Well Known/Famous Persons

He Leadeth Me
An Extraordinary Testament of Faith
by Walter J. Ciszek S.J. with Daniel L. Flaherty S.J.

Captured by a Russian army during World War II and convicted of being a “Vatican spy,” Jesuit Father Walter J. Ciszek spent twenty-three agonizing years in Soviet prisons and the labor camps of Siberia. Only through an utter reliance on God’s will did he manage to endure the extreme hardship. He tells of the courage he found in prayer—a courage that eased the loneliness, the pain, the frustration, the anguish, the fears, the despair. For, as Ciszek relates, the solace of spiritual contemplation gave him an inner serenity upon which he was able to draw amidst the “arrogance of evil” that surrounded him. Ciszek learns to accept the inhuman work in the infamous Siberian salt mines as a labor pleasing to God. And through that experience, he was able to turn the adverse forces of circumstance into a source of positive value and a means of drawing closer to the compassionate and never-forsaking Divine Spirit.

He Leadeth Me is a book to inspire all Christians to greater faith and trust in God—even in their darkest hour. As the author asks, “What can ultimately trouble the soul that accepts every moment of every day as a gift from the hands of God and strives always to do his will?”

Paperback, size 8" x 5.1", 208 pages

Julian The Apostate
Roman Emperor 361-363
by Abbot Giuseppe Ricciotti

Julian The Apostate is a historical biography of the Roman Emperor Julian, who reigned from 361 to 363 AD. Julian was known as "The Apostate" because he rejected Christianity and attempted to revive traditional Roman paganism during his short reign. The book explores Julian's life, from his childhood and education to his ascension to the throne and his attempts to restore paganism. It also delves into the political and religious climate of the time, including the conflict between paganism and Christianity, and the struggles for power within the Roman Empire.Ricciotti presents a detailed and well-researched account of Julian's life, drawing on a variety of sources including ancient texts and archaeological evidence. He examines Julian's motivations and beliefs, as well as his successes and failures as emperor.

Overall, Julian The Apostate provides a fascinating insight into the life and times of one of Rome's most controversial and enigmatic emperors. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Roman history or the history of religion.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Paperback, size 9" x 6", 275 pages, Impr.

Père Marquette
Priest, Pioneer, and Adventurer
by Agnes Repplier

The early French colonies in North America were a harsh and inhospitable place. Visitors to these settlements often remarked that these early colonialists, when compared with their European relations, seemed forged of a different metal: bold and brash, like the environment surrounding them. Yet, among such daring figures, a certain unassuming Jesuit missionary stands out. His name: Jacques Marquette. Born in France in 1637, Marquette became a Jesuit at the age of 17. Possessing a keen desire for adventure, coupled with a true missionary’s compassion and a gift for linguistics, it was not long before Marquette was assigned as a missionary to New France. Once there, his daring nature drove him into the wilderness of the Great Lakes, establishing missions and preaching the gospel to even the most remote tribes. Never hesitant to risk death by exposure, starvation, or Iroquois raid, Marquette would continue to minister to tribes as far south as the Arkansas River until his death in 1675. While such a remarkable figure might intimidate even the seasoned essayist, Agnes Repplier once again shows herself to be both a gifted storyteller and consummate biographer. Maintaining historical accuracy without sacrificing her own dramatic flair, she weaves a tale of priestly valour truly worthy of its subject matter.

Paperback, size 8" x 5.25", 298 pages

Pius XII and the Second World War
According to the Archives of the Vatican
by Fr Pierre Blet, SJ

The first one-volume history, based on the Vatican archives, of Pope Pius XII and his dealings with the contesting powers and with the Jews during World War II.

Paperback, size 8.5" x 5.5", 304 pages

Hugh O’Flaherty The Irish Priest Who Resisted the Nazis
by Fiorella De Maria

Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty was working in the Vatican when dictator Benito Mussolini fell from power and Germany invaded Italy in 1943. This courageous Irish priest who resisted the Nazi occupation was made famous by the movie, The Scarlet and the Black, starring Gregory Peck. The Monsignor O'Flaherty brought to life in this story is as intriguing and exciting as the film version.Witty, brilliant, and fearless, Monsignor O'Flaherty helped escaped Allied prisoners of war and persecuted Jews to elude capture by the Germans. At great risk to themselves, Monsignor O'Flaherty and his equally brave friends—priests, nuns, and lay men and women, including a few aristocrats—saved thousands of lives. They constantly needed to stay one step ahead of the ever-persistent Nazis until their surrender to the Allies in 1945.

