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New: "Leonie Martin: A Difficult Life" by Marie Baudouin-Croix

Now available from Ignatius Press: 

Leonie Martin: A Difficult Life

by Marie Baudouin-Croix

A sister of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Léonie Martin (1863-1941) was one of the five daughters of Zélie and Louis Martin, who were canonized by Pope Francis. She was the least gifted of the five Martin sisters, an emotionally disturbed child who suffered much and caused much anguish in her family.

Marie Baudouin-Croix has carefully researched Léonie's life, including her mother's voluminous correspondence about her family life. In letters to her daughters, sister, brother, and sister-in-law, Zélie confided the challenges she faced in raising L‚onie. Yet Léonie was the first one in the Martin family to understand and to follow Thérèse's Little Way.

After three valiant but unsuccessful attempts to enter consecrated religious life, Léonie was finally accepted by the Visitation Order in Caen. As a Visitation nun she succeeded in conquering a difficult temperament and other personal challenges, so that by the time of her death at seventy-eight years old she was regarded by many as a saint. Her convent at Caen has been inundated with letters testifying to her posthumous intercessory aid.

How did this troubled child turn into the nun remembered by many as so kind, serene, and happy that they could not believe she had such a difficult childhood? She discovered God within herself, in her weakness and suffering, and she became a great disciple of Thérèse's "way of confidence and love". Léonie practiced the Little Way so deeply that in 2015 the cause for her sainthood was officially opened by the Church.

Marie Baudouin-Croix is a popular French poet and author.

"The 'lame duck', as Léonie was aptly nicknamed, grew in tremendous virtue, overcoming failures and disabilities, abandoning herself to God's mercy. A fascinating read!"
—Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, EWTN TV Host; Author, The Kiss of Jesus

"An essential read for anyone with a devotion to the Little Flower or with an interest in the science of the saints. It shows that problematic behavior in children can happen in any family, and that our imperfections can be very much a part of our journey to sanctity. A deeply moving book." 
—Sally Read, Author, Night's Bright Darkness: A Modern Conversion Story

"For those seeking sanctity amidst life's struggles, Léonie Martin is a gift that helps us to apply the Little Way when the way we must travel is less than perfect. In Léonie's story we discover the truth that each of us, regardless of our station in life, is called to strive for sainthood." 
— Lisa Hendey, Founder of CatholicMom.com

"It is reassuring to learn that even a family with three canonized saints was not without its painful human limitations. The woman once known as 'poor Léonie ' played her own essential role in the sanctification of the entire Martin Family."
— Fr. Sean Davidson, Author, Saint Mary Magdalene: Prophetess of Eucharistic Love

New: "Galileo Revisited: The Galileo Affair in Context" by Dom Paschal Scotti

Now available from Ignatius Press:

Galileo Revisited: The Galileo Affair in Context

by Dom Paschal Scotti

No other work on Galileo Galilei has brought together such a complete description of the historical context in its political, cultural, philosophical, religious, scientific, and personal aspects as this volume has done. In addition to covering the whole of Galileo's life, it focuses on those things that are most pertinent to the Galileo Affair, which culminated in his condemnation by the Inquisition in 1633.

It also includes an extensive discussion of the relationship between religion and science in general, and of the relationship between Christianity and science in particular, without which a true understanding of the affair is much weakened. This discussion of the relationship of Christianity with science-a long, generally positive relationship-is most timely since the case of Galileo is, as many historians and Pope Benedict XVI have stated, the beginning of the alienation of the Church from much of the intellectual culture of our present age. The "warfare between science and religion" is an old myth that should finally be retired, but for many it is still axiomatic.

This work shows the significance of astrology in the history of society and the Church (Galileo was a master astrologer), and the importance of the internal tensions and factions within the Roman Curia in the seventeenth century. It also tells of the profound battles among Church leadership over the direction of the Church in a time of uncertainty and intellectual and cultural ferment. The Galileo Affair is not just of its time and place, and it is not just about Galileo, but it touches upon that perennial issue of how the Church deals with issues of adaptation and change.

Fr. Paschal Scotti, a monk at Portsmouth Abbey in Rhode Island, was ordained a priest in 1989 and teaches at his monastery's prep school, Portsmouth Abbey School, in the History and Humanities departments. He has a Licentiate in Canon Law (J.C.L) from Catholic University of America. Besides various journal and encyclopedia articles, he has a written a study of the Edwardian English Catholic editor, Wilfrid Ward.

"The Galileo case is often misunderstood as the simple opposition of modern science to blind faith. This valuable volume not only puts that myth to rest by presenting what were the real scientific, philosophical, and theological questions at stake. It's comprehensive in explaining the history, culture, conflicts, and personalities involved in this crucial episode in Western and Christian civilization."
— Robert Royal, Author, A Deeper Vision: The Catholic Intellectual Tradition in the Twentieth Century

"This exquisite history of a defining moment at the birth of modernity resists the temptation to idealize or villainize, treating both Galileo and his opponents as the flesh-and-blood creatures they actually were. The Galileo Affair is thus revealed to be not so much the clash of ideas or ideals we are so often told it was, as the clash of limited and imperfect people. Of the many versions of this story that I've encountered, this is the wisest and most balanced."
— Michael Augros, Ph.D., Author, Who Designed the Designer? A Rediscovered Path to God's Existence

"Dom Scotti has mastered all of the historical details of the great saga of Galileo and the Church, and he does not spare any of the players in his critical but fair-minded and thoughtful assessment of how the tragic confrontation unfolded and might have been avoided."
—John Farrell, Author, The Day without Yesterday: Lemaître, Einstein and the Birth of Modern Cosmology

"There is nothing like the facts to squelch a juicy rumor or a sensational story - especially one whose contour has been carefully crafted to embarrass the Church or keep her off balance. This book brings to bear the many new discoveries that have recently been made in the Galileo Affair. An open-minded reader will have abundant evidence for debunking the notion that the Church is against science."
— Rev. Joseph Koterski, S.J., Department of Philosophy, Fordham University

"Many people today think of Galileo in simplistic, black-and-white terms, as either a great and heroic scientist or a tragic, arrogant figure. As Dom Scotti demonstrates in this richly researched and often surprising work, the truth is both far more complex and far more interesting."
— Carl Olson, Editor, Catholic World Report; Author, Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?

"The Galileo Affair was a clash of ideas, but it was also a complex human drama that unfolded in extremely tense and turbulent times. Geopolitical struggles, Reformation and Counter Reformation, personal ambition, zeal for truth, scientific rivalries, gossip and scandal, status and celebrity, and even an outbreak of plague were all parts of the story. Dom Scotti's profoundly learned, wonderfully readable, and richly detailed book brings that vibrant world to life."
— Stephen Barr, Ph.D., Department of Physics, University of Delaware

"The image of Galileo kneeling before the Inquisition, forced to recant his views, is exaggerated in the modern mind. But Dom Scotti paints the truthful setting of Galileo's time, not a mere recounting of facts, but a journey into the Medici family, the Papal States of the 1600s, Galileo's desire for clarity, his tastes in the arts, the multifaceted trial, and his conflicts to the last breath. For those excited about how Catholics can lead scientific progress, the visit with Galileo, the man, is a requisite pilgrimage."
— Stacy Trasancos, Author, Particles of Faith: A Catholic Guide to Navigating Science

New: "Kidnapped by the Vatican? The Unpublished Memoirs of Edgardo Mortara" by Vittori Messori

Now available from Ignatius Press:

Kidnapped by the Vatican? The Unpublished Memoirs of Edgardo Mortara

by Vittori Messori

In 1888 Fr. Edgardo Mortara wrote his autobiography so that the world would understand he had not been kidnapped by the Vatican. Here, along with a thorough introduction by Vittorio Messori, his story is published for the first time in English.

