to the Christian life to remember the fragility of your life on earth - because one day you will die.

    Popular blogger Kathryn Whitaker is a Dr Pepper super fan, Aggie-loving, type A mom of six with a personality the size of her native Texas. The stressful premature birth of her fifth child threw her orderly world into chaos and ultimately led her to rethink her priorities. In Live Big, Love Bigger, Whitaker shares her journey and challenges readers to understand that they, too, can live a life of authenticity with joy-filled purpose, love, and faith. Along the way, she’ll help readers see that choosing to say no is the only way they’ll be able to say yes to what matters most—Jesus.It’s not every family who would plan a week-long Texas barbecue pilgrimage for a family of eight, much less expand the idea to a multi-month quest to experience the state, eat amazing food, and visit some awesome religious sites along the way. But Whitaker did it—when she decided imperfect family road trips trumped a vacation at a luxury resort. “Barbecue encouraged us to hit the road, while Jesus met us at every single stop along the way—proof that he loves brisket as much as we do, right?”Ditching the fancy vacation was one way Whitaker learned to give up control and say no to perfectionism and over-achievement in order to live a new, more intentional life and discover what God truly has in store for her family.Whitaker’s sassy authenticity will make readers laugh—and cry—while encouraging them to be honest about mistakes in every area of their life, embrace them, and find a way to let God redeem it all.

    Is it possible to be both a Catholic and a feminist? Claire Swinarski, writer and creator of The Catholic Feminist podcast, believes it is: “I’m a feminist for the same reason I’m bold and honest and sometimes ragey: because Jesus was all of those things.”In Girl, Arise!, Swinarski reconciles the two identities by demonstrating the strength and abilities women have to share with the Body of Christ, the importance of women throughout the history of the faith, and how the love you experience through Christ and the Church can change you and the world around you.In Girl, Arise!:A Catholic Feminist’s Invitation to Live Boldly, Love Your Faith, and Change the World Swinarski points out that while both “feminism” and “Catholicism” can mean different things to different people, both feminists and Catholics desire to make the world a better, fairer place. And she shows that by treating women with dignity equal to that of men—by calling them his friends and teaching them—Jesus acted as a feminist as well.With humor and sass, Swinarski addresses her frustration with the traditional concerns churches ascribe to women, as shown by the many talks directed at women focused on marriage and modesty rather than social justice. But she pinpoints the areas where modern feminism goes too far, arguing against abortion and exploring what it means to serve others rather than focus on our own needs first.Swinarski also tells the stories of holy women—including Vashti in the book of Esther, Sts. Thérèse of Lisieux and Joan of Arc, Mary Magdalene, and the Blessed Virgin Mary—to show how their faith influenced their actions, even when those actions went against traditional norms and roles of women.You will be empowered to embrace your God-given abilities as you follow the women who have gone before you in faith who—by announcing Christ to his disciples, believing in God’s promises, and being faithful in hardship—changed the world.

    Nearly two decades later, he would be received into the Catholic Church. In From Fire, by Water, he recounts this unlikely passage, from the strident Marxism and atheism of a youth misspent on both sides of the Atlantic to a moral and spiritual awakening prompted by the Mass. At once a young intellectual’s finely crafted self-portrait and a life story at the intersection of the great ideas and events of our time, the book marks the debut of a compelling new Catholic voice.“Sohrab Ahmari is emerging as one of the finest minds and writers of his generation, and the story of his conversion recounted here will stay with the reader for a very long time.” —Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, from the Foreword"[A] striking memoir." —Ross Douthat, The New York Times“Lives — indeed, as I believe, eternal destinies — will be changed by this book. I wish every angry young man who hates God could read this moving, challenging personal confession of a still-young man who has been where they are, and who gained wisdom and release.” —Rod Dreher, The American Conservative“If I could, I would order a copy for everyone graduating college this year. An urgent and compelling account of the search for truth.” —Ed Condon, Catholic News Agency“The author’s extraordinary gift for writing truly approaches, as best as one can at any given time, a true account of the incomparable beauty of the reality he recounts.” —Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke“Relentlessly honest, deeply moving, Sohrab Ahmari’s story of his intellectual and spiritual journey from dismissive disbelief to vibrant Catholic faith — a journey propelled by some intriguing companions, including Nietzsche, Camus, and Koestler — is food for both mind and soul and an important testimony to the invigorating power of truth.” —George Weigel, Author, Witness to Hope and The End and the Beginning“This book is a testimony of Eucharistic triumph. God seeks us and will transform us if we let Him. Sohrab Ahmari’s beautiful memoir will help all of us trust in God alone better.” —Kathryn Jean Lopez, Editor-at-Large of National Review “Remarkable. . . . From Fire, by Water is a spiritual memoir perfectly suited to our time.” —Jonathan V. Last, Commentary“[B]rave, honest and often very dramatic . . . a powerful story, powerfully told.” — The Tablet “Ahmari’s memoir took me to places I have never been, and gave me a fresh look at people and places that seemed very familiar. Most especially, Ahmari’s book explored a restless human heart, searching and seeking, until, quite unexpectedly, coming to rest in the Lord.” —JD Flynn, Catholic News Agency“Buy Sohrab’s superb book for its story of personal faith but also its revelations of life under a farcical theocracy.” —Tim Stanley, The Catholic Herald“If you're going to write a book about your religious conversion it'd better be a great yarn. And if you're going to write a memoir while you’re still in your early thirties you'd better be a great writer. In From Fire, by Water, Sohrab Ahmari has both boxes checked. . . . Ahmari is a precise and evocative writer, which makes From Fire, by Water easy reading and good reading.”—Matthew Hennessey, The University Bookman“Memoirs written by people who are still in their thirties are almost never of interest to anyone. Sohrab Ahmari’s, however, is a grand exception.” —Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University“A thought-provoking story . . . a breath of fresh air . . .The author is a gifted wordsmith, ably portraying a variety of colorful scenes and scenarios — physical and philosophical.”—Lela Gilbert, Newsmax“[A] forthright and well-written spiritual memoir.” —Hannah Niemeier, The New Criterion“His book offers a long, candid, and unsparing look at the young Ahmari, at the Shi'ite Muslim society into which he was born in Iran, and the secular America where he came into maturity.” —Philip F. Lawler, Catholic Culture“From Fire, By Water is a book that I would place in the hands of any young, over-confident, over-zealous skeptic. It's a book that college-age kids need to read as they flirt, perhaps for the first time, with new ideas that sound avant-garde and rebellious for rebellion's sake, but only end up disappointing.” —Andrew Walker, The Public Discourse“[E]loquent prose and a compelling story.” —Madeleine Kearns, National Review“An arresting sort of modern-day permutation of St. Augustine’s Confessions. Like Augustine’s spiritual autobiography, Ahmari’s compellingly written memoir is punctuated with soul-aches and poignant laments for misspent time. It brims with final awe at the irruption of grace into a soul so wounded by sin.” —Julia Meloni, Crisis Magazine“A wonderful read for anyone who is seeking a deeper meaning to life, whether they be persons of devout faith or of none at all.” —Christine Rousselle, The Washington Examiner“An engaging account of [Ahmari’s] journey to faith. . . . extraordinary talents as a writer.” —R.R. Reno, First Things“Ahmari writes beautifully, and the story he tells is fascinating. . . . Although Ahmari’s context is a different one from [Thomas] Merton’s, more than once while reading the book I saw correlations between their autobiographies.” —Gregory Hillis, America“I thought From Fire, By Water was a story about conversion. But it's far more than that. It's about the journey of civilization and the great problems of our time.” —Seth Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

    Now, in this 10th anniversary edition of No Turning Back, the Very Rev. Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, looks back on the past decade in a new introduction to this Christian classic, a perennially powerful witness to the transforming grace of God and the Blessed Mother's love for her children. His witness proves a key truth of our faith: Between Jesus, the Divine Mercy, and Mary, the Mother of Mercy, there's no reason to give up hope on anyone, no matter how far they are from God.

