Bøger udgivet af Sophia Institute Press

It is as a privileged witness that Guy Gaucher recounts this process which led the little Norman Carmelite to become the third woman in the history of the Church to receive this title.

When the medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas addressed the best arguments against God in his masterwork the Summa Theologica, he only listed two. The first was the problem of evil: How can God - who is perfectly good - exist alongside that which is against Him? His second argument: Is God really needed to explain the world? In this powerful book, Patrick Flynn ushers in the best arguments for God while addressing the strongest objections. This book is destined to become the apologetic gold standard for defending classical theism. He clearly identifies what is it stake, and then provides the reader with cogent, accessible, yet potent defenses to counter those arguments that atheists routinely make to justify their belief that there is no God.

With warmth and candor, Eduard Habsburg -- a member of the family and archduke of Austria -- shares insights about the Seven Principles (maxims) at the root of Habsburg thought, action, politics, and family life.

DeStefano utilizes the best personal-development tools available but balances and corrects them with Bible-based, faith-filled, time-tested, sacramental, Catholic principles. No matter how terrible your circumstances may be or how many times you've failed to achieve your goals in the past, this book will work for you.

This is the third volume of Abbé Gaume's

Sexual abuse is not the only mistreatment practiced in the Church. There is also spiritual abuse. Dysmas de Lassus, Carthusian master, patron of the hermits, comes out of his silence to denounce the unacceptable behavior of religious superiors and founders of communities. Rooted in the monastic tradition and the robust theology of religious life, the author presents elements for a diagnosis that may permit us to measure the dangers of certain spiritual practices and methods of community government. He makes a positive contribution to achieving the broad equilibrium that nourishes personal and community growth, in the respect of individuals and the Catholic tradition. Speaking out for the first time in defense of the millennial tradition of spiritual life, he denounces an era of mental abuse in the Church and in the world. A free and liberating guide for all and an edifying plunge into abuse within religious orders.

This is the second volume of Abbé Gaume's Catechism of Perseverance.

There are as many paths to holiness as there are saints in Heaven . . . but you cant follow them all. Yet there's one thing every saint practices that you can imitate: the simple art of loving God, which the beloved St. Francis de Sales explains for you here. Under his wise and gentle guidance, you'll discover the secrets to growing holier through the simple things in life work, play, and rest. You'll learn to avoid the distractions (even religious distractions) that trouble and weary your soul . . . and you'll soon be able to focus your energy simply on loving God. Listen to the holy words of this saint; take them to heart; make them a part of your life. Soon you'll be well on your way, following that path to Heaven that God, from all eternity, has given you as your very own. St. Francis de Sales himself will teach you the secrets of developing: Patience Trust Modesty Courage Simplicity Humility Obedience Generosity Perseverance Selflessness Gentleness Love of God and other key virtues A note for the skeptical and discouraged: Have you tried to grow closer to God using one technique after another, yet still find you haven't made much progress? That's a common problem in today's world, where devotion has become so complicated that the simple art of loving God has been lost. Don't despair. Generations of Christians have made finding God harder than it need be, which is why, every few hundred years, God sends us a saint like St. Francis de Sales to remind us that anyone can love God and that it's not really so hard to do. Listen to St. Francis, and, no matter how many times you've failed in the past, you'll soon be a master of the art of loving God.

St. Louis de Montfort set forth a revolution of spirituality in teaching us about Marian consecration and giving us a 33-day plan to prepare our souls for that big step. In these pages, Fr. Boniface Hicks guides us through this plan to help us relearn to trust God and depend upon Him. The first 12 days are spent emptying ourselves to the spirit of the world, followed with a week focused on self-knowledge. You'll then spend a week focused on knowledge of Mary before concluding the final week focused on knowledge of Jesus. In just 10 minutes per day, you'll soon find yourself spiritually renewed and trusting wholeheartedly in Jesus through Mary.

This classic book, heralded as one of the best ever written on demonic possession, offers chilling accounts of possessions, both dated and recent, and exorcisms that are strikingly similar, whether conducted in France, Italy, Vietnam, or elsewhere.

