Title: Encounters with Holiness  Author: John T. Catoir, JCD  ISBN: 0-8189-1237-5  Paperback: xxxii + 176 pp.  Price: $14.95 + shipping  To Order call:  1 800-343-ALBA (2522)  Please have your Master, Visa  or American Express card ready. To order online click here.

The last century produced an extraordinarily large number of saints. Some of them have already been proposed for canonization, others have not. In this book Father Catoir presents a number of personal encounters and "Christopher Close-up" interviews that he had over the course of the last quarter century with some of the saints who are now up for canonization, as well as with a few others who will probably never be canonized, though all of them are among the holiest people of the twentieth century. In this work you will find fascinating insights into the lives and motivations behind the accomplishments of such stellar figures as: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Catherine de Hueck Doherty, Dorothy Day, Leon-Josef Cardinal Suenens, John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop Joseph Raya, Msgr. John Tracy Ellis, Fathers James Keller, Harvey Steele, Walter Cizek, and Bernard Haring, Mr. Fred Rogers and Mother Angelica.

 

Former Director of The Christophers (1978-1995), manager for three years of Eva's Village (a poverty program in Paterson, New Jersey which feeds over 700 persons daily), and Founder of St. Jude's Media Ministry which from 1995 to the present has aired on 1025 stations from Maine to Hawaii, Father John T. Catoir has dedicated the better part of his priestly ministry to using the mass media of communications (Press: countless magazine articles, weekly newpaper columns, nearly a dozen books on practical approaches to spirituality; Television: Christopher Closeups and various TV spots; as well as Radio) to encourage people of all faiths and no particular faith to believe in their ability to change themselves and the world for the better with the help of God. This is his ninth book for Alba House. His other titles include: God Delights in You, Dios Se Complace en Ti, Enjoy the Lord, Where Do You Stand With the Church?, World Religions, Stations of the Cross for the New Millennium, Joy and Enjoy Your Precious Life. Reviews Saints and more: The last century produced a large number of saints -- some who have been proposed for canonization, and others who aren't on anyone's list. In Encounters With Holiness, author Fr. John T. Catoir, JCD, former director of The Christophers, presents a number of personal encounters as well as "Christopher Close-Up" interviews over the last 25 years with some of the saints now up for canonization, as well as some who may never be canonized. Yet each is considered among the holiest of the twentieth century. Readers will find fascinating insights into the lives and motivations behind the accomplishments of: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Mother Teresa, Catherine de Hueck Doherty, Dorothy Day, Cardinal Leon-Josef Suenens, Cardinal John O'Connor, Archbishop Joseph Raya, Msgr. John Tracy Ellis, Fr. James Keller, Fr. Harvey Steele, Fr. Walter Ciszek, Fr. Bernard Haring, Fred Rogers, and Mother Angelica. --Crux of the News, May 21, 2007 The mission of The Christophers is to spread the message of Christ using the media. As the former director of that organization, Father Catoir interviewed many interesting public figures. This book compiles his interviews with fourteen well-known men and women whom he considers to be among the holiest people he ever met. The roster incluses Mother Teresa, Bishop Fulton Sheen, John Cardinal O'Conor, and Catherine de Hueck Doherty. An interview with Mr. Fred Rogers of children's television fame - the only interview with a non-Catholic - was the most touching one for me. Dorthy Day's words on beauty were also particularly inspiring: "You can find beauty even in the cities and in the crowds. Not if you walk along with you head in the air, but if you look... Beauty is everywhere and it has tremendous influence on people." Near the end of the book is an almost ironic interview with Church historian, Monsignor John Tracy Ellis. Although Monsignor Ellis died long before the clergy sex scandal broke, he challenged the Church hierarchy to be open and honest. He pointed out that secrecy and cover-ups lead to the kind of scandal that faith cannot tolerate. This book's best aspect is that readers can pick and choose the chapters (interviews) they wish to read. The chapters are not lengthy, and it is good to occasionally reread the words of figures like these who serve as role models in holiness. --By Anthony Craig in Liguorian, November, 2007 Top of Page