Mike Aquilina

Donald Wuerl is one of the most accomplished and influential churchmen of the last half-century-a time of great seismic shifts in society and in the Church. Ordained a priest in the 1960s, he served as a Vatican official during the pontificate of Pope Paul VI. Ordained a bishop by Pope John Paul II, he came to lead two major American sees. Created a Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI, he emerged as a world leader in Catholic thought and pastoral practice. He has played key roles in several Roman synods. He remains a close and trusted advisor of Pope Francis.This book is an account of his pastoral years, his years as bishop and archbishop. He has lived as a public figure for most of his life; and even among public figures he has been known for his professional transparency. Yet he has made his reputation not by bombast, grand gestures, or provocative public statements. He has chosen instead to work quietly and work hard, to unify, to gain consensus, and to serve the Catholic Church and its faith.This book shines a light on his quiet work in the last three decades-work accomplished in the churches, in the fields, all across the world, and over coffee breaks in meetings of bishops and cardinals.As a bishop, archbishop, and cardinal, Donald Wuerl has learned from great mentors. He has learned from his own successes and his own mistakes. And he has emerged as a great leader and example for anyone who desires a life of service-anyone looking for "something more pastoral."

Jerusalem, Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, Ephesus, Carthage, Edessa . . . These were some of the ancient cities that once raged against the Gospel and persecuted the Church but later came to admirable faith. Each city had its own unique commerce, culture, and institutions. Each city was different from all the others, and each became more perfectly itself through the influence of Jesus Christ. In the pages of this book, you'll climb the hills of these cities, sail into their harbors, look up in awe at their titanic public works, walk their streets, push your way through their bustling markets. And you'll see how all those things shaped the expression, practice, and history of the Christianity we know today. This is your imaginative entry into the world of the Church Fathers, the saints, and sages who converted the world to Christ. During their era--and in their hostile cities--the Church grew at a steady rate of 40 percent per decade, and practices such as abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia went from commonplace to unthinkable. The Fathers have something important to teach the modern Church about evangelization. Among Mike Aquilina's many works about the Church Fathers, this is his most complete and compelling overview of the Fathers' amazing achievements.

In this volume from the Fathers of the Faith series, you'll be introduced to Saint John Chrysostom. Who was he? What did he teach? Where and when did he live? Why is he an important figure in the history of the Church?In this accessible, bite-sized introduction, renowned author, speaker, and host Mike Aquilina gives an overview of John's life in Antioch and then Constantinople in the fourth and fifth centuries. Known to history as "golden-mouthed" because of his eloquent preaching, he is one of the most celebrated preachers of sermons in the history of the world and was also a prolific author.A Doctor of the Church, Saint John Chrysostom is remembered for his ascetical life and his courage. In the East, he is honored among the Three Holy Hierarchs. In the West, he is known as the Eucharistic Doctor. As archbishop of Constantinople, he was a figure of controversy, always in the middle of an argument with the powerful. He was a great figure in his time, and an even greater one after.

In this volume from the Fathers of the Faith series, you'll be introduced to Saint Augustine of Hippo. Who was he? What did he teach? Where and when did he live? Why is he an important figure in the history of the Church? In this accessible, bite-sized introduction, renowned author, speaker, and television host Mike Aquilina gives an overview of Augustine's life as a proud North African in the fourth and fifth century. His conversion from sinful young man to Catholic priest and bishop is well known from his autobiography, Confessions. One of the four great Doctors of the Roman Catholic Church, Augustine is considered the authority on almost everything because he wrote about practically everything. He incorporated the best of secular philosophy and science into his thought. His works are an encyclopedia of the Christian faith, and his writings have impacted countless millions. His legacy endures today. About the Author Mike Aquilina is the award-winning author of more than fifty books on Catholic history, doctrine, and devotion. His works have been translated into many languages. He has hosted eleven television series and several documentary films. He and his wife, Terri, have been married since 1985. Their six children and growing number of grandchildren are much loved.

In this volume from the Fathers of the Faith series, you'll be introduced to Saint Irenaeus of Lyons. Who was he? What did he teach? Where and when did he live? Why is he an important figure in the history of the Church? In this accessible, bite-sized introduction, renowned author, speaker, and television host Mike Aquilina gives an overview of Irenaeus's life as a second-century Greek and the historical surroundings that affected his life and thought. A friend of Saint Polycarp from the same town in Asia Minor, Irenaeus was born in a Christian family and eventually became a bishop. His foundational works include Against Heresies and The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching, and their relevance endures today. More than 1,800 years after Ireneaus' death, the U.S. bishops voted unanimously in agreement with a French initiative that Irenaeus be named a doctor of the Church, testament to the importance of his writings and teachings. In 2019, the bishops' approval was forwarded to the Vatican for consideration by Pope Francis. About the Author Mike Aquilina is the award-winning author of more than fifty books on Catholic history, doctrine, and devotion. His works have been translated into many languages. He has hosted eleven television series and several documentary films. He and his wife, Terri, have been married since 1985. Their six children and growing number of grandchildren are much loved.

