St. Francis de Sales carried a copy of this in his pocket for 18 years! Its wisdom formed his soul, it inspired him to a life of the deepest devotion, and ultimately it helped him become one of the Church's greatest saints and doctor's! It's no longer fashionable to speak of the Christian life as a "battle", but there's actually no better way to describe the tug-of-war for your soul that's raging right now between the forces of light and darkness. Here, Dom Lorenzo Scupoli helps you take your proper part in this spiritual battle so that you can win, decisively, the war for your soul. This book has been loved by saints and sinners alike ever since it was written four hundred years ago. Why? Because it offers sensible advice to help you overcome spiritual obstacles and achieve spiritual perfection! Dom Lorenzo Scupoli was a disciple of St. Andrew Avellino, the great preacher and spiritual director. His classic Spiritual Combat was first published in Venice in 1589.
Dom Louis Soltner - PB 240 pages
This history of Solesmes and its founder Dom Guéranger is an excellent work published by the Monks of Solesmes. It tells the story of one of the greatest scholars and saintly men of the 19th century, and chronicles the enduring work that he founded and promoted during his lifetime. In our estimation, it is slightly marred by some comments regarding the movement toward a restoration of the Roman Liturgy that was largely inspired by Dom Guéranger and how that movement has culminated in the novus ordo liturgy of the 20th century. However, that issue aside, it is an excellent historical resumé, and it is well worth your time to read.
For more in-depth commentary on the modern liturgical movement, we refer our readers to the book by Fr. Bonneterre found on our website here.
Fourteen Epochal Documents by Pope Leo XIII on the Social Teachings
Edited and annotated by Fr. Joseph Husslein, S. J. - Cloth Hardcover -300 Pages
Few American Catholics truly understand t he social teachings of the Catholic Church. This may be in part due to the fact that many of he best papal teachings on this subject have either been ignored or not widely read by Americans. Father Husslein tried very hard to remedy this situation with the publication of two books in 1940 dedicated to solving this problem. He gathered together all of the encylicals by the two popes who wrote most on the topic and made certain that the english translations were well organized, accurate, and easily understandable and readable in translation. He also made many notes that are helpful to the reader. The service he performed is treausred by all students of the Church's social doctrine and these two books, so long out of print, are now available agai exactly as they were originally published.
If you have not read many of the encyclicals that were published before the modernization of encyclical writing that took place after the 2nd Vatican Council you are in for a real treat! The brevity, clarity, and chastity of the language will surprise you. Leo is no phenomenological exegete. He speaks the way one would expect the Vicar of Christ to speak, in clear, unambiguous, and manly language that is full of charity and pius unction and truth. No one who reads these most important social encylicals will come away confused. Be warned however, their brevity is deceptive. They are overflowing with profound insights and exhortations, therefore, small doses properly savored and meditated upon is the best way to imbibe the true wisdom and sound doctrine found here.
Eighteen Enclicals of Social Reconstruction by Pope Pius XI
Edited and annotated by Fr. Joseph Husslein, S. J. - Cloth Hardcover -450 Pages
Msgr. Gaumé
The holy Sign of the Cross is the most important prayer and symbol of our Christian faith. It is at once the image of Christ's passion, the sign of the redemption of all mankind, the awesome testament of the destruction of the power of the devil and of his kingdom on earth. The resurrection is the promise and seal and guarantee of eternal life which consummated the work of the Cross.
Christians rejoice and the demons tremble to see the Sign of the Cross emblazoned everywhere as proof of Christ's victory over the world. Christ said "all power is given to me in heaven and on earth" and the Cross is the seat of that power. There is no place on earth where a person who makes the Sign of the Cross is not immediately recognized as a Catholic, and there is no miracle that has not been worked under this sign. It is the "nuclear bomb" of prayers and with it the faithful can clear away all enemies and temptations with the simplest of wordless gestures. Msgr. Gaumé has compiled a magnificent collection of history and commentary from the saints and fathers and doctors, as well as his own meditations and exhortations regarding this most powerful prayer. All Catholics should avail themselves of this information and make it fruitful in their own lives.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica on Mission Hill - Booklet - 20 pages
Mission Hill! How many profound memories those two simple words bring to mind for generations of Bostonians—Catholic or not—is testimony to the never-failing love of God and his Blessed Mother for the people of this city. For over 150 years the magnificent Redemptorist Basilica has dom-inated the western skyline of this city where once upon a time it was a capital offense to be, or to harbor, a Catholic priest. But the real story, told briefly in this little book, is that of the thousands of conversions and miraculous healings granted through the presence of the image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help given into the care of the sons of Saint Alphonsus by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1871 that is enshrined over the high altar within the church.Over the years how many millions of prayers, novenas, and masses have been offered before this image only heaven knows, but the tender mercies of Our Lady for the lovers of her son have been manifest so spectacularly to generations of Bosto-nians and others at this shrine are proof of her maternal so-licitude and testimony to the truth of her title as Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
