An introduction to the spiritual legacy of Thomas MertonThomas Merton was a Trappist monk and one of the most influential spiritual figures of the 20th century. His writing on contemplation, monastic life, mysticism, poetry, and social issues have influenced generations and his legacy of interfaith understanding and social justice endures to this day. Thomas Merton: An Introduction to His Life, Teachings, and Practices offers an exploration of Merton as a m...

Reading Francis's writings is like being "on the road" with him 800 years ago.Biographies will only take you so far. It's impossible to truly understand Francis of Assisi without reading his own words. A scholar and lover of Francis, Sweeney has added six writings to his bestselling compilation, additional texts that we're most certain came from Francis himself. Now, short writings such as "The Form of Life He Wished for Clare," "The Sermon to the Birds," and "The Source of...

As a spiritual pilgrim for more than half a century, Jon Sweeney has practiced with teachers of many religious traditions. He's gone looking for wisdom, beauty, and truth wherever it can be found. But recently he's found himself learning closer to home--from the teacher-cats he lives with.What he discovered is that our greatest spiritual teachers are at our feet. Literally. They are the cats we love and treasure. Nearly 60 million cats live in US households today. These feline teac...

An introduction to St. Francis's life and his most profound teachings of faithSt. Francis of Assisi is one of the most venerated Christian figures, and his profound teachings, deep love of nature, and commitment to simplicity have resonated with generations of followers. St. Francis of Assisi, the latest title in the Essential Wisdom Library, offers a simple and universal introduction to Francis's life, his key teachings, and the spiritual practices that en...

An introduction to St. Francis's life and his most profound teachings of faithSt. Francis of Assisi is one of the most venerated Christian figures, and his profound teachings, deep love of nature, and commitment to simplicity have resonated with generations of followers. St. Francis of Assisi, the latest title in the Essential Wisdom Library, offers a simple and universal introduction to Francis's life, his key teachings, and the spiritual practices that en...

Turn from fear and find peace with one of the most recognized figures in Christian history.Saint Francis of Assisi understood that the surest way for a person to turn from fear and find grace was to embrace a life filled with ordinary miracles. And for twenty-first century living, we can learn from the teachings of this beloved sainttofind a path where our faith is made tangible again and where we embrace listening and gentleness in the face of fear and uncertainty.From aut...

Ängste gibt es viele. Kaum etwas engt unser Leben so stark ein wie der Umgang mit ihnen. Doch so verschieden ihre Ursachen sind, so vielfältig sind auch Strategien dagegen. Einen neuen Zugang bietet Franziskusforscher Jon M. Sweeney. Mit der Weisheit von Franz von Assisi und der Legende "Der Wolf von Gubbio" entwickelt er Lebenslektionen, um Ängste und Ungewissheit im 21. Jahrhundert zu lindern: Füttere den Wolf; Berühre das, was dir Angst macht; Lehne Macht ab; Habe nichts zu verlieren; V...

The riveting story of Pope St. Celestine V, the pope who retired from the papacy.At the close of the tumultuous Middle Ages, there lived a man who seemed destined from birth to save the world. His name was Peter Morrone, a hermit, a founder of a religious order, and, depending on whom you talk to, a reformer, an instigator, a prophet, a coward, a saint, and possibly the victim of murder. A stroke of fate would, practically overnight, transform this humble servant of God into the mo...

Kaum zu glauben — die größten spirituellen Lehrer für ein gutes Leben sitzen oft bei uns zu Hause, sie liegen sogar zu unseren Füßen: Katzen. Sie wissen, wie man im Hier und Jetzt lebt, mit Verspieltheit dem Leben begegnet und auch, wie man anderen vertrauen kann. Gleichsam bleiben sie stets unabhängig. Jon M. Sweeney haben es die pelzigen Gefährten angetan. Beim Beobachten seiner Katzen entdeckt er viel Wunderbares: Lektionen über das Leben sowie Haltungen, Hingabe und Gelassenheit — und ...

“It has given me a friend in Saint Francis for a lifetime. A divine encounter.” —Karen Kiefer, Director, The Church in the 21st Century Center, Boston CollegeReplicable experiences of God according to Francis of Assisi, offered on the 800th anniversary of his death.Never have we needed more to experience God—to feel God. Francis of Assisi was spiritual before anyone used that word, and he was religious in the best ways. We love him...

The definitive biography of one of the most beloved and respected figures in American religious life.In this comprehensive biography, Jon Sweeney, official biographer of Tickle’s literary estate, explores every aspect of her life, a more than 50-year legacy of poetry; plays; literary, spiritual, and historical/theological work; and advocacy. Sweeney examines Tickle’s personal and professional roots, from her family, long marriage, and life on The Farm in Lucy, Tenn...

What once drove men to construct enormous abbeys and cathedrals, with gargoyles, rounded arches, rose windows, dark recesses, and flying buttresses?In the modern imagination, these structures are believed to tell a series of stories about the meaning of life, but this anachronism would have astounded their medieval creators. As he explores two of the finest churches of this period – the Abbey of Mont St- Michel on the Normandy coast, and soaring Chartres Cathedral in the fields of ...