By Camille Lewis Brown, Ph.D. Foreward by the Most Rev. Jospeh Perry, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago.   From the continent of Africa come a wealth of saints and other inspirational people included in the Catholic tradition. Some are well-known, like Saints Augustine, a doctor of the church, and his mother, Monica, while others may be unknown to us, such as Blessed Daudi Okelo and Blessed …

St Ephrem the Syrian's cycle of 15 Hymns on Paradise offers a fine example of Christian poetry, in which the author weaves a profound theological synthesis around a particular Biblical narrative. Centered on Genesis 2 and 3, he expresses his awareness of the sacramental character of the created world, and of the potential of everything in the created world to act as a witness and pointer to …

Christian tradition often seems to give only grudging approval to the married life, particularly its sexual aspect. In these sermons of St John Chrysostom we find an important corrective to this view. Although himself a monk, Chrysostom had a profound understanding of the needs of his congregation. Inspired by the epistles to the Corinthians and Ephesians, he discusses their reasons God …

These six Lectures on the Christian Sacraments were delivered in Jerusalem in the middle of the fourth century. They belong to a period of rapid transition for the Church. Less than forty years before, Christianity had been an illegal religion, the object of intense persecution. Now it was the favored religion of the state. Potential converts thronged the shining new basilicas, built through …

St Cyprian, third-century bishop of Carthage, developed a theory of church unity almost universally accepted up to the Protestant Revolution: to be a member of the Body of Christ you needed to be in communion with a priest who was in communion with a bishop who in turn was in communion with all other bishops in the world. But, how could you discern who was a legitimate bishop? And, on what …

Gregory of Nazianzus, "The Theologian," was recognized among the Cappadocian Fathers as a peculiarly vivid and quotable exponent of the doctrine of God in Trinity. A brilliant orator and accomplished poet, he placed before the Church his interpretation of the sublime mystery of the God revealed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These five sermons, probably delivered as a series at the …

Isaac of Nineveh was a native of Bet Qatraye near present-day Bahrain on the Persian Gulf. A teacher and monk, he was consecrated bishop (ca. 660-680), but preferred to live out his live as an anchorite. A Scriptural scholar, he studies Scripture so much that he became blind and had to dictate his writings. He died at an advance age and was buried in Rabban Shabur, where he spent most of his …

Is all Christian art fundamentally blasphemous? That was the question posed aggressively by the Christian iconoclasts of the eighth century in a bitter controversy. The resounding answer, "No" from John of Damascus helped to secure the future of art in the service of Christ. Without his brilliant defense, both profound and at times earthly, we might well have had no icons, murals, …

Available April 29, 2008 An amazing new book from one of the great mystic visionaries of the 20th century. Adrienne von Speyr, a renowned mystic and spiritual writer from Switzerland, was received into the Catholic Church at the age of 38 on the Feast of All Saints, 1940, by one of the theological giants of the 20th century, Fr. Hans Urs von Balthasar. He became her spiritual director and …

St Symeon the New Theologian was abbot of the monastery of St Mamas in Constantinople at the turn of the eleventh century. He was also perhaps the most remarkable and certainly the most forceful advocate of the mystical experience of God in the history of the Byzantine Church. Though they were on occasion suppressed by ecclesiastical authorities wary of his fierce enthusiasm, as well as his …

The sermons of St John Chrysostom are noted as classical commentaries on the Christian life. Knowing well the realities of life in the world, the temptation of rich and poor alike, this great orator — "the golden-mouthed" — addresses the questions of wealth and poverty in the lives of people of his day. And yet, as the modern reader is confronted with his words, it …

St Basil the Great wrote his treatise On the Holy Spirit during the closing phase of the Trinitarian controversies of the fourth century. The Arians had previously denied the full divinity of the Son and the debate then turned to the Holy Spirit. In this work, without explicitly calling the Spirit "God," St Basil demonstrates that He, like the Son, is of one and the same nature with …

