Useful Servanthood introduces English-speaking readers to Abba Ammonas, disciple and successor of Saint Antony of the Desert and a prominent figure of fourth-century Egyptian monasticism. As a director of souls, Ammonas's approach to spiritual formation was a creative example of the spiritual gift of discernment. By examining Ammonas's writings and his ecclesial and political milieus, Dr. McNary-Zak shows how discernment functioned both in the abba-disciple relationship of the des...

The focal point of Pope Francis’ Church is mercy: in the dialogue between human fragility and God’s mercy the Church has to welcome and help everyone to find the ‘good news’ of Christian hope. As part of his revolutionary new vision for the Church, Francis calls on all believers to be ‘full-time Christians’ and not ‘living-room Christians’, and to struggle against the trappings of power, and the worship of money and careerism. Francis has spoken and written widely on these themes during hi...

New York Times–bestselling author Garry Wills provides a provocative analysis of the theological and historical basis for the priesthoodIn a riveting and provocative tour de force from the author of What Jesus Meant, Pulitzer Prize winner Garry Wills poses the challenging question: Why did the priesthood develop in a religion that began without it and, indeed, was opposed to it? Why Priests? argues brilliantly and persuasively fo...

A comprehensive, page-a-day booklet designed to strengthen the life of faith. Each day features one of eight cornerstones of the Catholic Faith: - Profiles of the holy men and women of the Bible - Reflections on Sacred Scripture - Short explanations on the Catechism - Devotions for deepening faith - Essays on key aspects of the Faith - Meditations from saints and spiritual masters - Prayers both ancient and modern - Poems capturing the beauty of faith A practical way for families and paris...

The bestselling author of Never Alone and A Portrait of Jesus returns to reflect on his personal spirituality to guide us to a deeper understanding of the essence of God.With Trinity, Joseph Girzone guides readers to a deeper understanding of this foundational concept, explaining why it is not antiquated theological dogma, but a living expression of the very essence of God. He offers support and clarity to those who already believe in God...

After 2,000 years of flawed history, here at last is a magnificent new biography of Mary Magdalene that draws her out of the shadows of history and restores her to her rightful place of importance in Christianity.Throughout history, Mary Magdalene has been both revered and reviled, a woman who has taken on many forms—witch, whore, the incarnation of the eternal feminine, the devoted companion (and perhaps even the wife) of Jesus. In this brilliant new biography, Bruce Chilton, a re...

"This volume is intended to meet a widely felt need for an up-to-date and concise source book on the principal teachings of the Catholic Church. Since the close of the Second Vatican Council, there has been such an accumulation of ecclesiastical constitutions and decrees and so many changes they introduced in Catholic practice that few people have been able to keep up with all that has happened... A parallel purpose of this volume is to offer those who use it a handy guidebook of the Catho...

This important work offers the most comprehensive and up-to-date account of the Orthodox Church available, providing a detailed account of its historical development, as well as exploring Orthodox theology and cultureWritten by one of the leading Orthodox historians and theologians in the English-speaking worldOffers an in-depth engagement with the issues surrounding Orthodoxy's relationship to the modern world, including political, cultural and ethical debates

The human heart longs to be united with God, and it is only in prayer—as we answer God’s invitation to become friends of Jesus—that men and women can satisfy the deepest desires of their heart. These short meditations are taken from Pope Benedict XVI’s audiences, homilies, addresses, and writings from the past seven years of his pontificate, including his most recent catechesis on prayer. Because he is steeped in personal prayer and the liturgical and traditional prayers of the Church, the...

An in-depth investigation of the facts and mythology surrounding the historical Mary Magdalene• Reveals new details about the life of the beloved of Jesus• Illustrated with rare and unusual imagery depicting Mary’s central role in Christianity• By the author of the bestselling The Woman with the Alabaster JarThe controversy surrounding Mary Magdalene and her relationship to Jesus has gained widespread international interest since the publication of ...

Do you want to learn more about Catholicism? Are you returning to the faith after a long absence? Do you want to know what role the Catholic faith plays in your life? The Seeker’s Catechism answers your questions in an easy-to-read Q&A format to help you feel more at home with what the Church believes and practices.This updated edition of The Seeker’s Catechism by veteran teacher Michael Pennock offers concise answers to questions about the riches of Catholic fait...

What are the sacraments, really?For centuries, the religious lives of Catholics and other Christians have revolved around church rituals with generally accepted individual and social effects. What, precisely, are those effects, and how are they produced? Traditional theology used Greek philosophy to understand the sacraments and how they work. But is there no other way to understand them? In fact, there are a number of ways, and this book invites you to look at the sacraments throu...