Through this life, ridden with discouragement and struggles, we need a comforter to strengthen and support us. In The Comforter: The Spirit of Joy, Father Andrew Apostoli demonstrates how the Holy Spirit leads us to a deeper relationship with God and the perfect joy which this brings. Through the lives of the apostles and saints, Father Andrew shows the presence of the Comforter in every step of our spiritual growth. The Holy Spirit is always there, bestowing or withholding consolations to as to cultivate our faith and love for God. By his wisdom, he leads us through the three stages of spiritual development, from the beginning to the perfection of our holiness: the purgative stage, the illuminative stage, and the unitive stage. The reflection questions that follow each chapter encourage us to examine the state of our spiritual lives and challenge us to increase our efforts in pursuit of the source of true Christian joy, the Cross. Guided by Father Andrew’s kindly and experienced teaching, discover how the Holy Spirit’s consolation draws us more deeply into a relationship with God and leads us through the three stages of spiritual development. Discern the difference between spiritual and earthly joy. Be inspired by the lives of the apostles as Father Andrew leads the reader, step by step, through the “dark night” along their path to sanctity. Learn how the Holy Spirit can make pain easy to bear and suffering a joy to endure. Only by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit will we uncover the paradox of the Cross, where suffering produces joy and death gives way to life. Yet, with his help, we can embrace any suffering and surmount any obstacle that comes between us and Christ. Father Andrew’s insightful commentary on the Holy Spirit’s role in our spiritual lives compels us to a deeper appreciation and love for him.

The Comforter: The Spirit of Joy

Religion & Spirituality

Apostoli CFR, Fr. Andrew

Christian Books & Bibles

TAN Books

“When someone offers another person a gift, the first thing the receiver should do is acknowledge the gift, then express gratitude for it, and finally, put it to good use” (pg. 3). But what if that gift is the greatest gift imaginable—the Holy Spirit, God himself? Father Andrew Apostoli shows us how we are to accept the gift of the Holy Spirit: we acknowledge him by knowing who he is, we thank God for his gift, and we put that gift to good use by allowing the Holy Spirit to transform and perfect us as children of God. With charming humor, encouraging anecdotes, and clear explanations, Father Andrew draws on the wisdom of the Scriptures and the saints to explore the Holy Spirit’s vital influence in our lives. Indeed, only by the aid of the Holy Spirit can we hope to thrive fruitfully in our vocations as lay people, priests, or religious. The reflection questions that accompany each chapter inspire the reader to self-awareness and to apply actively Father Andrew’s insights to his or her unique spiritual growth. Rediscover the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Life, helping us to die to ourselves and to be reborn in Christ. Be restored in fortitude, patience, and perseverance by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Courage. Learn to grow in patience with one’s self, to avoid the misguided desire for human respect, and to respond bravely to our call to sanctity. Come to accept the Spirit who strengthens us to pursue love of God fearlessly and never compromise our convictions. Father Andrew’s The Gift of God: The Holy Spirit compels all readers to reevaluate their relationship with the Holy Spirit and to respond with fervor and gladness to the Holy Spirit, the gift and giver of all good things.

The Gift of God: The Holy Spirit

The ancient conflict between truth and falsehood persists to this day. Truth is rooted in the reality created by God, the ultimate source of truth, but the devil distorts the truth so as to lure people away from God. Today, confusion reigns. Modern society embraces relativism and easily falls prey to the devil’s falsehood; even Catholics often believe or teach false doctrines. It’s more challenging than ever to discern what is true, to order our lives according to it, and to share it with others. Yet the battle is far from lost. Christ promised to send “the Spirit of Truth”—the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, the Advocate. In The Advocate: The Spirit of Truth, Father Andrew Apostoli brilliantly examines the work of the Holy Spirit in our personal lives. He discusses how the Holy Spirit dispels ignorance, corrects errors, and opposes falsehood. In turn, the Advocate gives us the wisdom to discern the truth, the strength to choose to live according to it, and the confidence to proclaim and defend the truth. Father Andrew skillfully explains how human knowledge works, the relation between faith and reason, and how the Holy Spirit uses both to lead us to the truth. He discusses the vice that is at the root of all falsehood and the virtue that is necessary for acknowledging and living out the truth. Learn how to overcome harmful ignorance, develop a “positive hunger” for the truth, and why the role of Advocate is uniquely tied to the sacrament of Confirmation. The reflection questions that accompany each chapter encourage the reader to examine his or her own relation to the truth and to invoke the Holy Spirit for guidance. With this book, Father Andrew succeeds in his mission to inspire readers with personal devotion to the Holy Spirit and confidence in his constant presence in their lives. Through clear explanations, numerous references to the lives of the saints, and insightful challenges, Father Andrew encourages us to love and live out the truth, found with the help of the Holy Spirit in the will of God.

The Advocate: The Spirit of Truth

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Books by Apostoli CFR, Fr. Andrew

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Apostoli CFR, Fr. Andrew. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Comforter: The Spirit of Joy

The Gift of God: The Holy Spirit

The Advocate: The Spirit of Truth