As an infant, Mortara was on the point of death and secretly baptized by a Catholic servant employed by his family. He recovered his health, and in the Papal States where his family lived, the law required that he, like other baptized children, receive a Christian education. After several failed attempts to persuade his parents to enroll him in a local Catholic school, in 1858 Pope Pius IX had the boy taken from his family in Bologna and sent to a Catholic boarding school in Rome. There the child grew in Faith and eventually responded to the calling to become a Catholic priest.

The Mortara Case reverberated around the world. Journalists, politicians, and Jewish leaders tried to pressure Pius IX to reverse his decision. The pope's refusal to do so was used as one of the reasons to dissolve the Papal States in 1870. Currently the case is being used as an argument against the canonization of Pius IX, whom John Paul II beatified in 2000.

Vittorio Messori is an acclaimed Italian journalist and author. Among his most influential books is The Ratzinger Report, with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger who became Pope Benedict XVI. He also conducted the first book-length interview with Pope John Paul II, published under the pope's authorship and the title Crossing the Threshold of Hope.

"In this account . . . Edgardo pours the soothing balm of love and truth over the turbulent waters of polemics, showing more eloquently than any argument could where the rights and wrongs of the case truly lie."
—Roy Schoeman, from the Foreword; Author, Salvation Is from the Jews

"The Mortara Case is something few people know much about. It involves sacramental issues, the relation of Jews and Christians, kidnapping, and the last of the Papal States. Ignatius Press is well advised to bring this book originally published in Italian to our attention."
—James V. Schall, S.J., Professor Emeritus, Georgetown University

"The Mortara Case has returned as an issue. This book explains the historical context and then lets Fr. Mortara himself speak through his memoirs. It is well worth reading."
— Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., Senior Fellow, St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

"Ambiguities about the Mortara Case will remain, but the measured commentary of Vittorio Messori and the unprecedented publication of Fr. Mortara's own diaries put the whole emotional dilemma into a clearer light."
—Fr. George Rutler, Pastor of St. Michael's Church, New York; Author, He Spoke to Us: Discerning God in Events and People

New: "From Islam to Christ: One Woman's Path through the Riddles of God" by Derya Little

Now available from Ignatius Press:

From Islam to Christ One Woman's Path through the Riddles of God

by Derya Little

Born and raised in Muslim Turkey, Derya Little wandered far and wide in search of her true home. After her parents' divorce, she rejected her family's Islamic faith and became an atheist. During her stormy adolescence, she tried to convince a Christian missionary that there is no God but was converted to Christ instead.

Her winding path through the riddles of God was not over, however. While attending a Turkish university and serving as a Christian youth minister, Derya began to compare the teachings of Protestantism and Catholicism, and during her doctoral studies in England, she entered the Catholic Church. Ultimately, she ended up in the United States, where has become a citizen and has settled down to raise a family.

Derya's story provides a window into both Islam and modernity. It shows that the grace and the mercy of God know no bounds. Rather, the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ reaches souls in the most unlikely places.

Derya Little has a Ph.D. in politics from Durham University in England. Her articles on foreign affairs have appeared in academic journals and Catholic World Report.

"Little has done the world a service by writing this courageous book. On her journey from Islam to atheism to Evangelical Christianity to Roman Catholicism, we see how the Divine Physician brings a healing balm to many open wounds people live with today."
— Kathryn Jean Lopez, From the Foreword; Senior Fellow, National Review Institute

Biography of Michael O’Brien details a creative life full of joys and sorrows

At Catholic World Report:

Over the past century, most Western countries have produced great Catholic fiction writers. The UK may rightly pride itself on Evelyn Waugh, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, the U.S. on Walker Percy and Flannery O’Connor, France on Georges Bernanos and Paul Claudel, Italy on Eugenio Corti, and so forth. Canada appeared until recently to be the unfortunate exception to this rule. But Canadians may perhaps now boast of one Catholic novelist of international repute: Michael O’Brien. At least that is the view of American philosopher Peter Kreeft, whose endorsement of On the Edge of Infinity, the first biography of O’Brien ever published, describes him as “the greatest living Catholic novelist”.

This being said, two things distinguish O’Brien from other Catholic writers. First, he is also a well-known painter, whose works, mainly icons, are found in churches all over North America. Second, his career as a fiction writer was made possible thanks to a relatively small U.S. publisher who, in 1996, readily accepted to publish what became his best-known novel, Father Elijah. The book had previously been rejected by a slew of Canadian publishers for whom his work reflected a worldview of little interest to the reading public. This worldview, of course, was orthodox Catholicism. Readers of Canadian fiction are thus indebted to San Francisco-based Ignatius Press for having put O’Brien on the world literary map. His novels are now available in 12 languages and are better known in the U.S. and various European countries than in his home country. For example, Father Elijah sold more copies in the Czech Republic and in Croatia than in Canada. In Croatia, the novel even became an instant bestseller when it was published in 2002.

Best known for his series of ten apocalyptic novels collectively titled Children of the Last Days, O’Brien has also written several other books and essays, many of which have been published by Justin Press, a relatively young Canadian publishing house focusing on works of Catholic culture and apologetics.

Clemens Cavallin’s biography tells three stories, that of a painter of religious art, that of a Catholic novelist and that of a husband and father of six children constantly trying to make ends meet. But there is a common thread running through these stories, and it is that of a Christian artist seeking to illustrate the beauty and love of God in a world that has largely chosen to reject Him. As Cavallin points out, the creativity of Michael O’Brien is founded on “his intense, mystical relation to God”. His spirituality, family life, art and imagination should not be seen as separate compartments, as they spring and are nourished from the same source – his Catholic faith. From the latter flow his novels, essays, paintings, family life and moral and political views. In a world marked by dissent and discord, O’Brien embodies unity of life.

Over a five-year period, Cavallin spent numerous hours and days interviewing both O’Brien and his wife, and had continuous contact with them through email.

Continue reading at www.CatholicWorldReport.com.

New, updated editions of classic works by mystic Adrienne von Speyr now available

 San Francisco, May 3, 2017 – Ignatius Press has long published the writings of Adrienne von Speyr, a contemporary Swiss convert, mystic, wife, medical doctor, and prolific spiritual writer, who was under the spiritual direction of renowned theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar. Now three books have been released as new editions, each updated with a new Foreword, bringing renewed attention to her insightful life and work.
 
First Glance at Adrienne von Speyr
 
This second edition of Hans Urs von Balthasar’s book on Adrienne von Speyr is his personal introduction to the mystic, First Glance at Adrienne von Speyr, whose message and mission he believed to be vitally important for the Church. Von Balthasar was the spiritual director of von Speyr for almost thirty years as she progressed in the life of grace. She helped him to found the Community of Saint John, an international secular institute, and she wrote more than sixty books on various topics, including prayer, Scripture, sacraments, and saints, which continue to bear fruit for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Catholic spirituality and theology.
 
