Theology of the Heart: Tracing a Spiritual Anatomy Within

by Sr. M. Gianna Casino, LIHM

In a world increasingly defined by fleeting pursuits, the human heart remains an enigmatic realm, harboring profound mysteries and the deepest longings of the individual. Just as the human body holds theological meaning towards the purpose of man, the human heart holds a significant theological and teleological meaning. Based on the truth that there is more to life than what meets the eye, Theology of the Heart: Tracing the Spiritual Anatomy Within is a book that embarks on an exploration of the human heart integrating through a weaving of ancient wisdom, philosophical psychology, and the spirituality of Augustine and Aquinas, and back to the words of Christ in the Gospel. This book offers readers an opportunity to delve into the very essence of what it means to be human and what makes us tick.

The book also responds directly to one of the last requests of Pope John Paul II as it delves into the intricate and often misunderstood realm of human suffering – he mentions that there is a place for the mystery of suffering in Theology of the Body and expresses hope for future development. Theology of the Heart does not neglect the biological foundation of the human person that prepares readers for a fundamental yet enlightening philosophical insight into the human interior. The audience is aimed at young men and women who are in formation for marriage or consecrated life who could benefit from a prequel in order to understand Theology of the Body and approach the mystery of suffering in their respective vocation.

Paperback: $TBA | Kindle: $9.99

TESTIMONIALS

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sr. Mary Gianna Casino, a missionary of the Leaven of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, desired to become a nun from the age of 5. With a unique blend of perspectives as a Catholic sister, educator, and counseling student, her writings have appeared in Augustine Institute’s FORMED Newsletter, One Voice Magazine, and Columbia Magazine. She holds degrees in Philosophy and Theology from Holy Apostles College & Seminary, currently pursues a M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Divine Mercy University and is a postgraduate trainee of School & Global Mental Health at Harvard Medical School. Sister taught at several schools including Don Manuel Rivera National High School in the Philippines, Sacred Heart Elementary, and St. Bernard College Prep School in Cullman, Alabama. As a member of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists, Sr. Gianna aims to integrate her community’s mission of forming the young, to better address society’s pressing spiritual needs. She and her sisters host a children’s YouTube series “LIHMposts” and the podcast “Young Davids: Change the Trend.” In reaching the hearts of today’s generation, they strive to make the teachings of the Catholic faith accessible and enjoyable.

OTHER SPIRITUALITY BOOKS

Bible-Based Catholicism and Spiritual Inspirations

by Robert J. Ferretti, M.D.

This book outlines a Catholic perspective on faith, deeply rooted in biblical references and theological reasoning. Dr. Ferretti aims to deepen Catholics’ understanding of their faith while providing non-Catholics and non-believers with insights into the principles of Catholicism. Drawing on personal experiences and insights from readings about the lives and revelations of Catholic saints, Dr. Ferretti advocates for embracing sacrifice and detachment from materialism as pathways to spiritual growth. The work invites readers to reflect on faith’s scriptural foundations, aiming to foster a deeper commitment to living a Christ-centered life in accordance with Catholic teachings.

Paperback: $17.95 | Kindle: $9.99

TESTIMONIALS

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Robert J. Ferretti holds an Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.) in Plant Biology from the State University of New York, and a Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.) from Cornell University, with dual majors in Food Science and Cellular Biology. He continued his education obtaining a Master of Science (M.S.) degree from Cornell University, with a major in Nutrition with a minor in Biochemistry. He then attended New York Medical College, in Valhalla New York, and he was awarded his M.D. degree. His internship was in Internal Medicine at the University of Massachusetts affiliated hospital of the Berkshire Medical Center. He then worked full time in primary care and urgent care medicine for three years. He subsequently entered a diagnostic radiology program at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, in New Hyde Park New York, and achieved board certification.  Afterwards, he entered a fellowship program in Neuroradiology at the Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. He then worked as a general Diagnostic Radiologist with a specialty in Neuroradiology for fourteen years. Following that, he worked for six and a half years as an Addiction Medicine Specialist and obtained board certification in 2015.