There are few subjects so challenging" to authors as St. Joseph. So says scholar Scott Hahn in his foreword to this book. Yet the pages that follow give not merely glimpses, but vistas, of St. Joseph's world. Hahn continues: "You'll learn about Nazareth - and how it was created almost ex nihilo shortly before Joseph's birth. You'll learn about religious practice and education in that place and time. You'll travel to Egypt and encounter the fascinating settlements of Jews in that land. You'll also find out how a carpenter worked in those days: what tools he used, what items he crafted, where he got his training, and how he got to and from his job sites." This book provides an imaginative entry into one of the most important lives in all of history - a life too often obscured by later legends.Scott Hahn says in his forword - What we discover between the lines is that there were, in the first century bc, two guiding hands in history: there was the providential hand of the Lord God working God's will, and there was the demonic hand of Satan manipulating the mad King Herod. As a result, there were two rival accounts of kingship, two rival ideas of temple-building, and two rival stories of salvation. Joseph was not the only Jew to recognize this dualism, but he was perhaps the most important one. Those who recognized it were forced to make difficult choices-and face terrifying consequences.

Winner of a 2020 Catholic Press Association book award (first place, best new religious book series). Suspense, politics, sin, death, sex, and redemption: Not the plot of the latest crime novel, but elements of the true history of the Catholic Church. Larger-than-life figures such as Athanasius of Alexandria, Augustine, and Constantine played an important part in the history of the Christianity. In The Church and the Roman Empire (AD 301-490): Constantine, Councils, and the Fall of Rome, popular Catholic author Mike Aquilina gives readers a vivid and engaging account of how Christianity developed and expanded as the Roman Empire declined. Aquilina explores the dramatic backstory of the Council of Nicaea and why Christian unity and belief are still expressed by the Nicene Creed. He also sets the record straight about commonly held misconceptions about the Catholic Church. In this book, you will learn: The Edict of Milan didn't just legalize Christianity; it also established religious tolerance for all faiths for the first time in history. The growth of Christianity inspired a more merciful society: crucifixion was abolished; the practice of throwing prisoners to wild beasts for entertainment was outlawed; and slave owners were punished for killing their slaves. Controversy between Arians and Catholics may have resulted in building more hospitals and other networks of charitable assistance to the poor. When Rome fell, not many people at the time noticed. Books in the Reclaiming Catholic History series, edited by Mike Aquilina and written by leading authors and historians, bring Church history to life, debunking the myths one era at a time.

Ancient Rome's brutal culture exploited the weak and considered human life expendable. Women were used as property; unwanted children were left on the streets to die.Four centuries later, even ordinary men and women prospered in what had become a vigorous new Christian society - a society that served the vulnerable, exalted women, treasured virtue, and loved peace.Faith had triumphed. Truth was proclaimed. And on this rock-solid foundation, Christian society flourished in the West for the next 1500 years.These eye-opening pages document the many ways in which Christians penetrated and civilized that debased Roman empire, introducing then-radical notions such as the equal dignity of women, respect for life, protection of the weak and vulnerable, and the obligation of rulers to serve those they rule and maximize their freedom.Here you'll learn about the seven specific areas where any paganism, ancient or modern, is particularly vulnerable. They provide a roadmap for modern Christians to reclaim for the Faith our own neo-pagan modern culture.Facing an overwhelmingly dark and hostile culture, Rome's early Christians took the steps necessary to transform it. Their struggles and the hard lessons they learned - documented here - afford us hope that, by imitating their example, we may do the same for our culture today.How Christianity Saved Civilization was previously published as Seven Revolutions: How Christianity Changed the World and Can Change It Again. This new edition has been brought into print to offer hope that Christianity may once again transform our dark and hostile culture.

The Seven Deadly Sins: Sayings of the Fathers of the Church is the inaugural volume in a new series from The Catholic University of America Press. This series will feature a wide range of scholars compiling material from the Fathers of the Church series to focus on a specific area of theology. Forthcoming titles will focus on Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell, and Angels and Demons, with others to be announced shortly.Sacred Scripture did not neatly list the seven deadly sins, so where did this tradition come from? Unsurprisingly, it can be traced back to the Church Fathers. But were there eight or seven? In a sense, the answer is “both.” The tradition of the capital sins has a rich development in the patristic era, not only in the presentation of the list of vices but in the preaching and teaching of the early shepherds of the Church. So how do the capital sins spawn other vices in the soul? How does one cultivate the virtues that heal the soul from those vices? How are gluttony and lust related? Is sadness really a vice? How is vainglory different from pride? What role does almsgiving have in soothing the passion of anger? The Fathers of the Church answer these questions and more in this volume.The capital vices are the gateway drugs to countless sins. The path of the book descends through the vices, culminating with their queen ruler, pride. The words of the Fathers will assist the reader in being more realistic about the attacks upon the soul. The text should also be edifying and medicinal. Since each chapter begins with vice and ends with virtue, one’s path through the chapters represents a sort of ascent out of vice and into the freedom of the virtues. The text gives special attention throughout to the thought of Augustine of Hippo, Evagrius of Pontus, John Cassian, Gregory the Great, and Maximus the Confessor.

