Bøger udgivet af Sophia Institute Press

Celebrated Catholic scientist Dr. Gerard Verschuuren explores and synthesizes the various scientific studies conducted on the Shroud -including those analyzing DNA, blood, carbon, pollen, textile, and anatomical issues - as well as its storied history.

The Enlightenment was a complex cultural movement that radically transformed both religion and society "¬‚¬" a movement Christians fended off when, in the name of "reason," the Church in France was dethroned in a most bloody and utterly unreasonable way. The Enlightenment also ushered in a wave of genuine Christian inspiration and reform, however, and it opened vast new avenues for the faith to flourish. In this compelling and edifying book, scholar Joseph Stuart investigates this paradox, masterfully exploring the tense interaction of the Enlightenment and Christianity as two cultures, two lived realities, and two overlapping ways of life. On page after page, you'll see that the "Age of Reason" was more than just merciless confrontation between reason and religion. Indeed, it brought forth many Christians "¬‚¬" including "the Enlightenment Pope," Benedict XIV, and groups of coffee-drinking monks "¬‚¬" who embraced both faith and reason as powerful tools for strengthening Church and society. In other cases, culture-changing Christians such as John Wesley and St. Louis de Montfort opted simply to sidestep the Enlightenment by building up Christian culture from within "¬‚¬" a strategy that led to the explosion of powerful evangelical movements across the world. In Rethinking the Enlightenment, Dr. Stuart demonstrates that the three primary strategies Christians employed during the Enlightenment "¬‚¬" conflict, engagement, and retreat "¬‚¬" are time-tested methods that should be employed in our own anti-Christian age. Conflict without engagement is senseless; engagement without conflict is weak; and without retreat, both strategies lack wisdom. If we pursue all three today with the help of the Holy Spirit, then a tough, intellectually sophisticated, and evangelically oriented Christianity can emerge "¬‚¬" just as it did in the tumultuous Age of the Enlightenment.

The Spider That Saved Christmas tells the tale of what happened to the Holy Family on their way to Egypt after receiving the message of the angel. When Joseph, Mary, and Jesus are in danger of being discovered and harmed by Herod's murderous soldiers, a cave-dwelling spider named Nephila risks her and her children's safety to help her hallowed visitors. Majestically illustrated by artist Randy Gallegos, EWTN host Raymond Arroyo's moving story sheds new light on a family of Golden Silk Orb Weavers, whose silk is considered the most precious of all and is displayed at Christmastime in the sparkling tinsel that glints from evergreen trees the world over. After reading this book, you'll always remember Nephila in the twinkling tinsel. Though small and feared, she met divinity and reflected His light as only she could. Like each of us ]¬‚¬] she was there for a reason.

It is no longer permissible to have an honest conversation about Islam. Those who warn about Islam's threat to our way of life are dismissed as racists and xenophobes by social elites and even by many in the Catholic hierarchy. For centuries, the Catholic Church served as a bulwark against Islamic expansion. Today the Church is an enabler of Islam, encouraging mass migration into the West and portraying Islam as a peace-loving religion that has nothing to do with terrorism. In this highly informative, hard-hitting book, Catholic author William Kilpatrick pulls no punches in courageously confronting the threats posed by Islam. He shows how Muslim activists are employing the same tactics that led to the meteoric rise of the LGBT movement and how they have systematically infiltrated the government, media, business, schools, and even churches. He explains how Western self-hatred and political correctness makes jihad possible, and he reveals how the media conceals and covers up for atrocities committed in the name of Islam. In many European countries, you can be arrested for criticizing Islam. Meanwhile, desecration of churches is on the rise, police fear to enter Muslim zones, and London has become the acid-attack capital of the world. Europe is slowly capitulating to Islam, writes Kilpatrick, and the same can happen here if we don't wake up in time.

