Showing posts with label Catholic2020. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Catholic2020. Show all posts

Friday, 9 December 2022

The Gypsy Saint 'El Pele' Cerefino Jimenez Malla - Jean Olwen Maynard - CTS 20th Century Martyrs

The Gypsy Saint 'El Pele' Cerefino Jimenez Malla
Jean Olwen Maynard
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860820724
CTS Booklet B656


It took me a while to track down this volume, this booklet is part of the CTS 20th Century Martyrs Series. To date I have read 328 volumes from the Catholic Truth Society, and this is the eleventh in this specific series. I believe I only have 2 left to track down in the series, Isidore Bankanja and Pedro Poveda. Reading about Martyrs is not an easy thing. But I believe it is an important thing for us to do. I am thankful for this book, the series, and the many other books in the CTS Biographies for they are amongst my favourite reads over the last few years. The version I tracked down was a first edition published in 1999. Jean Olwen Maynard has written a number of books published by the Catholic Truth Society. But back to this volume.

The description of this volume is:

“In August 1936 the bloody corpse of Ceferino Jimenez Malla, a 75 year old gypsy, was tipped into a mass grave, covered with quicklime and buried. What was the story of this man, “El Pele”? Just another victim of the countless atrocities on each other by the left-wing Republicans and right-wing Falangists meted out in the Spanish Civil War? Unable to read or write, a respected gypsy horse-dealer, good husband and father, his is a compelling story of goodness and faith in Christ. In 1997 he was beatified by John Paul II in St Peter’s, Rome as the first gypsy martyr.”.”

The chapters and sections in the volume are:

Early Years 
     The Gypsies in Europe 
     The Gypsies in Spain 
     Ceferino's Birth 
     Ceforino's Childhood 
     Marriage 
     A house in Barbastro 
     Spain's economic problems 
     Pele and Teresa adopt a child 
     Pele befriends Nicolas Santos de Otto 

Pele's return to the Church 
     An act of charity repaid 
     Catholicism in Spain 
     Charity and generosity 
     Pele becomes a gypsy leader 
     Pele's care for local children 
     Teresa dies 
     Pele becomes more involved in the Church 
     Political problems in Spain 
     The Republicans legislate against the Church 
     A new bishop in Barbastro 

The Spanish Civil War 
     Arrested for the Rosary 
     Pele's final journey 
     The victims of the Civil War 
     El Pele, martyr for the Faith 
     Bibliography

I am well completely unaware of this story. And I only stumbled upon the booklet by chance when doing research for a different review. I had thought I had a complete list of the volumes in the series and this one was a surprise. As is the story contained within this volume. Once I started reading this story I had a very hard time putting it down. I read it in 2 sittings over two consecutive days. And to be honest I plan to go back and read it again. I highlighted numerous passages while I was reading the book, some of them are:

“But the gypsy horse-dealer was a well-known character in the city, and his intense piety was accepted and respected by his neighbours – backed up as it was by the integrity of his life.”

“State after state passed law ordering the nomads ~ deported. In Britain and elsewhere a man or woman could be brutally flogged, branded or hanged for no other reason than being "'a wandering gypsy”.

“Defined out of existence, the cale were forbidden to wear distinctive clothing, speak their own language, maintain a nomadic lifestyle or even practice their preferred occupations of horse -dealing and blacksmithing. Ordered to settle in specified owns, they were not to be allowed to live together in large groups: various measures were passed attempting to disperse them across the country and even to enforce intermarriage with non-gypsies.”

“But a generation later politicians were asking again why the gypsies could not be deported to penal colonies, or dumped in South America? King Carlos III wanted gypsy children removed from their parents at birth. Even after 1783, when the government finally threw in the towel and passed a law granting equal rights to gypsies, harassment and restrictive surveillance continued.”

“Nevertheless, as he grew older and his friendship with Don Nicolas deepened, the liturgy and sacraments of the Church became increasingly precious to him. His natural and spontaneous relationship with God was not something he saw as opposed to institutional structures. He quickly discovered a fruitful mutuality between the inner wellsprings of his own faith, and the outward sacramental signs which nourished that of his friend.”

“He prayed the rosary all through the liturgy, as pious people so often did in those days when it was in Latin, and received Holy Communion with great reverence. He was always praying the rosary: at least once a day with his family, and often at other times, even when he was walking along the street. Someone gave him a little picturebook version of the Stations of the Cross, and he prayed this too with great devotion.”

“To Pele, a human being was a human being. Gypsy or payo, rich or poor didn’t matter. So he became a bridge between the different races and social groups. The Santos de Otto. Jordan and other middle-class families came to be accepted by the gypsy community in Barbastro, because they were friends of Pele.”

“Pele was gradually drawn into the activist core of the Catholic community. Whenever there was a public procession, especially on Good Friday and Corpus Christi, he was there - usually up near the front, holding a lighted candle. He loved to accompany the priest taking the Viaticum to someone who was dying.”

