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An Exorcist Explains the Demonic: The Antics of Satan and His Army of Fallen Angels is a gripping and insightful book written by Gabriele Amorth. Published by SOPHIA INST PR in 2016, this book delves into the genre of supernatural and religious beliefs. Gabriele Amorth, a renowned exorcist, shares his knowledge and experiences on the demonic world, providing a comprehensive understanding of Satan and his fallen angels. This book is not just a fascinating read, but also a guide for those seeking to understand the complex world of the supernatural. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the dynamics of good versus evil. From the publisher SOPHIA INST PR, this is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, while expanding your understanding of the unseen world.

"'The world is too small,' Saint Frances Cabrini (1850-1917) once declared. 'I would like to embrace it all, to reach every corner.' This compelling, authoritative biography chronicles the astounding life of a petite Italian-born religious sister who, with the heart of a missionary, conquered all odds to become the first American citizen canonized a saint. Theodore Maynard traces Cabrini's journey from her humble beginnings in northern Italy to her pioneering mission across the United States serving the poor and the sick on a massive scale. Between her work with immigrants (in New York, Denver, Chicago, Seattle, New Orleans, and beyond), her building of schools, orphanages, and hospitals, and her founding of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Mother Cabrini's entrepreneurial work would change the course of American history, marking it with Christ's mercy. Maynard draws his material directly from the official files for Cabrini's canonization, from her letters, and from interviews with Missionary Sisters who were close to her. What emerges from this complex portrait is a woman of boundless compassion, courage, and energy, whose legacy continues to inspire people around the world today"--Amazon.co

A humble prayer calls down fire from above, and as we learn to live a life rooted in prayer, this heavenly fire grows into a profound awareness of the presence of God. This is the deepest purpose of prayer, and making this journey is essential for reaching the heights of holiness for which we were made. In "Fire From Above," Dr. Anthony Lilles, Academic Dean at St. John's Seminary in California, shows you how to put your whole life in conversation with the Risen Lord within the Catholic tradition of spirituality. The wisdom of great saints and mystics will help you discover how to surrender your pride and appeal to God with humble trust, and how prayer addresses your deepest human needs. Dr. Lilles then shows you how the mystery of prayer unfolds, and how God provides heroic levels of courage and deep internal resolve through humble and persevering devotion. You'll examine how spiritual battles and dryness in prayer are essential to reaching communion with God, including the dark night of the soul. In these remarkable pages, you'll also explore: Why finding time to pray is always possible and necessary even when life is busy How the proper use of sacramentals can render the heart more vulnerable to God's saving power while protecting it from evil. Practical ways to confront self-deception and other challenges to contemplative prayer. How forgiveness and bearing hardships are means for spiritual maturity The indispensible role of Our Lady in the life of faith Read these pages, and you'll soon embark on the epic adventure which is the life of prayer, and you'll find encouragement to desire neither the goods nor the experiences of this world, but instead to pursue alone the Lord and His divine plan for your life.

In wise and consoling letters written to a mother sorrowing over the death of her child, Fr. Franois Ren Blot, S.J., summons the Church's greatest saints who testify with one voice that death's wound, though grievous, separates us but a short while from those who have died before us. Acknowledging that profound sorrow at the death of a loved one is appropriate, Fr. Blot nonetheless gives us reasons to be joyful even in the midst of our sorrow: not only will we be reunited with our loved ones in heaven, but we can also look forward to our friendships being perfect, free of all selfishness and regrets. Moreover, the saints say, in heaven we will love and know the love of countless souls we never met on earth, our Guardian Angel, and all the choirs of angels! Soon after it was written, a Catholic Cardinal called this book "a pearl set in the fine gold of the doctrine of the Fathers" and a newspaper declared that it "deserves a distinguished place in all Christian libraries and should be on the table of every pious family that faithfully preserves the memory of its deceased members." Let the saints' testimonies in these beautiful pages assuage your grief and renew your hope! Let them increase your gratitude for the sacrifice of Christ whose death on the Cross opened heaven for us, and made these heavenly reunions possible!

In its mother's womb, a tiny baby grows, explores the waters, and talks with the angel who is there. These gentle illustrations and wise words tell the story of that baby and the angel in the waters . . . a story that delights all children, because the journey from conception to birth is their story, too.

She's the simple peasant girl they call the Queen of Heaven. She's the Lord's humble servant, yet an icon of womanly strength. She's ever virgin and the mother of all. Sinners fly to her, but an angel bowed! She's Mary, the mother of Jesus: the most recognized woman in history. And the most misunderstood! Many Protestants grudgingly acknowledge that someone had to bear the Savior, but they otherwise regard Mary as an ordinary, sinful woman. Even if you're a Catholic who grew up with a statue of Mary next to your bed, you probably don't understand her as well as you think or should. Do you know the Church's four essential Marian doctrines? Do you know how these doctrines are rooted in Scripture and Sacred Tradition? Can you explain to others the difference between the Immaculate Conception and the Virgin Birth? Can you share the messages and secrets of Mary's most famous apparitions? Meet Mary: Getting to Know the Mother of God is a slim volume written by renowned Marian expert Mark Miravalle, and it will help you answer these questions and more! After reading these pages, you'll know the faithful truth about this woman of contradictions: everything the Bible says about her, what the early Christians believed, and each of the key teachings the Church has proclaimed about her for 2,000 years! Even more important for Mary herself desires to be known intimately, not academically you'll learn how to enter into a personal relationship with her. You'll come to regard her not as a distant and unapproachable figure in the heavens, but as a real friend and mother. Most of all, you'll become a better disciple of Jesus. For the Son commands us to imitate Him in all things including perfect love of His Mother.