In the Church's calendar, every day is special because it is a feast for Jesus, Mary, and the saints! In Day-by-Day Coloring Book of Saints: Volume II, children can once again befriend a new saint each day as they color in a full-page image of the saint while listening to their parents read the faith hero's story aloud. Drawing from the liturgical calendar"€"this time from July through December"€"this captivating coloring book showcases the lives of holy men and women from the early Church to the modern day. Children will encounter saints from around the world, including fascinating characters such as St. Pius X, St. Francis Xavier, and St. Martha, and renowned favorites such as St. George, St. Clare, St. Juan Diego, and St. Mary herself. By coloring and reading Day-by-Day Coloring Book of Saints, children will learn that each saint has a special day when we remember and celebrate their lives so that we can imitate them in this world and follow them into eternal life in the next.

In her celebrated 700-page spiritual Diary, St. Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938) tells of her many visions of Jesus and her conversations with Him. For years now, best-selling and award-winning author Susan Tassone has lived in the thrall of that spiritual classic, recently drawing forth from its rich mystical depths 365 meditations. Each meditation features Jesus' words to Faustina, to which Tassone has added a short original reflection and a prayer to help you hear and live by Jesus' words as if they had been spoken directly to you. From these pages, you'll discover the mercy, love, and compassion of the Lord that's available for you -- day by day, each day of the year. In Jesus Speaks to Faustina and You, you'll learn: --The amazing depths of Jesus' infinite, unfathomable love for you --Ways to heal your family through the mystery of God's mercy --How to develop stronger, deeper, more effective daily prayers --How to increase your awareness of and response to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit --How to overcome temptations -- all of them! --That purgatory is real, important ... and a blessing --How you can use the Divine Mercy Chaplet for all your needs, including overcoming despair, converting sinners, appeasing God's anger, comforting the dying, and finding solace in the midst of suffering --How to become a saint by learning from the Saint of Mercy, a woman who spent her life -- day by day -- learning about infinite love and the compassion of God, who is Divine Mercy --And much more!

This inspiring story begins when the Holy Family is set upon by roadside thieves. Jesus is a young boy-and the lead bandit is the Bad Thief. His accomplice is a young man named Dismas, later the Good Thief.

With warmth, understanding, and pastoral skill, Fr. Timothy Gallagher provides here a hopeful invitation to all who struggle to overcome the greatest obstacle of all in the spiritual life: discouragement. Our enemy actively exploits our vulnerabilities, shrewdly leading us time and again into an overwhelming sense of disturbance. But Fr. Gallagher pulls the curtain back on the wiles of the devil, offering gentle reflections that are remarkably effective in lightening the burdens of your day-to-day spiritual life. You'll learn practical ways to find peace amid your spiritual struggles, and patience in the face of even the most intense trials. Best of all, you'll learn how to profit spiritually from the afflictions that beset you. Each reflection in these pages begins with a quotation by Venerable Bruno Lanteri, the holy founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, whose wisdom has guided the uncommonly insightful spirituality of Fr. Gallagher. In these pages, you will learn: --What to do when you have reached the point of despair --How to evade sadness, melancholy, and temptation --Ways you can be joyful even when you do not feel mirth --How to leave the sins, weaknesses, and failures of your past to God's mercy --How to recognize the enemy, even when he presents himself under the appearance of good --What is holy presumption, why you want it, and how to get it --The five benefits you'll derive from regular Confession --How each part of the Mass corresponds to an affection of the heart --Proven techniques for waging warfare against negative moods There is no shame in spiritual desolation. Fr. Gallagher reminds us that the greatest of saints suffered from this affliction. The key is to learn how to draw closer to God in life's darkest moments. Overcoming Spiritual Discouragement is a call to hope . . . a call to solace in time of suffering . . . and a call to stand tall in times of affliction.

