It was a delight to talk once again to Dr. Kevin Vost. In his new book Three Irish Saints: A Guide to Finding Your Spiritual Style, he brings forward of 3 incredible saints who can help us bring about a greater awareness of ourselves, as well as bringing us closer to our relationship with God. Dr. Vost is psychologist and physical fitness expert who examines the lives of these three great saints, reveals their gifts and virtues. He then explores the question: Are you a thinker, a doer, or a lover? Included is a a simple self-test to find out which spiritual master you are most like. I was well aware of St. Patrick, knew much about St. Brigid, but was knew nothing about St. Kevin, but the list really doesn’t stop there, Dr. Vost brings the lives of other Irish saints as well. A fun and fascinating read.
The New Evangelization, during this Year of Faith, has experienced an incredible moment with the Papal Conclave convened to elect the 265th successor to St. Peter! We had a chance to talk with someone on the ground covering this historic moment first hand…Gregory Erlandson. As Publisher and President of the Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, Greg brings incredible insight on what is occurring at this historic moment having spent years in Rome reporting on the activities of our universal Church. In our conversation, we discuss the unprecedented numbers of media outlets from around the world covering the event and what that might mean for the New Evangelization. Is there an “American Moment” occurring at this conclave as some suggest, and if so, what could this unexpected influence have on the Papal Election and the Church around the world? Gregory Erlandson, besides being one of the wisest (as well as nicest) men I know, is truly a balanced seeker of truth and a master communicator of the beauty offered by our Catholic faith…no hype here, but always with an encouraging call to deeper prayer and trust.
So, what are the chances that we will have an American pope? If the forecasts are correct (a big if), and if the received wisdom is at all wise, the American options become more likely if the first ballots do not signal a clear front-runner – Cardinals Angelo Scola, Odilo Scherer and Marc Ouellet perhaps – capable of winning two-thirds of the votes.
What dramas play out in the Sistine Chapel and in the conversations taking place back in the cardinals’ “hotel” we may not find out for months, but Vatican observers, for perhaps the first time ever, are not discounting the Americans, and that in itself is a big deal.
I so enjoyed my conversation with Dr. Lawrence Cunningham. In his book, “The Seven Deadly Sins: A Visitor’s Guide“, Dr. Cunningham draws from the wisdom of the mystical desert fathers. He offers us insight on sloth, envy, gluttony, greed, anger, lust and pride – how they were first identified as the “deadly”sins, what they might look like in today’s world, and how corresponding virtues can counter their destructive tendencies. A fascinating read!
“At a time when invective poses as ‘straight talk,’ and the rant replaces reasoned discourse, Lawrence Cunningham’s brilliant new meditation on the Seven Deadly Sins is pure gift. Moral confusion may be the defining weakness of our era, but here is a book that can lead us back to the light.”–Paula Huston, Author of Simplifying the Soul
Thomas Craughwell in, “Popes Who Resigned: Benedict Xvi and 13 Other Popes Who Retired (or Were Deposed)“, has once again proven why his writing is so fascinating and enjoyable. He never shys away from the uncomfortable fact. He presents the information with the peace and good humor which comes from the hindsight afforded by history and a knowledge of a God who eventually brings all things into in order despite his earthly children’s best efforts to mess things up. We can learn much from a particular moment or action of human behavior in the curse of human history, and with Thomas Craughwell’s keen eye not much is missed. In this particular case, we can rest assured that the Barque of St. Peter sails the seas of human history helmed by the Holy Spirit more than by the hands of man, otherwise it would of crashed on the seashore of time long ago.
The stories contained here are short and to the point, each representing a fascinating period in Church history. I appreciated his insights on the unique circumstances and personalities of Bl. John Paul Ii and Pope Benedict XVI, and why each chose the course they took in regards to their decisions to either remain or leave their role as Supreme Pontiff.
I am a big fan of Thomas Craughwell’s work…I wasn’t disappointed.
On February 11, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI shocked Catholics and the world by announcing that he would resign from the papacy. It was the first papal resignation in 600 years, and it has caused Catholics the world over to scramble for answers. Now, in Popes Who Resigned, Thomas J. Craughwell answers those burning questions, including:
– Why did Benedict XVI resign… and why didn’t John Paul II?
