30 Days of Prayer with Mary - Father Francis Gargani, CSsR

30 Days of Prayer with Mary 

Father Francis Gargani, CSsR 

Liguori Publications

ISBN 9780764820366

eISBN 9780764861024

ASIN B00TZM4GN6

I stumbled upon this volume while doing research for another review. It really intrigued me and I picked it up right away. I have been working through the 30 Days with "Great Spiritual Teachers" form Ave Maria Press and "15 Days of Prayers with …" series from New City Press and this seemed like a great addition to my reading. It did not disappoint. 

The description of this volume states:

“Amazing how a simple Jewish woman has captured the imagination and love of the followers of Jesus for all of Christian history!

Bringing together both traditional and contemporary Marian prayers, this pamphlet will help deepen your experience of prayer with the Mother of God. Designed to be used daily over thirty days, each prayer provides the opportunity to seek the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”

The introduction states:

“This pamphlet is but a simple guide of prayer to Mary, the mother of Jesus, the Mother of the Church. These prayers span the centuries! We begin with the “Hail Mary,” the prayer to Mary most Catholics know by heart, and end with Mary’s own hymn-prayer of gratitude, “The Magnificat.” In between you will find prayers selected from traditional and contemporary sources.

Allow this guide to inspire you to discover new ways of praying with Mary. Perhaps it will lead you to find words of your own to compose prayers in praise of the Mother of God, or to discover your own voice in asking for her intercession.

The prayers in this book are drawn from Scripture or from books available from Liguori Publications. The individual titles from which the prayers are drawn are noted on each page. If you are interested in additional aids to your prayer with Mary, we invite you to seek out these resources.

May your relationship with Mary only deepen and flourish through these thirty days of prayer. May Mary lead you ever deeper into the mystery of life and invite you to join her in the unending hymn of praise and thanks to our God.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction

 1 Hail Mary

 2 Prayer of Saint Alphonsus Liguori to the Sorrowful Mother

 3 We Fly to Your Protection—Sub Tuum

 4 To Pray and Ponder

 5 Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

 6 Prayer of Saint John Paul II to Our Lady of the Third Millennium

 7 Psalm 131

 8 “And the Litany Lingers On”: An Adapted Litany of Mary

 9 The Memorare

10 Prayer to Our Lady of Fátima

11 Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

12 Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes

13 Akathist Hymn

14 Prayer of Saint Alphonsus Liguori to the Mother of God

15 Waiting by Faith

16 Prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel

17 Prayer of Saint Venantius

18 Prayer to Our Lady of Altagracia, Protector and Queen of the Dominican Republic

19 Saint Francis of Assisi’s Salutation to the Blessed Virgin Mary

20 Prayer to Our Lady of Divine Providence, Patroness of Puerto Rico

21 Prayer of Saint Cyril of Alexandria to the Mother of God

22 Hail, Holy Queen—Salve Regina

23 Prayer to the Mother of Our Redeemer

24 The Angelus

25 Queen of Heaven—Regina Caeli

26 Prayer of Saint John Paul II to Our Lady for Christian Unity

27 Prayer to Our Lady, Queen of Peace

28 Prayer of Saint Ildefonsus of Toledo

29 Prayer to Our Lady of Perpetual Help

30 The Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55)

The prayers are compiled from the following volumes:

Mary Throughout Latin America

The Essential Catholic Prayer Book

The Essential Mary Handbook

The Glories of Mary

The People’s Prayer Book

I loved working through these Marian prayers one day at a time. There were a few that are already part of my attempted Daily Prayers. A couple have been added to my list from this collection. And I am interested in checking out the 5 volumes they are drawn from. 

This is an excellent little resource. I can easily recommend it. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan! 

15 Days of Prayer with Blessed Chiara Badano - Florence Gillet

15 Days of Prayer with Blessed Chiara Badano

Florence Gillet 

Bill Hartnett (Translator)

New City Press

Focolare Media

ISBN 9781565485549

ASIN B01CDMP60G

Last year I stumbled upon a different volume in this series, 15 Days of Prayer with Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati by Père Charles Desjobert, OP, and really enjoyed it. I did some research on the series and this was the fifth volume I decided to work through. The volume I read before this one was the one on Chiara Lubich, I was unaware of the connection between the two, it was just the random order I picked to read them. About Blessed Chiara Badano I was aware of her name, her cause and he youthfulness. 

I believe as of the writing of this review there have been 40 volumes in the series; the earliest I found was from 1999 through to a volume which was published in 2025. Only about a dozen seem to be in print currently and of those only a handful appears to have eBooks. With my dual form of dyslexia this is disappointing. I greatly prefer eBooks so I can change the font, and the colour of font and page to make reading easier. I have added all the eBook editions I could find to my wish list. About the Series we are informed:

“15 Days of Prayer Series

 On a journey, it’s good to have a guide. Even great saints took spiritual directors or confessors with them on their itineraries toward sanctity. Now you can be guided by the most influential spiritual figures of all time. The 15 Days of Prayer series introduces their deepest and most personal thoughts.

This popular series is perfect if you are looking for a gift, or if you want to be introduced to a particular guide and his or her spirituality. Each volume contains:

• A brief biography of the saint or spiritual leader 

• A guide to creating a format for prayer or retreat

• Fifteen meditation sessions with reflection guides”

Many of the books in this series were written in French and translated into English. That does not appear to be the case with this volume. This book was originally published in 2013, the physical volume appears to be out of print but the eBook is readily available. The description of this specific volume states:

“Blessed Chiara Badano, named Chiara "Luce" by Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement (or Work of Mary), was a young Italian, who died at the age of 18 from aggressive bone cancer. The name was chosen because her life conveyed the message that it is the "light" of God that conquers the world. She was beatified on Sept 25, 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI, who acknowledged her heroic virtues and tireless work for the poor, despite the pain of the disease from which she suffered. Chiara Badano's feast is celebrated every year on October 29. Translated by Bill Hartnett.

