CBB Interview with Mike Aquilina

Last updated on: April 13, 2015 at 8:57 pm By Pete Socks

PETE: You have been pretty busy recently with the release of The Ancient Path which you co-authored with John Michael Talbot, current release Seven Revolutions with James Papandrea and the soon to be released Ministers and Martyrs which is the companion to the NBC television event A.D. The Bible Continues. This writing pace is incredible. Can you describe your writing process, particularly from book development to final product? Mike Aquilina: The process varies with the project. Two of the books... Read more

Church Fathers, Day 265: St. John Cassian wants us to keep struggling against vanity

Last updated on: March 28, 2015 at 1:07 pm By Pete Socks

Keep struggling against vanity Vanity, or “vainglory” as old English writers used to call it, is a hard vice to conquer, says St. John Cassian. When you think you’ve beaten it, then you’re proud of your victory—and vanity is back again. All vices grow feeble when conquered, and when beaten are day by day made weaker, and lessen and subside both in place and time—or at any rate, as they are unlike the opposite virtues, are more easily shunned and... Read more

Church Fathers, Day 264: Theodoret says we are all equal in God’s sight

Last updated on: March 28, 2015 at 1:02 pm By Pete Socks

We are all equal in God’s sight When riots broke out in Thessalonica, the emperor Theodosius furiously ordered that the city should be punished. Thousands died when soldiers were let loose on their own fellow citizens. When Theodosius came home, the bishop, St. Ambrose, refused to let him into church until he had gone through months of public penance. When the emperor arrived at Milan, he as usual went to enter the church. But Ambrose met him outside the outer... Read more

Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle coming to New Oxford, PA

Last updated on: April 10, 2015 at 10:02 pm By Pete Socks

One of the exciting things I get to do through my work here at The Catholic Book Blogger is to bring speakers I interview to my home parish in New Oxford, PA. In 2013 we hosted Mike Aquilina, in 2014 we hosted Scott Hahn and in a few weeks we will welcome Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle. If you are near the New Oxford, PA area why not come join us? If out-of-town make a weekend of it and visit nearby historic... Read more

Church Fathers, Day 263: St. Ignatius of Antioch says the better you get, the humbler you need to be

Last updated on: March 28, 2015 at 12:57 pm By Pete Socks

The better you get, the humbler you need to be Maybe you think you’re doing pretty well in your faith. That’s when you need to be even humbler, says St. Ignatius of Antioch—otherwise the devil will attack you through your pride. I have great knowledge of God, but I restrain myself. I don’t want to perish through boasting. And even if I were confirmed in things that have to do with God, yet then it would be good for me... Read more

Weekly Giveaway – Seven Revolutions by Mike Aquilina and James Papandrea

Last updated on: April 8, 2015 at 11:19 am By Pete Socks

This week publisher Image Books sponsors the giveaway. One lucky winner will receive one copy of Seven Revolutions: How Christianity Changed the World and Can Change it Again by Mike Aquilina and James Papandrea (you can read my review here). I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me! Enter below. The contest starts at midnight tonight EST and will end 12AM EST 4/17 with a winner being announced later that day. Good luck! a Rafflecopter... Read more

Church Fathers, Day 262: St. Gregory the Great advises when things go well, remember who you are

Last updated on: March 28, 2015 at 12:49 pm By Pete Socks

When things go well, remember who you are Pope St. Gregory the Great sent St. Augustine of Canterbury to convert the pagan English. When Augustine reported that he had been able to work miracles in the sight of the English, Gregory reminded him that all the glory belongs to God. The better things are going, the more important it is to remember the One who makes them go well. My dear brother, with all the things you accomplish outwardly through... Read more

CBB Review – Seven Revolutions: How Christianity Changed the World and Can Change it Again

Last updated on: April 6, 2015 at 11:07 am By Pete Socks

Today’s culture may seem headed into a downward spiral. We live in an over-sexualized society with little to no regard for religion. One that tries to convince us that our wants and needs are more important than our neighbors. However we must understand our past to have hope for the future. In their new book Seven Revolutions: How Christianity Changed the World and Can Change It Again, authors Mike Aquilina and James Papandrea reveal history to us. Armed with the... Read more

Church Fathers, Day 261: St. John Chrysostom tells us to forget the good you’ve done

Last updated on: March 28, 2015 at 12:05 pm By Pete Socks

Forget the good you’ve done We need to forget all about whatever good we’ve done, says St. John Chrysostom. God won’t forget, and he’s looking for any excuse to reward us. But we can overturn all the good we’ve done by pride. Why do you constantly recall what you’ve done, and bring it up to us? Don’t you know that if you praise yourself, God won’t praise you anymore? And in the same way, if you deplore yourself, he will... Read more

Church Fathers, Day 260: St. Cyril of Alexandria says to humble yourself as Christ did

Last updated on: March 28, 2015 at 10:57 am By Pete Socks

Humble yourself as Christ did Pride attacks those who have exalted positions, says St. Cyril of Alexandria. What position could be more exalted than that of the Apostles? Only the position of Christ, who was God himself. That was why Christ had to take the lead in teaching them humility. The Savior works to root the vice of pride completely out of our thoughts, as the basest of all human failings, and worthy of universal and utter abomination. The holy... Read more