The Seed who Was Afraid to be Planted introduces children to a tiny seed content to remain in his safe, cozy drawer with the other seeds. Suddenly, a day comes when the gardener who lives in the mansion takes the seed from his drawer and plants him in the ground. Faced with his biggest fear, the seed undergoes a miraculous experience that changes his life forever. Beautifully illustrated and written in simple but delightful verse, The Seed who was Afraid to be Planted reminds us all that no matter how small or scared we may be, God has great plans for us -- plans even more wonderful than we can imagine.

I've given thousands of lectures around the country to engaged, thoughtful, curious university and church audiences and have always made it a practice to allow for as many questions as possible. Here are the most interesting ones I've been asked, and the answers I gave. Of course, as real questions from real people, they're an eclectic mix, ranging from questions about God and sex and sin and suffering to those about heaven, my favorite movies, even surfing! Some of the questions and answers are easy, some hard; some profound, some silly; some tragic, some funny; most of them thought-provoking and all of them, I hope, entertaining.

"We can do nothing against you because you are too protected!" So declared a frustrated host of devils to Father Gabriele Amorth, the priest exorcist in Rome who spent thirty years battling the Devil and his minions by performing more than a hundred thousand exorcisms. At the same time, he deftly used modern media to awaken our disbelieving modern culture -- and even the Church -- to the reality of the Devil and his nefarious actions at all times and everywhere. In these eye-opening pages, angelologist Father Marcello Stanzione tells the story of the life of Father Amorth, and includes, as well, not merely many anecdotes about his exciting life but also long excerpts from various interviews Father gave to the media, religious and secular. By means of those interviews, you'll learn firsthand from Father Amorth many forgotten truths about the Devil and his ways, and in particular the devious methods he has adopted in recent years to corrupt believers and unbelievers alike. It's simple to spot them, argues Father Amorth here, and simple even to resist them. "We can do nothing against you because you are too protected!" said the devils that Father Amorth battled. Let Father Amorth teach you in these pages how you can be protected too!

Experience the rousing adventures of some of history's greatest saints. Their lives, depicted here in spectacular graphics, demonstrate that living our true faith is never dull but demands heroic courage and tireless strength.

These pages bring you a beautiful collection of spiritual treasures drawn from the celebrated Diary of Catholic visionary and mystic, St. Faustina Kowalska (1905-1938).Arranged by an award-winning and best-selling Catholic author Susan Tassone into a handy, day-by-day form, these selections from Faustina's writings on Divine Mercy revealed to her over the years in mystical conversations with Jesus himself will help you do what Jesus told Faustina he wants you to do: trust completely in His mercy and show mercy to others.By means of these daily readings, you'll come to know and be enriched by St. Faustina's Secrets of Sanctity, awakening in you the qualities of Divine Mercy that Jesus himself infused into Faustina's soul: mercy (of course), but also trust, humility, and peaceful acceptance of God's will for you.Since her death just over 80 years ago, St. Faustina has been a source of strength and inspiration for millions of souls across the globe, including St. John Paul II who canonized her in the year 2000. Today, she can begin bringing you, too, the strength and inspiration you need.In Day by Day with St. Faustina, you'll learn how to:Grow daily closer to Christ in the Eucharist.Use your suffering to help others, including the souls in purgatory.Grasp the striking details of Faustina's mystical experiences, prophecies, and revelations and discover what they mean for you in particular.Soon you'll begin to experience in your soul the graces that were poured into hers.You'll find yourself becoming, like Faustina, an Apostle of Mercy, teaching others by word and example about the infinite love and compassion of God, who is Divine Mercy.

The Saints Chroniclesbring vividly to life the stories of courageous Christians from the earliest days of Christianity to modern times. All four collections of this Graphic Novel are packed with engaging texts and dramatic images that captivate and inspire readers of all ages.In this third collection, you'll dive into the life of Christianity's boldest heroes of the Faith, including:Saint Anthony of PaduaSaint AvaSaint SamsonSaint Bernadetteand Saint Charles of Lwanga The stirring adventures of these brave Christian souls remind us that God has in mind for each of us a unique mission, worthy of all our imagination and all our daring.Appealing to readers of all ages, these Graphic Novels will enhance literacy and promote content retention while introducing Catholic saints in a form that can be enjoyed again and again.