The world was startled in 2007 by revelations that Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s spiritual life was full of serious doubts and personal suffering for nearly 50 years. The other great saint of the last half century—Padre Pio—offers similar revelations of his own in this enlightening collection of short excerpts from his letters. Many books have been written on the life and works …

St Symeon the New Theologian was abbot of the monastery of St Mamas in Constantinople at the turn of the eleventh century. He was also perhaps the most remarkable and certainly the most forceful advocate of the mystical experience of God in the history of the Byzantine Church. Though they were on occasion suppressed by ecclesiastical authorities wary of his fierce enthusiasm, as well as his …

In the early fifth century the Christian world was racked by one of the fiercest theological disputes it had known since the Arian crisis of the previous century. The center of debate turned on the nature of the personhood of Christ, and how divine and human characteristics could combine in Jesus without rendering his subjectivity hopelessly divided, or without reducing his authentic humanness …

Three volume set of the Ethical Discourses of St Symeon the New Theologian. St Symeon was abbot of the monastery of St Mamas in Constantinople at the turn of the eleventh century. He was also perhaps the most remarkable and certainly the most forceful advocate of the mystical experience of God in the history of the Byzantine Church. This set includes: Volume I — The Church and the Last …

The resurrection of the body, perhaps more than any other Christian doctrine, requires us to face the implications of faith for our personal lives and for our understanding of the world. This issue faced St Paul in his dealing with the early church and also troubles St Gregory of Nyssa in the fourth century AD . St Gregory, educated in the prevailing Greek philosophical system, yearned to …

St Symeon the New Theologian was abbot of the monastery of St Mamas in Constantinople at the turn of the eleventh century. He was also perhaps the most remarkable and certainly the most forceful advocate of the mystical experience of God in the history of the Byzantine Church. Though they were on occasion suppressed by ecclesiastical authorities wary of his fierce enthusiasm, as well as his …

This informative and enjoyable little book serves as a valuable introduction to major themes in Greek Patristic anthropology-the image of God in the human being, the Fall of humanity, and the cause of evil-and brings together the main writings of St Basil the Great, fourth-century archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, on these subjects. St Basil deftly addresses the questions posed by the …

The cult of the saints is a phenomenon that expanded rapidly in the fourth century, and John Chrysostom’s homilies are important witnesses to its growth. Until now, the majority of John’s homilies on the saints and martyrs have been ignored. However, in this volume,Wendy Mayer investigates the liturgical, topographical, and pastoral aspects that marked the martyr cult at Antioch …

St Athanasius stood contra mundum for the Trinitarian doctrine 'whole and undefiled,' when it looked as if all the civilized world was slipping back from Christianity into the religion of Arius, into one of those 'sensible' synthetic religions which are so strongly recommended today and which then, as now, included among their devotees many highly cultivated clergymen. The glory of St …

Much more than simply “another life of Saint Francis,” this book will dazzle and enthrall, and educate all readers, from the most erudite to those who have only rudimentary knowledge of (or interest in) the life of one of the greatest and most exceptional saints. Aptly titled, this author provides the reader with a deeply spiritual and radically historical framework in which she …

By Thomas of Celano with foreward by Fr. Regis Armstrong O.F.M. Cap. Within two years after his mentor’s death, Thomas of Celano composed The Life of Saint Francis of Assisi, a portrait of the newly canonized Umbrian. Less than twenty years later, in The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul, Thomas conveyed the wonder and uniqueness of the saint’s life and vision with poetic power. …

Created for Great Things presents Mother Teresa’s spiritual way through an appealing collection of her own writings, with commentary by Gloria Hutchinson. To all who knew her, personally or through the media, Mother Teresa of Calcutta embodied Jesus’ promise, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to …

Even though she never bore a child physically, Gonxha Agnes Bojaxhiu deserves the name by which everyone knows her: Mother Teresa of Calcutta, now beatified and on her was to becoming a saint. Her sayings reveal the qualities that we treasure in every mother: playfulness, compassion, humility, calmness, evenhandedness, the ability to reprove wrongdoing with firmness and love, and to maintain a …