In the fifteen days of prayer contained in this book, the first seven, which describe her human and spiritual journey before the illness, provide a key to her spiritual life. Her faith shines through in days eight through eleven, a clear sign of strength for those who suffer and hope. The final sections, days twelve to fifteen, present another dimension of her spiritual life, the ecclesial and communitarian, which are a necessary corollary of her union with the Crucified-Risen Lord.

"I have come to realize that this very young woman bore witness above all to the beauty of being a disciple of Christ. As such, she kept herself in an attitude of listening, trusting and conforming herself to Jesus the Teacher to the point of becoming similar to him." From the Introduction”

Another states:

“This book is based on the life of Chiara Luce Badano, who was beatified on Sept. 25, 2010 in the presence of 12,000 young people from all over the world. The 15 days are a journey to help us grow in love and faith, and appreciate the indescribable joy of being among those whose faith is not in vain, because they are witnesses that He is truly risen.”

There is no ‘about the author’ section in the book or on the back. But we are informed on the page with the book description that:

“Florence Gillet earned a doctorate in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. She has published several studies on the spirituality of unity of Chiara Lubich, including 15 Days of prayer with Chiara Lubich, to be released in 2016.”

The chapters in this volume are:

How to Use This Book

A Brief Biography

Introduction

Day 1: Jesus, the Travelling Companion

Day 2: It Was Jesus Who Asked You

Day 3: I’ve Found Friends That Are Different from the Others

Day 4: God Loves Me Immensely

Day 5: Attuned to God

Day 6: Give

Day 7: A Path of Freedom

Day 8: It’s Jesus Forsaken

Day 9: My Life Has Been Transformed

Day 10: Beyond the Wound

Day 11: Chiara Luce’s Faith

Day 12: Wisdom and Light

Day 13: A People on a Journey

Day 14: Wherever Mutual Love Reigns

Day 15: Abundant Fruit

Also available in the “15 Days of Prayer” series:

I highlighted a few of passages while reading this volume some of them are:

“This was the beginning of a personal correspondence with Chiara Lubich, whom she considered her spiritual mother. In her letters, she addressed Lubich as “Mamma.” When she was eleven years old, she wrote:”

“Her adolescence was characterized by friendships, sports, reading, and taking part in Focolare events. At first there were only two girls at the meetings: Chiara and Chicca Coriasco, who in the end became like a sister to her. But soon other girls joined in.”

“As each day passed, Chiara Luce’s love for Jesus became more and more refined. She offered up her suffering, refusing morphine because it “takes away my clarity.” She wanted nothing “but [her] sufferings to offer Jesus.” Everything around her spoke of life and eternity. As she felt death approaching, she prepared her funeral, down to the most minute details.”

“Over the course of the months in which I studied the life of Chiara Luce Badano and wrote this book, I have come to realize that this very young woman—a person of our own times, who didn’t have any special form of consecration in the church other than baptism (the so-called “royal priesthood”)—bore witness above all to the beauty of being a disciple of Christ.”

“Through Chiara Luce Badano, God offers us the gift of a reminder that people are still being called today to reproduce the image of Christ and to become sons and daughters in the Son.”

“n the fifteen days of prayer contained in this book, the first seven, which describe her human and spiritual journey before the illness, provide a key to her spiritual life. Her faith shines through in days eight through eleven. The final sections, days twelve to fifteen, present another dimension of her spiritual life, the ecclesial and communitarian, which are a necessary corollary of her union with the Crucified-Risen Lord.”

“For a small child like Chiara Luce, living the Christian life in this way could have a playful dimension. Isn’t it a game, a most exciting game, to be with Jesus, becoming completely involved with him, concretely, by loving a poor person, perceiving his response and his almost grateful acknowledgement in an exchange of love?”

“Thus the meaning of personal pain can change; it can become God’s nearness. This does not mean loving pain, but loving the One who has taken it on himself. It requires that we not try to escape from suffering—which would be our natural instinct—but to stand firm and look into the face of the One who embraced it fully, and in our turn embrace him as a spouse.”

“On this eighth day of prayer let us recall the first days of these meditations, when Chiara Luce invited us to open wide our hearts and ears to the cry of Jesus within us and in all of humankind. Jesus’ cry resounds throughout the ages, announcing God’s betrothal to humanity in Jesus Christ. Out of love he took on all our suffering by experiencing within himself separation from the very source of his being.”

“Life is transformed through love for Jesus in his forsakenness on the cross; our vision of the world changes, as if by a divine alchemy.”

“Sharing in Jesus’ Passover means giving to God the joy of seeing that his gifts are not being wasted but are allowed to come to fruition. Since God has reconciled us to himself in Christ, then let us reconcile with God, as Paul begs us to do.”

“This fits in with Johannine faith. Chiara Luce strove to believe in his love and to remain in him, her eyes fixed on him, sharing in his suffering. This demonstrates how mortal illness can be transformed into a sign of life and resurrection.”