For the Love of Food, the Church, and Her Saints! From traditional Cottage Pie on St. Patrick's Day to Basque Lamb Stew on the feast of St. Ignatius Loyola, the delicious recipes in this unique cookbook will excite your senses, awaken in you greater love for the saints, and bring Catholic festivity into your home. Here you'll find brief saints biographies and ideal accompanying dishes tied to the liturgical feasts of the Church. From this exceptional cookbook, your family will receive triple nourishment: for body, mind, and spirit. In it, you'll encounter: Scores of exciting dishes from dozens of countries, including Ethiopia, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Korea, Scotland, France, Greece, and Sweden Sixty fascinating saints biographiesA comprehensive list of celebratory cookies for feast days throughout the year Many traditional recipes, including Roman Honey Cake, Hungarian Goulash Soup, and even Papal Cream Cake (a favorite of St. John Paul II) A handy index to help you find just the kind of dinner you need tonight A carefully categorized shopping list for each recipe, to save you time in the store Gathered by Alexandra Greeley, a professional chef and author of thirty-five cookbooks, and Fernando Flores, a world traveler and aficionado of all things relating to food and faith, each of these succulent recipes has been home-tested by our team of Christian mothers and their families. With the help of Cooking with the Saints, you'll turn every Christian feast into a joyous, faith-filled occasion, bringing your family gastronomic delight and spiritual enrichment throughout the year. Among the saints celebrated in this book, you'll meet: > St. Anselm of Canterbury St. Basil the Great St. Brigid of Kildare St. Catherine of Siena St. Damien of Molokai St. Isidore the Farmer

Jesus taught that if we are to call ourselves Christians, we must deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow him. But what does denying ourselves look like? How exactly must we carry our cross? And what does He mean when He says we must lose my life in order to save it? In these pages, Vicki Burbach explains that while Christ's words are challenging, he isn't asking us to pick up our cross because he is vindictive or twisted, nor because He wants to see us suffer. It's because sacrifice is the greatest manifestation of love, and He created our souls in order to love and be loved. In our materialistic and secular world, we have lost the art of sacrifice - an art that connects us with the very root of our souls. That's why this book is so vitally important today.

Faith is essential to our spiritual growth yet, too often, good Catholics hold misconceptions about faith's meaning or role "€" misconceptions that can lead to spiritual stagnation. In these pages, Fr. Wojciech Giertych, OP, Theologian of the Papal Household, corrects prominent errors and clearly articulates what faith is, how it works, and how it may expand, or wither, within our soul. He explains that the initial moment "€" the spark "€" of faith which ignites our entire spiritual life comes first from God. Because faith is a divine gift that is alive, we can explore the laws of its development and learn the principles of its nourishment in order to fully live a life of faith that influences our intellectual and moral life. Fr. Giertych's moving and practical reflections on the spiritual life bring ancient wisdom to bear on our modern age, teaching what it really means to have and grow in faith. You'll come to understand the proper relationship between faith and reason, and you'll deepen your understanding of the role of prayer in the life of faith. Best of all, The Spark of Faith will help you focus your attention on God as the fundamental source of all the spiritual goods we need and cherish. Fr. Giertych has served as the Theologian of the Papal Household for two popes. His is wisdom you can trust.

"Oh, my little one, I have great plans for you!I have chosen you to bea very important person whom I will always love."This beautifully illustrated, delightful story of an imaginary conversation between God and an unborn baby will lead children to see that from the very moment God gave them a soul at conception, He had great plans for them. In this charming odyssey of self-discovery, the child imagines himself as an astronaut, a baker, a farmer, a doctor, a teacher, a parent, and a child . . . important simply for who he is a child whom God will always love.

