"The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God."" -- St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 1: 18"St. Paul returned to the theme of the Cross over and over again as he taught Christians about salvation and exhorted them to worship. As Bible scholar and popular EWTN host Fr. Mitch Pacwa unveils St. Paul's words, you'll discover just how profoundly the Cross affected this apostle, equipping him for evangelization and helping him overcome strife.With the help of Fr. Pacwa's focus and modern applications, you'll learn how Jesus Christ crucified is the wisdom of God, how the Cross itself reflects the power of God, and what this means for you: What is your cross, and how can you use it to better follow Jesus?How can you follow St. Paul's example in offering up sufferings to be united with Christ's Cross?How can the centrality of Jesus dying on the Cross help overcome divisions in the Christian Church today?Whether used for small-group study, interactive journaling, or personal spiritual growth, the easy-to-follow format of this study guide will inspire and enlighten you.

If St. Paul of the CrossPaul Danei, founder of the Passionistswere to accompany you through Lent Im sure he would come to you as you are and the world you live in as it is. He was never afraid of darkness or dark places, so you may find him a helpful spiritual guide. He trusted in Jesus Christ and his cross, the wisdom and power of God. Im sure he may bring some of that wisdom to you. Accept the invitation to journey through Lent with Jesus Christ and one of the great spiritual writers of the Catholic Church, St. Paul of the Cross. Inside you will find an Invitation from St. Paul of the Cross, a short biography of St. Paul of the Cross, a description of the Writings and Spirituality of St. Paul of the Cross, and more. Each day of Lent, weekdays and Sundays, begins with: a Gospel Reading, a Reflection, a selection from the Writings of St. Paul of the Cross, and a Prayer. May Jesus Christ and the wisdom of St. Paul of the Cross enrich your Lenten Journey, and lead you to Gods Holy Easter of Peace, Love and Joy.

Published on February 11, 1984, Salvifici Doloris addresses the question of why God allows suffering. This 30th anniversary edition includes the complete text of the letter plus commentary by Myles N. Sheehan, SJ, MD, a priest and physician trained in geriatrics with an expertise in palliative care. Acknowledgments of recent episodes of violence bring the papal document into a modern context. Insightful questions suited for individual or group use, applicable prayers, and ideas for meaningful action invite readers to personally respond to the mystery of suffering.

Don’t just do the right actions. Build habits—and watch your life be transformed. Many books try to help you do the right actions. But the real key to life transformation—for yourself and then for others—is building habits that become part of your life. Because habits don’t just dictate what you do. They reflect who you are. In 8 Habits for Growth, Darryl Dash wants to show you the eight long-term practices—all very doable—that will lead to permanent growth if you incorporate them into your life. You’ll learn why it’s important to: Make time Rest Read or listen to the Bible Pray Pursue worship and community in a church Care for your body Simplify your spiritual life Build a rule of life Personal growth doesn’t happen overnight. But it does happen, slowly, as you build God’s habits into your life. So what are you waiting for? Start your new habits today and let God transform who you are . . . and who you can become.

St. Paul is one of the most important figures in Christian history. As Saul of Tarsus he vigorously persecuted Christianity, even collaborating in the death of Christianity's first martyr, Stephen. His encounter with the resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus changed Paul's life, the Christian Church, and world history. More than anyone else in the early Church, Paul saw the universal nature of the Christian message. He became the Apostle to the Gentiles and the "Teacher of the Nations". As the human author of half of the New Testament, Paul is a figure who cannot be overlooked by anyone who wants to understand Jesus Christ and Christianity. In this book, Pope Benedict XVI, a profound spiritual leader in his own right and a first-rate theologian and Bible commentator, explores the legacy of Paul. Pope Benedict follows the course of the Apostle's life, including his missionary journeys and his relationship with the other apostles of Jesus such as St. Peter and St. James, and Paul's martyrdom in Rome. Benedict also examines such questions as: Did Paul know Jesus during his earthly life and how much of Jesus' teaching and ministry did he know of? Did Paul distort the teachings of Jesus? What role did Jesus' death and resurrection play in Paul's teaching? What are we to make of Paul's teaching about the end of the world? What does Paul's teaching say about the differences between Catholic and Protestant Christians over salvation and the roles of faith and works in the Christian life? How have modern Catholic and Protestant scholars come together in their understanding of Paul? What does Paul have to teach us today about living a spiritual life? These and other important issues are addressed in this masterful, inspirational, and highly-readable presentation of St. Paul and his writings by one of today's great spiritual teachers, Pope Benedict XVI. "The Apostle Paul, an outstanding and almost inimitable yet stimulating figure, stands before us as an example of total dedication to the Lord and to his Church, as well as of great openness to humanity and its cultures." Pope Benedict XVI

"They devoted themselves to the teachings of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers" -- Acts 2:42 It is called the "source and summit" of our Catholic faith - The Holy Eucharist. But do we really understand its true meaning? In Fr. Mitch Pacwa's The Eucharist: A Bible Study Guide for Catholics you will see the essential connection between the Eucharist and the Scriptures, and through reflection and discussion you'll learn to apply the principles in your own life.In this study you will find answers to these questions and more: Where do we see symbols of the Eucharist in the Old Testament? How do the Old Testament sacrifices prefigure Christ's sacrifice? What did Jesus mean when he said "Do this in remembrance of me"? Why is Jesus called the Lamb of God? How do we meet Jesus in the breaking of the bread? Perfect for group or individual study, The Eucharist will change the way you look at the Mass and allow you to meet Jesus as transformed by his gift of life.

Christians worldwide have been blessing themselves with the sign of the cross for centuries. But few who use this simple, familiar gesture know its impact as a powerful prayer. Author Bert Ghezzi shows how this potent prayer engages the Holy Spirit and affirms Christian identity. With insights derived from Scripture, church teachings, and personal experience, Ghezzi encourages people to utilize this powerful sign in their daily life. Drawing on the fascinating history of the sign of the cross, Ghezzi reveals six dynamic truths of the spiritual life that God gives. The Sign of the Cross brings forth an opening to God, renewal of baptism, mark of discipleship, acceptance of suffering, defense agains the devil, and victory over self-indulgence. This inspirational book brings to life the blessings of this ancient prayer and guides Christians to a renewed experience of God.

“O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams.” —Saint Augustine The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, remains a mystery for many of us. We “adore and glorify” the Spirit with the Father and the Son, but do we really understand the power or the actions of the Spirit? Father Mitch Pacwa, renowned spiritual leader and popular author and TV host, guides us through seven sessions on the Holy Spirit, and answering questions like: What’s the Holy Spirit’s role in creation? How does the Holy Spirit bestow authority and empower us?How did the Spirit work through the prophets? How does the Spirit give us wisdom and "lead us into all truth"? What is the relationship between the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and the Trinity? How did the Holy Spirit empower Mary and others in the New Testament? What role does the Holy Spirit play in our spiritual lives? Written to be used by groups or individuals, each session includes catechesis, discussion, and a call to put the learning into practice. Let this study encourage you, the words of the Veni, Creator Spiritus, which dates back to the ninth century, pray, “Come Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest.”

Ranks the Apostle Paul as "one of the most powerful and seminal minds of the first or any century," and argues that we can now sketch with confidence a new and more nuanced picture of Paul and the radical way in which his encounter with Jesus redefined his life, his mission and his expectations for a world made new in Christ. Reprint.