This is a collection of G. K. Chesterton's provocative writings on a subject close to his heart-the family, and the corresponding themes of men and women, children, sex, marriage and divorce. The family was a central element in Chesterton's vision, a unifying theme of his literary work. His eloquent defense of the sacredness of the home is even more applicable in our times because of the …

In one series, the original writings of the universally acknowledged teachers of the Catholic, Protestant, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, Islamic and Native American traditions have been critically selected, translated and introduced by internationally recognized scholars and spiritual leaders. I abandoned and forgot myself Laying my face on my beloved; All things ceased; I went out from …

Francis (c. 1182-1226) and Clare (c. 1193-1254) together shaped the spirituality of early 13th-century Europe.  Here for the first time in English are their complete writings, brought together in one volume.

In The Beginning:  A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger These five superb homilies by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, one of today ' s most significant Catholic theologians, provide a clear and biblically based explanation of the Genesis creation narratives. While the stories of the creation of the world and of the fall of human-kind have …

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-11530), one of Christianity's greatest mystics and father of what was perhaps the most influencial new monastic order of the Middle Ages - Cistercians - devoted eighteen years of his life to his literary masterpiece, Sermons on the Song of Songs. Although the Song of Songs , a brief book in the Old Testament, contains no explicit mention of God, the passionate love …

Athanasius (c. 295-373), Bishop of Alexandria, spiritual master and theologian, was a major figure of 4th-century Christendom.  The Life of Antony is one of the foremost classics of asceticism.  The Letter to Marcellinus is an introduction to the spiritual sense of the Psalms.

This is a collection of three important essays written by St. Thomas More.

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger Are liturgy and prayer important in an age of political crisis and technological manipulation of human life?  Yes, declares Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI.  Genuine worship of God involves the sacred liturgy and prayer.  Only if man authentically worships God will true human dignity be protected, and the principles and the power to resolve the …

St. Bernard of Clairvaux Translated and with a foreword by G.R. Evans Born in Fontaines-lès-Dijon in 1090, Bernard had become, by his twenty-fifth birthday, the abbot of a Cistercian monastery which he had founded in the valley of Clairvaux near Aube, France, some four years earlier. There in those isolated and rugged surroundings he became the spokesman for a revival of monastic life in an …

A one-of-a-kind anthology of the most significant and timeless writings of the Catholic Church from the first through the twentieth centuries. The Heart of Catholicism: Essential Writings of the Church from St. Paul to John Paul II is a font of inspiration and information for all Christians. Presented in historical order, the entries contain information about the authors as well as excerpts …

Cardinal John Henry Newman John Henry Newman, the most seminal of modern Catholic theologians, is often called "the Father of the Second Vatican Council," the teachings of which he anticipated in so many ways, especially in his ecclesiology, with its emphasis on the role of the laity, but also in his theory of the development doctrine, his ecumenism, and his concern for the renewal of …

Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), mystic and Doctor of the Church, wrote The Dialogue , her crown9780809122332 ing spiritual work for "the instruction and encouragement of all those whose spiritual welfare was her concern."

St. Francis de Sales St. Jane de Chantal Offered here in fresh translation are the letters of spiritual direction of two seventeenth century mystical writers, Francis de Sales and Jane de Chantal. These letters show us the daily attempts of laity, clergy, cloistered religious, bishops, and obscure windows to live in the authentic spirit of Jesus, and will speak not only to the historian of the …

St. Gregory of Nyssa This great spiritual master of the fourth century was born as the general persecution of Christians was ending. One of the Greek Cappadocian Fathers (the other two were Gregory's brother, St. Basil the Great, and their mutual friend, St. Gregory Nazianzen), Gregory has come to be regarded increasingly as the most brilliant and subtle thinker and most profound mystical …

Hans Urs von Balthasar In this final volume, Balthasar reflects on the New Testament vision of God's revelation of his glory in Christ. In Christ's incarnation and resurrection the Christian vision is truly expressed and the joining of God and the world in the new and eternal covenant is realized.

