Books published by Leonine Publishers

Can you be a saint in the modern world? If you had a guidebook to help you do just that, your answer might be a resounding "yes" to God. "Celebrating the Year of Mercy" is a concise manual for anyone wishing to deepen his faith. Inspired by Pope Francis' proclamation of the Year of Mercy, the book guides the reader through a preparation to get the most from the Year of Mercy. Written in personal, clear language, "Celebrating the Year of Mercy" gently calls you to enter deeper into the two Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Despite being beset with temptations, human weakness, and the difficult challenge of surrendering free will, all human beings are created to be saints.

By their very nature, all conversion stories are personal and unique, but this one is decidedly so, due to its highly charismatic content. I trust the reader will find the story of Jan and Allen's adventure intriguing and also, in a variety of ways, challenging.

"The Last Byzantine and Other Pointed Poems" is a collection of poetry focused on the forces that have led to this moment in the history of our great Faith. Poet J.R. Campanelli introduces penetrating verses on the rapid deterioration of the West. "The Last Byzantine" is particularly stunning in its historical accuracy as a retelling of the dramatic events of the fall of Constantinople. Other poems include three "diabolical" sonnets that bring to mind images of "The Screwtape Letters," but go even further by showing how the devil twists things to his advantage. Suitable for both teens and adults, Campanelli's poetry covers morality, relativism, marriage, the right to life, and more.

"She Shall Crush Thy Head" contains selected writings of St. Maximilian Kolbe, compiled and translated by Hilda Elfleda Brown. In addition to his memoirs, letters, and articles, most of the selections are his apologetical articles in dialogue format. St. Maximilian Kolbe writes on the many issues confronting our modern day. This work gives a true glimpse into the great mind of St. Maximilian Kolbe, called with St. Thérèse, the greatest saint of modern times. "She Shall Crush Thy Head" also explains what the Militia of Immaculata (MI), founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe, is all about.

Long before the advent of multimedia, before television and moving pictures and graphic news in real-time, the Eastern Church taught and prayed with sacred pictures. These pictures are known as "icons." Rich in full-color images from the church, Tales of Glory is a story of sacrifice and redemption, ever-new for the faithful today.

Do you sometimes have trouble forgiving? Let the saints show you the way. This little book highlights examples of forgiveness even when horrible injustices were committed. Using both the New Testament and the lives of the saints, author Father Henry Sseriiso weaves an inspiring and challenging work of Catholic spirituality for everyone. After reading this book, you'll know the answers to questions like these: - What does a lack of forgiveness do to the soul? - Which is more important in the spiritual life: forgiveness or sacrifice? - Should we wait until the offender asks for forgiveness? - What if the offender is still hurting you? A critical addition to your Catholic spiritual library. Short and compelling reading makes this book a must-have for anyone serious about love of God and neighbor.

There is the spiritual life. Then there is the wild life: Daredevil stunts, drag races, partying and working with the entertainment industry, trying and failing to stay out of trouble with the law. Eventually, author Dennis O'Donnell realized that the center of his own soul couldn't find fulfillment without complete trust in Jesus Christ. O'Donnell's journey has been compared to a modern-day "Imitation of Christ." His story is told as a conversation with Christ on a deep, personal level only a spiritual traveler could tell. The author relates anecdotes from his own career as a truck driver. Along the way, he explores his own spiritual journey on the road to the center of his soul, where he meets Christ.

"Vital Signs" leads the reader from the surface of life - where too many of us skim along - to the soul, which is often quietly starving for lack of nourishment. While candidly naming the temptations and pitfalls of life in the 21st century, Fr. Bocala keeps his pace brisk and his tone light as he outlines the path to becoming a better and more contented person. "Keep Away From Children!" "Pay As You Order!" "Drink Moderately!" "No Loitering Allowed!" "Merging Lanes, Give Way!" And many more. There's more to these commonplace reminders than meets the eye. They bid us all to behave well. Yes, those signboards are meant to awaken in you and me - rational beings - our sense of right and wrong, good and bad. Moral guideposts are scarce these days while far too many people seem lost in life. So public notices serve to fill in the gaps, reminding us of the ABCs of good manners and right conduct taught in kindergarten. Classical virtues such as prudence, justice, fortitude, temperance and honesty do not wane. We need them more than ever. If you think modern society has little need of ethics, just look around you! A simple sign like "Stop, Look & Listen" posted at a railroad crossing, or the label "Drink Moderately" attached to a bottle of cognac, has much to say about our human identity, who we really are, and how we ought to live our lives. Short and sharp messages. Each contains a wealth of hidden wisdom. These are Vital Signs because they help us face the question every man or woman must answer: "Where is your life heading?" This book is light reading, but be ready for doctrinal punches!

Margaret Anna Cusack, "The Nun of Kenmare," was a tireless advocate for the poor, visionary, and foundress of a religious order. She was edifying and mystifying to those who knew her. Cusack is an example of what it meant to be a convert in the 19th century. "A Woman for All Seasons" combines Fr. Ciriaco's reflections on Cusack's life with a collection of her own reflections, to help you pray throughout the liturgical seasons. She wrote these reflections for the liturgical year when she was the Nun of Kenmare. Here, you will come in contact with the soul of Margaret Anna Cusack, as she leads you closer to Christ.

