Spirituality Catholicism

Like most things we take for granted, the Catholic Creeds have an amazing story—actually a lot of stories. What seems a simple prayer or statement of faith has a fascinating origin. And there is a reason it’s precisely worded the way it is and each word was fought over with great passion.

While many Catholics are aware of great female saints such as Catherine of Siena and Thérèse of Lisieux, a view persists that, over the centuries, women played a limited role in the development of Catholic traditions and institutions. In this innovative survey of Church history, Bronwen McShea demonstrates instead that faithful women have always been at the heart of the Church's common life, shaping it and the course of entire civilizations.

One of the most artful narratives ever written concerning the life of "The Maid". Hilaire Belloc writes with a familiarity only possessed by those with an intimate knowledge of the facts. A Catholic, of both French and English descent; Belloc clearly had an emotional affinity for this episode in the long struggle between the two nations.

The world hates the Church that Jesus founded, just as He said it would (John 15:18). It reviles her doctrines, mocks her moral teachings and invents lies about her history. In every age, but especially in our modern day, historians and political powers have distorted the facts about her past (or just made up novel falsehoods from scratch) to make the Church, and the civilization it fostered, seem corrupt, backward, or simply evil.

Nearly a decade after Spain's conquest of Mexico, the future of Christianity on the American continent was very much in doubt. Confronted with a hostile colonial government and Native Americans wary of conversion, the newly-appointed bishop-elect of Mexico wrote to tell the King of Spain that, unless there was a miracle, the continent would be lost.

In the school of Mary, says St. John Paul II, we are "led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love". Mary - refuge of sinners, help of the sick, cause of our joy - is the model for all believers. The Manual for Marian Devotion will deepen your relationship with Mary and, in doing so, draw you closer to her son. Use it to nourish your love of Mary with the scriptures and stories of the saints, and turn to its prayers throughout the day.

For more than forty years, Saint of the Day has been a trusted guide, and this latest edition continues the tradition. Like his predecessors, Pope Francis continues to recognize and acclaim people from all walks of life. Newly added saints and blesseds include Oscar Romero, Marie of the Incarnation, François de Laval, Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, Stanley Rother, Pope Paul VI, and Solanus Casey.

The Psalms are the most popular, most universally loved and used book in the Bible, which in turn is the most popular book in the world. They are hymns, songs, poems, and prayers, both formal (liturgical and communal) and informal (spontaneous, personal, and individual); and this gives them many layers of meaning rather than one, unlike theologies and creeds. The Psalms are literally inexhaustible, so a new book of reflections on them is always welcome. Especially a book by the beloved, widely read, best-selling author and philosopher, Peter Kreeft.

In times of escalating evil, exorcists find themselves in greater demand. Here is a never-before-published collection of questions and answers that takes you beyond Hollywood hyperbole and deep into Fr. Amorth’s real-life private world, giving you a harrowing vision of his daily battles with the devil and a fascinating glimpse into his sacred ministry.

Little Thérèse was "the baby" of the Martin family. She was also her Papa's "Little Queen." With her Mama, her Papa and her four big sisters to love her, Thérèse could have turned out to be a very spoiled little girl. And indeed, it is true that sometimes she was cross and naughty.

For much of the twentieth century, a series of terrible events—abuse, both physical and psychological, and even deaths—took places inside orphanages. The survivors have been trying to tell their astonishing stories for a long time, but disbelief, secrecy, and trauma have kept them from breaking through. For ten years, Christine Kenneally has been on a quest to uncover the harrowing truth.

On the day after the Orlando nightclub shooting, James Martin SJ posted a video on Facebook in which he called for solidarity with our LGBT brothers and sisters. "The largest mass shooting in US history took place at a gay club, and the LGBT community has been profoundly affected," he began. He then implored his fellow Catholics - and people everywhere - to "stand not only with the people of Orlando but also with their LGBT brothers and sisters."

The story for children 10 and up of St. Catherine of Siena, the young woman who brought the Pope back to Rome from France and converted thousands of people.

While the 20th century was often a time of turbulence, selfishness, godlessness, and violence, Mother Teresa of Calcutta was a witness to love. She was a clear reminder of the goodness within human nature and the beauty of being truly open to God. "Mother" was her religious title, but as she ascended to the world stage, it became her role for the world - to be like a mother to all, no matter their origins. She was accepting and welcoming towards all people, not only towards the good or the like-minded. She continues to serve as an inspiration to people of all walks of life.

"L'Église n'est pas là pour condamner, mais pour permettre la rencontre avec cet amour viscéral qu'est la miséricorde de Dieu. Pour que cela se produise, il est nécessaire de sortir. Sortir des églises et des paroisses, sortir et aller chercher les gens là où ils vivent, où ils souffrent, où ils espèrent." (Franciscus) Chaque page de ce livre vibre du désir du pape François de toucher les âmes qui cherchent un sens à leur vie, un chemin de paix et de réconciliation, un remède à leurs blessures physiques et morales.

This is a book of wisdom and insight that explains how providential are the trials through which the Catholic Church is now passing. All these themes receive new clarity and depth from Cardinal Ratzinger.

The way to perfection is simple - to unite one’s will with God’s, putting into action the prayer “Thy will be done". In this precious short work, Uniformity with God's Will, St. Alphonsus Liguori explains the importance of conforming one’s will to God’s and how to do so; how God is glorified by our resignation to his will even more than by our acts; how to gain peace of mind and serenity by trusting in God, accepting what he wills for our lives, and following his commands.

"Un génie mystique". Ainsi parlait le Pape Paul VI de celui qui prêcha, à sa demande, sa retraite au Vatican en 1972. Maurice Zundel, ce prêtre suisse né en 1897, vit depuis sa mort en 1975, un succès grandissant. Cela s'explique par l'aspect prophétique de cet étonnant mystique qui, dès le début de ses prédications, a placé l'homme au centre et au cœur de sa spiritualité. Transcendant les frontières humaines et religieuses, celui qui fut, entre autres, le confesseur de l'abbé Pierre, rejoint chacun d'entre nous, au travers de ses homélies (éditées), de ses livres (une vingtaine), et ses conférences (retranscrites).

St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696 - 1787) was an Italian bishop famous for his moral teaching. Initially, he practised law but was drawn to the religious life and became a priest in the Catholic church. He ministered as a missionary to the poor setting up "Evening Chapels". He would later settle his own congregation, and then was eventually appointed bishop. He wrote many famous sermons, meditations, and ascetical works. His meditations are still used today for the stations of the cross during Lent.

In his most challenging and evocative book yet, Pope Francis reflects on ten vital issues the world is facing today. This unflinching and inspiring work celebrates the tenth anniversary of Francis’s papal election and encompasses his hopes and dreams for the Church and for all of humankind. This isn’t just a world leader’s reflections on spirituality. I Am Asking in the Name of God is a wake-up call for all of humanity, a practical path toward unity, and a lighthouse of hope in the darkest of eras.