Spiritual Saints

Heavily tattooed and foul-mouthed, Nadia Bolz-Weber, a former stand-up comic, sure as hell didn't consider herself to be religious-leader material - until the day she ended up leading a friend's funeral in a smoky downtown comedy club. Surrounded by fellow alcoholics, depressives, and cynics, she realized: These were her people. Maybe she was meant to be their pastor. Using life stories, Nadia uses humorous narrative and poignant honesty to portray a woman who is both deeply faithful and deeply flawed, giving hope to the rest of us along the way.

We are capable of so much more than we think. You have no idea what you are capable of. None of us do. God is constantly trying to open our eyes to the amazing possibilities that he has enfolded in our being. The saints continue this work, encouraging us to explore all our God-given potential, not with speeches but with the example of their lives. When we have the courage to collaborate with God and pursue our truest self, he lights a fire within us that is so bright and warm, it keeps shining long after our days on this earth have come to an end.

Why do many Catholics who know the Church teaches that their baptismal promises are the most important promises they’ll ever make to God, almost never imitate Jesus’ devotion to His holy Mother in the specific way He practiced it, so that they can keep their promises? Please DON’T read this if you’ve already decided that God’s calls to holiness (e.g., Gn. 17:1; Mt. 5:48; Apoc. 22:11) are not really practical in your situation. Because, in that case, this book won’t help you. St. Louis-Marie de Montfort revealed… “Predestinate soul, here is a secret the Most High has taught ...

Labeled one of the 50 best spiritual books of 2021 by Spirituality & Practice, and a Catholic Media Association award-winning book for 2022. Antiracism is essential to becoming all that God calls us to be. Using the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola as the framework for exploring the ways Christ calls us to the work of antiracism, author Patrick Saint-Jean, SJ weaves together stories from his own life, from the life of Ignatius, and from Black history. He writes that antiracism is not an optional aspect of the spiritual life. The goal, however, is not that we will reach a state of ...

A masterpiece of Christian mysticism and a literary jewel of Spain’s Golden Age, Dark Night of the Soul by Saint John of the Cross has inspired spiritual seekers for centuries. This edition, carefully rendered into modern English, allows contemporary readers to enter its depth without stumbling over archaic language or obscure expressions. The accompanying commentary aims to bridge the 500-year cultural divide between the 16th century and today’s reader. It not only clarifies the symbolism and implicit theology in each verse but also offers insight into the spiritual experience that the...

Madame Guyon is generally credited, even by her enemies, as being one of the best-known women in church history. Will Durant, in his Story of Civilization, recounts the impact of Jeanne Guyon's life and writings on French history. At one time this book was publicly burned in France and yet it has also been received by seeking Christians as one of the most helpful and powerful Christian books ever written. Penned by one of Christianity's most famous saints, Jeanne Guyon, it has played a major part in the lives of more famous Christians than perhaps any other Christian book.

The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila presents a remarkable description of the entire spiritual life from the first release from mortal sin into sanctifying grace through the Mystical Marriage of the soul with Christ as a journey through what she called The Interior Castle. She sees the soul as a magnificent castle full of spacious and well-lit rooms or mansions, each of which leads deeper into the heart of the castle to the seat of the king.

Room for Good Things to Run Wild is the antidote to widespread Christian malaise. If you feel like life is happening to you, that your faith has been reduced to trite platitudes, and that no matter how many new things you try, you still end up with a dissatisfying Christian life, this book offers relief from the mediocrity of Christian living through the sacred and satisfying journey of becoming an every day saint.

Do you long to find a spiritual practice that meets you where you are? A way of connecting with the Divine that feels deeply meaningful to you? In truth, there are four spiritual paths each of us will walk in our lifetime: Mystic, Lover, Seeker and Saint. In fact, we’ll each walk all of these paths—some for a short time, some for most of a lifetime—but we’ll walk them all, as part of our journey of soul growth. When you understand the spiritual path you’re on right now, everything becomes clear. No more trying to fit into other people’s expectations of what spiritual practice is...