In this riveting account based on history, culture and his own deep spiritual insights, Arhcbishop Alban Goodier brings to life and unifies the many observations, actions, and emotions that revolve around the person of God the Son as he faces his most tragic and triumphant moment.

To guide you through the common challenges to sanctity, renowned author Fr. Leo Trese offers here twenty-four inspiring reflections to help you conquer temptations and remain on the steep and narrow road to Heaven. Principally, you will learn how to overcome a divided heart so you can go "all in" in the spiritual life. From there, you'll discover how to order your affections properly and how to find the right balance for recreation. You'll also learn how to assess your talents and limitations so you can achieve the preeminent goal of becoming precisely who God created and called you to be. Fr. Trese shares simple yet powerful ways for you to grow in love for God amid the bustle of life and despite the pull of myriad responsibilities. He shows you how to find peaceful tranquility in prayer and reveals the two most powerful ways you can be imbued with God's mercy and see Christ in others. With kindness and humor, Fr. Trese will help you come to know yourself better, grow in wisdom and faith, and better discern God's will for your life. You'll also learn: Seven ways to rekindle your faith and grow in love of God How to surrender to God's embrace and enjoy peace of mind and better health How to avoid spiritual anemia and a decline in holiness The "fail-safe" rule for attaining the level of sanctity that God has prepared for you Techniques for imitating the Sacred Heart of Jesus, always searching for souls and working for their welfare How to cultivate a deep, abiding devotion to our Lady

He traveled more than ten thousand miles without an airplane or car and founded fourteen dioceses. When he was blinded on the road to Damascus, St. Paul received his epic calling and was "made new."

The world needs more Catholic Cowboys. If you're interested in fully becoming the person God created you to be, then saddle up. The Catholic Cowboy Way is an adventure of a lifetime!

Here is the book you need to discover and develop the twelve virtues that St. John Baptist de La Salle (1651-1719) -- patron of teachers, education reformer, and founder of the congregation of the Brothers of the Christian Schools -- determined were most important for teachers. Br. Luke Grande, F.S.C., fleshes out the essence of each virtue as it relates to teaching and how educators can cooperate with God's grace to actualize the potentialities of students in their charge. In page after page, you will be inspired by practical advice and reflections, including: Four prudent ways of establishing a well-run class -- and dramatically reducing disciplinary problems Six "fallouts" of impatience in the classroom -- and the best way to guard against it Techniques for establishing consistency, discretion, and "fair play" among students How to overcome pride, make God the center of your classroom, and accept guidance Two surefire ways to enkindle a love of learning within students and appreciation for small gains The pursuit of wisdom -- knowing when to act and how to await God's help with trust You will also learn how to provide an example by how you pray and how you do "ordinary things greatly," and how "playing the part" and reflecting the poise of a mature teacher will earn you the respect of your students. Moreover, you will see how to be a real, practical example of piety, understanding and respect for your duties toward God without scrupulosity or sentimentality. Best of all, you will learn to teach with genuine compassion and a magnanimous spirit toward every student and to cultivate within them a zeal for learning. St. Jean Baptist de La Salle encouraged his teachers to have "the firmness of a father and the gentleness of a mother," treating each student with the dignity of a child of God. This classic, desperately needed in this time of educational decline, will help you to see the extent to which you influence students as a teacher and your sacred duty to imitate Christ the Teacher.

In pondering the Gospel of Matthew, Eric Sammons rediscovers the beauty and wonders of Scripture and helps you grow in intimacy with your Redeemer.

