Against the Tide: The Radical Leadership of Pope Francis by John L. Allen, Jr. (DBX1015): Pope Francis fascinated the world with his humility, his compassion, and his radical vision for the Church. He welcomed the homeless into the Vatican, embraced people with diseases, and shook a complacent hierarchy. Shepherds, he said, should acquire the smell of the sheep. In short, as he urged young people to do, he swam against the tide. Also available in braille and BRF.
Recent audio additions
Here is a listing of some of the newest releases on talking book available from our audio library. These books will play on the machines provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). For more information on our audio services please click here. If you'd like a complete listing of our Talking Book audio library, please check out our catalog by clicking here.
Pilgrimage: My Search for the Real Pope Francis by Mark Shriver (DBX1133): Shriver retraces Francis’s personal journey, revealing the origins of his open, unpretentious style and explaining how it revitalized Shriver’s own faith and renewed his commitment to the Church. To help us understand how Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis, Shriver travels to Bergoglio’s native Argentina to meet with the people who knew him as a child, as a young Jesuit priest, and as a reformist bishop. Shriver explores how Francis's commitment has struck a chord in the hearts of millions who long to make faith, love, humility, and mercy part of their lives as they go out into the world to serve and learn from the most marginalized.
Essence of Prayer by Ruth Burrows, O.C.D. (DBX1338): Prayer is a word we take for granted. Ought we to do so? What do we mean by prayer? What does the word mean in the Christian context? Almost always when we talk about prayer we refer to something we do. From that standpoint, questions problems, confusion, discouragement and illusions multiply. For Ruth Burrows it is essential to correct this view. Our Christian knowledge assures us that prayer is essentially what God does, how God addresses us, looks at us. And what God is doing for us is giving us the Divine Self in love. What then is the core of the central message of the revelation of Jesus? It is the unconditional love of God for us, for each one of us. God the unutterable, incomprehensible Mystery, the Reality of all reality, the Life of all Life. And this means that divine Love desires to communicate its Holy Self to us. This is the richness of the vision of a contemplative nun who contradicts the heresy of so much modern writing about the spiritual life?namely that we reach God by running faster. The growing fascination for the public of the contemplative and monastic life is evidence of the profound appeal of this approach. For this there is a real hunger. At its simplest, we do not look for success so as to be assured that we do believe. We give ourselves over completely to divine love. Ultimately, we live for God and not for ourselves. Also available in braille and BRF.
Living the Sacraments: Finding God at the Intersection of Heaven and Earth by Joe Paprocki (DBX1309): Too many Catholics view the sacraments as isolated rites of passage disconnected from daily living, hoops to jump through, rather than as gateways to fulfilling lives centered on a spiritual relationship with God. Such a misunderstanding distances Catholics from the heart of their spiritual vitality and renders the Church less relevant to their experience. Paprocki opens up this critical aspect of Catholic life in Living the Sacraments. He presents the sacraments as a spiritual path. Their power and grace open our hearts to ongoing encounter with God. By inviting readers to delve into the mystery of God’s self-revelation through the sacraments, by teaching the essence of each sacrament without being overbearing, and by inviting readers to reflect the divine image of God, Paprocki shows us that the sacraments allow us to experience God’s presence in Church rites and through ordinary, tangible experiences. We can, and should, celebrate the sacraments—but we are transformed as we live them.
Who Are We? Henri Nouwen on Our Christian Identity by Henri Nouwen (DBX1182): Society teaches us to define ourselves by the things we have: belongings, education, experiences. Our inner worth depends on our surroundings. Spiritual master Henri Nouwen teaches you how to move beyond such traps and achieve a deeper sense of self. You will begin by looking at your own obstacles, for as Nouwen says, "Only when you are willing to recognize your darkness can you really receive the light." In the second half of this series, you will reflect upon spiritual communion and what it means to be "taken, blessed, broken, and given." You will transform your brokenness into blessedness, discovering how your life is meant to be a gift to the world.
Lent with the Saints: Daily Reflections by Greg Friedman, OFM (DBX1333): With insightful reflections, Fr. Greg Friedman draws on his love of the saints to offer daily inspiration during this season of repentance, forgiveness, and hope. Connect and pray with the Church's most beloved saints and holy people—Thomas Merton, Augustine, Francis, Clare, Damien of Molokai, Teresa of Calcutta, and Gianna Molla, to name a few!
Icons of Love: Married Saints by Michael Heinlein (DBX1216):Twelve short biographies of married saints and couples whose marriages were committed and conscious acts of the will, "in accord with God's will, to desire others' good at all times." Here's a clip about St. Gianna Beretta Molla and her husband. St. Gianna died shortly after giving birth to her fourth child, after declining medical intervention for a cancerous tumor during pregnancy to reach full term.?????? Also available in braille and BRF.
Meister Eckhart: Unlocking a Mystic's Spiritual Wisdom by Father Donald Goergen, O.P., Ph.D. (DBX1181): Today, Meister Eckhart (ca. 1260–1328) is recognized as one of the most significant mystics. Yet his spiritual doctrine is not easy to comprehend and has, at times, been misunderstood?even condemned. Now, you are invited to delve deeply into Eckhart's spiritual wisdom. As you will learn, Eckhart remains the outstanding representative of Germany's medieval Rhineland mysticism. While our knowledge of Eckhart's life is limited, we can see that he was an active mystic in his preaching, teaching, and writing.
Why I Am Catholic (and You Should Be Too) by Brandon Vogt (DBX1237): With atheism on the rise and millions tossing off religion, why would anyone consider the Catholic Church? Brandon Vogt shares his passionate search for truth, a journey that culminated in the realization that Catholicism was right about a lot of things, maybe even everything. His persuasive case for the faith reveals a vision of Catholicism that has answers our world desperately needs and reminds those already in the Church what they love about it. Why I Am Catholic serves as a compelling reproposal of the Church for former Catholics, a persuasive argument for truth and beauty to those who have become jaded and disenchanted with religion, and at the same time offers practicing Catholics a much-needed dose of confidence and clarity to affirm their faith against an increasingly skeptical culture. Also available in braille and BRF.
7 Days with Pope Francis: An Audio Retreat with Francis’ Teaching by Fr. Anthony Ciorra (DBX0976): Fr. Ciorra, invites you on a spiritually edifying retreat centered on Pope Francis' core messages. Pope Francis captured the hearts of the faithful throughout the world. Now, you can take a retreat with his words and example, opening the door to a deeper relationship with God. By walking with Pope Francis, you will discover the importance of dialogue with yourself, the world, and God. In this retreat, you will enjoy six conferences that delve into the heart of Pope Francis's message. Each conference begins with Scripture, and you will then interpret the passages through the lens of the pope's writings, life stories, and personal example. Don't miss this opportunity to walk with Pope Francis today.