    

    It’s an old-fashioned “vade mecum” (pronounced vahday maykum). That’s Latin for “travel with me” and was used to describe a book that was a constant companion – perhaps a condensed book of prayers for traveling priests, or a handbook for quick reference – something you could take with you anywhere.

    Donald Calloway, MIC, in all its wonder: leading armies into battle; defeating the enemies of Christ and His Church; and transforming hearts and minds in order to save societies and entire civilizations. After exploring the 10 Wonders of the Rosary, you'll never look at this timeless and powerful devotion the same way again.

    

    But have you ever felt like you are too busy "discerning" to actually decide? True decision-making is more than just thinking about something . . . decisions involve taking action.YouTube star, Fr. Mike Schmitz, gives you the tools to decide what to do with your life today, tomorrow, and in the future with clarity and confidence. In this little book you will learn to:• know when God is speaking,• how to recognize the "signs,"• and make wise decisions for your life.Fate is when you're fixed; you don't have a choice. Destiny is your destination . . . Know your destiny.

    It’s an old-fashioned “vade mecum” (pronounced vahday maykum). That’s Latin for “travel with me” and was used to describe a book that was a constant companion – perhaps a condensed book of prayers for traveling priests, or a handbook for quick reference – something you could take with you anywhere.

    Chad Ripperger, Fr. Gabriele Amorth, Fr. Jose Antonio Fortea, Fr. Gary Thomas, among others, and packages it into an approachable and intriguing book that conveys, to today’s Catholics, critical insights into the activity of the diabolical and spiritual warfare tactics with which we must be familiar. These exorcists pull their teachings from the sacred traditions of our Faith, the teachings of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, the wisdom of exorcists under whom they were trained, and their own extensive experience in the realm of spiritual warfare, deliverance, and exorcisms. The purpose of this book is to help enlighten Catholics to the spiritual war in which we all find ourselves. Not only is this battle real, but the Church knows it well, and has provided both wisdom and weapons, teachings and sacramentals, to enable Catholics to fight in this battle into which they have all been drafted, and be victorious. “The devil prowls like a roaring lion, seeking to devour,” as St. Peter says. These exorcists face this devil, and the many demons who fell with him, as a central part of their spiritual ministry. Let them teach you what they know and impart to you those things that will aid you most in your spiritual life. Allow yourself to be instructed by spiritual masters that you may learn the manner in which the devil attacks you, the weapons you have at your disposal, and the means to find healing for the wounds you have suffered in your life. Know your enemy. Know his tactics. Know his motives. Know his nature. Know his origin. Know his goal. Know his language. Know his network. Know his strengths. Know his weaknesses. Once this knowledge is obtained, you can more effectively predict your enemy’s behavior, recognize his traps, use the proper preventative measures against him, and drive him away when he persists. Book now has the nihil obstat. Visit our store at www.TheRetreatBox.com for special sales. Sign up there on our email list. Follow us at www.TheSlayingDragonsBook.com for news, commentary, and publications on the topic of spiritual warfare.

    From scores of insightful interviews with modern priests, exorcists, seminary formators, and even disillusioned laity, Wells here draws forth a blueprint for priestly holiness that can once again fill our Church with priests abounding with sincere, supernatural faith, on fire with God s love, and moved by the irresistible impulse to save souls, no matter the cost to themselves.Reading this book will deepen your own faith and help you understand what all priests, by their vocation, are consecrated and called to be. Giving a copy to your parish priest will help him and encourage him as he strives to become a member of the small but growing contingent of holy priests we need.

    While building a life of achievement, material success, and professional respect, an unexpected friendship with Tom Fitzpatrick starts him on an emotional and courageous journey that allows him to confront the truth of his past and the impact it has had on the relationships in his life. The Father’s Son is a highly engaging story that will make you think about faith, family, friendship, forgiveness, redemption, love, and truth, and may prove to profoundly impact how you look at life itself.

    Pio of Pietrelcina. Recently translated into English, “Padre Pio and I” is the culmination of what he witnessed as he sat by the saint’s side for sixteen years. This is not a typical biography by a journalist, friar, or academic; instead, the author presents “the Padre” intimately and personally -- as a father figure who tenderly guided and directed him. This book is filled with riveting new accounts of the mystical side of Padre Pio: from the moment Affatato was called by name by Padre Pio out of a crowd to Padre Pio’s characteristic rose-scented fragrance Affatato does not disappoint. Yet, the author’s motivation for writing this book is not to boast of supernatural phenomena he was privileged to witness. Instead, it is a response to what Padre Pio once told him some six decades ago: “Give the love that I have put into your heart to those to whom you draw near, because in this is the meaning of life.” And Adolfo has spent his adult life responding to that mandate. While most octogenarians spend their final years in repose, Adolfo tirelessly traverses the Italian peninsula giving conferences to audiences of a few dozen or a few thousand. He has spoken to popes, cardinals and countesses and regularly appears on Catholic radio and secular prime-time talk shows alike. And he never accepts a cent for his work; all proceeds for his book sales are donated to a charity. Now for the first time what Adolfo received from Padre Pio is available in English. For those who want to know Padre Pio “more and better” this book is a must read. “This book has touched the heart of Italy; yet, it also touched me. This book can change your life." Andrea Bocelli

    Padre Pio called “the weapon of our times”—the Rosary. Drawing from the writings of the saints, the Bible, and Catholic tradition, Matt Fradd has produced a book that every Catholic should read. Its small size makes it easy to carry to adoration, keep around for family Rosary night, or hand out at your parish. Catholics who find it difficult to enter into the mysteries of the Rosary, or who need some encouragement and inspiration to pray this essential Catholic prayer, will deeply appreciate this small but powerful book. In this essential book, Matt Fradd explains: ● How to truly meditate on the mysteries on the Rosary. ● Major saints’ methods to pray the Rosary. ● Carefully chosen biblical passages to reflect on for each mystery. Here's how it works: 1. Overview of each mystery, with biblical quotes to help you establish context and focus your mind 2. Insight on each mystery from the writings of the saints and Church Fathers 3. Personal applications for each mystery, so you can further apply these mysteries to your own life and invite God to be a part of it

    Paul exhorts us to “pray without ceasing” — a beautiful goal that sounds daunting, even impossible. But wait! These pages break open an authoritative, time-tested method that countless laymen still use today to pray with constancy and thereby soar to the heights of holiness. It’s called the Liturgy of the Hours. Also known as the Divine Office or the breviary, the Liturgy of the Hours is an important vehicle for advancing in the spiritual life — a step that any serious Catholic, with the help of Fr. Timothy Gallagher, can take today. Relying on insights from popes and saints, as well as on his five decades’ experience praying the Liturgy of the Hours, Fr. Gallagher opens your eyes to this spiritual treasury and shows you how, by means of its sanctifying rhythm, it will help you progress on your spiritual journey. Soon, you will be among the multitude of Catholics who pray the Hours daily and are richly blessed by the flow of graces these prayers yield. From the wise Fr. Gallagher, you’ll learn: • The basic elements of the Liturgy of the Hours • How to incorporate them into your day, no matter how busy it may be • How the Hours will revitalize your daily prayers and prevent them from becoming routine • How they will extend the graces you obtain at Mass into your entire day • How praying the Hours with your family will link you more intimately to each other—and to the universal Church If you’re looking to invigorate your prayer life and draw closer to Our Lord in friendship and holy contemplation, discover the Liturgy of the Hours.

