I will personally cherish this work, because I believe I will be able to use it to help others manage the ugly ogre of scrupulosity in their lives. If and when they do, they will discover something of that peace 'which surpasses all understanding.' John Cardinal O'Connor, Archbishop of New York To those who wonder why he wrote this book, William Van Ornum might echo Pope John XXIII when he was asked why he convened Vatican Council II: 'To make the human sojourn on earth less sad.' This book will surely do that for countless men and women who have suffered not only the special pains of depression and religious scrupulosity but at times from the treatments prescribed for them. This is a very great practical handbook for this specific syndrome but, because of its tone of profound human understanding, it is something more, a book whose gentle and seasoned wisdom will make anybody who reads it feel better and more courageous about facing the challenges of life. Eugene Kennedy, co-author of 'On Becoming a Counselor' God love you, Mr. Van Ornum, for your sincere desire to help people who are troubled in this way. I will pray that your book brings light and peace to many. Mother Teresa, M.C., Calcutta, India

Fr. Francis Randolph presents a very positive and practical understanding of the immense value of the sacrament of confession for the modern Catholic. Father Randolph helps the reader to see how the sacrament of confession meets the deepest needs of the penitent on the spiritual, emotional and psychological levels. Step by step we follow the different stages of the rite, looking at the various elements of the sacrament and what they mean for the average sinner in the box. The author draws on his own experiences, on both sides of the grille, to explain what is actually happening in this sacrament, and why it is so helpful for growing in the love of God and neighbor. Because of so much recent confusion over the nature and purpose of the sacrament, the book tackles the common objections and anxieties over confession, and recommends frequent confession for getting rid of stress and anxiety, and growing in confidence before God.

This book presents a literary and linguistic reading of obsessive-compulsive disorder to argue that medical understandings of disability need their social, political, literary and linguistic counterparts, especially if we aspire to create a more inclusive, self-reflective society.

Based on twenty-five years of questions and answers to the SA newsletter, this book is written for those who suffer scruples and those who care about them. It is a handy resource in times of doubt, helping the afflicted better understand scrupulosity, offering spiritual counsel, and encouraging healthy faith. Characterized by thoughts that can't seem to be shaken, and often described as a thousand frightening fantasies or like being constantly and unrelentedly pricked by a pin, scrupulosity afflicts tens of thousands of individuals, many Catholic. Their nagging questions and concerns are related to sin, confession, self-worth, sexuality, prayer, God's forgiveness, thoughts, dreams, and fantasies, and other areas. Fr. Santa has written a reassuring book, one that will ease a person's doubts and help restore true peace of mind and soul. It is a much-needed work that will also be welcomed by confessors and those in the helping profession.

Dear St. Antony Come around Something's lost and can't be found It's three A.M. and you're wide awake. Worrying. You may seek solace in snacking, or in a late-night call to your best friend. The problem is, even your closest friends need to sleep, and, let's face it, the snacking only adds to the worries. Where's a worrier to turn? To the patron saints, that's who. According to centuries-old tradition, a host of heavenly helpers is standing by, ready and eager to take a personal interest in you. Heaven Help Us shows you how to take your petitions straight to the top--to the martyrs and holy men and women who can intercede according to their particular areas of expertise: --Is true love eluding you? Light a candle to St. Anne on a Tuesday night --Are you suffering from a sore throat? Bake bread for St. Blaise --Is your wallet feeling light? Donate coins to St. Expiditus Categorized by anxiety for easy reference, and filled with lively biographies of dozens of saints as well as step-by-step instructions for performing the long-established rituals to enlist their aid, Heaven Help Us has the remedies to cure all your modern-day woes.

Antonia Lucia Labella has two secrets: at fifteen, she's still waiting for her first kiss, and she wants to be a saint. An official one. Seem strange? Well, to Antonia, saints are royalty, and she wants her chance at being a princess. All her life she's kept company with these kings and queens of small favors, knowing exactly whom to pray to on every occasion. Unfortunately, the two events Antonia's prayed for seem equally unlikely to happen. It's not for lack of trying. For how long has she been hoping to gain the attention of the love of her life – the tall, dark, and so good-looking Andy Rotellini? Too long to mention. And every month for the last eight years, Antonia has sent a petition to the Vatican proposing a new patron saint and bravely offering herself for the post. So what if she's not dead? But as Antonia learns, in matters of the heart and sainthood, things are about as straightforward as wound-up linguini, and sometimes you need to recognize the signs.