“Love personified had made a triumphal entry into her soul, bringing to her gifts of understanding, peace and joy. Her suffering was immersed in Love. Because she knew the sweetness and tenderness of the Consoler Spirit, she could truthfully write:"

“The spirit of fortitude that she called upon assisted her in every moment. The spirit of piety helped her to love Jesus and to offer him her life in preparation for her marriage to him.”

“The Spirit of love of the Father and of the Son is the “most blessed light divine” that fills the heart of his faithful. Chiara Badano was filled with the light of the Holy Spirit; even the name given to her by Chiara Lubich means “light” (Luce). Nothing could have been more appropriate.”

I hope those quotes give you a feel for this volume. I picked this volume because though I am aware of the name Chiara Badano or Chiara Luce and was unaware of the relationship and interactions with Chiara Lubich, or the Focolare Movement. This was an interesting read not knowing much about the young woman or the movement she started. It was deeply moving and very inspiring.

This is a great volume in an excellent series. Spending these 15 days with Chiara Luce, the written reflections and the discussion questions was a moving experience. And I loved the numerous quotes from Chiara’s own words. Not knowing much I found sometimes I had to reread sections. I can easily recommend this book and look forward to reading others in the series. I just really wish all of the 40 volumes were available as eBooks, I would work through them all if so.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books in the 15 Days of Prayer With Series:

Blessed Chiara Badano - Florence Gillet and Bill Hartnett 

Blessed Frédéric Ozanam - Christian Verheyde

Brother Roger Of Taize - Sabine Laplane

Charles de Foucauld - Michael Lafon 

Chiara Lubich - Florence Gillet and Bill Hartnett 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer - Matthieu Arnold

Don Bosco - Robert Schiele

Dorothy Day - Michael Boover 

Henri Nouwen - Robert Waldron

Jean-Claude Colin - Francois Drouilly

Johannes Tauler - Andre Pinet

Meister Eckhart - André Gozier

Peter Joseph Triest - Brother René Stockman

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin - André Dupleix 

Saint Alphonsus Liguori - Jean-Marie Segalen

Saint Augustine - Jaime García

Saint Benedict - André Gozier

Saint Bernadette of Lourdes - François Vayne 

Saint Bernard - Pierre Yves Emery

Saint Catherine of Siena - Chantal van der Plancke 

Saint Clare of Assisi - Marie-France Becker

Saint Dominic - Alain Quilici 

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton - Betty Ann McNeil

Saint Eugene de Mazenod - Bernard Dullier

Saint Faustina Kowalska - John Cleary

Saint Francis de Sales - Claude Morel

Saint Francis of Assisi - Thaddée Matura O.F.M.

Saint Jeanne Jugan - Michel Lafon

Saint John of the Cross - Constant Tonnelier

Saint Katharine Drexel - Leo Luke Marcello 

Saint Louis De Montfort - Veronique Pinardon

Saint Martín de Porres: A Saint of the Americas - Brian J. Pierce

Saint Philip Neri - Jean-François Audrain

Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati - Charles Desjobert

Saint Teresa of Avila - Jean Abiven

Saint Therese of Lisieux - Victoria Hebert

Saint Thomas Aquinas - Suzanne Vrai and André Pinet

Saint Vincent de Paul - Jean-Pierre Renouard

The Curé of Ars - Pierre Blanc

Thomas Merton - Andre Gozier

…

Prayer for the Conversion of a Sinner to Our Lady of Pepetual Succour

Prayer for the Conversion of a Sinner 

to Our Lady of Pepetual Succour

Prayer of the Day

O Mary, Mother of Perpetual Succour, you know so well the great value of an immortal soul. You know what it means, that every soul has been redeemed by the blood of your Divine Son, you will not then despise my prayer, if I ask from you the conversion of a sinner. You, O Merciful Mother, know her irregular life. know that you are the refuge of sinners and that God has given you power to bring about the conversion of even the most wretched sinners. You have converted so many sinners at the intercession of their friends and family. Please listen to my prayer, and bring ... conversion of heart. O Mary, help; O Mother of Perpetual Succour, show that you are the advocate and refuge of sinners. 

Amen .

  

Note: Every so often I post a prayer I use as part of my daily prayers. I started praying this one a few years ago, at the time for 1 specific person, now for a few.

Relates posts and links:

Prayer of the Day Posts

Prayer Book Reviews

My Prayer Notebook. 

My Daily Prayer List April 2024

My Daily Prayer List October 2025

...

Stations of the Cross for Young Catholics - Sister Anne Flanagan, FSP

Stations of the Cross for Young Catholics

Sister Anne Flanagan, FSP 

Pauline Books & Media

ISBN 9780819827654

This was one of 2 new Stations of the Cross I picked up to use during Lent in 2026, both by Sister Anne Flanagan, FSP. I try and pray a stations each Friday of the year, and each day through Lent. I was attracted to this and the other based on the artwork, and I had stumbled upon them by chance when researching for a different review. 

An online description of this volume states:

“Walk with Jesus to Calvary with this scriptural, age-appropriate presentation of the Stations of the Cross. Perfect for individual, family, or classroom use, this reverently illustrated portrayal of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus immerses children ages 8-12 in the heart of the Gospel while teaching them to pray with Scripture and their imaginations. Includes the fourteen traditional Stations of the Cross and the optional fifteenth station, the Resurrection.”

The back of the book is:

“The Stations of the Cross is a special way of praying that lets us spend time with Jesus during his suffering and death. This booklet, for ages nine and up, guides individuals or groups to imaginatively reflect on the scenes of the fourteen stations and the optional fifteenth station of the Resurrection. By paying attention to Jesus in our hearts, we remember how he died for us, and we open ourselves to the gift of his great love.”

