The Fulfillment of All Desire [Paperback]

Ralph Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2006

Drawing upon the teaching of seven Spiritual Doctors of the Church, Ralph Martin presents an in-depth study of the journey to God. This book provides encouragement and direction for the pilgrim who desires to know, love, and serve our Lord.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ralph Martin has been a leader in renewal movements in the Church for many years, and the author of many books, articles, and audio albums on contemporary issues in the life of the Church and the teachings of the saints. He is currently Director of Graduate Programs in the New Evangelization at Sacred Heat Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Detroit and Assistant Professor of Theology. He continues to lead the work of Renewal Ministries, an organization devoted to Catholic Renewal and Evangelization and hosts the weekly television program The Choices We Face. He and his wife Anne are parents of six children and grandparents of five and reside in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Emmaus Road Publishing (July 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931018367
• ISBN-13: 978-1931018364
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Catholicism > Inspirational

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

121 of 123 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Supremely wonderful beyond words., October 28, 2006

By 

J. Connolly "jconnol1" (TAMPA, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Fulfillment of All Desire (Paperback)

I wish I could give this outstanding book a "10." The author weaves a sublimely beautiful tapestry on the spiritual life and man's search for God, guided by seven doctors of the Christian Church who were magnificently blessed from beyond the natural realm with overflowing gifts of wisdom and supernatural advice. The most profoundly moving sentence of this nearly 500-page book that exquisitely summarizes it can be found on page 229: "...we're all in desperate need of God, of His forgiveness, of His love, of His Holy Spirit, and all of us need to abandon our pride, admit our need, and come to the foot of the Cross to receive mercy and forgiveness. And we need to stay there." I have never read a truer or more touching description of the human condition.

Providing us abundant hope and consolation amid this valley of tears we call Earth is the incredible quote from St. John of the Cross on the 3rd page from the book's end: "In the first place it should be known that if anyone is seeking God, the Beloved is seeking that person much more." This book is saturated with Scripture and the holy writings of seven of the greatest canonized saints in the history of the Church. It is a "keeper" to be read again and again. To ignore this book is to do yourself a great injustice. It is simply wonderful beyond words.

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guidebook for Sainthood, January 16, 2007

By 

Glenn K. Smith (Schoharie, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fulfillment of All Desire (Paperback)

This book is a must-read for anyone truly interested in following the teachings of Jesus and in being His disciple. In a very accessible style, Ralph Martin presents the teachings of six of the greatest saints in Church history, who by their lives and writings have bequeathed to us a treasury of wisdom. It's amazing how clearly Mr. Martin plumbs the spiritual depths of the likes of St. John of the Cross, St Augustine, and St. Teresa of Avila, among others, in such a way as to make their writings both compelling and comforting at the same time.

That being said, I warn you; if you don't want to be challenged in the way you are living your Christian life, then this book is not for you. With its penetrating exploration of Scripture and saints' writings, I can honestly say that "The Fulfillment of All Desire" has haunted me in a bittersweet way.

To sum up, I'm glad Ralph Martin wrote it, and by the grace of God, I will continue to muster up the courage to study it and most of all, try to live it. I can do no less, for Jesus taught, " Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for holiness, for they shall have their fill."-Matt. 5:6

62 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seven Spiritual Directors - The Doctors are In!, May 9, 2007

By 

Terry Fenwick (Half Moon Bay, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Fulfillment of All Desire: A Guidebook for the Journey to God Based on the Wisdom of the Saints (Hardcover)

I am still reading this book - but I read a page or two - then rush to Amazon to order a copy for a friend who will love it; read another page or two or three - put it down, swooning a bit while running to the computer to order another copy for someone I know who will love it - at this rate I may never finish this book! But, this I know for certain - The Fulfillment of All Desire is going to be one of my favorite books of all time. It is already changing my life! I give it 10 stars so you must double my rating, Amazon!

Ralph Martin may have done his finest work and The Fulfullment of All Desire possibly will be his finest hour. This book does not just tell us what we need to do - and what we already know we need to do - it tells us how to do it!!! These Doctors of the Church have "been-there-and-back" and know how to help us find our way. As we listen and learn, we will begin to live the life of one with the Saintly Fulfillment of All Desire. Just order this book! I am working on "affection for sin" right now.

The Doctors are in! St. Augustine, St. Francis De Sales (I am in his office), St. Catherine of Siena, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Lisieux. I have a message from one of these doctors and it is this: "In the first place it should be known that if anyone is seeking God, the Beloved is seeking that person much more." That is from John of the Cross.