A wonderful resource for the Pauline Year from Magnificat! Praying with Saint Paul is a handbook of daily reflections that leads the reader into the richness of the writings of the great Apostle. The words of Saint Paul are very familiar to us from the readings of the eucharistic Liturgy. Yet, we rarely get a chance to reflect on Paul’s wisdom. Praying with Saint Paul offers a kind of …

Written by one of the foremost contemporary authorities on St. Dominic, this book represents the latest, best, most concise and readable spiritual biography of St. Dominic. The focus of the biography is the way in which St. Dominic embodied the role of Christ as preacher and the results that came from this grace. From his earliest youth, Sacred Scripture was the very heart and foundation of …

An inspiring story of family and faith across teo continents. Like millions of other Italians in the early twentieth century, Justin Catanoso's grandfather immigrated to America to escape poverty and hardship. Nearly a hundred years later, Justin, born and raised in New Jersey, knows little of his family beyond the Garden State. That changes in 2001 when he discovers that his grandfather's …

    Moments of inspiration from some of your favorite saints: strive to imitate their virtues, learn from their timeless wisdom, and ask for their intercessions. Dear St. Padre Pio, Pray for me, please, that I may receive the graces I need to deeply participate in the holy sacrifice of the Mass. Please help me to desire humility, simplicity, and the spirit of obedience in my walk of …

A workbook-style publication which focuses on learning about Francis from primary sources. Studying the Life constitutes a companion to the Omnibus of Sources . The large format and workbook-style layout makes it useful for all who wish to study the life of St. Francis in the context of his times.  

This warm, richly detailed biography brings the beloved saint alive in all his human and profoundly spiritual dimensions. "God's Fool is a labor of love, a quest to discover the nature of a man who inspired so many throught the ages . . . (Mr. Green) tells it, as he does all the great legends, in detail and with gusto." - New York Times "Green has produces a radiant life of St. …

St. Paul comes to life in this unique collection of meditations by renowned biblical scholar and retired archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini. In simple and moving language, Martini weaves together St. Paul's life, character, and teachings in such a way that we come to know the apostle as a human being with the same hopes and struggles that we have. Cardinal Martini reflects upon …

"Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ. To his saving power open the boundaries of states, economic and political systems, the vast fields of culture, civilization and development. Do not be afraid!" —Pope John Paul II, from Chapter Four By the time Pope John Paul II first spoke the words that became a hallmark of his papacy-"Do not be afraid!"-he had long …

Have you ever wondered just where St. Francis lived, preached and prayed? This book is designed to provide helpful background for interpreting his life and times. It features 11 full-color and five black-and-white maps of Europe, the Italian Peninsula, the Spoleto Valley, and Assisi. A set of classic photos of the countryside around his hometown offers a visitation of the landscape encountered …

“Simply Bonaventure may very well become the standard English introduction to his thought for college and graduate school teachers and students. Ilia Delio’s work combines the adroit use of primary sources, the best of critical commentaries on Bonaventure’s thought, and contemporary questions to take the reader on an exciting journey into the heart of one of the medieval …

"Heaven's doors are wide open and God is doing everything he can to make us all into saints." —from Chapter Eight What would it take for you to become a saint? If you're thinking of quiet cloisters and hours in undisturbed prayer, think again. Real women who became real saints run the gamut from quiet to boisterous, single, married, divorced, post-abortive, social activists, …

A window into the thought and the heart of St. Therese. As Saint Therese lay dying in the Carmel of Lisieux, she overheard a conversation that amused her. Outside her window, two nuns were discussing what they could write in her obituary that could possibly be of any interest, since the twenty-four-year-old nun had never done anything worth noting. Therese was pleased, for she had always kept …

Contributors: Regis Armstrong, Margaret Carney, Lawrence S. Cunningham, Michael Cusato Jay Hammond, Marilyn Hammond, Wayne Hellman, Timothy J. Johnson Daniel Michaels, Ingrid Peterson, William Short The four volume publication of Francis of Assisi: Early Documents (1999-2002) is an indispensable resource for all who study Saint Francis and the religious communities and traditions he …