    What was once settled is now questioned, and old traditions are discarded with reckless abandon. What does it mean to be an authentic man in such confusing times? What, if anything, does the Catholic Church have to offer to men today about living a life of true manhood and virtue?The Catholic Gentleman is a solid and practical guide to manhood and holiness in the modern world. It offers the timeless wisdom of the Catholic Church to the many questions of men today on this important issue. In short, easy to reach chapters, you'll learn:How to know you are an authentic manWhy our bodies matterThe value of traditionThe purpose of courtesyWhat real holiness is and how to achieve itHow to deal with failure in the spiritual lifeAnd much more…

     That’s what you’re asked to give during these next 43 days – the 24 days of the Advent season, and the 19 days of the Christmas season. Each 24-hour day has 240 “six minute” packages. During the Advent and Christmas seasons, you’re asked to give one of those to the Lord.

     Let the profound yet practical insights you will find in this little spiritual treasury form and focus your spiritual life, filling it with new conviction and purpose.

    

    The women God called to bring his chosen people into the world were ordinary women who struggled with emptiness, oppression, infertility, and loss—yet who found strength and hope in God. In her first book, Sarah Christmyer—codeveloper of The Great Adventure Catholic Bible study program—pairs the stories of key Old Testament women with stories of women she has known to show us how we can hear God, say yes to his call, and share him with the world just as they did.Breaking open the scriptures to reveal the historical, cultural, and biblical context in which Old Testament women lived, Sarah Christmyer breathes new life into their stories and makes their lives surprisingly relatable. In the process, she shares stories from her own faith journey and the lives of family and friends to show how the same principles that turned ordinary women into heroines of the faith are true for our lives today.Each chapter of Becoming Women of the Word highlights the spiritual legacy of one or more women in the Old Testament. Their world was vastly different from ours, yet they faced the same questions we do: when we can’t feel God’s presence, where do we find help? When our world is collapsing, where is God? Why should we trust him? How can we trust him? Christmyer simply and clearly draws from the lives of these women important principles that help us to trust—even as we struggle with doubt. For example:Through Eve, we learn to hold on to God’s promise even when we fail.Sarah reminds us to wait on God’s timing to make us fruitful.Miriam, the sister of Moses, shows how to lead by example.Ruth and Esther challenge us to see womanhood as a gift.Hannah and Judith inspire us to trust God even in matters of life and death.These unforgettable portraits create a colorful mosaic of faith, encouraging us to mine God’s Word for spiritual treasure and to pass on the gift.

    Who Do You Say I Am? (Oct)

    You said sixty-one minutes, but you mean a little over one minute." "No," I said. "He didn’t have a pulse for over an hour."After a healthy pregnancy, on September 16, 2010, Bonnie L. Engstrom delivered a stillborn baby boy. After sixty-one minutes, just when the doctors were going to call a time of death, James Fulton’s heart began to beat.In that sixty-one minutes, the Engstrom’s been asking for and counting on the powerful intercession of James’s namesake: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.That James was alive at all was a miracle. But the rest of the story is even more amazing. While the Engstroms were preparing for their little boy to grow up blind, unable to walk or talk, and be fed by a tube for the rest of his life, another miracle occurred. Against all medical odds, James not only survived, but he began — and continues — to thrive. In 2014, medical experts and theological advisors to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints unanimously approved the miracle.This amazing true story, full of weakness and strength, heartbreak and celebration, hope and joy, teaches us that through our faith in Christ and the prayers of the great cloud of witnesses, miracles are possible."Believe the incredible, and you can do the impossible." – Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

    If we don’t, we’re all dead...”A HUSBAND IN DESPAIR... AN ENEMY IN NEED...A LIFE AND DEATH VOTE...In three months, the citizens of the EuroGov will decidewhether or not to abolish Sorting, the grim annualharvesting of “imperfect” teenagers for their organs.If they vote the wrong way, then Margoand everyone she cares about will die.While her beloved Bane struggles to cope with the loss of his eyes, thelives of millions of young people and Believers are at stake as Margoembarks on increasingly risky media missions out of the Vatican.Every step she takes is steeped with political consequences.But threats soon loom from the most unexpected quarters,compromising even the security of the Vatican State,and with the vote hanging in the balance,the media battle threatens to turn into real war.Bane is desperate to join Margo in the fight,but how can he without his eyes?

    Just because a thought comes into your head doesn’t mean it's yours; it doesn't mean you have to think about it or entertain it. God apprehended me when I was 29 years old. I pray as you read this book you too will have a personal encounter with Almighty God who stands at the door of your heart and knocks.Mark 11:22-25 Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God.  Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him.  Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours.”What mountain is threatening you? It’s time to talk to your mountains. We talk to ourselves and each other about our problems all day long, when we should be talking to our problems. Jesus said, “Say to this mountain.” He has given us authority and power over fear, worry and every negative stronghold oppressing us. God has already made the way for you and for me through Jesus Christ to confront every obstacle in the way of our peace and joy. We just have to realize that it is ours. Because Jesus is our rock, there is nothing we cannot overcome and conquer.Get ready to learn some eye-opening truths. Jesus died so we could live, not just survive, but live an abundant, fulfilling and productive life. It’s time for us to take back what the enemy has stolen from us. The Bible says that we have been transferred out of the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of his beloved Son and from this day forward let's plan to live like it.

    So many groups want to appropriate Jesus—tweaking his identity until he looks and sounds like one of them. But then you no longer have the Lord, says Trent Horn (Why We’re Catholic). You have an impostor. In Counterfeit Christs, Trent looks at eighteen phony versions of Jesus that we encounter today. Some are the creation of non-Christians: like skeptics who dismiss Jesus as a fictional composite of ancient myths, secular humanists who think he was just a Nice Man, or adherents of other religions who claim him as a prophet or guru in their own tradition. Others stem from Christian or quasi-Christian theology gone so far wrong that its founder is no longer recognizable. Think of the greed-affirming Jesus of “prosperity gospel” preachers or the sects that strip Christ of his divinity. And of course there are enthusiasts for ideological causes who make him a model Marxist (or Democrat or Republican), or enlist him as a convenient spokesman for “tolerance” of the thing they want to do or promote. In all these examples and more, the authentic Jesus of Scripture and Tradition is obscured by a pale imitator, and so is the saving power of his wisdom and grace. Read Counterfeit Christs, then,and be able to recognize the fakes when you see them, explain why they’re phony, and make a case for the full truth and beauty of who Jesus is: the Christ, son of the living God (Matt. 16:16).

     The Lenten Companion, for the Forty Days of Lent (from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday), is designed in a convenient, easy-to-use format: - 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 By spending a few moments meditating on the inspiring daily reflections and the short prayers that follow them, you will discover all that is true, good, and beautiful about the Catholic Faith. Let the profound yet practical insights you will find in this little spiritual treasury form and focus your spiritual life, filling it with new conviction and purpose.

    S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Billy Graham as they discuss one of the most contentious questions in the history of Christianity: Is Jesus symbolically or substantially present in the Eucharist?These widely respected modern Christian witnesses represent three important Western theological traditions. Graham, an ordained Southern Baptist minister who traversed the world and the airwaves to spread the good news of salvation, represents evangelical Protestantism. Lewis, an Oxford professor, a prolific Christian apologist, and the author of The Chronicles of Narnia, was a member of the Church of England. Also an Oxford don, Tolkien was a friend of Lewis, the author of The Lord of the Rings, and a Roman Catholic.While Lewis and Tolkien likely discussed the Eucharist during their long friendship, the conversation in this book never took place—but it could have, says Kreeft, who faithfully presents the views of these three impressive men.

    -Flannery O Connor Our lives are filled with questions, and our world is filled with answers: in the cloud, online, and in libraries of books. But the answers to the most important questions are rarely straightforward. In fact, sometimes the truth is downright strange. But somehow, even in its strangeness, truth reveals a clarity that calls forth a response from the depths of one s being. If you allow yourself to be open to the strangeness of truth, it can change your life.

