The Path of Spiritual Happiness
by Dr. Heather M. Erb
This book is a story of the unfolding triumph of Christian happiness as a philosophy of life. We begin with ancient Greek roots and principles provided us by Aristotle, ‘the master of those who know.’ We continue through medieval flourishing in the sparkling syntheses of the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas. We move to the application of this Dominican saint’s penetrating vision to leisure and worship by a prominent twentieth century Thomist pilgrim, Josef Pieper. Pope John Paul II’s encyclicals complete the threads in this little tapestry of reason redeemed, which is offered for today’s Christian in the heart of the world.
Fr. Kevin E. O’Reilly, O.P. (Angelicum, Rome), in his Foreword to this volume, writes:
The synthesis of faith and reason and fidelity to the Church’s magisterium are hallmarks of this volume, which deals with the most fundamental of human desires, namely the desire for happiness….My own desire is that it become a standard text in Catholic educational circles and, indeed, beyond!….What better way to prepare the soil of contemporary culture for the reception of the Gospel of Joy than to outline the nature of true happiness!
Paperback $14.95 | Kindle $9.99
TESTIMONIALS
“I enjoyed reading The Path of Spiritual Happiness. It is a well-founded presentation of a topic which is so important to the moral behaviour of mankind in our present age, when theological arguments are not very popular. The philosophical foundation therefore is becoming more important.” – +Bishop Attila Miklósházy S.J., ep.emeritus Hungarorum in exteris, prof. et decanus emeritus Facultatis Theol. in Seminario S. Augustini, in Toronto School of Theology; author of a 5 volume series, The Origin And Development of the Christian Liturgy According to Cultural Epochs: Political, Cultural and Ecclesial Backgrounds (Mellen Press).
“Dr. Heather Erb’s The Path of Spiritual Happiness is paved with good intentions, sage counsel, and delightful results. This carefully crafted compendium of the best of Christian philosophy throughout the ages illuminates the mind and brings joy to the heart — a must-read for all seekers of the wisdom and happiness that only Truth can bring.” – Kevin Vost, Psy.D., author of Memorize the Mass! and The One-Minute Aquinas
“The Path of Spiritual Happiness is a wonderful book not only for students, but also for all Catholic intellectuals. Dr. Erb’s book is scholastically authoritative and engaging, providing contemporary examples for today’s world.” – Dr. Ronda Chervin, Professor Emerita of Philosophy, Holy Apostles College & Seminary, and author of Catholic Realism: A Framework for the Refutation of Atheism and the Evangelization of Atheists
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Heather M. Erb is a moderator in the Great Books Program of Angelicum Academy. She holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas from University of Toronto, as well as degrees in Philosophy and Religious Studies from St. Michael’s College (University of Toronto) and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium). Dr. Erb has taught at a variety of universities, including Lock Haven, Catholic Distance University, Penn State, Fordham, St. Francis, and University of Toronto. She publishes widely in Catholic academic and popular journals and books, and lives in central Pennsylvania with her husband and three children.