About the author we are informed:

“Sister Anne Flanagan, FSP, has been a Daughter of Saint Paul for over forty years. As a catechetical author and editor for Pauline Books & Media, she has "taught" tens of thousands of children. Her Eucharistic adoration guide for children, Come to Jesus, has been in print for almost ten years. Sister Anne has written for print, digital, and social media as a specialist in the spirituality of the Pauline Family, and she has recorded over two dozen albums with the Daughters of Saint Paul Choir.”

I only highlighted two passaged while reading this volume they are:

“Jesus knows what it's like to face pain, sorrow, failure, betrayal. When you feel these things, you can bring them to Jesus. His rising from the dead is the promise that our suffering will not be the whole story. Saint Paul said that when you were baptized, you were baptized into Christ's death-so his resurrection is already in you, too.”

“For over a thousand years, people have walked the Stations of the Cross with Jesus. It is like making a pilgrimage, a holy time you want.”

A Sample station is:

“Third Station

Leader: Third Station: Jesus Falls the First Time

Reader 1: Pray for the victims of violence.

Leader: We adore you, 0 Christ, and we praise you.

All: Because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.

IMAGINE (Sit or kneel)

Reader 2:

The crowded streets smell like dust and garbage. Jesus

stumbles along with his heavy cross. Then he falls onto the

dirty street, and the cross comes crashing down on him. He

looks your way. (Pause)

LISTEN

Reader 1:

Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you want to come with

me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow

me" (Matthewl6:24).

RESPOND (Stand)

All:

Please hurry, Lord,

and answer my prayer.

I feel hopeless.

Don't turn away

and leave me here to die (Psalm 143:7 CEV).”

I really enjoyed this volume, I just wish there was an eBook edition so it could always be with me on my Kindle. Over the years I have prayer through and reviewed about 60 different ‘Way of the Cross’ books and booklets. Some I pray once or twice and others I have been praying for decades. I could see this one working its way into the rotation, but know it would be more frequent if there was a digital edition. I enjoyed it enough my son took a copy to school to give to the chaplain. 

This is a wonderful little stations. It does not have the Hail Mary, Our Father, or Glory Be at the end of the stations, but those are easily added. It also doe s not have the Stabat Mater either. That being said it is a nice clean crisp Stations and once that could be used with grade school student, Secondary school, or even just with a group of adults.

I can easily recommend this Stations for home, school, or church library and use. So track it down and give it a try.

Side note: It was hard to make a list if books published by Sister Anne as they are published under the following names:

Anne Flanagan

Anne Joan Flanagan

Anne Joan Flanagan, FSP

Sister Anne Flanagan

Sister Anne Flanagan, FSP

Sr. Anne Flanagan

and maybe even more variations.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!  For all Stations of the Cross review click here.

Books by Sister Anne Flanagan, FSP:

5 Keys to Understanding Pope Francis

A Quiet Place With Jesus:

Childrens Way of Cross

Come to Jesus

Come to Me: Living the Nine First Fridays

Confirmation Be Sealed

Family Saints

Family Saints Coloring and Activity Book

Jesus Brings Us Life

Jesus Walks With Us

Saints of the Americas

Stations of the Cross for Young Catholic

The Night of the Shepherds

…

A Christmas Garland an Anthology of Verse - Edited by John Irvine as J. Pennington Irvine

A Christmas Garland an Anthology of Verse 

An Anthology of Irish Poetry Past and Present

John Irvine - Editor (1903-1965)

as J. Pennington Irvine 

Thortnton

Belfast

1929

I stumbled upon this author. I was reading one of the Vision Books for young readers, Irish Saints by Robert T. Reilly, and there was an excerpt of a poem from A Treasury of Irish Saints A Book of Poems. It was really intriguing and after reading that first volume I made it a mission to try and track down everything Irvine published. At first my dyslexia had me thinking it was John Irving, and I have read a few of his fiction books. But some quick searching put that idea to rest.  This author John Irvine lived from 1903-1965. This volume was originally published in1941. 

I am thankful to the National Library of Ireland and their scanning service. Without which I would have read but one volume from this excellent Irish poet. I appreciate that they will scan out of print and out of copyright works. Especially when I cannot find them almost anywhere else, like most of the works or Irvine. This volume will mark the thirteenth I have read by Irvine. This is the earlies volume I have found published by Irvine, and it was published under the name J. Pennington Irvine. I have not found any others published under that name. 

About the author on a site with information about Irish authors states:

“John Irvine was born in Belfast and published several collections of poems: A Voice in the Dark, 1932; Willow Leaves: Lyrics in the Manner of the Early Chinese Poets,1941; Lost Sanctuary and other poems among others. He edited The Flowering Branch: An Anthology of Irish Poetry Past and Present.”

Another online description of the author states:

“Irvine, born in Belfast, published about six collections of lyrics between 1932 and 1954, mostly from small presses in Belfast and Dublin.  He also edited an anthology of Irish poetry, The Flowering Branch.”

This volume begins with a quote from Irvine:

“He that seeks beauty will surely

find it, but he that is content

with the dross will never rise

above it.”

This book has a long acknowledgements section at the beginning, thanking authors, publishers, and speaking to 2 he could not confirm rights for after many attempts. 

The forward states:

“Within this little volume will be found a collection of seasonable poems which have been chosen not for their religious appeal more than their poetic beauty.. My great difficulty has been in selecting a sufficient number of the less widely known pieces appropriate to the season.

