Death, Grief

After Miscarriage: A Catholic Woman's Companion to Healing and Hope is a book about grief, healing, and hope after miscarriage. Not afraid to examine the raw emotions that accompany such an experience, the author tells women that they are not alone in reacting strongly, even frighteningly, to their loss and reassures them that hope and healing will come. Having experienced multiple miscarriages herself, Karen shares excerpts from her personal journals, as well as other women's stories, rich quotes about grieving and the healing process, and practical advice. A helpful resource section includes a wide variety of information from both Catholic and secular sources.

Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo's Surrender Prayer brought understanding and peace to countless souls amid the turbulence of the last century. Now, in our age of incomparable uncertainty, this miracle-worker and visionary writer offers the assurance you need to resolutely face the final things: death, judgment, Heaven, and Hell.

Read these pages, and you'll embark on the ultimate journey of discovery into what happens to the soul after death. You'll read true stories of the dead who have communicated to loved ones from the great beyond; you'll learn how the saints described their mystical experiences, and you'll investigate stunning supernatural phenomena that remain unexplained by science.

Notably, Don Dolindo provides proof for the existence of Purgatory and explains what it's like for the souls suffering there. Moreover, he describes the consequences of sin and how the souls in Purgatory are awaiting our sacrificial

Well-known author, psychologist and priest Fr. Benedict Groeschel draws on his own years of personal experiences in dealing with people's problems, tragedies and "darkness" as he offers help and guidance for any Christian troubled or burdened by life. If you are struggling with fear, anxiety, grief, loss of loved ones, hurt, anger or anything that makes life difficult or the road through it dark, then this book was written for you. Fr. Benedict offers practical suggestions on how to keep going and even grow with the help of God's grace, even when this help seems remote.

The Christian response to the problem of evil and suffering began with the cross of Christ. Our answer is inseparable from the cross-from Jesus' own encounter with evil and his triumph over it. In this light, Fr. Benedict recalls some of our most frequently encountered sorrows and griefs: the failure of friends, financial and personal insecurity, the failure of some in the Church, our own inconsistent behaviors and weaknesses, and the death of loved ones. As we examine these painful experiences, he shows that we can find solutions in the Gospel and in the lives of saints, heroes, and very brave ordinary people.

"Many guides have been written for people struggling with the mystery of evil. But each generation, each age has its own dark background in front of which the struggle to keep going must be worked out. In every age, men ask 'how am I going to go on to arise from darkness?' It is that which my book will address."
ùFr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR

Someone in your family is diagnosed with a terminal disease and your whole world is turned upside down. What can you do to help them through their final days? Where will they be cared for? And by whom? How do you decide? What do you do when members of the family disagree on the best way to care for the dying loved one? What resources are available to make it easier for everyone involved? What ethical issues may arise regarding the withholding or withdrawal of life support? How can the loved one be ministered to spiritually as he or she prepares for etemity? When is it time to let them go and how do you go about it? How might hospice help? This is only a small sample of the many matters covered in this handy guide for those who are responsible for the care of a dying loved one.

Few things in this earthly life are absolutely certain, but the most undebatable of these is death. Every person, even the atheist, will admit that death is certain. Death, however, is not the last event in this life of ours. Immediately after death, we shall be judged and then again on the Day of Judgment when all humanity will know us for what we are.

Too often the reality of Heaven and salvation are highlighted at the expense of the Church's teachings on Death, Judgment, Purgatory, and Hell. Yet, these important doctrines of the Church hold the truths of salvation -- truths that can lead us to Heaven or can pull us away from it.

In these pages, Fr. Wade Menezes, EWTN television host and Assistant General of the Fathers of Mercy, shows us that God has not called us to His wrath, but to salvation. He shows us that Heaven and Hell, salvation and damnation, eternal life and eternal punishment are all complementary doctrines. They need each other to be complete and we

Gregory Floyd reveals his heart-breaking journey through the sorrow of losing his youngest son. He deals not only with his own broken heart, but also with the struggle to reconstruct his role as husband, father, and protector. A Grief Unveiled offers encouragement not only to those who have experienced the agony of losing a child, but also to anyone who has suffered a loss. This book is a witness to the intimate presence of God in the midst of unbearable grief.

The classic guide for dealing with grief and loss. Daily reflections to find solace in our own lives, and comfort in the connection of sharing these meditations with countless others.

After the focus on planning and outpouring of love from family and friends in the immediate aftermath following the loss of a loved one, we are left to enter a new version of our lives where someone important is missing.

For days, months, years, the pain of the loss can crash in all at once. It is tempting to push that wave of grief back and soldier on with our new lives, but the loss will never lose its controlling power if we don't find the courage and love to face it. Meditating on the loss, along with the rush of love that comes with it, gives us a chance to rejoice in the life that was shared, and to look forward in which memories of our loved ones continue to bless us.

The short, poignant meditations given here follow the course of the year, but it is not a necessity to follow them chronologically. They will strengthen, inspire, and give comfort for as long as they are needed.

