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This book introduces the historical books of the Old Testament as a way by which all, especially those aspiring to the priesthood, can become familiar with the Old Testament and the various spiritual ways, grounded in the literal, historical meaning intended by the inspired author, of interpreting the texts.
Paperback: $19.99 | Kindle: $9.99
The Very Rev. Peter Samuel Kucer, MSA, has produced quite a grand opus in his collection of works on Sacred Scripture, Marian Devotion, Catholic Church History, East and South East Asian History, Catholic Apologetics, God the Father and the Priesthood, Eastern and Western Civilization, and Political Science. Each of his books provides wisdom for the beginner and clarity for the educated. – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Holy Apostles College & Seminary
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This book engages the canonical prophetic literature of the Old Testament, demonstrating how it points to Christ and is fulfilled in Christ. Like Wisdom Literature, prophetic literature teaches perennial moral truths that reflect how God has created the universe, in particular how God created human beings as inherently social creatures in His image and likeness. Prophecy is, consequently, a gift that is given in all ages and time, that did not end with the Old Testament but continued in the New Testament and is still given today.
Paperback: $19.99 | Kindle: $9.99
The Very Rev. Peter Samuel Kucer, MSA, has produced quite a grand opus in his collection of works on Sacred Scripture, Marian Devotion, Catholic Church History, East and South East Asian History, Catholic Apologetics, God the Father and the Priesthood, Eastern and Western Civilization, and Political Science. Each of his books provides wisdom for the beginner and clarity for the educated. – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Holy Apostles College & Seminary
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Deep within himself, man longs for a better and longer-lasting life. This deep longing reveals both the ephemeral nature of our material existence and the eternal nature of our spiritual existence, which Jesus Christ has both confirmed and demonstrated. Such an eternal life does truly exist, and Jesus has the power to lead man to it. In fact, it is to this that Jesus invites all of humanity, without distinction, without exception. He offers it to all human beings as SALVATION that comes through him, and in virtue of which all human beings become brothers and sisters to one another through him. This book is an attempt to examine how essential the brotherhood of all humankind is to the achievement of the better life that Christ promises and actually demonstrates in himself.
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“In this epic encounter with West African Dagara culture, Msgr. Albert Kuuire opens a window into our understanding of human solidarity in light of magisterial teaching.” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, co-author with Bishop Richard Henning of Missionary Priests in the Homeland: Our Call to Receive
Msgr. Albert Kuuire has served as Vice-Rector and Director of Spiritual Formation at Holy Apostles College & Seminary in Cromwell, CT, USA.
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For the ordinary Catholic, this book will clarify the teaching of the Catholic Church on the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Even more, by means of its in-depth reflections on the prayers of the Mass, it will inspire and help Catholics in their daily lives to experience in an ever more meaningful and more enriching way their belief in the Real Presence, their participation in the celebration of the Mass, and their visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Furthermore, should a Catholic who has given up belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist happen to read this book, it will enable him or her to realize the truth of this most marvelous gift of God to his Church and thus to accept once again its blessing in his or her life.
Paperback: $17.95 | Kindle: $9.99
Fr. James Swetnam, SJ, a review published June 2020 in Homiletic and Pastoral Review
“What enrichment to my Catholic faith I have received by reading Fr Martens’ book! I feel blessed to have the opportunity to receive a new depth of understanding in the celebration of the Mass. Thank you, Fr. Martens, for revealing these many complex mysteries to us.” –Mrs. Pamela Paull
“At Mass with Jesus on Calvary is concise and yet surprisingly rich; as reasonable as it is pious; as suffused with Scripture as with the Church’s magisterial teachings. Fr. Gene Martens spreads ray after ray of illuminating light on the hidden Deity of the Eucharist, on the Christ Who invites us to join Him on Calvary that we one day may come to see Him face to face. I highly recommend this book to all who seek greater understanding the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and more intimate union with Christ.” – Kevin Vost, Psy.D., author of books including Memorize the Mass!, Memorize the Latin Mass! and 12 Life Lessons from St. Thomas Aquinas
“For many years, we had the honor of hosting retreats for alumni and friends at Rockhurst High School that were led by Fr. Martens. Each were filled with messages like those in his book about Christ’s gift of the Eucharist. His book brings to life for the reader the beauty and meaning of these celebrations, which are so central to our Catholic faith and Jesuit spirituality. Fr. Martens Christ-like way of presenting these profoundly life-changing themes is a true gift for the faithful who will open his or her heart to the Lord.” – Laurence W. Freeman, Chief Advancement Officer, Rockhurst High School
“Fr. Martens’ book provides detailed connections between scripture, mass prayers, and church documents. We appreciate most his early point: ‘The Eucharist is not just a matter of our personal union with Jesus in Holy Communion. It also obliges and enables us to imitate Jesus in serving others.’” – Mike and Carol Mathews, Married couple, parents, and long-time residents of the Midwest. Mike worked for Celebration Magazine and is active in social service efforts. Carol was liturgist for Holy Spirit Parish and is active in diocesan liturgy work.