“Even now, when he himself was actually quite poor, Pele still tried to help those in need in whatever ways he could.”

“Tears came to Pele’s eyes when he heard of the fall of the monarchy. He was sure it meant trouble for Spain. A month later came an outbreak of anti-clerical riots in Madrid, Seville and several other cities. Over a hundred churches and other Catholic institutions were burned clown. The Republican government refused to take any action, on the grounds that protecting church buildings was not worth risking the safety of' even one policeman.”

“From the day of his death, El Pele was regarded in Barbastro as a Christian martyr, killed for his faith. Everyone talked about how this gypsy had gone to his death carrying his rosary and shouting “Viva Cristo Rey!” .”

“Ferruchon's families used to pray in front of his picture, both for him and to him. Other local gypsies also regarded him as a saint and asked for his intercession when they needed anything. From the 1960s researchers began interviewing people in and around Barbastro, collecting material about his life and martyrdom. By the 1980 his fame among the gypsy people had spread even to eastern Europe.”

“In 1993 another process was opened for the beatification of the Servant of God
Ceferino Jimenez Malla. It went through with lightning speed. El Pele was beatified together with the bishop on Sunday 4th May 1997 in a ceremony in St Peter’s Square, attended by thousands or gypsies. He was the first gypsy ever to be beatified.”

I hope those quotes will give you a sense of this volume. It is well worth tracking down. This is an amazing story and it is well worth the read.  It is an excellent volume in an important series. I highly recommend it, and encourage you to track it down and give it a read. I was completely taken with this man’s faith. He was arrested because he was carrying a rosary, he was executed with it still in his hands. He lived his faith and would not give it up even in the face of certain death. And the political groups that lead to this death are similar to those on the rise today. Churches are being burned and looted in Europe, Canada, the United states. His faith can give us courage in the light of what is happening in the world today.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Oscar Romero: Martyr for Faith - Ashley Beck
Pedro Poveda - Bernadette Lally


Published work by Jean Olwen Maynard:
Privately published by religious orders/parishes:
Greyfriars Convent, Elgin (2006)
A History of St Mary and St Michael’s Parish, Commercial Road, East London (2007)
Sisters of Mercy Bristol (2008)
150 Years of Mercy: A History of the Sisters of Mercy Commercial Road East London (2009)
The Saint of Hoxton (2011)
Saint Monica’s Church Hoxton Square (2018) 
150th anniversary history brochure for Parish of Guardian Angels, Mile End (2018)
150th anniversary history brochure for Parish of Our Lady and St Catherine of Sienna, Bow (2020) 
Immaculate Heart of Mary and St Dominic, Homerton 1873-2023 – 150 Years: A History of the Parish (2023)
…

CTS Booklets:
Isidore Bakanja 
Joseph Vaz
…

Articles:
Between Christendom and Islam, The Martyr Mystic Christian de Chergé and the Atlas Cistercians in Algeria, in: Catholic in Religious Dialogue: Monasticism, Theology and Spirituality, ed Anthony O’Mahoney and Peter Bowe OSB, Gracewing, 2006
Campaign for the Catholic Workhouse Children, in: British Catholic History, Vol 31: Issue 4 Oct 2015
…
















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Tuesday, 2 March 2021

Oriens A Pilgrimage Through Advent and Christmas 2020 - Father Joel Sember

Oriens
A Pilgrimage Through Advent and Christmas 2020
ISBN 9781681926599
eISBN 9781681926605
ASIN B08D5863B4 


I greatly enjoyed this book. My one regret is that this is a once and done. It is set up to a specific Advent for a specific year. The print edition is set up with space for journaling. The eBook had pictures of those spaced but not much use. The formatting could have been much better on the eBook. But the contents more than made up for that shortfall. I would have preferred if it was more generic so that it could be reused again. Either next year or the year after. 

I do not even recall how I stumbled across this Advent devotional. But in the book the author states:

“Thank you to the priests and people of the Diocese of Green Bay, in particular published authors Fr. Edward Looney and Julianne Stanz, who inspired and encouraged me to see this project through.”

And I have read, loved and reviewed a few volumes from Fr. Looney. We are told about the author that:

“Fr. Joel Sember was ordained a priest in 2007 for the Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin. He has extensive experience as a parish priest and served two years in campus ministry. He made a thirty-day Ignatian silent retreat and later completed the Spiritual Direction Training Program through the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha, Nebraska.”