Tired of being stumped when false claims are made about the Catholic Church? Want to be armed with knowledge that puts these mistruths to rest?In these pages, veteran apologist Gerard Verschuuren provides thorough yet concise answers to forty of the most common and absurd lies about the Catholic Church.With precision and charity, you'll soon be able to defend the Church when you're told that Catholics . . .Still lives in the Dark AgesReject modern ideas of justiceOppress womenOppose free speechKilled thousands during the InquisitionTake orders from the popeReject scienceWorship statues and the Virgin MaryAdded books to the BibleInvented purgatoryWrongly call priests "father"Celebrate pagan holidaysHelped Hitler seize powerAnd so much more!Relying on historical works and official Church documents, Vershuuren authoritatively proves that these and many other claims are simply caricatures or outright misrepresentations of the real beliefs of Catholics.Read this book and you'll be armed with the knowledge and confidence you need to defend the Catholic Church from those who wrongly disparage her teachings. Better yet, you'll be equipped to proclaim the soul-saving truth of our Faith.

When cultures such as ours toss Jesus out one door, He comes in albeit disguised through another. That's why author Jim Papandrea turned to Star Wars, Star Trek, The Matrix, Terminator, Spider-Man, Batman, Dr. Who, and half-a-dozen other modern shows, discovering in each one powerful images of Christ and salvation. About the heroes of some of the most popular sci-fi stories of all time, author Papandrea here answers questions that concern Christians who are also Trekkies, Whovians, Matrix Dwellers, or aficionados of popular science fiction: What kind of "Christ-figure" is the hero of this story, and what does that say about the show's vision of Christ, humanity and salvation?In the interest of being scientific, Papandrea even gives each hero a Numerical Orthodoxy Score based on the description of Christ in the Nicene Creed, Christianity's common definition of orthodoxy. Included herein are astute Christian analyses of: Batman * Captain * America * Doctor Who * The Fifth Element * I, Robot * Iron Man * LOST * The Matrix * Planet of the Apes * Pleasantville * Spider-Man * Star Trek * Star Wars * Superman * The Terminator * The Time Machine * Tron * Wonder Woman Here you'll read about: The pervasive Christian imagery in Doctor WhoStar Trek's predicted "death of God"Free-will: the stumbling block in the first MatrixWhy Wonder Woman is an image of a gnostic saviorHow Superman's life begins as a parallel of Moses.The Star Wars Christ figure: Obi-Wan? Luke? Or even, ultimately, Darth VaderWhat Heaven is understood to be in the LOST universe. . . and much more about other science fiction and superhero shows!Christians who enjoy popular culture will greet this fun book with interest and acclaim.

Join Mother Angelica on a penetrating tour into the sacramental life of the Church. In these pages, Mother Angelica will lead you to discover the spiritual secrets embedded in each of the seven sacraments and how those secrets can help you live the sacramental life to its fullest. Mother Angelica combines the personal reflections of a saintly life with the teachings of a master catechist, providing you with a spiritual handbook that will help you get more out of Holy Communion, expose you to the grace God desperately wants to give you in Confession, the beautiful gifts found only in the Sacrament of Matrimony, and how you can enter into the mystery of Christ in Adoration. Written while embracing the charism of her order which is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, you'll notice that the words written here are unmistakably Mother's work, but also unmistakably the work of the Holy Spirit. If you want to understand the many gifts God is offering you through the seven Sacraments, there is no better guide than this book by EWTN's foundress, Mother Angelica.

From the spiritual writings and reflections of Mother Angelica comes this lucid and life-transforming book for anyone who struggles with suffering, or finds difficulty in persevering in your daily responsibilities. Mother Angelica provides consolation and advice that only a spiritual mother can provide, helping you to understand the purpose of suffering, how it can be redemptive, and when to know you're allowing your suffering to go to waste. You'll also learn about dryness in prayer and how it can be a gift, as well as how to respond to what she alls "spiritual hangovers." You'll learn how Christ is closest to you when He is silent, and how His silence can be one of the most powerful and purifying elements of the spiritual life. Finally, Mother Angelica shows you that what Jesus needs most from you is gratitude, trust, and, indeed, weakness. Follow the advice Mother Angelica offers in these pages, and you'll soon find yourself consoled and reawakened to the generous grace God is daily offering to you.

