Best Catholicism Self Help
It was during those endless hours of unspeakable terror that Immaculee discovered the power of prayer, eventually shedding her fear of death and forging a profound and lasting relationship with God. In 1994, Rwandan native Ilibagiza was 22 years old and home from college to spend Easter with her devout Catholic family, when the death of Rwanda's Hutu president sparked a three-month slaughter of nearly one million ethnic Tutsis in the country. This searing firsthand account of Ilibagiza's experience cuts two ways: her description of the evil that was perpetrated, including the brutal murders of her family members, is soul-numbingly devastating, yet the story of her unquenchable faith and connection to God throughout the ordeal uplifts and inspires. This book is a precious addition to the literature that tries to make sense of humankind's seemingly bottomless depravity and counterbalancing hope in an all-powerful, loving God.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculee Ilibagiza is an insightful and heartfelt look at the trials and tribulations of being a hunted Tutsi in a Hutu ruled Rwanda."
"Insightful and scary what our world is like and should never be."
"Prayer, as she practices and teaches it, is a combination of meditation, trust in God, positive thinking, envisioning the desired outcome, and acknowledging every "small" (and large!)."
"This is the most incredible story I have ever read."
"She is enormously persuasive because she has all elements of great and influential rhetoric: being a victim, she has ethos and pathos embedded in her story, along with the logos of the reasonable coming of faith and forgiveness. Ilibagiza is never manipulative in recounting her story, she is honest and open about her internal struggles and we see the outcome of such earnest prayer and optimism, and it is pure goodness. I used to say that I hated reading, but with Left to Tell, I realized that it was the only way I could hear what she had survived to tell--I couldn't experience it in a movie the way I could with a book, and the chances of me meeting her and getting such a detailed story was unlikely."
"The story is terrifying and gruesome in depicting the things that human beings are capable of carrying out (or ignoring); but at the same time shows humanity's better side - its' capacity for love and forgiveness in the face of some of the worst atrocities ever perpetrated."
"The reader will be in awe as he or she progresses through the details of the story, but will emerge with a sense of hope from Ilibagiza’s ability to forgive and love."
Although he experienced excruciating anguish and despair, he was still able to keep a journal in which he wrote a spiritual imperative to himself each day that emerged from his conversations with friends and supporters. The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom is a collection of passages from Henri Nouwen's journals, written during a period when his self-esteem evaporated, his energy to work disappeared, and God seemed entirely unreal. This is not a book to be read straight through: each short chapter takes time to digest, because, like the following passage, each of Nouwen's thoughts has the raw complexity of real honesty: Your body needs to be held and to hold, to be touched and to touch.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A classic text by the famous author."
"This is a very special book for those times in life when all else fails."
"The skillful articulation of the personal struggle is very helpful for revealing the darkness of the heart and giving clarity of the reality that the soul need to embrace."
"This little book is a selection of journal entries by Henri Nouwen working through deep seated issues."
"This book has spoken to my heart in a time of grief and brokenness."
"This is the ONLY book I've given to friends who are going through difficult times."
"For anyone looking to find their purpose in life, read Henri Nouwen's wonderful books."
Mixing Christian spirituality, Buddhist parables, Hindu breathing exercises, and psychological insight, de Mello's words of hope come together in Awareness in a grand synthesis. In short chapters for reading in quiet moments at home or at the office, he cajoles and challenges: We must leave this go-go-go world of illusion and become aware. And this only happens, he insists, by becoming alive to the needs and potential of others, whether at home or in the workplace. Using humor, compassion, and insight, the beloved and best-selling Anthony de Mello teaches us to welcome the challenge of knowing ourselves and living the "aware" life.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"As a long time Buddhist study and meditation, and many decades of teaching and psychotherapy, his writing resonated with me."
"This is the second book of Anthony De Mello's talks that I have read. While it has inspired me to read more books about the Zen philosophy, I think that I will keep referring back to Awareness, as I will need frequent reminders to focus on the "real" world, as opposed to the illusory one that most of us create by adding our emotions and prejudices to everything. With this attitude of detachment we will learn a lot abut ourselves and we will also know how to love everyone."