“Father Martens’ book At Mass with Jesus on Calvary will be an inspiring companion for all Catholics, especially teachers in parochial schools, PSR and RCIA programs, liturgies and all participants in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Readers will gain deep insights and feel Father’s profound reverence on every page.” – Charlene Nauert, Member of the St. Louis Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission
“Father Martens’ deep personal faith and devotion to the Eucharist is evident as he guides the reader to a deeper understanding of the Real Presence and invites us all to a fuller participation in the Mass through enhancing our awareness and comprehension.” – Patricia M Balke, PhD, author & educator, In God’s Image: Male and Female
“Fr. Martens gives us an insightful reminder into the beliefs of our Catholic faith, the Eucharist and the Mass. His examination is a thought-provoking journey into a better understanding of the Transubstantiation, giving biblical references and theological background for this gift to us. It is an important book for those who want to search further into the doctrine supporting this sacrament, those who are religious educators, or those who are preparing for Lay Ministry in the church.” – Sharon A. Curry, Catechist, and Eucharistic Minister
“Fr. Marten’s knowledge and understanding of the Eucharistic presence, the core of the Catholic belief, is an insightful reflection of his personal faith and hope. It affirms the words of the hymn, “without seeing you, we love you, without seeing you, we believe, you are our Savior, we believe in you.” – Sr. Carlene Welker, D.C., Pastoral Associate, Our Lady of the Holy Cross, St. Louis, MO
“Fr. Martens provides an awareness of key words and phrases in the Eucharistic prayers that gives the lay person a new depth of meaning while enriching their understanding of the Mass. This book would be excellent for a small-group study of the Mass.” – Patricia A. Meyer, LLM, Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, FL
“Knowledge and the ability to teach are two separate gifts. Fr. Martens has both and demonstrates it with this book. When he addresses a student’s question on the Real Presence, ‘how do you squeeze a man into that tiny piece of bread?’ – it shows he is in touch with the person in the pew.” – Roger F. Meyer, Scripture Study Facilitator, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Seminole, FL
“Fr. Gene Martens provides a beautiful explication of the sacred gift of the Eucharist. Through his ordinary language and insightful metaphors, he offers a valuable resource that is vibrant and compelling as well as easy to understand–perfect for use in adult formation programs in a parish setting and preparation material for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.” – Angie Doerr, Director of Religious Education Emerita, St. Francis Xavier College Church, St. Louis, Missouri
“The thoughts of Fr. Gene Martens on the Eucharist are in spiritual harmony with St. Paul who describes faithful followers as the body of Christ. All who love the Eucharist as communal celebration with the real presence of Christ will be enriched by this book.” – Vic Hummert, Hospital Jail Chaplain
“In this book, far from struggling, faith and reason celebrate together. It’s one of the miracles of the Eucharist. This is a comforting read, reminding us page after page that the Truth does not change. Expressions might and ought to; Truth does not. Our intellects, like a searchlight that doesn’t reach so far, cannot penetrate the mystery but can indeed throw light on the wonders of the Sacrament. Fr Martens has done all of that and written it in plain language and vivid image.” – Fr Joe Tetlow, SJ
“Evident in this book is the author’s years of success in the classroom. His style is clear and informative, always geared toward the student – of any age. I recommend this book to those who are seeking to deepen their love and devotion to the Eucharist as well as to those in adult formation programs in parish settings. They won’t need a discussion starter.” – Sr. Marianne Postiglione, RSM, Associate Director, Emerita, ITEST
“I highly recommend this book because Father’s spiritual life has allowed him to live his words and reflect to those who know him a better relationship with our God. I am excited to recommend this book and know it will bless many with his knowledge and efforts.” – Carol Atchity, BVM
Fr. Gene Martens, SJ, holds Licentiate Degrees in Philosophy and Theology from St. Louis University. He also holds a Certificate of Higher Religious Education from the Institut Pastorale Cathechetique of the Catholic Faculty at the University of Strasbourg, in France.
