Spiritual Reading I Think You'll Like: Catholic Books

GET 5 FREE PRINTS WHEN YOU PREORDER!

For a limited time, you can get 5 gorgeous prints for free, when you purchase the book for preorder.

These prints highlight the beauty and wisdom in Becoming Holy, with quotes illustrated by Gina Fensterer of Someday Saints Designs.

In Becoming Holy, One Virtue at a Time, you will

grow in understanding of the theological and cardinal virtues;
dive into biblical stories that inspire you to become the person God made you to be;
reflect on your vocation to holiness in your daily life; and
accept God’s call to live a life of virtue.

God calls each of us to become saints. That may seem daunting, but in Becoming Holy, One Virtue at a Time, Sara Estabrooks shows you how you can answer this call in your daily life. By drawing on Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, you will be enabled to seek virtue and pursue sainthood, starting now.

Stay Connected Journals for Women help you deepen your connection with Christ through inspiring stories, reflections, Scripture study, and prompts for prayer and journaling. Each journal explores a different path to spiritual growth in seven short, easy-to-complete chapters, making them perfect for individual or small group study.

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Sara Estabrooks is a Catholic wife, mom, and author with a passion for the Eucharist. On her blog, ToJesusSincerely.com, Sara shares her reflections about the spiritual life, prayer, and the universal call to holiness. She has launched the #VirtueChallenge and #MyMassTakeaway movements on social media to help Catholics grow in their faith. Sara is also technology director and community manager at CatholicsOnline.net.

Wow. Just when I thought I knew everything about forgiveness, having given retreats on the topic for nearly 10 years! The Power of Forgiveness is a wonderful companion in faith – aptly named!! The reflections gave me so much to contemplate, go really into my heart to see where I have and have NOT forgiven — others, God, myself. This is a small book with an enormous impact. Highly Recommend adding this to your daily prayer time!!

The Power of Forgiveness
by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

Published by Our Sunday Visitor
Amazon link: https://amzn.to/2YQq17k

“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those
who trespass against us.”

How many times have we uttered those words in The Lord’s Prayer? How many times do we stop to consider what we are saying? We are asking God to extend mercy and forgiveness to us in the same manner as we treat those who have hurt us in some way. Do we really mean that?
It is hard to ask for forgiveness from God. It is difficult to admit that we have done wrong, that we have failed in our relationships with God and with others. This is one reason why people don’t take more advantage of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It is very humbling to have to say our failings out loud to another person. The bigger the failing, the more humbling it is.

In The Power of Forgiveness, you will come to understand more fully that God’s mercy is always there. Through true stories of the lives of saints and examples from the Bible along with a short prayer and reflection questions, this devotional helps us focus on the challenge and
power of offering forgiveness.

The Power of Forgiveness is a useful reflection in preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation or for every day prayer.

About the Author
Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur [who I know personally, and can attest is the sweetest human you will ever meeet] is a lifelong Roman Catholic with a B.A. in Art and History and a Masters in Applied Theology. A homeschooling mother of three, she has been working as a Catholic writer and editor for the past fifteen years. She blogs at spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com and is editor of TodaysCatholicHomeschooling.com

Sample Reflection

They Know Not What They Do

And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’ ~Luke 23: 34

Jesus forgave not only those who personally ordered and carried out his torture and crucifixion, but all those who contributed by standing in the crowd shouting, “Crucify him.” When we repeat those words on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, we are forced to think about our role in
crucifying Jesus. When I sin, my thought process doesn’t usually go that far. I’m not consciously trying to hurt Jesus. Instead, I’m thinking about what seems good for me at that moment. The devil is skilled at making what is evil seem attractive. My human nature is weak. The guilt comes later after I’ve given in to temptation. The same holds true when people sin against us. Very rarely is someone intentionally trying to ruin our lives or inflict long-lasting emotional pain. Instead, they give in to their human
weakness. They are tired, frustrated, or angry about the pain in their own lives and take out their rage on us…The sins are real; the pain is real; but they know not what they do.

Prayer
Dear Jesus, help me to forgive as you forgive those who hurt you.

Reflection
Looking over your life, can you recall the times that you unintentionally deeply hurt someone else due to your human weakness?