Spiritual Direction: Principles and Praxis

by Fr. Dominic Anaeto

Paperback: $14.95 | Kindle: $9.99

TESTIMONIALS

“As a Lay Dominican, I thought I was intimately familiar with both sides of the spiritual direction process, but Fr. Dominic’s work in this area has provided me with tools I didn’t know I needed and a desire to engage others and be more engaging myself in a way I didn’t know was possible.” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, Lay Dominican of the Queen of the Holy Rosary Chapter in the Province of St. Albert the Great

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fr. Dominic Ugoo Anaeto is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi in Nigeria. He holds a License in Spirituality from Gregorian University in Rome, a Doctorate in Pastoral Theology from the Lateran University also in Rome, and a diploma from the Christian Institute for the Study of Human Sexuality at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois. He is a certified counselor on topics related to Human Development and Human Sexuality. He has served as the Director of the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies program at Holy Apostles College & Seminary in Cromwell, CT, and as Director of Pastoral Formation at St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, TX.

OTHER ACADEMIC BOOKS

The Art of Accompaniment: Practical Steps for the Seminary Formator (2nd Edition)

by Sister Marysia Weber, RSM

TEMPLATES

TESTIMONIALS

“Over the last four years, our seminary has been incorporating the content of Sister Marysia Weber’s book, The Art of Accompaniment, into our one-on-one formation meetings, seminary conferences, spiritual direction, peer reviews, and annual evaluations. Her second edition supports the deeper integration of the benchmarks found in the new Program of Priestly Formation, 6th edition, and gives practical insights and examples to guide discussions between our seminarians and their formators. Our formation program has particularly benefited from using her assessment benchmark template which provides a greater observational clarity of a seminarian’s formational growth and a tool of gradualism for the movement from self-awareness to self-knowledge, to self-possession, to self-gift. This new edition is accompanying our seminary as we review our formation program and implement the new PPF.” – Rev. Andrew Turner, Coordinator of Pastoral Formation for Saint Mary Seminary, Cleveland, Ohio

“As the new Ratio Fundamentalis from Rome invites us to deepen the integration of each seminarian through accompaniment in formation, Sr. Marysia Weber, RSM, brings to bear in this work her years of experience in helping priests and seminarians grow in affective maturity necessary for ministry. This little book offers very helpful insights and practical recommendations to assist seminary formators as they work one-on-one with seminarians in developing the necessary relationship of trust for their growth. Formators will learn from her how to create and take advantage of formative moments in seminary life so that the human and affective flourishing of the man can lead to a flourishing of his divine vocation.” – Bishop Andrew Cozzens, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

“Sister Marysia Weber, RSM, DO, articulates clear, relevant ways for the priest formator to accompany seminarians in their formation to the ministerial priesthood. Proposing contemporary assessment questions, this book helps the formation advisor both evaluate and assist the seminarian in his growth in affective maturity. I recommend this compact book particularly because of its practicality, reflection of the Church’s program of formation, and usefulness in identifying opportunities for interior growth for seminarians.” – Fr. Christopher Cooke, Director, Spiritual Year of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia.

“An invaluable resource that every seminary formator should have at his or her side.” – Fr. Dennis Billy, CSSr, author of Finding Our Way to God: Spiritual Direction and the Moral Life

