Books published by Paraclete Press

RThe Mary that Frederica Mathewes-Green gives us in these winsome texts--a palpably real woman at once humble and exhalted--transcends the differences that persist even today among the main streams of the Christian tradition, not least because this Mary points beyond herself to the ultimate source of our hope and our joy.S--John Wilson, editor "Books & Culture."

"e;These are meditative poems that seem to rise from a long and deep looking at life, in its most ordinary and familiar moments. They invite us into the gaze, suggesting how the surfaces of things might reveal stronger truths for those who know to wait and wonder. These pages call us to consider our lives as `lent by the mystery and borrowed back,' as the poet puts it, showing us what yearning might require-and yield."e; -Mark S. Burrows, Editor for Paraclete Poetry

This book brings together O'Connor's practice of prayer and the rich spiritual context within which O'Connor lived and out of which she wrote.

Now available in a popular contemporary English translation for the first time, important reflections of St. John Chrysostom on 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13. One of the most important passages in the Scriptures, I Corinthians 13 is often read and rarely followed. Medieval theologian, John Chrysostom, was called the "e;golden-mouthed"e; one, for the eloquence of his preaching. His reputation extended from his native East to the Christian West, and he is remembered today as a Church Father for the entire Church.

Through her unique gift for storytelling, combined with profound spiritual insight, Sr. Bridget Haase''s Doors to the Sacred will invite readers to open the door to the room of daily experience, stand under its ceiling of providence, walk the floors of faith, and explore its nooks and crannies of divine surprises and disguises. By so doing, they will discover that each event of life is holy, saturated with God, and filled with hope.

Ancient Paths offers personal and practical insights into "e;The Rule of St. Benedict"e;, an ancient guidebook for Christian formation in community. Drawing upon centuries of Benedictine spirituality and monastic spiritual practices, Ancient Paths presents a five-fold approach to spiritual formation in community. While Benedict wrote his guidebook for monks living in the early sixth century, Ancient Paths presents Benedict's perspectives and principles as a rich source of wisdom and practical guidance for Christian formation today. Ancient Paths is a field-tested guidebook, showing how this way of life has been lived by monastics day by day over the past fifteen centuries. Through biblical principles and practical applications for Christian formation today, readers will discover ancient, but new ways of living their faith together with others. This book also provides guidance for pastors, priests, and lay-leaders in the local congregation for helping to grow a community of faith in the ancient way of Christ. A twelve-week study guide is also provided for individuals, home groups, house churches and small group leaders.

J. Brent Bill draws on the quiet beauty of the Quaker path to show how spiritual discernment is more about sensing God's gracious presence than it is about making the right decisions. As you use this book to chart your own spiritual course, you will find yourself led to unexpected places.

The wisdom and spirituality of St. Therese - for all who want to pray

An updated edition, now includes a new Introduction and a new Afterword by Pope Benedict XVI.

This misunderstood moment-is essential to what it means to be ChristianThe Transfiguration of Christ is one of the most impressive and mysterious miracles of Christ, and yet one of the least known and understood biblical events. Yet, it spawned a long tradition of spiritual ascent and contemplative prayer. This book examines the Transfiguration in the context of the Gospel, Christian spirituality, and the traditions of the church. Andreopoulos explains the Transfiguration-the revelation of the full divinity of Christ in front of his disciples-as a continuous event. He also explains threads that are common in the event of the Transfiguration and in other parts of the gospels, such as "e;the voice of the Father"e; heard first at John's baptism of Jesus. This Is My Beloved is a book that bridges East and West in its pursuit of understanding the power and meaning of what transfiguration meant then, and now.

A Biography of Jesus provides an opportunity to read the life of Jesus as a brief, chronological, easy-to-understand narrative that hits on the most important points. Bible scholars note that Bible's four gospels recount only about 45 days form the life of Jesus: in this book, Tom Cowley has selected the 32 most representative events.

In this first-of-its-kind edition, Fr. John-Julian offers a fresh translation, a most thorough historical introduction, and notes explaining points of language and theology along the way.