This book contains three main sections. The first includes a short account of Adrienne’s life, which describes her childhood, conversion, and mission; an analysis of her most important theological concerns; and an overview of her published and unpublished works.  The second is a collection of enlightening statements that Adrienne made about herself, which illuminate both her exterior and interior life. The third section contains prayers that she herself wrote, which best reveal her spirit.
 
Hans Urs von Balthasar writes, “On the whole I received far more from Adrienne, theologically, than she from me. As her confessor and spiritual director, I observed her interior life most closely, yet in twenty-seven years I never had the least doubt about the authentic mission that was hers. Her work appears far more important to me than mine. I am convinced that when her works are made available, those who are in a position to judge will concur with me about their value and will thank God that he has granted such graces to the Church in our time.”

Adrian Walker, Ph.D., Professor of Theology at the John Paul II Institute and author of the Foreword of this new edition, says, “Von Speyr was one of the great Catholic converts of the twentieth century. Her great passion was what might be called ‘the thirst for catholicity’ — the unreserved, joyful adherence to all the teachings of the Church and the attitude of total surrender to the Truth.”
 
“The abundant harvest of graces hidden in this theological mission for our times still waits to be more fully carried into the storehouses of the Church for whom Adrienne von Speyr was sent. Now, however, a century after her birth, there are many signs to indicate that the moment of her ‘reawakening’ is at hand!” says Jacques Servais, S.J., Director of the Casa Balthasar in Rome.
 
Confession
 
In this second edition of her profound book on confession, which Hans Urs von Balthasar calls “one of her most central works”, Adrienne von Speyr discusses the moral and practical aspects of this sacrament in great depth. The most complete spiritual treatise on confession ever written, the book covers conversion, scruples, contrition, spiritual direction, laxity, frequency of confession, confessions of religious and lay people, and even confessions of saints.
 
The most intriguing element in von Speyr’s understanding of confession, fully developed in this volume, is its trinitarian and christological basis. The Cross is the archetypal confession, and Christian sacramental confession is thus an imitation of Christ in the strict sense. Confession examines the enormous fruitfulness of this dogmatic basis from many perspectives, giving a wealth of suggestions that both the theological expert and the layman will find very helpful. Its practical applicability to one’s own confession emerges from every page.
 
Fr. John Riccardo, the author of the Foreword, writes, “Few writers have impacted me like von Speyr has. I use Confession every year in RCIA to teach on this great gift that Jesus left to the Church on the day He rose from the dead. Whether you are a frequent celebrant of this Sacrament or, like I once was, have been away for many years, I pray that this book will profoundly change your life.”
 
Handmaid of the Lord
 
In this profound book on the mystery of Mary, Adrienne von Speyr reflects on the life, attitude, and prayer of the Mother of God. She shows how Mary’s assent to God’s will—her Fiat: “Let it be done to me according to thy word” — is what defines and sanctifies every aspect of her life. She gives new insights into Mary’s holiness, suffering, prayer, and role of spiritual motherhood for all mankind.
 
Handmaid of the Lord is not a biography detailing the daily life of the Mother of Jesus, filled with the sights and the sounds found in the holy imagination of a saintly visionary. Rather, it responds to our desire to know Mary in a penetrating and personal way, opening us to the mystery of her inner life, which can be revealed only by the Word himself and pondered in the heart, just as Our Lady herself did.
 
Humility, obedience, availability, joy, suffering, and transparency before God are some of the key spiritual attributes of Our Lady found in this timeless work. As with her other books, von Speyr helps us to savor and to appreciate each word of Sacred Scripture as self-revelation from the Father through the heart of the Church, the Bride of the Son, in a loving exchange of the Spirit. In this way, the Word may be absorbed into the very core of our being, as it was for Mary, the Mother of God.
 
Kris McGregor, founder of Discerning Hearts, writes in the Foreword, “This work offers a doorway into the heart of one of Christianity’s greatest mysteries - the mystery of Mary - and there is no better spiritual guide through that door than Adrienne von Speyr. She is a grand spiritual master of the practice of Lectio Divina and a beneficiary of its fruits. Handmaid of the Lord is Lectio Divina par excellence. It reveals the sheer beauty of Marian contemplation like no masterpiece of temporal art or music ever could; hence its status as a spiritual classic.”
 
About Adrienne von Speyr
 
Adrienne von Speyr (1902–1967) was a Swiss medical doctor, a convert to Catholicism, a mystic, and an author of more than sixty books on spirituality and theology. She collaborated closely with theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar, her confessor for twenty-seven years, and together they founded  the Community of Saint John. Her numerous books, published by Ignatius Press, are a major contribution to the wisdom of the Church. Among her most important works are Book of All Saints, Confession, The World of Prayer, Handmaid of the Lord, and The Passion from Within.
 
Kris McGregor, the author of the Foreword of Handmaid of the Lord, is available for interviews about these three books. To request review copies or an interview with Kris McGregor, please contact: Rose Trabbic, Publicist, Ignatius Press at (239) 867-4180 or [email protected]
 
Kris McGregor is the Founder/Executive Director of Discerning Hearts, a non-profit broadcast media apostolate dedicated to evangelization and spiritual formation. She has produced/hosted a wide range of series programs under the banner “Discerning Hearts presents”, as well as hosted “Inside the Pages”, interviewing hundreds of today’s leading Catholic authors and spiritual leaders. Her programs are prominently featured on the Spirit Catholic Radio Network line-up and on DiscerningHearts.com. In the past, she has served as a Director of Religious Education, Director of Liturgy, and Director of Pastoral Ministry in parishes located in the Archdiocese of Omaha.  Kris and her husband of 34 years, Bruce, are Benedictine Oblates and parents of 3 children.  
 
Product Facts:
                                                                                        
Title: First Glance at Adrienne von Speyr
Author: Hans Urs von Balthasar
Release Date: May 2017                                                                
Length: 228 Pages
Price: $15.95
ISBN: 978-162164-180-3
                                               
Title: Confession
Author: Adrienne von Speyr
Release Date: May 2017                                                                 
Length: 295 Pages
Price: $16.95
ISBN: 978-1-62164-182-7
                       
Title: Handmaid of the Lord
Author: Adrienne von Speyr
Release Date: May 2017      
Length: 203 Pages
Price: $15.95
ISBN: 978-1-62164-181-0
 
To Order: 1-800-651-1531 or www.ignatius.com

New: "The Priest Barracks: Dachau, 1938-1945" by Guillaume Zeller

Now available from Ignatius Press:

The Priest Barracks: Dachau, 1938-1945

by Guillaume Zeller

How many people know that at the Nazi death camp Dachau, three barracks out of thirty were permanently occupied by clergy from 1938 to 1945? Some 2,579 priests, monks and Catholic seminarians from all over Europe were imprisoned there. The story of these men is unrecognized, submerged in the overall history of the concentration camps.

From all countries and of all ages, the priests were gathered behind the barbed wire of Dachau according to an agreement wrested from the Reich by Vatican diplomacy. For eight years, both tragedies and magnificent gestures punctuated the journey of the clergy at Dachau, from the terrifying forced march of "Holy Week" in 1942 to the heroic voluntary confinement of priests in the barracks of those dying of typhoid, to the moving clandestine ordination of a young German deacon by a French bishop. Never in the course of history have so many priests, monks and seminarians been murdered in such a small area: 1,034 lost their lives.