    

    The authors in this series take a panoramic approach to the topic of each book aimed at a non-specialist but enthusiastic readership. Forthcoming titles planned for this series include: literature, salvation, mercy, history, art, music and philosophy.At every Sunday Mass, Catholics confess that Jesus came down from heaven "for us men and for our salvation." But what does "salvation" mean? In this robust and accessible book, Scripture scholar and theologian Michael Patrick Barber provides a thorough, deeply Catholic, and deeply biblical, answer. He deftly tackles this complex topic, unpacking what the New Testament teaches about salvation in Christ, detailing what exactly salvation is, and what it is not. In easy and readable prose, he explains what the Cross, the Church, and the Trinity have to do with salvation. While intellectually stimulating, Salvation: What Every Catholic Should Know is deeply spiritual, and at its core is the salvific message that God is love, and his love is one of transformation and redemption.

    P. Sanders, the task of rightly accounting for Paul's relationship to Judaism has dominated the last forty years of Pauline scholarship. Pitre, Barber, and Kincaid argue that Paul is best viewed as a new covenant Jew, a designation that allows the apostle to be fully Jewish, yet in a manner centered on the person and work of Jesus the Messiah. This new covenant Judaism provides the key that unlocks the door to many of the difficult aspects of Pauline theology.Paul, a New Covenant Jew is a rigorous, yet accessible overview of Pauline theology intended for ecumenical audiences. In particular, it aims to be the most useful and up to date text on Paul for Catholic Seminarians. The book engages the best recent scholarship on Paul from both Protestant and Catholic interpreters and serves as a launching point for ongoing Protestant-Catholic dialogue.

    The authors in this series take a panoramic approach to the topic of each book aimed at a non-specialist but enthusiastic readership. Forthcoming titles planned for this series include: literature, salvation, mercy, history, art, music and philosophy.In Literature: What Every Catholic Should Know, Joseph Pearce provides a survey of literary works of which all Catholics should be aware. Beginning with Homer and Virgil, the book progresses chronologically through the greatest works of all time, including Dante, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Dickens, Chesterton, Eliot, Tolkien and Lewis.

    With good reason. Entire libraries have been written on the subject. Most people, even those familiar with his classic, do not realize that Dante Aligheri’s Divine Comedy, chock-full as it is of history and politics, is a masterpiece of spiritual writing. The most famous of his three volumes is the Inferno, an account of Dante's journey through the underworld, where he sees the horror of sin firsthand. Join Dante and—guided by Oratorian Father Paul Pearson—with him . . . -learn that the sufferings of the souls in hell are the natural consequences of the spiritual disorder of their sinful actions. -develop a profound hatred for sin, not merely because it offends God, but because it will destroy your soul and thwart your happiness, both on earth and for eternity. -observe the horrible punishments of the damned and be shocked into a state of enlightened self-interest. -armed with the knowledge of what sin does to us, resolve to fight against it with all your strength. -realize that this literary journey through hell is intended to lead you to heaven. A reading experience like no other, Spiritual Direction from Dante, will educate and entertain you, but most importantly, will help you avoid the inferno!

    

    Each week, readers can enjoy supplemental videos featuring guided meditation with Fr. Toups himself.

    Using all the riches of the English poetic tradition—meter, rhyme, music—the poet ponders the mysterious man from Nazareth and the world he came to set on fire with splendor.Having made a career of translating the Italian masters Dante and Tasso, Anthony Esolen puts on the dusty mantle of such English craftsmen as Donne, Milton, and Hopkins in his first book of original contemplative poetry. The Hundredfold contains dramatic monologues set in first-century Greece and Palestine; lyrical meditations on creation, longing, failure, modern emptiness, and unshakeable hope; and twenty-one brand-new hymns, set to such traditional melodies as "Picardy" and "Old One-Hundred-Twenty-Fourth".The book includes an introduction with diamond-sharp insights about English poetic forms at a time when form is so often misunderstood, if not dismissed. It provides an invaluable resource for students, teachers, and poets themselves, as well as those who read poetry for pleasure.

    In his down to earth, humorous, and practical style, Keith Nester tackles various topics and situations faced by new converts such as: How to Come out as a Catholic, How to Find a local Church, What it’s like for former Protestants to worship as Catholics, and much more. This book is a must have for new converts, and for anyone seeking to deepen their appreciation for their Catholic faith. The Convert’s Guide to Roman Catholicism- Your First year in the Church will help you not just survive your first year as a Catholic, but will help you thrive as you begin your new life in the most ancient Church.

    Here the enlightened Fr. Edward Looney presents Mary's messages one by one, dedicating each week of Lent to an overarching theme from her apparitions and drawing from each a vibrant new spiritual lesson for your life.With the help of Our Lady and Fr. Looney, you'll discover how to make your examinations of conscience more fruitful; you'll learn powerful new methods of prayer; and you'll gain an unwavering trust in Our Lord's love and mercy.As you struggle to pray during times of fasting, a new peace with envelop you as you grow in confidence that the Mother of God is praying for you. You'll also learn: The keys to praying silently so you can hear God's voice The three ways Mary works to convert sinners How specifically to pray for the healing of a broken heart Why and how you should pray the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary How a Marian apparition is judged to be worthy of belief What Mary teaches us about praying for the dead And, finally, Our Lady's wise and consoling words for persons with debilitating diseases, for families struggling to conceive, and for couples struggling to heal their marriages.Best of all, at the end of your Lenten journey with Mother Mary, you'll be prepared to experience the Paschal Mystery through the eyes of Mary herself, sorrowing and rejoicing with her as the events of Holy Week give way to the palpable rising of Christ in your life.

     This Companion follows a practical, page-a-day format and features original meditations on each day's Gospel by one of twenty-four gifted authors. Each year's Advent Companion is different from the last, and contains these one-of-a-kind extras that you won't find anywhere else: - A variety of beautiful and practical blessings - An Advent Penance Service - Specially-commissioned poetry - Advent Stations - Praying the O Antiphons Advent is that sacred season of anticipation and expectation in which we come to terms with the deepest yearning of our soul—a yearning fulfilled only in Jesus Christ. As we wait in longing for the coming of the Christ Child at Christmas, we turn over to him all the false satisfactions—the compromises—of our life. To live Advent is to live in the awareness of a Presence that changes us. Our Advent preparation is marked by vigilance—custody of the heart, in which we keep our soul fixed on the Lord. For what we see incarnate in the infant Jesus we desire for ourselves: purity, innocence, childlikeness restored. In the birth of this Child we know the promise of our own spiritual rebirth. This rich spiritual companion will accompany you like a beloved friend through the four weeks of Advent with poignant scriptural reflections for each day of the season. You will also find a wealth of meditative prayers, essays, and poetry, an examination of conscience, and a unique feature: the Advent Stations. If you long for the nearness of God in your life, this invaluable little booklet promises to bring you ever closer to the One who promised: I am with you always (Mt 28:20).

     Shocking faithful Catholics worldwide, Pope Francis refused to deny the accusations that Archbishop Viganò made against him in that ten-page document. Stunned himself, Marco Tosatti, the Italian journalist who first broke the story of the cover-up, here recounts the whole sordid tale. In this alarming report, you will learn of McCarrick’s long-time abuses of seminarians and young priests, his inexplicable promotions to the highest ranks in the Church (despite widespread knowledge of his crimes), and the scandalous cover-up that has traumatized the Catholic world and continues to this day. Among the things you’ll find here: DOCUMENTED: Decades of warnings sent to the Vatican about the predator McCarrick – warnings that Church officials brushed aside DETAILED: Archbishop Viganò’s private 2013 meeting with the pope, detailing McCarrick’s sexual abuse of seminarians and young priests BAFFLING: The refusal of Pope Francis to deny Viganò’s claims, or even to comment NAMED: Other clerical miscreants the pope has appointed to high Vatican offices THE PAYOFFS: The millions of dollars the Church has spent to silence McCarrick’s victims IDENTIFIED: The one and only point the Vatican MUST explain – but thus far will not REVEALED: The real source of the rot at the top levels of the Church It is all here – the names, dates, and damning documents – details that lead many to conclude, with Archbishop Viganò, that far from finally drawing to a close, the cover-up of clerical sexual crimes continues apace and appears to reach the very highest offices of Holy Mother Church.