“My colleague and friend, Sister Marysia Weber, RSM, has made an invaluable contribution to the work of priestly formation in her book, The Art of Accompaniment. Throughout the work, her skills as a psychiatrist are evident. Even more evident is her love and honor of the priestly vocation. The concept of accompaniment is key to every insight in the text. There simply is no longer a ‘one size fits all’ approach to priestly formation. Sister Marysia demonstrates both from science and theology varied and concrete ways in which more experienced priests can be both challenging and loving companions on a young man’s journey to ordination and a life of service to the Church. Her chapter on ‘Markers of Human Maturation’ is especially helpful because it presents clear and evidence based ways of helping a candidate recognize individual strengths while not fearing to tackle frailties that could compromise his future life and ministry in the priesthood. The chapter on communication skills is most compelling because it helps formators know how to phrase insights in ways that are acceptable to candidates. Sister Marysia clearly grasps the truth of the old adage, ‘I don’t say what I say; I say what you hear.’ The clearest and most objective evaluation I can give to The Art of Accompaniment is to say that I wish I had this book at hand when I began my own work in priestly formation decades ago. It is a significant and contemporary help in forming candidates for the priesthood after the mind of Christ, possessed of self-knowledge, and ready to serve the Church in our challenging times.” – Rev. Msgr. Thomas G. Caserta (Former Director of Spiritual Formation, Cathedral Seminary Residence, in the Diocese of Brooklyn and Pastor, St. Bernadette Church, Brooklyn, NY)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sister Marysia is a Religious Sister of Mercy of Alma, MI who is a physician, board certified in psychiatry with a fellowship in consultation-liaison psychiatry, who trained at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.  She also holds a Master’s degree in Theology from Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana.  She practiced psychiatry at her religious institute’s multidisciplinary medical clinic, Sacred Heart Mercy Health Care Center in Alma, MI from 1988-2014. She became the Director of the Office of Consecrated Life for the Archdiocese of Saint Louis in 2014. She is a facilitator for Rachel’s Vineyard, is chair of the board of directors of MyCatholicDoctor, an executive board member of the Saint Louis Guild Catholic Medical Association and the Institute for Theological Encounter with Science and Technology. She also serves as Adjunct Clinical Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Sister Marysia offers workshops on a variety of topics including human attachment, boundaries and character development, depression and anxiety, dialogue and conflict resolution, as well as on social media and its effects on the brain for clergy, seminarians, women’s and men’s religious communities, parents, teachers and students. She is a formator within her own religious community. She presents on Internet pornography addiction—a Catholic approach to treatment to bishops, clergy, seminarians, religious communities, and laity throughout the United States and Europe She presented to the U.S. Bishops in Dallas TX in 1992 on “Pedophilia and Other Addictions”.  She was a member of the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse in 1994-1995.  Sister Marysia has presented to the Curia, Vatican City State on “Sexual Abuse of Minors by Clergy in North America” in 2002.  She has served as a psychological expert consultant for the Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations, USCCB.

Sister Marysia’s publications include “Medical Aspects of Addiction”;  “The Roman Catholic Church and the Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests and Religious in the United States and Canada: What Have We Learned? Where Are We Going?”; “Pornography, Electronic Media and Priestly Formation”;  Her publications in Seminary Journal include: “Significant Markers of Human Maturation Applied to the Selection and Formation of Seminarians”; “The Discernment of a Priestly Vocation and the Expertise of Psychiatry and Psychology”; and “Internet Pornography and Priestly Formation: Medium and Content Collide With the Human Brain”.  She has published two books: The Art of Accompaniment: Practical Steps for the Seminary Formator  (http://sst.hgs.mybluehost.me/artofaccompaniment/) and Screen Addiction: Why You Can’t Put that Phone Down  (http://sst.hgs.mybluehost.me/screenaddiction/). She also has two chapters in Spiritual Husband-Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century entitled “Chapter 9: Markers of Human Maturation in Seminary Formation: Becoming a Gift for Others” and “Ch. 15: Guideposts for the Seminary Formator in Understanding and Assessing Levels of Preoccupation with Use of Internet Pornography and a Formative Process for Moving from Vice to Virtue.”  

OTHER ACADEMIC BOOKS

Memorize the Latin Mass!

by Kevin Vost, Psy.D.

TESTIMONIALS

“I wish I had had a copy of Kevin Vost’s book when I learned the Traditional Latin Mass a year ago. I used many of the excellent books he cited, but his method of memorizing the Mass would have been most helpful. For anyone wishing to experience the deep beauty and solemnity of the ancient rite, I would wholeheartedly encourage them to turn first to Dr. Vost’s book.” – Msgr. Michael John Witt, rector emeritus of the Oratory of SS. Gregory & Augustine in University City, MO, and Professor of Church History at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, MO

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Vost holds a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) degree from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago.

He has taught at Aquinas College in Nashville, the University of Illinois at Springfield, Mac-Murray College, and Lincoln Land Community College.

He has served as a research review committee member for American Mensa, a society promoting the scientific study of human intelligence, and as an advisory board member for the International Association of Resistance Trainers, an organization that certifies personal fitness trainers.

Dr. Vost drinks great drafts of coffee while studying timeless, Thomistic tomes in the company of his wife, two sons, and their two dogs, in Springfield, Illinois.

For more about Dr. Vost, see http://www.drvost.com/

OTHER PRACTICAL THEOLOGY BOOKS

Memorize the Mass!: How to Know and Love the Mass as if your Life depended on It

by Dr. Kevin Vost

Shelf-Talker: (selling the book and need a shelf-talker – print this one!)

