The greatest achievement in Exploring the Catholic Church is a clear presentation of the truths of the faith completely interwoven in the warp and woof of ordinary life. The centrality of doctrinal belief and sacramental life penetrate meals and car rides, story telling and family disagreements, and yes, even diaper changes. Nothing of life stands apart from the Gospel, rather everything is integrated in the mastery of the Lord Jesus. The glory of the faith is that everyone is called to stand shoulder to shoulder with its heroes, to grow in an intimate prayer life, and ultimately to sit at one Eucharistic Table, in this world and the next. Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio offers practical ways of living the faith while challenging those of us waiting for more time and different circumstances to be about the business of growing in holiness. Ruth Hayes-Barba, MSW, MTS, Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon

There are several strengths to Dr. D'Ambrosio's book and his teaching method. The first is his use and application of natural reasoning. He uses examples that everyone can relate to and agree with, without specifically relying on Revelation. This is an important tool of Pre-Evangelization and he uses it better than anybody I know. His explanation of Confession (both written & oral) using this method is the best I've ever read or heard. Second, his abundant use of Sacred Scripture will aid Evangelicals and Bible-loving non-Catholics gain a fuller understanding on why Catholics do what we do, which is explicitly or implicitly taught in the Bible. Thirdly, Dr. D'Ambrosio is a Historical Theologian who helps us see history in a way that builds and supports our faith. Fourthly, his extensive ecumenical and interfaith dialog experience dealing with non-Catholics allows him to answer questions before someone can ask them. He understands the obstacles that they are confronting and tries to tear them down so that they can see the Fullness of Truth, which subsists in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Fifth, even though an academic writes this book, it is written in a popular style, which no one will have problems understanding. His extensive teaching experience allows him to take some very complicated subjects and explain them in a manner, which everyone can understand. That is a sign of a truly great teacher. Lastly, this book is very reasonably priced and it would be a scandal not to purchase it.

There are not many books that are right on the mark in exploring the Catholic Church--this one hits a bull's eye! I highly recommend this golden nugget written by an expert. I enjoyed the conversational tone of this must-read masterpiece. Thanks to Dr. Marcellino G. D'Ambrosio for putting in writing what every Catholic should know and for providing a detailed explanation with an unmatched sense of humor. This clever instructional tool should be required reading for all Catholics-or those who'd like to join us! Don't just take my word for it--get this gem for your personal collection today.

Here are some of my favorite parts of Marcellino's book:

·Dr. D'Ambrosio talked about his priest friend who has many degrees/awards but only has his baptismal certificate on his wall. This priest's example, and the importance he places on the Sacrament of Baptism, has inspired me to also have my baptismal certificate (and my children's, too) framed and proudly displayed in our home.
·It was funny to read the part where Marcellino said he was a 'blithering idiot' with the birth of his twins (in the context of prayer time). I remember working on about 70% mental capacity during those times. The doctor's down-to-earth real-life examples referenced throughout the book, such as this one, should be a hit with all readers.
·The 'Getting More Out of the Mass' section is really super spectacular. After reading this part, I feel that the Mass really covers almost all bases in our faith and felt great joy and excitement in going to my usual weekday Mass the next morning. As I walked to Communion that day (and since then), I was reminded of what Dr. D'Ambrosio stated about his personal goal of being a better person when leaving the church than upon arrival.
·I always knew that the father of the prodigal son starting rejoicing when his son was still a long way off, but I really like what Marcellino said in the 'Forgiveness' part of his book where the father didn't care (or even listen) to any excuses or explanation from the boy why he sinned. The father only cared that his son turned in the right direction. Dr. D'Ambrosio was so correct when he pointed out that changing behavior is the key, not simply the feeling of sorrow for one's sins. Nice touch where he adds about his family seeking forgiveness from one another at various times-something we should all do.
·One comical section was where he mentions, in humility, that he absurdly substitutes his name in the place of the famous 'love' scripture: "Marcellino is always patient and kind." This is a good example for all of us as we recognize our shortcomings in our struggle to become saints.
·Speaking of saints, I like the way Dr. D'Ambrosio speaks of Mary and the Saints as our prayer partners as we ask them to intercede on our behalf in our adoration and worship of our Lord.