St. Francis de Sales carried a copy of this book in his pocket for 18 years! Its wisdom formed his soul; it inspired him to a life of the deepest devotion, and ultimately it helped him become one of the Church's greatest saints. Now this book can do the same thing for you. It's no longer fashionable to speak of the Christian life as a "battle," but there's actually no better way to describe the tug-of-war for your soul that's raging right now between the forces of light and darkness. Here, Dom Lorenzo Scupoli helps you take your proper part in this spiritual battle so that you can win decisively the war for your soul. This book has been loved by saints and sinners alike ever since it was written four hundred years ago. Why? Because it offers sensible advice to help you overcome spiritual obstacles and achieve spiritual perfection. Not only what, but how! Best of all, Spiritual Combat doesn't just tell you what you ought to be doing in order to live a truly Christian life it also shows you how to do it. These directions include: -Seven reflections to help you be sorry for sinning -Twelve ways to think about death they'll help you live better today! -Prayer: seven ways to achieve its full benefits -What to do when prayer is dry and burdensome . . . or simply impossible -With wise spiritual guidance like this and much more, you'll soon be winning all your spiritual battles battles that most people concede without a fight!

Rescued from obscurity after a full century out-of-print, My Daily Visit with the Saints brings you the sure, strong voices of over 65 saints and servants of God, spiritual giants who guided the Faithful from the time of the Apostles to the late 1800s and will help guide you today. In their days, soundbites had not yet drowned out the authentic voice of the Church and saints could preach boldly and without compromise Her unadulterated, perennial teachings. Rare are such occasions today, which is why, for your spiritual well-being (and for ours!), we have rescued from obscurity this grand collection of brief but telling passages from so many saints and servants of God, gathering them into 139 vital topics that serve not only as material for daily meditation but also constitute a monumental compendium of Catholic faith and life. In its nearly 400 eloquent pages, the strong, clear voices of the saints clarify doctrine and instruct in the authentic ways of devotion those who yearn to serve God wholeheartedly. Before your regular prayers, open for just a few moments My Daily Visit with the Saints or turn to it anytime you can carve out a moment or two for God. Therein you will find prayerful meditations, sure protection against sudden temptations, and lucid answers to sharp questions about the Faith. In a word, this one rich volume will serve you as a deep catechism, a spur to conscience, and a call to prayer. Let your daily visit with God's faithful servants breathe into you a strong new spirit of piety and devotion, and bring you the everlasting consolation known only to those who stay close to Jesus in all that they do.

Few books can provide such a penetrating, close encounter with a major Catholic event as Fr. McGlynn's Vision of Fatima. In these fascinating pages, Fr. McGlynn tells the remarkable story of his time with Sr. Lucia one of three witnesses of Our Lady's apparition near Fatima as she directed him in his sculpting the famed statue we know as Our Lady of Fatima. Fr. Tom's first encounter with Sr. Lucia was in 1947, thirty years after she and two other shepherd children witnessed the apparition of our Blessed Mother. He brought to her his initial sculpture which he had created in the United States, asking for her blessing and approval. But she refused, claiming it was all wrong. Fr. McGlynn protested that he be allowed to show artistic expression in the statue, but Sr. Lucia would have none of it. Fr. Tom remained at the Convent of Coimbra in Portugal to sculpt a new statue under Sr. Lucia's direction. She insisted Our Lady's hands be positioned just so, the tunic fall exactly the way she remembered, the star placed on the proper spot on the tunic, and the ball of light around her neck reaching almost to her waist. She would make corrections as he worked, and at times would even take one of the tools and make changes to his model. This book is Fr. Tom's account of his time with Sr. Lucia, her explanation of the messages of Fatima, and the spiritual meaning of the apparitions. There is no more fascinating and insightful book than this first-hand account of the Dominican priest who worked under the direction of a poor Portuguese nun who saw and spoke to Our Lady.

EWTN television host, Johnnette Benkovic, offers strategies to help you fulfill your most fundamental vocation in life: to grow in holiness and to be conformed to the image of God. Using Scripture and the teachings of Church, as well as the writings of the greatest saints and popes, Johnnette offers practical advice for developing a strategy that integrates into your life those spiritual principles that mark the interior life and will lead your soul to heaven.

