People of God is a brand new series of inspiring biographies for the general reader. Each volume offers a compelling and honest narrative of the life of an important twentieth or twenty-first century Catholic. Some living and some now deceased, each of these women and men have known challenges and weaknesses familiar to most of us, but responded to them in ways that call us to our own forms of heroism. Each of them offers a credible and concrete witness of faith, hope, and love to people of our own day.
Thomas Merton was the consummate post-modern holy one: flawed, anti-institutional, a voice for the voiceless. But he was also a classical traditionalist: centered, obedient, in search of stability. He was a religious thinker of remarkable insight, a social commentator of courage and conviction, and a writer of startling virtuosity. Michael W. Higgins recounts the life of this insatiable wanderer. He explores the various layers of influence and evolution in Merton's thought and spirituality. This book tells the remarkable story of a life that remains to be understood from its beginnings and long after its premature ending.

Here is a collection of papers that were presented at a conference, Vatican II: A Universal Call to Holiness, sponsored by Paulist Press and Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut. Seven of the presentations are based on the seven speeches given by several cardinals at the conclusion of the council on December 8, 1965. The conference was not a critique of the council documents but rather creative ways in which the energy of the council can be marshaled in establishing the agenda and needs of the twenty-first century. The presenters and their topics: Anthony Ciorra: Introduction Michael W. Higgins: Afterword: Holiness in the Future; Holiness as Future Massimo Faggioli: Keynote: The Vision of the Second Vatican Council R. Scott Appleby: To Rulers Nancy A. Dallavalle: to Workers Sarah L. Heiman and Peter Denio: To Youth Roberto Goizueta: To the Poor, the Sick, and the Suffering John Haught: To Men and Women of Science Diana Hayes: To Women Fr. Michael Himes: To Artists