Finally, all I can say is that with a book like this, I fully expect the servers of this online bookseller to fail with all the orders being placed for this one-of-a-kind Catholic favorite!! Hope you enjoy Dr. Marcellino G. D'Ambrosio's work-of-art as much as I did.

I have had first hand experience with priest sexual misconduct, so I have read much of the literature and have followed the present crisis closely. This is the best thing I have read. The best written and researched. Every Catholic should read this book about the present state of the priesthood. I know what he is saying is true, and I also know from my experience, but it still astounds me.

This is truly a can't-put-down book about the current crisis in the Catholic Church--priest abuse of children. Jason's book was written before the present crisis that erupted in 2002, but it gives solid background of other priest-pedophile cases dating back 30 years or so.

Jason is not content to just quote other sources--books, newspapers, magazines--as others have done concerning this scandal. He actually went and interviewed the priests, bishops, parents, and most importantly, the victims. He doesn't just state the facts, which could become boring, but he has the gift of writing that made me feel that I was actually there, seeing and hearing what he was seeing and hearing.

Nothing else got done in my house for over a week because I was so wrapped up in his true characters and his gritty, gutsy reporting style. This is not a book for the faint of heart, and Jason does not pull any punches in his investigative reporting. He proves himself vulnerable, however, as he revealed that he cried with victims and became angry with the system that let this abuse be a continual event. He remains a Catholic as I am because he feels that there is still hope that the Catholic Church can correct itself and become what Jesus meant it to be. I feel the same way.

The Catholic hierarchy is shown as more caring about the male buddy system than they are about our children who need our protection. The guilty priests, who should have been defrocked and turned over to the authorities, were nonchalantly transferred to other parishes with no warning to other parishes about the new priest in their midst and his dangerous, dark side.

Jason's writing is powerful and real. When I read the part about a man who became terrified because he felt that the devil was after him after he had talked to a pedophile priest, that terror transferred itself to me. It was 2 a.m. and I had been unable to stop reading Jason's book. I needed to go downstairs to get my medicine, but I was afraid to do so. My house alarm had been on so I knew that no BODY was in the house, but I felt the same evil that Jason's character had felt. It was as though an evil menace was there in the room with me. I knew that this menace did not want me to read Jason's book and thereby learn about all the evil that had been buried in the Catholic Church for so many years and that Jason's reporting was now bringing to the light.

Fortunately, the terror did not last long. A beautiful peace soon settled over me, and I knew that a protective Presence had entered my room, dispersing the evil menace. This loving Presence wanted me to continue reading Jason's book so that I would be knowledgeable and would be prepared for necessary changes that I believe the Holy Spirit will make in the Catholic Church.

Thank you, Jason, for a remarkable book and all your labor that went into it. I do not know you but I feel that I do. Keep up the good work.

Jason Berry investigated the Catholic Clergy Crisis starting with a reporting assignment he received for his job almost fifteen years ago. From that story, Berry went on to become increasingly captivated by the facts of the Catholic Clergy Abuse Scandal in the United States.

While the book principally follows the tragedy that befell the Layfayette, Louisiana Diocese in the late 80's and early 90's, Berry's book is so comprehensive that the reader can't help but get a full picture of the depth and breath of this national scandal.

Originally published in 1992, Berry's book is a classic. In the midst of the 2002 scandal that began in Boston with John Cardinal Law and has grown worse by day throughout the country, this is one of the best books to read to get a true sense of the complexity of the crisis. It also reminds us that what has happened in 2002 has happened before. All the apologies and posturing by the Roman Catholic Hierarchy become far less convincing or hopeful in light of the fact that they have addressed this issue before and made the same promises to the American Catholics before! Why are we expected to believe them on this go around?

To his credit, Jason Berry concludes his book with his personal reflection that his investigations did not cause him to lose his faith. This speaks to Berry's personal integrity and to his book's credibility. This book is not an effort to throw more rocks at the Catholic Church. Rather, it is one intelligent Catholic journalist's reporting of the facts.

If the Catholic Church wants to restore confidence in American Catholics, perhaps it should start by recognizing that we, as a group, are generally a well educated group of people who are no longer able to follow "the because I said so" approach to being "faithful" Catholics. Instead of bemoaning us as troublemakers (translated, not ignorant or timid -- apparently 'desirable' 'qualities' in a faithful people???),

Rome and the American Catholic hierarchy might do well to begin to speak to American Catholics in an intelligent, honest fashion, if they are truly sincere in their stated desire to restore credibility with the American Church, essentially its' people -- not it's institutional ego or ridiculous organizational structures.