I have endeavoured to be as comprehensive as possible, including suitable poems from the earliest times until the present day.

The fruits of my gathering will be found in the following pages, and I trust that my readers will find them acceptable.”

The poems and contributors in this volume are:

Mary’s Song to Jesus - Padrir: Gregory

The Birds - Hilaire Belloc

New Year's Eve, 1913 - Gordon Bottomley

Old English Carol - Traditional

The Little Lord Jesus - Martin Luther

Christmas - E. Hilton Young

A Child of the Snows - G, K. Chesterton

The Holy Tide - Frederick Tennyson

Christmas Sonnet - J. Pennington Irvine

Children's Song of the Nativity - English Traditional

A Child's Carol - J. Pennington Irvine

The Crown of Roses - (Russian) Plechtcheev. Tr.G.D.

To A Snowflake - Francis Thompson 

Hoc Die Dominus Noster Nascitur - Padric Gregory

That Holy Thing - George MacDonald

Christmas Rede - Jane Barlow

The Lowly One - W. Earle

Silent Night - Joseph Mohr

Lines from "In Memoriam" - Lord Alfred Tennyson

The Oxen - Thomas Hardy

Hymn to the Nativity - Richard Crashaw

The Mistletoe Bough - Rev. T. G. Crippen

Fragment - Shakespeare

The House of Christmas - G. K. Chesterton

The Star of Bethlehem - Author Unknown

Noel: Christmas Eve, 1913 - Robert Bridges

The Lonely Child – Ruckert (From the German)

The 27 poems vary greatly in length. This is the second volume I have read that was edited by John Irvine. I have read 13 volumes that were written by Irvine, and believe that there are another 5 volumes edited by Irvine, including this earliest written or edited by him published under the name J. Pennington Irvine.

A few sample poems from this volume are:

     Christmas

     A boy was born at Bethlehem

          that knew the haunts of Galilee.

     He wandered on Mount Lebanon,

          and learned to love each forest tree.

     But I was born at Marlborough,

          and love the hom~ly faces there;

     and for all other men besides

          'tis little love I have to spare.

     I should not mind to die for them,

          my own dear downs, my comrades true.

     But that great heart of Bethlehem,

          He died for men He never knew.

     And yet, I think, at Golgotha,

          as Jesus' eyes were closed in death,

     they saw with love most passionate

          the village street at Nazareth.

               -E. Hilton Young.

Christmas Sonnet

They cast Thy mother forth into the night,

     Into the bitter night and frosty air:

Nor was there one took pity on her plight

     To bid her rest, in warmth, and shelter there.

They cast her forth, with tired and aching feet;

     And to that lowly stable place she fled,

.Yet uncomplaining, found it strangely sweet

     Upon the hay, to rest her weary head.

In this poor humble place Thou had'st Thy birth'.!

     Outcast and homeless in an ox's stall!

'Twas there Thine eyes beheld the light of earth;

     Rejected Thou by men, Oh ! Lord of all

Cast us not forth when we, with dying eyes,

     Behold Thee at the gates of Paradise.

          -J. Pennington Irvine.

          A Child's Carol

          In a rude and Jowly manger

               Sheltered from the frost and snow,

          Lay the Holy Infant Jesus

               On a morning long ago.

          Whilst around the humble dwelling

               Cold and wintry winds did sigh,

          Mary soothed the Babe so helpless,

               Sang a tender lullaby.

          Angel voices from the Heavens

               On that happy Christmas morn,

          Sang, and all the earth was joyful

               When the Saviour Christ was born.

                    -J. Pennington Irvine.

The Lowly One

Only a manger cold and bare, 

     When winter winds did blow;

Yet Christ the Lord was housed there

     Amid the winter snow.

No royal pomp did Him proclaim;

     But cradled in the hay,

Where only ox and ass had lain,

     The sleeping Infant lay.

No courtiers did his praises sing;

     But Seraphs from the skies

Poured forth their welcome to the King,

     With songs of Paradise.

He came the King of Kings to be;

     And Mary in the manger bore

A Child who reigns o'er earth and sea,

     Till time shall be no more.

-W. Earle.

     The Oxen

     Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock,

          "Now they are all on their knees,"

     An elder said as we sat in a flock

          By the embers in hearthside ease.

     We pictured the meek:, mild creatures where

          They dwelt in their strawy pen,

     Nor did it occur to one of us there

          To doubt they were kneeling then.

     So fair a fancy few would weave

          In these years! Yet, I feel,

     If some one said on Christmas Eve,

          "Come ; see the oxen kneel."

     "In the lonely barton by yonder coomb

          Our childhood used to know,''

     I should go with him in the gloom,

          Hoping it might be so.

               -Thomas Hardy.

I hope those poems give you a feel for the collection of 27. This is an interesting collection. This volume ends with another quote from Irvine:

“L'Envoi.

Dying now the fir elight glow,

And flickering the candle's light ,

All things are fast asleep, and so,

Kind readers one and all-Goodnight.”

