Committed by Choice
By Judith Merkle, S.N.D. de N.
158 pp., PhP 129

Committed by Choice examines the nature of "the choice" today to be a religious in light of conflicting images of success and autonomy in society. After thirty years of renewal efforts, religious congregations still find themselves in transition. The author asks the questions, What are the next steps? How do religious combine in the language of their vows the basic religious experience which grounds them and the commitment to the poor, the Church, and global justice which those vows inspire?

Merkle's answers offer some models of post-Vatican II theological thinking that may help communities in the process of renewal address foundational issues of religious life in the modern, multicultural world. The end result is a keen look at the future of community life, the relationship between the Church and religious communities, and the new partnerships being formed through the reorganization of religious congregations and through new forms of association.

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Hiding in Plain Sight
Sabbath Blessings
By Molly Wolf
152 pp., PhP 169

Failing to notice God in daily life may be what keeps us from experiencing the full joy of God's presence. In Hiding in Plain Sight, Molly Wolf shows that, by relating God-talk to the practical and the everyday, we can find love, joy, and God right where we are: "hiding in plain sight."

These short, lively pieces pull together the sacred and the human, looking for God in such ordinary things as lilacs, mud season, turtles, dancing ants, a handful of sheep's wool, the turn of the season, and plumbing-all places where Wolf suggests God can be found "not locked in the tabernacle, not hiding behind a mass of complex concepts, not absent from our pain, not out of reach, but here with us, in us, and among us, in the laundry, the scutwork, and the landscape we walk through."

Intelligent, often humorous, always inspiring, Hiding in Plain Sight is the perfect book to keep handy for reflection.

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Holistic Healing
Hildegard of Bingen;
Patrick Madigan, S.J., and John Kulas, O.S.B., Translators
236 pp., PhP 229

Hildegard of Bingen's suggestions and prescriptions for health are explained in this translation of her chief work Causae et Curae. Although the holy Hildegard gained her knowledge of nature's healing powers eight hundred years ago, it remains relevant and timely today.

Hildegard, the youngest of ten children, was born in 1098 and died in 1179. Throughout her life she suffered from a delicate and weak constitution. As the abbess of Rupertsberg and a convent visitator, Hildegard traveled widely and served the clergy and aristocracy as a confidant and advisor. She also profoundly influenced the convent and folk medicine traditions of her time.
Holistic Healing concerns the causes of illnesses and nature's remedies for them. The sources of her knowledge are not clear to this day. Hildegard discusses the use of natural ingredients in diet and therapy to alleviate pain and to foster healing and gives insights into human physiology and pathology. She also comments on animal diseases and their treatment, as well as other aspects of agrarian economy.

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Introduction to Profound Prayer
Mariano Ballester, S.J.; Bethany Lane, Translator
104 pp., PhP 149

One definition of prayer is ascent to God and this ascent can start from many different levels, because not every way of prayer is equal in depth. In Introduction to Profound Prayer Father Ballester contends that one aspect of profound prayer is that the dynamism of this ascent, this elevation, is infinite in breadth, length, height, and depth. With profound prayer, then, one seeks to elevate oneself toward God by beginning from the most intimate roots of one's being: the richest, deepest, most profound part of the person.

The three characteristics of profound prayer are its tendency to elevate us towards God, its profundity or depth, and its aim of integrating the whole person. Profound prayer is not a common prayer; this book is for those who feel drawn to deepen and unify their personal prayer. Thus, in Introduction to Profound Prayer Father Ballester considers the whole human being-body and spirit, social and individual dimensions, contemplation and action, and manifest and latent faculties.

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The Need and the Blessing of Prayer
Karl Rahner, S.J.; Bruce W. Gillette, Translator
128 pp., PhP 119

A new translation of Father Rahner's book on prayer.

Karl Rahner stands in a long line of great Christian theologians who were likewise great teachers of prayer. He has been called the voice of Vatican II, and is acknowledged as the rare theologian whose writings speak to the "ordinary" Christian.

In The Need and the Blessing of Prayer , Father Rahner views the human person as essentially one called to prayer. He also highlights prayer as the act of human existence, the great religious act. By encouraging people to "pray in the everyday"-to pray regardless of the desire or mood of the moment-Rahner's theology of the prayer of everyday life challenges us to surrender ourselves to God so that God dwells at the very center of our lives.

The eight chapters of The Need and the Blessing of Prayer were originally sermons that Rahner gave during Lent 1946 at St. Michael's Church in Munich, Germany. This work has been reprinted often throughout its thirty-year history, testifying to its enduring message. For as Father Rahner wrote in the first edition, "If we are not supposed to cease praying, then perhaps one shouldn't cease speaking about prayer."

