Understanding this traditional Catholic spirituality will give the reader powerful insights into his or her personal pilgrimage. It needs to be rediscovered, respected and put into practice by members of the Church today."--BOOK JACKET.
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, commonsense 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 twentieth 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. Book jacket.
God is to be found in the simplest of our daily activities and especially through total surrender to whatever is His will for each of us. That is the message of this 18th-century inspirational classic by Jean-Pierre de Caussade. Its encouragement to live in the present moment, accepting everyday obstacles with humility and love, has guided generations of seekers to spiritual peace and holiness. In this timeless spiritual classic, de Caussade presents the simple, profound gospel message that Jesus lived and taught: My meat is to do the will of my Father in heaven. The author states, The will of God gives to all things a supernatural and divine value for the soul submitting to it. The duties it imposes and those it contains become holy and perfect because everything it touches shares its divine character.This special volume of the famous spiritual treatise also includes the many insightful letters of Father de Caussade on the practice of self-abandonment. These numerous letters provide a great additional source of wisdom and much practical guidance for how to grow in abandonment and to deepen our union with God in our daily lives.De Caussade shows that this practice of self-abandonment to God's will is the key to attaining true peace and virtue, and that it is readily available to all people - from beginners to those well advanced in the spiritual life. He also shows how to determine what God's will is for us. He reveals that it is not extraordinary feats that God expects for our growth in holiness, but rather heroic attention to every detail in our lives and humble acceptance of our daily lot in life as coming from His hand. The rich spiritual lessons in this book have stood the test of time, offering real and practical assistance to all people because its message is simple and clear, one that the reader will find to be a rare treasure of inspiration and direction to be referred to again and again.
Hidden Holiness challenges us to examine the concept of holiness by exploring the "hidden" holiness founded on the calling of all to be witness to the Gospel
"How do we work out our salvation? What are we to expect, and anticipate, on this journey through life? When our earthly sojourn has ended, what will we have to account for before God? If we know the goal of our life, is there a map to guide us around the obstacles and pitfalls we may encounter? Centuries of following Jesus - who is the Way, the Truth and the Life have provided the Church with a number of tried-and-true routes to our ultimate goal. This work provides an overview of this traditional Catholic spirituality which has been tested and proven in the crucible of the lives of the saints. Our spiritual life develops and grows in a way not unlike our physical, emotional and intellectual lives. Certain stages are common to all. Our spiritual life develops in three stages: the beginning, or purgative stage; the proficient, or illuminative stage; and the perfect, or unitive stage. Understanding this traditional Catholic spirituality will give the reader powerful insights into his or her personal pilgrimage. It needs to be rediscovered, respected and put into practice by members of the Church today."--BOOK JACKET.
A deeply personal introduction to the biblical theology and spirituality of Opus Dei by the bestselling Catholic author Scott Hahn. To conspiracy theorists, Opus Dei is a highly secretive and powerful international organization. To its members, however, Opus Dei is a spiritual path, a way of incorporating the teachings of Jesus into everyday life. In Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace, Scott Hahn, a member of Opus Dei, describes the organization’s founding, its mission, and its profound influence on his life. Hahn recounts the invaluable part Opus Dei played in his conversion from Evangelical Christianity to Catholicism and explains why its teachings remain at the center of his life. Through stories about his job, his marriage, his role as a parent, and his community activities, Hahn shows how Opus Dei’s spirituality enriches the meaning of daily tasks and transforms ordinary relationships. He offers inspiring insights for reconciling spiritual and material goals, discussing topics ranging from ambition, workaholism, friendship, and sex, to the place of prayer and sacrifice in Christianity today. Engaging and enlightening, Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace is at once a moving personal story and an inspiring work of contemporary spirituality.
This is a book within traditional Catholic spirituality, yet develops a new perspective on the Lord's Prayer, the Our Father. In that prayer is seen a liturgy, a work of Christ, and the entire Christian journey to Him.