"Do we believe that Jesus can heal us and bring us back from the dead?"Pope Francis Healing, in a word, is resurrection. "He forgives all your inequities, He heals all your diseases, He redeems your life from the pit, He crowns you with steadfast love and mercy" (Ps 103:3-4). Here retreat master, Ignatian trained spiritual director and author Kathleen Beckman offers a guide for a personal or group healing retreat based on Divine Mercy in Scripture and in the lives of the Saints. Beckman skillfully helps us to see how the "rays of divine mercy" heal families, marriages, the sick, poor, suffering, friends, enemies, laity, clergy, our vocations, doubters, believers, those with diabolical suffering, sinners, saints, the unborn, the elderly, children, the Church and the whole world. Each chapter concludes with a "profile in mercy" a reflection on a saint who was a vessel of mercy including Blessed Mother Teresa, St. John Paul II, Cardinal Francis-Xavier Nguyen, Venerable Conchita Cabrera, St. Maria Goretti, St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Gianna Molla, St. Faustina, St. Peter and the Virgin Mary. Also contained in this book are scriptural spiritual exercises for healing: From unforgiveness to forgiveness From fear to trust From anxiety to peace From shame to mercy From pride to humility From powerlessness to prayer From sin-sickness to the Eucharist From spiritual weakness to the Beatitudes From worldliness to works of mercy From spiritual warfare to Christ's victory Healing the culture through works of mercy Believers long and desperately need to encounter the living, joyful, truthful majestic face of the Father of Mercyhealer and lover of humanity. These pages lead to a healing encounter.

Based on his study of great theologians and philosophers dating back to Aristotle, eminent philosopher and physicist Rev. Dr. Robert Spitzer devised his Four Levels of Happiness, asserting that whichever level dominates our lives will dictate our actions and determine the depth and endurance of our happiness. Incorporating examples from science, philosophy, psychology, and everyday life, Spitzer engagingly lays out achievable ways to ascend the ladder of happiness and find the fulfillment of all your desires.Whether you are religiously minded or a skeptic, you will explore the fascinating relationship between science and the transcendent and gain keys to attaining the heights of joy. You will discover: Four questions that will help you determine where you are on the happiness scale The essential ingredient for level-one happiness The endless loop people get stuck in with level-two happiness The keys to level-three happiness and what goes into deciding to move to level four Nine questions to ask yourself about others that will enlighten your mind and change your lifeYou will also learn about five transcendental desires that pull you up toward the fourth level of happiness and five cosmic inadequacies that drive you beyond the world of the senses.Through the lens of science, Spitzer sheds light on the origins of the universe and man and the benefits of supernatural faith. Additionally, he explains three types of prayer and methods for developing a personal relationship with the Creator to find lasting and authentic joy.Most significantly, you will find what it truly means to reach the level of transcendence. As you learn practical tips based on Ignatius of Loyola's Rules of Discernment, you will be empowered to live an enlightened, purposeful, joyous life. Above all, through Spitzer's logical, systematic reasoning you will see the beauty of Providence at work in you and how to open your heart to the power of love.

Imagine if you were privileged enough to sit beside Our Lady and hear from her very lips the story of Jesus' birth and suffering. In these short, moving reflections, told from the perspective of the Blessed Mother to a child, readers young and old will experience a depth of love for God and closeness to Mary's tender heart such as they have never felt before.Patrick O' Hearn masterfully guides you through Our Lady's Seven Sorrows with brief Scripture passages, meditations, and prayers for each mystery. He revives the age-old practice of praying seven Hail Marys daily in honor of Our Lady's Seven Sorrows, one of the simplest yet most powerful and grace-releasing devotions in the Catholic Church that every Catholic child should know and practice.As Our Lady speaks to your soul through these stirring reflections, accompanied by breathtaking illustrations by Adalee Hude, she will help you: Overcome any fear, worry, or doubtDevelop virtues such as courage, faith, and perseveranceImitate the Holy Family in practicing obedience, trust, and fidelityReflect on the life of Jesus from His birth through His PassionGrow in grace and hope in Jesus' ResurrectionThis book also contains a collection of traditional prayers in both English and Latin as well as four original prayers by Fr. Chad Ripperger that children can pray daily in gratitude to grow closer to Our Lady and for their vocation and protection.

