Tag: Frances Alice Forbes

Saint Benedict, by Frances Alice Forbes, weaves skillfully the story of the life of this great saint. One of the most well-known and beloved male saints today, St. Benedict is widely studied, and rightfully revered for his austerity and holiness. This title begins with the state of the times into which St. Benedict was born, then leads through his early years, his leaving to go out into the world, life as a monk, leading as abbot, founding of monasteries, the Rule of St. Benedict, the saint’s visions and ability to read the hearts of men, his close relationship with his twin sister Scholastica, the death of the saint, and the spread of the Benedictine order throughout the world. A perfect read to learn more about the great “Founder of Western Monasticism”.

2 Hours and 24 Minutes.

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Saint Athanasius – The Father of Orthodoxy Audio Book is an enjoyable and engaging short historical work on the life of the great Father of Orthodoxy, St. Athanatius of Alexandria.  From the life of a young boy running the streets of Alexandria, pretending to be the bishop as he baptizes his friends playing the part of the catechumens, to the young man named bishop against his wishes at the Council of Nicea, then on to fighting the Arian Heresy and triumphing for Orthodoxy. Every turn weaves a great tale of this popular saint!

2 Hours and 57 Minutes.

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A popular and exciting short biography of one of the most influential popes in modern times. Pope St. Pius X went from poor farm boy to pope. A good student, who had high morals and was loved by all who came into contact with him, he went on to great works and needed changes in the Church during his papacy, to help the faithful face the great changes of the modern era.

As pope he condemned Modernism, allowed younger First Communions (at 7 as opposed to the previous norm of 12-14 years old) and more frequent Communion to all the faithful, reformed Church music & the Breviary, initiated the first codifying of Canon Law, and in his own words set out “to restore all things in Christ”. Not only were his works as pope remarkable, but of course his character was what led him to declaration as a saint, his love for all was truly touching. He had a special place in his heart for the “least of these”, the poorest of the poor and little children. A truly inspirational book a must read!

3 Hours and 39 Minutes.

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St. Vincent De Paul [c. 1581 – 1660] was a man renowned during his own lifetime for his great compassion, humility and generosity, with these traits and his wide-spread charitable works leading him to be known as “The Father of his Country”. As a young man he was captured by Turkish pirates, and sold into slavery . He escaped in 1607 and went on to become a priest with a ministry to the poor and neglected. His work included serving the poor souls of men condemned to work on the galley ships, orphans with no one to care for them, and missionary work to bring back to the fold those led astray by heresy.

In 1625 St. Vincent founded the Congregation of the Mission, a society of missionary priests commonly known as the Vincentians or Lazarists ,and with the assistance of St. Louise de Marillac he later founded the Daughters of Charity whose selfless nursing work in hospitals throughout the world and during many plagues is well known.

1 Hours and 54 Minutes.

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With the amazing ability of any gifted story-teller, Mother Frances Alice Forbes lays before us the beautiful life story of St. Teresa of Avila. Witty, gifted with great wisdom, charming and courageous, St. Teresa was the great reformer of the Order of Mt. Carmel, founded numerous convents and monasteries, and is universally considered the greatest mystical writer of the Catholic Church, for which she was declared Doctor of the Church. Beginning with her girlhood, and following along through her joining Carmel, years as nun, mystical call to God’s Mission for her, and finally her sufferings and death. This story is one of the best written about this wonderful saint!

2 Hours and 14 Minutes.

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A short and engaging biography of the ardent Spanish soldier who, while recuperating from a battle wound, was converted to the service of Christ by reading a Catholic book. The young Ignatius of Loyola was first a soldier from a noble family who fought in the service of the Duke of Navarre. As a young aristocrat Ignatius had a “love of martial exercises and a vainglorious desire for fame”. Joining the army at seventeen, he strutted about “with his cape slinging open to reveal his tight-fitting hose and boots; a sword and dagger at his waist”.

After an injury which forced him to be bedridden, during which time he read De Vita Christi, a book on the life of Christ, Ignatius experienced a dramatic conversion. He dedicated the rest of his life fully to being a “Soldier of Christ”, and went on to found the great Jesuit order. Formally known as the Society of Jesus, the order demanded an unprecedented degree of education, obedience, and sacrifice, and was immensely influential in turning the tide of the Reformation in Europe.

2 Hours and 11 Minutes.

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This book is above all things the story of a mother. But, it is also the story of a noble woman—a woman who was truly great, by the very fact that she never sought to be so. She understood the sphere in which a woman’s work in the world must usually lie, and with unflinching devotion led her life along the lines that God had laid down for her. She suffered bravely, forgot herself for others, and remained faithful to her noble ideals, and thus, she ruled as a queen amongst those with whom her life was cast.

St. Monica’s influence was great and far-reaching, but she herself was the last to suspect it, the last to desire it, and that was perhaps the secret of its magnitude. This type of woman is rare in this present day, but, by the grace of God, there are still “other Monicas” living and serving those around them with devotion. If there were more, wouldn’t the world would be a better place!

2 Hours and 4 Minutes.

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Saint Columba (521 – 597) was an Irish abbot and missionary credited with spreading Christianity in present-day Scotland. He founded the important abbey on Iona, which became a dominant religious and political institution in the region for centuries. He is the Patron Saint of Derry. He was highly regarded by both the Gaels of Dál Riata and the Picts, and is remembered today as a Catholic saint and one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. Columba reportedly studied under some of Ireland’s most prominent church figures and founded several monasteries in the country. Around 563 he and his twelve companions crossed to Dunaverty near Southend, Argyll in Kintyre before settling in Iona in Scotland, then part of the Irish kingdom of Dál Riata, where they founded a new abbey as a base for spreading the Faith among the northern Pictish kingdoms who were pagan. He remained active in Irish politics, though he spent most of the remainder of his life in Scotland. Three surviving early medieval Latin hymns may be attributed to him.

The story of St. Columba is not remarkable, however as much for his earthly works, and for the spiritual heritage he left behind. Known for many miracles, and a life of great sanctity, his story is inspiring and well worth the read!

2 Hours and 18 Minutes.

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