As the Church approaches the apex of the most extraordinary Marian age in history, the Holy Spirit is unveiling the deepest secrets concerning His Bride, who revealed herself to St. Bernadette as The Immaculate Conception. The visions granted to St. Catherine Laboure in 1830, which led to the molding of the Miraculous Medal, and the teachings of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe emphasized an inseparable relation between Mary as The Immaculate Conception and her special role as Mediatrix of all graces. How do we best understand the full import of this role and its relevance to a Church navigating through the most turbulent seas in her history? Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, called by many "a prophet for our times," provides some of the most penetrating insights into this mystery, so that no matter what one's prior understanding is of the Mother of God, they will never look at her the same way again. Enjoy fresh and invigorating insights into the mystery of the one chosen to bridge a fallen humanity with the Holy Trinity...the one whose unique place in the history of salvation is unveiled by the singular title..."The Woman."

Jesus Christ walked this earth for about 33 years. Of them, only the last 909 days (two and a half years) were spent in public ministry. After his death and resurrection, his words, deeds, and actions were recorded in four different gospels for all to read. But many Christians, and maybe you, read one gospel at a time and don't quite understand how the four fit together. Regular church attendees may get to the point where they unconsciously tune out parts of the readings because they "know how this one ends." They hear the same bits and pieces about the life of Jesus Christ, but don't know the full chronological context in which these events take place. This book changes all that. 909 Days that Changed the World features short, thoughtful, easy-to-read chapters in the order of events as they likely happened and includes a chronological table with the four gospels cross-referenced.

This story is about the remarkable Fr. Charles Kram, Jr., the quadriplegic priest who served for nearly twenty-five years as a hospital chaplain doing what he enjoyed most in life: serving God and neighbor with an enormous amount of love. By never complaining about his suffering of pain and the humiliation of his dependency, Fr. Kram raised suffering to the dignity of the divine. In this way, he accepted the circumstances of his life as the will of God. To complain against the will of God would certainly be unworthy of a true Christian. To accept his suffering as the will of God made Fr. Kram's suffering a source of joy, a vehicle of unity with God here on earth.

Sister Marie shares her religious and Spirit-filled reflections and prayers through poetry. Each reflection manifests a yearning to unite one's spiritual and physical state with God in this busy world. "Moments in the Spirit" fills your need to "pause" every now and then during a busy schedule, to "ponder" on your relationship with God in each circumstance of daily life, and to "pray" and be grateful for all His blessings and special graces. Take time now to pause, ponder, and pray.

"The Crucifix, the Flag, and a Blackboard" studies the development of our Catholic educational heritage, reexamines the legacy we have been given, and reminds all of the privilege of the work that we carry out. Its purpose is to trace the historical significance of Catholic education, to record the knowledge that it passes on, and, in particular, to honor all the men and women who made so many contributions to the formation of Catholic youth in America over the course of four centuries.

The finality has arrived and once again the author, Vincent (Vinzee) Iezzi, brings to life the teacher and guru of his life. With delicate wording we come to the end of the trilogy of love, respect, and family. Once again the author gives us an open invitation and carries us into the back kitchen where the smells, love, cares, and home come to life for us through his meticulous wording and re-creation. Through Nonna's stories, simplicity becomes a valuable commodity which demands our admiration. Many virtues and moments in life of miniscule courage become the benchmark for us to follow and imitate. In Last Coffee with Nonna, we come to see the true meaning of the immortality of the soul, for we find the warm definition of life within us after a loved one's death. Nonna lives on, even after this book is closed, because the love she gave her family is now with us and we will remember her wisdom. This is the author's sixth book. His other publications include Coffee with Nonna, More Coffee with Nonna, The Garden and Forest Behind Grandpop's House, Small Drops of Ink, and The Doves of Galilee: A Story of the Twelve Apostles. He is presently working on another book.

This is a book of fiction based on fact. The author's research uncovered many stories about these faithful and unselfish Apostles of Jesus. Some stories were easy to validate in the writings and works of other writers, while other stories of the Twelve were based in legends and traditions. Therefore, they were difficult to verify. In order to capture the spirit of the moment of early Christianity, the author chose the most dramatic and more exciting stories. In his journey to write this book, he created some fictitious characters to help support the flow of the story. Some of these people lived and are found in legends, but what they did or what happened to them has been lost in time, so the author created their stories from his imagination. Enter into the story of Twelve chosen men who had humble, silent simplicity. They traveled their known world with a faith strong enough to move mountains, tame nature, and compel angels to sing. These Twelve embarked upon a human adventure matched only by their certainty in God and His will. Their spoken words echo to this day, for they moved with a love as great as that same love found in the first days of creation. Their belief and devotion in their Lord, and His command, eventually brought them face-to-face with their own Gethsemane and Golgotha. With surety of purpose and undeterred devoutness, the Twelve Apostles soared the sky as gentle doves, carrying the Spirit of God to all.