I did enjoy this volume. The National Library of Ireland provided a scanned copy as the book is out of print and out of copyright. It is interesting to see what poems Irvine collected, and having read much of his lately, a few could have been by his pen. I only recognize a few of the contributors. And as such was pleasantly surprised by many of the poems. We are not given bios of the contributors, nor even when the pieces were first published. I would have appreciated those details. It is a volume I know I will return to again, likely next Advent.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books by John Irvine:

A Treasury of Irish Saints A Book of Poems 

A Voice in the Dusk 

A Voice in the Dusk Lyrics  

By Winding Roads  

Fountain Of Hellas: Poems From The Greek Anthology  

Green Altars: Poems  

Lost Sanctuary and Other Poems 

Nocturne: Poems 

Selected Poems 

Sic Transit Gloria Mundi 

The Quiet Stream  

Two Poems 

Voces Intimae 

Willow Leaves: Lyrics in the Manner of the Early Chinese Poets  

Wind From the South 

With No Changed Voices: Poems 

…

Edited by John Irvine:

A Christmas Garland - as J. Pennington Irvine 

The Flowering Branch: An Anthology of Irish Poetry Past and Present 

The Poems of Robert Burns 

The Poems of Robert Louis Stevenson 

The Poems of Tennyson 

The Poems of Thomas Moore  

… 

My Road Goes Ever On Rise Again - A.K. Frailey

My Road Goes Ever On Rise Again 

A.K. Frailey
A. K. Frailey Books
ISBN 9798999824165

eISBN 9798994325100

ASIN B0GHSFXT5T

I have read a few of Ann’s adult fiction and non-fiction titles. I believe I have read her books a total of 14 times, and I have all the others on my ‘to be read’ pile, and have picked up all in eBook format. I absolutely love her stories and her non-fiction. This falls in that category and is the third in the “My Road Goes Ever On” series.

The description of this volume states:

“The internet may be the first word in information gathering, but can it save one soul from despair or the human race from self-destruction?

Science offers insight into who we are, what we are made of, but it is through personal reflections that we can consider our extraordinary ability to live as both physical and spiritual beings.

Embrace the beauty in life and love generously with unwavering hope and faith.

Believe in renewal—undaunted and unafraid.

No matter the trials of our times, we will rise again.”

About the author we are informed:

“A. K. Frailey has written the historical sci-fi OldEarth Encounter series, a contemporary first contact novel, Last of Her Kind, the Newearth sci-fi series, an OldTown series, short story collections, a modern parent’s reflection on J. R. R. Tolkien’s works in The Road Goes Ever On: A Christian Journey Through The Lord of the Rings, personal and introspective My Road books, children’s books, and a poetry collection. 

 

She taught elementary education in Milwaukee, WI; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; and Wood River, IL.

 

She also trained teachers in the Philippines for the Peace Corps and later earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing for Entertainment from Full Sail University.

 

Ann homeschooled all her children and currently manages her rural homestead with her family and their numerous critters. In her spare time, she serves as an election judge and secretary/treasurer of her small town’s cemetery.”

This volume is a collection of articles, reflections, pensées that were originally published between 2022/2/18 and 2025/12/12. The specific pieces in the collection are:

The Best Rise Again

A Storm Is Brewing

This Year’s Life

Soul Glories

While Human Hearts Beat

Fruit Will Follow

Real Understanding

Miracles in Life

Life Net

Amazing Achievements of Humankind

Family Memories

This Momentous Event

Homeschooling As I See It Now

Trust in a Dishonest World

Life’s Rules of the Road

Multitasking Disorder

Revitalization

Loveable Libraries & Bookstores

Psychological Safety

Real Life Matters

Puppies, Gardens, and Books

Autumn! My Favorite Season

We Live in a Mad World

In Light of Faith

AI and Our Creative Nature

Natural Order

Clickbait Is Not Wholesome

The Future of Education

Not the Same Test

Good Books

Natural Good and Evil

Literary Genres

Why I Gave Up TV

And My Life Changed for the Better

Can’t Own a Cat and Other Life Lessons

I highlighted several passages while working through this volume, some of them are:

“Imagine my surprise when I realized that it was the fiction novel that helped me unscramble the confusing tangle that I was feeling about the other two books. Since each person has free will and can rise or fall, become isolated or connected, what does that say about the human race as a whole?”

“Despite over a thousand pages of storyline, the whole plot comes down to—what do the characters believe? What are they willing to—not die for but—live for? Faith in something beyond themselves is ultimately the maker or breaker of the whole story. Some characters grow into heroes while others descend into the abyss as villains. The hope for the whole is based on the best always rising again.”

“But I can get out of the frozen snow, enjoy the beauty of crystalline trees on a winter day, and trust—with hope-filled faith—that spring will rise again.”

“In order to face the day, I need a bit of a pep talk. Since I am a lousy cheerleader, I look to those who have inspired humanity from ages past. Each morning, after my personal prayer time, I read a passage from Scripture, classic fiction, or poetry. I have come across some wonderful gems—imagery that takes me to another world, mentally and emotionally.”

“Beautiful days do not last. Storms inevitably roll in. My neighbor passed away today. More friends and family will pass in the days to come. It will be my turn to move on at some point. But the lesson of singing birds, wild storms, and changing seasons, is that we have the grace of living now.”

“In the acceptance of the present moment, I discovered an enlargement of my spirit. The daily bread of God’s grace is most manifest when I lift my soul to Him.”

“There was a lot I didn’t accomplish. I didn’t complete a writing project, post my work online, chat with a friend, take a long walk, or connect with the carpenter. But the day was complete and fruitful—even if in only tiny ways—nonetheless.”

“World news troubles me with haunting specters of war, violence, hunger, and a future not of everlasting prosperity, but rather, of desperate grief. It seems that the clutter of human evil continues to mar the orderly beauty of our better nature.”

“So where do I find solutions to the troubles of this world? How do I make anything better? Where are hope and happiness found? Right in front of me, beside me, behind me, above and below me.”