A compelling read!

This three-volume set is considered a classic text of Catholic apologetics. The writing is clear, concise, and relentlessly logical. The arguments put forth are a remarkable combination of common sense, logic, and Scriptural reference. Not only does the book give Protestants, agnostics, humanists, and atheists a lot to think about, it is a fantastic resource for Catholics who desire a full understanding of our religious beliefs and practices, top to bottom. The big difference between Volumes 1 and 2 is that the latter responds to far more challenging questions, delving deeper into the same general topics covered in Volume 1.

I am often asked what book I would recommend to people considering conversion from Protestantism to Catholicism or to people trying to evangelize Protestants who have questions, even tough ones, about Catholicism. If it can be just one book, more often than not, this is the trilogy I recommend. Granted, it's 3 books, but all three of them together form one whole that answers over 4,000 questions posed by Protestants, Atheists, Agonstics, skeptics, etc.

Because of the wide range of questions, this book is very recommendable -- it doesn't only specialize on one single topic. And because the questions are REAL questions that other people have asked, many folks will find asked and answered precisely the same questions they've wondered about, in this work.

It is thoroughly indexed and covers almost any question that might come up in a debate with a Protestant or other unbeliever. It is extremely useful, as my experience in apologetics testifies. This is the work to turn to first when stumped on a particular issue. The wealth of information in this trilogy is unimaginable. Written by two priests. Imprimatur.

If you can only buy one source of Catholic answers--make it this one!

The Radio Replies volumes are a written compilation of the replies that two priests gave to a call in show more than a few decades ago.

The questions they answered are as relevant today as they were then. What is purgatory? Is there a hell? Why do we need a church? Why do you think the Catholic Church is the true Church? What is papal infallibility? Why the objection to artificial birth control?

The questions go on and on, but I doubt there are many that these two gentlemen haven't answered. Furthermore, I enjoy the brevity of the answers. If you want a quick answer on something the Catholic Church holds true, you need not spend hours finding an answer. Radio Replies will give you the answer.

The rest is up to you. I recommend this three volume set to anyone who wants to learn his or her Catholic faith in a "nutshell." These volumes would be of enormous assistance in answering the questions of the curious as well. If you are going down either of these paths, this set (even one of the three volumes) should be the first thing you get aside from the Catechism.

Most every question is asked and answered. You won't regret picking up this set.

This little book is a reflective how-to manual on continuous prayer/meditation. It takes the reader step by step to the point where he or she is ready to practice what today we would call the centering prayer. It was the text for a workshop on prayer I recently attended, and all of the participants agreed it was a great help. It's also a great guide to books and movies that deal with prayer and meditation.

I wish Walters has written this book 25 years ago, when I was struggling (fruitlessly) with prayer. My failure to make any sort of meaningful connection soured me on the whole thing for the next twenty years. Walters hits the nail on the head in this step-by-step retreat on prayer/meditation. The problem I made years ago, and the problem too many other people make, is that we try too hard when it comes to praying. Letting go is a lot more difficult than grabbing onto. Anybody who wants a richer prayer life will cherish this little book.

I don't much like your typical retreat or howtodoit spirituality book, but this one is different. The best way to describe it is a Zen approach to Xtian prayer, where the reader/retreatist discovers that he's the riddle that needs to be solved. Very good. (although I can't figure out what the description listed by amazon.com has to do with the book. seems like it should be for another book)

This is a good introduction to angels. It includes a description of the different levels of angels, their powers and abilities. But the best part is that the author provides steps that will help you to start accessing the power of angels in your own life. She also gives specific accounts of how angels have helped in other peoples lives. After reading this book you will realize that angels can help us in everything that we do; we just have to open our hearts and mind to them. They are there waiting for us to recognize their presence, and ask for their help.

This book is a real eye opener to the power of Angels. They touch every part of our lives and everyone should know how to access them, how to thank them and how to ask for their guidance. I could not put this book down until I was finished with it and I have marked many notes in it for my own personal use. This book has helped lift my spirits at a time when I thought nothing could.