Not just a thrilling adventure story, this book offers a portal into a real-life battle between good and evil. It also tells of the need after a war for forgiveness and redemption.

Paperback, size 8" x 5.25", 196 pages

Dante And His Journey
by Brother Evan Schmid, C.S.C.

Dante Alighieri was born in Florence, Italy in 1261. As a brilliant and well-respected Florentine, he entered politics. In 1301, after a political upheaval in Florence, Dante was unjustly banished from the city of his birth. Exhiled for the rest of his life, Dante turned his poetic genius to writing a masterpiece of Italian poetry, The Divine Comedy. Reading this story can encourage us to follow the footsteps of Dante who responded to physical adversity by focusing his energy on the spiritual world and remaining true to the Faith.

Level 3

Paperback, size 9" x 6", 143 pages

A Story of Captain John Barry
by Brother Ernest, C.S.C.

Captain John Barry was born in Ireland in 1745 and grew up in a loving Catholic family. As a teenager his parents gave him permission to sail to America. He served in the Continental Navy during the American Revolution. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of John Barry, who was faithful to his duties and kind to those under his leadership.

Level 1

Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages

A Story of Louis Braille
by Brother Ernest, C.S.C.

In 1812, when Louis Braille was only 3 years old, he was blinded by an accident in his father's workshop. His family wanted him to still get an education so they sent him to a school for the blind in Paris. He studied music and became the organist at St Anne's Church in Paris. Later he developed the Braille system of reading which used raised dots to form letters and words. Reading this story can encourage us to follow in the footsteps of Louis braille, who was determined to overcome his disability and to help others.

Level 1

Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages

A Story of Michelangelo
by Brother Ernest, C.S.C.

Michelangelo Buonarroti was born in Italy in 1475. As a young man he carved many statues and was an accomplished artist. When Pope Julius II asked him to paint frescoes on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel he hesitated as he considered himself a sculptor, not a painter. But he listened to the pope and began painting. Reading this story can encourage us to follow int he footsteps of Michelangelo who had the courage to use his talents in new ways, thereby bringing greater glory to God.

Level 1

Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages

A Story of Schubert
by Brother Ernest, C.S.C

In 1797, Franz Schubert was born near Vienna, Austria. At a young age he began taking piano and violin lessons. He joined the local choir and began taking organ and voice lessons. Soon he started composing his own music. He composed 6 Mass settings, 9 symphonies and more than 500 songs during his short life. Franz Schubert used his talents to glorify God by writing beautiful music that has touched the hearts of many.

Level 1

Paperback, size 8" x 6", 30 pages

Encyclical: Ecclesiae Fastos
On St Boniface
by Pope Pius XII

Pope Pius XII tells the riveting story of the life of the English Benedictine, St. Boniface, who became the apostle of Germany and the true "Father of the German people" by giving them life in Christ - incorporating them into His mystical body - all the while demonstrating a steadfast obedience to the Bishop of Rome.A martyr, he is buried in Fulda, Germany, where, to this day, the German bishops continue to hold their conferences. It is also a popular place of pilgrimage.

Paperback, 26 pages

'A personal side to the great 20th century theologian, distributist and Dominican Friar. A moving autobiographical study of Fr. Vincent\'s early years gives us a candid look into the life of a traditional Catholic family in the late 1800\'s. From the two children born at sea, to the McNabb boys rolling each other down the stairs in a laundry basket, hanging from the gutters, or drifting out to sea in a row-boat with no oars; we see how Fr. Vincent\'s mother and father handled it all and how their Catholic faith guided them. "Stands as a great apologia pro familia magna. A defense of the family that could thaw the most rigorous heart of our childless Age." - DR. WILLIAM EDMUND FAHEY 80pp'

'What a story! Fr. Pierre De Smet (1801-1873) is mentioned in U.S. history books almost as a footnote, but there was in the mid-19th century America no single person the American Indians trusted as they did this Jesuit Priest. He was "more powerful than an army" at a huge treaty conference of U.S. officials and the Western Indian nations near Laramie in 1851, and he was the chief negotiator at another, with the Sioux, in 1868. Impr. 431 pgs, PB 431pp'