Spiritual Life
by Sir Joseph A Glynn
What did alcoholics do before there was Alcoholics Anonymous?
Let us consider a few parts of this holy man's life: "He was not quarrelsome when drunk, but went quietly home to bed when the public-houses had closed for the night. No matter how much drink he had taken the night before, he was up in time for his work, which started at 6 a.m., and left the house clean and tidy in his person. He acquired the habit of taking the Holy Name in vain and of using strong language when talking with his fellow workers, and he began to neglect the Sacraments, though he went to Mass on Sundays. His prayers consisted of blessing himself when he got out of bed in the morning, as he was, usually, too drunk to say any prayers going to bed. For two, if not three, years before his conversion he had not been to the Sacraments of Penance or the Holy Eucharist. "The picture which Matt Talbot presents to us at this period is that of a young fellow going fast on the road to ruin; the craving' for drink gradually mastering him; the duties of his religion almost completely neglected; and the duties to his parents entirely ignored. The picture is dark, but it is not all black. All his troubles came from the one sin-indulgence in drink. He had no other vice and his moral character was irreproachable."
From his early teens until age 28 Matt's only aim in life had been liquor. But from that point forward, his only aim was God. Matt became increasingly deout. He lived a life of prayer, fasting and service, trying to model himself on the sixth century Irish monks. Though he has not been formally recognized as a saint, Matt Talbot may be considered a patron of men and women struggling with alcoholism.
Paperback, size 9" x 6", 112 pages
by Fr Francis X. Weiser, S.J.
If you enjoyed learning about holiday traditions in The Christmas Book, you are sure to love its sequel, The Easter Book. Father Weiser has here applied his winning formula to an explanation of the fasts and feasts of the Lenten and Easter seasons with equally fascinating results.
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 226 pages
by Fr Raymond J Miller C.SS.P.
This is a summarized account of the five scapulars, usually worn as a unit, and of the promises made to those who wear the scapulars. Red - white - black - blue - brown: these are the five scapulars, five little pieces of wool, each about an inch square, worn by Catholics as an act of devotion to the Mother of God.
Booklet, size 8" x 5.3", 29 pages, Impr 1957.
Reflections from the Interior Castle
Edited by Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD
This devotional book is made up of her sayings from Teresa's masterpiece The Interior Castle. It is the perfect pocket/purse sized gift book for those who have a devotion to St. Teresa and to Carmelite spirituality in general.
Paperback, 92 pages
edited by Kieran Kavanaugh, OCD
A thought for each day of the year from selected writings of St. John of the Cross.
Paperback, 94 pages
For all the Sundays of the Year
by St Alphonsus Liguori
St. Alphonsus Liguori, the Prince of Moral Theologians, was one of the greatest preachers in Church history. A religious founder, consummate theologian, and holy man of God, Saint Alphonsus never fails to utter a stirring word that draws out a lively penitence and redoubled dedication to the work of God from his audience. The Sermons of Saint Alphonsus Liguori contains sermons tailored to the traditional liturgy of the Roman Church for each Sunday in the year. Here, then, is the complete collection of St. Alphonsus's holy words of admonition.
Resonating throughout these sermons is the profound sense of sin and its awfulness that St. Alphonsus undoubtedly feels and from which he longs to save his flock. He dwells repeatedly on the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Hell, and Heaven, bringing the reader to consider his own eternal destiny. Above all, St. Alphonsus's sermons are permeated by what seems a prolonged meditation on the words of Our Lord: "What doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul?"
And yet, though St. Alphonsus can be a terrible and grave man to hear, it is only from the most unique tenderness and subtlety of his heart that such words can spring. For "out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaketh," and St. Alphonsus's heart is filled to the brim only with genuine desire for innocence and purity of heart in all his spiritual children. It is worth noting he never refused absolution to anyone in his life.
There is no better teacher on moral theology to ever grace the Church than St. Alphonsus Liguori. Let The Sermons of Saint Alphonsus Liguori guide you away from the mortal error of indifference to sin and into the joyful light and beatitude of holy suffering.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 416 pages
by Mother Mary Loyola
This beautiful, newly illustrated hardcover edition of the classic 1911 title by Mother Mary Loyola is the perfect gift for a First Communicant!
This little 4" x 6" pocket gem contains more than just daily prayers: Two different sets of meditations for the Mass are accompanied by illustrations showing what the priest is doing at each stage. Add Mother Loyola's excellent examination of conscience, geared especially for children, devotional stories that foster a loving obedience, and the gorgeous full-color illustrations, and you'll be wishing you had such a book as a child!
Hardcover, size 6.25" x 4.5", 144 pages
How to Win Your Spiritual Battles and Attain Inner Peace
by Dom Lorenzo Scupoli
First published in 1589. 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!
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 224 pages
by Fr Francis X. Weiser, S.J.
Why do we wear our best clothes on Sunday? What was the Holy Ghost Hole in medieval churches? How did a Belgian nun originate the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament? Where did the Halloween mask and the jack-o’-lantern come from?
Learn the answer to these questions, as well as the history behind our traditional celebration of Thanksgiving, in this gem of a book by Fr Weiser.
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 218 pages
by St Ignatius of Loyola
This great classic has been changing lives for over 400 years. This is a rare self-taught edition that does not require a retreat master. Designed to make a person re-examine the direction his life is taking and seriously direct himself away from Hell and toward Heaven. Inspires one to make a new beginning.