When we are alone, isolated, afraid, and grieving the loss of a loved one, Jesus tells us plainly, "Behold, I am with you always!" It is His presence and constant companionship that brings us comfort, consolation, and hope through all the seasons of our lives.
I Am with You Always invites the ordinary Catholic to once again "behold Jesus." In doing so, we will realize with joy and gratitude the wonderful connection between the ordinary teachings and practices of our Catholic faith and the strength we derive from them to weather the storms of life.
The authors gently invite their readers to respond to Christ's perennial call to "come and see" and to verify for yourself that:

God truly is Love and His mercy endures forever;

Christ draws near in order to remain with us;

we truly encounter Christ in the sacraments and in the liturgy;

we live, even now, in the communion of His saints;

Our Lady of Compassion constantly intercedes for us; and

God hears our prayers and responds to our heartache and pain.

This book was written as an act of friendship, as one heart speaking to another about the reality of God's love for us. It is an act of companionship, a drawing near to a beloved friend in their time of need. It is a gift that reminds a broken heart that there is always hope in Jesus Christ. For He alone is the victory over death that we seek for ourselves and for our loved ones.

Beautiful New Expanded Edition Includes:
Blessing and prayers
Special presentation pages
Photos of readers' beloved companions

Franciscan Jack Wintz wants you to know--the Bible gives us many clues that we will be with our pets in heaven for eternity!

"Our God is a God of overflowing love, goodness, and beauty who is ready to give over everything to those he loves. This goodness is reflected in the whole family of creation. When God says of any creature, whether human or nonhuman, that it is good or very good, it's not simply a matter of moral goodness. The creature also has an inherent goodness and beauty--a beauty that reflects God, who is Beauty itself."

Are loved ones reunited in Heaven?
The saints say "Absolutely!"

In wise and consoling letters written to a mother sorrowing over the death of her child, Fr. François René Blot, S.J., here summons the Church's greatest saints who testify with one voice that death's wound, though grievous, separates us but for a short while from those who die before us.

Acknowledging that profound sorrow at the death of loved ones is appropriate (after all, even Jesus wept for the death of his friend Lazarus), Fr. Blot nonetheless gives us reason to be joyful even in the midst of our sorrow: in heaven our loves and friendships will finally be free of the many hindrances -- small and large -- that keep them from being perfect in this life.

Moreover, the saints say, in heaven we will love and know the love of countless souls we never met on earth, our Guardian Angel, and all the choirs of angels! Soon after it was written, a Cat

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.

This best-selling, classic work on the spirituality of caring for the dying is now expanded with moving stories and lessons gleaned from the author's experience as a hospice nurse. Caregivers, friends, and family members are provided with valuable insights into the power of the Catholic faith and prayer in ministering to a dying person. Poetic, practical, and credible, this book is an invaluable guide for anyone who accompanies others during their final pilgrimage here on earth--and helps in their birthing to eternal life.

Grief is the painful process of adjusting to a loss. This collection of meditations is designed for anyone experiencing loss, whether it be the death of a loved one or the loss of health, financial security, or relationships. Each reflection focuses on a different topic, moving readers from acknowledging pain and loss to healing and new life. Using Scripture and prayer, Simsic gently shepherds readers through difficult issues like forgiveness, shock, depression, and the fear of letting go, without ever resorting to shallow sentimentality. This expanded version of the original book, Cries of the Heart: Praying Our Losses, features additional meditations and photographs from nature. A wonderful resource for people going through times of loss as well as for those looking for a gift to comfort family or friends.

It will be seen that the following Manual of Devotion consists of a series of chapters or instructions upon important points of Christian teaching, which are called "Considerations."These Considerations are written for the purpose of pricking or of wounding the conscience, it may be in many points, that so it may be thoroughly aroused and awakened; of exciting, that is, compunction of the soul, real remorse of conscience for past as well as for present coldness and dryness. It must be a very hard heart, indeed, which is not moved by these "Considerations"so touchingly simple are they, so plain, and so wholly true. They deal with such doctrines and facts as have an universal application, which admit of no dispute, and which are always confirmed by some passage from Holy Scripture. It must be allowed, on all hands, that it is necessary for the soul to be aroused to feel its own needs, to regard its own wounds, that so it may be directed to a source where these needs can be supplied, and these wounds be healed. One great aim of this Treatise, is to arouse, as well as to direct the mind, to lead it to consider its own wants, and to seek by prayer to have those wants supplied. The book is essentially a guide to prayer. It represents, from its beginning to its end, the continual outpouring of heart before God; an outpouring that is of times expressed in the very same words which imply, at the same time, a new phase of thought. Regarded as a Manual of Mental Prayer, each of these "Considerations" has a technical and special signification. They treat of life and death, of the value of time, of the mercy of God, of the habit of sin, of the general and particular judgments, of the love of God, of the Holy Communion, and of kindred subjects equally important. The "Consideration,"as here used, implies far more than a mere inquiry. Its equivalents, the Italian Consideration, and the Latin Consideration, do not fully express its particular meaning in this Treatise, where it stands for a reflectional meditation. It calls into play the exercise of the memory, which puts together all the circumstances of the subject under notice; it excites the imagination, which represents, as in a picture, all such circumstances, bringing them vividly before the mind's eye; and, lastly, it urges the will so to fix and detain these things in the soul, that, by its own effort, it may unite itself with the will of God, so that God's will and the will of man may become one.