Angel power is for me what a driver's manual is for my car. I didn't know how to access the amazing power of the nine choirs of angels before I read this book. I also was unaware of the pitfalls that angel power can eliminate from daily life. Too bad I didn't know about this sooner! Great read. Great information.

It was said of Paul that he wrote some things difficult to understand which some "twisted" to their own distruction. Well, I wouldn't say Mark Nanos twisted anything, but it sure was a difficult book for me to read. Mark did an excellent job of documenting his research and supporting his conclusions which I thoroughly enjoyed when I finally figured them out. Furthermore, I think his controversial positions deserve serious consideration & adjustment in the thinking of many , if not most, conservative Christians & evangelicals. My only suggestion is to shorten the sentences & organize the thoughts that have been penned a bit more concisely. Again, I was awed by the research & insight but distracted & sometimes left wondering where he started in a sentence (or thought) soley because of his writing style. Sometimes less is more. Is it just me?

Paul's letter to the Romans has turned out to be one of the most misunderstood books in the Bible. His words have been interpreted in such diverse ways as to launch various religious movements and spawn new theologies that are completely contradictory to the message that Paul intended. One such example would be "Replacement Theology." Such ideas are based in part on anti-Semitism, which in turn, is based in part on a misunderstanding of Paul's words.

The author notes that Paul is not well liked. "Jews often perceive him as a traitor, or worse. Christians often consider him arrogant and manipulative, at the very least, and among scholars and those sensitive to the integrity of the Jews and Judaism his perceived disregard for and betrayal of his Jewish heritage and the Jewish people is justifiable cause for suspicion."

Mark Nanos "locates in the author of Romans a very different Paul: a thoroughly Jewish Paul, functioning entirely within the context of Judaism, giving priority to Israel..." With this mindset, "The Mystery of Romans" starts to reveal a message different from what history and Christianity has perhaps taught us.

"The Mystery of Romans" is a fascinating book based on brilliant scholarship. There are extensive footnotes throughout. One of the most rewarding chapters, Chapter Three, asks and answers the question: "Who were the 'weak' and the 'strong' in Rome?" It was this chapter alone that opened up a new understanding of Romans for me personally.

Every once in a while you come across a book that you wish every Christian would read. This is such a book. - Ronni

Finally! This is simply a great book. Contextually sound, theologically based, and historically appropriate, this book peels back the layers of Romans and breaks it down into its simplest terms. The LCD (Least Common Denominator) is the focus of this study (The Shema) and if your eyes remain focused, the contradictions simply dissolve. If every Christian was to read this book and act according to the understanding that comprises these pages we would be united and the internal strife would end (1 Cor. 1:10-13). At the same time if the Hebrew people would read this text, they might not have the animosity they do toward Christianity, provided we live up to our end of the bargain. If you read this book and don't come away with appreciating the Hebraic roots of Christianity and a thirst for more, then your heart is hard. I don't give many 5 star ratings!

This book is awesome! I was reluctant to start it at first, but I loved it!! My favorite stories are Psyche's and Andromeada [not to sure if thats the right spelling]. Atalanta's was good though. I recommend this book if you love rOmance !

This was the best book! I especially love Atlanta's story. I didn't like Phyche's story that much at first, but it got better as it went on and now I love that one too. I also loved Andromeda's story. They were all great and I read it again and again.

Greek myths are fun to read, but they're even cooler when written in first person. I loved the perspective of the women in this book and found each story to be extremely romantic and engaging. After I read it, I went out and bought two other books by the same author!

St. Teresa's autobiography records her life up to the age of fifty. She is a simple woman, her writing not being anything more that the thoughts that come to her mind. She states in the letter that accompanied this work to Friar Garcia De Toledo that "Some things...may be badly expressed, and others put down twice, for I have had so little time for the task that I have not been able to reread what I have written." In spite of this, St. Teresa reveals mystical and spiritual wonders in beautiful description. Rather than a history of her works and the events that determine her worldly life, this book is more of a spiritual autobiography. She recounts her childhood desires and the early yearning of her soul to be with God. She talks of her illnesses and how she came closer to God through them. St. Teresa gives her description of different levels of prayer, which appear in both the Way of Perfection and the Interior Castle. She tells of the ways in which God spoke to her, at first in subtle manners to more salient ones later in her life. She received an increased number of visions as she advanced spiritually. God also begins to speak to her more directly. All this comforted her and guided her as she established the convent of St. Joseph's at Avila. In the convent's establishment, St. Teresa describes the opposition that she faced and her financial worries. Endowed with a will to reject the things of this world, she pressed on, setting a rule of poverty for her Avilan sisters. Throughout The Life, she wanders from her main point to give her understanding of several spiritual matters. The book is also permeated with her humility and self-abasement. Reading through this autobiography will benefit anyone wishing to read the Way of Perfection or the Interior Castle, her two other most notable works.