    

    

    . . I felt I had failed as a priest, for I had preached love and the people made genocide. . . .Then I heard God speak to me. Jesus wanted me to use these experiences to evangelize later. It was then that I knew my life would be spared. God would make a way.”During the 25th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, Fr. Ubald Rugirangoga tells the dramatic story of how he survived while losing more than eighty of his family members and 45,000 of his parishioners in the killings. In the aftermath, Fr. Ubald experienced a renewed sense of purpose as a minister of reconciliation and a healing evangelist in his homeland and around the world. In Forgiveness Makes You Free, he offers five spiritual principles that can help those traumatized by the past to experience healing and peace in Christ.In 1994 the world looked on in disbelief and horror as Rwanda erupted in violent bloodshed. All across the landlocked African country, militant Hutus rose up to exterminate the Tutsi population, including women and young children. One hundred days later, a million bodies littered fields, streets, and even churches. Now, on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, a powerful testimony emerges of the power of God to bring peace and reconciliation into hearts full of fear and hate.In Forgiveness Makes You Free, Fr. Ubald Rugirangoga shares his own dramatic story of how he survived the genocide and its traumatic aftermath. He testifies about how God spared his life so that he might help others with deep physical, emotional, and spiritual wounds to experience peace and healing. In retelling the story of how he forgave the man who killed his family and cared for the man’s children while he was in prison, Fr. Ubald demonstrates how showing mercy can facilitate true forgiveness even in the most painful circumstances of our lives.Throughout the book, Fr. Ubald teaches about five spiritual keys that draw us to Christ, the only source of lasting peace:be thankful and have faithchoose to forgivedenounce evildecide to live for Jesusclaim the blessingEach chapter combines Fr. Ubald’s story with reflection questions that guide readers along their own path of healing: from fear to faith, from shame to freedom, from isolation to reconciliation, from resentment to mercy, and from conflict to peace.The final chapter offers a guided meditation to help those who need to experience the power of God to release those held in bondage by fear and hate and to find the secret of peace. An appendix contains information about “The Mushaka Reconciliation Project,” a catechetical tool that has been used successfully by parishes in Rwanda, and could easily be adapted by parishes in the United States, to mediate reconciliation between individuals and groups who have become estranged by violence, trauma, and ethnic or cultural divisions.

    Timothy Marie OCD unveils the heroic life and holy death of Mother Luisita, foundress of the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. During the revolution and religious persecution in Mexico of the 1920s, she became a light in the darkness.

    With these fearful words, Jesus warned that hell is real … and that we could end up there. Since the Early Church, Catholic saints and other visionaries have reported horrific scenes of eternal punishment. Dozens of saints throughout history have described the terrors of hell, and relayed horror of being separated from God for eternity so that we may see for ourselves and repent. In Saints Who Saw Hell, you’ll find … The scriptural witness to the reality of hell, including the warnings of Jesus, the prophets, and the Apostles; Scenes from the second-century Apocalypse of Peter, the oldest surviving Christian vision of hell; Ancient reports collected by Pope St. Gregory the Great; Medieval accounts from St. Bede, the voyage of St. Brendan, St. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Catherine of Siena, and St. Frances of Rome. Witnesses to hell from the time of the Catholic Reformation, such as St. Teresa of Ávila, Blessed Maria de Agreda, and Blessed Richard of St. Anne; Visions from later centuries, such as those of St. Veronica Giuliani, Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, St. John Bosco, the children of Fatima, and St. Faustina Kowalska; … and other accounts from those who insist they have witnessed the fate of the damned. The scenes in these pages, varying in detail and source, all testify to one harrowing truth: Hell is the final guarantee that what we do really matters. For us here on earth, a peek at the grisly tortures of hell is sometimes what we really need to redouble our efforts at achieving the glorious sweetness of heaven.

    Will he find the courage to obey the command?IN THE STEPS OF A SAINT: What could an ancient Christmas carol possibly have to do with Andrew's life? He's about to find out!A PERFECT CHRISTMAS: No tree, no cookies, no gifts. Not a single flake of snow. With sick siblings, Dad stranded, and Mom overwhelmed, will Christmas come at all to Marigold's topsy-turvy home?OPERATION GIFT DROP: In a dystopian future, Bolcan wants to prove his skills as a rescuer but this is a crazy mission: deliver gifts to Aldonians by stealth and at risk of capture.CHRISTMAS ANGEL: Meg’s unforgettable Advent journey begins when four simple words challenge her idea of a perfect Christmas.SIGNS OF CHRISTMAS: Christmas without her friend Sal isn't the same, but Antonina finds a new friend whose circumstances have her rethinking the value of a gift.JUST JESUS: Christmas had always made sense to Vanessa, until her yuletide festivities are called into question by a new kid named Luke and a mysterious wood carving.A VERY JURASSIC CHRISTMAS EVE: Joshua's perfect Christmas Eve is upended by the plight of a starving mamma dino and her babies. Meanwhile, Darryl and her family risk their lives for a holiday guest in the perilous, raptor-infested mountains.

    The kindle electronic bookmark saves your place for you so that you are able to easily continue the Rosary Novena for all 54 days. So for example, at the end of day 23, just simply swipe left, then tomorrow your place will be saved on day 24. This book also includes The 15 Promises of Mary to Christians Who Pray The Rosary, a How to Pray The Rosary step by step picture, an Inspirational 54 Day Rosary Novena Story, plus each of the Joyful, Sorrowful, Luminous, and Glorious Mysteries all contain a color picture to help you remember the mysteries easier. Now, Thanks to modern technology this 919 page book can fit into your pocket using the kindle reader app on your cell phone, or you can use your Kindle Fire!

    What reignited my faith? The many encounters I had with the occult and diabolical.” So says renowned Catholic apologist and retired veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Jesse Romero. Now for the first time in print, Romero reveals the harrowing details of his experiences with the demonic while working for the LASD. Discover the true stories of spiritual warfare being waged in the streets and alleys of L.A., including: Romero’s encounters with Richard Ramirez, the infamous “Night Stalker” How the Rosary drove out a demon that had taken hold of a young man What happened when inmates involved in the occult would try to say “Jesus is Lord” How a young man who had committed suicide returned to beg his parents for prayers to release him from the pains of Purgatory …and much more. The Devil in the City of Angels is much more than a catalog of strange and terrifying events. It exposes Satan as the Father of Lies so we can see how he works, and how to defeat him. Drawing on his own experiences as well as the most authoritative sources, Romero offers the reader numerous cautionary tales, but also that hope that is only found in Jesus Christ and his Church.

    This consciousness of 'two worlds' led to a great many questions in Flo, and some rebellion—which culminated two nights before her First Communion in suddenly questioning whether she should receive the Sacrament at all.Sensing the precarious nature of faith in an overwhelmingly secular world, Read, through meditation and anecdote, began writing down the compelling reasons for holding onto both God and Church. Taking the Annunciation as her template (that most fundamental yes to God), she explores common experiences of the spiritual life: His presence and invitation (And he came to her); the fears we have to let go of (Do not be afraid); the realization of our identity in God (Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord) and what our vocation might be (Let it be to me according to your word); and when God feels very distant from us (And the angel departed from her).Drawing on Scripture, lives of the saints, and the lives of people she has known personally and professionally as a nurse, Read shows how God is with us always—through suffering, spiritual dryness and depression, as well as in joyful and mystical ways. This book was inspired by a mother's loving response to a daughter—but what has resulted is something that will speak to any believer engaged in the bliss and bewilderment of a relationship with God.

    Simon Lecture, which since 2001 has become a major event in Washington, D.C. They are unique in their application of philosophical and theological perspectives to the issues of history and politics, enabling the reader to see current events in a deeper way.