Beyond the personal journeys of which it is composed, the history of the priests at Dachau sheds new light on Hitler's system of concentration camps, on the intrinsic anti-Christian animus of Nazism and, beyond the strictly historical perspective, on faith and spiritual commitment. This book deals with many questions about the priest barracks, including:

How does the experience of the priests at Dachau compare to those who were laymen? What were their privileges and what were their particular sufferings? Did the Nazi persecution against the clergy have ideological or political underpinnings? Did the faith and religious commitment of the priests reinforce them against the methodical dehumanization in the camps? Were their moral convictions, forged by the Gospel and the tradition of the Church, able to resist the perversion of values imposed by the SS? Did the sufferings endured by the priests at Dachau bear fruit within the ecclesiastical institution and also outside, at the peripheries of the Church?

In Guillaume Zeller's recounting of this strange story, this fragment of the tragedy of the concentration camps allows us to learn answers to these and other intriguing questions.

Guillaume Zeller is a journalist and editor in chief of iTELE, a French news TV channel. He is also the author of A Priest at War, about a French paratrooper chaplain.

New: "Fatima Mysteries: Mary's Message to the Modern Age" by Grzegorz Gorny and Janusz Rosikon

Now available from Ignatius Press:

Fatima Mysteries: Mary's Message to the Modern Age

by Grzegorz Gorny and Janusz Rosikon

400 pages | Hardcover

"The tragedies foretold in Fatima did not come to an end with the demise of Communism. The crisis has not been resolved. From a certain point of view it is still as serious as it ever was, as it is primarily a crisis of faith, hence a moral and social crisis."
— Pope Benedict XVI

The apparitions in 1917 of the Blessed Virgin Mary to three peasant children in Fatima, Portugal, are perhaps the most important private revelations in the history of the Church. At the height of World War I and on the eve of the Russian Revolution, Our Lady appeared in Fatima to warn us of another even greater world war, the spread of Communism, and a terrible persecution of the Church unless people returned to God. She asked for us to offer daily prayer and sacrifice for conversion of the world and salvation of souls.

Because of the prophetic nature of Our Lady's messages and their potential significance for the entire world, they have been the subject of much study and controversy, and they have influenced the decisions not only of many individuals, but also of Popes, Bishops, and heads of state.

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of these important apparitions and messages for the modern world, renowned author-photographer team Grzegorz Górny and Janusz Rosikon traveled throughout Europe to tell the story of Fatima and its impact on the destiny of both individuals and nations. With stunningly beautiful four-color photographs on every page, and in-depth detail and insights on all aspects of the story and message of Fatima, they probe the mysteries of Fatima and their continued relevance for our modern age. Lavishly Illustrated.

Grzegorz Górny is a reporter, essayist, and film and television producer. He is the founder and editor-in-chief of the quarterly Fronda, and from 1994 to 2001 he co-authored a program under the same title that aired on the Polish national television. He has produced various documentary television series and authored numerous articles for European publications. His books include Battle for Madrid (2010).

Janusz Rosikon is a photographer and a member of the Association of Polish Artistic Photographers. His photographs have been featured in Time, Newsweek, and Reader's Digest.

"This is a very special book on the whole story, messages and meaning of Fatima. It is a great treasury of information and inspiration for the 100th anniversary of Fatima, filled with stunning photos and images. This book will help you to do what Pope Benedict XVI asked of us all - to learn, live and spread the message of Fatima!"
- Fr. Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R., Author, Fatima For Today

"What a masterpiece! Fatima Mysteries is the most comprehensive and thoroughly researched book I have ever read on the Fatima apparitions. It offers an historical, cultural, and theological presentation of everything there is to know about the importance of one of the greatest events in modern times."
- Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, Author, Champions of the Rosary: The History and Heroes of a Spiritual Weapon

New: "Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, S.J.: With an Undivided Heart"

Now available from Ignatius Press:

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, S.J.: With an Undivided Heart

by Silas Henderson

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga (1568-1591) was a prince of the Holy Roman Empire who renounced his titles and wealth to serve God and the Church as a member of the Society of Jesus. While he lived a short life and is honored as the patron saint of youth, Saint Aloysius invites all Christians to reflect on how they are living their unique vocations to be witnesses to Christ.

Using the saint's own letters and spiritual reflections, and other historical documents, this book offers unparalleled insights into his life and personality. Woven together with his biography are also portraits of other Jesuits and Reformation saints. The author explains the history of the Society of Jesus and shows how Aloysius Gonzaga played an important part in developing the Jesuit's educational apostolate.

For those interested in Jesuit history, the Reformation, or simply this appealing saint, this book offers a unique perspective on an important period of Church history and what it means to pursue God's will without counting the cost.

Silas S. Henderson is a catechist, retreat leader, and the author of four other books (including Lights for a Waiting World: Celebrating Advent with the Saints and From Season to Season: A Book of Saintly Wisdom), as well as dozens of articles and reflections on prayer, spirituality, Mary, and the Saints.

"Most people don't understand the life of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. But Silas Henderson reveals the complicated, brief, beautiful life that is still, perhaps especially, relevant today."
— Jon M. Sweeney, Author, When St. Francis Saved the Church

"This new biography of Aloysius Gonzaga gives us just what we need to grasp the nature of his sacrifices in leaving an aristocratic life for a fledgling religious community, and in risking his health by serving plague victims for the sake of Christ."
— Joseph Koterski, S.J., Professor of Philosophy, Fordham University

"The last thing in the world we might expect is a biography of a young man who, by current world standards, did not 'do' much. That is why this book and Gonzaga's life are so important for our times. We do not save the world by saving the world. We save the world by first attending to God in the time we are given. This is the great lesson of the life of Aloysius Gonzaga."
— James V. Schall, S. J., Professor Emeritus, Georgetown University

"Finally! An up-to-date, sensitive, and thoroughly researched biography of one of the Church's greatest saints. The life of Aloysius Gonzaga has sometimes been buried under excess layers of piety that could obscure who he was: a strong, tough and prayerful young man and a superb model for youth. An extraordinary story well told."
— James Martin, S. J., Author, The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything

"Here is that rare book, which is full of scholarship and research yet profoundly touches the heart. Silas Henderson's words humanize and bring to life this lovable and loving saint, showing his single-hearted devotion. I highly recommend it to the young, and to all, as a call to purity of heart and charity."
— Deacon Eddie Ensley, Ph.D., Author, Everyday Mysticism

New: "Marian Veneration: Firm Foundations" by Francis Cardinal Arinze

Now available from Ignatius Press:

Marian Veneration: Firm Foundations

by Francis Cardinal Arinze

The Blessed Virgin Mary is venerated by many followers of Jesus Christ as an important part of their practice of the faith. Believing that she is the Mother of God because her Son is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, who for our salvation took on human nature, Christians of both East and West honor Mary in various ways. They strive to imitate her as a great model of Christian discipleship.

Cardinal Arinze wrote this book for both those devoted to the Blessed Mother and those who do not yet know or understand her. Based on the Scriptures, the teachings of the Church, and the sacred liturgy, the cardinal provides a solid foundation for Marian veneration—one that can benefit all Christians, regardless of their church affiliation.

Cardinal Francis Arinze, the former Prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship, is a highly regarded prelate, teacher and churchman. He has written numerous books on theology, spirituality and prayer, including Meeting Jesus and Following Him, Radical Discipleship, The Layperson's Distinctive Role, and his biography, God's Invisible Hand, all published by Ignatius Press.