This book will introduce you to St. Teresa through passages such as her visions of angels, her vision of Christ, and the stages of contemplative prayer. Her writing is simple and easy to follow, but has great depth to it. The person beginning a life of prayer is presented as a gardener who must care for his or her garden so that it will bloom with flowers and good scents. Once the garden is well cared for, God will come to enjoy the garden. Eventually, a life of contemplative prayer, she writes, will climax to union and then ecstasy . Of remarkable beauty is her first vision of Christ, which is a vision of just His hands. The next vision is of His face. Even if you do not believe in such things or want to follow a path as intense as hers, her story is still incredible and worth the read. It is also an exhilarating read if you enjoy autobiographies.

Let me say right off that this was my first experience reading any of the writings of Teresa de Jesus (her chosen name) so I can't compare it to others.

Teresa's writing style was a mixture of the style of the time (full of disclaimers and self-deprecation) and the romantic language of the books of chivalry she loved as a child (she referred to God as "His Majesty", and used images such as castles and jewels). The result, flowing from her pen in an often (I should say usually) disorganized fashion, is fresh and touching. I particularly enjoyed her description of the soul as a garden: the Lord plants it, but we are to cultivate it in order that our Lord may take His delight in walking in it. She describes prayer as the water that nourishes that garden: first through great labor drawn from a well, but later as a free gift from God showering down from heaven. Her more developed description, covering four stages of prayer, is remarkable. HOWEVER, this does not make it the best starting place for beginners who want to learn how to approach contemplative prayer (they might do better with Brother Lawrence, Thomas Keating, or some of Thomas Merton's work).

I respect this translator, who included an excellent description on the decision-making process used in producing the translation, along with many footnotes referring to alternate interpretations and original Spanish text for concepts difficult to translate.

A personal quirk of mine which should influence no one (but I have to say it) -- I hated the cover art. While it communicates Teresa's vivacious personality, it is frankly ugly, and all who knew Teresa agreed that she was in fact physically beautiful. I know we shouldn't judge by physical appearance, but if God gives someone the gift of physical beauty why portray them as ugly? Again, my personal quirk meaning nothing.

Approach this read less as an educational experience and more as an opportunity to draw inspiration, hope and solace from the heart of Teresa: a woman who, weak and human as we all are, allowed God to transform her because of her hunger for communion with Him.

Over the years I have read many books that examine the early Christian church, as it existed within the milieu of the pagan Roman Empire. This book turns that on its head, and focuses on how the Roman pagans viewed the early Christians in their midst. Covering the writings of Pliny the Younger, Galen, Celsus, Porphyry and Julian the Apostate, the author uses the actual writings to show how the perception of the Christian church changed among the pagan Romans in the years prior to the advent of Constantine.

Though it is written in a dry tone, I still found this book to be absolutely fascinating. Not only did it cover Roman perceptions, but also the book gave me a real feeling for certain aspects of Roman religion and associations. If you are interested in the Roman Empire, or in the early Christian church, then I highly recommend that you get this book.

Robert Wilken takes a somewhat slightly different tack with this book of Roman history. He examines Christianity in the Roman Empire by looking at it through the eyes of pagan critics. Wilken states in his introduction that his goal in this book is to bring Roman history into closer conjunction with early Christianity. He argues that by studying the context of pagan critics, one can understand how the early Church shaped its theology and doctrines.

