To live a virtuous life might seem like a daunting task, but we are fortunate to have examples to follow--the saints who have faced sin through the embodiment and exemplification of virtue. In this book, the reader will meet seven saints who lived seven virtues, and will discover concrete ways that they can live those virtues in their own lives. Seven Saints for Seven Virtues covers a wide range of spirituality and life circumstances, demonstrating that everyone, in every role of life, has the opportunity to live a virtuous life.
Many have heard of the Cappadocian Fathers-that trio from the fourth century who shaped much of the way we think about our faith today. What some don't realize is that these men were surrounded by several devout women who had a profound influence on their lives and their theology. Dr. Carla Sunberg has uncovered the fragments of details that remain about seven revolutionary women, whom she calls the Cappadocian Mothers. In so doing, Sun berg introduces to us a group of saints who practiced some very Uncommon Virtues. You'll be challenged and inspired by the stories of these incredible and courageous women who model a new way of following Christ. Book jacket.
This new story from the popular Vision Books series of saints lives for youth 9-15 years old is about the inspiring life of the great missionary to the Far East, St. Francis Xavier. After his wartorn boyhood in Navarre, Francis Xavier went to the University of Paris, determined to have a good time. He was interested in sports and became broadjumping champion of his college, and did not pay much attention to his studies. At first he scoffed at this fellow student, Ignatius Loyola, a former soldier who wanted to win the world for God. But Ignatius showed him that true champions are a far more heroic breed - those who risk their all to win the world for God. Francis joined Ignatius' followers, and became one of the first members of the Society of Jesus.Francis Xavier was selected by Ignatius to do missionary work in India. To all sixteenth-century travelers, a voyage from Portugal to India meant months of deadly peril from storms, pirates, and diseases. But to Father Francis Xavier, it also meant a chance to win the Orient for Jesus Christ. This great saint's eagerness to spread the Word of God involved him with the pearl divers of the Indian coast, the natives of Malaya and the Spice Islands, the cannibals of Morotni and the hostile feudal lords of ancient Japan. This book captures the true spirit of a daring man who braved the many dangers of India and Japan in amazing adventures of courage and faith.
World-renowned evangelist and New York Times best-selling author Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen presents a collection of engaging sermons, encouraging the reader in the practice of the three theological virtues of faith, hope and charity along with the four cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance, justice and fortitude. During these reflections, Sheen will make a connection between these seven virtues and the Seven Last Words spoken by Jesus from the Cross. While these meditations by Fulton J. Sheen on the Seven Last Words correlated to the seven virtues make no pretence to absoluteness, they do make convenient points of illustrations. TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE INTRODUCTION THE FIRST VIRTUE - FORTITUDE - "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." THE SECOND VIRTUE - HOPE - "This day thou shalt be with Me in Paradise." THE THIRD VIRTUE - PRUDENCE - "Woman, behold thy son! (Son) Behold thy mother!." THE FOURTH VIRTUE - FAITH - "My God! My God! Why hast Thou hast abandoned Me?" THE FIFTH VIRTUE - TEMPERANCE - I thirst." THE SIXTH VIRTUE - JUSTICE - "It is finished." THE SEVENTH VIRTUE - CHARITY - "Father, into Thy Hands, I commend My Spirit." ABOUT THE AUTHOR This book has one main aim and that is to awaken an appreciation of the Passion of Our Lord and to hopefully incite the practice of virtue. If it does that in but one soul its publication has been justified. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was a man for all seasons. Over his lifetime, he spent himself for souls, transforming lives with the clear teaching of the truths of Christ and His Church through his books, his radio addresses, his lectures, his television series, and his many newspaper columns. The topics of this much-sought-after lecturer ranged from the social concerns of the day to matters of faith and morals. With an easy and personable manner, Sheen could strike up a conversation on just about any subject, making numerous friends as well as converts. During the 1930s and '40s, Fulton Sheen was the featured speaker on The Catholic Hour radio broadcast, and millions of listeners heard his radio addresses each week. His topics ranged from politics and the economy to philosophy and man's eternal pursuit of happiness. Along with his weekly radio program, Sheen wrote dozens of books and pamphlets. One can safely say that through his writings, thousands of people changed their perspective about God and the Church. Sheen was quoted as saying, "There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be." Possessing a burning zeal to dispel the myths about Our Lord and His Church, Sheen gave a series of powerful presentations on Christ's Passion and His seven last words from the Cross. As a Scripture scholar, Archbishop Sheen knew full well the power contained in preaching Christ crucified. With St. Paul, he could say, "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2). During his last recorded Good Friday address in 1979, Archbishop Sheen spoke of having given this type of reflection on the subject of Christ's seven last words from the Cross "for the fifty-eighth consecutive time." Whether from the young priest in Peoria, Illinois, the university professor in Washington, D.C., or the bishop in New York, Sheen's messages were sure to make an indelible mark on his listeners. Given their importance and the impact they had on society, it seemed appropriate to reintroduce these reflections from 1940 on the seven virtues. God Love You.