Celebrate the Pauline Year with this new book to be published in August 2008. The teachings of the letters of St. Paul permeate just about everything Christians believe and practice, but many of us know very little about this great apostle of the Church. In Meeting St. Paul Today , one of the most respected scholars in the Catholic faith, Fr. Daniel Harrington, SJ, brings the letters of Paul …

Dianne Marie Traflet, J.D., S.T.D. This is no ordinary saint biography! Pulling from Edith Stein’s own writings, Traflet infuses this biography with Stein’s spirituality: carrying light into the world and understanding human suffering. The result is a deeply moving and readable book that is sure to inspire those familiar with Edith Stein’s life and work and new readers alike. …

Light From Light An Anthology of Christian Mysticism - Second Edition Louis Dupre James A. Wiseman, OSB This revised edition of Light from Light brings together selections from twenty-three of the most important Christian mystics, from Origen of Alexandria in the third century to Thomas Merton in the twentieth. It has five new persons not included in the first edition and completely updated …

This book provides new translations of Clare's writings and related primary sources, revised and new introductions from earlier editions, as well as previously unpublished documents to chronicle her life. "This volume takes a big step toward making Clare and her story accessible to a wide audience. General readers and those beginning with the voice of Clare in her writings. Poor Clares …

Inspiration and wisdom for every day of the year. The inspiring stories of 365 holy men and women-from the best known to some of the most obscure-come to life in an engaging collection of biographical profiles, quotations from the saints themselves, meditations, and prayers. Voices of the Saints opens with an instruction from Saint Philip Neri: "The best preparation for prayer is to read …

Taken from the acclaimed and best-selling Francis of Assisi: Early Documents set, this collection contains Saint Bonaventure’s Major and Minor Legends of Saint Francis as well as his Sermons about Saint Francis . Bonaventure, the Seraphic Doctor, writing about Francis, the Seraphic Saint: such is the nature of this volume. The enigmatic Pseudo-Dionysius considered seraphs …

Teresa of Avila was declared a doctor of the church because of her reform efforts, the profundity of her writings about the spiritual life, and her dynamic faith and love. With her ability to combine common sense and deep mysticism, Teresa shows us what it means to be persons alive in our own culture who enter into the depths of our own life and heart and find God there. Part of the Companions …

The Life of Teresa of Avila, in her own words. She was the last person anyone would have expected to become a nun, yet she became one of the most famous nuns of all time. She was a brilliant administrator in a world where such vocations were all but closed to women. And above all she combined an astonishing proclivity for ecstatic union with God with down-to-earth practicality and good humor. …

John Henry Cardinal Newman This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other …

John Udris “Saint Thérèse of Lisieux presents a beautiful profile of biblical boldness—parrhesia. She puts flesh and blood on this unfamiliar concept, giving it life and form for contemporary Christians. It’s not simply the contours of her spirituality that illustrate the rich content of this New Testament term: she actually seems to embody, in a singular way, …

Description:   Written by a long-time friend and associate of Mother Teresa, this work features nearly 100 of Mother Teresa's favorite prayers, including many of her own works. Covering a variety of issues and situations, these prayers demonstrate Mother Teresa's spiritual mission: to spread peace and love throughout the world. Hardcover

The author studies various aspects of Bonaventure's mystical world view, leading to an understanding of his relevance to contemporary issues such as individualism and relatedness, peace and violence, and the problems of the created world's relationship to the person who seeks to love God in all and above all.

A look into Clare's experience of intimacy with Christ, and a pursuit in understanding and appreciating her vision of gospel leads Benet Fonck to examine the seemingly poetic words of Clare to St. Agnes of Prague; words that describe her relationship with Christ and all the values and behaviors that emanate from this relationship, words that convey the real-life experience of St. Clare.

Fr. Seraphim Michalenko, MIC, says of this book: "Purest of All Lilies is an in-depth study by Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, of the very special relationship between the Virgin Mary and St. Faustina. I strongly recommend this book to devotees of The Divine Mercy. Its value is the way the author explores the role the Blessed Mother, by God's design, played in the forming and perfecting of St. …