Showing titles in Saints & Sainthood

On March 7, 203, in the amphitheater at Carthage, Vibia Perpetua was one of five Christians who met their deaths after refusing to venerate Roman emperor Septimius Severus and his son. Perpetua stood out from the others, and in fact from all the other martyrs of her era and before: she was an aristocratic married woman with an infant son, and she is the first female prose author whose work survives. Offering a new translation of Perpetua's prison diary and situating the life behind it within the late Roman Empire, Sarah Ruden tells the story of Perpetua's feat of self‑invention as a martyr.

As her illness had taken a toll on her strength, Saint Gemma Galgani was not able to return to school. She remained at home and taught her sisters and brothers. At her beatification, one of her brothers said, "Gemma always brought the olive branch." She lovingly cared for the needs, both spiritual and physical, of her family, often at the neglect of herself. She had no use for fancy clothes, and adorned herself in simple, extremely austere black dresses.

For a Christian, the way to reach perfection is to strive for holiness. What is true perfection? Christ's words are clear, sublime and disconcerting: "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." To have God as our model is a dizzying thought! Yet the Church reminds us that, "All the faithful, whatever their condition or state in life, are called by the Lord to that perfect holiness." The Church teaches us that holiness is not the concern of a privileged few, nor does it only pertain to Christians of the past.

Even before Kateri Tekakwitha’s canonization on October 21, 2012, many had been inspired by the story of the young Native American mystic who lived in the Mohawk Valley during the 17th century. With Emily Cavins's skill for weaving together historical facts and a compelling story, listeners will discover Kateri’s path to sainthood against the backdrop of her life as a Native American in New York.

From the ashes of Pompeii rose a sanctuary of light and hope—raised by St. Bartolo Longo. Once a satanic priest, he was radically transformed by God’s grace and Our Lady’s Rosary, dedicating the rest of his life to spreading Marian devotion. Known as the Apostle of the Rosary, he built not only a magnificent basilica in the Valley of Pompeii, but also a treasury of prayer that continues to inspire the faithful around the world. This collection, Prayers of Pompeii, brings together St. Bartolo Longo’s most beloved Marian devotions in a fresh and faithful English translation: • The ...

This TAN Books edition of King David and His Songs: A Story of the Psalms by Mary Fabyan Windeatt features the complete text of the title, along with a supplemental section entitled Confession: Its Fruitful Practice.

What if the key to understanding your own heart was hidden in the writings of a 4th-century African bishop? Augustinianism: A Beginner’s Guide: The Life, Legacy, and Lessons of Saint Augustine isn’t a dry theological text. It’s an electrifying introduction to the man whose restless search for truth shaped the way the Western world thinks about love, identity, memory, and God. You won’t wade through jargon or dense academic fog. This book speaks clearly, vividly, and with urgency—because Augustine did. His questions are still your questions. What is the point of success if it ...

How does a man change the world with laughter and love? Philip Neri, the Apostle of Joy, redefined holiness in the streets of Renaissance Rome, proving that humility and humor could be just as powerful as sermons and scripture. This book invites you into his extraordinary life, showing how one man’s joy transformed a city—and left a legacy that continues to inspire today. Step into the life of a saint who believed that faith should be lived with a smile. Philip’s charisma drew people from all walks of life, from beggars to scholars, uniting them in a shared love of God and neighbor. ...

Unlock the wisdom of two monumental figures in Christian history with "The Monk and the Mystic: Anselm and Ignatius." This unique volume seamlessly blends the intellectual brilliance of Anselm of Canterbury with the transformative spiritual practices of St. Ignatius, offering a rich tapestry of faith, reason, and devotion. Delve into Medieval Thought: Discover Anselm’s profound impact on medieval theology, where faith and reason coalesce in a harmonious pursuit of divine truth. Transform Your Spiritual Life: Experience the timeless spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, crafted to deepen ...

Saint Francis understood soldiers and fools, mothers and fathers, businesspeople and rulers, poets and court entertainers, pastors and criminals. He was, at one time or another, in both subtle and obvious ways, all of these things. Each spiritual lesson from the life of Saint Francis of Assisi begins with an invitation to embrace the wolf - to consider another viewpoint, to befriend our fears, and to discover something new. The path Saint Francis discovered is the way of faith made tangible - and his way was always a way of peace.