Winner of a 2018 Catholic Press Association Award: Sacraments. (Second Place). In the first book to directly integrate the Twelve Steps with the practice of Catholicism, Scott Weeman, founder and director of Catholic in Recovery, pairs his personal story with compassionate straight talk to show Catholics how to bridge the commonly felt gap between the Higher Power of twelve-step programs and the merciful God that he rediscovered in the heart of the sacraments. Weeman entered sobriety from alcohol and drugs on October 10, 2011, and he's made it his full-time ministry to help others who struggle with various types of addiction to find spiritual wholeness through Catholic in Recovery, an organization he founded and directs. In The Twelve Steps and the Sacraments, Weeman candidly tackles the struggle he and other addicts have with getting to know intimately the unnamed Higher Power of recovery. He shares stories of his compulsion to find a personal relationship with God and how his tentative steps back to the Catholic Church opened new doors of healing and brought him surprising joy as he came to know Christ in the sacraments. Catholics in recovery and those moving toward it, as well as the people who love them will recognize Weeman's story and his spiritual struggle to personally encounter God. He tells us how: Baptism helps you admit powerlessness over an unmanageable problem, face your desperate need for God, and choose to believe in and submit to God’s mercy. Reconciliation affirms and strengthens the hard work of examining your life, admitting wrongs, and making amends. The Eucharist provides ongoing sustenance and draws you to the healing power of Christ. The graces of Confirmation strengthen each person to keep moving forward and to share the good news of recovery and new life in Christ. Weeman's words are boldly challenging and brimming with compassion and through them you will discover inspiration, hope, sage advice, and refreshingly practical help.
Victory Over Vice & The Seven Virtues Two of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's best-selling books have been brought together in one special collection. The first part of this book is a collection of engaging sermons from this Emmy award-winning and New York Times best-selling author will encourage the reader to understand better that the seven deadly sins can be overcome with the help of the advice given in the Seven Last Words spoken by Christ from His Cross. Using these words spoken by Jesus from the Cross on Calvary as a backdrop, Sheen will address matters concerning various addictions and patterns of habitual sin. He will use his inimitable writing style, with immediacy, yet conveying joy and comfort in the subject matter. These meditations on the Seven Last Words correlated to the seven deadly sins make no pretense to absoluteness. The Words are not necessarily related to the seven deadly sins, but they do make convenient points of illustrations. HELP IN OVERCOMING THE SIN OF ANGER "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." HELP IN OVERCOMING THE SIN OF ENVY "This day thou shalt be with Me in Paradise." HELP IN OVERCOMING THE SIN OF LUST "Woman, behold thy son! (Son) Behold thy mother!" HELP IN OVERCOMING THE SIN OF PRIDE "My God! My God! Why hast Thou hast abandoned Me?" HELP IN OVERCOMING THE SIN OF GLUTTONY "I thirst." HELP IN OVERCOMING THE SIN OF SLOTH "It is finished." HELP IN OVERCOMING THE SIN OF COVETOUSNESS "Father, into Thy Hands, I commend My Spirit." This second part of this book includes more of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen's engaging sermons which will encourage the reader in the practice of the three theological virtues of faith, hope and charity along with the four cardinal virtues of prudence, temperance, justice and fortitude. Sheen will make the connection between the seven virtues and the Seven Last Words spoken by Jesus from the Cross. While these meditations by Fulton J. Sheen on the Seven Last Words correlated to the seven virtues make no pretence to absoluteness, they do make convenient points of illustrations. FOR