Fr. Henry Sebastian Bowden wrote this powerful book so we will never forget the sacrifices of those martyrs who preserved and bequeathed to us our Catholic Faith. The heroic witness of the English martyrs you meet in this superb volume of daily meditations will instill a greater piety and zeal in your heart. Each day features a captivating short story from the life of a martyr or an excerpt from his or her writings. Their testimonies, sometimes prophetic, always profound, impart urgent reminders to us about Catholic persecution as it has occurred through time. The period of the English martyrs opened with Henry VIII's "Oath of Supremacy" and the suppression of monasteries and then continued into forced Protestantism by blood under Elizabeth, and from there to the age in which Puritans killed Catholics solely for their Faith. In these gripping pages -- increasingly relatable in our time -- you will encounter extraordinary examples of valor in the face of shocking danger and cruelty, including the consequences laypeople faced for harboring priests. Stirred by the selection of stories included, you will discover: Why the boy orator St. Edmund Campion was called "golden-mouthed" Which Jesuit priest martyr was also a renowned poet The courageous faith of four lay women named Margaret The number of brave souls who converted (it's more than you think!) How priests such as Ven. William Davies fortified their fellow prisoners The sublime work of especially gifted English martyr poets Most powerfully, these pages lay bare the thoughts the thoughts and feelings of martyrs such as Bl. William Hart, who wrote heartfelt letters to his Protestant mother and exhorted his spiritual children through his preaching to "Stand fast!" From famous saints such as John Fisher, the "saintly cardinal," to Thomas More, the civil lawyer and illustrious chancellor, you will read about greater- and lesser-known heroes of the Faith resisting bribes and withstanding tortures and steadfastly refusing to apostatize or betray friends. Be inspired by the profound wisdom and courage of great Catholics who shed their blood for Christ and His Church. Such a cloud of witnesses will make your heart grateful for the Faith our fathers preserved for us and more confident than ever about the truths in which we believe.

Poetics represents the art of living. For the Christian, it also demonstrates the art of learning to live as a saint, exploring what it means to claim that God is remaking us through grace. This delicate and delightful book serves as a poetic confession. It's the meditation of a man moving uncertainly from chaos toward beauty who is seeking to connect earth to Heaven--and who found the poetry hidden in the form and beauty of the Mass, and of life itself. With profound insights, Fr. Rennier illuminates the things of earth with the eyes of Heaven. He will help you add shape, structure, and heart to your prayer life as he reflects upon the meaning behind the actions in the Mass, the sacred objects, and the sacramentality we find in daily life. Through Scripture and his own reflections, Father unveils: The key to discovering the truth and real mystery of poetry The skill you need to quickly progress in your interior life How the Mass aids us in ascending rung by rung up the ladder to Heaven Two ways to determine if you are seeking God (You will never guess them!) How the world of nature reveals biblical truths and the mysteries of God The only means through which God speaks to us You will learn how to develop a listening heart, rightly order your priorities, and experience joy in completing even the humblest daily tasks. Fr. Rennier offers methods to "let go" of your desire to master everything, grow in contemplation, and find your true self. Most assuring, he convinces you that in whatever you are going through or have experienced, God is there with you drawing you to His Heart. Father also explains your vocation during Mass and the most efficacious way to inflame your Eucharistic love. In page after page, you will see how you are healed and transformed through the Mass and learn ways to participate in the Sacred Mysteries more attentively and lovingly. You will find tips on how to appreciate the splendor and meaning of the Mass until it becomes pure poetry, a personal relationship, a conversation between your soul and God. Every life is a story, a single, unified poem waiting to be told, listened to, and fully lived. Fr. Rennier brilliantly relates how by being still and aware of the details of the Mass your faith will be reawakened, and you will be reminded of Christ's victory on the Cross. The Mass forevermore will remind you of your lasting home and provide a glimpse of the Heavenly rest that awaits you.

Here is the definitive exploration of the life and spirituality of Blessed Conchita - the acclaimed mystic, saintly wife, and mother of nine children. Conchita challenges us to examine our heart to discover seeds of heroism, and invites us to love more sacrificially, do more for the care of the soul, fear not where Jesus leads, and to never underestimate Jesus, Mary, and the Holy Spirit, or their plan for good. Conchita had a small saying, "Let yourself be done and undone by Jesus". This book begins with the story of a miracle and ends with Conchita's family remembrances of spiritual warfare. The miracle story forms an arc over the entire work to point to the interventions of God in this ordinary lay woman. At the end, the account of Conchita's spiritual battles reminds us to be vigilant. Conchita knew how to make the devil flee.

Here is the single volume you need to guide you through making a good Confession and fruitful reparation thereafter.

