Spirituality

In this volume from the Fathers of the Faith series, you'll be introduced to Saint Irenaeus of Lyons. Who was he? What did he teach? Where and when did he live? Why is he an important figure in the history of the Church?

In this accessible, bite-sized introduction, renowned author, speaker, and television host Mike Aquilina gives an overview of Irenaeus's life as a second-century Greek and the historical surroundings that affected his life and thought. A friend of Saint Polycarp from the same town in Asia Minor, Irenaeus was born in a Christian family and eventually became a bishop. His foundational works include Against Heresies and The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching, and their relevance endures today.

More than 1,800 years after Ireneaus' death, the U.S. bishops voted unanimously in agreement with a French initiative that Irenaeus be named a doctor of the Church, testament to the importance of his writings and teachings. In 2019, the bishops' approval was forwarded to the Vatican for consideration by Pope Francis.

About the Author

Mike Aquilina is the award-winning author of more than fifty books on Catholic history, doctrine, and devotion. His works have been translated into many languages. He has hosted eleven television series and several documentary films. He and his wife, Terri, have been married since 1985. Their six children and growing number of grandchildren are much loved.

More than 70,000 copies of the original Polish edition were sold within three months of its release. Now licensed for English distribution exclusively through Marian Press, Faustina: The Mystic and Her Message provides new details about this remarkable woman and rare photographs of her. In this biography, get to know the real Faustina, her message, and her mission.

Includes 32 page photo section, featuring many never-before seen photos!

The term "spiritual warfare" conjures images of heavenly battles between archangels and demons, but Sonja Corbitt insists that there is a realm of spiritual warfare that is more domestic than it is cosmic--in the trenches of dirty bathrooms, fighting children, irritable spouses, the struggle to stop smoking or overeating, crazy schedules, and overwhelming workloads.

In her new book, the author of Unleashed takes us deep into scripture and the spiritual practices of the Church in order to show us how to resist the avalanche of temptations that can threaten us and lead to paralyzing anxiety and fear. Through her powerful personal story and teaching, Corbitt shows us how to put on the armor of Christ and learn to live fearlessly, love with abandon, and embrace life with confidence.

In Unleashed, Corbitt identified the spiritual wounds that reveal themselves through the harmful patterns and relationships in our lives. In Fearless, she offers scriptural tools that help us understand and conquer the demons of sin, Satan, self, and sloth. She helps us recognize the methods the devil uses to keep us enslaved and she immerses us in a profound contemplation of love, which is the only possible weapon against the spirit of fear. In this book you will come to understand

His friends called him an explosion of joy. Mountain climbing, music, practical jokes and political debates were among his many passions. With film star looks, common sense intelligence, and amazing athleticism, Pier Giorgio Frassati had every reason to pursue worldly success. He chose to focus on higher goals instead.

Identified as "The Man of the Eight Beatitudes" and recognized as one of the most fascinating and relatable saintly examples of the 20th century, he was devoted to the Eucharist and the Blessed Mother and led a mostly hidden life of charity that ultimately cost him his life at the age of twenty-four. When his body was exhumed in 1981, it was found to be perfectly incorrupt. He was beatified in 1990. All three popes since then have commended this dynamic young Italian's life to the Church--and especially to younger Catholics.

Author Christine Wohar, a noted expert on Frassati, has created this practical guide to Pier Giorgio's short but spirited life. Writing in a simple, accessible style, she presents 40 reflections on aspects of his personal life and spirituality. Prayers and concrete action steps are included to help you make this future saint's habits and methods your own.

One of the hottest topics in contemporary culture is happiness--so much so that the United Nations declared an International Happiness Day in response to the immense popularity of Pharrell Williams' song "Happy". The explanation for this current fixation seems to lie in the contrary phenomenon--unhappiness. Despite the fact that we have tremendous access to every imaginable form of entertainment, we experience a pervading sense of insecurity, emptiness, and malaise amid sporadic peak experiences.

The problem seems to lie less in the external environment than in the internal one. We seem, in the words of Viktor Frankl, to be suffering from an absence of meaning that pervades both individuals and societies, giving rise to a collective emptiness, loneliness, and alienation.

Finding True Happiness attempts to provide a way out of this personal and cultural vacuum by helping people to identify and then reach for happiness. As Aristotle noted 2,400 years ago, happiness is the one thing we can choose for its own sake--everything else is chosen for the sake of happiness.

After an exhaustive investigation of philosophical, psychological, and theological systems of happiness, author Fr. Spitzer developed the "Four Levels of Happiness", which he based on the classical thinkers Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas; the contemporary philosophers Marcel, Scheler, Buber, Ricoeur, and Jaspers; and the modern psychologists Maslow, Frankl, Erikson, Seligman, Kohlberg and Gilligan.

Finding True Happiness is both a philosophical itinerary and a practical guidebook for life's most important journey--from the mundane and the meaningless to transcendent fulfillment. No other book currently available combines such breadth of practical advice and such depth of philosophical, psychological, and spiritual wisdom.

