Thomas DubayReseñas

biblical, theological, psychological

Anyone can achieve a reasonable level of sanctity, but the saints are in a league of their own. What sets them apart? Does holiness come more naturally to them than to the rest of us? Do they endure severe temptation? How do grievous sinners become saints? How has history been influenced by the saints? Are the saints relevant today? What do they mean for you? In answering these questions and many more, Father Thomas Dubay not only reveals what makes the saints tick, but also nudges readers toward the heights of sanctity themselves. It's an uphill battle for everyone, but the lives of the saints make it clear that great holiness is possible for all if we allow ourselves, as they do, to fall radically in love with God.

This books is not a review of the canonized saints but a book that answers many of our questions about them. Just a few of the questions answered include whether the saints are relevant for us today? Why does the Church give them such primacy and what characteristics differentiate them from the rest of humanity? What are the essentials for anyone becoming a saint? To what extent is their merit for sainthood achieved through human effort and to what extend through divine grace? If divine grace is necessary, the curious question is how does it come to be manifested in them? Are the saints by birth an exception to the rest of humanity? Fr. Thomas Dubay answers these questions and more by providing facts and offering historical examples while giving real insight into the lives of many of the saints.

Simply a must-read if you are in fact serious about taking the Christian life more seriously. Provocative and challenging in the nature of the message and yet careful, balanced, precise, and forthright, the late, great Fr. Thomas Dubay takes the issue head-on: does the Gospel call Christians to a simple, frugal life or not?

Few books have so challenged and convicted me in my complacency and none have left me more concretely motivated to become a more perfect imitation of Christ.

(Note - endure with patience the first few chapters. Dubay takes his time setting up this delicate issue. Persevere and you will be rewarded.)

This is a short book of only 122 pages. It gives the practical reasons why Christians do not grow in godliness, holiness and saintliness. It also provides the surefire means for coming into high level of heroic virtue in the Christian faith, as demonstrated by the recognized saints of the church. There are ten elements along with other necessary components. The author has derived his conclusions from his study of the lives of the saints. He has also derived insights from guiding others in spiritual retreats. Father Thomas Dubay is a recognized retreat master and a reliable guide. He is recognized as such by the Christian community

As someone who is just staring Spiritual Direction, this book was very valuable in setting my expectation for entering the process. What was especially helpful for me was the Q&A format that is used throughout most of the book. Those sections that were not Q&A were still extremely helpful in educating the reader as well. I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering finding a spiritual director or who has been at it for a while and wants to get refocused on the purpose of the process.

A great antedote to Richard Dawkin's blither.

Would go well with Matzko McCarthy's "The Good Life" in the parish study group I mention in my review of that book.

A good book for Protestants to read in my opinion. Described simply, in this book Father Dubay goes through scripture (esp N.T.) considering texts on discernment... and SURPRISE!... practically all of the texts emphasize the role of the authority of the Church in that task.