In this seven-day retreat, your director is Anthony of Padua, one of the earliest followers of St. Francis of Assisi. Beyond his reputation as a finder of lost objects, much more can be known about this complex yet simple genius the Catholic Church calls saint and doctor. Inspired as a young man by the the example of the first Franciscan martyrs, Anthony embarked upon a life balanced by preaching and example, learning and love. Through excerpts from his sermons, he invites readers to search with him to find Jesus and to live the Gospel.
A Study of the History and Meaning of Personal Devotion to Jesus Christ for Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christians The devotional life of Christians over the two millennia since Jesus' birth has been one of motion, changing and growing in response to the challenges presented to the Church, the temperaments of newly baptized nations, and controversies about how we can and should relate to God. And yet the core of authentic Christian devotion has not changed-it remains today, as it was in the time of the Church Fathers, the trusting and personal encounter with Christ that is both open and foundational to the life of all Christian believers. In this book the well-known spiritual writer and teacher Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C. F. R., surveys the development and trials of Christian devotion from the days of the martyrs until the twentieth century. Tracking it through the centuries and among "sadly divided branches of Christianity", he finds a commonality of experience and even of language that is constantly ignored among Christians themselves. By observing what "image of Christ" the canvas of common devotion portrays, he hopes we will move "not to discredit this image, but to sharpen it and make it more consistent with the New Testament and the ancient Church". Though the devotional life is sometimes brushed off as unimportant in comparison to a theological understanding of Christ, Groeschel warns that such dismissal threatens to make distant, unknown and obscure the Savior who said "I am with you always." The answer instead is to draw near to Jesus in devotion and with authentic expressions of that devotion, which themselves help paint the image of Christ found concretely in revelation onto the minds and daily life of the devout. Begun on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and the result of years of preparation and a whole life of guiding people as priest, public preacher, psychologist and spiritual director, this book will help Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant believers gain not only a comprehensive view of how pious Christians over the centuries have lived out their devotion to God, but the examples and perspective they need to live more devoutly today.
A cross-cultural encyclopedia of the most significant holy people in history, examining why people in a wide range of religious traditions throughout the world have been regarded as divinely inspired. The first reference on the subject to span all the world's major religions, Holy People of the World: A Cross-Cultural Encyclopedia examines the impact of individuals who, through personal charisma and inspirational deeds, served both as glorious examples of human potential and as envoys for the divine. Holy People of the World contains nearly 1,100 biographical sketches of venerated men and women. Written by religious studies experts and historians, each article focuses on the basic question: How did this person come to be regarded as holy? In addition, the encyclopedia features 20 survey articles on views of holy people in the major religious traditions such as Islam, Buddhism, and African religions, as well as 64 comparative articles on aspects of holiness and veneration across cultures such as awakening and conversion experiences, heredity, gender, asceticism, and persecution. Whether exploring by religion, culture, or historic period, this extensively cross-referenced resource offers a wealth of insights into one of the most revealing—and least explored—common denominators of spiritual traditions.
Saint Francis of Assisi is one of the most beloved saints. His commitment to God's will, his yearning to embrace poverty, and his attentiveness to the Spirit's presence in his life continue to inspire Christians and non-Christians alike. The Franciscan Tradition highlights some of the most influential people in Franciscan history. Using the writings of men and women from the First, Second, and Third Orders, this volume shows the breadth and depth of the Franciscan way of life. Presented here are saints and martyrs, contemplatives and preachers, theologians and reformers. They heeded God's call, found hope in Francis' mission, and now provide wisdom for those who seek to follow God. Regis J. Armstrong, OFM Cap, is a world-renowned expert on Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Clare of Assisi. In addition to translating and editing Francis and Clare: The Complete Works and three editions of Clare of Assisi: Early Documents, he was editor-in-chief of the four-volumeFrancis of Assisi: Early Documents and has written St. Francis of Assisi: Writings for a Gospel Life, True Joy. Armstrong is The John C. and Gertrude P. Hubbard Professor of Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America. Ingrid J. Peterson, OSF, is an adjunct faculty member of the Franciscan Institute, Saint Bonaventure University, and has been an English professor at the College of Saint Teresa and Quincy University. She is a Sister of Saint Francis from Rochester, Minnesota. Peterson is the author of Clare of Assisi: A Biographical Study and coauthor of Praying With Clare of Assisi. In 2000 the Franciscan Institute awarded her the Franciscan medal for Outstanding Contribution to Scholarship in Franciscan Studies. She is the first woman to receive this honor.
"Italian Literature before 1900 in English Translation provides the most complete record possible of texts from the early periods that have been translated into English, and published between 1929 and 2008. It lists works from all genres and subjects, and includes translations wherever they have appeared across the globe. In this annotated bibliography, Robin Healey covers over 5,200 distinct editions of pre-1900 Italian writings. Most entries are accompanied by useful notes providing information on authors, works, translators, and how the translations were received. Among the works by over 1,500 authors represented in this volume are hundreds of editions by Italy's most translated authors - Dante Alighieri, [Niccoláo] Machiavelli, and [Giovanni] Boccaccio - and other hundreds which represent the author's only English translation. A significant number of entries describe works originally published in Latin. Together with Healey's Twentieth-Century Italian Literature in English Translation, this volume makes comprehensive information on translations accessible for schools, libraries, and those interested in comparative literature."--Pub. desc.
Personal devotion to Our Lord Jesus Christ is an essential component of authentic Christian spirituality. In recent decades skeptical approaches to theology and Scripture have tended to diminish our awareness of the need for personal devotion to Our Savior. This leaves people with a feeling of emptiness and isolation. Fr. Benedict has made this anthology of profound prayers, drawn from all of Christian history, available to those who experience a hunger for devotion. Beautifully illustrated with classic art, this book will be a valuable companion for personal prayer, for times of recollection, and even for those times of critical spiritual need. Readers wishing to grow in their devotion to Christ and increase their love for Him will find the prayers in this book helpful and inspiring. Ranging from the prayers of early Church martyrs and Fathers and including those of mystics and theologians, it provides an introduction to the Church's vast patrimony of twenty centuries of devotion to Jesus Christ. Fr. Groeschel adds his own insights throughout the book. This book, combining profound prayers with wonderful spiritual insights and inspiring art-makes a beautiful gift for all who would seek to know and love Our Lord Jesus better. Illustrated. "How important it is for us to try to grow with Jesus and increase our knowledge and love of Him. This book is meant to do exactly that. These prayers will help you understand how Christians throughout the ages have lifted their hearts and minds to Jesus Christ." - Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.
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For more than 25 years, The Christian Writer’s Market Guide has been the most comprehensive and highly recommended resource available for Christian writers, agents, editors, publishers, publicists, and writing teachers. Wherever an author is at on the spectrum of writing—from beginner to seasoned professional—this book will help them find what they are looking for. This is the must-have tool for getting noticed and published and the ultimate reference tool for the aspiring Christian writer. Detailed listings for more than 180 book publishers, subsidy publishers, and self-publishers Detailed listings for more than 170 periodicals by category with rates of pay Detailed listings for literary agencies, writing contests, conferences, workshops, editorial services, and writers’ groups Extensive information on electronic and print-on-demand publishing 100 bonus pages filled with a wealth of how-to information, ideas, and tips