From 1966 to 1976, Fr. Martens taught religion at Rockhurst Jesuit High School in Kansas City, Missouri. During those years, in the wake of Vatican Council II, he gave numerous religious conferences to parents and helped to present a diocesan training program for religion teachers. He was a member of the editorial team which produced A New Look at Life, published by Paulist Press in 1970, as the eighth-grade program for the English language version of the “Come to the Father” series of religion texts.
Over the years from 1966 until the present, Fr. Martens has preached dozens of retreats to Religious Women, lay women and men, and also a few to high-school students. In addition, he has given many Days of Recollection or Spiritual Conferences to priests and other adults and even a few talks to children. As part of most of these various forms of spiritual education, Fr. Martens included lectures on the nature and meaning of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
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A book to plunge into the debate on the beginning of life like a life-boat dropping into the stormy seas filled with a variety of arguments both simple and more complex, drawing on reason, evidence and expert human biologists, the wisdom of Scripture, the Fathers and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church, with extensive contents for searching the many varied and diverse kinds of contributions and launched in the hope of helping the unborn, the frozen and all who are open to be touched by the wonder of life but lost in a bewildering maze of difficulties.
Each one of us is a witness to a beginning. Learning to speak about that beginning is a personal work that we share with others. This book, then, takes up those initial questions, sources and terms that help us to make sense of human conception and express it “a-freshly”. Each of us comes to exist through others: a child has a father and a mother and is embedded in a family. Indeed, if to be conceived is to be “conceived-in-relationship” then we are an Icon of the Beginning. Just, however, as “the beginning of creation” expressed an act of the mystery of God, so does the conception of each one of us; and, therefore, exploring human conception is at the same time an exploration of how human conception “recapitulates” the mystery of man’s creation.
The book is invaluably enriched by a variety of contributors: Dr Mary Anne Urlakis’ General Foreword, two poems by her daughter, Grace Marie Urlakis, and by helpful Forewords to each of the chapters from Dr. Joseph Tham, LC, Dr. Ronda Chervin, Dr. Michael Baggott, LC, Sr. Helena Burns and Kathleen Sweeney; there is an invaluably discerning review of the scientific knowledge of human conception provided by Professors Justo Aznar and Julio Tudela (in Chapter V: Part II); in addition, there are a variety of modern images from the Unesco Bioethics in Art Competitions; and, finally, there is a challenging End Word: A New Beginning, by Dr. Elizabeth Bothamley Rex.