"An extraordinary blend of rigorous scholarship and filial devotion, Marian Veneration gives all the reasons for why the Virgin Mary is – and will always be – at the heart of Christianity.  This book will serve as a reference work for generations to come!"
— Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, Author, Champions of the Rosary: The History and Heroes of a Spiritual Weapon

"To praise the art is to praise the artist. Mary is the greatest work of art ever created by God. Cardinal Arinze helps us to see the pierced Hand of the Master holding the brush that created Mary, his greatest Icon of the Church."
— Mark P. Shea, Author, Mary, Mother of the Son

"The Second Vatican Council urged theologians and preachers to present the authentic image of the Virgin as it is given us in the Scriptures, the sacred liturgy, and the holy Fathers and Doctors of the Church. That is precisely what he does in this excellent work."
— Fr. Michael Gaitley, M.I.C., Author, 33 Days to Morning Glory

"Simply the best book of its kind in print today. Cardinal Arinze not only masterfully provides the essential foundation for the veneration of Mary but also dispenses with manifold errors concerning Marian theology and devotion both inside and outside the Church."
— Tim Staples, Director of Apologetics and Evangelization, Catholic Answers

New: "Sons of Saint Patrick: A History of the Archbishops of New York, from Dagger John to Timmytown" by George Marlin & Brad Miner

Now available from Ignatius Press:

Sons of Saint Patrick: A History of the Archbishops of New York, from Dagger John to Timmytown

by George Marlin & Brad Miner

Sons of Saint Patrick tells the story of America's premiere Catholic see, the archdiocese of New York—from the coming of French Jesuit priests in the seventeenth century to the early years of Cardinal Timothy Dolan. It includes many intriguing facets of the history of Catholicism in New York, including:

• the early persecution of and legal discrimination against Catholics
• the waves of catholic immigrants, most notably from Ireland
• the Church's rise to power under New York's first archbishop, "Dagger" John Hughes
• the emerging awareness in the Vatican of New York's preeminence
• the clashes between America and Rome over the "Americanist" heresy
• the role New York's archbishops have played in the life of America's greatest city—and in the world

The book focuses on the ten archbishops of New York and shows how they became the indispensable partners of governors and presidents, especially during the war-torn twentieth century.  Also discussed are the struggles of the most recent archbishops in the face of demographic changes, financial crises, and clerical sex-abuse cases.

Sons of Saint Patrick is an objective but colorful portrait of ten extraordinary men—men who were saints and sinners, politicians and pastors, and movers and shakers who as much as any other citizens have made New York one of the greatest cities in the world. All ten archbishops have been Irish, either by birth or heritage, but given New York's changing ethnic profile, Cardinal Timothy Dolan may be the last son of Saint Patrick to serve as its archbishop.

George J. Marlin is Chairman of Aid to the Church in Need U.S.A., an agency under the guidance of the pope. A former Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, he is a contributing editor to the Catholic Thing, an online publication. Marlin is the author or editor of twelve books including The American Catholic Voter: Two Hundred Years of Political Impact and Fighting the Good Fight: A History of the New York Conservative Party. His more than 450 articles have appeared in over two dozen periodicals including the New York Times, the New York Post, the New York Daily News, the Washington Times and National Review. His most recent book is Christian Persecutions in the Middle East: A 21st Century Tragedy.

Brad Miner is Senior Fellow of the Faith & Reason Institute in Washington, D.C., and Senior Editor of the Catholic Thing. He is the author of six books, including The Concise Conservative Encyclopedia and The Compleat Gentleman: The Modern Man's Guide to Chivalry. Mr. Miner is the author of scores of magazine and newspaper articles that have been published in Publishers Weekly, National Review, the Wall Street Journal, Crisis, Newsmax, the University Bookman, and First Things, among others. A number of his recent essays appear in The Catholic Thing: Five Years of a Singular Website, an anthology published in 2013.

"Deeply researched, readable, and engrossing, Sons of Saint Patrick is a towering work of scholarship and an invaluable contribution to the entwined histories of New York City and the Catholic Church. Drawing on unsealed documents and their vast knowledge of local politics and organized religion, authors George J. Marlin and Brad Miner show how the archbishops of Gotham have functioned as 'the leader of the world, or at least of a world', fusing the Lord's work with the often thankless business of combating anti-Catholic sentiment, declining church attendance, and shrinking budgets. Required reading for anyone who cares about the greatest city on earth and the civilizing role played by leading Catholics in its march toward modernity."
— James Rosen, Chief Washington Correspondent for Fox News, and Editor of A Torch Kept Lit: Great Lives of the Twentieth Century by William F. Buckley, Jr.

"Sons of Saint Patrick is a work well researched, informative, and insightful, dotted throughout with welcome anecdotes, as it paints a history of New York's Catholic growth through its ten often-colorful archbishops. I enjoyed the read!"
 — Cardinal Edwin F. O'Brien, Grand Master, Order of the Holy Sepulchre

"The Archdiocese of New York has been, and arguably still is, the most influential Catholic institution in the United States. The archbishops of New York are the reason this is so. George Marlin and Brad Miner draw vivid verbal portraits of these ten men who accomplished much for both Church and State."
 — Father Gerald E. Murray, Pastor, Holy Family Church, New York and a member of EWTN's "Papal Posse"

"Sons of Saint Patrick is bursting with religious and social history, administrative detail, and hardball politics. Marlin and Miner show ten very different men—all sons of Erin—leading their flocks, loving their country, and serving and defending their church."
— Richard Brookhiser, Author, Alexander Hamilton: American and Founders' Son: A Life of Abraham Lincoln

New: "Saint Mary Magdalene: Prophetess of Eucharistic Love" by Fr. Sean Davidson

Now available from Ignatius Press:

Saint Mary Magdalene Prophetess of Eucharistic Love

by Fr. Sean Davidson

Adoration is love, and eucharistic adoration is love of Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament. In the Gospels there are few people who understand love for Jesus as well as Mary Magdalene, which is the reason she is a prophetess of eucharistic love.

This work is an extended meditation on the life of Saint Mary Magdalene, known as the "Apostle to the Apostles" because the Risen Christ appeared to her first and then sent her to announce the Resurrection to the apostles. Based on the biblical texts traditionally associated with Mary Magdalene, this book helps readers to learn from her inspiring example and to enter more deeply into adoration of Jesus Christ truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.

In telling the story of Mary Magdalene's profound conversion after the Lord had to expel seven demons from her soul, this book shows how she is a shining witness to the transforming power of an encounter with Jesus Christ. Mary Magdalene is the perfect model for those who have experienced the redeeming love of Christ and who seek to deepen their devotion to him and to the Eucharist.

Father Sean Davidson is a member of the Missionaries of the Most Holy Eucharist.  He spent two years serving at the magnificent Basilica of Saint Mar y Magdalene in Provence, France, where he received the inspiration for this work. He is currently serving at the Eucharistic Retreat Center in the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Long Island.

"Saint Mary Magdalene reminds us of the need to recover the primacy of God and the primacy of adoration in the life of the Church and in the liturgical celebration."
— Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, Author, God or Nothing: A Conversation on Faith

"Saint Mary Magdalene has finally been given her deserved praise and understanding. Her amazing story of renewed life, restored love and relentless devotion to Christ as Savior is deeply inspiring!"
— Mother Dolores Hart, O.S.B., Author, The Ear of the Heart: An Actress’ Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows

"This bracing immersion into the life, heart and soul of one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented of saints, is rooted in Scripture, history, and deep contemplation. It calls us to emulate Magdalene's 'holy recklessness' and her radical adoration of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament."
— Carl Olson, Author, Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?

