Biographies & History

The Catholic Church has been around for more than 2,000 years. That long history has been filled with love, truth and trial – and all of it has contributed to what it means to be a Catholic today. Studying that extensive history can bring a new level of understanding and love of Catholic teaching and traditions. From the early Church Fathers to Pope Benedict XVI, OSV offers a variety of resources that reveal the rich history and traditions of the Church. You can also read compelling biographies about key men and women who have served the Church.

	Doctors of the Church Author: Pope Benedict XVI ISBN: 9781612785769 ID #: T1273 Copyright: 2011 Pages: 272 Format: Hardback $16.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION They are saints and teachers, monks, priests, bishops, and nuns. They faced opposition and exile. They lived in periods of confusion and conflicts. Their teachings and insights not only brought peace and understanding to the Church of their time, but continue to anchor the Church of today. They used speeches, documents, poems, and songs to reach the people of their time. Now Pope Benedict XVI explores the lives and significance of thirty-two of the Doctors of the Church like no one else can. Taken directly from the pope's addresses in his weekly audiences, Doctors of the Church is an incredible journey through time to better understand these individuals who explored and explained the critical questions of the Church:
	The Extraordinary Parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux: Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Author: Helene Mongin Translated by Marsha Daigle-Williamson, PH.D. ISBN: 9781612789644 ID #: T1728 Copyright: 2015 Pages: 160 Format: Paperback $15.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION St. Therese famously said, "God gave me a Father and Mother more worthy of Heaven than of Earth." In October, 2015, Louis and Zelie Martin will be the first married couple to be canonized together. When they met, fell in love, and married in 1858, their lives seemed pretty ordinary. They worked hard-Louis was a watchmaker, Zelie established her own business making Pont d'Alencon lace-and went on to have nine children. Five survived, all of whom became nuns and one of whom is now known as St. Therese of Lisieux, perhaps the most popular saint in recent history. Through stories, chatty domestic insights from Zelie's correspondence, and running commentary on their faith and family, The Extraordinary Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux shows in vivid detail how Louis and Zelie created a joyful Catholic home for their family while coping with the demands of business and the daily stresses of ordinary life with their lively children.
	The Fathers of the Church, 3rd Edition Author: Mike Aquilina ISBN: 9781612785615 ID #: T1259 Copyright: 2013 Pages: 352 Format: Paperback $17.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION We hear the voices of the early Church Fathers even today. Their teachings, their guidance, their insights, and their sacrifice shaped the Catholic Church. They defined the canon of Scripture. They developed our creeds and forms of worship. They defined Christianity's distinctive moral sense. But who were they? What can we learn from their ancient teachings? What can the Fathers teach the 21st century - about holiness, culture, faith, and the Gospel. This is the definitive resource for anyone interested in learning about the Church Fathers and their legacy. Ideal for RCIA, catechists, clergy, as well as lay Catholics who want to learn more about the great teachers of early Christianity.
	Great Teachers Author: Pope Benedict XVI ISBN: 9781592765362 ID #: T1176 Copyright: 2011 Pages: 144 Format: Hardback $5.00 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION Discover the greatest teachers of the Faith as Pope Benedict XVI highlights their essential role during a time of scandal and strife in the Church.
	Hitler, the War, and the Pope, Revised and Expanded Author: Ronald J. Rychlak ISBN: 9781592765652 ID #: T847 Copyright: 2010 Pages: 642 Format: Hardback $10.00 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION Was Pope Pius XII a Nazi Sympathizer? For almost fifty years, a controversy has raged about Pope Pius XII. Was the Pope who had shepherded the Church through World War II a Nazi sympathizer? Was he, as some have dared call him, Hitler's pope? Did he do nothing to help the Jewish people in the grips of the Holocaust?
	Holy Women Author: Pope Benedict XVI ISBN: 9781612785103 ID #: T1214 Copyright: 2011 Pages: 144 Format: Hardback $14.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION "Dear brothers and sisters, history records almost exclusively the accomplishments of men, when in fact much of it is due to the determined, unrelenting, and charitable action of women." -- Pope Benedict XVI From Scripture through today, women have always played a unique and critical role in Church history. In his weekly addresses, Pope Benedict XVI expertly and thoughtfully explores the life stories of seventeen such holy women.
	Mother Teresa's Secret Fire Author: Joseph Langford ISBN: 9781592763092 ID #: T407 Copyright: 2008 Pages: 320 Format: Hardback $19.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION Whatever you thought you knew -- about God, about life, about the world -- Mother Teresa's extraordinary message will take you deeper still! Written by the co-founder of her priests' community Published at Mother Teresa's personal request to share her message with the world Revealing insights Personal stories
	Ordinary Suffering of Extraordinary Saints Author: Vincent J. O'Malley, C.M. ISBN: 9780879738938 ID #: 893 Copyright: 2000 Pages: 272 Format: Paperback $2.00 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION Do you know which saint... suffered the death of a child? Divorced and remarried without an annulment? Lived with a lover? Had an illegitimate child? Was a compulsive gambler? Suffered from mental illness? Was an alcoholic? Contemplated suicide? Was betrayed by a friend?