One of the most diabolical lies of all time is that the devil doesn't exist. When we lose sight of the reality of the devil's existence, our souls are in peril because we become defenseless in a battle we don't even realize is being fought. The opposite view can also be insidious, as is increasingly clear in our age of rising obsession with the allurements of evil and the occult. In this preeminent collection of more than thirty historical, literary, philosophical, and psychological essays from esteemed authors, the nature and role of Satan are exposed, and the highest card he has to play against the world is revealed. This classic compendium is divided into five sections: "Satan's Existence and Nature," "The Place of the Devil outside Christianity," "Possession and Diabolism," "The Devil in Art and Literature," and "Deicide." Through these themes, you will learn how to discern when and where the devil is lurking, and ways to avoid his snares. You will also discover: How precisely the evil one leads us into temptation and sin Three remedies against the devil's tactics according to St. John of the Cross Ways St. Teresa of Ávila was victorious over the enemy's lies and "flies" How pagan religions view evil and demonic influence in the world How the greatest deceptions and evils enter the soulIn addition, you will see what the Scriptures, Church Fathers and other spiritual writers -- including many saints -- said about the devil's existence and ploys. You'll be absorbed by fascinating true stories from those who were possessed and delivered from evil spirits and by mysterious phenomena from dream demons, to pseudo-possession, to the Church's view of witchcraft throughout history. Moreover, you will discover the connection between body, mind, and spirit in cases of possession and oppression, as well as the role of medicine in determining whether a person is authentically possessed. You will also observe how even in situations where an individual is not possessed, Satan may be working to hinder that person's health and happiness. Above all, you will see that amid the darkness, there is hope. While we must always be on guard against the enemy's snares, victory is ensured when we take refuge in Christ's Precious Blood.

After the Holy Land and Rome, Santiago de Compostela draws more pilgrims than any other place in the world. For the first time for English-speaking readers, a priest-pastor chronicles the month-long life and times of a pilgrim on this storied walk. In an account both profound and delightful, Fr. Greg Markey relates the challenges he endured and the consolations he enjoyed along the much-celebrated Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James). Fr. Markey's peaceful journey along the five-hundred-mile trail -- Web-free, phone-free, and television-free -- generated an astonishing array of brief but potent spiritual reflections. Then forty-one years old, Father did not conceal his priesthood, choosing on the contrary to wear the traditional Roman collar. And, unsurprisingly, the fruitful conversations that resulted with pilgrims were reflective, sometimes serious, comforting, and practical. Throughout his arduous trek, as recounted in this book, Fr. Markey displayed both a keen mind and a pastoral heart. His mission was successful but not without incident, as he encountered a wide variety of Christians and unbelievers struggling or lost in personal crises, some reflecting upon great loss or rediscovering Christ as the focus of their lives. There was plenty of private time along the trail as well. Fr. Markey gleaned spiritual lessons for himself and his flock, to whom he wrote, and he chronicled them in a journal. Through his life-changing witness, you will discover: Stories of searching souls who were touched by a word of faith or a small gift Life lessons from the physical difficulties and temptations he endured on the Way How God unexpectedly speaks to us in our need through His Word and through others Why the Camino is a metaphor for life and the ways in which it attunes the soul to Divine Providence The encouraging bond that exists between Catholics from all places, ages, and walks of life You will also learn about the fascinating life of St. James the Greater and miracles of his intercession -- including more than twenty interventions on the battlefield -- as well as the discovery and authentication of his relics. Pope Benedict XVI's 2010 homily at Santiago Cathedral is also featured. "If there is a powerful lesson on the Camino, it is that I am no longer in control; and just when I have no more strength and no more options, He catches me, reminding me He is ultimately in control." -- Fr. Greg Markey

"A valuable contribution to the reflection on the relationship between science and religion, presenting very sound arguments with abundant documentation and a casual style that makes for an enriching and gratifying read." --Fernando Sols, professor of condensed matter physics, Complutense University of Madrid Here is the book you need to challenge atheists and agnostics to defend their ideologies logically and rationally and to fortify your own beliefs. In this distinctive book, which draws from all fields of science, José Carlos González-Hurtado presents a preponderance of empirical evidence for theism in a way that you can easily understand and explains how atheism twists reality to justify its view by "selective skepticism." This thoroughly documented incisive work will strengthen your view of the existence of God, regardless of your beliefs about evolution or lack of religious affiliation. González-Hurtado explains how the majority of mathematicians and scientists who are remembered for remarkable discoveries in mathematics, physics, quantum mechanics, chemistry, cosmology, biology, and more were theists -- and he provides many of their accounts. In these enlightening pages, you will find: How the Second Law of Thermodynamics, cited by Albert Einstein as the most important, points to God Answers about the Big Bang Theory, evolution, and other much-debated questions How NASA explorers confirmed the standard cosmological argument Ways in which mathematical theorems, statistics, and probabilities indicate God's existence Twenty constants that allow us to exist, and seven aspects of St. Anselm's ontological argument for God How St. Augustine's words were verified by scienceIn addition, González-Hurtado illustrates why string theory and multiverses are best left for Hollywood movies, how verified results in cosmic microwave background and other observations verify the creation of the universe, and how multiple attempts to support the "theory of the bouncing universe" are disproved.Although the science behind a Necessary Being is irrefutable, a small but vocal number of scientists refuse to accept the evidence. Some oppressive regimes have gone so far as to persecute or kill those who espouse cosmology, but Hurtado exposes these crimes and debunks their illogical thinking. You will learn the difference between creationism and Intelligent Design and what it really means to live by Darwinian laws. As even Stephen Hawking admitted, "The universe has not always existed; on the contrary, the universe, and time itself, had a beginning with the Big Bang."