"DeMello has so many surprising views and insights that I will keep. reading his Awareness over and over because of what I might have missed on prior readings."
"My suggestion is to read it cover to cover, then to slowly read chapter by chapter to truly digest the words."
"DeMello challenges not only the Cahtolic trained in Papal dictates but also for any Christin attititude who is searching for meanings."
"De Mello speaks from the blooming desert of Christian contemplation in ways that steer clear of the usual traps of religion."
"Probably a little "sharper" language than most of the Non-Duality writings, but much of it was given at shorter (3 - 7 days) retreats, so he didn't have a lot time to drive the point home."
"I've bought and gifted and re-bought this book many times over the last decade."
Best Roman Catholicism
Filled with user-friendly examples, humorous stories, and anecdotes from the heroic and inspiring lives of Jesuit saints and average priests and brothers, The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything is sure to appeal to fans of Kathleen Norris, Richard Rohr, Anne Lamott, and other Christian Spiritual writers. This includes not only believers in God, but those who eschew religion, reject God, explore the spiritual terrain, or are just plain confused. Translating the essence of the Jesuit philosophy into layman’s terms, he uses both traditional stories and personal anecdotes to vividly illustrate the Jesuit approach to God, friendship, social justice, decision-making, prayer, simplicity, obedience, and self-actualization.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"James) for seeing God in your life and putting into practice this wisdom. James's flashes of incisive humor as well as various accounts from his personal journey, and you have a fine book."
"On the one hand there are plenty of great theological texts to read (Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, Rahner, Barth, etc), but suffice it to say they are not the type of book you curl up with at the end of the day. Martin honestly and respectfully engages readers who may be atheists or agnostics, as well as any Christian still examining their faith. But give Martin credit for not being embarrassed of his faith and making a strong case for Christianity. The essence of the book is that every aspect of your life is spiritual -- faith is not just concerned with your thoughts on God, but what you say in those emails to a coworker. This theme plays a major role throughout the book as Martin explores how those of us who are not Jesuits can still actively incorporate spirituality into our lives. Finally, many readers may be surprised to hear that people who pledge obedience see their spiritual life as one of freedom and detachment from distracting influences as opposed to a set of rules to follow. He came to his own faith decisions after a, ahem, active collegiate experience and after having a successful business career. He knows what many people deal with daily, and although not the head of a family, he understands the stresses the life of a parent has to contend with in addition to finding prayer time. In Martin's version (and we learn throughout that Jesuits are a pretty flexible lot on faith issues) we start with gratitude for what went well, and then review all actions of the day. Regardless of one's faith inclination, a thorough review of the day and an accounting for one's actions is bound to create opportunities to move forward."
"This book has been transformational for me."
"Recommend it for anyone wanting to deepen their spiritual journey - Catholic or not."
"It would also be an excellent source of information for anyone searching to explore which path of belief they are drawn toward but at the same time offers opportunity for deeper exploration for those committed to a specific religious path."
"Should have bought this as a 'real' book instead of a Kindle book, will probably have to do that."
"I really enjoyed this book."
"Martin is his usual charming, sharing, caring self and yet the sheer joy which he feels in sharing this beautiful path with the reader just makes this book something special."
Best Mariology
Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, comes an extraordinary 33-day journey to Marian consecration with four giants of Marian spirituality: St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Blessed Pope John Paul II. Fr.Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, is director of Evangelization for the Marian Fathersof the Immaculate Conception and director of Formation for the MarianMissionaries of Divine Mercy.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a popular way to consecrate yourself to Jesus through Mary."
"This is a wonderful book."
"I have bought this book to give away and everyone I have given them states of the blessings they obtain by doing this consecration to Our Lady."
"Loved the book."
"Just as the Holy Trinity consecrated the Son to be Mary's child as Emmanuel, "God is with us", so to are we blessed when we consecrate ourselves to Christ through Mary."
"Well worth the read."
"I loved this retreat, I am consecrated to May."
"Good product."