St. Teresa stands among the greatest of the mystics. It was her pursuit of Christ, not her pursuit of visions, that set her apart as one of the most notable saints in the history of Christendom. It is her dedication to her Lord, her bridegroom, not her experiences, that render her worthy of imitation.

On the Saints is the third volume in the series Sermons by Saint Gregory Palamas, in which the saints of both the Old and New Testaments are presented for the encouragement and edification of the faithful.

WHY READ THIS BOOK? The spirituality of St. Philip Neri was not directed towards intellectual pursuits (e.g., writing theology); but rather, it was animated in a working theology; that is, one which is lived out according to the Teachings of Christ onto the salvation of souls. As a result, he manifested (and thus inculcated) humility, compassion, and service into his disciples as expressions of the Divinity. Moreover, he showed us that theology is not merely an intellectual pursuit, but rather, a sacred activity focused on the bringing of Christ to others. With regards to his writings, the ...

St. Ambrose (CE 340-397), bishop of Milan, felt strongly that virginity was one of the principle virtues. He was very successful in persuading maidens to adopt chaste religious vocations, so much so that many a mother refused to permit her daughter to listen to him. At one point, the saint was compelled to refute the accusation that he was depopulating the state. He did this by appealing to the young men of his age that they should not have any difficulty in finding wives.

After thirty years building a technology company and fifty years as an evangelical churchman, Jonathan Bentley could no longer reconcile his faith with the God he'd inherited — unchanging, all-controlling, untouchable. So he did something he couldn't fully explain. He walked 120 miles through Italy following the Way of Saint Francis, from Florence to Assisi to Rome. On the trail, accompanied by a mysterious Italian guide named Franco who asked questions Bentley couldn't answer, something unexpected happened. The old certainties fell away — and what replaced them was better.

Immerse yourself in the profound richness of Catholic tradition with Mother and Refuge of the End Times: Daily Prayer Book. This meticulously curated collection features prayers for every moment and occasion, providing spiritual support and inspiration throughout your day. Begin each morning with powerful prayers like the Morning Offering and the Prayer to Obtain the Grace of all the World's Masses. Deepen your devotion with prayers dedicated to the Divine Will and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Lucia Fiorentino (1889–1934), was one of the earliest spiritual daughters of Padre Pio. Though she lived a mostly hidden life, she played a role in two of the most dramatic chapters in the life of Padre Pio. Years before Padre Pio arrived at her home town of San Giovanni Rotondo, she had a vision of a large tree planted near the Capuchin friary in San Giovanni. Then she heard a voice: “This is the symbol of a soul who is now far away but will come here. He will be strong and well-rooted like this tree and will cover the entire world with its umbrage.” Padre Pio arrived soon after, in ...

In this exceptional study of the Black Madonna, author, scholar and artist Nic Philips leads you on a pilgrimage through the history, myth, practice and modern relevance of her many images around the world and asks astute questions about how they have been interpreted and misinterpreted over the centuries. As though restoring the artefacts themselves, he gently strips away layers of supposition and imposition to show the truth beneath, but also looks to the value of the later meanings and significance accrued by these sacred portrayals of a Black Virgin. Starting with one of the most famous...

The Lord had an urgency to give Saint Faustina Kowalska the message of divine mercy with or without a spiritual director; and so, the day was to come, on February 22, 1931, in Vilnius, when the Lord’s mission would begin to be revealed to her. She was in her cell; she saw the Lord Jesus clothed in a white garment.

Step into the Mind of a Theological Mastermind Gregory of Nazianzus was not just a man of his time—he was a beacon of wisdom whose influence has spanned centuries. This book offers a clear and engaging introduction to his life, bringing you face-to-face with the man who shaped much of what we understand about Christian theology today. Discover the Richness of His Teachings From the profound mystery of the Trinity to the transformative journey of theosis, Gregory’s teachings continue to inspire and challenge believers. This book breaks down his complex ideas into accessible concepts, ...