Koncocoo

Best Roman Catholicism

The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life
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
"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."
Find Best Price at Amazon
My Sisters the Saints: A Spiritual Memoir
In My Sisters the Saints , author Colleen Carroll Campbell blends her personal narrative of spiritual seeking, trials, stumbles, and breakthroughs with the stories of six women saints who profoundly changed her life: Teresa of Avila, Therese of Lisieux, Faustina of Poland, Edith Stein of Germany, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Mary of Nazareth. --June Sawyers “A beautiful and inspiring story of a woman’s deep faith and the saints who became her sisters along the path to her answered prayers.” – Mary Higgins Clark, worldwide bestselling novelist“Colleen Carroll Campbell has encountered most of the challenges confronting young women today—balancing dating, courtship, and marriage with a successful career, caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s, dealing with infertility—but she hasn’t faced these challenges alone. Completely contemporary and totally timeless, My Sisters the Saints is an engaging spiritual memoir and the perfect guidebook for anyone who is looking for a companion to help her navigate life’s sometimes difficult and confusing journey.” – Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York“In this fascinating memoir, Colleen Carroll Campbell recounts her discovery of kinship with six great women saints at crucial junctures on her journey through life. In My Sisters the Saints , Colleen Carroll Campbell recounts her own life’s story and the poignant struggles she encounters in fulfilling her dreams as an author, journalist, cultural commentator and woman. It makes an important and unique contribution to the lives of women by giving flesh to the beauty, meaning, and the purposes of human life and human love lived open to the mystery of God.” – Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, S.V., Superior General, Sisters of Life“Colleen Carroll Campbell is one of the finest writers on the American Catholic scene, and My Sisters the Saints shows her heart, her skill, and her keen intelligence at their best. You should!” – Christopher West, author of At The Heart of the Gospel and fellow at the Theology of the Body Institute “In My Sisters the Saints, Colleen Carroll Campbell shows how in our attentiveness to the saints we learn not only about the Lord and the way of life he imparts, but also how we discern the most important truths about who we are and the purpose for which we have been created. My Sisters the Saints brilliantly illuminates how the Christian life cannot be understood as an abstraction, but shows its radiant form in our friendship with heavenly companions who meet us in the real events and concrete circumstances of our lives.” – Father Robert Barron, author and host, Catholicism and founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries“In My Sisters the Saints , Colleen Carroll Campbell has liberated these great historical heroines from dusty altarpieces and stone effigies and has brought them into the new millennium. – Joseph Bottum, author of The Christmas Plains and former editor of First Things “With this intimate memoir, Colleen Carroll Campbell gives a moving witness to the ‘cloud of witnesses’ celebrated in sacred scripture.” – Dawn Eden, author of My Peace I Give You and The Thrill of the Chaste “This is an inspiring and insightful account of one young woman’s journey through the challenges of contemporary culture, the ups and downs of life, and her encounter with the wisdom of the saints.
Reviews
"For all the mom's that gave up everything in life .Nevertheless me a carrier for raising children' not knowing what to do next still too young to be a grandmother .Life may feel empty know And you may find yourself ' lonely because all you ever knew was to raise children .Please know you are bless in eyes of God for you had the most important role in your life not as the world see it but as Christ see it."
"Engaging, full of good information, and very personal."
"Suddenly Ms. Campbell mentions Cardinal Raymond Burke who presented her with a Relic of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla."
"Colleen Carroll Campbell has put together a wonderful memoir of her life, and sharing how the women saints were instrumental in the challenges."
"For anyone asking how the Catholic faith can bring meaning and strength to the challenges of ordinary life, My Sisters the Saints is the book."
"I wish so much her book would flourish for other reasons as well: She TRULY addresses issues going on in American Nursing Homes that have been kept silent for so long."
"Loved this book."
"The theology that helped her, her father and their family is just what me and my family need to know."
Find Best Price at Amazon
The Case for Catholicism: Answers to Classic and Contemporary Protestant Objections
Finally, in both answering Protestant objections to Catholicism and in providing evidence for the Faith, The Case for Catholicism cites modern Protestant scholars who question Reformation assumptions and show how evidence from Scripture and church history support aspects of Catholic theology. The Case for Catholicism will become a reliable, resource for any Catholic who desires a well-researched, readable, and persuasive answer to Protestant arguments made against the Catholic faith. Trent Horn, a convert to Catholicism, has a BA in history from Arizona State University, and an MA in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Reviews
"I thought this would be difficult to read since it is a bit more scholarly than “Why We’re Catholic,” but it is as easy or difficult as one wants it to be."
"If Catholism was a video game then The Case for Catholicism would be the ultimate strategy guide."
"If you're a Catholic who wants to be able to give in-depth, intellectually rigorous answers about the faith to your Protestant friends, you NEED this book."
"Looking for just the right quotation from the Bible too answer your cousin Jimmy's sneers at the Catholic church?"
"Point by point referenced to scripture and history."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Ritual Spiritual Practices

Catechism of the Catholic Church: Second Edition
Using the tradition of explaining what the Church believes (the Creed), what she celebrates (the Sacraments), what she lives (the Commandments), and what she prays (the Lord's Prayer), the Catechism of the Catholic Church offers challenges for believers and answers for all those interested in learning about the mystery of the Catholic faith. To get some idea of the level of detail with which the Catechism engages Catholic doctrine, consider that 17 pages of explanation accompany the opening words of the Apostle's Creed ("I Believe in God the Father"). Extensive cross-referencing, indexing, footnotes, and "In Brief" summaries of each section further ease the project of finding the precise answers to any questions a reader might have.
Reviews
"excellent service/product."
"Awesome resource for life."
"Excellent gift for confirmation."
"I learned things I did not know."
"Very pleased with my purchase."
"A simple goto would solve...but not the way my kindle works...the newer versions of kindle may allow - I do not know."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Catholicism Self Help

Left To Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust
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
"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."
Find Best Price at Amazon

Best Mariology

33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration
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
"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."
Find Best Price at Amazon