A shining example of how reason and science can lead to faith. Dr. Kevin Vost is a cradle Catholic, who fell into aethism at the age of 17.  He would stay there for over 2 decades, until gradually through reasoned enlightenment (showered with God’s grace)  the fallacy in aethistic philosophy was revealed and the glory of real Truth became known.  Wonderful read…the journey really can be made from the head to the heart, just ask Dr. Kevin Vost!

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Pick up a copy of Kevin’s book

Be sure to visit Dr.  Kevin Vost’s website

 

OK, everyone lets  put the Little Flower to work (it brings her great  joy, don’tcha know)!  Today begins the novena to St. Therese of Lisieux.  Her feast day is Oct. 1.  She’s only merely huge… why she’s only slightly enormous…barely gigantic in all the little ways…she’s Our Little Flower.  A Doctor of the Church, who’s little way leads to the greatest love.

Teresa of Elkhorn, (Teresa Monaghen of course) leads us in our Novena to St. Therese.

George Weigel give us “The End and The Beginning:  Pope John Paul II – The Victory of of Freedom, The Last Years, The Legacy”. What a tremendous blessing to reflect once again on the life of a modern day saint…our very own late great Holy Father, John Paul II.  George Weigel doesn’t disappoint.  The first part of the book  reads like a spy novel…even more compelling because it’s true.  The second part, covers the last 6 years of the Pope John Paul’s life, the jubilee and so much more.  The last part sets the stage for a legacy which will be reflected and pondered on for generations, if not centuries.  It’s as much our story as Church as it is the life of  Pope John Paul II.  Don’t miss this one…it is essential reading!!!

 

You can pick up the book here

Visit the Ethic and Public Policy Center for more information

The most dangerous thing about Conn and David Iggulden’s book is that you’ll be inspired to heroism. From George Washington to Edith Cavell, from The Women of the SOE to Flight 93, the Dangerous Book of Heroes inspires young and old…it’s what good story telling is all about.  Some stories may be a little more than some very young listeners can take in, but don’t let that stop you from diving in yourself….the very best stories are the one’s we grow into.  Conn Iggulden and his brother David have given us all a gift.

 

You can find more about the book here

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The truth had more value than security and prestige.  He stressed a life of virtue.  His life would emphasize that both the habits of knowledge, along with  the habits of  virtue, lead to the birth of the habit of right judgement in our lives.  Boy now there is the key isn’t it.  We can have knowledge…we can have virtue…but are the two truly united, “married” so to speak, to bring about in our hearts and our minds, right judgement.  Look around the world today, is there the practice of  “right judgement’?  Sound complicated? Not really, it’s at the heart of true and proper discernment.  And that’s why Blessed John Henry Newman is a vital saint for today’s world.

One of the best books I’ve ever read on the teachings of Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman was “Progressive Illumination”.  And one my favorite discussions on his life was with Fr. Edward Ondrako OFM Conv.  What’s great about Fr. Ondrako is that not only thinks “Newman”, he prays “Newman.  And he shows us how it brings us all to the heart of Christ.

Take a listen to the conversation Bruce and I had with Fr. Ondrako on the Spirit Morning Show

 

 

A wonderful book on Blessed John Henry Newman is “Progressive Illumination” by Fr. Ondrako

There’s somethng that happens when you not only read and recite but when you also hear…when you listen deeply and profoundly.  The private revelation which was given to St. Bridget of Sweden that day in the chapel of the church of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls in Rome over 600 years ago is still one of the most poignant and compelling moments in all mystical experiences.  The Church has deemed this worthy of belief to the extent that it can edify one’s faith rather than hurt; that indeed if practiced and nurtured it could open the heart for an outpouring of grace.

The “Pieta Prayers” of St. Bridget of Sweden can be a challenging practice in today’s world.  To help foster a greater understanding and devotion to Our Lord’s Passion, Discerning Hearts has produced a MP3 Downloadable audio which we hope will assist you in some way.

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For the complete texts, promises and ecclesial advisements click here

Who is he?  Why should you care? 
(that almost looks like what he is thinking, doesn’t it?)….Well besides the fact that he is one of newest members sitting in the “Saint” section of the Cloud of Witnesses, he’s British and for those of us who are of English ancestory it’s kind of nice to have a British saint who didn’t have to be martyred at the hands of fellow countrymen to get there!

Brilliant…that’s the word…simply brilliant…that’s Cardinal John Henry Newman.  We’ll have more about him in later posts.  But an excellent way to start to learn more about him would be to  check out Dr. R. R. Reno, professor of Theology at Creighton University  discussing Newman’s life and times, and the significance of his work on his “Christian Apologetics” show.

