Holy Grit

A Saintly Guide to Becoming a Man of Virtue

PAUL GEORGE

Discover what it means to become a man of faith through the lives of ten male saints and their experiences pursuing holiness. In Holy Grit, you’ll join Catholic life coach Paul George to consider some of the tough issues facing men today—struggles in marriage, parenting, suffering, and finding purpose—to determine areas for growth and take steps toward living the life for which God created you.

You might have grown up with an image of masculinity defined by tough guys on TV—boxers, gangsters, cowboys, fighter pilots, the fastest gun in the West. These guys had courage, backbone, and guts. They had grit.

“As a man, I know the struggles of living a manly existence. It is one I deal with daily,” George writes. “I’m no expert, but I’m a gritty guy, like you, grinding it out on my journey.”

But George admits that grit isn’t enough to satisfy the longing in a man’s soul: you have to start trusting God and taking seriously the call to be holy.

Holy Grit is rich in personal stories, thought-provoking questions, spiritual insights, and mental health tips that help Catholic men like you build the spiritual foundation you need to serve your family, parish, and community. George invites you to examine how saints such as Maximilian Kolbe, Louis Martin, and John Paul II understood themselves as men. Learning from the lessons of the saints, George will help you explore how to:

• overcome vice with St. Augustine; • pursue God through your habits with St. Thomas More; • experience God’s healing power with St. Padre Pio; • surrender to the will of God with St. Peter; and • develop daily discipline with St. Paul.

Each chapter introduces a saint, offers practical takeaways for modern men, and includes reflection questions, an action plan, and a prayer.

Features And Benefits

• Paul George has a weekly radio show and podcast that reaches more than 10,000 people.

“Holy Grit does an incredible job of using the power of storytelling to inspire a generation of men to become who God is calling them to be. I found myself laughing along and relating to his stories while also being challenged to grow in virtue. I particularly enjoyed the action plans at the end of each chapter as they allow the book to be implemented over a period of time to have a lasting effect on the reader. I will be sharing this with the men in my community.”

—Jonathan “Bearded” Blevins Founder of Little Flower Media

978-1-64680-188-6 · 160 pages · $15.95

On-Sale Date: May 5, 2023

Foreign Rights: World · 5" x 7" · Paperback

Category: Catholicism / Personal Growth

Imprint: Ave Maria Press

When Your Days Are Dark, God Is Still Good Biblical Advice to Help You Trust in Difficult Times GARY ZIMAK

“We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) It’s easy to see the work of God’s hands when things are going right—a promotion, a new baby, or a financial windfall. But what about when things go wrong? How could God possibly make good out of illness, death, or betrayal?

In his letter to the Romans, St. Paul boldly asserts that God uses all the circumstances of our lives—good and bad—to express his love for us. In When Your Days Are Dark, God Is Still Good, Gary Zimak— author of the bestselling and award-winning Give Up Worry for Lent!—shares personal stories and scripture narratives to show you that God is not only present in your pain but also uses your pain to transform you into a holier, more compassionate person. St. Paul’s confidence was born of conviction as one who had endured great suffering for the Gospel—and had found God faithful. Zimak looks at the story of Paul and other biblical figures in both the Old and New Testaments to show how God used their painful circumstances to bring about good, including:

• Adam and Eve eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil—God didn’t abandon them, but sent his Son to undo their disobedience;

• The death of Lazarus—Jesus’s miracle of raising Lazarus brought many to believe in him;

• The disciples on the road to Emmaus were lamenting the death of Jesus—they met the risen Lord, whom they did not know until he broke bread and gave it to them; and

• Hagar, the maid of Abraham’s wife Sarah, is used to give Abraham a son—though she was cast out by Sarah, God made her son the founder of a great nation.

Each chapter includes questions for reflection and a prayer.

Features And Benefits

• Gary Zimak’s other books with Ave Maria Press have sales of more than 34,000 copies.

“In a fallen world, we all have our dark moments. Faith can be challenged at such times, which is why we need practical wisdom and encouragement. Gary Zimak always delivers and never disappoints. This book is a timely resource for us all. If times are good, it can help prepare us. If times are dark, it can help us persevere. I strongly recommend this book!”

—Fr. Jeffrey Kirby

Author of Be Not Troubled