Con calidez, comprensión y habilidad pastoral, el P. Timothy Gallagher ofrece aquí una invitación llena de esperanza a todos los que luchan por superarnuestro mayor obstáculo en nuestra vida espiritual: el desánimo.Nuestro enemigo manipula activamente nuestras debilidades, llevándonos astutamente una y otra vez a una angustiosa sensación de desorientación. Pero el P. Gallagher corre las cortinas de las artimañas del diablo, ofreciendo suaves reflexiones que son notablemente eficaces para quitarte las cargas de tu vida espiritual cotidiana.Aprenderás formas prácticas de encontrar la paz en medio de tus luchas espirituales, y encontrar paciencia incluso ante las pruebas más duras. Lo mejor de todo es que aprenderás a sacar beneficio espiritual de las aflicciones que te molestan diariamente.Cada reflexión de estas páginas comienza con una cita del Venerable Bruno Lanteri, el fundador de los Oblatos de la Virgen María, cuya sabiduría ha guiado la espiritualidad extraordinariamente sabia del P. Gallagher. En estas páginas, aprenderás: Qué hacer cuando has llegado al punto de la desesperaciónCómo dejar los pecados, debilidades y decepciones de tu pasado a la misericordia de DiosCómo reconocer al enemigo, incluso cuando se presenta como si fuera bueno La Santa Presunción: qué es, por qué debes desearla y cómo conseguirlaLos cinco beneficios que obtendrás de la Confesión asidua Cómo cada parte de la Misa corresponde a un afecto del corazónCómo evitar la tristeza, la melancolía y la tentación Cómo estar alegre incluso cuando no sientes la alegría Técnicas probadas para combatir los estados negativosde ánimoNo hay que sentir vergüenza de la desolación espiritual. El P. Gallagher nos recuerda que incluso los más grandes santos sufrieron esta aflicción. La clave está en aprender a acercarse a Dios en los momentos más oscuros de la vida.Superar el desánimo espiritual es una llamada a la esperanza... una llamada al consuelo en tiempos de sufrimiento... y una llamada a mantenerse firme en tiempos de aflicción. Lee este libro y aprenderás a entrar en la paz y la alegría sublimes que promete nuestro Señor.

"The guests in this collection each witness to how God reached out to them and opened their minds and hearts to let them know that He was always there, next to them, calling them home." -Marcus Grodi, from the IntroductionPersonal testimonies possess the spiritual dynamism to touch hearts. For over twenty-five years, "The Journey Home" program on EWTN has enjoyed immense success. Here you will find some of the show's finest interviews, including answers to real-life questions posed by viewers. Popular and beloved guests Fr. Benedict Groeschel and Mother Angelica recount their vocational journeys; Scott Hahn testifies to God's mercy at work in his journey to the Catholic Faith; Steven Mosher valiantly defends the Church's teachings on the sanctity of human life; and Alice von Hildebrand recounts the conversion of her brilliant and saintly husband, Dietrich. Host Marcus Grodi's aim is to share personal stories of conversion, hope, and renewal with readers and to help them stay close to Christ and His Church amid life's storms. Thus, Marcus and his guests offer a personal covenant relationship with Christ, covering topics such as spiritual and moral struggles and questions about Scripture, Tradition, and why the Catholic Church possesses the fullness of the truth. In this treasure trove, you will find fascinating stories about miracles, healings, and vocational journeys. You will also learn about: The "second conversion" we are all called to and what it entails The stages of the spiritual life and the secret to progressing to the next level Ways to grow in understanding and fervent devotion for the Mass and daily prayer How to evangelize non-Catholics and "the sacramentalized" Why the Church's doctrine on marriage and family is crucial in modernity Teachings on the Pope, Our Lady, the Holy Eucharist, the Sacraments, and moreThe road to Heaven is steep and narrow and our path doesn't always seem clear. However, as you read the powerful stories of these faithful witnesses and walk with them on their transforming journeys, you will be moved by the profound love of God the Father Who is always at your side. Gazing upon the splendor of truth, revealed through the Bible and sacramental life of the Church, you will behold His wisdom at work in your life.

Fr. Gabriele Amorth, known as "the Pope's Exorcist," exposes the reality of evil and lays out what our response should be in a time when the devil appears more powerful and cunningly alluring than ever. Our age, Fr. Amorth explains, is seduced by the wiles of the enemy -- either through fascination with the occult or through willful ignorance. There is, however, nothing to fear when we put on the armor of God.In these absorbing pages, Fr. Amorth offers ways to equip yourself and your loved ones for the spiritual battle that all humans are destined to face -- and to attain victory. From the pen of the legendary priest exorcist, you will learn gripping details about: The figure of Satan and key ways to protect yourself from diabolical snares The role of exorcists -- past and present -- and their discernment in counseling afflicted souls Lessons from the saints in overcoming the temptations and attacks of the devil Six types of disturbances that the devil can provoke (Can you guess them?) Three things that cause a soul to fall into diabolical disturbances Signs of diabolical possession and the view of science in such casesAn invaluable collection of tried-and-true traditional prayers is also included for protection against the devil and liberation from his bondage.Fr. Amorth further explains the origin of Hell and the primary tactic the devil uses in pursuit of souls. He also provides a brief overview of the history of exorcism from the earliest centuries of Christianity and describes the ministry of exorcism, yesterday and today. Drawing from the riches of his experience, Father clarifies how he evaluates whether an individual is suffering due to preternatural causes and reveals the only authentic proof of malevolent influence.Significantly, you will see how the ability to cast out demons testifies to Jesus' divinity and will discover ways that all of the faithful can intercede for the afflicted. Above all, you will be consoled by the power of Christ over the enemy and learn to rest safely in His care while trusting that by His Precious Blood shed on the Cross the triumph is already won.