Episode 2 – The Mass: the Universal Sign

Roots of the Faith – From the Church Fathers to You with Mike Aquilina, makes clear that just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the body of  Christ we know today. Hosted by Kris McGregor

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Pick up a copy of Mke’s book.  You’ll find so much more and invaluable references and resoources, as well

Also visit Mike’s “Discerning Hearts” page for more audio downloads and information!

Dr. Patricia Cooney Hathaway concentrates on helping women understand the relationship between faith and human experience during the middle years within the context of the whole life cycle.  This book is EXCELLENT! She explores the wrenching and puzzling questions women in their middle years need to ask: Who am I? Who am I with? Where am I going in terms of a life plan? What aids or blocks my growth? Is God a personal God who is invested in my life? Do I have a personal destiny related to God? What is the meaning of suffering? What is my fate after death?  Drawing from the Mystical Doctors of the Church, Dr. Hathaway offeres an outstanding spiritual resource for women.

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Click here to pick up a copy of Patricia’s book

Pope Benedict XVI and the Sexual Abuse Scandal is an important contribution to the understanding and healing of the great heartache that has inflicted the Church over the last 30 years.  Talking with Gregory Erlandson was a great opportunity to realize the nuisances of what got us here, but also the response and hope that leads us to the future.

The wonderful David Scott, put it best:

This is Catholic journalism at its best. Erlandson and Bunson are two of most knowledgeable people in the world on the Church and this book shows it. Good reporting, sharply written, smart analysis, not afraid of the hard questions–even if the answers don’t always put the Church in the best light. This book should be in every mainstream newsroom in the country. It offers a definitive historical overview of the abuse scandal and Pope Benedict’s role, first as head of the Vatican’s doctrine office and now as Pope. This should be an eye-opener for those who think Benedict has been negligent or worse. The facts just don’t support the conclusions that the mainstream media has been insisting upon. In addition to good reporting, this book provides excellent documentation–full texts of every reference Benedict has made on the crisis, including his addresses to the U.S. bishops and his historic letter to the people of Ireland. A good read and an essential reference.

Find more this book at www.osv.com

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I LOVE biographies, so when this one came along I was delighted.  A memoir from a man who experienced the 20th century in all it’s ugly moments and also in it’s beauty…Archbishop Philip Hannan.  From Irish immigrant parents,  to WWII, to the Kennedy White House, to Hurricane Katrina…what a story.   Wonderful!  I talked with Nancy Collins, 2nd cousin of the Archbishop, who assisted him in writing his memoir.  Nancy is an engaging personality in her own right, and that really comes through in our conversation! She reflects on the Archbishop’s life and contribution to our country and times…praise God the greatest generation is still with us to teach and guide!

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You can get a copy here

 

Elizabeth Bettina tells the tale of the people of Campagna, her grandmother’s village, that she would visit every summer as a child. Elizabeth discovered only as an adult, that those villagers had a little known secret: they had defied the Nazi occupiers and protected hundreds of Jews during the holocaust.  Elizabeth would go on to uncover the fascinating untold stories of Jews throughout Italy during WWII and the goodhearted Italian people who risked everything to save them. A heartwarming, as well as heartbreaking at times, account of the courageous efforts of neighbor truly helping neighbor in wartime Italy.

You can find more at www.elizabethbettina.com

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A marvelous work that takes all the grand imagery of the Book of Revelation and brings it into our aching hearts today. Fr. Richard Veras allows the symbols of Revelation to stand as the inspired work of God and helps us to see the why, as well the when of it’s message.  Many readers will be familiar with Fr. Veras as a frequent contributor to Magnifcat magazine.  With this new work, those readers, as well as new ones, will not be disappointed.

Click here for more information on Fr. Veras’ book

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Episode 1 – Witnesses to Tradition.  A grand overview of Church tradition as passed down to us by the Fathers of the Church…it’s scope and relevance for our lives today!

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Roots of the Faith – From the Church Fathers to You with Mike Aquilina, makes clear that just as an acorn grows into a tree and yet remains the same plant, so the Catholic Church is a living organism that has grown from the faith of the earliest Christians into the body of  Christ we know today. Hosted by Kris McGregor

Pick up a copy of Mke’s book.  You’ll find so much more and invaluable references and resoources, as well

Also visit Mike’s “Discerning Hearts” page for more audio downloads and information!