Why are modern Christians so indistinguishable from everyone else?How come Christians who lived in times of bloody persecution were so heroic, while we who live in safety are not?How could the first Christians fast valiantly, but we feel deprived without dessert?How did New Testament believers pray without ceasing?How could the early Christian martyrs actually forgive their torturers?What did the Christians of the first centuries know that we don''t?That''s what this book is about.From the author:When I look back at the process of writing The Illumined Heart, I''m amazed all over again at how God directed it. I wrote the whole thing in a week, the week before Christmas, in fact, which is so typically congested with last-minute errands, unpredicatable weather, aches and sniffles. For Orthodox Christians, it''s also a week that we fast from meat and dairy, adding another ball to the juggling act. Yet somehow I started writing the book on Monday morning and completed it Sunday night, just fourteen minutes after the Christmas Eve service began. (I kept wondering where in the week I''d dawdled and lost that fourteen minutes.)It''s no wonder that I look at The Illumined Heart as the one out of all of my books that felt the most God-directed. Mostly, he told me when to shut up. For a cup-runneth-over writer like me, starting a book is like moving into mid-pregnancy and putting on those stretch-front trousers for the first time; they''re like a license to eat. And knowing that I have room to write on and on, whatever comes to mind, makes for abundant, wandering prose. Yet The Illumined Heart is quiet, proportional, just-enough; it''s like a jewel. It''s no wonder that this is a personal favorite among my own books, and the one I must urge people to read. I''m pleased by the amount of good work it''s done so far, and hope that it will continue to do much more.

Dicover the riches of Gregorian chant.

SPANISH EDITIONThe Eucharist is-for most of us-the undiscovered land, the unknown world. We want to live the Eucharist, not just go to Mass, and now comes a clear and compassionate voice of encouragement.

An invitation for interested Christians to understand their Muslim neighbours. George Dardess-author of this guide, believes that Jesus' injunction to 'Love your neighbor as yourself' means that serious Christians should engage with Islam and come to know their Muslim neighbors.

Explore Patrick's place in history, the spread of Christianity beyond the Roman Empire, how Patrick first came to Ireland, the influence of the earlier Palladius on Patrick's work, political and social conditions at that time, and the spiritual battles with the Druids. This 21st century edition now includes notes from other biographers, mystics, historians, and storytellers of Ireland. The ideal place to begin any exploration of a much-loved but little-known saint. "e;Bury proves to be more than a mere dry historian; he turns out to be a fine storyteller as well, and his accounts of Patrick's spiritual duels with Druid priests for the heart and mind of the Irish king are quite gripping."e;-History Book Club"e;Editor-writer Sweeney gives Bury's 1905 biography of the legendary St. Patrick a greater contemporary context in this meticulously researched and presented work Bury wrote what Sweeney calls the 'ideal modern biography' of Patrick Sweeney assembles and rearranges material from Bury's original work and incorporates more of Patrick's own words, from his Confession and Letter against Coroticus. Sweeney's light edits to Bury's text clarify exactly what Patrick did in Ireland, noting that although he did convert some pagan kingdoms, he also was responsible for organizing Christians who were already there and connecting the island with the church of the Roman Empire."e;

Includes the complete Road to Assisi, Paul Sabatier's ground-breaking and foundational biography of the saint; the complete Francis in His Own Words: The Essential Writings; and The Little Flowers.

"e;The Blessed Mother has been permitted by God to come here [because] she knows what is coming in the future. She is calling all God's children back on the path to Heaven."e; -Ivan Dragicevic, a visionaryOver twenty years ago, in the tiny mountain village of Medjugorje, Bosnia, six young people began to report seeing visions of the Virgin Mary. Since then, the beauty of Heaven and the importance of prayer, conversion, and reconciliation have been revealed to them through Marys appearances. Queen of the Cosmos provides an opportunity to hear the messages of the mother of Christ through in-depth interviews with the six visionaries of Medjugorje. Their experiences have changed the lives of thousands of people who have found truth, encouragement, and solace in the words of the Blessed Mother. This new edition includes an afterword by the author, giving an update on both the lives of the visionaries and the visions they receive.

"e;The will of God has nothing but sweetness, grace, and treasures for the surrendered soul"e;This inspirational classic was compiled more than a century after the death of its author, the French Jesuit, Jean-Pierre de Caussade. Gathered from the notes, discussions, and letters that he left behind, these reflections focus on accepting the will of God with an open heart, and learning to slow down and live life in the "e;sacrament of the present moment."e;"e;I count myself blessed that, at an important juncture in my life, a wise elder introduced me to the writings of Caussade. From them I gained not only the guidance I needed to traverse a difficult terrain, but also a permanent element in my outlook on life: an appreciation of the operation of God's providence and my need to be receptive of that providence despite the lack of full understanding and the pressure of contrary desires."e;--Michael Casey, O.C.S.O. from the Introduction

God will always give us more than we ask for.