"Sister Marie describes in detail the life of a Carmelite Nun and shows us by what means and in what manner rich spiritual treasure is being gathered for the benefit of all of us." -- Thomas L. Noa, Bishop of Marquette, in the original forewordThis gem of a book is essential reading for anyone interested in knowing the hidden details of life in Carmel -- "the powerhouse of prayer." Sr. Marie, a young novice, addressed this revealing series of letters to her parents and family about her life in the Carmelite convent. Her letters provide a treasure trove of timeless information about the lives of these spiritual warriors from the moment they rise early in the morning to their praise of God at the end of each rich, joy-filled day working for His glory and souls.In her letters, Sr. Marie answers all of her family's questions in an endearing, conversational way and explains all aspects of her new life as a Carmelite nun. Her profound reflections and the down-to-earth, often humorous stories she tells will enable you to taste the Carmelites' life-giving vocation and discover how you can imitate their devotion in your own daily life. As you journey on this "retreat," you will also learn about: Adventures in the lives of the SistersFascinating customs that will enrich your FaithAwe-inspiring celebrations for Christmas, Easter, and every seasonThe history behind devotion to the Child Jesus, the Scapular, and the Carmelite OrderSacred traditions, prayers, and maxims to live by Types of sacrifices Carmelites offer for souls in the worldA diocesan priest described the Sisters as "priests' silent partners in saving souls -- silent partners in the eyes of the world but atomic blasts at the foot of God's throne." Through their secret sacrifices and love, you will see how the Sisters of Carmel aid in the redemption of the world. Above all, you will be motivated to more intentionally pray and work for souls in the hidden, ordinary tasks of your own life.

Imagine the best conversation you've ever had -- one that set your heart on fire, challenged your thinking, brought you closer to God, and inspired you to act. Recall how that conversation made you feel and how it changed your heart and your life. Such interactions rise to the level of the sacred -- sacred conversations -- dialogues that transform hearts, strengthen relationships, and make the world a better place by converting compassionate love into action. Conversations like this are rare but accessible to all of us all the time, regardless of where we are on our spiritual journeys. Dr. Christopher Reed provides a divinely inspired, scientifically tested, step-by-step process for guiding interactions between "seekers" and "helpers." We are all seekers, and we can all become helpers. This book will show you how to relate to others in their pain, frustration, hopes, and dreams. You will also learn: The six components of peak communication How you can invite, understand, and illuminate others through your conversations Three historical and scriptural reasons we should study and use sacred conversations How to stop, connect, reflect, and choose the best course of action in dialogue Five ingredients in the anatomy of sacred conversations Practical ways to build community, give thanks to God, and show gratitude for othersUsing Scripture, real-world examples, key scientific studies, and stories from his own formation, Dr. Reed provides approachable, fun-filled, well-researched advice on how you can use sacred conversations to become your best self and build closer relationships with others and with the Lord. Sacred Conversations offers a set of "how-to" tools for application, including flow charts, lists, and resources on the "Rules of the Road," the "Sacred Conversations Model," the roles of seekers and helpers, seven lessons for sacred conversations, and conversation starters to help you apply the model now to improve your life and help people in need. These pages will inspire your heart and reveal how everyday interactions can lead to spiritual growth, deep connections, and meaningful impact. This isn't merely another Christian self-help book. It's an inspired invitation to transform your life, and our world, one "sacred conversation" at a time. These spiritual encounters between people who want to grow in faith and virtue and live more purposeful and fulfilling lives will open your heart to hear God's voice more clearly and respond to His love more generously.