    With his trademark wit and wisdom, Fr. George Rutler here highlights twenty Catholic teachings that are essential to living an authentic Christian life, showing how the Church’s perennial wisdom can remedy the gravest ills of our time. Fr. Rutler gracefully tackles a wide range of topics, from the importance of avoiding mediocrity to the role of mothers in passing down tradition. The topics are many, but all serve a common purpose: to show how we can understand and live the Faith in this culture that daily drifts further from the truth. Relying on his decades of experience as a pastor, Fr. Rutler shows you: • How to keep your imagination trained on God • How mankind redefines the good to justify its sins • How you can more effectively witness to the perfection of Christ • How contempt for innocence deadens faith and love • How beauty can orient us to God • How the Catholic Church keeps human traditions alive • How hard times and evil men highlight forgotten truths • How evil drowns out truth with sentimentality • And much more to help you live as a Christian in our difficult days

    It is an elegant word, at once both simple and far-reaching. Home is a place to live in and feel comfortable, but it is much more than that. Home is where we are nurtured, where we live, and where we love. The language of Home is universal. It is where we find the eternal in the everyday. But the Home has been neglected. To millions of women today, there is nothing worse than being a “homemaker.” If only they knew the supreme value (and reward) of giving loved ones a place to call Home.     Written by two wives and mothers, Theology of Home is a simple guide to help reorient all of us toward our true home, allowing us to think purposefully about how to make our own homes on earth better equipped to get all those living in them to the Father’s house. Featuring more than 100 beautiful (and inspiring) photographs from homes around the country, profound words from the saints and other literary figures, and in-depth commentary on the theological and spiritual underpinnings of our love for Home, Theology of Home offers readers a tour of both the Home and the human heart. Whether you live in a sprawling estate or a humble dwelling, whether alone or with a crowd, this is far more than a book of beautiful photos and great décor ideas. You will also learn how to create a deeper sense of the divine through:Creating a welcoming environment that starts with your DoorFostering a sense of remembrance through images, scents, and activities that will keep your family recollecting joy, family, and ChristMaking your home a place for joyful gatherings and spiritual growth through an emphasis on lightPrioritizing family dinners to feed the body and the soulOpening up your Home to those around you, spreading the joy and peace of Christ with your hospitalityAnd much more. . .Discover how beauty and order can bring the eternal to your every day, and help create a path to heaven for those you love most dearly.

    Yet this painful issue is all too often neglected in both Church and society. Under the Laurel Tree traces one God-fearing couple’s journey through the emotional turmoil of childlessness. By following the story of Saints Joachim and Anna, this book helps individuals and couples navigate the loss inherent in infertility amid the pain of shame, separation, anger, bargaining, and blamelessness. In walking alongside Joachim and Anna, we encounter not only a life-giving template for grief, but also the path back to ourselves, our partners, and our God-given vocation of eucharistic thanksgiving.

    Large numbers of faithful Christians fought about its contents and even about its right to be called a Christian book!On one side, many Jewish converts charged Paul and most of the other Apostles with a Great Apostasy, a pulling away from the deep roots of their Jewish tradition. This, they argued, endangered the souls of believers everywhere. They sought to retain intact the strict practices and teachings of the Old Testament and to integrate more of them into the still new and developing Christian Faith.On the other side, Marcionite Christians held such antipathy toward the Old Testament that they advocated leaving it behind entirely. They even sought to purge from the New Testament practices and notions they judged too friendly to Jewish ideas.The outcome of this conflict would affect nearly every aspect of the new Christian Faith and the daily lives of believers everywhere, for centuries to come.Who won these crucial, climactic Scripture Wars?God did, of course but not without raising up a great saint whose keen mind and deep faith expelled from Christianity both false understandings of how the gentle, loving God of the New Testament relates to the often-stern God of the Old.That saint was Justin of Neapolis, known today as St. Justin Martyr. These pages tell the surprisingly exciting tale of Justin's encounters with these vigorous early heresies that threatened to paralyze the young Church just as she was struggling to her feet.Scripture Wars is an inspiring, true-life testimony to our Father's providence, a tale that has the power to strengthen the faith of Catholics even today, eighteen centuries later.

    This book focuses on why Jesus lived. God with Us: Encountering Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew shows that Jesus didn't just come to be our teacher, a miracle work or prophet, or even just Israel's savior and redeemer. Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us.Notable Scripture scholar Edward Sri leads readers on a faithful exploration of Jesus's kingdom-building mission and how it revealed God presence, which remains with us today.Helpful discussion questions are provided for personal and group study.This newly expanded edition of the study originally titled The Mystery of the Kingdom: On the Gospel of Matthew is an outstanding introduction to the first gospel.

    

    Sheen was one of the leading religious figures of the 20th century and the chief spokesman of American Catholicism. Previously unpublished, this work reflects his 16 years of service as national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and 26 years on radio and television. It is the only work where he describes his Christian philosophy. Sheen created this compendium in 1965 in the privacy of his New York City residence at the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council. The series ran over 21 hours on 25 vinyl records. It is his response to millions of letters he received from people around the world writing him in search of truth, salvation, and spiritual guidance and was also conceived to explain his mission to evangelize the world. This book provides Sheen's answers to life's most profound questions and presents the Christian philosophy of life. Released solely on audiocassette for 20 years, it is now available for the first time in print.

    Charles Borromeo to answer objections to the sacrament by the Reformation? Did you know there is both a theological and a practical reason why the credence table is placed where it is? Each item in a Catholic church is there to point to a larger truth. Every sacred vessel and item is packed with symbolism and meaning, aimed at making each visit to a Catholic church a powerful reminder of God’s presence and the truths of our Faith. The Sacred That Surrounds Us helps reveal Catholic churches as shrines of devotion. Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture are made tangible with this book, which explains with clarity the symbolism and history behind the sacred items we see in every Catholic church. In ancient and medieval times, the faithful knew the meaning of all the sacred items in a church. Today’s Catholics can now re-discover the sacred that surrounds them in church.   In modern churches, it can be difficult to realize the immense religious and cultural heritage we as Catholics are heirs to. It can be difficult to enter into the mysteries we are partaking in during the mass. But every Catholic church, from the small, modern parish to the ancient basilica, has similar sacred objects and vessels.  The Sacred That Surrounds Us helps Catholics make every visit to a Catholic church a pilgrimage of faith.  In The Sacred That Surrounds Us, Catholics read:  At least one historical fact about the sacred item or church feature being discussed. It answers the question, why is this here? When in Church history did we start using this, and why? At least one symbolic reality about the sacred item or church feature. It answers the question, what deeper reality is this pointing towards? What insight can we gain by meditating on this item? A beautiful, high-resolution picture of the item or feature being discussed. A quote from the Church Fathers about this item, or a relevant quote from the Bible.

    John Climacus is honored by the Church as a great ascetic and as the author of a remarkable work entitled, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, and therefore he has been named “Climacus,” or “of the Ladder.” In THE LADDER Saint John describes the ascent toward spiritual perfection, which is essential for anyone who wishes to save his soul. It is a written account of his thoughts, based on the collected wisdom of many wise ascetics, and on his own spiritual experience. The book is a great help on the path to truth and virtue. The steps of THE LADDER proceed gradually from strength to strength on the path of perfection. The summit is not reached suddenly, but gradually, as the Savior says: “The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Mt.11:12).

    American by birth, she was educated at Loyola University, the University of Virginia and Christ Church, Oxford. After a distinguished teaching career, she entered religious life in 1985. For 22 years until her early death from cancer she guided the young nuns of her abbey with enthusiasm, wisdom and wit.The spirituality to be found in the pages of this book demonstrates to the reader why her influence should have been so great and so deep. Her notes to the novices deal with issues of relevance to a world beyond the cloister: What is the meaning of suffering? How do we cope with living with people who annoy us? How do we relate to a God we cannot see? How do we make the big decisions of life?Sister Mary David's teaching was both profound and intensely practical, suffused with faith in God's joy in our work, leisure, community and family life but above all in our view and understanding of ourselves. This book, with an introduction by Abbot Erik Varden OCSO (author of The Shattering of Loneliness) shows us how to realize the Joy that is God.