The chapters in the volume are:

Introduction 
Suggested Calendar for the Advent and Christmas Season 
Blessing of an Advent Wreath 

WEEK ONE (November 29–December 5) Lectio Divina 
WEEK TWO (December 6–12) Relational Prayer (ARRR) 
WEEK THREE (December 13–19) Imaginative Prayer 
WEEK FOUR (December 20–26) Announcement of the Birth of Christ 
WEEK FIVE (December 27–January 2) When to Use Each Form of Prayer 
WEEK SIX (January 3–9) Well Begun Is Half Done Blessing of the Home and Household on Epiphany 
WEEK SEVEN (January 10–16) When Does Christmas Really End? 
WEEK EIGHT (January 17–23) A Sparkler Send-Off for Christmas 
WEEK NINE (January 24–30) The Feast of the Presentation 
WEEK TEN (January 31–February 2) The Journey Continues 

Once a Pilgrim, Always a Pilgrim 
Acknowledgments

Each week has an introduction to the week’s theme, then devotions for each day. The daily devotions follow the following format:

Date
Biblical Passage
Teaching
Journal Space
Time for Reflection

Or

Introduction
Preparation
Lectio
Meditatio
Oratio
Contemplatio
Questions for Journaling
Prayer

A sample Sunday is:

“January 24 — Sunday 
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Preparation: Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten the eyes of my heart. 

Be present to the God who is always present to you. Call to mind his loving care for you, and spend the first minute of your prayer resting in the unearned gift of loving and being loved. 

Set the Scene: Let us return to the shores of Galilee. We meditated already (January 11) with this passage of Jesus’ calling of his first disciples. But in the past week, you may have noticed Jesus calling you to a deeper conversion. He is inviting you to follow him ever more closely. 

Picture the sea and the fishermen as you read the passage. Use your imagination to set the scene. 

Mark 1:14–20 

After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” 

As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Then they abandoned their nets and followed him. He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him. 

Action! The Gospel that Jesus proclaims is exactly what we have been learning about: God created the world and made human beings to be in union with him. Through the envy of the Devil, sin entered the world and divided us from God and from one another. But God prepared a Savior for us, the Word made flesh, who sacrificed himself for our sin. 

Read the passage a second time, using your imagination to see Jesus reaching out to you and inviting you into a relationship with him. He wants you to follow him, to remain with him. 

Acknowledge: The fishermen believe; they follow. How do you feel called? Read the passage a third time. What thoughts, feelings, and desires arise in your heart? 

Relate: Respond to God’s call. If you are struggling with leaving your “boats and the nets,” talk to Jesus about it. 

Receive: What does Jesus want to say to you? What does he want to give you? Can you open your heart to the gift of his friendship? 

Respond: You cannot fulfill the mission on your own, but Jesus and Mary will help you say yes to God’s call. Respond in whatever way you are able at this time. 

Questions For Journaling 
1. Compare this week’s meditation to the one on Monday, January 11. 
2. God has been giving me more … 
3. God is asking me to … 
4. My deepest desire is … 
5. I ended prayer wanting …

Close with a brief conversation, giving thanks to God for your prayer experience. Then pray an Our Father.”

Now some might ask why review a devotional that is a once and done. For a few reasons. First it was very well written and deserves that acknowledgement. Second if someone was willing to spend the time, they could use it on a different year and just shift some readings around as needed. Especially after Christmas. And Third because if Father Joel writes another one it will give you a feel for it.

This book was a blessing to read this year. And I loved that it does the whole season of Christmas. And I will be willing to read another volume from him next Advent, or for Lent if one were to become available. An excellent book!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!
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Sunday, 27 December 2020

The Monks Make Amends - Sylvia Dorham and Christopher Tupa

The Monks Make Amends 
Christopher Tupa (Illustrator)
ISBN 9781505117905


I read the first book in this series 4 years ago, The Monk’s Daily Bread, and never got around to reviewing it. I plan to go back and read it again just for that purpose. The day this one arrived I read it twice. Well actually my 10-year-old read it to me and then later my 12 year old read it to me. This is a wonderful little picture book. The book reminds me of both Tales of a Magic Monastery by Theophane the Monk and The Case of the Haunted Chapel by Karen Kelly Boyce and Sue Anderson Gioulis Sisters of the Last Straw Book 1 but geared for younger readers. 

The book is set in a monastery is guided by Father Abbot. One day he notices that something is off. There are monks who are angry, and monks who are mad. And this is making Father Abbot very sad. He must find a way to figure out what happened and what can be done about it.

The illustrations are wonderful. The story is fun. All three of us give it a solid 5/5 stars. We plan to go back and reread the first book, The Monk’s Daily Bread, and really look forward to the next one, The Monk’s Stormy Night. A great picture book in what is shaping up to be a great series.