"Those longing to sit quietly 'at his feet' in times of eucharistic adoration will find Saint Mary Magdalene already there, with her tears, her ointment, her devoted love  and her deep attentiveness to his hidden presence. This thoughtful exploration of Magdalene's life and her gifts of contrition, gratitude and adoration will inspire all who long to dwell quietly in his presence in the company of the saints."
— Dan Guernsey, Author, Adoration: Eucharistic Texts and Prayers throughout Church History

"Drawing from Scripture and scholarship, Father Davidson paints a soul-stirring portrait of the 'Apostle to the Apostles' that speaks directly to the heart of the reader. Filled with remarkable insights, this is a highly engaging and deeply moving look at how the encounter with Christ can truly change your life."
— Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers, Author, Behold the Man: A Catholic Vision of Male Spirituality

"The life of Saint Magdalene bears witness to the infinite mercy of Christ, and our world stands in great need of an outpouring of divine mercy today. This work goes to the heart of the identity of this holy woman who was above all an ardent adorer in spirit and in truth. May her example enkindle a new fire of love for Christ in our hearts."
— Father Florian Racine, Rector of the Basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene, France, Author, Could You Not Watch with Me One Hour?

Journalist Peter Seewald: Pope Benedict is “one of the most misunderstood personalities of our time”

Pope Benedict XVI stands at the Western Wall, the Jewish holy site in Jerusalem's Old City, in 2009. (CNS photo/Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo)

Journalist Peter Seewald: Pope Benedict is “one of the most misunderstood personalities of our time” | Paul Senz | CWR

The German journalist reflects on his latest book-length interview with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, whom he considers among history’s most significant popes.

It is well-known that Pope Francis regularly grants interviews to various media outlets, and has done so since the earliest days of his papacy. As a result, it seems as if each successive interview is received with less fanfare, and the words of the Holy Father are watched with breath a little less bated.

His predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, was never one to give interviews so frequently. However, over the last 25 years, he has granted four book-length interviews to German journalist Peter Seewald—Salt of the Earth, God and the World, Light of the World, and now Last Testament: In His Own Words (Bloomsbury, 2016). This most recent (and perhaps final) installment in the series of interviews, Last Testament contains many insights into the life and personality of Joseph Ratzinger.

The interviewer, Peter Seewald, brings his own intriguing personal story to these interviews. Raised Catholic, he left the practice of the Faith in his youth and became an ardent communist. It was the time he spent interviewing then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger that famously brought Seewald back home to the Church. Their professional relationship developed into a close friendship, and this can be seen in the pages of this latest book.

The interview sessions comprising Last Testament began before Benedict’s announcement of his resignation, and continued shortly thereafter. As a result, these interviews—which initially were conceived as research for Seewald’s biography of Benedict—became a venue for Benedict to give an unfiltered account of his papacy, of how he views its successes and failings, as well as one more exploration into his analysis of the blessings and problems of today’s world, and a reflection on his life up to this point.

Mr. Seewald spoke with CWR by email in December 2016. His responses were translated by the translator of Last Testament, Jacob Phillips.

German journalist Peter Seewald holds a copy of his book-length interview with Pope Benedict XVI "Light of the World" at a press conference at the Vatican Nov. 23, 2010. (CNS photo /Piotr Spalek, Catholic Press Photo)

CWR: You were born in Germany to a Catholic family. Can you tell us a little bit about your faith journey up to this point?

Peter Seewald: During the student rebellions of 1968 I began to engage with politics. Christianity seemed something of a relic from the past then. I felt that its mixture of power and madness had to be overcome in order finally to build a genuinely progressive society. So one day I withdrew myself from the Church. I felt liberated, and I fought for the ideas of Marx and Lenin. Now, with the passage of time, I’ve left communism behind me. We did not know then what atrocities and millions of victims Maoism left behind in China (or rather, we did not want to know), but it was clear to me that these ideological systems cannot be reconciled with human dignity.

As a journalist who followed developments in society closely, I could now see that with the decline of Christianity in the West, the basic level of our culture, indeed of civilization, completely sank away with it. It was obvious that there was a link between forsaking the conviction that the world is created and belongs to a created order—an eclipse of God—and the danger of a new barbarism. When I had the opportunity of conducting a long interview with Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in 1992, I was fascinated by the fact that from the faith, knowledge, and tradition of the Catholic Church there are answers that correspond to the problems of our time. Yes, the message the faith brings with it is an offer that one cannot fundamentally dismiss out of hand.

CWR: This is the fourth book-length interview you have done with Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict. Whose idea was it to do one more? Did Benedict go into this with the intention of giving his “final word” on his life and papacy, as far as you know?

Continue reading at www.CatholicWorldReport.com.

G.K. Chesterton, Charles Dickens, and the Joy of Christmas

Main image: First edition frontispiece and title page of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens: (1843), with Illustrations by John Leech (London: Chapman & Hall); left: G.K. Chesterton at work; right: Portrait of Charles Dickens in 1842, the year before the publication of "A Christmas Carol", by Francis Alexander (1800-1880) [All images from Wikipedia]

G.K. Chesterton, Charles Dickens, and the Joy of Christmas | Dale Ahlquist | CWR

Why a radio broadcast from Christmas Day in 1931 still rings with the wonder of “this season of enjoyment.”

“I have been asked to speak to you for a quarter of an hour on Dickens and Christmas.” Thus began a live radio broadcast from England to America on Christmas Day, 1931. The man speaking into the microphone was G.K. Chesterton.

“Why, on this day of holiday, am I made to work?” he asked. “Why, on this day of rejoicing, are you made to suffer?”

I can answer that question, 85 years after Chesterton asked it. Chesterton was asked to speak to America about Dickens and Christmas because both of those things were popular in America, and there was an association between the two of them. As Chesterton was well aware, Dickens had been responsible for the revival and appreciation of Christmas traditions that were being lost in 19^th century England.

They were being lost not through neglect but through open attack by two rather diverse sectors: puritans and atheists. The Puritans did not like the symbols and festivals and obvious connections something that was “half-Catholic and half-Pagan”: dining, drinking, decorating, singing and making merry. Even worshipping in a dramatic fashion. And atheists were rather put off by the somewhat religious elements underlying all the fuss about Christmas. Though Dickens wrote extensively about Christmas celebrations, his most famous (still) piece is the story of the conversion of Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol.”

Scrooge is best known for his dismissal of the feast with the expression, “Bah! Humbug!”: a mantra shared by both puritans and atheists. Dickens, with his compelling, vibrant, delightful and truly sympathetic characters made all the critics of Christmas look rather silly and insubstantial.

But why was Chesterton asked to speak about these two?

Continue reading at www.CatholicWorldReport.com.

On conversion, CWR, journalism, Pope Francis: My recent interview on EWTN

On conversion, CWR, journalism, Pope Francis: My recent interview on EWTN | Carl E. Olson | The Dispatch at CWR

This past Monday I was at EWTN to guest on "At Home with Jim and Joy". I always enjoy my time at EWTN: the folks there are warm and down to earth. Plus, I get to spend some time with Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ, who I first got to know in the late '90s, when he taught several courses in the University of Dallas MTS program I was in from 1997 to 2000. On this visit, Fr. Mitch cooked me some venison steak, told me some new hunting stories, and shared his wise observations on a whole host of current events.