In addition to this background in fields of biology and human medicine, he has also spent many years working as a volunteer sidewalk counselor outside several of the New York abortion centers, beginning in 1999. He also has read many books on the spiritual lives and miracles of several Catholic saints and mystics, and the many revelations that God gave to them. These experiences were in addition to developing a deeper daily prayer life with praying the daily rosary for the past six years. His part time outreach work was extended to helping the homeless population with assisting in providing meals and on the spot counseling beginning in 2023. More recently he has devoted time visiting patients in a rehabilitative nursing facility, while assisting a Eucharistic Minister in bringing the Holy Eucharist to the Catholic patients. His future plans are to begin a lecture series on the topics contained in this book.

OTHER PRACTICAL THEOLOGY BOOKS

La disciplina spirituale: Meditazioni sull’insegnamento di Frithjof Schuon

Scritto da James S. Cutsinger e tradotto da Marco Toti

Si tratta di un’introduzione alla scuola perennialista della filosofia religiosa comparata e di una guida per il lettore generale che cerca risposte intellettualmente serie ma accessibili alle domande sulla vita spirituale.

Due libri in uno, La disciplina spirituale è un’introduzione per gli studiosi alla scuola perennialista della filosofia religiosa comparata e allo stesso tempo una guida per il lettore generale che cerca risposte intellettualmente serie ma accessibili alle domande sulla vita spirituale.

Gli studiosi troveranno un’introduzione completa all’opera di Frithjof Schuon, la principale figura contemporanea della scuola perennialista o tradizionalista della religione comparata. Scritto da James S. Cutsinger, una delle massime autorità accademiche della filosofia perenne, il libro fornisce un commento dettagliato sull’intera gamma degli scritti spirituali di Schuon.

Ma il libro si rivolge anche ai lettori curiosi e alla ricerca in generale. Composto in uno stile semplice e colloquiale, si presenta come una lettera aperta agli studenti dell’autore. L’obiettivo è quello di tagliare con la banalità di molti insegnamenti spirituali odierni e di fornire risposte intellettualmente serie ma accessibili a domande tipicamente poste da cinici e scettici, credenti conservatori e persone attratte dalle cosiddette religioni “new age”.

I consigli dell’autore assumono la forma di una serie di meditazioni su Verità, Virtù, Bellezza e Preghiera, che Schuon considera gli elementi fondamentali di ogni autentico cammino spirituale. I temi affrontati, sia teorici che pratici, comprendono le prove di Dio, il problema del male, le virtù classiche, la predestinazione e la libertà, il simbolismo e la gerarchia cosmica, l’arte sacra, il rapporto tra metodo spirituale e grazia, le tecniche di concentrazione e meditazione, il ruolo del maestro spirituale e il destino umano. Il libro si conclude con un epilogo sulla nota tesi di Schuon sull’“unità trascendente delle religioni”.

TESTIMONIANZE

“Una magnifica introduzione al più grande pensatore religioso del nostro secolo”. — Huston Smith, autore di “ Le religioni del mondo”.

“Questo libro sarà ricordato con gratitudine dai migliori lettori come una chiave d’oro che spalanca le porte della fuga dalle tensioni interiori e dalla confusione mentale”. — Martin Lings, già custode dei manoscritti orientali del British Museum.

SULL’AUTORE

James Sherman Cutsinger (4 maggio 1953 – 19 febbraio 2020) è stato autore, editore e professore emerito di studi religiosi presso l’Università della Carolina del Sud, le cui opere si sono concentrate principalmente sulla religione comparata, sulla moderna scuola tradizionalista della filosofia perenne, sulla spiritualità cristiana orientale e sulla tradizione mistica della Chiesa ortodossa orientale.