St. Bonaventure - The Soul's Journey into God, The Tree of Life, The Life of St. Francis Translation and introduction by Ewert Cousins, preface by Ignatius Brady, O.F.M. "But if you wish to know how these things come about ask grace not instruction, desire not understanding, the groaning of prayer not diligent reading, the Spouse not the teacher, God not man, darkness not clarity, not light …

Hans Urs von Balthasar This is von Balthasar's study of the biblical vision and understanding of God's glory. Starting with the theophanies of the Patriarchal period, with the appearance of the divine glory in the sensible world, it shows how such glory is most fully expressed in the graciousness of the Covenant relationship as God allows Israel to enjoy his justice, peace and truth. But the …

Hans Urs von Balthasar The fourth volume in von Balthasar's essays is built around the theme of Spirit and Institution, the two central features of the Church which Balthasar approaches from different angles. The third volume is built around the theme of the Holy Spirit as the Creator Spirit. The first volume was constructed around the mid-point of the Word become man, and the second volume …

St. Catherine of Genoa Translated with notes by Serge Hughes Introduction by Benedict J. Groeschel Catherine, who lived for 60 years and died early in the 16th century, leads the modern reader directly to the more significant issues of the day. In her life she reconciled aspects of spirituality often seen to be either mutually exclusive or in conflict. This married lay woman was both a mystic …

Here are selected writings of Alphonsus de Liguori (1696-1787)--saint, bishop, founder of the Redemptorists, and Doctor of the Church.  These writings touch on many different areas:  spirituality, spiritual direction, devotion; prayer and moral theology.

Von Balthasar explores the main streams of metaphysics which have developed since the `catastrophe' of Nominalism, with its denial of the divine light in creation. Three paths have been taken, each with its own dangers. In a series of studies of representative mystic theologians, philosophers and poets, glory is traced through such figures as Eckhart, Ignatius, de Sales; the attempt to …

St. John Vianney Composed when he was a young priest, The Sermons of the Cure of Ars constitutes one of the most powerful Saints' writings in the literature of the Church. Covering a wide range of vital moral and doctrinal issues for the average layman, St. John Vianney probes quickly, incisively and with total candor into the various sins we are prone to commit and that we might make excuses …

Pilgrim Fellowship of Faith Cardinal Ratzinger is perhaps the most visible member of the Catholic clergy in the world, second only to the Pope. In addition, his status as the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has made him one of the most controversial churchmen in recent history. On the occasion of the Cardinal's seventy-fifth birthay, his former students have selected …

Hans Urs von Balthasar The first of four volumes of von Balthasar's many essays and conferences. Each focuses on a specific aspect of theology or spirituality and presents it with all the richness which comes from his immense erudition, but in a style that is directed and intelligible since few of these essays were intended for scholarly audiences. These volumes present a rare opportunity to …

One of the great Catholic philosophers of our day reflects on the way language has been abused so that, instead of being a means of communicating the truth and entering more deeply into it, and of the acquisition of wisdom, it is being used to control people and manipulate them to achieve practical ends. Reality becomes intelligible through words. Man speaks so that through naming things, what …

Hans Urs von Balthasar Surveys the understanding of the transcendental, "the beautiful" in ancient literature and philosophy.

Hans Urs von Balthasar In this volume, von Balthasar looks at the Church, ``the Bride of Christ," as both unspotted and unfaithful, the Church of saints and of sinners. He goes through Scripture and tradition looking at both sides of the Church and what they mean.

St. Augustine of Hippo: Selected Writings Translated and introduced by Mary T. Clark Augustine of Hippo (354-430), bishop, philosopher, and Doctor of the Church whose thought molded the Western theological tradition, is clearly one of the most influential figures in the history of the Church. At the heart of his brilliant philosophical and theological speculation is his spirituality-a …

St. Vincent de Paul St. Louise de Marillac This volume presents the principal spiritual teachings of Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac, the two Vincentian founders who left an indelible mark on the Church of France in the 1600s and beyond to the present. The collaboratively written, multi-part introduction locates Vincent and Louise within the framework of the spirituality of …

Hans Urs von Balthasar Volume two gives us a series of monographs designed to illustrate the different ways in which theologians have shaped their works.  

Hans Urs von Balthasar A continuation of monographs in Volume II in which the aesthetical dimension of theology, its intrinsic beauty, is traced through some of the great Christian thinkers of modern times.

St. Robert Bellarmine Edited by John Patrick Donnelly, SJ, and Roland J. Teske, SJ  There are few figures in the history of the Church that have had such a wide-ranging effect on the religious life of their age as Robert Bellarmine. Born in Tuscany in 1542, he entered the Society of Jesus at the height of the Counter-Reformation. His first major work, The Controversies, was published in …

Hans Urs von Balthasar In this third book, Balthasar presents various ways in which something of the Creator Spirit should be experienced through his manifestations: in the way in which he leads human persons to the living God ("Faith"), in the way in which he distinguishes the spirits of this time ("Crisis"), in the way in which he initiates into the mystery of the Incarnate One ("Night"), in …

