Seventeen Steps to Heaven: A Catholic Guide to Salvation

A reprint of Fr. Trese's 1961 bestseller, "Everyman's Road to Heaven," this work successfully applies the catholic doctrines elucidated in Trese's "The Faith Explained" to daily catholic life. The short chapters (no more than seven pages each!) spell out effective ways to avoid sin, cultivate desire for heaven, be courageous and compassionate, pray well, etc. The advice and inspiration is better and more persuasive than most books of this nature, and many of his points will linger with you. For example, I've never forgotten Trese's words on the temptation to judge others: ". . .There should be a corresponding growth in our understanding of our neighbor and his problems. This means that we shall be quicker to make allowances for the weaknesses and the mistakes of our fellowman. Words of harsh criticism seldom will be heard on our lips. We shall remember that, with our advantages, we are probably not doing as much as the person who, with his handicaps, seems to do much less. The man or woman I am tempted to condemn may stand far higher in God's eyes than I do. We do not know all the hidden influences that affect our neighbor's actions. We do not know the kind of home and parents he may have had, the inadequancies of childhood training or the inner wounds he may have suffered. God knows all these things and takes them into account in His judgement. I do not know them; therefore I do not make myself the judge of my neighbor's virtue. Certainly I cannot condone. . .the sinful actions my neighbors may commit. But, with compassion strong within me, my attitude toward the errant one will be that of pity rather than contempt. It will be a prayer for him, rather than abuse of him, that my mouth shall speak" (132). Diverse in subject and filled with wisdom, this title warrants a spot in every Catholic's library...