“Wise, thoughtful, compassionate, insightful and, above all, practical, this brief book will help you confront those ‘little sins’ that nonetheless have a very big effect on your Christian life.”
— James Martin, S.J., author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage
“Elizabeth Scalsia takes a wry and insightful look at how modern Catholics can make an effective examination of conscience, recognizing not only their faults but also the mercy of forgiveness. Pope Francis has urged Catholics not to be afraid or ashamed to go to confession. This book is the perfect companion for those making that journey.”
— John Thavis, author of The Vatican Diaries and The Vatican Prophecies
“The Internet’s ‘Anchoress’ cautions us to limit our time on social media in this book! Is it a miracle? Decide for yourself, dear reader. Read this book and God may just work miracles in your life too, giving you the desire — and the graces — to eradicate the little sins in your life so that you can get on with the business of being Christian, already! Jesus invites and demands radical conversion. This book is an accessible, practical guide to repentance, drenched in Divine Mercy.”
— Kathryn Jean Lopez, editor-at-large of National Review Online
“Captivating, witty, and wise, Little Sins is a big gift of heart and hope. What may be most audacious: Elizabeth Scalia finds a way to share some of her own story and make it ours too. In this book, the woman countless readers know as ‘The Anchoress’ takes off her veil, lets down her hair, and reveals … us. Anyone who wants a deeper understanding of what makes us poor sinners do what we do, and who yearns to grow, will find in this book a delightful and helpful guide. You might just read it and weep — with gratitude.”
— Deacon Greg Kandra, Diocese of Brooklyn, blogger at Aleteia.org
“No one knew better than Christ that murder, adultery, and the pillaging of the planet begin with the ‘small’ sins of anger, petty jealousy, and resentment. No one knew better how very much we love to point the finger at our neighbor and how very much we resist examining our own consciences. No one knew better that the point isn’t so much to be ‘good’ as to open ourselves to receive the priceless gift of one another — in all our brokenness and all our glory. Like St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Elizabeth Scalia has penetrated to the heart of the Gospels.”
— Heather King, author of Stripped: At the Intersection of Cancer, Culture, and Christ
“From gossip to gluttony and all points between, vice and sin wreak havoc on our lives, robbing us of right relationship with God and one another. In Little Sins Mean a Lot, gifted writer Elizabeth Scalia pulls no punches in honestly leading us in a greatly needed collective examination of conscience. But the good news is that this book is not only a look at those sins over which we feel powerless. It’s also a friendly companion on the path to total reconciliation, offering teachings of the Church, wisdom from saints and Scripture, and Elizabeth’s own companionship along a path to virtue and total healing. An honest, challenging reminder that our souls are worth saving and that sins large and small matter, but that with faith in Christ, hope abounds!”
— Lisa M. Hendey, founder of CatholicMom.com and author of The Grace of Yes
“Part examination of conscience, part memoir, part comedy, part poetry, studded with literary and scriptural references, rooted in theology, rounded off with solid, no-nonsense practical advice with real insight into the human psyche, this book is an eye-opener. Funny, wise, easy to read, hard to put down.”
— Simcha Fisher, author of The Sinner’s Guide to Natural Family Planning
“You know that tendency we all have to rationalize bad behavior because it’s ‘not that big of a deal’? Little Sins Mean a Lot will stop that in its tracks — yet leave you feeling energized and hopeful, as if you’ve just had a fun coffee date with a good friend.”
— Jennifer Fulwiler, author of Something Other Than God
“We can convince ourselves that we ‘are just fine’ in our spiritual lives, but Elizabeth Scalia believes that ‘little sins’ or bad habits are our own worst enemies and a certain gateway to the deadly sins. This one-of-a-kind book piqued my interest in the introduction and had me laughing out loud reading the very first paragraph of chapter 1! Throughout Little Sins Mean a Lot, the author cleverly identifies 13 ‘little sins’ using intriguing and witty stories. Very practical solutions are offered, utilizing Scripture, the saints, the Catechism, and prayer. A must read!”
— Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, EWTN TV host and award-winning author of 20 books, including The Kiss of Jesus (www.donnacooperoboyle.com)
“Elizabeth Scalia has a way of writing that scares me, yet helps me see that I’m not alone. Her writing is like a flashlight that shines light on sins hidden in the dark corners of my soul like dust bunnies under a bed. She doesn’t do it in a holier-than-thou way, but rather in a way that says, ‘I know, and I’m walking with you,’ which is what compassion is all about. This book is a treasure, just like its author.”
— Leticia Ochoa Adams, radio host at Breadbox Media and blogger at www.letiadams.com
Little Sins Mean a Lot
Kicking Our Bad Habits Before They Kick Us
Elizabeth Scalia
Our Sunday Visitor
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Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division
Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.
Huntington, Indiana 46750
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Copyright © 2016 by Elizabeth Scalia. Published 2016.
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All rights reserved. With the exception of short excerpts for critical reviews, no part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever without permission from the publisher. For more information, visit: www.osv.com/permissions.
Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc., 200 Noll Plaza, Huntington, IN 46750; 1-800-348-2440
ISBN: 978-1-61278-904-0 (Inventory No. T1690)
eISBN: 978-1-61278-905-7
LCCN: 2016932022
Cover design: Lindsey Riesen
Cover art: Shutterstock
Interior design: Dianne Nelson
Printed in the United States of America
For Jamie, Carol, and Jack
Mother-Wounded AllStanding gold amid the drossBright chests of wonder
Don’t let your sins turn into bad habits. — St. Teresa of Ávila
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Don’t let your bad habits turn into sins. — Elizabeth Scalia
Contents