Saints are people too. The word saint conjures up images of superstar Christians revered for their spectacular acts and otherworldly piety. But when we take a closer look at the lives of these spiritual heavyweights, we learn that they also experienced struggle, doubt, and heartache. In fact, we learn that in many ways they're not all that different from you and me. Narrating her own winding pilgrimage through faith, Karen Marsh reveals surprising lessons in everyday spirituality from these "saints" - folks who lived and breathed, and failed and followed God.

As early as Primary, you may have absorbed this confusing message: "God loves us....but He's so disappointed in you". For a religion that preaches hope, the message of "do more" often seems to win out. With so many programs, assignments, callings, commandments, standards, and honor codes, how can you keep up? The adversary highlights the shame you feel when you constantly fall short. Do you feel only heaviness as you consider the Latter-Day Saint path to exaltation? How can God not be disappointed in someone like me?

"Worldly Saints provides a revealing treasury of primary and secondary evidence for understanding the Puritans, who they were, what they believed, and how they acted. This is a book of value and interest for scholars and students, clergy and laity alike."

Step into the life of Padre Pio, a humble friar whose unwavering faith and profound spiritual gifts transcended the boundaries of the ordinary world. In this contemplative and inspiring novel, journey through the imagined exercises and deep experiences that shaped Padre Pio's remarkable ability to bilocate—an extraordinary gift that allowed him to be in two places at once. Set against the backdrop of World War II, this story delves into the mystical dimensions of faith, humility, and the incredible possibilities that arise when one is deeply connected to the divine. Through intimate ...

This audiobook combines a world-famous Catholic novelist, Louis de Wohl, with one of the most thrilling and dramatic saints’ lives in history, St. Joan of Arc. De Wohl uses his famed narrative skill to tell young people about the brave teenage French girl who had visions and led armies in battle, but also about how her entire life testifies to the amazing power of God’s grace. It’s all here: How Joan, a humble maiden in an insignificant town, was told by St. Michael the Archangel, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret, to lead the French in battle against the English.

Are you grappling with traits that feel more flawed than saintly? Whether you're impulsive like St. Peter, assertive like St. Paul, or even unpredictable like St. Mary Magdalene, your unique personality is not just a path to heaven, but a canvas for holiness. God has designed every temperament with the capacity to reflect His glory. Jesus Christ, as in all things, is our ultimate example because he is the perfection of all four temperaments.

Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God is the revised and expanded edition that helps leaders to promote the classic, best-selling 13-week study and conduct an Experiencing God Weekend or churchwide spiritual growth emphasis. Written by Henry Blackaby, Richard Blackaby, and Claude King, the Experiencing God Bible Study is based on the Experiencing God book, which has sold millions of copies worldwide. Participants will understand and apply seven realities of experiencing God.

Sometimes discernment seems complicated, and we struggle to “be still” to listen to God’s voice. Following the death of his spiritual director, St. Alphonsus Liguori penned timeless advice in a letter to one of his spiritual daughters, and it became the famous work titled Uniformity with God’s Will. Now, Dan Burke breaks open St. Alphonsus’s 18th-century classic for you. He intersperses relevant explanations and insights within the text of this great saint and includes reflection questions for each chapter.

This book presents the inspiring life and teachings of Sai Baba of Shirdi, sharing stories of his miracles, compassion, and timeless message of faith, kindness, and unity.

Many people want to offer love and support to their LGBTQ friends and neighbors, but aren't sure how. Bird’s unique position as a gay Latter-day Saint has given him valuable insight. In this audiobook, he authentically details the blessings and challenges faced by gay members of the church, and provides listeners with the perspective, understanding, and tools they need to more effectively minister to those who identity as LGBTQ.

This audiobook contains both the biography and the writings of St. Catherine, a 15th century Italian Roman Catholic saint and mystic (1447 - 1510). She was famous for her work among the sick and the poor, particularly during the plague which ravaged Genoa, where she died.