“There are so many ways to live fully and generously: Give money to local and world charity organizations. Check in regularly with an elderly friend. Ask a son or daughter how they are doing and really listen without “fixing” but allow him or her to share issues and possible solutions. Offer honest insight to a friend with humility—knowing that each person must own their choices and the consequences of their actions.”

“Wherever anger lunges its spikes, forgive and move on. When mistakes are made, say sorry and make amends. Being sorry is not humiliating. It’s healing. True contrition builds up—it never tears down. It is one of the deepest acts of love.”

“We are born to die. Suffering and evil are part of life, but the story does not end there. The Old Testament wasn’t the last word. Christ lived, died, and rose—our old humanity gives way to new possibilities. God did not give us Heaven on Earth. He gives us a choice. Every day. In unlimited ways.”

“No matter the message, a bit of humor and lots of gratitude go a long way toward real understanding.”

“No, my miracles are more mundane but no less powerful in the great scheme of things.”

“To refuse a miracle is to refuse happiness. For in this world, it is the hope to see, the faith to believe, and our ability to love, which are the greatest miracles of all.”

“Life is an amazingly unpredictable, unfolding event. Despite my attachment to the internet, I am grateful that there are times when I'm forced to disconnect. For there is a life net just waiting for me—if I stand on the creek bank and appreciate what is revealed.”

“How often do mental images pull me through seasons, relationships, and life itself, only to dissolve in the face of reality? And can reality, lived in the present, be more fulfilling than what I imagined?”

“When my mom passed away after years of dementia, I cried. Not because I had only good memories of her, but because despite the passion of her chosen hate as well as her passionate love, I wished her well on her journey, wherever she was going. When my brother passed after an overdose, I suffered the loss of a life that I could never reach. A troubled soul who, it seemed to me, never knew happiness. When another brother passed unexpectedly of liver failure, I wanted to understand, but too many questions could not be answered, and I was left with poignant grief. When my father died, after a long life and much professional success, I had too many terrible stories and painful memories crowding my mind to celebrate his life.”

“Perhaps, I wonder, if we humans spent as much time living in the present as we do in the past and the future, we would be able to experience the outstanding joy of spring.”

“Personally, I raced through Lent at high speed. Holy Week arrived, and I had to come to a skidding halt. I was surprised at how hard that was. Kind of like running into a brick wall, without the black eye. It felt so unnatural to sit in a quiet church or in my room and simply be. Listen. Pray slow prayers. Allow the presence of a greater Presence to infiltrate my conscious mind. My soul.”

“Coming from a dysfunctional family in a dysfunctional society, I see why many people turn to technology to find support and “the truth” needed to navigate through life—a life raft of reason in a world of unreason.”

“Being a writer in today’s world is much the same as being an artist in any era. I can think of no more vulnerable way to expose the human experience than through writing and poetry.”

“Despite the vagaries of daily weather, I trust in the logic of seasons. Despite personal aspirations, I know I am growing older and must face predictable aches and pains, hopefully with humor rather than rage. There are rules to my life’s road, and I know why they are there—to keep me and others safe while I travel to my destination. Education is more than facts and book learning, though the facts and books do matter and should not be ignored. What I do with what I learn spells the difference between a piece of paper and a meaningful life.”

“What the natural world has to teach reminds me that not all learning happens in school, and life has rules for a reason.”

“Multitasking Disorder is hardly a professional diagnosis but rather a personal observation that when doing too much, I miss the wonders of life.”

“As impersonal AI and online services invade our world ever more deeply, I pray to God that we don’t forget the value of dedicated librarians and passionate bookstore owners.”

“I know with certainty that every truly mystical, magical land has at least one library and probably more than a few bookstores. Even in Lothlorien. And Tolkien—like me—loves them.”

“The value of fiction is not in the distraction from reality but rather as it enhances our perception of reality. If real life doesn't matter, then fiction merely delays inevitable doom.”

“My personal desires must allow for forces beyond my control, which is a lesson in humility. One that I'd benefit from learning.”

“I may tend to plants, but I cannot make them thrive. In that mystery of growth, leading to healthy fruit, I find a wealth of peace, trusting God's abundant vitality.”

“What haunts the human race is not a case of inherited mental illness, though that may factor in; it’s a spirit-killing grief that chains the strong and saintly as well as the weak and cruel into dark dungeons. Mad fury, justified anger perhaps, insists that things are not as they should be, therefore, life as we know it deserves to be destroyed. If I lived by that rule, I’d be dead already.”

“I had to accept the obvious—Life here on Earth is not as it ought to be. In time, I could heal from trauma and move on.”

“A guardian accepts the frailties, imperfections, and limitations of others without being unduly disturbed. Guardians with a will to serve don’t live in a fantasy world.” 

I hope those quotes give you a feel for this excellent volume. Frailey writes in a very engaging manner. I read these reflections over a number of days. A few of them I had to stop and think about and more than few I went back and reread it a second time, some even a third. In many ways this volume reminded me a lot of Madeleine L’Engle’s non-fiction, specifically: Madeleine L'Engle Herself: Reflections on a Writing Life or like a mash up of her Crosswick Journals and the Genesis Trilogy. Like L’Engle Frailey has written across genres, and she writes about that a bit in this volume. The both wrote fiction, science fiction, poetry, nonfiction and theology. And both are amazing authors. I had the chance to meet L’Engle in person twice, both times at conference, and to be honest reading this was like sitting down with her one on one or hearing her talks live. I have yet to meet Frailey, but maybe someday. There are other authors I have compared to L’Engle’s works for specific genres but Frailey does so across the lot of them.

