The Heart of Holiness: Friendship with God and Others

Reflecting on Scripture, writings of the saints, and his own experience, Redemptorist Father Gary Lauenstein demonstrates that the heart of holiness is friendship with God, who is love. As a result, our everyday experiences of our friendships with others are our stepping stones to holiness.

With simplicity and grace, this book helps the reader to meditate on his understanding of himself, others, and God, and to look at his relationships in the light of their purpose--to give and to receive the love of God. The author, who is an experienced and certified spiritual director, examines the importance, in any relationship, of attentiveness, communication, disinterestedness, and joy. He shows how our path to God passes through and encompasses our friendships with one another.

Reviews:

"In this humble, graceful treatise on love and friendship, Fr. Lauenstein deftly embroiders the fabric of Scripture and the Church Fathers with many insightful anecdotes and illustrations from his own long experience, showing how anyone--yourself included--can become clothed in holiness."
— Patrick Madrid, Author, Life Lessons: Fifty Things I Learned in My First Fifty Years

"Filled with wisdom and anecdotes, this is a wonderful and unique book on holiness. With quotes from Aristotle, G.|K. Chesterton, John Paul II, and many others this profound yet very readable and practical work presents beautiful reflections on the invitation to deep friendship with God. I highly recommend it!"
— Vinny Flynn, Author, 7 Secrets of Divine Mercy

"After examining the nature of authentic human friendship, Fr. Lauenstein uncovers many important parallels to our relationship with God, and concludes that the heart of holiness lies in an intimate relationship of love that is able to converse easily and often with God."
— Fr. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R., St. Charles Borromeo Seminary

"This book is a great read to help us encounter the unconditional love of God, and develop a deeper and lasting friendship with Jesus Christ."
— Sr. Susan Fischer, O.S.F., Redemptorist Retreat Center

Author Bio

Fr. Gary Lauenstein, C.Ss.R., has been a priest for forty-five years. His ministry with the North American Redemptorists has included teaching Spanish in a high school seminary, encouraging vocations, and directing novices. He has certification as a spiritual director. Currently he is a parish priest at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Whittier, CA.