	Padre Pio Revised and Expanded: The True Story Author: C. Bernard Ruffin Revised and Expanded ISBN: 9780879736736 ID #: 673 Copyright: 1991 Pages: 444 Format: Paperback $17.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION This is by far the best life of Padre Pio in print. It tells the amazing story of the obscure Italian priest who became famous all over the world, both for his stigmata and for his miracles and supernatural insights.
	A Priest Forever: The Life of Father Eugene Hamilton Author: Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R. ISBN: 9780879739447 ID #: 944 Copyright: 1998 Pages: 208 Format: Paperback $2.00 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION The heart-wrenching story of a young man who wanted nothing more from life than to become a priest. This is the true story of Eugene Hamilton: a young man who dreamed of becoming a priest; a young man stricken with terminal cancer as his life was just beginning: a young man who, because of his exceptional spirituality, would receive special dispensation to be ordained early, who would become a priest just hours before his death.
	The Fathers Author: Pope Benedict XVI ISBN: 9781592764402 ID #: T677 Copyright: 2008 Pages: 204 Format: Hardback $14.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION "Let us now devote our attention to the Apostolic Fathers, that is, to the first and second generations in the Church subsequent to the Apostles. And thus, we can see where the Church's journey begins in history." -- Pope Benedict XVI
	The Fathers, Volume II Author: Pope Benedict XVI ISBN: 9781592767830 ID #: T1087 Copyright: 2010 Pages: 176 Format: Hardback $14.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION "Let us now devote our attention to the Apostolic Fathers; that is, to the first and second generations in the Church subsequent to the Apostles. And thus, we can see where the Church's journey begins in history." -- Pope Benedict XVI
	The Shepherd Who Didn't Run: Father Stanley Rother, Martyr from Oklahoma Author: María Ruiz Scaperlanda ISBN: 9781612789156 ID #: T1698 Copyright: 2015 Pages: 272 Format: Paperback $19.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION Fr. Stanley Rother was true to his word. He did not run. And was martyred at the age of 46. Fr. Stanley arrived in Guatemala in 1968, and immediately identified with his parishioners' simple, farming lifestyle. He learned their languages, prepared them for the Sacraments, and cared for their needs. Fr. Stanley, or "Padre Francisco" as he was called by his beloved Tz'utujil Indians, had found his heart's calling.
	The Smiling Pope: The Life and Teaching of John Paul I Author: Raymond and Lauretta Seabeck ISBN: 9781931709972 ID #: T54 Copyright: 2004 Pages: 256 Format: Paperback OUT OF PRINT For little more than a month in the late summer of 1978, Pope John Paul I captured the world's attention. For more than four decades, Father - and eventually Cardinal - Albino Luciani inspired those who knew him well and loved him dearly. The Smiling Pope presents the story of this humble man, from his birth in northern Italy in 1912 to the Vatican's accepting his cause for canonization (an initial step in the process of being declared a saint) in 2003.
	The Twelve: The Lives of the Apostles After Calvary Author: C. Bernard Ruffin ISBN: 9780879739263 ID #: 926 Copyright: 1998 Pages: 192 Format: Paperback $11.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION Who were the Apostles really? What happened to them after the end of the Gospel story? You'll be surprised by the wealth of detail Ruffin has dug up for each apostle - even Judas Iscariot.
	Those Who Saw Her: Apparitions of Mary, Updated and Revised Author: Catherine M. Odell ISBN: 9781592765980 ID #: T880 Copyright: 2010 Pages: 288 Format: Paperback $15.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION "...A treasure for those who seek to find Mary's presence, both in these astonishing appearances and in their daily lives." -- James Martin, author of My Life with the Saints
	The Witness of Early Christian Women: Mothers of the Church Author: Mike Aquilina ISBN: 9781612788029 ID #: T1608 Copyright: 2014 Pages: 160 Format: Paperback $13.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION Meet the heroines of Christianity's formative years! The Witness of Early Christian Women: Mothers of the Church demonstrates the radical nature of Christianity's understanding of women and their roles, especially in a pagan society that viewed them as little more than property. The variety of women here is striking: poor widows, consecrated virgins, heroic martyrs, but also businesswomen, the wealthy, and an indomitable traveler on a world tour. Each chapter features a concise biography accompanied by writings from the early Church about the woman in question.