Since the turn of the twenty-first century, there has been a heightened fascination with "Celtic Christianity," construed by some as a spirituality of semi-pagan sensibilities -- without rules, never united with Rome, and aligned with ecological and feminist concerns. Celtic prayers and "Celtic liturgies" continue to be fashionable in certain circles. This groundbreaking book presents a comprehensive authentic history of Christianity in Ireland in late antiquity for the first time.It is a little-known fact that there were Christians in Ireland before St. Patrick. In 2006, an astonishing discovery was made in Ireland. Found by accident in a peat bog was an early medieval Irish manuscript with Egyptian papyrus in the binding of the manuscript! How did that get there? This is tangible proof that Egyptian monks were in Ireland in the days of Late Antiquity -- proof of what art historians had long believed and archaeologists had recently concluded.This easily read book documents art, architecture, monastic traditions, manuscript writing, and liturgy from the time of the earliest Christians in Ireland -- and finds the evidence of influence from Egypt and Armenia.As you read about the origins and legacy of the first Christians in Ireland, you will learn: How the faith actually came to Ireland and who visited the Emerald Isle, according to artifacts left behind Where the first Christians in Ireland came from (you will be surprised!) and how they lived the Faith Who wrote the earliest non-liturgical hymns to Mary in Western Europe How great devotion to the Holy Eucharist there led to the construction of the first tabernacle The identity of the real St. Patrick For centuries, scholars denied the possibility of links between Ireland and the Mediterranean. However, some early Irish practices and customs were known only in the Mediterranean and not in Europe. For instance, author Connie Marshner reveals how Irish monasticism -- which eventually led to the Sacrament of Confession as we know it -- came from Egypt. She rediscovers magnificent hymns and prayers to Mary -- the earliest ever written. Additionally, she unveils the development of the celebration of the Mass and other liturgical prayers in Irish history, with roots in Eastern Christianity.Monastery and High Cross presents convincing evidence that the earliest Christians in Ireland came from the Mediterranean and brought with them deep asceticism, fervent devotion to the Mother of God, and the Gallican liturgy -- along with beehive huts, high crosses, and manuscript decoration. Careful footnotes and a collection of resources are presented for further exploration.

"Dr. Chaloux shows us that the Church's teachings on the Four Last Things (death, judgment, Heaven, and Hell) and the last day gives us hope and the perspective that God has our best interests at heart and will extend His love and mercy to all those who seek to follow Him in good faith. With suffering as his principal focus, Dr. Chaloux dives deeply into the underlying reasons for painful times and debunks common misconceptions that often result in applying false attributes to God. Moreover, he presents the various ways people experience love in their lives, oftentimes in unexpected ways, and shows how they ultimately lead to salvation. He recounts real-life stories of those who experienced brokenness and found healing and joy through God's love, even in moments of great distress. This study of the mystery of divine love explains the nature of love and how it is manifested in seven relationships known to us since antiquity. It shows how all these ways that we love have their foundation in charity, divine love, and depend on God for the spark that we all see when a friendship turns to love. Heaven's Currency explains that love is a capability to be grown, not a commodity to be accumulated -- and, hence, it increases rather than diminishes with use, and it can be lost forever if we choose not to share it. Jesus used parables, the Beatitudes, and the Commandments, as well as His life, Passion, death, and Resurrection, to teach us how to love divinely with sufficient intensity to share in His eternal life. Through the teachings of St. Paul, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and other saints, you will discover how divine love (or charity) is the true currency of Heaven. It emanates from God and is indeed the only thing that can be shared by both the living and the dead and that endures even beyond death. In Heaven's Currency, you will discover: How all love in infused into us by God, to be shared as widely as possible; How to recognize God's love in our lives, even in times of distress; How sharing God's love with others is part of God's plan for us and is the source of our happiness; How St. Thomas describes the order of love, what makes us more or less lovable in the eyes of God and of those around us; How following the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes and the Works of Mercy teach us to love and become the best versions of ourselves. By following the true way of all your loves on earth and by being who God created you to be, you will also experience a taste of peace and happiness now and lasting joy in Heaven."--

St. Manuel González García, renowned as the Bishop of the Abandoned Tabernacle and acclaimed the greatest Eucharistic priest since the Curé of Ars, reflected: "I intend to awaken the curiosity, which in this case can truly be called holy, to understand and uncover what the Heart of Jesus in the Tabernacle does, says, and feels. I promise delightful surprises, invaluable discoveries, unimagined horizons, to those who allow themselves to be piqued by this curiosity."Through these profound yet practical meditations, sometimes written from the perspective of Jesus speaking to you, you will be guided into deeper intimacy with our Eucharistic Lord and inspired to share His love with others. Through this refreshing and transformative experience, you will discover: Why the Gospels lead us to the tabernacle, and the tabernacle leads us to the GospelsThe mission of those closest to Jesus in the Gospels and how to imitate themGreater fervor in receiving Holy Communion and praying in Eucharistic AdorationHow Jesus is neither idle nor silent in His Eucharistic PresenceThe three ways the Heart of Jesus looks at souls -- and how He looks at youThe secret to touching the Heart of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament to receive healingThere is also a stirring section at the end of the book about what the Heart of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist says to priests.St. Manuel tirelessly wrote these reflections, originally published as articles, to "preach to active souls the necessity, importance, and fruitfulness of staying in the tabernacle because the Love who dwells there is not loved but is abandoned!" St. Manuel will show you how to cultivate awe and reverence as you bask in our Lord's Eucharistic Presence and let His power permeate your life. As your love of Jesus' Eucharistic Heart deepens, you will learn how to console Him as He consoles you and be inflamed to offer your life in witness to your faith.Above all, in the Holy Eucharist, you will encounter the Friend who always waits to listen to you with His Heart and always speaks to your heart. In the light of the tabernacle, you will learn how to grow in virtue, overcome temptation, and live without fear.

