Ever since its composition in the ninth century, the use of the Veni Creator in the liturgy of Pentecost and in Christian assemblies has been constant, as one continuous, solemn invocation of the Paraclete. Its language, however, is far removed from theological discourse but inspired by symbol, image and song, by poetry and liturgy, by prophecy and living models of holiness. The author is one of the foremost specialists in the theology of the Spirit. He has the master’s art of drawing the reader by communicating his own enthusiasm for the Holy Spirit.

Written particularly for the Charismatic Renewal in the English-speaking world, "Come, Creator Spirit" is a helpful guide for a better understanding of the Holy Spirit. In this detailed commentary on the famous hymn "Veni Creator," sung at the beginning of every new year, ecumenical council, and priestly ordination, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa describes the Paraclete and gives praise to its glory. Progressing through the hymn line by line, he provides insights, reflections, hymnography of Christian traditions, and testimonies of the saints.

This book describes the Church's experience of the Spirit of today, as well as the past. The biblical and theological base of the hymn opens the reader to the perspectives and inspirations in this book. Its Vision of the Holy Spirit in the history of salvation emerges as the reader progresses through the reading. In the celebration of the ecumenical character of "Veni Creator," this book draws from Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic traditions for al those who wish to seek a better understanding of the Holy Spirit.

Chapters are Spirit, Come " *Creator, - *Fill with Heavenly Grace the Hearts that You Have Made, - *You Whom We Name the Paraclete, - *Most High Gift of God, - *Living Water, - *Fire, - *Love, - *Anointing for the Soul, - *Sevenfold in Your Gifts, - *Finger of God's Right Hand, - *The Father's Solemn Promise, - *Gifting Lips with the Word to Say, - *Kindle Your Light in Our Minds, - *Pour Love into Our Hearts, - *Infirmity in This Body of Ours Overcoming with Strength Secure, - *The Enemy Drive from Us Away, - *Peace Then Give without Delay, - *With You As Guide We Avoid al Cause of Harm, - *Through You May We the Father Know, - *Through You May We Know the Son As Well, - and *And You, the Spirit of Them Both, May We Always Believe. -

"Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap, is past professor of the history of Christian origins at the Catholic University of Milan and a member of the International Theological Commission. He is preacher to the papal household and author of "The Mystery of Pentecost, Easter in the Early Church; The Eucharist: Our Sanctification; The Mystery of God's Word; The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus; Jesus Christ, The Holy One of God; Mary, Mirror of the Church; The Mystery of Christmas;" and "The Mystery of Easter" published by The Liturgical Press."

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The world was startled in 2007 by revelations that Mother Teresa of Calcutta's spiritual life was full of serious doubts and personal suffering for nearly 50 years. The other great saint of the last half century - Padre Pio - offers similar revelations of his own in this enlightening collection of short excerpts from his letters.
Many books have been written on the life and works of Padre Pio, but "Words of Light "is not a book about what others think or say about him. Here, he speaks for himself. If you are interested in the complexities and challenges of contemporary faith, you will benefit from these short teachings, counsels, and recollections culled from some of Padre Pio's most personal writings.
"In these letters I quickly discovered the same states of soul that were described by the great mystics. Padre Pio's own 'dark night' was in no way inferior to that described by John of the Cross, and equally the 'living flame' of his love for God dazzles the reader and allows them to catch a glimpse of another world."
- Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, from the Introduction

Deals with four different aspects of poverty in light of the Gospel message of Christ -- negative/positive material poverty, negative/positive spiritual poverty.

In this volume, a thoroughly revised and expanded version of "The Mystery of God's Word, " Father Raniero Cantalamessa engages the profound idea of the Eternal Word that becomes Life. The main and constant focus of the book is to show how the word of God illuminates and engages our existence. Cantalamessa uses the words of Scripture, particularly those of Jesus, to reflect on the meaning of a God who speaks, a God who is in relationship with humanity. By encountering these words in prayer and liturgy, we are invited to allow them into our minds and hearts so that we may be bearers of the word of God in the world.

"Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap, taught the history of Christian origins at the Catholic University of Milan and served on the International Theological Commission. He devotes his ministry to preaching and writing, and since 1980 he has been the Preacher to the Papal Household. Cantalamessa is author of "Come, Creator Spirit; Mary: Mirror of the Church; The Eucharist: Our Sanctification; Easter: Meditations on the Resurrection; The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus; The Mystery of Easter; The Mystery of Pentecost; "and "Life in Christ" (al published by Liturgical Press)."