But the teaching that Fr. Dubay synthesized is not collected from Teresa and John for contemplatives alone. It is meant for every Christian and is based on the Gospel imperative of personal prayer and the call to holiness. All the major elements of these great teachers are ordered, commented on and put in the context of their scriptural foundations. Here is an outstanding book on prayer and the spiritual life written by one of the best spiritual directors and retreat masters of our time, and based on the writings of the Church's two greatest mystical doctors.

These pages show you how to infuse integrity into your business and why it is so essential to success. You will learn not only the responsibilities you have to your employees, to your customers, and to society in general, but also why you must fulfill these responsibilities to remain competitive. In short, you'll learn how to do the right thing in business, and how to do it the right way.

From Force for Good you'll learn:

These helpful pages include, as well:

Based on his study of great theologians and philosophers dating back to Aristotle, eminent philosopher and physicist Rev. Dr. Robert Spitzer devised his Four Levels of Happiness, asserting that whichever level dominates our lives will dictate our actions and determine the depth and endurance of our happiness. Incorporating examples from science, philosophy, psychology, and everyday life, Spitzer engagingly lays out achievable ways to ascend the ladder of happiness and find the fulfillment of all your desires.

Whether you are religiously minded or a skeptic, you will explore the fascinating relationship between science and the transcendent and gain keys to attaining the heights of joy. You will discover:

You will also learn about five transcendental desires that pull you up toward the fourth level of happiness and five cosmic inadequacies that drive you beyond the world of the senses.

Through the lens of science, Spitzer sheds light on the origins of the universe and man and the benefits of supernatural faith. Additionally, he explains three types of prayer and methods for developing a personal relationship with the Creator to find lasting and authentic joy.

Most significantly, you will find what it truly means to reach the level of transcendence. As you learn practical tips based on Ignatius of Loyola's Rules of Discernment, you will be empowered to live an enlightened, purposeful, joyous life. Above all, through Spitzer's logical, systematic reasoning you will see the beauty of Providence at work in you and how to open your heart to the power of love.

Reading Francis's writings is like being "on the road" with him 800 years ago.

Biographies will only take you so far. It's impossible to truly understand Francis of Assisi without reading his own words. A scholar and lover of Francis, Sweeney has added six writings to his bestselling compilation, additional texts that we're most certain came from Francis himself. Now, short writings such as "The Form of Life He Wished for Clare," "The Sermon to the Birds," and "The Source of True Joy," combine with Francis's Rules, letters, messages, songs, praises, canticles, and final spiritual Testament in a most ideal introduction to the saint. An expanded introduction and notes add historical and theological context.

Fr. Gabriele Amorth, known as "the Pope's Exorcist," exposes the reality of evil and lays out what our response should be in a time when the devil appears more powerful and cunningly alluring than ever. Our age, Fr. Amorth explains, is seduced by the wiles of the enemy -- either through fascination with the occult or through willful ignorance. There is, however, nothing to fear when we put on the armor of God.

In these absorbing pages, Fr. Amorth offers ways to equip yourself and your loved ones for the spiritual battle that all humans are destined to face -- and to attain victory. From the pen of the legendary priest exorcist, you will learn gripping details about:

An invaluable collection of tried-and-true traditional prayers is also included for protection against the devil and liberation from his bondage.

Fr. Amorth further explains the origin of Hell and the primary tactic the devil uses in pursuit of souls. He also provides a brief overview of the history of exorcism from the earliest centuries of Christianity and describes the ministry of exorcism, yesterday and today. Drawing from the riches of his experience, Father clarifies how he evaluates whether an individual is suffering due to preternatural causes and reveals the only authentic proof of malevolent influence.

Significantly, you will see how the ability to cast out demons testifies to Jesus' divinity and will discover ways that all of the faithful can intercede for the afflicted. Above all, you will be consoled by the power of Christ over the enemy and learn to rest safely in His care while trusting that by His Precious Blood shed on the Cross the triumph is already won.

Who is the Holy Spirit? What role does the Spirit play in the life of the Church and of the individual Christian? Beginning with the belief in the Holy Spirit as a Person of God, and not just a "force," this book reveals the Catholic understanding of the presence and influence of the Spirit God in every aspect of the Christian life. The book focuses on the unique aspects and development of Catholic devotion to the Holy Spirit from antiquity to the present, culminating in a look at Catholic theology of the Holy Spirit today and the new and exciting ways the Spirit is working among Catholics and all Christians in the 20th and 21st centuries.

We know that through Baptism we become children of God and heirs of heaven--that we receive sanctifying grace and have a share in the life of God himself. But what does that mean in our daily lives? The Glories of Divine Grace describes the immense gift of grace won for us by the Savior and the inconceivable power this grace gives to our lives.

Among the mysteries of faith, the doctrine of grace occupies a preeminent place. It's at the heart of Christianity because grace is how God comes to us and how we embrace God. To take this gift of divine grace for granted or to let it go to waste is an offense against God. Fr. Matthias J. Scheeben's insights into the glories of divine grace reveal a man who knew this gift intimately and cherished it wisely. Don't let this astonishing gift go unnoticed or unused or misunderstood. Read this masterful and intriguing book on grace.