TESTIMONIALS

“We aren’t supposed to merely follow along with the Missal – we’re called to partake and share in the Mass. Exploring the history and structure of the Mass, Dr. Vost beautifully outlines the fullness and graces that come with committing the Mass to memory in our hearts and minds.” – Shaun McAfee, author of Filling our Father’s House (Sophia Press, 2015)

“Kevin Vost, author of Memorize the Faith! and Memorize the Reasons!, invites us back down memory lane with his newest book: Memorize the Mass! Like his previous works, Memorize the Mass! combines tools for memorization with faith facts, this time about Mass. No one encourages us in our journey quite like Vost does with his wit and grasp of the all things Catholic. Perfect for all ages and sojourners, Memorize the Mass! is sure to become “the” book that gets picked up again and again!” – Cheryl Dickow, President, Bezalel Books, www.BezalelBooks.com

“I have come across many fine books about the Eucharist, but precious few about the history and structure of the Mass, and certainly none also aimed at committing both the Novus Ordo and Extraordinary Form to memory! Memorize the Mass! is thrilling – filled with biblical, historical, and theological insights about the rites of the Mass that I haven’t found anywhere else. The good doctor Vost has given us a powerful prescription for a more ardent and devout reception of the “medicine of immortality,” our Eucharistic Lord.” – Shane Kapler, author of Through, With, and In Him: The Prayer Life of Jesus and How to Make It Our Own (Angelico Press, 2014)

“Dear Dr Vost, I’ve enjoyed a number of your previous books, but Memorize the Mass is by far the best. I’ve just started it and am enjoying it so much. I love the way you’ve given the exercise meaning and placed memorization in historical context. But most of all, I’m enjoying actively participating in learning. It’s my first session and already I’ve covered the names of the first seven parts of the mass. I’m soon to start RCIA and noticed last week that I was beginning to feel comfortable with mass, this just makes it so much better. I’m looking forward to Sunday even more than usual. Thankyou so much for this great book, Yours, Julie Sienkowski” (Fan, 2016)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Vost holds a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.) degree from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago. He has taught at Aquinas College in Nashville, the University of Illinois at Springfield, Mac-Murray College, and Lincoln Land Community College. He has served as a research review committee member for American Mensa, a society promoting the scientific study of human intelligence, and as an advisory board member for the International Association of Resistance Trainers, an organization that certifies personal fitness trainers. Dr. Vost drinks great drafts of coffee while studying timeless, Thomistic tomes in the company of his wife, two sons, and their two dogs, in Springfield, Illinois.

OTHER PRACTICAL THEOLOGY BOOKS

Taming the Lion Within: 5 Steps from Anger to Peace

by Dr. Ronda Chervin

Five steps to help people overcome uncontrolled or over-reactive anger. Steps include admitting being angry person: identifying the anger: physical, psychological and spiritual perspectives about causes of the bad kind of anger: dealing with anger day by day: and letting Jesus bring the lion to lie down with the lamb. (workbook – 59 pp.) Listen to an Interview by Mary Schwarz on the Rivers of Living Water program at WCAT Radio.

Paperback $15.00 | Kindle $9.99

Taming the Lion Within Workshop (click here or on the photo)

TESTIMONIALS

“Thank you for writing Taming the Lion within 5 steps from anger to peace. I read it in July 2020. I started the Recovery International Telephone Basic Training on Thursday September 3, 2020. My life changed. I was 56 years old. I had struggled with temper my whole life. I lost 4 full-time jobs from age 26 to 56. Folks would say, “You need to control your temper!” But I didn’t know how. Thanks to your Taming book and RI method (Dr Abraham Low) I am a different man. Peace in Christ.” – Howard Scott Jeffries

“When I read this book in preparation for Lent in 2008, it changed the way I understood my interpersonal relationships. I decided to give up on anger, which I realized I was cultivating within me as a relationship-management tool. Like the Emperor Palpatine, I’d convinced myself that my hate is what made me powerful, but love, Dr. Ronda taught me through the pages of this workbook, is more powerful than hate, peace more life-affirming than anger. Get some copies of this book and a group of friends, and you’ll too learn how to tame the lion within!” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ronda Chervin has a Ph.D. in philosophy from Fordham University and an M.A. in Religious Studies from Notre Dame Apostolic Institute. She is a convert to the Catholic faith from a Jewish but atheistic background. She has been a professor at Loyola Marymount University, St. John’s Seminary of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Our Lady of Corpus Christi, and Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Connecticut. More than fifty books of hers have been published by Catholic presses in the area of philosophy and spirituality. Dr. Ronda presents on EWTN and Catholic radio. She is a dedicated widow and grandmother. Her many books include Quotable Saints, Healing Meditations from the Gospel of St. John, Catholic Realism, Voyage to Insight, Weeping with Jesus, Healing of Rejection, and The Way of Love: The Path of Inner Transformation. 

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