Spiritual Saints

Saints are not unattainable beings of stained glass or carved stone. “Saints are ordinary and human, doing things any person can learn to do,” teaches Lama Rod Owens. “Our era calls for saints who are from this time and place, who speak the language of this moment, and who integrate both social and spiritual liberation. I believe we all can and must become New Saints.” With The New Saints, Lama Rod shares a guidebook for becoming an effective agent of justice, peace, and change.

Deeply rooted in Christian tradition, The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius are poignant meditations on spirituality, often used in retreats to facilitate spiritual growth. Since its inception in 1524, countless Christians have been invigorated and challenged by these exercises, as their heads, and minds, have been opened to God's will.

Carrying only basic camping equipment and a collection of the world's great spiritual writings, Belden C. Lane embarks on solitary spiritual treks through the Ozarks and across the American Southwest. For companions, he has only such teachers as Rumi, John of the Cross, Hildegard of Bingen, Dag Hammarskjöld, and Thomas Merton, and as he walks, he engages their writings with the natural wonders he encounters, demonstrating how being alone in the wild opens a rare view onto one's interior landscape, and how the saints' writings reveal the divine in nature.

In the 1700s, Saint Germain dazzled royal courts with his amazing alchemical feats, such as removing the flaws from diamonds and became known as the Wonderman of Europe. His skills were praised by Louis XV, who provided him with a laboratory and residence at the royal castle of Chambord. He formed secret societies and was a leading figure in the Rosicrucians, Freemasons, and Knights Templar of the period.

Saint Augustine's contributions to Christian theology are second to no other post-apostolic author in the whole sweep of church history. Yet along side his doctrinal treatises, Augustine tells a story of his life devoted to Christ as his only satisfaction. The Confessions is at once the autobiographical account of Augustine's life of Christian faith and at the same time a compelling theology of Christian spirituality for everyone.

"The Spiritual Work of Racial Justice is a meaningful and practical resource for our times. Through Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, Patrick Saint-Jean, S.J. offers an opportunity to continue the pursuit of racial justice as a necessary component of faith. Each meditation includes relevant history and grounded spiritual practices. The book is refreshing and accessible to all." —Barbara Holmes, author of Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church and Liberation and the Cosmos "For more than 150 years, legislation has led the peoples of the United States in a clever and ...

Up to his 25th year the heart of Ignatius was enthralled by the vanities of the world. His special delight was in the military life, and he seemed led by a strong and empty desire of gaining for himself a great name. The citadel of Pampaluna was held in siege by the French. All the other soldiers were unanimous in wishing to surrender on condition of freedom to leave, since it was impossible to hold out any longer; but Ignatius so persuaded the commander, that, against the views of all the other nobles, he decided to hold the citadel against the enemy.

Adolfo Affatato is one of the last living spiritual sons of St. Pio of Pietrelcina. Recently translated into English, “Padre Pio and I” is the culmination of what he witnessed as he sat by the saint’s side for sixteen years. This is not a typical biography by a journalist, friar, or academic; instead, the author presents “the Padre” intimately and personally -- as a father figure who tenderly guided and directed him. This book is filled with riveting new accounts of the mystical side of Padre Pio: from the moment Affatato was called by name by Padre Pio out of a crowd to Padre ...

Do you long to find a spiritual practice that meets you where you are? A way of connecting with the Divine that feels deeply meaningful to you? In truth, there are four spiritual paths each of us will walk in our lifetime: Mystic, Lover, Seeker and Saint. In fact, we’ll each walk all of these paths—some for a short time, some for most of a lifetime—but we’ll walk them all, as part of our journey of soul growth. When you understand the spiritual path you’re on right now, everything becomes clear. No more trying to fit into other people’s expectations of what spiritual practice is...

The saints, the heroes of the Roman Catholic faith, lived lives of holiness, dedicated to serving God. The saints lived at different times in different places throughout history, but they all shared a love of God that has been documented through the teachings of the Church. Today, the saints serve as examples for all Catholics, showing the believers how to lead a more spiritual life. Catholic devotions are particular customs, rituals and practices of worship or in honour of the saints that are in addition to the liturgy of the Catholic Church.