Paperback, 344 pages
by St Francis de Sales
"You aim at true devotion, my dear Philothea, because, as a Christian, you know how acceptable it is to the Divine Majesty. But inasmuch as trifling errors at the outset of any undertaking are wont to increase rapidly as we advance, frequently becoming almost irreparable, it is needful that, first of all, you should ascertain wherein lies the virtue of devotion.” — St. Francis de Sales
Everyone wants to go to Heaven, but how many of us actually know how to get there?
Learn from the writings of St. Francis de Sales, the Doctor of Charity, on this very matter in his work that specifically addresses this most important question. The knowledgeable and holy Doctor of the Church writes in a way that is at once easy to read and suited to all readers, yet thorough, authoritative, reliable, kind, and gentle. He guides us to the knowledge that we are all called to the devout life. True devotion to God, as St. Francis de Sales points out, adorns every vocation. Additionally, St. Francis will explain that the devout life is a choice worthy for its own sake: “And our blessed Lord Himself assure[s] us that a devout life is a lovely, a pleasant, and a happy life.”
Addressed as a personal letter to Philothea (which means “lover of God”) this book covers all the parts of a devout life:
- Our desire to lead a devout life
- Our full resolution to do so
- How we should approach God in prayer and the Sacraments
- The practice of 16 important virtues
- Remedies against ordinary temptations
- And confirmation in our practice of devotion
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 360 pages
Selected Passages from the Writings of The Cure of Ars
by St John Vianney
Catholic wisdom stated in a simple, sublime, penetrating way. St. Jean-Marie Vianney's sage counsel on 36 important topics, including the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Virgin, Prayer, Suffering, Hope, Envy, Grace, and Paradise.
Probably the most persuasive exhortation ever urging us to renounce sin. Highly recommended for every Catholic!
Paperback, size 7" x 4.25", 184 pages
by Rev. Msgr. Aloysius F. Coogan,
Today, Christmas is celebrated without Christ in many quarters. Christmas is the season when God became man in the form of a child, and yet, unhappily, in how many homes, because Christ is uninvited, children, too, are no longer welcome. Christmas, like Emmanuel, means “God with us.” If we celebrate Christmas without God, we have lost its meaning. If we refuse an inn to God’s children as the fruit of marriage, we repeat the sad tale of Bethlehem that refused an inn to Mary and Joseph and the Child.
This book was written with the hope and intention of bringing to our minds the thoughts of Advent that we may think and pray with Mary who brought Christ to us. Advent, like Lent, is a time of preparation in thought and deed for a great event.
Spiritual Steps to Christmas, provide a daily meditiation throughout Advent to prepare well for the coming of the Christ Babe.
Paperback, size 8" x 5.25", 116 pages, Impr 1953
by St. Francis de Sales
In Consoling Thoughts on God and Providence, St. Francis de Sales, beloved Doctor of the Church, speaks of how God wants only good for us, and why we should have great confidence in His merciful love.
This treasure of spirituality beautifully explains God's love for the sinner, how great His joy is upon the return of just one lost sheep, and how God's mercy extends even towards the damned. St. Francis encourages us to conform ourselves to God's will, and teaches us to abandon ourselves to the Lord who so desires our hearts.
Readers of Consoling Thoughts on God and Providence will experience first-hand why St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) is known to history as the Gentle Saint. St. Francis was Bishop of Geneva and a tireless preacher, who yet made time to correspond with numerous souls who wrote him for his insight and guidance. His Consoling Thoughts are compiled from these letters as well as from his other spiritual works.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 158 pages
by St. Francis de Sales
In Consoling Thoughts on Trials of an Interior Life St. Francis de Sales, beloved Doctor of the Church, gives us treasured insight from the master of spiritual direction. How can the soul persevere in piety in the midst of affliction? How should we conduct ourselves when suffering interior trials? How can we profit from our own faults? St. Francis de Sales explains all this and more.
In this masterful collection, St. Francis speaks to every soul on the riches to be gained from suffering trials and temptations, the advantages we can draw from our own defects, and how to choose and carry the best crosses. Also included are uplifting passages on suffering sadness, or what we would now call depression.
Readers of Consoling Thoughts on Trials of an Interior Life will experience firsthand why St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) is known to history as the Gentle Saint. St. Francis was Bishop of Geneva and a tireless preacher, who yet made time to correspond with numerous souls who wrote him for his insight and guidance. His Consoling Thoughts are compiled from these letters as well as from his other spiritual works.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 192 pages
by Fr Francis X. Weiser, S.J.
This book unfolds the story of the celebration of Christmas. Beginning with its gospel and history, the author leads us through the festivities of the Middle Ages, to the decline and eventual revival of Christmas customs in Europe and in America.
Paperback, size 5.5" x 8.5", 188 pages
by St. Francis de Sales
In Consoling Thoughts on Sickness and Death, St. Francis de Sales, the beloved Doctor of the Church, teaches how to grow closer to God through suffering well the most bitter trials.
The bed of sickness is an altar of sacrifice, writes the saint in this treasure of spirituality. He explains what prayers are suitable for the sick, how to persevere in patience, and even how to overcome an excessive fear of death. Most importantly, St. Francis de Sales teaches about abandonment to God's will in both life and death, drawing from his memories of the deaths of his own mother and sister.
Readers of Consoling Thoughts on Sickness and Death will experience firsthand why St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622) is known to history as the Gentle Saint. St. Francis was Bishop of Geneva and a tireless preacher, who yet made time to correspond with numerous souls who wrote him for his insight and guidance. His Consoling Thoughts are compiled from these letters as well as from his other spiritual works.
Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 156 pages