This timely and engrossing work brings to life the trials and triumphs of four inspiring women, Hildegard of Bingen, Catherine of Siena, Teresa of Avila, and Therese of Lisieux, whose bravery and intellectual prowess opened the door for new discussions on the role of women in the Church.

Only four women in the two thousand–year history of the Church—Thérèse of Lisieux, Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, and Hildegard of Bingen—have the distinction of being named Doctors of the Church because of their impact on the faith. In Set the World on Fire, bestselling author, retreat leader, and spiritual director Vinita Hampton Wright offers a four-week personal retreat that immerses you in the dramatic lives, historical eras, and groundbreaking ideas of these formidable saints and invites you to develop the grit, humility, pragmatism, hope, joy, and vision these women possessed. Each week of your retreat begins with weekend reading and prayer to introduce the saint and the primary topic of the chapter, followed by five days of morning and evening prayer. Much of the text comes from the saint’s own writings. Scripture, reflection questions, and suggestions for action are designed to help you engage personally with the saint and her wisdom for living your faith. Each week offers a unique and in-depth experience of the saint and her unique gifts to the Church: Week one: St. Thérèse of Lisieux—the young Carmelite nun whose autobiography sent ripples across Christendom—will teach you to love God through her Little Way. Week two: St. Teresa of Avila—a Carmelite who spent years reforming her order and gave to the world a spiritual masterpiece called The Interior Castle—will instruct you in trusting your personal experience of God. Week three: St. Catherine of Siena—a Third-Order Dominican who poured out her life for people in need but also gave astute, sharp direction to Church leaders—will guide you to live every moment with courage through the love of truth. Week four: St. Hildegard of Bingen—a Benedictine abbess whose spiritual visions led to books, poetry, music, art, and early scientific discovery—will show you how to engage life with passion and creativity. Each woman’s experience of God, understanding of spirituality, and timeless wisdom gained her the title Doctor of the Church, which indicates that through her life, research, study, and writing, she has deepened and advanced the faith.

Throughout the history of the Catholic Church, in her most troubled and turbulent times, God has raised up great saints as beacons of hope in the midst of darkness. Among these great saints, the four women Doctors of the Church stand out as models of courage, wisdom, and trust. Their example and teachings remain with us, are relevant to the challenges of our own day, and urge us on to renewal with unwavering hope. “Trust shows the way,” wrote Saint Hildegard of Bingen. These words set the courageous standard by which she, Teresa of Ávila, Catherine of Siena, and Thérèse of Lisieux lived. The phrase can be considered the watchword for the Church in every age, and especially in our own. In Women of Hope, Terry Polakovic introduces these amazing women and describes the troubled times in which they lived and persevered. These women remind us that God can work through anyone to bring about his purpose. They prove to us that, as Christians, we can live in confident hope, no matter the circumstances in which we find ourselves. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Terry Polakovic is cofounder of Endow (Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women) and served as president of the organization from 2003 to 2015. Before retiring, she worked in nonprofit leadership for more than thirty years. In 2010, she received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (“For the Church and the Pontiff”) award from Pope Benedict XVI. In 2011, Terry was recognized as an Outstanding Catholic Leader by the Catholic Leadership Institute. She is the author of Life and Love: Opening Your Heart to God’s Design (Our Sunday Visitor, 2018). She lives in Colorado with her husband, Mike.

Drawing from the timeless methods of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, this thoughtful meditation is enriched with examples and stories that offer practical and profound wisdom for aligning personal desires and goals with God's will.

This book is designed to tell ordinary readers everything they always wanted to know about these important leaders but didn't know who to ask. This is the only book that provides the perennial wisdom of all thirty-three doctors for any who wish to deepen their grasp of the roots of the Christian faith.

Evangelicals stand divided in their view of women in the church. On one side stand complementarians, arguing the full worth of women but assigning them to differing roles. On the other side stand egalitarians, arguing that the full worth of women demands their equal treatment and access to leadership roles. Is there a way to mend the breach and build consensus? Sarah Sumner thinks there is. Avoiding the pitfalls of both radical feminism and reactionary conservatism, she traces a new path through the issues--biblical, theological, psychological and practical--to establish and affirm common ground. Arguing that men and women are both equal and distinct, Sumner encourages us to find ways to honor and benefit from the leadership gifts of both. Men and Women in the Church is a book for all who want a fresh and hope-filled look at a persistent problem.

The Women Doctors of the Church is a beautifully illustrated introduction for children to four extraordinary women who have helped shape the Church. Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Catherine of Siena, and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux all faced unique challenges in their lives but fixed their identities firmly in Christ and became incredible examples of holiness. These women -- called Doctors of the Church for their intellectual and spiritual impact -- show us what it means to have a servant's heart, how to love God and neighbor, and why it's important to follow God's unique plan for our lives. Written especially for Catholic families, The Women Doctors of the Church brings these amazing women to life for young hearts and minds, reminding us that we are all called to be saints -- and maybe even someday Doctors of the Church!