	Heroes of the Catholic Reformation: Saints Who Renewed the Church By Joseph Pearce The Protestant Reformation began five hundred years ago, accompanied by an age of turmoil and secularism we can recognize even in our own time. Rather than shrinking from the crisis, the Catholic Church responded with even deeper, and more genuine, reform. We can do the same today. This Catholic Reformation was accomplished by many defenders of the Faith whom we now know as saints. Their holiness, courageous deeds, and sacrifices during this renewal of the Catholic Faith demonstrate the true heroism of saintly action and provide models for defending the faith in the modern world. Diverse as they are inspiring, these heroes and saints stood up to slay “the dragons of sin” while championing Church teaching. Their sacrifices left the Church — and the world — forever changed. Bishop John Fisher, Sir Thomas More, and priests Edmund Campion and Robert Southwell refused to submit to England’s secular tyranny and chose martyrdom instead. — Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, and Charles Borromeo, the reforming Archbishop of Milan, spearheaded the Catholic Reformation. Pope Pius V brought a spirit of asceticism to the papacy and ardor to the work of reform. Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross, despite enduring terrible suffering, surrendered themselves completely to Christ’s great mission of reform within the Church. The Heroes of the Catholic Reformation is a scholarly and cultured celebration of the saints who responded to the fierce oppositions of their time with courage and an authentic and lasting Catholic Reformation. Author Joseph Pearce invites us look to these heroes for inspiration as we seek to live the fullness of Faith in our fallen world. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Joseph Pearce is Director of the Aquinas Center for Faith and Culture at Aquinas College in Nashville, Tennessee, editor of the St. Austin Review, and the author of biographies of Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, G. K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and other Christian literary figures. ISBN: 9781612783895 ID #: T1756 Copyright: 2017 Pages: 176 Availability: Usually ships next business day Paperback $16.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION
	Positively Medieval: The Surprising, Dynamic, Heroic Church of the Middle Ages By Jamie Blosser Discover the Bible-believing, Jesus-centered, morally pure Christianity of the Middle Ages Superstitious peasants and relic-hawking clergy—if this says Medieval Christianity to you, then think again. Not only were those years filled with dynamic Catholic leaders and thinkers, but they flourished in times very like our own: an increasingly secular culture hostile to Christianity, threats to religious liberty, scandal in the Church, cultural degradation and more. In Positively Medieval you’ll encounter some of the leading figures of the time, men and women who not only passed on the torch of Christian faith, but also rebuilt society in the wake of the barbarian invasions. Their energetic response to very dark times will inspire you to meet today’s challenges with the same smart, creative, clear-eyed confidence. ISBN: 9781681920283 ID #: T1785 Copyright: 2016 Pages: 352 Availability: Usually ships next business day Paperback $17.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION
	Hurting in the Church: A Way Forward for Wounded Catholics By Fr. Thomas Berg “Hurting in the Church provides a psychologically wise and spiritually profound path forward for Catholics who have been abused, traumatized, or wounded by other Catholics — especially those in leadership. Chapter 10 on how to recover one’s belief in and love for the Church is worth the price of the book alone!” -- Sherry Weddell, Best-selling author of Forming Intentional Disciples “An honest and much-needed book that addresses … the many Catholics who feel marginalized, ignored, hurt, insulted and even abused by the Church.”—Fr. James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage “It took courage for Father Berg to write with such honesty and transparency, and his courage will give you courage—not only to confront sin and weakness within the Church, but also to give God another chance to help you rediscover him within the embrace of the Church despite the failings of her members.”—Fr. Jonathan Morris, author of New York Times Bestseller, The Way of Serenity “Here is an unflinching examination of the Church’s brokenness … along with practical advice and the promise of hope for the challenging path forward. Fearless in his assessment, Father Berg is equally confident that in Jesus and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can move toward healing and wholeness.”—Cardinal Timothy Dolan ABOUT THE AUTHOR Father Berg is professor of moral theology and vice-rector at St Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, NY. He earned his doctorate in philosophy at Rome’s Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. In addition to scholarly work in bioethics, he has also been published or quoted in Homiletic & Pastoral Review, Crisis Magazine, First Things, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. An avid runner, hiker, and cigar aficionado, he escapes as often as he can to Cape May, New Jersey. ISBN: 9781681920443 ID #: T1796 Copyright: 2017 Pages: 208 Availability: Usually ships next business day Paperback $15.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION
	Stunned by Scripture: How the Bible Made Me Catholic By Dr. John S. Bergsma, Ph.D. ISBN: 9781612783932 ID #: T1760 Copyright: 2017 Pages: 144 Paperback $14.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION
	The Miracle and the Message: 100 Years of Fatima By John C. Preiss A century old — eternally new. 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal. The message of Fatima reflects all the teachings of the Catholic faith. It’s a message so simple that children could understand it — yet one so rich that theologians are still mining its depths. In The Miracle and the Message: 100 Years of Fatima, author John C. Preiss describes in clear detail the Blessed Mother’s appearances to Lucia dos Santos and Francisco and Jacinta Marto (now the Church’s youngest canonized saints) and shares the background, sights, and sounds that draw you into the events as they unfolded over the course of the twentieth century. More than just a history lesson about the apparitions, The Miracle and the Message shows us how to claim the message in our own lives and fully embrace what Mary offers the Church and the World. Whether you know little about what happened in Fatima and want to learn more, or you already have a devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary, you will love The Miracle and the Message. Includes eight pages of photos. ABOUT THE AUTHOR John Preiss is President of the Fatima Family Apostolate International, a Public Association of the Faithful, founded in 1986 by the late Father Robert J. Fox. The mission of the Fatima Family Apostolate International is to promote the message of Fatima and the sanctification of family life. Paperback $15.95 ORDER HERE - ORDER INFORMATION