Wilken examines five pagan critics, starting with Pliny the Younger's letters to the emperor Trajan circa 112 C.E. Galen, Celsus, Porphyry and the Roman emperor Julian round out the cast of characters. As the accounts unfold, the development of Christianity can be seen clearly: from a small, almost unknown sect in Pliny's day to the powerful apparatus it became by the time Julian launched his reactionary attacks in the late 4th century. The attacks on Christians become more theological as time progresses, showing an increasing sophistication as knowledge about Christianity became better known. Pliny mentioned the Christians in passing, one event among many in his role as a provincial governor. By the time of Celsus, Porphyry and Julian, whole books are being written to refute Christian ideas.

Wilken points out that Pliny's concerns with the Christians mirror his function as a politician. With Galen, a concern for philosophical schools is reflected in his attack on Christianity, namely the creation doctrine and how it compares with the Greek conception of creation as Plato defined it in his work, Timaeus. Celsus attacks Christianity on several fronts, most importantly that Christianity is an apostasy from Judaism and that Jesus was a magician. Porphyry, a philosopher and literary scholar, demolishes the Christian view of the Book of Daniel and criticizes the Christian worship of Jesus on an equal footing with God. Julian takes criticism of Christianity much further, first by banning Christians from traditional Greek and Latin schools and an attempt to rebuild the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The idea of rebuilding the temple was an attempt to isolate Christians who believed that they were the legitimate successors to the Jewish traditions. By reconstructing the Temple, the Jews would be restored to their traditional role as defined in the Old Testament, relegating Christians to their rightful place: apostates of Judaism. The Temple project failed when Julian died on campaign in Persia and Christian emperors once again assumed power.

This is an excellent book that inspires the reader to pursue further reading on this fascinating topic. What is most relevant is that the same questions we ask about Christianity today have been around for almost two thousand years. This is recommended reading for Roman buffs and Christian scholars alike.

I see I'm hardly in the minority rating this book five stars; as much as I like to be different, there IS no other rating this one can deserve. Wilken makes his subject, which is rather esoteric, accessible and interesting -- I would call it absolutely fascinating -- to the lay reader. I read this book with virtually no prior knowledge of the very early history of the Christian Church, and it quickly became the catalyst for a million new paths of thought and things to research.

Wilken divides the book into sections, each headed with the name of a well-known and influential pagan critic of Christianity. There are four sections -- Pliny, Celsus, Porphyry, Julian (the Apostate)-- plus 2 chapters not focused on a particular critic. They are chronological, and each builds upon the revelations of those before it. This format makes the book wonderfully easy to follow.

My only criticism of Wilken is that he tends to repeat himself (it gets worse toward the end, when he is tying together the various critics interpretations), but I think he does it on purpose, to make sure the reader will understand the point. All in all, the reiteration does not detract from the pleasure of reading the book, and it DOES impress important points in your mind as you read.

THE CHRISTIANS AS THE ROMANS SAW THEM presents a fresh view of Christianity (one that began as very different from the Church of today) in a relatively short, clearly and even humorously written, well-researched volume that is surprisingly difficult to put down. Based solely on this book, I intend to read Wilken's other work soon.

This book is a fantastic treasure for any home library, and will make sure that you want to keep coming back to the series. The first of the Myth-O-Mania series is like a fine wine, in that it just keeps getting better and better. Don't listen to Zeus!

Have a Hot Time, Hades!
By Kate McMullan

Zeus's version of the myths is wrong. You know the story how Zeus apparently over threw Cronus the Titan and became ruler of the universe? Hogwash. It's about time to set the record straight. For the first time ever, Hades, King of the Underworld, tells the true story behind the myths. This book starts off when Hades and his five other siblings are born. Their Grandfather Uranus told Cronus that one of his six kids will be mightier then him and will over throw him. Cronus was so furious that when his first child Hades was born he swallowed him, and as the other children were born he swallowed the other four. Zeus was the lucky one. Gaia the wife of Cronus bundled a rock in a blanket and Cronus swallowed it. After many years Zeus was grown up and he got his siblings out of the stomach of Cronus. The Gods have to compete with the titans to rule Mt. Olympia.
You might know this as the Olympic games. Who wins? Will Hades be respected, as he show's his softer side? You'll have to read it your self.
The series includes book two, Phone Home, Persephone, book three, Say Cheese Medusa, and book four, Nice Shot Cupid. I think this book is good for people who like mythology and kids 3rd grade to 9th grade.

I love this book!!! In class we read a myth, it must have been Zeus telling it. The gods all have these cool gadgets and a sense of humor. This book is super fun!