Showing results by author "Christopher West" in All Categories

Originally delivered in 1962 for artists - and made available now for the first time in English - St. John Paul II's (Karol Wojtyla's) penetrating spiritual exercises on divine beauty and its reflection in our humanity - and the art it produces - remain as timely as ever. The retreat itself, of course, forms the heart of this attractive volume.

Best-selling author, cultural commentator, and popular theologian Christopher West is one of the world's most recognized teachers of John Paul II's Theology of the Body. He specializes in making this teaching accessible to all Christians, with particular attention to evangelicals. As West explains, from beginning to end the Bible tells a story of marriage. It begins with the marriage of man and woman in an earthly paradise and ends with the marriage of Christ and the church in an eternal paradise.

Desiring to bring hope and healing to other victims, these men and women — survivors as well as their community of family and friends — come together to speak out about their abuse and betrayal by Catholic priests and leaders. These are only a few stories — but through these few are related the experiences of many victims. Contrary to conventional wisdom, these men and women are still active, practicing Catholics who love their faith. The abusers may have stolen their innocence, but through God’s grace, they weren’t able to steal their faith.

We all have powers, whether we realize it or not. Powers that are unique to each of us. Powers that may be dormant for some, and powers just being discovered by others. These powers are uniquely ours to cultivate and employ when they are unearthed. Yet how will we use these powers, once we are conscious of them? How do we gain mastery of them? Do we use them to help others or to benefit ourselves? These are questions that all of us must answer as we adventure forth on this quest called life.