– What does the Catholic Church teach about papal resignation?
– Who were the other popes that resigned, and why?
– And much more.
In these tumultuous times, Craughwell points even now to the rock that is the Catholic Church, digging into Canon law and Church history for answers. Popes Who Resigned is a must read for Catholics and non-Catholics alike who are trying to make sense of Benedict XVI’s resignation and what it means for the papacy, the Church, and the world.
What a delight to talk with Tom Peterson! With a joyful enthusiasm fueled by his rich prayer life, Tom has become a compelling leader in the New Evangelization, especially in the United States. With his book ,”Catholics Come Home: God’s Extraordinary Plan for Your Life” , he expands his list of significant contributions to that effort which have encouraged countless souls to embrace the gift of the Catholic faith. Not only does he share his own powerful witness, but he offers practical catechesis to foster on-going conversion in the heart of the seeking soul and encouragement to all to share the Good News. Excellent!
“We are in the midst of a New Evangelization; and I believe this book is a signal moment in its success. It is also a sign that will lead many folks back home to the family of God, which is Catholic Church.”
—Dr. Scott W. Hahn, author of The Lamb’s Supper and Signs of Life
“Catholics Come Home is a powerful sacramental, a means of grace. It is a willing, waiting taxi to take us home, to our home away from Home, the Catholic Church, the Mystical Body of Christ.”
—Dr. Peter Kreeft, author of Handbook of Christian Apologetics
“Eucharistic Adoration: Holy Hour Meditations on the Seven Last Words of Christ” is a marvelous book for enhancing your experience of one of the Church’s richest devotions. Msgr. Charles Murphy pours into this work over 50 years of priestly life and pastoral experience in spreading the devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. He ties together reflections on the seven last words of Jesus with the profiles of seven modern Christians known for their devotion to the Eucharist, including Simone Weil, Edith Stein, Dorothy Day, Blessed John XXIII, Blessed John Paul II, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. In this conversation, we also discuss his book “The Spirituality of Fasting”
Monsignor Charles M. Murphy is currently the director of the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Portland, Maine. He is the author of a number of scholarly articles and several books, including The Spirituality of Fasting, At Home on the Earth, Wallace Stevens: A Spiritual Poet in a Secular Age, and Belonging to God. Murphy is the former academic dean and rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome and served as part of the editorial group working in Italy under Cardinal Ratzinger on the third draft of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which became the fourth and final version.
Murphy currently serves as consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops committee on catechetics, reviewing materials for conformity with the Catechism. He served as chair of the editorial committee that produced the pastoral letter on environmental issues by the Bishops of the Boston Province and he served as a consultant to the USCCB for their statement on global warming. He has been the pastor of four parishes in Maine and has served his diocese in ecumenical and educational capacities. Murphy holds a doctorate in sacred theology from the Gregorian University, a master’s degree in education from Harvard University, and a bachelor’s degree in classics from the College of the Holy Cross.
At stunning moment in the recent history of the Catholic Church, the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI as Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church effective February 28, we had the opportunity to George Weigel before his departure for Rome to be, once again, a witness to history. In “Evangelical Catholicism: Deep Reform in the 21st-Century Church” he writes of this particular moment in the life of the Catholic Church. Our conversation centers on the Papacy and its future. I cannot encourage listeners more highly to pick up a copy of this book; it is extraordinarily compelling and filled with hopeful certainty concerning the future course of this great “barque of Peter”. Don’t miss!!!
Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York
“This sparkling read puts all the old Church-labels—liberal vs. conservative, progressive vs. traditionalist, pre- vs. post-Vatican II—in the shredder. Now there is only one valid adjective for all of us: evangelical! Simply put, this means we take our baptismal promises with the utmost seriousness. Like the Samaritan woman, we’ve met a man—Jesus—who has changed our lives.”
Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., Archbishop of Philadelphia
“George Weigel has been the leading diarist of authentic Catholic renewal—its progress, detours, personalities, and hopes—for 30 years. In Evangelical Catholicism he turns his extraordinary skills to the needs of the Church in the coming decades, calling us back to the missionary vocation we received at baptism and offering us a road map to faithful, vigorous Church reform. Rich in its vision, engaging in style, on target in its counsel and invaluable for anyone trying to understand the Church and her challenges in the 21st Century, this book should not be missed.”
Mary Ann Glendon, author of The Forum and the Tower: How Scholars and Politicians have Imagined the World, from Plato to Eleanor Roosevelt
“This remarkable book offers nothing less than a map and compass for men and women determined to take up the challenge of living the Catholic faith in its fullness under 21st-century conditions. With its bold call for ‘deep reform’ in every single corner of the Church, Evangelical Catholicism is sure to provoke lively discussion. The book’s proposals for true renewal are presented with the clarity and verve that have made George Weigel a peerless advocate of the courage to be Catholic.”
Here it is…a marvelous Lenten devotional by Fr. R. Scott Hurd, entitled “The Living Gospel: Daily Devotions for Lent 2013“. In this handy booklet, published by Ave Maria Press, he offers day-to-day pastoral care to nurture each day of our Lenten journey. Fr. Hurd is a wonderful storyteller, as well as, a insightful leader of prayerful reflection. An excellent resource no matter the time it is.
Paula Huston is one of the finest spiritual writers alive today. Her books speak to the human heart in such a beautiful, gentle way. She inspires us to climb higher the spiritual mountain, even when the times are treacherous and rocky. In “A Season of Mystery: 10 Spiritual Practices for Embracing a Happier Second Half of Life”, she encourages us to slow down, in order to nurture the relationship God is offering us today. For many of us, it may involve a paradigm shift, but one that is well worth the effort if we choose to enter into it. Paula breaks open each practice found in her book with moments from her own experience. She then gives us practical helps which can transform our everyday lives. Those practices include listening, delighting, lightening, settling, confronting, accepting, appreciating, befriending, generating, blessing. Filled with questions and reflections, this book is perfect for either individual or group study.
We live in a culture that tells us there are few things worse than aging, that we should avoid aging at all costs, and that we must shun death. And yet, no matter how much money we spend on health supplements, no matter how many gurus we consult, the fact remains unchanged: We will grow old.
A Season of Mystery is not intended to be a selection of self-improvement secrets; the goal of Huston’s work is to encourage people in the second half of life to become “ordinary mystics” who are no longer bound by the world’s false ideas on aging but instead be freed by God’s grace to embrace the riches that come only with growing older.
He just gets better and better. Of course, I’m talking about Mike Aquilina and his joy and enthusiasm for the Catholic Church abounds in “Yours is the Church: How Catholicism Shapes Our World“. Mike is so good at getting to the nuggets contained in history and reminding us all of the significant contributions made by the Church which have changed our world for the better. Whether it is the moral leadership it has offered which has been the rudder steadying our course, or the beauty of the arts which fashion it’s sails, the barque of the Church sails the seas of time on a course to the New Jerusalem. Putting it all into a wonderful historic perspective, Mike Aquilina offers us a “must have” book that should be in every Catholic home and given to anyone joining this beautiful Church of ours. Thanks Mike!
“Christianity has radically changed the world for the better. In a book that’s both thoughtful and entertaining . Mike Aquilina shows how the Gospel really has been the good news in the most practical ways possible. Even the atheist ought to thank…whoever he thanks….for the rise of Christianity.” — David Mills, executive editor of First Things
Style, he brings forward of 3 incredible saints who can help us bring about a greater awareness of ourselves, as well as bringing us closer to our relationship with God. Dr. Vost is psychologist and physical fitness expert who examines the lives of these three great saints, reveals their gifts and virtues. He then explores the question: Are you a thinker, a doer, or a lover? Included is a a simple self-test to find out which spiritual master you are most like. I was well aware of St. Patrick, knew much about St. Brigid, but was knew nothing about St. Kevin, but the list really doesn’t stop there, Dr. Vost brings the lives of other Irish saints as well. A fun and fascinating read.