This volume has reflections on numerous topics, but the themes woven throughout it are family, faith, friendship, and finding our place in the world. It is an excellent read. A volume I can easily recommend. Enjoy it over a few evenings on cold winter nights with a big mug or tea or on the beach in the summer with something cold to drink. But no matter how, I encourage you to give it a try. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2026 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by A.K. Frailey:

The Adventures of Tally Ho

It Might Have Been: And Other Stories

Encounter Science Fiction Short Stories and Novella

One Day At A Time And Other Stories

Homestead

For Me?

…

Old Earth Series:

OldEarth ARAM Encounter

OldEarth Ishtar Encounter

OldEarth Neb Encounter

OldEarth Georgios Encounter

OldEarth Melchior Encounter

…

New Earth Series:

The Last of Her Kind

NewEarth: Justine Awakens

NewEarth A Hero's Crime

NewEarth Progeny 

NewEarth Relevance

...

Oldtown Series:

Fly, Sparrow, Fly

Brothers Born

…

Non-Fiction:

The Road Goes Ever On: A Christian Journey Through the Lord of the Rings

My Road Goes Ever On Spiritual Being Human Journey

     *Formerly Heart Beats: Spiritual Being Human Journey

My Road Goes Ever On A Timeless Journey

My Road Goes Ever On Rise Again 

Hope's Embrace & Other Poems

…

Note: Old series that got reworked into other series:

Deliverance Series:

ARAM

Ishtar's Redemption: Trial by Fire

NEB the Great: Shadows of the Past

…

Hidden Heritage Series:

Georgios

Georgios II - A Chosen People

…

The Ultimate Blindside - Leslea Wahl - Blindside Series Book 3

Ultimate Blindside
Leslea Wahl

Perpetual Light Publishing

ISBN 9798994665503

eISBN 9798994665503

ASIN B0GLGM5VQ7

This book marks the fourteenth time I have read a book by Leslea Wahl, and that does not count her contributions to anthologies or the collaborative stories she has written with other Catholic Teen Books Authors. It took a long time for this third story in this series to be available. But it was well worth the wait! The description of this volume is:

“Jake’s silver-medal life is movie-worthy.

Sophie’s role is about to be sabotaged.

Their sleepy Colorado town is overrun by a Hollywood film crew as the two teens, now high school seniors, find their private lives laid open for the world to see. 

Meanwhile, a mysterious woman and her daughter seek the couple’s help running from a powerful, dangerous man. In this tale of twists, whom can Sophie and Jake truly trust?”

The Perfect Blindside, was the first book I read by Wahl and after reading it I picked up all the others that were then available. And I eagerly awaited this novel that continues the story. This book, series, and everything from Wahl is a good clean Christian young adult novel. But the story is so well written that even older readers should really enjoy it. It is part mystery and part romance. But the romance much less in this volume, and the two have grown in their relationship. This story reminds me a lot of Madeleine L’Engle’s Chronos books. 

As such the story revolves around mysterious events happening in Colorado during the filming of events from the previous volume to turn those into a movie Both the main characters have a lot on their plate, with growing fame, finishing highschool, preparing for university. And The mysteries they just seem to find themselves wrapped up in.

Both Jake and Sophie are facing things from their past. But also dealing with a lot in the present. During the first day of shooting a car goes into water and Jake jumps in to save a mother and young child. Because the cameras were rolling and media was onsite it made a big splash in the news. But the mother ants to hid and is fearful of even the police. They also discover someone is tampering with Sophie’s electronic communications, and Jake feels like he is being followed. Sometimes the best intentions so sideways, sometimes even in epic fashion. To find out read this excellent story. 

Both Jake and Sophie have grown a lot over the course of this trilogy and the other stories they appear in. But in this one they face their biggest challenges yet. And they truly do face an Ultimate Blindside. 

The story moves at a great pace. One of the greatest strengths is the characters. Wahl writes amazing characters. She also does excellent part in the book is the representation of internal struggles, of Jake and Sophie as they try and live out their faith, and as they are growing into adults. Jake and Sophie are excellent role models and examples. And I hope that we get another story with them.

This is the type of stories I encourage my own teens and young adult children to read. It is clean, but shows real struggles and trials. This book was a great read. I could hardly put it down. The discussion guide at the end is great for families or youth groups to work through together. It is an excellent read. I can easily recommend it. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books by Leslea Wahl:

Where You Lead
Christmas Angel 

To Serve and Protect

A Summer to Treasure 

…

Finding Faith Series:

Into the Spotlight

Charting the Course

In Plain Sight

…

An Unexpected Role – Republished as Into The Spotlight

…

Blind Side Series:

The Perfect Blindside

eXtreme Blindside

Ultimate Blindside

…

All For One:

One Blessing at a Time – Episode 1

More Precious Than Gold - Episode 2

Unlikely Witnesses - Episode 3

The Master Plan - Episode 4

…

Unlikely Witness (Original Edition)

…

Contributed to:

Secrets: Visible & Invisible 7 Amazing Stories - Catholic Teen Books
Gifts Visible & Invisible 8 Christmas Stories for Teens
Treasures: Visible & Invisible 8 Stories for Teens

The Christmas Lights

Ashes Visible & Invisible 10 Stories for Teens

A Foul Christmas

A Saint Nicholas Eve Carol

The Gift of the Angel Tree  

Shadows Visible & Invisible 7 Stories for Teens

A Lack of Christmas Spirits 

…