Memoirs Saints

Saint Alphonsus Ligouri begins a life in the courts of law. His father had him trained to become a lawyer. By the time he was 16 years old, he was so proficient in his studies, he received a degree of Doctor of Laws. And this came about in spite of the fact that the required age to receive such a degree was no younger than 20 years of age. Although his father's focus was to groom him for the world, his mother, who was highly spiritual, was the loving instrument who would prepare him for a future life as Jesus and Mary's troubadour.

While visiting Siena, Italy, Mary Lea Carroll grew fascinated with the remarkable story of St. Catherine of Siena and made a resolution: Whenever she was lucky enough to travel, if a shrine dedicated to a female saint was nearby, she'd visit it and learn about her. What started as a hobby grew into a journey she never expected, one rich with challenges and cappuccinos, doubts and inspiration, glasses of wine with strangers and moments of transcendence.

As “Mormon royalty” within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Martha Beck was raised in a home frequented by the Church’s high elders—known as the apostles—and her existence was framed by their strict code of conduct. Wearing her sacred garments, she married in a secret temple ceremony—but only after two Mormon leaders ascertained that her “past contained no flirtation with serious sins, such as committing murder or drinking coffee.” She went to church faithfully with the other brothers and sisters of her ward.

Whispers, Sinners, and Saints is a multigenerational story of heartbreak, horror, trauma, abuse—and perseverance. At the center are Anna, born in New York in 1959, and her mother, Ann, a Hungarian woman who immigrated to the US in 1957. Ann was twelve when the Nazis ordered the slum where she’d grown up to be the designated ghetto for all Jews. During that year, most of Ann’s family would disappear or be killed.

St. Teresa stands among the greatest of the mystics. It was her pursuit of Christ, not her pursuit of visions, that set her apart as one of the most notable saints in the history of Christendom. It is her dedication to her Lord, her bridegroom, not her experiences, that render her worthy of imitation.

Teresa of Ávila was more than a nun cloistered in 16th-century Spain. She was a mystic, a visionary, a passionate reformer, and a woman who revolutionized our understanding of prayer. This captivating biography delves into the life and profound teachings of this inspiring saint.

The story of Oscar Romero is one of transformation, from one born of poverty, to one living comfortably within the system, to one determined to change the system. The story of Oscar Romero is one of conversion, of Paul on the road to Damascus, of a man who was blinded, and whose eyes were opened by the Lord, to see his brothers and sisters in agony and misery. The story of Oscar Romero is one of a man who committed his life to right wrongs to his flock, or die trying. The story of Oscar Romero is one of a Martyr for Christ.

In this fiction, a former University classmate, now colonel of the SS, meets Edith Stein in Auschwitz to persuade her to contribute to the doctrinal development of a new religion that would be functional to the Nazi regime. The story presents the development of the conflict between two world views that are absolutely irreconcilable.

Do you feel like you can't explain many events that happen in your daily life? Karen feels this way too. In Angels, Saints, and Spirits, Karen takes you through real-life experiences that seem to be precipitated by spiritual events. As you listen to her stories, you, too, will be able to identify times in your life when the unexplained has no apparent rhyme or reason. It just happens. That is the time to look beyond yourself and into the world of a greater power.

Of all of the important Catholic men and women who have been venerated over the last 2,000 years, one of the faith's most popular and influential men also lived one of the most unique lives. Like Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) found God about as far away from church as possible; it was during military service that he underwent a remarkable conversion.

St. Anthony of Padua (1195 - 1231) was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order. He was born into a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal and later became a priest. He was noted by his contemporaries for his skillful preaching, knowledge of scripture, and unfailing love and devotion to the sick and the poor. He was one of the fastest canonized saints in church history and was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1946. There are many legends about this saint. This timeless, medieval classic is sure to delight listeners and enliven their faith.

Johannes Joergensen, scrittore danese convertitosi al cattolicesimo, in seguito ad un suo lungo soggiorno ad Assisi scrisse nel 1907 questa sua biografia del Santo, attenta non solo alle fonti, ma penetrata di fede e di dolcezza nelle sue descrizioni della natura. Il successo di tale lavoro gli valse la nomina di cittadino onorario di Assisi.

Francis of Assisi has inspired the church for centuries. Francis took the gospel literally, following all that Jesus said and did without limit, and his devotion led to a life filled with miracles and wonders. Born to a wealthy cloth merchant in Assisi, Italy, Francis didn’t seem destined for the life of prayer and poverty that he chose. Bankrolled by his father, and with natural good looks and personality, Francis indulged in worldly pleasure. He had a ready wit, sang merrily, and delighted in fine clothes and showy display.

Los conflictos de Agustín de Hipona con el sexo y con una madre dominante, seguidos de una crisis espiritual que le llevó a convertirse al cristianismo –contadas con detalle en sus Confesiones, le condujeron por último a hacer su contribución más importante a la filosofía: la fusión de las doctrinas del cristianismo y del neoplatonismo. Así, no solo proporcionó al cristianismo un fuerte soporte intelectual, sino que lo enlazó con la tradición griega de la filosofía.

The Confessions, an autobiography by Saint Augustine of Hippo, has become one of the most important texts in Christian literature. It is also considered to be one of the first Western autobiographies ever written. It continues to influence modern society with its striking honesty and timeless Christian themes of faith, identity, and truth. This perennial classic is a collection of 13 books detailing St. Augustine’s journey to self-knowledge and his life as a follower of Christ.

We discuss the life of Saint Padre Pio at San Giovanni Rotondo, where he spent 50 years.

The following is a compilation of lessons from the life of Merlin R. Lybbert.

The reason we call Saint Louis Marie de Montfort a prophet of the last days, even though he lived between the last half of the 17th century and the first part of the 18th century, is because of what we read in his prophecies. It deal with the last days.

Joan of Arc: The Story of the Defender and Patron Saint of France is more than just a history book—it's a journey of discovery. It is a bridge that connects us to the past, allowing us to walk through history, understanding the socio-political dynamics of Joan's time, and how they reverberate even today. It's a mirror that reflects our present, making us ponder upon the role of women, faith, and nationalism in society.

« Le docteur a dit qu’il n’y avait plus rien à faire. » Nous sommes en 1943 à La Malbaie. À 6 ans, le petit André Larouche est condamné par la maladie. Sa mère, Rose-Yvonne Lapointe, qui a une grande dévotion envers le frère André, demande son aide. Elle est exaucée. Durant les années qui suivent, le frère André deviendra le protecteur d’André Larouche. Il lui procurera de grandes joies et l’aidera à donner un sens à une vie qui lui avait réservé plus tard le pire des drames.