En medio de la crisis, la confusin y un mundo en guerra con la Iglesia, es hora de volver a casa con nuestro padre espiritual, San Jos. En este programa de consagracin a San Jos, ricamente investigado y presentado con amor, el P. Donald Calloway, MIC, da vida a las maravillas, el poder y el amor incesante de San Jos, Patrn Universal de la Iglesia y Terror de los Demonios. 

The Bible uses the word Christian to describe followers of Jesus a grand total of three times. But there's another identifier that fills the pages of the New Testament - a word we've mistakenly reserved for the halo-wearing elite, losing something profound in the process: saints. Wrapped in this ancient word is a divine invitation to discover who God created you to be and awaken to the life you were meant to know. Using Scripture and stories from his own experience, Addison Bevere makes a compelling case that the life you desire is found in the mystery of this sacred identity.

In My Sisters the Saints, author Colleen Carroll Campbell blends her personal narrative of spiritual seeking, trials, stumbles, and breakthroughs with the stories of six women saints who profoundly changed her life: Teresa of Avila, Therese of Lisieux, Faustina of Poland, Edith Stein of Germany, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Mary of Nazareth. Drawing upon the rich writings and examples of these extraordinary women, the author reveals Christianity's liberating power for women and the relevance of the saints to the lives of contemporary Christians.

This inspiring book gives you a splendid example of how to live as a Christian in a secular environment that can be indifferent or hostile to your faith. For Elisabeth Leseur had two great loves: God, and her husband Felix. Felix loved Elisabeth as well; yet to their mutual sorrow, he couldn’t share the life of the spirit that Elisabeth cherished.

In Keeping the Heart, John Flavel (1627-1691) centers his teaching on Proverbs 4:23: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Flavel maintains that it is our great responsibility as Christians to watch our hearts and guard them against sin and lifelessness in spiritual duties. This watchfulness also results in a more joyful and victorious life that adorns the Gospel with beauty. The main part of the book provides advice on how to approach various seasons of life that each pose their own dangers to the heart. This book was first published in 1670 as “...

As early as Primary, you may have absorbed this confusing message: "God loves us....but He's so disappointed in you". For a religion that preaches hope, the message of "do more" often seems to win out. With so many programs, assignments, callings, commandments, standards, and honor codes, how can you keep up? The adversary highlights the shame you feel when you constantly fall short. Do you feel only heaviness as you consider the Latter-Day Saint path to exaltation? How can God not be disappointed in someone like me?

Saints are people too. The word saint conjures up images of superstar Christians revered for their spectacular acts and otherworldly piety. But when we take a closer look at the lives of these spiritual heavyweights, we learn that they also experienced struggle, doubt, and heartache. In fact, we learn that in many ways they're not all that different from you and me. Narrating her own winding pilgrimage through faith, Karen Marsh reveals surprising lessons in everyday spirituality from these "saints" - folks who lived and breathed, and failed and followed God.

Theo is a successful Silicon Valley executive. But one fateful day, a guru appears in a vision and calls him to the Himalayas. While most children played with toys, a certain boy saw visions of a white-robed Holy Man. The child grew from adolescence to manhood, but never forgot the image of his guru. When his teacher tells the 50-year-old pupil to leave the U.S. and find him on the other side of the world, the man jumps on a plane bound for India… But the American’s journey of self-discovery has only just begun. In the mystical mountain passes of the Himalayas, he encounters wonders ...

Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God is the revised and expanded edition that helps leaders to promote the classic, best-selling 13-week study and conduct an Experiencing God Weekend or churchwide spiritual growth emphasis. Written by Henry Blackaby, Richard Blackaby, and Claude King, the Experiencing God Bible Study is based on the Experiencing God book, which has sold millions of copies worldwide. Participants will understand and apply seven realities of experiencing God.

We are capable of so much more than we think. You have no idea what you are capable of. None of us do. God is constantly trying to open our eyes to the amazing possibilities that he has enfolded in our being. The saints continue this work, encouraging us to explore all our God-given potential, not with speeches but with the example of their lives. When we have the courage to collaborate with God and pursue our truest self, he lights a fire within us that is so bright and warm, it keeps shining long after our days on this earth have come to an end.