INFORMAZIONI SUL TRADUTTORE

Marco Toti, nato a Roma nel 1976, è dottore di ricerca in “Tradizioni e Istituzioni Religiose di Ambiente Circum-mediterraneo”; è stato borsista “Fulbright” e presso l’Accademia dei Lincei; è stato giudicato idoneo come professore universitario di seconda fascia di “Storia delle Religioni” (abilitazione nazionale, 2013). Ha pubblicato vari lavori concernenti argomenti di mistica e religioni comparate, con particolare attenzione al metodo di orazione esicasta ed all’iconografia cristiano-orientale, oltre che alcune questioni inerenti al “lessico dell’ascesi” in epoca tardo-antica, agli anni ’60 in prospettiva storico-teoretica e storico-intellettuale (Concilio Vaticano II, “tradizionalismo”, “nuovi movimenti religiosi”), alla storiografia storico-religiosa (“ermeneutica” e “scuola di Roma”), agli Indiani d’America. Ha studiato, effettuato ricerche e tenuto conferenze e seminari presso varie università ed istituti europei e statunitensi; ha vissuto e viaggiato, tra l’altro, in Francia, USA, Grecia, Marocco e nel Sudest asiatico; ha scritto decine di articoli di alta divulgazione ed in ambito pubblicistico (costume, politica, Chiesa, letteratura, attualità, storia “occulta”). Ultimamente, oltre ad insegnare in istituti superiori, si sta occupando di prospettive “metapolitiche” e – nell’ambito di un più ampio discorso relativo al legame tra lessico mistico e storia culturale – dei temi della memoria, della tradizione e della malinconia come “stimmung” di Occidente.

OTHER WORKS OF CATHOLIC SPIRITUALITY

A Guide to the Liturgy of Holy Week

by Rev. Nicholas L. Gregoris, STD, EdD

Rev. Nicholas L. Gregoris provides in this short volume four categories of reflection (anecdotal, historical, doctrinal, and devotional) on the Liturgy of Holy Week.

Paperback: $12.95 | Kindle: $9.99 | Bulk orders – order a stack of 100 for only $10 each with free shipping (Total: $1,000)

TESTIMONIALS

“A wonderful paradigm through which readers can learn liturgical theology with helpful ease, practical application, and an obvious invitation to grow spiritually.” – from the Foreword by Rev. Michael W. Davis, KCHS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

OTHER CATHOLIC SPIRITUALITY BOOKS

Minding Mom: A Caregiver’s Devotional Story

by Lisa Livezey

Devotional writer Lisa Livezey understands the challenges of full-time caregiving atop an already-full life. Following her father’s sudden death, Lisa was plunged headlong into caring for her mother who was battling Alzheimer’s. With wisdom and candor, Lisa pairs every-day and extraordinary caregiving moments with scriptures, prayers, and reflections. Caregivers will:

TESTIMONIALS

 “I loved every page. I find it helped me to reflect on my last few months with Tony in a different way. Lisa’s thoughtful treatment of each situation encourages me to live in the moment more recognizing that every experience comes with eternal significance if we take the time to notice.” – Cathy Witczak, Worldwide Marriage Encounter International Leader 2009-2014

“Through scripture and thought-provoking questions, Lisa has given us a guide to reflect on God’s goodness in our most difficult, heart wrenching circumstances. Her devotional is a gift to caregivers, family members and anyone seeking solace as they give of themselves to serve another.” – Janet Lozano, Co-Founder, Heart of the Father Ministries

“This is a heart-warming, gut-wrenching (in a good way), true life story that would touch all people. Caregivers can especially relate but death touches us all so everyone could benefit by reading this book. It isn’t a one-time read either – definitely something that will be referred to often and a “go-to” in trying times for comfort.” – Ave G., who retired early to care for her mother at home

“I love the blending of scripture, reflection, and real-life observations. Lisa’s very personal and insightful view sets Minding Mom apart from other books in this genre. I highly recommend that anyone who wants to contemplate life, where they’re going, and where they’ve been, not just read this book but sit with it and let it become absorbed into their system. They will be the richer for it.” – Ben Bongers, KM, Gerontologist, author, and contributor to eldercare textbooks

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Livezey is a faith-filled devotional writer, essayist and blogger from the Philly suburbs. She contributes to Guideposts publications, publishes weekly photo devotions, and serves on the executive team at Heart of the Father Ministries. On summer weekends, Lisa sometimes can be spotted sailing the Chesapeake Bay alongside her husband. Visit Lisa online at lisalivezey.com

OTHER SPIRITUALITY BOOKS