From the very first "Who are you?" to the final "What other prayers does the Church recommend?" A Pocket Catechism for Kids, Updated is the ideal introduction to the treasures of the Catholic Faith for children in kindergarten through grade 8. Using a popular question-and-answer format, authors Father Kris Stubna and Mike Aquilina explain the saving truths that Jesus taught in short, easy-to-understand-and-memorize sections that draw from both Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Examining the basics, A Pocket Catechism for Kids, Updated serves as both a primer on the Faith and a readily accessible resource and reference guide. A Pocket Catechism for Kids, Updated also contains sections on traditional Catholic prayers, a guide to making a good Confession, an explanation of the Mass, and more - virtually everything children need to know to understand and live the Faith ABOUT THE AUTHORS Father Kris D. Stubna received his doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He is the pastor of Saint Paul Cathedral in Pittsburgh, PA, as well as an author and speaker. Mike Aquilina is a prolific author in the Catholic press. He is the author, editor, or co-editor of several Our Sunday Visitor books including The How-To Book of Catholic Devotions, The Mass of the Early Christians, and The Fathers of the Church.

Thrill to twenty strange and wonderful tales from the lives and legends of the saints. In this collection you'll meet St. Theodore Stratelates, the crucified Roman general who had to be killed a second time, and St. Vitus, whose miraculous intercession brought and end to an outbreak of dancing mania. Read all about the secret mission to smuggle the remains of St. Mark the Evangelist out of Egypt ... the ghostly appearance of St. Vincent of Saragossa five days after his death ... and the miraculous bloom of violets credited to St. Fina.Christopher Reibold here turns his attention to the great saints whose relics are on display at St. Anthony's Chapel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The chapel is home to the largest collection of saints' relics outside Rome.

Here's an unflinching look at the lives and sacrifices of those first Christians who were given the task of spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth.Relying on ancient documents -- as well as the latest archeological findings and scientific research -- acclaimed author Mike Aquilina takes you on a journey through the Apostolic Age, bringing to life the dusty streets and crowded marketplaces through which Mary and the Apostles journeyed as they built a Church that lasts even to our day.Here you'll discover the beliefs of the early Christians, what they taught about the Eucharist and the divinity of Christ, how their Church services resembled today's Mass, and how Rome became the spiritual center of ChristianityRead these pages, and you'll come to see that despite the best efforts of their enemies, the blood of the Apostles did not snuff out the Faith; it brought forth great saints whose holy deeds and brave examples gave the besieged Church a vigor that lasts even unto today.The Apostles and Their Times will give you confidence that the Church is indeed Christ acting in the world and that no matter how ruthless her opponents, she will endure to the end of time.Among other things, you'll learn: The apostolic church: what is was and why it's so important.Why Jesus chose a coward and a liar to be the first Pope.Tradition: do you know what it really means?The surprising meaning of the term apostle, and how it validates the sacrament of Confession.The unlikely apostle who evangelized as far as India.Proof that the church from the beginning had a hierarchy, just as she has today.The word trinity: did you know that it doesn't appear in the Bible?Why Christians nonetheless believe that God is not one, but a communion of three divine persons.Jesus's Great Commission to the apostles (and to you, too): do you know what it is? Are you carrying it out?Why the apostles considered persecution a success rather than failure.Why we speak of the "crown" of martyrdom (It has to do with St. Stephen).The many reasons Jews despised the Romans (and the Romans scorned the Jews) -- and the difference Christianity made.Why St. Paul went to Rome, and Peter, too, along with so many of the great names of the early church, where most were killed.Why many portraits of the apostles show them as alike as a dozen eggs.Paul's stern warning against factions in Christianity. It's in the Bible: do you know where?The many heresies denounced in the New Testament (the apostles were strict about doctrine).The primacy of the Bishop of Rome: it's already there in apostolic times.How the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70 gave force to the Christian faith.And much more from archaeology, history, and Scripture to reveal to you the foundations of our common faith, and to strengthen your own.

Beginning with the earliest martyrs and ending with the twentieth century, The Resilient Church offers a fascinating look at the trials and triumphs of the Catholic Church over the past two thousand years. Fast-paced sketches of critical periods in church history give readers perspective on the challenges faced by the church today. Short selections in each chapter highlight some of the great heroes who influenced the course of history.Mike Aquilina does not shrink from the realities of the past, including badly behaved leaders and those who betrayed the Lord. Yet he also leaves readers with well-founded hope for the future: God remains faithful in every circumstance and fulfills his promise to remain with his church always.