As Mother Angelica spent time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, she'd write down insights she was given on the life of Jesus and His Immaculate Mother. Those insights have now been collected in this first-of-its-kind volume, bringing you to a deeper appreciation for the life story of Our Lady, the personality of Jesus, the depths of His love, the Beatitudes, and His Sacred Heart. With Mother Angelica as your guide, you will not only come to know Our Lord and His Mother in an intimate way, you will understand the essential messages they deliver to you and to the rest of the world. This is a perfect companion to provide you with material to meditate on before or after Mass, during Adoration, or simply during a quiet time of prayer during the busy day.

From the founder of EWTN Global Catholic Network comes this profoundly practical, humorous, and common-sense approach to answering life's most vexing questions. Mother Angelica gently confronts your real-life struggles, lifting your heart to God and leading your soul to heaven as she provides answers from a life dedicated to God not the promises of a world entrenched in vice. Mother Angelica will become your trusted companion in the battle for virtue as you read through her advice and answer her call to grow closer to Christ. She'll help you conquer your most deeply rooted sins, and she'll lead you to overcome the fear of death, the pain of guilt, and the seemingly benign attachments you have to the things of this world. She'll also lead you to a more profound understanding of the spiritual life, explaining why it's so hard to be good, why suffering must happen to even the best of us, and why God doesn't answer all your prayers. With Mother Angelica as your guide, you'll also learn: How to pray even when God seems distant or silent. Ways to overcome the difficulty in believing in God. The five steps to discovering God's will for you. The eight kinds of suffering and how each can shape and purify your life Ways to avoid the most common mistakes in praying to God. What to ask for and what not to ask for in prayer Ways to overcome lust and what God is trying to teach you with this affliction. How to throw your guilt into the ocean of God's mercy. How to forgive, even when your pain is justified. The difference between good pride and bad pride How to listen as your guardian angel cautions and inspires you. How Jesus gives meaning to your loneliness. Why there is a heaven and what you'll do there.

Mother Angelica's meditations combine the spiritual insights of a master with the warmth of a loving mother. Her short but powerful reflections will lift your soul to heaven and lead you into a thoughtful and penetrating reflection on the love of God and the life of Our Lady. You'll learn to pray as Mother Angelica prayed, joining her in begging Our Lady to "keep my body pure, my mind undefiled, and my heart detached." Together, you'll ask Jesus to "help me carry my cross with joy, keeping my eyes always on the Father's will." And you'll ask our Heavenly Father to give you "confidence to ask for what I think I need, the humility to wait for your will, and the faith to accept a refusal." Beloved by countless Catholics when it was first release in 1976, this devotional treasury is available now for the first time in three decades. Keep this beautiful hardback edition by your side, and you'll integrate the spiritual wisdom of Mother Angelica into your prayer life, helping you to reap the rich spiritual harvest that meditation brings.

The Vatican Cookbook, presented by the Pontifical Swiss Guard reveals for the first time the favorite dishes and personal menus of Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, and St. John Paul II. Enjoyed daily by Vatican dignitaries and guests from around the world, the more than 80 gourmet recipes included here range from the simple to the sublime, and from everyday staples to perfect meals for holiday feasts. Many of these receipes have been served at Vatican tables for centuries, and represents some of the finest cuisine in all of Rome.This one-of-a-kind book features over a hundred full-color photographs of these dishes, beautiful behind-the-scenes shots of daily life at the Vatican, dinner prayers and more, making this gorgeous cookbook nothing short of divine.