Unity, joy, simplicity, beauty, truththese are the hallmarks of the three Persons in one God, the Trinity. In Contemplating the Trinity, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, the preacher to the papal household, invites readers to turn to the Trinity so that they can enter into and experience the relationship of love that the divine Persons share with one another. Convinced that Christians today need a spirituality that is more clearly trinitarian, Fr. Cantalamessa draws from theology, spirituality, and art to articulate this new perspective and its implications. As readers accept Christs invitation to immerse themselves in the bottomless sea without shores that is the Trinity, they will find themselves on a journey that promises a deeper understanding of how this relationship of love can be our standard for holiness.

In "Life in Christ" Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher to the papal household, presents a project ofre-evangelization and spiritual renewal based on St. Paul's Letter to the Romans. It is therefore neither an exegetical commentary nor a theological treatise, but goes straight to the heart of what animated the Apostle when he wrote this letter. His aim was not to give the Christians of Rome - and the Christians of later generations - a difficult text on which to exercise their critical wisdom but rather to impart a spiritual gift to them so that they would be strengthened and mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

At the beginning of the third millennium a new phenomenon is spreading through the Christian Churches which can only be the work of the Holy Spirit. Up to now Christians of different denominations have proclaimed Jesus Christ mainly in competition and rivalry with one another, thus compromising our testimony in the eyes of the world. Why should we not grasp this unique occasion to start proclaiming together with brotherly love our common belief in Christ, which is far more important than what still separates us? Pope John Paul II has espoused this project and has expressed the wish that all Christians take this opportunity for fruitful cooperation in the many areas which unite us; these are unquestionably more numerous than those which divide us."

"Life in Christ" is a contribution to the realization of this project. Father Cantalamessa has made the most of the insights and riches present in each one of the three main Christian traditions: Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant, avoiding those points not commonly shared by all believers in Christ, or at least by the majority of them. The Letter to the Romans lends itself to this aim because it deals with the basics of the Christian faith, leaving all the rest aside. It is the ideal basis for that "Common Witness" which is becoming more and more central to ecumenical dialogue. This is, therefore, a first and "partial" attempt to present a spirituality and a proclamation corresponding to the new grace of understanding and unity given to the Christians in the second half of this century.

Chapters are "Loved by God " "all Have Sinned," "The Righteousness of God Has Been Manifested " "He Was Put to Death for Our Trespasses," "He Was Raised for Our Justification," "God Did Not Spare His Own Son," "Let Not Sin Reign in Your Mortal Bodies " "The Law of the Spirit Which Gives Life," "The Spirit Intercedes for Us," "Let Love Be Sincere," "Don't Think Too Highly of Yourselves," "By One Man's Obedience," and "Let Us Put on the Armor of Light."

"Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap, is a past professor of the history of Christian origins at the Catholic University of Milan and a member of the International Theological Commission. He is preacher to the papal household and the author of "The Mystery of Pentecost," "Easter in the Early Church"; "The Eucharist: Our Sanctification"; "The Mystery of God's Word"; "The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus"; "Jesus Christ, The Holy One of God"; "Mary, Mirror of the Church"; "The Mystery of Christmas"; and "The Mystery of Easter" published by The Liturgical Press.""

These meditations present the mystery of Pentecost, from Luke in Acts, John in his Gospel, and Paul in his Letters. By placing these diverse but complementary points of view together, Cantalamessa provides priests, students, and interested lay people with a three-dimensional image of the coming of the Spirit, particularly suited to promote catechesis and devotion. Fr. Cantalamessa originally presented these meditations in his capacity as preacher to the papal household.Chapters are And They Began to Speak in Different Tongues: The Lukan Pentecost and the Spirit of Unity, You Will Receive Power When the Holy Spirit Comes Upon You: The Lukan Pentecost and the Spirit of Prophecy, He Breathed on Them and Said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit': The Johannine Pentecost and the Spirit of Truth, But One and the Same Spirit Produces all of These: The Pauline Pentecost and the 'Person' of the Holy Spirit.Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., is a past professor of the history of Christian origins at the Catholic University of Milan and a member of the International Theological Commission. He is currently preacher to the papal household. He is the author of Easter in the Early Church; The Eucharist: Our Sanctification; The Mystery of God's Word; The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus; Jesus Christ, The Holy One of God; Mary, Mirror of the Church; The Mystery of Christmas; and The Mystery of Easter published by The Liturgical Press.