"Be converted and do penance for all your iniquities, and iniquity shall not be your ruin," wrote the Holy Spirit by the mouth of the prophet Ezekiel. The Magdalena Prayer Book provides you with ways to practice conversion through perfect contrition -- in the footsteps of St. Mary Magdalene, "Queen of Penitents" -- and to unite yourself spiritually to our Lord in the Holy Eucharist as often as possible throughout the day to help you in your struggle against sin.In this powerful devotional, you will uncover the theology and devotions that encompass the essentials of perfect contrition and spiritual communion. You will thus discover: The difference between perfect and imperfect contrition What to do when sacramental Confession isn't available The conditions for perfect contrition, according to the Church Why the habit of frequently examining your conscience is fruitful How God longs to shower you with His mercy for your salvationScriptural quotes on repentance and restoration are included and arranged by topic to help you develop a hatred for sin and the desire to confess and atone for your sins. Traditional prayers from the liturgy and the saints are also included to help you prayerfully cultivate the conditions for perfect contrition. Other features include a helpful examination of conscience, acts of spiritual communion, meditations on God's mercy, and guidance on making a good thanksgiving after Holy Communion.As you learn how to embrace the model of St. Mary Magdalene, The Magdalena Prayer Book will help you reach deep into your heart and develop a genuine sorrow for past and present sins. This vital resource presents a holistic approach to contrition and spiritual communion. It offers insights that complement the journey of a repentant sinner, providing solace and guidance in the absence of, or as a supplement for, sacramental Confession and Communion. These timeless devotions will benefit the repentant soul at every step along the spiritual journey -- from nurturing a profound love for God and a firm purpose of amendment to seeking unwavering confidence in the Divine Mercy of God.

In this game-changing book, Fr. Boniface Hicks, O.S.B., reveals how you can actively listen and open yourself to receive God's personal love for you in the Mass, where our Lord waits to quench your deepest longing and heal your wounds. Drawing from the wisdom of the saints, modern-day spiritual giants, and his own penetrating reflections, you will learn how to quiet your mind, stretch your heart, and become childlike in the sense of experiencing the sacred mysteries with wonder and awe.The Mass, as most Catholics are aware, consists of words and gestures through which the Church worships the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit. But as far fewer Catholics know, the periods of silence are more than pauses or empty spaces, as Fr. Hicks explains. They are beautifully textured with prescribed prayers spoken quietly by the priest, meaningful images such as incense and chalice veils, and expectant faith ready to surrender or receive from God in particular ways. Learning how to attune our hearts to these silences can greatly increase the fruitfulness of our reception of grace at Mass. In these soul-enriching pages, you will explore the various textures of silence in general, the ways in which silence affects your interior life, and how silence can draw you into more intimate prayer. You will also find: How our Lady is the supreme model on how to cultivate active and receptive silence The secret to settling slowly into silence, relaxing, and entering into an inner dialogue with God Tips on how to commune with God in your heart and on practicing lectio divina What St. Benedict teaches on developing silence in prayer, speech, activities, and thoughtsFr. Hicks further guides you through each of the nine silent (secreto) prayers of the priest, the silent gestures in the Mass, such as the use of incense and the unveiling of the chalice, and the intentional periods of silence, including during the Liturgy of the Word and after receiving Holy Communion.You will discover the pattern through which divine life came to earth and how the fire of Christ's merciful love comes to the soul. Moreover, you will come to understand how your physical silence at Mass fosters your spiritual silence and becomes an "act of love" through self-offering, adoration, communion, and resting in the inexpressible mystery.Each chapter includes reflection questions designed to foster group discussions so parish members can reflect on and grow together in the way they pray during Mass.Through such intimate encounter, you will learn to enjoy praying at Mass with your whole heart, mind, and soul and will arrive at a more conscious, active, and fruitful participation in the sacred liturgy.

Prolific historian Roberto de Mattei unfurls the sail to help you navigate in tumultuous times through the stormy waters of worldly events, intellectual movements, apostasies, moral decay, divisions, and persecutions. In these reflections, de Mattei steers you on a voyage from the earliest centuries to the French Revolution, charting the course with fascinating historical details and true stories about key political figures and saints, masterfully relating them to our situation now.In these stirring pages, you will learn: Who the real dissidents are -- past and presentThe witness of the early Christians and ways we can learn from them todayThe twin pillars of victory according to the vision of St. John BoscoThe path to authentic reform and the heroic example of the saints throughout the agesHow the Church rose above the waves amid crises, including schisms and revolutionsDespite the changing tides and pounding waves, you will discover ways the Church weathered storms with Scripture and Tradition as her compasses. You will behold how, in moments of gloom, when all seemed lost, the valor of Catholic heroes restored calm and announced the morning dawn.