How do you respond to the universal call to holiness required by the Church? How do you overcome human weakness in the face of trials and tribulations? What do you do to resist the temptation to desperation or resentment over personal failure, ineffectualness and other hard things in the spiritual life?
The Struggle For Sanctity Digitally recorded and available now on five CDs or cassettes, the classic work Saints for Sinners by the renowned spiritual writer Alban Goodier, S.J. is sure to inspure you with true stories of saints who were every bit as human as you in their struggle to attain sanctity. Written precicely to inspire us even when our sins oppress us and we are tempted to lose hope, Fr. Goodier focuses his unique talents as a gifted author and distinguished spiritual director on the humanity of these saints rather than on the sanctity that is built upon that humanity.
Beautifully read by professional voice-over artist Peggy Normandin, Saints for Sinners powerfully reminds us that the saints had their weaknesses, too. And aptly demonstrates the truth that it is precisely in our frailty, failings and struggles that "virtue is made perfect in weakness."
Keen Insights Really a concise collection of brief but beneficial biographies of nine Catholic men and women who were ultimately raised to the altars of the Church, Saints for Sinners will introduce you to flesh-and-blood individuals who faced real temptations, flaws of character and periods of spiritual dryness, to emerge as proof positive that there is no condition of life that God's grace cannot reach, and none so low or humble that He cannot make it worthy of Himself.
You'll experience a rekindling of the spiritual spark within as Goodier's unique style and keen insights combine with the inspiring facts of the saintly lives of such profound examples of faith as Ss. Augustine, Joseph of Cupertino, Claude La Columbiere, Margaret of Cortona, John of the Cross, Francis Xavier and more. Order today and discover the fulfillment of St. Paul's words, "The foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the wise, and the weak things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the strong."
Profile
His father was a pagan who converted on his death bed; his mother was Saint Monica, a devout Christian. Trained in Christianity, he lost his faith in youth and led a wild life. Lived with a Carthaginian woman from the age of 15 through 30. Fathered a son whom he named Adeotadus, which means the gift of God. Taught rhetoric at Carthage and Milan. After investigating and experimenting with several philosophies, he became a Manichaean for several years; it taught of a great struggle between good and evil, and featured a lax moral code. A summation of his thinking at the time comes from his Confessions: "God, give me chastity and continence - but not just now."
Augustine finally broke with the Manichaeans and was converted by the prayers of his mother and the help of Saint Ambrose of Milan, who baptized him. On the death of his mother he returned to Africa, sold his property, gave the proceeds to the poor, and founded a monastery. Monk. Priest. Preacher. Bishop of Hippo in 396. Founded religious communities. Fought Manichaeism, Donatism, Pelagianism and other heresies. Oversaw his church and his see during the fall of the Roman Empire to the Vandals. Doctor of the Church. His later thinking can also be summed up in a line from his writings:
Our hearts were made for You, O Lord, and they are restless until they rest in you.
Born
13 November 354 at Tagaste, Numidia, North Africa (Souk-Ahras, Algeria) as Aurelius Augustinus
Died
28 August 430 at Hippo
Canonized
Pre-Congregation
Patronage
brewers
Bridgeport, Connecticut, diocese of
Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
Ida, Philippines, diocese of
Isleta Indian Pueblo
Kalamazoo Michigan, diocese of
printers
Saint Augustine, Florida, city of
Saint Augustine, Florida, diocese of
sore eyes
Superior, Wisconsin, diocese of
theologians
Tucson, Arizona, diocese of
Valletta, Malta
Patron Of:
Apostleship Of Prayer, Australia, Borneo, China, Emigrants, Hospital Administrators, Immigrants, Missionaries, Missions, Domestic, Missions, Foreign, New Zealand, Winemakers
Profile Nobleman from the Basque reqion. Studied and taught philosophy at the University of Paris, and planned a career as a professor. Friend of Saint Ignatius of Loyola who convinced him to use his talents to spread the Gospel. One of the founding Jesuits, and the first Jesuit missionary. Priest.
In Goa, while waiting to take ship, India, he preached in the street, worked with the sick, and taught children their catechism. He would walk through the streets ringing a bell to call the children to their studies. Said to have converted the entire city.
He scolded his patron, King John of Portugal, over the slave trade: "You have no right to spread the Catholic faith while you take away all the country's riches. It upsets me to know that at the hour of your death you may be ordered out of paradise."
Tremendously successful missionary for ten years in India, the East Indies, and Japan, baptizing more than 40,000. His epic finds him dining with head hunters, washing sores of lepers in Venice, teaching catechism to Indian children, baptizing 10,000 in a single month. He tolerated the most appalling conditions on long sea voyages, enduring extremes of heat and cold. Wherever he went he would seek out and help the poor and forgotten. He traveled thousands of miles, most on his bare feet, and he saw the greater part of the Far East. Had the gift of tongues. Miracle worker. Raised people from the dead. Calmed storms. Prophet. Healer.
Born 1506 at Javier, Spanish Navarre
Died 2 December 1552 at Sancian, China of a fever contracted on a mission journey
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