Representative Publications
- “Modernism and the Growing Catholic Identity Problem: Thomistic Reflections and Solutions” (available online: Studia Gilsoniana 4:3 July –September 2015, 251-83): http://www.gilsonsociety.pl/studia-gilsoniana/4-2015/251-283/
- “Pati Divina: Mystical Union in Aquinas” in Faith, Scholarship, and Culture in the 21st Century, Alice Ramos and Marie George, eds., Catholic University of America Press (2002) 73-96 [Introduction by Robert Royal]: https://www3.nd.edu/~maritain/ama/Faith/faith104.pdf
- Heather M. Erb, “Metaphysical Aspects of Aquinas’ Doctrine of the Spiritual Life” (Proceedings of the International Congress on “Christian Humanism in the Third Millennium: The Perspective of Thomas Aquinas” (Pontifical Academy of Saint Thomas and the Thomas Aquinas International Society) 2003 http://www.e-aquinas.net/pdf/mcadam.pdf
- “From Rivulets to the Fountain’s Source: Image and Love in Aquinas’ Christian Anthropology” in Pagan-Aguiar and Auer, eds. The Human Person and a Culture of Freedom (Catholic University of America Press, March 2009) 61-91: https://www3.nd.edu/~maritain/ama/Human/Human104.pdf
- “Chosen for Glory: Aquinas on Vocation to the Supernatural”, in John Hittinger, ed., The Vocation of the Catholic Philosopher from Maritain to John Paul II (Catholic University of America Press, 2010) 230-252: https://www3.nd.edu/~maritain/ama/Vocation/Vocation403.pdf
- Articles in New Oxford Review, including: “The Pilgrim Church and Ummat al-Islam: Two Visions of Peace and Community”, (November 2013); “The Charismatic Appetite” (November 2008); “Truth – A Destroyer of Community?” (March 2010)
- “The Varieties of Wisdom and The Consolation of Philosophy” (Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture3 (Summer 2012) 161-189.
OTHER ACADEMIC BOOKS
Can Science and Religion Live Together? What Science Can and Cannot Do by Gerard Verschuuren
Can Science and Religion Live Together? What Science Can and Cannot Do by Gerard M. Verschuuren Undoubtedly, science has one of the most impressive track records in human history. It is a success story that keeps persistently adding new achievements to the list, with...
60 Catholics Who Changed the World by Gerard Verschuuren
60 Catholics Who Changed the World by Gerard M. Verschuuren The Catholic Church has a longstanding and outstanding tradition that makes for a powerful source of innovations for the world. The sixty Catholics mentioned in this book testify to it. Each one of them made...
Help Dante Help Italy
Help Dante Help Italy A new translation by Daniel Fitzpatrick accompanied by the new sculptures of Timothy Schmalz Donate today!The Inferno is now available in Paperback and Kindle! Click a link below to order your copy today!About the Project(Traduci in...
Mary and Bioethics: An Exploration
Mary and Bioethics: An Exploration by Francis Etheredge Whether it is the problem of pain, the messiness of our relationships or the confusion circulating about human identity, it is possible to think that we do not have anything to learn from the Virgin Mary, spouse...
New Paths to God and the Soul by Roger Skrenes
New Paths to God and the Soul by Roger Skrenes Much of what we receive through media of social communications does not concern itself with either God or the soul. So it is up to each of us to make ourselves aware of the pathways to God and the evidence for...
Do You See what I See? Discovering the Obvious, authored by Robert Hanley
Do You See What I See? Discovering the Obvious Robert Hanley THIS BOOK IS ABOUT finding a better, more meaningful life. Robert Hanley has an insightful way of looking at the world-finding deeper meaning in everyday events that seem to float past the observations of...
At Mass with Jesus on Calvary: Reflections on the Prayers of the Mass and the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, authored by Fr. Gene Martens, SJ
At Mass with Jesus on Calvary: Reflections on the Prayers of the Mass and the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist by Fr. Gene Martens, SJ For the ordinary Catholic, this book will clarify the teaching of the Catholic Church on the Real Presence of Jesus in the...
Spiritual Husbands-Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, co-edited by Bishop Estévez and Bishop Cozzens
Spiritual Husbands-Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century by Bishop Felipe J. Estévez, S.T.D., and Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens, S.T.D. In Spiritual Husbands-Spiritual Fathers: Priestly Formation for the 21st Century, Bishops Estévez and Cozzens...
Philosophy Fridays: Armchair Philosophy Sessions from a High School Physics Classroom
Philosophy Fridays: Armchair Philosophy Sessions from a High School Physics Classroom by Matthew D’Antuono Aristotle began his great study on causes, which he called Metaphysics, with a simple connection to physics: "All men by nature desire to know. An indication of...
Conception: An Icon of the Beginning, authored by Francis Etheredge
Conception: An Icon of the Beginning by Francis Etheredge 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...