Paperback $29.95 | Kindle $9.99
In this episode of The Catholic Current, Fr. Robert McTeigue, SJ, interviews Francis Etheredge, co-founder of the Donum Vitae Institute and author of Conception: An Icon of the Beginning and The Prayerful Kiss. (February 5, 2020)
“A fresh brilliant analysis of the moment of human conception in the light of God’s creation.” – Dr. Ronda Chervin, author of The Way of Love: The Path of Inner Transformation
“In this beautifully crafted work, Francis Etheredge argues that the human embryo is absolutely the ‘first jot’ of a person’s life story. Human persons are also relational beings for persons cannot understand themselves without reference to the other. The creative act integrates body and soul, echoing the beginning of creation. Each of us is thus an icon of the beginning. The argument put forward in favour of human beings existing body and soul from conception is robust: the Church teaches that Mary is the perfect creature from conception. She is full of grace from conception. If there is no soul, there is no grace as the soul is the recipient of grace. Her conception defines the moment of our creatureliness for us. This work is a wonderful argument in favour of the close harmony between Genesis and human generation.” – Pravin Thevathasan, MB.BS, MRPsych, MSc (Medical Ethics), Consultant Psychiatrist and Editor, Catholic Medical Quarterly
“This is a remarkable book. I know of no other that brings together philosophy, theology, embryology, the visual arts, and poetry in celebration of the beauty and inviolability of human life in the womb. It reminds me of the words of King David in the Psalm: ‘Didst thou not form me in my mother’s womb? I praise thee for my wondrous fashioning.'” – Fr. John Saward, author of Redeemer in the Womb
“Conception: A Contradiction?” by Francis Etheredge, Homiletics and Pastoral Review (December 11, 2020), available here.
For the listing on UNESCO’s Website, click here.
“The Bioethics Observatory participates in the writing of an American book on the origin of human life.” Bioethics Observatory. Click here to see the announcement.
Conception: An Icon of the Beginning
Francis Etheredge
This book arose in response to the question: When does the life of a human being begin? It is a question as old as humanity itself, and the paths taken to answer it are now well worn and known.
In that sense it is a rare event indeed to find the question take us in quite a new direction, one that has its beginning before tired and tested words and concepts, and opens its vista to include the insights of origins, of art and spirit. Where others have seen a crossroads separating the paths of faith and science, Etheredge has noticed a highway of mystery that allows more sense. In this world of his we begin to understand how the dilemmas that have plagued questions around human life and love are not lacking in arguments but have become stuck out of a failure of imagination more than anything.
In bringing the gift of new intuitions into play Francis Etheredge opens the mind to wonder at what creation would have meant to our world before its sights were lowered to mere notions of fabrication and reproduction. Where the world seems blinded by techne and asks only about usefulness, he sees its poiesis and is lost in contemplation; where it sees only stuff and obsolescence, he sees eternal significance.
At the moment of conception, Etheredge sees not just fusion but light as, who knows, some radiation of that first Light. The body and soul are not two entities but sacramentally one, as outward and inward expressions of the one reality of the human person, itself an icon embodying the idea of God. In widening the horizon, he invites us to consider human sexuality way beyond pure function and satisfaction, and to imagine it as a harmony whose tune begins in the breath of divine intercommunion itself.
It makes sense, then, that his work is carried out in the company of poets and artists, philosophers and theologians. Only this method opens the intuitions of creation and revelation, of beginnings and incarnations, of mysteries and their expressions. All of this is the living environment where the central thesis breathes; that where the body lives, there is the soul, and where there is both there is the human person, created whole as the only way God knows how.
I invite you to accompany Etheredge on the adventure of where the life of a human being begins, not so much as to have some ready-made answer to the controversies of our times, but so that this long contemplative gaze into the eyes of the human person allows you, at the same moment, to see something of the face of God and know, for what it is worth, the vast beginning and end of man.
Mr. Francis Etheredge is married with eight children, plus three in heaven.
Francis is currently a freelance writer and speaker and his “Posts” on LinkedIn can be viewed here. Poetry; short articles; autobiographical blog; excerpts from books; and “Philosophize: A Ten Minute Write.”
For a list of all of Francis’ books published by En Route Books and Media, click here.
See Francis’ other books, too, entitled Scripture: A Unique Word, From Truth and truth: Volume I-Faithful Reason, From Truth and truth: Volume II: Faith and Reason in Dialogue, From Truth and truth: Volume III: Faith is Married Reason.
He has earned a BA Div (Hons), MA in Catholic Theology, PGC in Biblical Studies, PGC in Higher Education, and an MA in Marriage and Family (Distinction).
Enjoy these additional articles by Francis Etheredge:
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His early career focused on the Gospels and the Letters of Paul, resulting in the publication of several articles and monographs. More recently his focus has been on the worship dimension of the New Testament. This has resulted in monographs on worship in the Letters of Paul, Hebrews, James, 1-2 Peter and Jude, and the Book of Revelation.
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