     You know the Church supports your sacramental life, but did you know… - Who created the tradition of the Christmas manger? - Who is the father of modern genetics? - Who developed hospitals to continue the healing work of Christ? - That the greatest dramatist of all time was Catholic? - And more! Professor Esolen's captivating style is as entertaining as it is eye-opening. A great book to affirm that God guides his Church!

    It is a detailed written work, spanning 15 volumes, describing the depth and beauty of the liturgical year of the Catholic Church. The series was written by Dom Prosper Louis Pascal Guéranger, a French Benedictine priest and abbot of Solesmes, starting in 1841. In 1875, after writing nine volumes, Dom Guéranger, passed away. The remaining volumes of the series were later completed by another Benedictine monk under Dom Guéranger's name. This eye-opening series highlights the full span of the intricate and meaningful history of the Catholic Church for all to see. It details the traditions, celebrations, and liturgical practices of faithful Catholics throughout the liturgical year as they commemorate the life of Christ and His followers. Guéranger lays significant emphasis on the historical development of the liturgy in both Western and Eastern traditions, across multiple rites of the Mass. And he details how the Catholic tradition differs from the later Protestant traditions, established after 1517. Contained within the depths of Guéranger’s writings are the significances of each liturgical season, the holy days, and biographies of the saints with portions of the liturgies recited on their feast days. This is a must-have for any Christian historian or apologist who wishes to understand the foundation of European culture and the later years of Christendom. In this book you will get detailed writings on: - The History of Advent - The Mystery of Advent - The Practice during Advent - The Proper of the Time (1st Sunday of Advent to 4th Sunday of Advent) - The Proper of the Saints (November 30 - December 24)

    You read this kind of book because you want a Total Life Overhaul. You want Heart Detox. In these pages, you’ll discover how to dig deep and uproot the poisonous thought habits that have been buried inside you for many years. These dysfunctional thought habits have given birth to toxic feelings that have robbed you of your happiness, health, abundance and future. In this book, you’ll discover… * Three steps to manage your most difficult emotions * Five powerful handles to take charge of your most toxic feelings * Specific and doable instructions on how to overcome bitterness, pettiness, despair, insecurity, worry and fear.

    He’s expected to know it. Unfortunately, the only time men receive specific guidelines is when they’re being told what they’re not supposed to do. As a result, very few know what they are supposed to do! What men want is a clear blueprint. Imagine how much simpler dating would be if women could just speak their minds! Therefore, Jason Evert surveyed more than a thousand women and asked them questions such as: • How would you want a man to ask you out? • How do you not want to be asked on a date? This book reveals their surprising answers, plus: • How to know if she’s the right one • Where women don’t want to go on a first date • What word they want a man to say when he asks • When, where, and how he should ask • What she hopes the date will include • How a man can save his marriage before he’s married Dating doesn’t need to become a relic of the past. It needs to be revived. For this to happen, men need to put down their screens, look a woman in the eye, and ask her on a date. The Dating Blueprint explains how.

    Only by abiding by the Commandments can you have a fully human life and achieve union with God.But you need more than a tenth-grade understanding of them to unleash their remarkable spiritual power in your daily life...which is why Fr. Brian Mullady has written this remarkable book that reveals the many often-overlooked, soul-nourishing elements and implications of each of the Commandments.Here you’ll come to understand how the Commandments are not just ten individual rules; they are an entire plan of life that draws you ever more into God and brings you enduring peace with others—and with yourself.With the help of the wise Fr. Mullady, you’ll soon come to see how the Commandments not only distill the teachings of Christ in the Beatitudes but are themselves fulfilled when you live in accordance with those Beatitudes.You’re sure to close the pages of this book with renewed gratitude for the incredible divine gift of the Commandments and with a greater resolve to believe in them, to meditate on them, and to strive ever to live in accordance with them.From Fr. Mullady you’ll learn: • How obedience and love are necessary companions • How the moral truths revealed by God complement the truths of nature • How the First Commandment speaks of a kind of “marital love” God shares with us • How “tempting God” involves doubt about God’s nature • The two conditions that mark any legitimate Sabbath rest • Four ways you can place your anger under the control of reason • The two kinds of “natural” rights you have as a human — and its relation to the right to own property • The five main categories of sinful speech • How the “negative” commandments complement the “positive” commandments

    And from family and friends to magazines and billboards, the answers are endless. But there is only one response that matters.  This children’s book, written by youth minister, Mark Restaino, is a biblically symbolic story of a rose who is manipulated by a snake, struggles with her appearance, and eventually finds her confidence in the wise words of a compassionate boy.Invest in a copy today and please share with your church community.

    

    Part memoir, part meditation, Christina's reflections on the great mystery at the heart of the Christian Faith -- the Incarnation of Christ -- highlight the greatness of God's love and the smallness of our human existence.

    

    With Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Francis de Sales, and Church documents as a background, best-selling author Connie Rossini gives clear and concrete responses. This book will encourage you in times of dryness, inspire you to greater heights, and deepen your knowledge of true Catholic spirituality. You'll learn about problematic prayer practices, how to overcome distractions, and how to begin to meditate on Scripture. Connie Rossini has been studying and practicing Carmelite spirituality for nearly 30 years. The questions in this book come from the 11,000 members of her Facebook group Authentic Contemplative Prayer, as well as the many people who contact her privately through her blog, social media, or at conferences. She is known for both her orthodoxy and her ability to make difficult concepts understandable for the average person. Whatever stage of prayer you are at, you will likely learn something new from reading The Q & A Guide to Mental Prayer.

    The intention of this book of inspirational stories from the lives of saints is to fill the reader with this same fire. Whereas saints were once the popular heroes of our culture, populating our art and folklore, lending their names to our towns and streets and institutions, today they are all too often hidden away in scholarly books and articles. We are too often given a bland image of these holy men and women, whereas they were not vaguely “spiritual” do-gooders, but men and women on a mission: to attain to Heaven through the imitation of Christ, and to bring as many others along with them as possible!The tales told in Inspiration from the Saints cover a variety of themes in the lives of these holy men and women: their childhoods, inspirations, and deaths; their boldness and their humility; their love of prayer, mortification, and the Eucharist; their urge to spread the Gospel; their family life; the impression they made upon others; and much more besides.“The saints are not dead, but alive and present in the Church. In Inspiration from the Saints, Maolsheachlann O Ceallaigh writes in a personal way not only of the saints as living in the Church but as living with us in our own lives. From childhood to death, from hardened sinners to mystics, we here encounter men, women, and children who impress upon us the achievable ‘reality of holiness’; we steep ourselves in the holy glamour of the saints and learn how they make virtue so attractive. At a time when we are tempted to cynicism in face of so many flawed public figures, the author draws our attention to those who have enhanced our Church and our world by their goodness.”—FR. JOHN S. HOGAN, co-host of EWTN’s Forgotten Heritage, author of A Book of Martyrs“This excellent book is the fruit of the author’s study of the men and women who have made history because of how they lived and loved in saintly witness to their Catholic faith, serving as guides to help us through the twists and turns of daily life. Its masterly selection of anecdotes offers inspiration at a time when so many are disillusioned and filled with doubts about the relevance of the Church in the modern world. Through the example of such deeply spiritual individuals we come to see how we too can become saints if we but allow ourselves to be transformed by Jesus Christ. May this wonderful book inspire us to do just that!”—ANTHONY MURPHY, editor of Catholic Voice, director of the Lumen Fidei InstituteMaolsheachlann O Ceallaigh, in his refreshingly timely and personal reflections on the lives of Catholics revered as saints from Apostolic times to our own, offers myriad ‘saintly’ reasons why Catholics should be proud of their Faith, and strive better to live and appreciate it, in order to propagate and defend it.”—FR. PAUL STENHOUSE MSC, editor of Annals Australasia“In a way, the very title ‘saint’ does a disservice to the holy people upon whom it is bestowed, because it tends to make them seem unapproachable—and if this is so, how can we emulate them, which is what the Church asks us to do? This book, however, makes the saints seem both approachable and extraordinary at the same time. Its message: saints are real people who become Christ-like in their lives, and, if they can do it, so can we!”—DAVID QUINN, founder of the Iona Institute, columnist with the Irish I

    

    Ben needs your help getting ready for Mass! Open the cover of this book, and you and your child will begin a creative, interactive, and fun journey with a holy priest as he prepares to celebrate the Mass. Glide your fingers across the pages of the book, tilt it around, count, and sing; we dare you not to smile. Fr. Ben Gets Ready for Mass is the perfect way to introduce your Catholic child to the joy of the liturgy and the gift of the priesthood!