The Pintos are salt of the earth folks. Converts from Episcopalianism (actually, I think Jim said he's a revert, having been raised Catholic), they've been running a crisis pregnancy center in Birmingham for many years. And as good as I think our on-air conversation was (see below and judge for yourself), the off-air conversation was even better.

Anyhow, we discussed a number of things: how my wife and I became Catholic, my work as an editor and author, Catholic World Report, journalism in general, and Pope Francis. Here it is:

Mary was no ordinary woman: An anthropologist unearths the life of Jesus’ mother

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 6, 2016 – For the first time ever — and just in time for Advent — a new release presents an archeological and historical biography of the most adored and remarkable woman in history: MARY OF NAZARETH: History, Archeology, Legends, by author Michael Hesemann, digs into the heart of the life lived by Mary, the mother of God. From her earliest days as a small child, to the Annunciation and her life raising and loving Jesus, the most beloved, along with the lesser known chapters in the Blessed Mother’s life, Mary is examined in new and impressive detail in Hesemann’s book. Popular legends are explored, ground unearthed and contemporary sources scoured.
 
Hesemann, an accomplished author of 38 books who studied history and cultural anthropology in Germany, is uniquely situated to tell this important story of the Blessed Mother. He has participated in archaeological excavations in the Holy Land, and has helped to date discoveries in Nazareth as well as several Christian relics. Hesemann has advised and participated in TV programs for the Discovery and History Channels as well as EWTN.
 
The author’s impressive background is on display in MARY OF NAZARETH, as the reader is taken on a virtual expedition to the places where Mary lived or traveled. Included in the book are vivid, color images of the places described and investigated by Hesemann, including the Advocata icon (the oldest known Marian image), the interior of the Holy House of Loreto, Mary’s Well (the scene of the Magnificat), Mary’s tomb in the Kidron Valley and many more that bring to life in a special way the locations that played important parts in the daily life of Mary.
 
MARY OF NAZARETH provides the millions of Marian follower’s new insight into the fascinating woman who was the Mother of Jesus and the context for and the answers to many long-held queries about Mary. Hesemann also delivers the truth behind the real Christmas story, including the Three Wise Men and the Star of Bethlehem, just in time for the Advent season.
 
Says Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., author of A Year with Mary: Daily Meditations on the Mother of God: “Through historical, archaeological and textual research, Hesemann takes us on a lively adventure that sheds fascinating new light on the mother of Jesus. His personal devotion to the Virgin shines through his extensive scholarship to create a delightful and enchanting portrait of the Mother of God.”
 
For more information, to request a review copy, or to schedule an interview with Michael Hesemann, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or KWa[email protected]) of Carmel Communications.  

Available from Ignatius Press: "Last Testament In His Own Words" by Benedict XVI, with Peter Seewald

Now available through Ignatius Press:

Last Testament In His Own Words

by Benedict XVI, with Peter Seewald

The story of the first Pope to resign in over 700 years.

Pope Benedict made history by being the first Pope in over 700 years to resign from office. The Catholic Church the world over was stunned. Worn out by corruption in the Church and by an endless series of clerical sex scandals, he decided that the resolution of all these problems was outside his power for a man of his age.

Last Testament is nearest to an autobiography from the shy and private man who has remained “hidden to the world” in a former convent in the Vatican gardens. He breaks his silence on issues such as:

- The “Vatileaks” case in which his butler leaked some of his personal letters that alleged corruption and scandal in the Vatican (the butler remains in jail)
- The presence of a “gay lobby” within the Vatican and how he dismantled it
- His alleged Nazi upbringing
- His attempts at cleaning up the “dirt in the church” (clerical sexual abuse)
- The mysterious private secretary “Gorgeous George”

On a more personal level he writes with great warmth of his successor Pope Francis, who he admits has a popular touch, a star quality which he has lacked. Much controversy still surrounds Pope Benedict`s Papacy--in this book he addresses these controversies and reveals how at his late age, governing and reforming the Papacy and particularly the Vatican, was beyond him.

Pope Benedict XVI served as pope of the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013. He was elected pope on April 19, 2005, was inaugurated on April 24, 2005 and resigned from the office on February 28, 2013.

What is the truth about the Catholic Church and the Nazis?

The book Catholics Confronting Hitler by Peter Bartley offers the historical facts to answer to the question: what really happened with the Catholic Church and Hitler? Written with economy and in chronological order, this book offers a comprehensive account of the response to the Nazi tyranny by Pope Pius XII, his envoys, and various representatives of the Catholic Church in every country where Nazism existed before and during WWII.

Peter Bartley makes extensive use of primary sources – letters, diaries, memoirs, official government reports, German and British. He manifestly quotes the works of several prominent Nazis, of churchmen, diplomats, members of the Resistance, and ordinary Jews and gentiles who left eye-witness accounts of life under the Nazis, in addition to the wartime correspondence between Pius XII and President Roosevelt.

This book reveals how resistance to Hitler and rescue work engaged many churchmen and laypeople at all levels, and was often undertaken in collaboration with Protestants and Jews. The Church paid a high price in many countries for its resistance, with hundreds of churches closed down, bishops exiled or martyred, and many priests shot or sent to Nazi death camps.

Bartley also explores the supposed inaction of the German bishops over Hitler’s oppression of the Jews, showing that the Reich Concordat did not deter the hierarchy and clergy from protesting the regime’s iniquities or from rescuing its victims. While giving clear evidence for Papal condemnation of the Jewish persecution, he also explains why Pius XII could not completely set aside the language of diplomacy and be more openly vocal in his rebuke of the Nazis.

Joseph Koterski, S.J., Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University, explains, “Vicious allegations against Pope Pius XII and the Catholic Church in Germany get mindlessly repeated. The best way to answer them is with a calm and detailed account of the facts. Bartley’s well-documented volume shows the tireless work of Catholics to oppose the Nazi regime, to defend those being attacked, and to preserve the liberty of the Church.”

Gerard V. Bradley, Ph.D., Professor of Law at University of Notre Dame, calls Catholics Confronting Hitler “a magnificent addition to the small library of works which put the lie to the slanderous assertion that the Catholic Church was silent in the face of Nazi atrocities.”

“This amazing chronicle exposes the sacrifices and the selflessness not only of the clergy, from popes to priests, but also of countless laity who stepped forward to confront the unspeakable evil of Hitler and his Third Reich. As a witness of these times I am greatly encouraged by this accurate and descriptive rendering,” says Kurt von Schuschnigg, author of When Hitler Took Austria.

Tim Staples of Catholic Answers says this book “illustrates the Catholic Church’s response to the rise of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi regime like no other work to date. It will leave the reader with new respect for both the complexities involved and the enormous amount of heroism displayed.”

Catholics Confronting Hitler is “a redeeming account of the great men, plus the lesser known individuals and groups, that opposed Hitler’s madness. The Catholic opposition to Adolph Hitler is a subject that we cannot learn too much about,” says Paul Kengor, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science at Grove City College.

This book is “a frank and realistic assessment of Catholics during the years of Nazi power in Europe. It is a well-researched and important book, dispelling clichés and opening up critical areas to examination and discussion,” says Joanna Bogle, EWTN Host of The Military Orders and the Crusades.

