Matthew Swizdor (–1999)

'Jesus now called the twelve together and gave them power and authority to overcome all demons and to cure diseases' (Lk 9,1). 'They expelled any demons, anointed the sick with oil, and worked many cures' (Mk 6,13). '...the sick upon whom they lay their hands will recover' (Mk 16,18). 'They in turn are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name (of the Lord.) This prayer uttered in faith will reclaim the one who is ill, and the Lord will restore him to health' (Jas 5,14-15). 'I solemnly assure you, the man who has faith in me will do the works I do, and greater far than these' (Jn 14,12). 'May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, grant you a spirit of wisdom and insight to know him clearly. May he enlighten your innermost vision that you may know...the immeasurable scope of his power in us who believe. It is like the strength he showed in raising Christ from the dead...' (Eph 1,17-20). A personal testimony of healing ministry of a Catholic Priest Matthew Swizdor. Including his early questioning, His background and insights, The Early Beginning of his healing ministry, reported healings, a healing service, Life in the Spirit Series and Talks on Healing. 155 pages, copyright 1983, Scripture Text New American Bible copyright 1970 Contents Chapter I Introduction Chapter II Early questioning Chapter III Background, personal testimony, insights Chapter IV Early beginnings Chapter V Reported healings Chapter VI A healing service Chapter VII Life in the spirit series Chapter VIII Talks on healing Appendix… (mer)

God in Me is an old, but still effective little volume on God's purifying love (a.k.a. "sanctifying grace" or "God's life in you"). It could also have been subtitled "Why Catholics should receive the sacraments" or "Confession is really important, you should go". According to the introduction, it is an expansion of an earlier pamphlet for children on the subject that had been overwhelmingly popular. The book is still geared towards young adults, but written so that old adults can enjoy and benefit from it too. The author leans heavily on analogies and simple experiments to make his points, which works better than one might expect. Although all the facts about the life-cycle of the butterfly in the last chapter were really a bit much.

There are lots of vintage illustrations (always a plus), one of which looks remarkably like one of my aunts in the late 60s (peroxide blonde with flipped out ends).

Overall, a good book to seek out if you're trying to learn more about sanctifying grace or just trying to figure out what on Earth that might be, or if you enjoy old Catholic books.… (mer)