Chapters are "Opening Our Hearts," "The Helper-Spirit," "The Prayer of Love," "Prayer in the Everyday," "The Prayer of Need," "Prayers of Consecration, "The Prayer of Guilt," and "Prayers of Decision."

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Once More from Emmaus
Carlo Maria Martini; Matthew J. O'Connell, Translator
120 pp., PhP 119

The Church exists for the sake of mission: the plan of salvation that God offers to all. It is mission that is the theme of these articles by the archbishop of Milan. They remind those involved in ministry that the ultimate aim of any pastoral program is to share, in its own unique way, the Gospel message with the world. Cardinal Martini stresses that all who have received the Gospel message are compelled to pass on that message to the unbaptized and to those who have strayed from the Church.
For all who have met Christ along the road but still find their step hesitant as they set out to spread the good news, Once More from Emmaus will put confidence in their stride.

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Psalms for Troubled Times
By Merrill Morse
192 pp., PhP 89

These thoughtful, inspiring reflections on the psalms of lamentation comment on their themes of suffering, sorrow, sin, repentance, anguish, and anger in a creative way. Through his reflections, Reverend Morse shares the revelation that, while often dark, these sad psalms can be an intensely personal and rewarding way to address life's stresses and sorrows.

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The Symbols of the Church
Maurice Dilasser, Editor; Mary Cabrini Durkin, O.S.U.,
Madeleine Beaumont, and Caroline Morson, Translators
168 pp., Hardcover, PhP 399

Richly illustrated, The Symbols of the Church shows that the language of symbols is more universal than the language of words in expressing faith. Over 200 full-color photographs and illustrations depict a variety of symbols that range from bells to architecture to liturgical vestments. Commentary, poetry, scriptural text, prayers, musical excerpts, and quotes from well-known persons offer insight into the meaning and history of these symbols.

This book is a feast for the eyes as well as a spiritual banquet for the heart.

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Trouble Don't Last Always
Soul Prayers
Diana L. Hayes
80 pp, PhP 199

Trouble Don't Last Always is a personal narrative—a sustained prayer—of a young African American woman. It chronicles her struggle to understand God's message as revealed in her ongoing battle with rheumatoid arthritis just as her career as a theology professor was beginning. The author has dedicated the book "to all who, like me, struggle daily with a chronic illness, but it is meant for all who have found themselves, at times, 'soul-sick and weary' in the hope that these prayers of my soul may give you the inspiration to 'keep on keepin' on.'"

The author calls upon her African American heritage, especially spirituals, gospel songs, and poetry, to discern where God is leading her and to find strength and courage for the journey.

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Twentieth-Century Apostles
Contemporary Spirituality in Action
Phyllis Zagano
192 pp, PhP 350.00

Who is an apostle? While the New Testament seems to only include Paul with the Twelve, many passages expand the meaning. It is that expanded meaning that Phyllis Zagano uses to name twelve apostles from the twentieth century, with the hope that by examining their lives others will be encouraged to live similarly.

In Twentieth-Century Apostles, Zagano explains that many apostles never received their commission directly from Jesus in the flesh, but were both called and sent by the living Jesus in their souls. Like Paul, they never claimed to be apostles, but their right to be known as such is based on their living the common characteristics of an apostle: personal election by Jesus and personal experience of the living Jesus, in life (as with the Twelve) or in the resurrection (as with Paul). They proclaim the risen Lord and carry on the tradition. They are the basic constitutive elements of the Church.

Zagano selects twelve apostles from the twentieth century whose lives and writings portray both their deep relationship with God and their intense involvement with the world around them. In Twentieth-Century Apostles she examines those lives and writings by devoting a chapter to each of the twelve apostles she has selected Charles de Foucauld, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Giovanni Battista Montini (Paul VI), Dorothy Day, Jessica Powers, Franz Jägerstätter, Teresa of Calcutta, Thomas Merton, Roger of Taizé, Oscar Romero, Jean Vanier, and Thea Bowman.

The apostles in Twentieth-Century Apostles span this century, as historical records of our progress and as predictors of times to come. Called and sent, they lead us all in lives of prayer and service.

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Unless You Take Up Your Cross
Lenten Reflection and Devotion
Robert D. Eimer, O.M.I., and Sarah A. O'Malley, O.S.B.
104 pp., PhP 69

The meditations in this private devotion focus on the Cross, the symbol of conversion and salvation. Each day has its theme, beginning with Ash Wednesday and culminating at Easter in the revelation of the Cross as the Tree of Life.

Each devotion includes the following: a prayer, a passage from Scripture, a short meditation followed by reflective questions, and a suggested action based on the reading and meditation. Petitions are offered, then the devotion concludes with another short prayer.