The Destructive Doctrines of our Age by Gerard M. Verschuuren
The Destructive Doctrines of Our Age by Gerard M. Verschuuren There are many doctrines around that try to change and mold our minds—doctrines such as relativism and secularism, to name just a couple, but this book discusses 13 more. These doctrines are...
A Study of the New Testament by Rev. John Paul Heil, S.S.D.
John Paul Heil is a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Ordained in 1974, he studied at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, where he received his Doctorate in Sacred Scripture in 1979. After teaching at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis for 27 years, he...
The Fullness of Life by Martin Dybicz
The Fullness of Life by Martin Dybicz This complete and highly readable overview of the Catholic faith explains how living fully is found in knowing three things: that God is real, that He communicates with us, and that He wants us to respond. The author...
Walking the Parables of Jesus: A Journey into the Words, Life and Times of Jesus Christ, authored by Deacon Bob Evans
Walking the Parables of Jesus: A Journey into the Words, Life and Times of Jesus Christ by Deacon Bob Evans Walking the Parables of Jesus is a unique treatment of Jesus’ parables. Drawing on the work of many scholars, the author takes those who seek a deeper...
The Meaning of the Eucharist by Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R.
The Meaning of the Eucharist by Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. This book highlights some of the major theological voices from the past century who contributed to a deepening of the Church’s understanding of the significance of the Eucharist and whose efforts...
Broken Hearts in a Broken World, authored by Gerard M. Verschuuren
Broken Hearts in a Broken World by Gerard M. Verschuuren Brokenness has become endemic in our days. In poll after poll, the vast majority of respondents say that our country is fundamentally broken. Our political system is broken. Our economy is broken....
A Companion to Reading Newman’s Grammar of Assent by Richard Geraghty
A Companion to Reading Newman's Grammar of Assent by Richard Geraghty In this book A Companion to Reading Newman’s Grammar of Assent, Richard Geraghty explains Newman’s truths by illustrating them as they pertain to contemporary Catholic issues. Through...
On the End Times, or the First Return of Christ by Jacques Cabaud
On the End Times, or The First Return of Christ by Jacques Cabaud To pray the "our Father" is to pray for the renewal of humanity by the Holy Spirit. This book explains the implications of our prayer for the conversion of sinners in moral and metaphysical...
The Wise Guy and the Fool: A Philosophical Odyssey from Modern Error to Truth, authored by Matthew D’Antuono
Special congratulations to Br. Francois for his being awarded third place in the 2020 Catholic Book Awards contest for best cover art. The Wise Guy and the Fool by Matthew D’Antuono This is not a textbook on philosophy. It is not an essay on philosophy. It is not a...
The Thomist Tradition: Avoiding Scylla and Charybdis
COMING SOON! The Thomist Tradition: Avoiding Scylla and Charybdis by Dr. Donald Boland As with every great philosopher and theologian, the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, though perhaps the clearest expressed of all, has inevitably been subject...
Eastern Civilization from a Catholic Viewpoint
Eastern Civilization from a Catholic Viewpoint by Fr. Peter Samuel Kucer, MSA, STD Eastern Civilization from a Catholic Viewpoint traces the history of East and South East Asia from ancient times to modern times. In the process, the reader is introduced to the various...
East and South East Asian History
East and South East Asian History by Fr. Peter Samuel Kucer, MSA East and South East Asian History studies the historical development of countries that make up East Asia (China, Taiwan, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea) and countries that make up South East...
Western Civilization from the End of the Renaissance to Modern Times
COMING SOON! Western Civilization from the End of the Renaissance to Modern Times by Fr. Peter Samuel Kucer, MSA This book presents the history of Western Civilization from the end of the Renaissance to Modern and the so-called Post-Modern Times. Topics include the...
Western Civilization from Prehistorical Times to the Protestant Reformation
COMING SOON! Western Civilization from Prehistorical Times to the Protestant Reformation by Fr. Peter Samuel Kucer, MSA Western Civilization owes a debt of gratitude to three ancient civilizations: Jewish, Greek, and Roman. The first half of this book studies each of...
