Summary of Happy Are You Poor by Fr. Thomas Dubay

Happy Are You Poor: The Simple Life and Spiritual Freedom  by Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2003. Happy Are You Poor is a fantastic book that deserves to be read from cover to cover. Fr. Dubay explains the purpose of this book … [Read more...]

What is Joy? by Fr. Thomas Dubay

In his book, Happy Are Your Poor, Fr. Thomas Dubay has an important section where he answers the question: What is joy? This question is meant to prepare us to understand both what Jesus meant by His Beatitude, "Blessed are the poor" (Luke 6:20), and … [Read more...]

3 Key Insights from Gaudete et Exsultate by Pope Francis

1: Jesus wants YOU to be a saint Pope Francis made it very clear that Jesus is calling us to be saints, that He is addressing each of us personally to be holy. Rather than getting discouraged by "examples of holiness that appear unattainable" (11) or … [Read more...]

Summary of 33 Days to Merciful Love by Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC

33 Days to Merciful Love: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Consecration to Divine Mercy by Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, Marian Press, 2016. This book is a revealing of one the most powerful and best-kept secrets in the Catholic Church, St. … [Read more...]

Commentary on St. Therese’s Offering to Merciful Love

Source: Story of A Soul, translated by Fr. John Clarke, O.C.D. Copyright (c) 1976 by Washington Province of Discalced Carmelites, ICS Publications, 2131 Lincoln Road, N.E., Washington, DC 20002 U.S.A., pp. 276-278. Other resources used: 33 Days to … [Read more...]

A Summary of Fr. Thomas Dubay’s Surefire Program for Holiness

In his book Deep Conversion/Deep Prayer, Fr. Thomas Dubay offers a "surefire program" for holiness. Presupposing the absolute necessity of grace, Dubay goes into a series of 7 Be's to help explain our part in seeing to it that deep conversion does … [Read more...]

Summary of Prayer Primer: Igniting a Fire Within by Fr. Thomas Dubay

Prayer Primer: Igniting a Fire Within by Fr. Thomas Dubay, San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2002. PART 1: PRELIMINARIES Prayer is absolutely essential: Without it, we are frustrated creatures and will inevitably bring our inner ache for fullness, … [Read more...]

Summary of St. Therese: A Treasured Love Story by Fulton Sheen

In St. Thérèse: A Treasured Love Story, Fulton Sheen reflects on the profound simplicity and depth of St. Thérèse of Lisieux’s spirituality through a series of 11 conferences delivered to a Carmelite community in Ireland in 1973. The core of Sheen’s … [Read more...]

Summary of Man, The Saint by Jesus Urteaga

Man, the Saint by Fr. Jesus Urteaga, Sinag-Tala Publishers, Manila, 1984. Introduction In his book, Man, the Saint, Fr. Urteaga, in writing this book for the restless and the rebels who are dissatisfied with their own lives and the lives of others, … [Read more...]

Cardinal Sarah on mortifying the tongue

Here are some quotes from Cardinal Sarah on mortifying the tongue from his book, The Power of Silence, pages 36-41.  The Carmelite Rule prescribes: "Be careful not to indulge in a great deal of talk, for... sin will not be wanting where there is much … [Read more...]