Leon J. Suprenant, Jr., editor Servants of the Gospel is a collection of essays by American bishops on the bishop’s role in the Church today. Written in anticipation of the Synod (worldwide gathering) of Bishops scheduled for the Year 2000 to discuss this very topic, these essays are geared to helping all people understand the unique and challenging task of the successors of the apostles. This …

An Essay on the Devleopment of Christian Doctrine , reprinted from the 1888 imprint, “is rightly regarded as one of the most seminal theological works ever to be written,” states Ian Ker in his foreword. “It remains,” Ker continues, "the classic text for the theology of the development of doctrine, a branch of theology which has become especially important in the …

Elisabeth Leseur Edited by Janet K. Ruffing This volume, the first in the highly praised Classics of Western Spirituality series to venture into the 20th century, introduces the writings of Elisabeth Leseur (1800-1914), a French laywoman who left a precious record of a remarkable inner spiritual journey that was all but hidden from those who knew her. Leseur confronted the twin challenges of …

Hans Urs von Balthasar Von Balthasar presents one of the few serious studies available on the thought of one of the most important, and yet most neglected Fathers of the Church, Gregory of Nyssa. He was the most profound Greek philosopher of the Christian era, a mystic and an incomparable poet whom St. Maximus designated as the "Universal Doctor" and the Second Council of Nicaea declared him …

One thing in this world is different from all other. It has a personality and a force. It is recognized and (when recognized) most violently loved or hated. It is the Catholic Church. Within that household the human spirit has roof and hearth. Outside it, is the night." This statement from "A Letter to Dean Inge" encapsules the spirit of Essays of A Catholic by the great Catholic historian and …

With the original preface by Hilaire Belloc Flee To The Fields is a collection of essays by the leaders of the Catholic Land Movement which flourished in England and Scotland during the quarter century just prior to the Second World War. It was and remains: a challenge to all those attempting a Faustian bargain with modern, industrial "civilization"; an inspiration for those seeking the vision …

Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger Cardinal Ratzinger wrote this book in response to the dialogue going on today concerning theology and the clarification of its methods, its mission and its limits which he thinks has become urgent. Ratzinger states: "To do theology-as the Magisterium understands theology-it is not sufficient merely to calculate how much religion can reasonably be expected of man and …

G.K. Chesterton A collection of five powerful essays by Chesterton in defense of Catholicism and the Catholic Church. Unique because most of his writings do not deal specifically with religion or the Catholic Church. However, here he directly addresses the teachings of the Church and objections to them. It also includes his inspiring and moving commentary on the Stations of the Cross, along …

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin "Should not shepherds feed the sheep?" (Ezek. 34.2).  Bishop Thomas Tobin of Youngstown offers solid spiritual food in this collection of award-winning essays.  Drawing lessons on personal spirituality from sources as varied as Sacred Scripture and the parish parking lot, Bishop Tobin will inspire you to follow Christ more closely and grow in love and …

John Baptiste de La Salle Carl Koch This volume in the Classics of Western Spirituality makes available to a broad readership a selection of the core writings of John Baptist de La Salle (1651-1719), a French priest and educator who changed the face of education in his time and whose reforms continue to influence the ways we educate our children today. Born to a wealthy family, de La Salle …

Hans Urs von Balthasar Hans Urs von Balthasar prepared this overview of the theology and spirituality of Henri de Lubac, whom he calls friend and master, on the occasion of the latters's eightieth birthday. Beginning with personal reflections drawn from the then unpublished pages of "memoirs" which de Lubac placed in his hands, von Balthasar offers a review of all the major works of de Lubac. …

Henri de Lubac, S.J. The unique insight and impressive scholarship of the eminent French theologian Cardinal Henri de Lubac are clearly evident in this volume of collected articles and essays. An article of great timeliness on the priesthood according to St. John Chrysostom as well as an important study of the long debate over the salvation of Origen are among the texts included in the first …

A sequel to "The Death of Christian Culture," this spiritual treatise covers social, cultural, and political topics. It explores the importance of religious knowledge and faith to the health of a culture, provides a historical sketch of the change in cultural and educational standards over the last two centuries, and illustrates how literary and other visual arts either contribute to …

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 …

The doctrine of deification came under challenge during the Reformation. Likewise, Orthodox Christians have sometimes charged that Roman Catholic teachings on deification lack coherence. In light of these divisions, Daniel Keating eloquently explores biblical and patristic testimony to deification and provides a sure guide into its mysteries. Human beings come to share in the Trinitarian life, …

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 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 …