Fr. Giuseppe Ricciottiâ (TM)s Life of Christ is a monumental work in which the author surveys the chronology, history, customs, and geography pertinent to the life of Christ.

In this powerful book, Fr. Ezra Sullivan, a Dominican professor at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, reflects on the inestimable gift and responsibility of the priesthood.

With candor and grace, Comiskey recounts real-life stories of people who were freed from the grip of sexual disorders.

If you're tired of modern psychobabble and are looking for practical advice and spiritual solutions to bring healing to your marriage and your family, this book is for you. In this spiritual classic, Fr. Doyle explains the primary purpose of marriage -- procreation and education of children -- and offers advice on how to revive the true essence of a loving relationship. He will guide you in how to cultivate a home with faith and a nurturing temper so that your family may lead holy, happy, and healthy lives. Also found in these pages is priceless wisdom about child-rearing that "may spell the difference between being an affectionate and well-loved parent, or a complete failure." Fr. Doyle relates how parents sometimes confuse spoiling their children with providing them with love. He further notes the authentic needs, rights, and privileges of children. His insights have made the difference between happy, fruitful families and broken, debilitated families for more than seventy years. God warned Moses that the "sins of our fathers" would create generational family dysfunction. Our civilization is reaping the fruits of easy divorce and poor marriage formation. In these pages, you will learn about the root causes behind parental sins of omission and commission, as well as the effects of abandonment, divorce, remarriage, and split families. Fr. Doyle examines their aftermath in youth who suffer from drug addiction, alcoholism, promiscuity, obesity, and crime, along with an amalgam of physical, emotional, and mental-health issues. Through Scripture, classical reasoning, popular culture, real-world stories, and historical examples, Fr. Doyle addresses a broad array of topics. He evaluates the indissolubility of marriage and emphasizes why it is imperative that we restore a culture of life. Best of all, you will find in one book: Traits to look for when seeking a spouse, and the attributes of good parents A systematic and reasonable approach to training children in virtue Suggestions on how to shape your children's character and which qualities to build A list of child-rearing practices to avoid and ways to boost children's confidence Tips on how to instruct children to tell the truth through words, actions, and example Ways to teach your children to manage money through saving, spending, and giving

In this spiritual classic, Fr. Godfrey Raupert unveils the true aim and character of those dangerous forces seeking to destroy your peace and your way of life.

Here's the spiritual classic that will elevate your prayer life from the "ordinary" to the "supernatural" by exploring and guiding you through the five fundamental stages of prayer.

This Advent, lead your family closer to Christ as you prepare for the Lord's coming at Christmas. Engage with the Old Testament patriarchs and prophets who are the branches in Jesus' family tree and come to understand fully how, in Christ, this family history becomes the history of our salvation. As you explore Jesus' fascinating ancestry, you'll see how God's plan of salvation unfolds from Adam and Eve, through the Old Testament prophets, to the birth of Christ, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the sacraments of the Church. Marvel at the parallels between Adam and Christ, the New Adam; Eve and Mary, the New Eve; the patriarch Joseph and St. Joseph, guardian of the Redeemer; and others. You will also learn about the rich, faith-building customs surrounding the Jesse Tree throughout the centuries -- and how to create your own. The image of a beautiful ornament signifying an important person or event in the Bible is provided for each day. The daily meditation explains the mystery of the ornament that is featured. And extra information is included for families with older children who want to "dig deeper" into the significance of what is foretold. The devotion in practice takes five to fifteen minutes per day, depending on family needs and style. Each day features the following: Full-color ornament with a distinguishing symbol Biblical passage or story illustrating the theme Brief, engaging meditation with questions for discussion Traditional prayer to enrich the devotion "Dig Deeper" section for real-life application Grow in the wisdom of Solomon! Learn to hear God's voice like Samuel! Develop the trust of Elijah and the humility of Isaiah! Families will be enthralled as they learn about key biblical figures and discover the reasons for our beliefs, from why God created us to the origins of the Mass and the sacraments. A key tool for instilling the virtues and strengthening your family's faith, hope, and love, this Jesse Tree tradition will be passed on in your family for generations to come.

Here is the remarkable diary of this young saint, which her spiritual director ordered her to write.