THE VIRTUE OF FORTITUDE "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." FOR THE VIRTUE OF HOPE "This day thou shalt be with Me in Paradise." FOR THE VIRTUE OF PRUDENCE "Woman, behold thy son! (Son) Behold thy mother!." FOR THE VIRTUE OF FAITH "My God! My God! Why hast Thou hast abandoned Me?" FOR THE VIRTUE OF TEMPERANCE "I thirst." FOR THE VIRTUE OF JUSTICE "It is finished." FOR THE VIRTUE OF CHARITY "Father, into Thy Hands, I commend My Spirit." This book has one main aim and that is to awaken an appreciation of the Passion of Our Lord and to hopefully incite the reader to turn away from the seven deadly sins and to practice the virtues. If it does that in but one soul its publication has been justified.
Many of us fail to recognize that obtaining the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential to getting to heaven. We often block their reception through our own faults. We fail to see how they are passed on or strengthened in the sacraments. And, sadly, we forget to petition God in prayer to bestow these gifts upon us. In these pages, Dr. Kevin Vost — best-selling author of The One-Minute Aquinas — provides us with a substantive yet readable introduction to the seven gifts and how we can humbly submit our wills to the stirrings of the Holy Spirit. As Dr. Vost explains, these God-given gifts help us to conform our lives to His image, intellect and will. They prevent us from being drawn into frustration – and possibly self-destruction – by following our own sensual appetites. Indeed, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are the only path to being fully happy on earth and in the life to come. With St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Bonaventure as his guides, Dr. Vost introduces you to the special charism of the Holy Spirit before explaining each gift one by one. You’ll discover the special meaning behind each of the natural and theological virtues, and you’ll learn the indispensible link between the seven gifts and the Beatitudes. You’ll also learn: How the seven gifts differ from the fruits of the Holy Spirit.The three ways to perfect fear of the Lord.The one sacrament that helps you fortify fortitude – it’s not the one you think.How the gift of knowledge differs from the gift of understanding.The seven steps to unwrapping – and sharing – each of the Holy Spirit’s gifts.The greatest of the seven gifts – and why you must possess it to attain heaven.Are the seven gifts habits we must develop, or does the Holy Spirit instill the habits in us? Don’t let another year go by without unwrapping and enjoying the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Read this book, and then accept the seven gifts the Holy Spirit so desperately wants to give you.
"We have reduced all virtues to one: being nice. And, we measure Jesus by our standard instead of measuring our standard by Him." For the Christian, explains author Peter Kreeft, being virtuous is not a means to the end of pleasure, comfort and happiness. Virtue, he reminds us, is a word that means "manly strength." But how do we know when we are being meek--or just cowardly? When is our anger righteous--and when is it a sin? What is the difference between being virtuous--and merely ethical? Back to Virtue clears up these and countless other questions that beset Christians today. Kreeft not only summarizes scriptural and theological wisdom on leading a holy life, he contrasts Christian virtue with other ethical systems. He applies traditional moral theology to present-day dilemmas such as abortion and nuclear armament. Kreeft restores to us what was once common knowledge: the Seven Deadly Sins have an antidote in the Beatitudes. By setting up a close contrast between the two sets of behaviors, Kreeft offers proven guidance in the often bewildering process of discerning right from wrong as we move into the questionable mores of the twenty-first century. He provides a road map of virtue, a map for our earthly pilgrimage synthesized from the accumulated wisdom of centuries of Christians, from Paul and the early Church Fathers through C.S. Lewis.
