Audiobooks by Alicia Von Stamwitz

Believe in Love: Inspiring Words from Pope Francis

'Knowing how to love is never a thing acquired once and for all. We must begin anew every day. We must practice it.... We have to learn the art of loving every day.' — Pope Francis, Regina Coeli, May 21, 2017 When Jorge Bergoglio was a young Jesuit, he wrote a statement of his personal beliefs. It began, “I want to believe in God the Father who loves me like a child, and in Jesus, the Lord who infused my life with His Spirit, to make me smile and so carry me to the eternal Kingdom of life.” The elements of this credo inspired the selection and arrangement of the reflections gathered here: Pope Francis’s thoughts on love for God and each other, and most importantly God’s love for us. Here are his most intimate thoughts about the purpose and promise of love, “the greatest power for the transformation of reality.” Whether you are at the beginning, middle, or end of your spiritual journey, may Pope Francis’s words open your eyes to true love: the kind of love that will never end.

Alicia Von Stamwitz, Pope Francis (Author), Douglas James (Narrator)

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Mother Mary: Inspiring Words from Pope Francis

Our journey of faith is the same as that of Mary, and so we feel that she is particularly close to us. As far as faith, the hinge of the Christian life, is concerned, the Mother of God shared our condition. She had to take the same path as ourselves, a path which is sometimes difficult and obscure. She had to advance in the 'pilgrimage of faith.' Our pilgrimage of faith has been inseparably linked to Mary ever since Jesus, dying on the Cross, gave her to us as our Mother, saying: "Behold your Mother!" (Jn 19:27). -Pope Francis, Homily, Solemnity of Mary Most Holy, Mother of God, January 1, 2014 As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Pope Francis encouraged devotion to "Our Lady, Undoer of Knots." On the first day after his election to the papacy, he visited the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome to place flowers on the altar and pray for Mary's help and protection. Since that day, he has continued to shine a light on the woman he calls "the first pilgrim" and "the perfect disciple." The writings, homilies, prayers, talks, and even tweets of Pope Francis in this book gather his most important and inspiring words about Mary. For Pope Francis, Mary is an icon of wisdom, strength, courage and joyful hope. Her unconditional "yes" to God encourages modern believers to say "yes" to God's call today. We must turn to Mary often, he says, for she is a mighty intercessor and a faithful companion on our spiritual journey. "Mary is so closely united to Jesus because she received from him the knowledge of the heart, the knowledge of faith, nourished by her experience as a mother and by her close relationship with her Son." -Pope Francis, January 1, 2015 Because Pope Francis highlights Mary's "feminine genius" and her receptivity to divine guidance-something to which believers of many religious tradition aspire-people of many faiths will find nourishment in the Pope's words.

Alicia Von Stamwitz, Pope Francis (Author), Douglas James (Narrator)

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Caring for Creation: Inspiring Words from Pope Francis

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty… —Pope Francis, “A Prayer for the Earth” Since his inaugural Mass in March 2013, Pope Francis has frequently reminded a global audience that care for creation is among his highest priorities. As a world leader with a background in science who heads a two thousand-year-old Church, the pope is uniquely qualified to articulate a compelling vision and mission for the future. The writings, homilies, prayers, talks, and even tweets of Pope Francis in this book gather his most important and inspiring words about our shared responsibility to protect, nurture, and care for “our common home.” The planet is in peril, the pope is telling us, along with the well being of the poor who depend on the earth’s natural resources. He chastises world leaders and challenges ordinary people, reminding us that our foolish actions and careless decisions are placing lives at risk. He decries our current assaults on the natural environment and warns of the consequences of climate change. Still, his message is always ultimately one of hope. In Caring for Creation, Pope Francis’s words reveal that he believes we can move towards a new kind of conversion—a higher level of consciousness, action, and advocacy that will spark “a bold cultural revolution.” The audio edition of this book can be downloaded via Audible.

Alicia Von Stamwitz, Pope Francis (Author), Douglas James (Narrator)

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The Blessing of Family: Inspiring Words from Pope Francis

Pope Francis cares deeply about the health and happiness not only of today’s families, but also of tomorrow’s families. The pope continues to keep the theme of the family in the forefront through his speeches, homilies, addresses, and writings. Published in cooperation with the Libreria Editrice Vaticana, the Vatican Publishing House, this original collection brings Pope Francis’s teachings on the importance of family into focus in an elegant way. It covers themes of love and marriage, the promise of young people, and the vocation and mission of the family. The audio edition of this book can be downloaded via Audible.

Alicia Von Stamwitz, Pope Francis (Author), Douglas James (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Spirit of Saint Francis: Inspiring Words from Pope Francis

"Some people want to know why I wished to be called Francis. For me, Francis of Assisi is the man of poverty, the man of peace, the man who loves and protects creation." - Pope Francis, March 16, 2013. Published in cooperation with the Libreria Editrice Vaticana, the Vatican Publishing House, this original collection brings the life and legacy of Saint Francis of Assisi to life through the pope's uplifting and challenging words.By taking the name of one of the most venerated figures in Christendom, Pope Francis set a high bar for his papacy. Saint Francis renounced wealth and honor in order to proclaim the Gospel message to a lost generation. His exuberant love for God and radical example of Christian life awakened hope in countless followers and renewed the Church. Pope Francis's inspirational homilies, addresses, and writings on Franciscan ideals such as simplicity, humility, forgiveness, joy, compassion, peacemaking, and care for creation give you a simple way to renew your faith.

Alicia Von Stamwitz, Pope Francis (Author), Douglas James (Narrator)

Audiobook