IT'S EASIER THAN YOU THINK
by ABBOT OSCAR JOSEPH OCCO
There are books that inform, books that inspire, and then there are books that quietly take you by the hand and lead you into a deeper understanding of yourself, your wounds, and the God who has never stopped calling your name. This book belongs to that rare third category. It is not a lecture, nor a manual, nor a collection of lofty theories. It is a companion for the soul—honest, unvarnished, courageous, and profoundly human. Within its pages, a seasoned spiritual father opens the doors to a lifetime of hard‑won wisdom, revealing how identity is not something we manufacture through self‑esteem or achievement, but something bestowed, affirmed, and strengthened by the One who knows us best.
The journey unfolds through stories that refuse to flatter or dramatize. They simply tell the truth—the truth of suffering that shapes character, of rejection that becomes a doorway to resilience, of divine affirmation that builds a backbone where fear once lived. Each chapter invites the reader to walk alongside a man who has spent decades guiding others through their darkest valleys, not by offering clichés, but by offering himself: his failures, his victories, his scars, and the grace that carried him through every season. The result is a narrative that feels less like reading a book and more like sitting across from a wise elder who sees you clearly and believes you can become more than you ever imagined.
This is a book for anyone who has been bruised by life, anyone who has questioned their worth, anyone who has tried to build themselves up only to find the foundation cracking beneath them. It is for the weary, the searching, the faithful, and the skeptical. It is for those who long to understand why God allows struggle, and for those who need to hear—perhaps for the first time—that their identity is not fragile, not temporary, and not dependent on the shifting opinions of others. Through every page, the message is unmistakable: you are meant to stand tall, not because you are strong, but because God has spoken strength into you.
Readers will find themselves returning to this book again and again, not because they missed something the first time, but because each reading meets them in a new place. It is a work that grows with you, deepens with you, and challenges you to live with the kind of courage that only comes from knowing who you truly are. In a world obsessed with image, performance, and self‑promotion, this book offers a refreshing and necessary alternative: a path toward authenticity, humility, and spiritual backbone.
If you are ready to move beyond the shallow waters of self‑help and step into the deeper, richer, more demanding journey of becoming who God created you to be, this book will be your guide. It will steady your steps, strengthen your resolve, and remind you—again and again—that your story is not over, your identity is not lost, and your life is held in hands far more capable than your own.
Greetings, I am Abbot Oscar Joseph. God has given me the mission to help set His people free so that they may live in the Joy of Spiritual Freedom. Indeed we are living in, with, and through God. Please think of yourself as part of the Beacon of Hope community.
Abbot Oscar Joseph’s biography Education: He holds a Master of Science in Education, doctoral degrees in Sacred Theology (Scripture) and Christian Counseling, and several honorary doctorates. Ministry: Ordained as a priest in 1993, he was consecrated as a bishop in 2002 and took his final vows as a monk in 1999. He has served thirty-five years as a Christian Counselor, and twenty-five years as the Abbot General for the Cistercian Order of the Holy Cross. Roles: He has served as a TV and radio personality, former pastor of a local conservative Anglican Church, college educator, retreat master, and seminar leader Abbot Oscar Joseph is known for his extensive background in education, having taught psychology, sociology, Old and New Testament, English, and ethics at several local community colleges He is also the Founder/President of St. Stephen Harding Theological College and Seminary. Publications He has authored numerous books. God has blessed him with a vocation of a mystic, healer, and contemplative monk.
Your Pilgrimage Toward Intimacy With God
by Abbot Oscar Joseph O.C.C.O. Contemplative Monk
Abbot Oscar Joseph places a strong emphasis on the foundational role of Scripture and the teachings of the Church Fathers. He encourages the study and meditation of the Bible, using it as a guide for personal and communal spiritual growth. The writings of early Christian theologians and leaders provide a rich resource for understanding the faith and its traditions.
Rule of St. Benedict
The Rule of St. Benedict is often referred to as Scripture’s addendum and is a cornerstone of Brother Oscar Joseph's teachings. This Rule outlines principles for living, emphasizing values such as:
Prayer: Regular and disciplined prayer is central to deepening one's relationship with God.
Work: Engaging in meaningful work as a form of prayer and service.
Community Life: Building a supportive, loving community where individuals grow together in faith.
Prayer, Meditation, and Contemplation
These spiritual practices are vital in Brother Oscar Joseph’s teachings:
Prayer: Engaging in regular, heartfelt communication with God.
Meditation, reflecting on Scripture, and spiritual writings to gain deeper insights.
Contemplation: Experiencing the presence of God in silence and stillness, allowing for a transformative connection.
Spiritual Direction
Abbot Oscar Joseph offers spiritual direction to help individuals navigate their spiritual journey. This involves one-on-one guidance to explore personal faith, address doubts and fears, and discern God's will.
Healing Ministry
A significant part of Brother Oscar Joseph's work is a healing ministry, in which he shares God’s grace through numerous miraculous healings and teaches others to minister healing to those in need. This involves prayer, laying on hands, and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit. His healing services and public presentations are done in a quite reverential style.
A Christian Guide to healing body, mind and spirit for those searching for healing and those guiding them.
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk and Kathleen Rivest Pd.D.. D.D.
A Christian Guide to healing body, mind and spirit for those searching for healing and those guiding them.
Real Life Stories, Genuine Healings
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
Real stories about God's love for the "unwanted".
No More Doubt/ No More Fear
by Abbot Oscar Joseph O.C.C.O. Contemplative Monk and Kathleen Rivest, Ph.D., DD
Companion Workbooks for The Joy of Spiritual Freedom, Listen with the Ear of Your Heart, and Memoirs of a Christian Healer.
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
Willl help with spiritual development
A genuine preparation that works
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
Beating Temptations offers clear, practical guidance for overcoming spiritual struggles and growing closer to God. With pastoral wisdom and simple tools, Brother Oscar Joseph equips readers to recognize temptation, resist it with confidence, and walk in lasting spiritual freedom.
What sets this book apart is its pastoral heart. Abbot Oscar Joseph writes not as an academic observer but as a spiritual father who has walked with countless souls through suffering, healing, and transformation. His insights into Catholic and Anglican perspectives further enrich the work, offering an ecumenical breadth that strengthens its relevance for a wide Christian audience.
Whether read in quiet devotion or shared in fellowship, Heaven, Happiness, Fulfillment speaks to the deepest longings of the human heart and affirms that true happiness begins with the eternal.
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
A beautiful companion for prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth—this is a book readers will return to again and again.
There is a way to greater confidence
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
Whether you are a seeker, a spiritual leader, or someone longing for deeper peace, The Lie of Self-Esteem will challenge your assumptions, comfort your soul, and guide you toward the confidence that only God can give
A Practical Application on How God Heals Today
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
Discovering God's Companionship From Earth to Eternity
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk
the way to true spiritual freedom
by Abbot Oscar Joseph OCCO Contemplative Monk
by Abbot Oscar Joseph, O.C.C.O., Contemplative Monk