The Eclipse of God: Is Religion on the Way Out?
The Eclipse of God: Is Religion on the Way Out? by Gerard Verschuuren This book was specifically written for all those who feel lost in a world dominated by ideologies that obscure God. It is hard to pinpoint one particular cause of how we feel in such...
Contemporary Sacred Art: Conversations on Art & Faith
COMING SOON! Contemporary Sacred Art: Conversations on Art & Faith by Dr. Michela Beatrice Ferri In translation now from the Italian. Buy it in the original language here: What is the so-called “Contemporary Sacred Art”? In her book, Michela Beatrice Ferri...
The Narrative Spirituality of Dante’s Divine Comedy: a hundred-day guided journal
The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri has captivated the imagination of its readers for over seven centuries as Dante, a pilgrim on a journey to God, is called by Our Blessed Mother through the supernatural realms of the afterlife to witness the state of the souls of...
A Fool’s Errand: A Brief, Informal Introduction to Philosophy for Young Catholics
A Fool’s Errand: A Brief, Informal Introduction to Philosophy for Young Catholics by Matthew D’Antuono What is the meaning of life? What is the nature of existence? Why am I here? What is real happiness? The big questions. Are there answers to these questions? In a...
Voyage to Insight
Voyage to Insight by Dr. Ronda Chervin En Route Books and Media has reprinted Ronda Chervin and Lois Janis’ book Voyage to Insight with fresh, exciting graphics. It can be read straight through or you can add your own insights into the book and even dialogue about...
Economic Science and St. Thomas Aquinas: On Justice in the Distribution and Exchange of Wealth
Economic Science and St. Thomas Aquinas: On Justice in the Distribution and Exchange of Wealth by Dr. Donald Boland This is a book on what is perhaps the most burning and urgent of social issues of our times, namely, the relationship between the science of...
Refractions of Light: 201 Answers on Apparitions, Visions and the Catholic Church
Refractions of Light: 201 Answers on Apparitions, Visions and the Catholic Church by Kevin Symonds For the past several decades, there has been a notable rise in claims of apparitions, visions and messages from heaven. This growth has often led to confusion and...
In Praise of Life
In Praise of Life by Dr. Donald DeMarco This book illustrates how ten different factors can improve our appreciation of life: Evolution prepares it, Meaning justifies it, Love enhances it, Truth directs it, Freedom crowns it, Virtue strengthens it,...
A Not-So-Elementary Christian Metaphysics, Volume 2: An Introduction to Ragamuffin Thomism
A Not-So-Elementary Christian Metaphysics, Volume 2: An Introduction to Ragamuffin Thomism by Dr. Peter Redpath Nothing short of a metaphysical disturbance and metaphysical revolution of the highest order can resolve the West’s and the world’s current...
A Not-So-Elementary Christian Metaphysics, Volume 1: Written in the Hope of Ending the Centuries-old Separation between Philosophy and Science and Science and Wisdom
A Not-So-Elementary Christian Metaphysics, Volume 1: Written in the Hope of Ending the Centuries-old Separation between Philosophy and Science and Science and Wisdom by Dr. Peter Redpath This book’s chief aim is novel and radical: to reunite philosophy,...
Spirituality for All Times: Readings from the Catholic Classics
Spirituality for All Times: Readings from the Catholic Classics Spirituality for All Times is offered in the hope that it will inspire those who seek a deeper union with God. The authors have chosen to offer short selections to enable the reader to wade in...
The Jesus Code: In the Beginning was the Word
The Jesus Code: In the Beginning was the Word by Roger Skrenes Jesus is the only person in the history of the world whose biography was known before he was born! He wanted everyone on earth to know of this miraculous Old Testament portrait of himself (Luke...
Mary, the Beloved
Mary, the Beloved by Keith Berube The Magisterium of the Catholic Church teaches that Mary, the Mother of God, is a grace-filled, flesh and blood woman, who unsurpassingly loves each of us by name. Mary, the Beloved, affirms that teaching, providing a...