The charismatic renewal is a sign of the continuing relevance of the Holy Spirit for the baptized and gives life and direction to the Church in its mission in the world. Appearing soon after the close of Vatican II, the charismatic renewal has been one of a number of movements of the Spirit in the Church marked by a call to holiness and evangelization.

"Cal to Holiness" gathers the wisdom within the renewal, thirty years after its beginnings, to help guide its continued life. This document evolved out of several years of consultation with leaders, theologians, and bishops associated with the charismatic renewal from various national backgrounds. Theologians not associated with the charismatic renewal have also been consulted.

The document covers the vocation to holiness, the experience of the Spirit, Baptism in the Holy Spirit, the charisms, forms of community life, and the call to evangelize. Chapters are The Spiritual Renewal Coming from the Council," "The Experience of the Holy Spirit and its Fruits," and "Gifted for Mission."

"Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes is President of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum." He was Vice-President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity from 1981-1996. For ten years he was, at the appointment of Pope John Paul II, the "Episcopal Advisor" to the International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (ICCRS) in Rome. In this capacity he followed His Eminence Cardinal Leon-Joseph Suenens, the late Archbishop of Malines, Belgium.""

Those who preach the Word, those who proclaim it from a lectern, and those who hear it will all find something to inspire them to greater appreciation of the mystery of God's Word in this collection of reflections. The reflections are developed around eight themes: Jesus Began to Preach" addresses the mystery of the Word in salvation history. "Go and Proclaim the Gospel" makes the connection between the Word and the Church. "When I Found Your Words . . ." speaks to those who proclaim the Word. "We Preach Christ Jesus as Lord" reflects on the content of Christian preaching. "For Every Careless Word . . ." warns against confusing human words with the divine Word. "You Will Receive Power from the Holy Spirit" affirms the role of the Holy Spirit in the proclamation of the Word. "Welcome the Word" affirms the place of God's Word in our everyday lives. "The Letter Brings Death But the Spirit Gives Life" attests to the role of the Spirit in the interpretation of the Bible and in the life of the Church.

In the New Testament, Jesus reassures the Apostles before he ascends to heaven by saying, You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses . . . to the ends of the earth." What of this Spirit? In what way was that Spirit manifested in Jesus' ministry on earth? What does it offer us? And ask of us?

These reflections by the preacher to the papal household coalesce biblical and doctrinal thought on the gifts conferred by anointing in the Spirit - kingly, prophetic, and priestly - onto Christ and through Christ to the Church. As one well accustomed to illuminating the Word to his audience, Father Cantalamessa bestows on readers an understanding of the Holy Spirit that is both practical and profound."

What does the paschal mystery mean in the context of the rite - past and present - and in Christian life and death?

Students of the liturgy and preachers will find in these pages a thoughtful examination of the mystery of Easter. Father Cantalamessa, the preacher to the papal household, is in full command of both the scholarly and the pastoral implications of the Easter rite. From his words you will gain the insight to articulate this mystery within the liturgy and within life so that it will imbue with hope and awe all those who come to celebrate it.

The Eucharist should not be limited to the congregation that gathers to hear the word of God and proclaim its faith. It is, first of all, the active presence of the sacrifice of Christ, who gathers us together and lets us partake of his divine life through his body and blood in Communion.

Christians are always hoping to find helpful ways to contemplate the eucharistic mystery in all its fullness, and this set of meditations by Father Raniero Cantalamessa - presented by him in the presence of Pope John Paul II - is written in a simple and warm style and nourished by Scripture and the teachings of the Church Fathers from both the East and the West. These meditations answer the needs of all who hope to experience the radiant and radiating Eucharist that shines into their hearts and into the life of the Church.

Mary is a great gift and example to all Christians because in her God's Word was written and by her it was accepted and its grace manifested. In this she is, as the title indicates, a mirror of the Church, the people of God. She reflects what we are called to be.

While this work cannot help but discuss aspects of Mariology, it is not so much a study as it is a pilgrimage. Reflecting on and following Mary's example, as Father Cantalamessa presents it here, we enter into a pilgrimage of listening and obedience to God's Word.