Helen Plum Library

A posthumously published collection of Merton's essays and meditations centering on the need for love in learning to live.

Coren examines four main aspects of Catholicism as they are encountered, understood, and more importantly, misunderstood, today

"George Weigel, a leading Catholic intellectual, argues that the humanist teachings of the highly controversial Second Vatican Council are essential to the future of the Catholic church"--

"Responding to calls for refashioning the priesthood, including proposals from the Amazonian Synod, two ... pastors explain the biblical and spiritual role of the priesthood, celibacy, and genuine priestly ministry. Drawing on Vatican II, they present priestly celibacy as more than 'a mere precept of ecclesiastical law.' They insist that renewal of the Church is bound to a renewed understanding of priestly vocation as sharing in Jesus' priestly identity...

In his most provocative book yet, Pulitzer Prize winner Garry Wills asks the radical question: Why do we need priests? Author Wills spent five years as a young man at a Jesuit seminary and nearly became a priest himself. But after a lifetime of study and reflection, he now poses some challenging questions: Why do we need priests at all? Why did the priesthood arise in a religion that began without it and opposed it? Would Christianity be stronger...

"Pope Francis illuminates a new way of experiencing the Gospel: by returning to the original word of God alongside reflections from early church leaders, in search of wisdom on living with meaning, purpose, and strength. Published in English for the first time, Reflections on the Sunday Gospel closely examines ancient reflections by Church Fathers from the Eastern and Western Church that shine light on how necessary, inviting, healing, and powerful...

A collection of unpublished material from the remarkable woman of faith offers her wisdom on showing compassion in daily life and includes prayers and suggestions for putting these ideas into practice Mother Teresa's canonization is providentially taking place during Pope Francis's Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. This is entirely fitting, since she is seen by millions of people both inside and outside the Church as an icon of God's mercy to those...

"In this short yet penetrating work, Sr. Mary Ann Fatula reflects on how tenderly and powerfully the Holy Spirit offers us the precious gift of intimacy with Himself. Through the graces of our Batism and Confirmation, the Holy Spirit--the Third Divine Person, who is the Father's and Son's sublime Love for Each Other--gives Himself to us to be our "Beloved," our mighty Healer, our intimate Friend and Consoler, our constant Companion and Strength,...