This new adaptation of Butler's multi-volume Lives of the Saints presents a modernized text for today's reader and provides an illuminating guide to these historic, symbolic, and foundational Christian men and women.

Heavenly Love comes as a wound that is a gift of God. Francis de Sales's spiritual masterpiece, Treatise on the Love of God, was originally published in 1616 while he was Bishop of Geneva. This contemporary English edition preserves St. Francis's gentle prose, his enthusiasm for God, compassion, and good humor. For all spiritual pilgrims seeking comfort and guidance, this book offers the assurance that "e;a deep and satisfying prayer life is not only possible, but within the reach of anyone who will accept what God is forever offering."e;

"e;This book is a little masterpiece: it informs and it explores, it recounts history and it provokes a religious quest. It is a personal book, yet it explores the great questions of theology; it is full of learning, but not ponderous; it is written from the perspective of faith, but is not off-putting to the inquirer."e; -Thomas O'Loughlin, Professor of Historical Theology University of Wales Lampeter "e;Andreopoulos explains the gesture and meaning and history of why Christianity has needed symbols and signs through the ages. Throughout, his writing is as inspiriting as a restorative benediction."e;-ALA Booklist "e;The book succeeds at translating the significance of the sign of the Cross into something personal and immediate."e; -Publishers Weekly "e;The Christian of today grows quickly from the innocent child into adulthood and demands understanding of any simple behavior. 'Why to sign with the crossing? Where did this practice begin? When and how?' Andreas Andreopoulos, with his book, helps to answer these questions [H]e immerses us into the illuminating obscurity of the Holy Tradition."e; -Protopresbyter Kyrillos Leret-Aldir, Orthodox Christian Comment

No one can teach a Christian to pray, like Teresa can. This lively little book introduces postmodern readers to one of Christianity's most endearing prayer warriors, and guides them through her most radical teachings. Here, Teresa of Avila is not a lofty, inaccessible saint; she's a companion, taking readers on a rollicking journey through their own interior castles. The secrets of Teresa's intimate devotional life are revealed, and readers learn practical ways to abandon complicated contemplative prayer techniques, and simply "e;enjoy"e; God. This journey through the life and writings of Teresa of Avila will engage Christians who would have never before considered encountering a post-Reformation Catholic nun. Mair Burney makes Teresa accessible-and essential-for understanding what it means to come to know God, and how it's possible. "e;I've been waiting for some time for the Ragamuffin Diva to write us a book about her own spiritual quest. And what she has delivered in God Alone Is Enough is beautifully written, winsome, and touching. Hers is a voice to which we all should listen. And the fact that she brings Teresa of Avila right into our own backyards makes it even better."e;-Tony Jones is the author of many books, including The Teaching of the Twelve: Believing and Practicing the Primitive Christianity of the Ancient Didache Community"e;"e;Reading God Alone is Enough was an absolute joyI experienced it as the gift of two older, sassy, rib-tickling sisters - one Teresa of Avila and the other Claudia of Burney - who sat their kid brother (me) up on the washing machine and said 'look junior, this is what love is all about.' You trust them because you believe they care for you, but moreover because they have that glorious foolishness in their eyes."e;- John Blase, author of Touching Wonder: Recapturing the Awe of Christmas"e;This is the kind of book that a serious Christian has to thank God for. It only illuminates and opens St. Teresa of Avila in a profound and intimate way. I cannot recommend this book too highly or, I suspect, even adequately. Read it and you will see what I mean."e;-Phyllis Tickle, author of The Divine Hours"e;A refreshing and engaging exploration with Teresa of Avila. Also, a true journey of soul into the heart of prayer."e;- Vinita Hampton Wright, author of Dwelling Places"e;Claudia Mair Burney writes with courage and compassion, capturing the best of Teresa and offering it to her readers with clarity and humor. God Alone is Enough is an invitation and a celebration. Expect to swoon, prepare to feast."e;- Jenny Schroedel, author of Naming the Child

Can an ordinary 21st-century American become a saint? No, apparently not. But you can have a lot of fun trying.

The words of God to the heart are somple and peaceful.

What do we actually know about the practices of the early church?