About the Author:
Peter Bartley, was born in England and educated at Plater College, Oxford, receiving a degree in Political Science. He has written for various UK publications, and is the author of two other books, The Gospel of Jesus: Fact or Fiction?, and Mormonism: The Prophet, the Book, the Cult.

Peter Bartley, the author of Catholics Confronting Hitler, is available for interviews about this book. To request a review copy or an interview with Peter Bartley, please contact: Rose Trabbic, Publicist, Ignatius Press at (239) 867-4180 or [email protected]

Product Facts:
Title: CATHOLICS CONFRONTING HITLER
The Catholic Church and the Nazis
Author: Peter Bartley
Release Date: November 2016
Length: 291 pages
Price: $17.95
ISBN: 978-1-62164-058-5 • Softcover
Order: 1-800-651-1531 • www.ignatius.com

New: "Mary of Nazareth: History, Archaeology, Legends" by Michael Hesemann

Now available from Ignatius Press:

Mary of Nazareth: History, Archaeology, Legends

by Michael Hesemann

This is the first archaeological and historical biography of the most fascinating and revered woman in history, the Mother of Christ. Millions of faithful around the world invoke her as their Queen, Protectress and Advocate. But who was this extraordinary woman chosen by God to give birth to the Savior? Michael Hesemann searched for her traces in Italy, Israel, Turkey and Egypt. Based on biblical traditions, legends and archaeological discoveries, he reconstructs the life of Mary of Nazareth, the Mother of the Messiah.

From the most ancient icon of Christianity to the Holy House in Loreto, from the Grotto of Nazareth to the refuge of the Holy Family in Egypt, from Mary's residence in Ephesus, Turkey, to Mount Zion and her empty tomb in Jerusalem, this is a journey of discovery, full of surprising insights that deepen our faith in the great mystery of the Mother of God.

Michael Hesemann studied History and Cultural Anthropology at Goettingen University, Germany. His 38 books have been published in 14 languages. He lives in Duesseldorf and Rome where he teaches Church history. He participated in archaeological excavations in the Holy Land, and helped to date discoveries in Nazareth as well as several Christian relics. He advised and participated in TV programs for the Discovery Channel, the History Channel,and EWTN. Together with Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, he wrote the international bestseller on Pope Benedict XVI, My Brother, the Pope.

"Michael Hesemann brings the work of careful scholarship to bear in Mary of Nazareth, and gives a book rich in research and redolent of a healthy respect for Our Lady and her only Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord."
— Mark P. Shea, Author, Mary, Mother of the Son

"Through historical, archaeological and textual research, Hesemann takes us on a lively adventure that sheds fascinating new light on the mother of Jesus. His personal devotion to the Virgin shines through his extensive scholarship to create a delightful and enchanting portrait of the Mother of God."
— Paul Thigpen, Ph.D., Author, A Year with Mary: Daily Meditations on the Mother of God

"We pray to her and hold her up as an example of faith and virtue, but what do we really know about Mary and her life? Michael Hesemann has studied the texts, searched the world for clues and compiled the details of Mary's life in a readable and exciting story. He introduces us to the real Mary and all the details of her unique and exemplary life."
— Steven Ray, Author, Crossing the Tiber

"I'm thrilled to have discovered this work, which provides a context for and answers to many of my long-held queries about Mary. Meticulously researched yet accessibly written. I strongly recommend it!"
— Lisa Hendey, Founder, CatholicMom.Com

 

Catholicism embodied: “The Pivotal Players”

Catholicism embodied: “The Pivotal Players” | George Weigel | Catholic World Report

In Bishop Barron's new DVD series, six of the most striking personalities in Catholic history take center stage, the adventure of their lives serving to deepen our understanding of the “faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).

Looking for some uplift after this tawdry election cycle? Some inspiration for tackling what lies ahead? A good way to enrich Advent? Examples of sanctity to help you be the missionary disciple you were baptized to be? Then let me recommend Bishop Robert Barron’s new DVD series, Catholicism: The Pivotal Players.

Pivotal Players is a follow-up to Bishop Barron’s immensely successful, ten-part mega-series, Catholicism, the most compelling presentation of the symphony of Catholic truth ever created for modern media. Key figures in Catholic history appeared throughout the original series to illustrate this truth of the faith or that facet of the Catholic experience. Now, with Pivotal Players, six of the most striking personalities in Catholic history take center stage, the adventure of their lives serving to deepen our understanding of the “faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).

 

The six are Francis of Assisi, Catherine of Siena, Thomas Aquinas, John Henry Newman, G.K. Chesterton, and Michelangelo Buonarroti: the reformer, the mystic, the theologian, the convert, the evangelist, and the artist. Two are doctors of the Church – and a third may be one day. Several of them inspired successors of St. Peter; another told a pope off in no uncertain terms. Two were Englishmen and converts from Anglicanism: one, will-o-the-wisp slight and the other gargantuan; one the quintessential Oxford don, the other, the quintessential Anglo-eccentric genius. One grew up a wannabe knight errant before his abrupt turn into radical evangelicalism. Still another was arguably the greatest genius in human history, his extraordinary talents ranging across sculpture, painting, architecture, poetry and other fields. Four were Italians (if you’ll permit the anachronism for an Umbrian, a Sienese, a sort-of Neapolitan, and a devout Florentine). Each of them was the human analogue to what astrophysicists call a “singularity,” someone to whom the old rules of spiritual gravitation didn’t apply.

And they shared something else in common besides the passionate intensity of their Catholic faith: each lived at a time of crisis for the Church, and each helped the Church address that crisis creatively while remaining true to itself.

Francis of Assisi and Catherine of Siena lived at times when institutional Catholicism had become complacent, losing its evangelical edge. By creating something utterly new in Catholic life – the mendicant religious order dedicated to evangelization – Francis inspired in the Church a new Gospel radicalism centered on the joyful experience of salvation. By persuading (perhaps better, shaming) Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome from his political exile in Avignon, Catherine of Siena made it possible for the papacy to be again the center of unity for the entire Catholic world, as Christ intended it to be. 

Thomas Aquinas, for his part, grafted the “new learning” of Aristotle into Catholic theology in a creative synthesis that gave the Church conceptual tools that remain powerful today. In doing so, he helped create what we know in the West as higher education, even as he showed the Church how to incorporate the best of the  “modernity” of his time into its intellectual and spiritual life without losing touch with the truths it had long possessed as a bequest from the Lord.

Michelangelo lived during that moment of sometimes-brash human assertiveness we call the Renaissance; his theologically-driven art (which Bishop Barron explains in perhaps the most scintillating part of Pivotal Players) enriched the classically-inspired humanism of his day by marrying it to the biblical account of the human person.

Newman and Chesterton, closer to our moment, were key figures in crafting a Catholic response to the scientific revolution and the other dramatic changes that were reshaping how we think about things – and imagine our place in the scheme of things – during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. That each of them did so in wonderfully winsome prose helped demonstrate the continuing vitality of the Catholic mind and spirit in an increasingly skeptical age, even as they bequeathed to the 21^st-century Church models of apologetics that remain cogent at a time like ours, when skepticism has often hardened into cynicism, or just plain boredom.

There are important things to be learned from each of these God-touched human personalities for the challenges Catholicism faces in the post-modern world of the twenty-first century. Kudos to Bishop Barron for bringing those things to our attention in a gripping way.