    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.

     How can the Mass be a sacrifice when the Bible says it’s just a memorial? Why do Catholics stress good works when the Bible says we’re saved by faith? Scripture says that all have sinned—so what Catholics believe about Mary being “immaculate” is plainly false. Jesus said to call no man father, yet that’s what Catholics call their priests! How much clearer could it be? For these challenges and many more, Karlo provides a step-by-step plan for understanding the roots of the objection, breaking down the context and full meaning of the Scripture passages, anticipating followup arguments, and offering your own friendly counter-challenge to help Protestants begin to see how the Bible and Catholic teaching actually coexist in harmony. Don’t get caught off guard! When the next biblical challenge comes, be ready to meet it with confidence.

    It was the oracle of Malachi 1:11, and it was cited (like Isaiah's Suffering Servant oracles) to prove the identity of the Messiah through His Church and His Sacrament.In The Eucharist Foretold: The Lost Prophecy of Malachi, Mike Aquilina reveals that the Messiah's true identityƒƒ‚‚ƒ‚‚"ƒƒ‚‚ƒ‚‚€ƒƒ‚‚ƒ‚‚"and the identity of the Eucharistƒƒ‚‚ƒ‚‚"ƒƒ‚‚ƒ‚‚€ƒƒ‚‚ƒ‚‚"helps us find our identity as "catholic," and will lead us to discover our roots in the religion of ancient Israel. To the early Christians, Malachi's oracle defined who they were individually and as a Church.

    During the especially busy Advent and Christmas seasons, this book offers brief, down-to-earth reflections that bring prayer and Scripture into everyday life in a thought-provoking and lasting way. Through Fr. Daniel Groody’s fresh and meaningful reflections on Lectionary readings from the weekday and Sunday Masses, readers will grow in their understanding of the word of God. This book will help busy people achieve their goal of enriching their prayer life during the seasons of Advent and Christmas.

    The conversations continued to the end of her life, and became the beautiful spiritual classic He and I. Now, Pauline Books & Media is pleased to announce the release of Jesus Speaking, an attractive daily devotional taken from the original book. A carefully chosen Scripture passage complements every excerpt from the book, along with a meditation on that day's reading.

    This fun and fast-paced resource is full of concrete tips for living the faith right where you are. With about two-hundred simple and creative ways to grow in holiness, you can find something to help you engage your faith and grow in Christ every day.The idea for Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith and Get to Heaven came from three popular columns Armstrong wrote in the National Catholic Register. The book provides fun and simple tips that make holiness attainable by everyday Catholics in everyday ways:Humility—Do good deeds in secret.Relationships—Consider how much you want God to bless you, and pray for that same blessing on the people you find difficult or who have hurt you.Gossip—Nurture good habits to prevent gossip by appreciating family, friends, and people who serve you.Prayer—Spend time thinking of all the ways Jesus has shown his love to you.Practitioners of Holy Hacks will discover that holiness is less about doing big things than about making use of countless and simple ways for us to love God and our neighbors.The book also includes hacks from notable and high-profile Catholic writers and speakers, including Rev. Donald Calloway, MIC; Fr. Mitch Pacwa; and Kathryn Jean Lopez.

    This work reveals Ratzinger's keen insight into the fundamental challenges confronting the twenty-first-century West.The civilizational project we call "the West" was a cultural achievement with a history. Ratzinger understands that Jerusalem, Athens, and Rome were the three legs of the cultural stool on which "the West" rests. From that under- standing, Ratzinger draws his analysis of the West's post- modern crisis. Nineteenth-century Western culture kicked the Jerusalem leg out from under the stool when its "atheist humanists" declared the God of the Bible the enemy of human maturation and liberation.When we lose the Jerusalem leg of the West's cultural support system, the Athenian leg gets wobbly. For absent the conviction that the God of the Bible imprinted something of his own "rationality" into a world created by the Logos (the Word or "reason" of God), reason begins to doubt its own ability to get at the truth of anything.This assault on the capacity of reason to discern truth with certainty connects directly with what Ratzinger famously called the "dictatorship of relativism", the use of coercive state power to impose a relativistic moral order on all of society.In response to this grave crisis today, Ratzinger says we need to focus on answering such fundamental questions as: How did western culture originate and what are its boundaries? What about the spiritual roots of western culture and the moral foundation she is founded on?"The witness of Christian lives nobly lived is the beginning of reconversion of the West—and that return to the truths taught by the God of the Bible is essential if the great Western civilizational project is not to crumble. Joseph Ratzinger understood that danger long before many others. It would be well to attend to his prescription."— George Weigel, From the Foreword

    The authors in this series take a panoramic approach to the topic of each book aimed at a non-specialist but enthusiastic readership. Book Summary Who is God? If we want to love God and make him the center of our lives, we would do well to settle this question at least in some small way. This book serves as a starting point for understanding what Christians mean when they say "God," and to whom they are referring when they use this name. Part of the What Every Catholic Should Know series, God: What Every Catholic Should Know is born out of the recognition that God is central to the Faith, but we encounter misconceptions about God all the time. In an effort to clear up these misconceptions, this book addresses three major concepts—the nature of God, the Trinity, and the Incarnation—so that we may strengthen our faith and our ability to communicate it to other people.Some of us might protest that we are not smart enough to do theology and that less is more when it comes to contemplating the divine. But if God is perfect, wonderful, all goodness, love itself—as the Bible tells us in 1 John 4:8—it would be strange indeed if we did not want to give our whole selves to God, including our minds. After all, the Lord himself tells us: "you shall love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30).

    Drawing from his own experience, and those of fellow Catholics, and the saints lives, Deacon Kandra helps us realize the importance of prayer and offers practical tips for making it a part of each day. Prayer includes regular participation in the Sacraments (Mass, Confession) but is also about a constant communication with God and a way to plan our day each morning and evaluate our progress each evening.

    Charbel Makhlouf (1828–1898), a Maronite monk and priest from Lebanon whose reputation for sanctity spread widely during his life, and whose heavenly intercession has worked countless miracles after his death. St. Charbel’s homilies and proverbs are reminiscent of the sayings of the Desert Fathers: simple, homespun, and direct, yet shining and profound.This holy monk speaks from a reservoir of silence about the fundamentals of the Faith and targets the temptations facing all Christians today: the flight from suffering, excessive attachment to comforts, pride over accomplishments, complacency, factiousness, substituting talk for action, fear of proclaiming the truth in an age of hostile unbelief. Alert to the reality of spiritual warfare, St. Charbel calls each one of us to hold fast to the Cross, “the center of the universe and the key to heaven,” and defy the devil who seeks our ruin. This collection of some of the most beautiful words spoken by St. Charbel is augmented by a short biography that will bring him to the attention of those who have not yet made his acquaintance or profited from his wisdom.