Death, Grief

An Unbelievable True Account of Purgatory Told by the Souls Who Are There!
It is not often that a book touches the soul so deeply. From day one, it has been a best seller! Maria Simma, a devout Catholic, lived humbly in the hills of Austria. At 25, she was graced with a special charism: Souls from Purgatory visited her and spoke to her. Maria shares with us awesome secrets about these souls. She answers questions such as:
What is Purgatory?
How do souls get there?
Who decides if a soul goes to Purgatory?
What are the sins that most lead to Purgatory?
How can we help get a soul released from Purgatory?
Are there religions which are bad for the soul?
Are there children in Purgatory? Or suicide victims?
How can I avoid Purgatory?
This is a remarkable interview about after-death realities, a true revelation for those who have lost a dear one!

-over 100 liturgies for seasons of dying and grieving

-beautiful leather-bound hardcover

-over 20 illustrations by Ned Bustard

-silk bookmark

-gilded edges

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, saves those whose spirit is crushed." (Ps 34:19)

You might feel, in the days and weeks after a miscarriage, like the Lord is anything but close.

Laura and Franco Fanucci understand. After struggling with infertility, they miscarried their third child in the first trimester. Later, their twin daughters were born prematurely and lived only a few days. Laura and Franco are here to tell you that, while your miscarriage is a deeply personal loss, you are not alone.

Grieving Together is written by a couple specifically for couples, understanding that both spouses have experienced a loss and grieve differently. Drawing from Catholic tradition and teaching, Laura and Franco gently guide you through:

Grieving Together is the book the Fanuccis had wished for after their miscarriage. Practical resources include Scripture, prayers, and official Catholic rites. It also speaks to the unique concerns of fathers, and includes many real-life stories from couples in many different circumstances.

"We are fellow travelers on the road: parents who have suffered significant losses yet have grown in our marriage because of the gifts of our children's lives." -- Laura and Franco Fanucci

In Hope to Die: The Christian Meaning of Death and the Resurrection of the Body, Scott Hahn explores the significance of death and burial from a Catholic perspective. The promise of the bodily resurrection brings into focus the need for the dignified care of our bodies at the hour of death. Unpacking both Scripture and Catholic teaching, Hope to Die reminds us that we are destined for glorification on the last day.

Our bodies have been made by a God who loves us. Even in death, those bodies point to the mystery of our salvation.

This comforting collection of prayers, blessings, Franciscan wisdom, and heartwarming photos is the perfect gift for anyone who is grieving the loss of a beloved cat. Every page is filled with reassurance that we will see our feline friends in heaven.

The death of a beloved animal friend can be one of the most difficult events we face, often surprising us at the depth of the grief and emotion we feel.

It can be very comforting to know that the animals we love so much are safe with God, who created and loves them.

Throughout his many years as a Franciscan friar, Jack Wintz came to know--the Bible gives us many clues that we will be with our pets in heaven for eternity! St. Francis himself shared a close relationship with animals, preaching to the birds, releasing Brother Rabbit from a trip, or letting Sister Raven awaken him for early morning prayer. Franciscan spirituality tells us that all creatures form one family of creation, and God's plan of salvation includes the whole created world.

This new, expanded edition of the original bestseller includes:

Sections of the book include:

With it reassuring message of God's eternal love and care for all creation, I Will See You in Heaven helps us to know that we are not alone in our grief, and that our "goodbye" is not forever.

The mystery of death strikes at the core of the human soul. We instinctively recoil at the pain of losing loved ones, and as we grapple, we are quick to seek remedies to console ourselves. There is no one better suited to assuage our grief than the translator of the Bible, St. Jerome (ca. 347-420). This book presents -- for the first time in English -- a fresh translation of seven of his most moving letters that sought to soothe his friends who suffered the loss of spouses, children, relatives, and loved ones.

You will be struck by the relevance of St. Jerome's words to your experiences of grief today. You will learn how to find peace after the death of a dear one as St. Jerome, with palpable emotion, points to the hope promised in Christ's Resurrection. You'll also learn to transform your loss into a new opportunity to follow the Lord more closely through deeper Christian living, a union that St. Jerome explains powerfully to his friends.

