Pathways

Whether the circumstances are chronic or urgently critical, we all encounter difficult periods in life. And in one way or another, we seek healing, comfort, or simply the strength to endure. This book offers encouraging words of hope. Rooted in the Catholic tradition, the chapters in this book express our belief that as the Body of Christ, we both hurt and heal together as we place our ultimate trust in God-who wishes to bring peace to each and every heart. This five-chapter book focuses on themes originally published as individual titles in our Catholic Perspectives CareNotes series.

A terrifying sense of powerlessness overwhelms us when we lose a loved one. As Christians, we mourn like anyone else. And yet, however deep our sorrow may be, our faith, hope, and love are stronger than death. The passing of a loved one is not the end, we believe, but a step toward the Resurrection. The authors lend words of wisdom intended to help show you the way. In the midst of our grief, we look forward to the Resurrection of Christ, who is the lamp that lights our path (cf. Psalm 119:105) and dispels our fear. This five-chapter book focuses on themes originally published as individual titles in our Catholic Perspectives CareNotes series.

Sometimes life just seems to get the best of us. The wounds can cut very deep on occasion: addiction, divorce, grief, feeling unloved and unwanted, and so many others. And the scars may never entirely heal. However, our Christian faith urges us to recall that Jesus rose from the tomb with visible but transformed wounds, demonstrating that nothing in life is wasted in the economy of God's mercy. Getting Through the Hurt offers timely reflections on how God's grace gently permeates our wounds to give them meaning and transforms them into the means of discovering new life. Ultimately, God asks us to trust that His goodness will secure victory over all distress, division, and death, and this book serves as a guide for that journey of faith.

Seen and largely unnoticed, the "inner dialogue" of the wounded soul contributes greatly to the collective, exterior troubles of the world at large, which are really only symptoms of a much deeper problem. Doubt, anger, malice, sorrow, and fear are just a few of the spiritual trials that afflict the human heart. However, the Catholic tradition offers us sure-fire remedies-not to remove our trials, but to transform them by God's grace into good, for ourselves and the world around us. This book presents valuable insight into how we can move through our spiritual trials and be renewed in faith, peace, mercy, joy, and love-for the good of all. This five-chapter book focuses on themes originally published as individual titles in our Catholic Perspectives CareNotes series. Softcover volume is edited by Br. Francis Wagner, O.S.B. and features an introduction.