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Walking in the Kingdom of God
A Lenten Meditation for the Busy Christian
By Carl F. Peltz
48 pp., PhP 69

Lent is a time of preparation. Walking in the Kingdom of God offers a reflection on a Scripture reading, a prayer, and a "remembrance" activity for each day of Lent to facilitate your preparation for Easter. The reflections are thematic and based on the Gospel readings from the Lectionary. At the end of each week and after each day of the Triduum, the reader may contribute to a "response" to articulate the insights gained from the reflection, prayer, and remembrance activity.

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Some Catholic Prayers
by Hubert J. Richards
48 pp PhP 60

When the friends of Jesus pray, they speak to God, as Jesus taught them, from their hearts. This book opens out three of these prayers:

• The Hail Mary, in which they ask Mary, the mother of Jesus, to pray with them.
• The Rosary, in which they remember before God a number of stories from the life of Jesus.
• The I Confess, in which they own up to their failings, in order to be assured once again that God forgives them.

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Walking in the Kingdom of God
An Advent Meditation for the Busy Christian
By Carl F. Peltz
80 pp., PhP 69

The days prior to Christmas can be hectic, with numerous demands upon a person's time. Walking in the Kingdom of God helps the reader find God in the hustle and bustle of the Advent season. In this series of reflections, prayers, and activities based on the Advent gospels, the reader is invited to experience the activities and events of everyday life as revealing something of God's reign in our midst.

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What Christians Believe
by Hubert J. Richards
72 pp, PhP 60

One of the earliest titles that people give to Jesus is 'Christ'. The word means 'God's Chosen One', or 'God's Appointed Leader'.
That is why those who accept Jesus as their Leader, and try to live in his way, call themselves 'Christians'.

Some of the things they believe are set out in this book:

• The basic truths that they accept as their Creed.
• The ten rules or Commandments which they agree to live by.
• The ceremonies or Sacraments, in which they continue to feel close to Jesus.
• The ceremony of Holy Communion in which they thank God for all his gifts, especially for the gift of Jesus.

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What Jesus Taught
by Hubert J. Richards
48 pp PhP 60

Jesus taught many things. Read the Gospel ("The Good News") to see how his friends remembered the good things he taught.

But of all the good things Jesus taught, three stand out:

• The words he taught his friends to say when they turned to God in prayer. These words are known as The Lord's Prayer.
• The list of people he pointed to as the really lucky ones. This list is known as The Beatitudes.
• The stories he told to show people how God is suprisingly different from what they imagine. These stories are known as The Parables.

This book tries to help you understand these things taught by Jesus.

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Woman to Woman
An Anthology of Women's Spiritualities
Phyllis Zagano, Editor
128 pp., PhP 119

The women whose writings are included in this anthology are all different colors in a kaleidoscope of history. Spanning nearly one thousand years in the history of spirituality, these works, arranged chronologically, begin with Hildegard of Bingen in the eleventh century and move to Ita Ford in our own. Their authors are mystics, contemplatives, actives, intellectuals, poets, and dreamers. They are portraits of women through the centuries who loved deeply their families, their communities, their careers, or their causes, but who, most of all, loved God.

Some women whose writings are included: Beatrice of Nazareth, Dorothy Day, Edith Stein, Mary Ward, Jessica Powers, Ita Ford, Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, Simone Weil, and Elizabeth Anne Seton. The editor introduces each selection.

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Wrestling with Doubt
Theological Reflections on the Journey of Faith
Frank D. Rees

2002 Catholic Press Association Award Winner!

As human beings we wrestle with doubt in understanding faith; yet throughout Christian history doubt has been seen as inappropriate. Teachers and pastors have enjoined their people not to doubt, while theologians have sought to explain how faith is to be understood in a way that overcomes doubt.

In Wrestling with Doubt, Frank D. Rees provides a theological analysis of doubt as a constructive element within the Christian experience of faith. He considers three theological frameworks, each of which offers an interpretation of doubt, and two life-story theologies that deal with faith and doubt. These approaches are shown to depend critically upon the concept of God: leading to the conclusion that an adequate understanding of the relation of doubt to faith is ultimately a theological issue, requiring an understanding of God appropriate to the personal dynamics of faith and doubt.

Wrestling with Doubt presents a theological argument which includes and combines theological scholarship, biblical reflection, and pastoral experience. It is for all who may have rejected the idea that doubt and faith are incompatible, but have not thus far been offered an adequate theological argument for their intuitive reaction. It will also be useful for pastors and teachers, as a reference text in pastoral theology and as a resource in spiritual direction.

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