Paraclete Essentials

They that seek shall find him, and those who find shall praise him. The first autobiography ever written, Augustine's Confessions ranks amoung the most profound books in history. But it's more than that; this testament shows how God gives rest to the weary and hope to the hopeless. "This book is the masterpiece from which all other Christian memoirs flow. Augustine's astonishing story remains as fresh as it did when he wrote it in the late fourth century. The Confessions still speaks with a clear, vivid and altogether distinctive voice to believers and seekers searching for the One who will give rest to their restless hearts." -James Martin, SJ, author of My Life with the Saints

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 "a deep and satisfying prayer life is not only possible, but within the reach of anyone who will accept what God is forever offering."

Revelations of Divine Love, the first book ever written in English by a woman, is dense, deeply intuitive, and theologically complex. The last thirty years have seen several translations, some academic, others literal, but none quite like this one which capture's Julian's deepest meanings and liberates her inspired insights. "This elegant translation of a wonderful spiritual classic makes Julian of Norwich beautifully accessible to the modern reader. And that is almost the pearl without price." –Archbishop Desmond Tutu

As word of the wisdom and purity of the Desert Fathers and Mothers spread throughout the Roman Empire, Christians streamed to the caves of these hermits, seeking counsel on the interior life. The hermits' ascetic practices and teachings were a shining witness to a living faith – offering wisdom for both monastic and lay Christians. Encouraging humility, patience, prayer, introspection, and love, the Desert Fathers and Mothers have influenced centuries of believers, showing how contemplative practice can reveal the true meaning of everyday life. "Let Christians care for nothing that they cannot take away with them. We ought rather to seek after that which will lead us to heaven, namely wisdom, chastity, justice, virtue, an ever watchful mind, care of the poor, firm faith in Christ, a mind that can control anger, and hospitality. Striving after these things, we shall prepare for ourselves a dwelling in the land of the peaceful." (from the book)

All things are possible to one who believes; even more to one who hopes; still more to one who loves. This Classic work--the original guide to "practicing the presence of God"--has inspired millions of people in a variety of editions since it was first published after the author's death in 1691. Brother Lawrence was a humble monk who spent much of his monastic life working in the kitchen. His life and writings reveal the secrets of daily, moment by moment fellowship with God. " In the way of God, thoughts count very little," he says. Full of realistic honesty, friendliness, and simplicity, The Practice of the Presence of God shows that it's possible to meet God among the pots and pans--in the ordinary , daily events of life. This edition, rendered from the original French into graceful, comtemporary English, will nourish and delight all who seek to know and love God more intimately.

"Eternal greatness! You made yourself low and small to make mankind great." While in an ecstatic trance, St. Catherine of Siena dictated The Dialogue. In this intense and searching work, she offers up petitions to God, filling her conversation with instruction on discernment, true and false spiritual emotion, obedience and truth, and revealing her famous image of Christ as the Bridge. Catherine's brilliant insights into the nature of the spiritual life have motivated Christians for centuries to unite a life of prayer with a life of action. "This have I told you, my sweetest daughter, that you might know the perfection of this union-producing state, when the eye of the intellect is ravished by the fire of my charity, in which it receives supernatural light. With this light the souls in the state of union love me, because love follows the intellect, and the more it knows the more it can love." (from the book)

FranÇois FÉnelon was a seventeenth-century French Catholic archbishop who rose to a position of influence in the court of Louis XIV. He became a wise mentor to members of the king's court, his writings preserved by the many people whom he counseled. These words have inspired Christians of all backgrounds for centuries with their frank honesty, spiritual wisdom, and unflinching response to truth. This beautiful, accessible, contemporary English translation, introduces you to the essential FÉnelon. "All who seek fellowship with God amid the rush and racket of modern life will find that FÉnelon's searching gentleness is a wonderful pick-me-up for the heart. This selection from his letters is pure gold." -Dr. J. I. Packer, author of Growing in Christ

Discussion around the bestseller The Benedict Option by Rod Dreher has led many people to want to know more about Benedictine principles.??????? Listen, my child. I want you to put the ear of your heart to the solid ground of the master's wisdom (what I received, I'm passing on to you). It's advice from a spiritual father who loves you-the sort of counsel you receive by letting it shape your whole life. Listening is hard work, but it's the essential work. It opens us up to the God we've rejected by only listening to ourselves. If you're ready to give up your addiction to yourself, this message is for you: to listen is to equip yourself with the best resources available to serve the real Master, Christ the Lord. So begins the famous opening paragraph of Benedict's Rule in Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove's vital, new, contemporary paraphrase. The entire text of the Rule is here plus a lengthy introduction from Jonathan, and detailed explanatory notes throughout that explain difficult passages. The result is a classic re-introduced that will enliven any 21st century expression of religious community.

In Ascent of Mt. Carmel, St. John of the Cross provides a road map for the mystical journey to union with God. The poem recounts John's passage through a dark night of faith on his journey. Through his lyric poetry and humble wisdom he has become an encouraging companion for people throughout the centuries who are passing through their own dark nights. "The soul must empty itself of all that is not God to prepare itself to be with God. According to John, two opposite qualities – God's Love and love of worldly things – cannot coexist in the same heart. This purification John calls the 'dark night of the senses.' Having purified itself from the senses, the spirit must now empty itself of understanding, memory and will in order to prepare itself to receive the three theological virtues: faith, hope, and love." (from the Introduction)

God will always give us more than we ask for Millions have read and benefited from this book since it was first written nearly 500 years ago. St. Teresa's message of humility, simplicity, persistence, and faith is replete with language that is at times earthy, and full of self deprecating humor. Rendered here into contemporary English, St. Teresa's words, with their warm-hearted approach to Christian transformation, will help you look deeply into what it really means, sometimes in the smallest of details, to have a relationship with Jesus. "Teresa lays out the time-tested path of Christian tranformation and union with God for those of us who will never be monastics, much less desert-dwelling hermits. Who among us does not need to know how to turn trouble into spiritual good, how to lovingly bear minor slights and major wounds, how to forgive and offer compassion?" Paula Huston, from the Foreword

"The will of God has nothing but sweetness, grace, and treasures for the surrendered soul" God speaks to us through every moment of every day. By facing ourselves honestly through active authentic contemplation, this timeless classic shows us the way towards comfort and fulfillment, and a life suffused with grace as we carry out God's purpose. These spiritual reflections on the mystery of faith provide wisdom, hope, and inspiration -- guidance for daily living and relationship with God, and an invitation to open our hearts, and learn to slow down and live life in the "sacrament of the present moment." "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." -Michael Casey, O.C.S.O. from the Introduction