This book begins with an introduction that presents the challenge of providing solace to the suffering along with a summary of St. Jerome's long life and of his theology of consolation. Each of the seven letters is contextualized with a brief paragraph about the people and the situation at hand as well as key themes for the contemporary reader's focus.

These precious letters reveal the compassionate heart of this enigmatic and eminent Church Father. By reflecting on the words that he used to hearten his spiritual children, you will be comforted in your own grief and fortified to support others in theirs. In these invaluable letters, you will encounter:

St. Jerome also encourages those who remain in their grief to consider the blessings they received from the lives of their loved ones and to look forward to a happy eternity together with them in Heaven. After reading his letters, you will never think of death in the same way again.

Some take a lifetime to fulfill their purpose. Others, such as babies that die prematurely, need much less time to accomplish God's plan for their lives. Authors David and Colleen Currie share the story of their tenth grandchild, Louis Gerard, to offer hope to families suffering the loss of an infant and to assist children in the grieving process. Loving Baby Louie is a poignant story that will help small children understand the loss of a sibling and the eternal life that awaits them in Heaven. As Scripture tells us, "No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthian s 2:9).

About the Authors
Colleen and David Currie reside in the Chicago area. They have eight children and eleven grandchildren. Loving Baby Louie is the true story of their tenth grandchild, Louis Gerard. In 1993, Colleen and David and all of their children joyfully entered the Catholic Church from Protestant fundamentalism. Colleen is a full-time mother and grandmother and David is a popular Catholic author and lecturer. He has been a frequent guest on both radio and television, including Relevant Radio, EWTN, and the History Channel.

About the Illustrator
Talena Streeter earned a degree in graphic design from the University of Colorado at Denver. She has worked professionally on all kinds of illustration projects--from advertisements to corporate logos. She especially enjoys illustrating children's books and helping talented authors bring their stories to life. Talena thanks God every day for her 'husband, her family, and the chance to do what she loves for a living.

Fr. Benedict has written previously about faith and sorrow (Arise from Darkness) and seeks in this book to study catastrophes of all different kinds in relationship to our faith in divine providence, in God's goodness and mercy, and finally in the light of Christ's suffering and death. Christianity is the only religion which speaks of a God who suffered a terrible catastropheùcrucifixion and death. Therefore, the Christian must, in the midst of catastrophe, find his way to the foot of the cross, and there he will find answers which cannot be given by any other religious faith.

All religions attempt to deal with catastrophe, all confront the mystery of suffering and of evil. Christianity invites you to share the burden of your catastrophe with the person who is our Savior and Redeemer, one who Himself endured great pain and sorrow, the son of God, Jesus Christ.

Dr. Stephen Doran draws from his vast experience as a neurosurgeon, a bioethicist, and a permanent deacon to present the Catholic perspective on the art of dying well. The spiritual and moral issues related to death and the process of dying can be challenging and complicated. To Die Well provides a detailed yet readily understandable guide to these topics.

Each chapter begins with a story from Dr. Doran's personal or professional life that not only provides context for the topic at hand but also gently draws the reader toward the personal realities of dying. The first part focuses on the moral issues that surround death and dying, including end-of-life medical decisions. The second part is devoted to the Catholic spiritual understanding of dying and the rites that accompany the death of a Catholic.

To Die Well will help readers contemplate, pray about, and prepare for the end of their earthly lives.

When words don't come easily, there are still ways to pray.

For those who have experienced a sudden and terrible loss, it is important to realize that you don't have to do the things one normally associates with prayer to actually be connecting with God in a way that's prayer-like. Just sit still, if you like. Grieving people often find themselves doing a lot of sitting still. Stunned. Allow yourself a time to be quiet, to answer to no one, to accomplish nothing at all. Quietness in itself is where prayerfulness begins.

This little book can be your entry to talking with God -- with and without words -- in this most difficult time.