The Way of Love: The Path of Inner Transformation
The Way of Love: The Path of Inner Transformation by Dr. Ronda Chervin A reprint of Dr. Ronda's The Way of Love: The Battle for Inner Transformation, this new edition under a new subtitle puts back in front of the world the nature of human love alongside...
On the Third Part of the Secret of Fatima
On the Third Part of the Secret of Fatima by Kevin J. Symonds For several decades, there has been much discussion on the famous third part of the secret of Fátima. Originally communicated to the three seers of Fátima in July, 1917, it was not written down until...
The Moral Psychology of St. Thomas Aquinas: An Introduction to Ragamuffin Ethics
The Moral Psychology of St. Thomas Aquinas: An Introduction to Ragamuffin Ethics by Dr. Peter Redpath Through a radical reinterpretation of classical philosophy as an organizational psychology, The Moral Psychology of St. Thomas: An Introduction to Ragamuffin...
The Human Person: A Bioethical Word
The Human Person: A Bioethical Word by Francis Etheredge Is bioethics a technical specialization or a profound expression of human being? Wonderfully answering this question, the book is beautifully enriched by eight Forewords. Beginning again and again, Etheredge...
Faith and Reason: The Cradle of Truth
Faith and Reason: The Cradle of Truth by Dr. Gerard M. Verschuuren Of course, it’s a travesty, but a very widely held one. We all have heard how some people caricature religious believers. On weekdays, they are critical, want proofs, look for arguments,...
History of the Eucharist
History of the Eucharist by Roger Skrenes The Eucharist is not a topic of the moment. Like any good teacher, God took “his time” in revealing the Eucharist slowly, step by step, throughout Biblical history. In this history there are two main tracks: 1) the...
Political Science from a Catholic Perspective
Political Science from a Catholic Perspective by Fr. Peter Samuel Kucer, MSA Today, many specializations within the field of political science identify it particularly as a social science, and these are namely political theory, government and politics, comparative...
A Brief Historical Survey of Marian Devotion and Theology by Fr. Peter Samuel Kucer, MSA
A Brief Historical Survey of Marian Devotion and Theology by Fr. Peter Samuel Kucer, MSA This book surveys the historical development of Marian belief and devotion by the Holy Spirit through the Church. How Mary was prepared and foreshadowed in the Old Testament is...
God as Father and Priests as Fathers, Brothers, Bridegrooms, and Disciples
God as Father and Priests as Fathers, Brothers, Bridegrooms, and Disciples by Fr. Peter Samuel Kucer, MSA The vocation to the priesthood does not simply entail doing specific actions that only priests can perform. Being a priest essentially means being grounded in a...
Catholic Church History: Pre-Christian to Modern Times
Catholic Church History: Pre-Christian to Modern Times by Fr. Peter Samuel Kucer, MSA Catholic Church History: Pre-Christian to Modern Times presents how the Catholic Church developed from her earliest days up to modern times. The reader will encounter the mystical...
Does God Exist? A Socratic Dialogue on the Five Ways of Thomas Aquinas
Does God Exist? A Socratic Dialogue on the Five Ways of Thomas Aquinas by Matt Fradd and Robert Delfino If you want an easy and fun way to understand St. Thomas Aquinas’s five arguments for the existence of God, this book is for you. Written as dialogue between Lucy...
The First Christians: Keeping the Faith in Times of Trouble
The First Christians: Keeping the Faith in Times of Trouble by Gerard Verschuuren In this book, we speak about these first Christians mainly through the people who gave them a voice and a compass: the Church Fathers. They were their leaders and their...
Minor Setback or Major Disaster? The Rise and Demise of Minor Seminaries in the United States, 1958-1983
Minor Setback or Major Disaster? The Rise and Demise of Minor Seminaries in the United States, 1958-1983 by Fr. Robert Anello, MSA Interested in how this happened? "Catholic Ministry Formation Enrollment: Statistical Overview for 2017-2018," Center for Applied...