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

Books by Sylvia Dorham:
The Monks Series:
The Monk’s Daily Bread

Other Books:
Rosana: A Modern Retelling of the Book of Ruth
Jewel
The Book of Names: An Accounting of What Might Have Been
Avoiding The Octopus
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Wednesday, 23 December 2020

A Dino Whisperer at the Zoo - Corinna Turner - unSPARKed Book 0.4

A Dino Whisperer at the Zoo
unSPARKed Book 0.4
Corinna Turner
Unseen Books
eISBN 9781910806555
ASIN B08PZGLT9Y


Wow! This story packs a lot of punch. Not literally, but it came close to blows. But figuratively, wow, wow, wow. This story takes place 2 years after A Very Jurassic Christmas and 17 years after the main events in Breach. And just a few months before the first novel in the series, Drive. I loved this story, this series and all of the book from Corinna Turner that I have read. And I have read all but 2 that are published. These are great reads for tweens, teens and adults. The series feels like a mashup of Mad Max, Lost World, and Jurassic Park.

unSPARKed is a series set in a not too distant future. Dinosaurs once again roam the earth. Just because a scientist could do something, did not mean they should have done it. Most people live SPARKed, in cities with walls and electrified fences. There are two groups of people who live unSPARKed, farmers who have electric fences around their farms and live in community with their close neighbours. And Hunters who live most of the time out on the road or off road in HabVI’s Habitat Vehicles. This story focuses mainly on Josh and his ability to read and communicate with dinosaurs.  

Josh is at a Zoo fulfilling a contract. He has chosen and transported a male velociraptor so the zoo can have an extra breeding pair. The Zoo is under renovations and not all things are up to snuff. But Jose knows dinosaurs, even better than he knows people. And this is a time where his expertise is much needed. 

First the Zoo administrator is hesitant to pay up because he believes the new dino is too wild. Josh hops in the cage and hand feeds it treats. In the process scaring, startling and reassuring the staff of the quality of their purchase. While there he sees a female allosaur called Gold. The same one he saved as a chick and hand fed for a few days in A Very Jurassic Christmas. She recognises him. But he is very concerned about the quality of the pen she is being kept in. And after an accident he finds himself jumping for a second time and with no real plan other than relying on his skills and ability to read dinosaurs. 

Another great story in an excellent series. Like all of Turner’s books I have read it is both highly entertaining and was terribly enjoyable. I encourage you to pick it up and give it a try, I am certain it will not disappoint. 

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

Books by Corinna Turner:
I Am Margaret Series:
0.0 The Underappreciated Virtues of Rusty Old Bicycles (A prequel)
0.5 Brothers (Prequel)
1.0 I Am Margaret
1.5 How Snakey Got His Name (Short Story)
2.0 The Three Most Wanted
3.0 Liberation
4.0 Bane's Eyes
5.0 Margo's (Attempted) Diary & Notebook
5.5 An Unexpected Guest
6.0 The Siege of Reginald Hill
6.5 Buttons (Short Story)
7.0 A Saint in the Family
I Am Margaret The Play - Fiorella de Maria
...

Yesterday and Tomorrow Series:
Someday
Tomorrow's Dead
...

unSPARKed Series:
Prequel Short Stories:
0.1 Breach
 7.0 FEAR

Mandy Lamb Series:
Mandy Lamb and the Full Moon
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
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Monday, 21 December 2020

Zombie Death Extreme Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator - Karina Fabian

Zombie Death Extreme: 
Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator
Karina Fabian
ISBN 9781950875078
eISBN 9781950875061
ASIN B08KLD6LTN


This book is back in print. Ten years after the original release. With a new cover and new publisher. Over the last few months, I have read 4 novels, and 2 collections of short stories edited by Karina Fabian. Prior to that there had been a n 8-year gap in my reading one of her offerings. That was truly my loss. And I am making up for lost time. I cannot seem to put her books down. I am very thankful this one is back in print, and after finishing it cannot wait for the rerelease of book 2. This book was so much fun! 

This story is a cross between a science experiment gone wrong, reality tv at both it is best and worse, and the Zombie apocalypse. And it is a whole lot of fun. Neeta Lyffe is a second-generation Zombie Exterminator. She is in huge financial straits because of a lawsuit for damages after she save a fat cat and his party goers. She is now on contract to lead a group of newbies through training, exercise, and field work to become a licensed Zombie Exterminator. With conflict with her studio bosses. An on-air radio personality romantic interest. A Camera man who wants to get in on the Zombie killing action. 

And Neeta just wants to protect and really train her challengers. Save her home and her business. 2042 in California is a rough place to eek out a living. But that is what Neeta feels called to do. So as host and judge on ZDE Zombie Death Extreme. 

Pick up the book and find out if Neeta can keep her trainees safe. Help them develop the skills they need to work in the field. Keep the ratings up. And somehow stay sane. This story is an excellent read for fans of zombie movies. For fan of classic B line science fiction movies. Or really anyone looking for something very different to read. It will surprise, it will entertain. And It will leave you desperate for the next volume I Left My Brains in San Francisco. 

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


Dex Hollister Series:
The Old Man and the Void
Dex's Way
...

Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator Series :
Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator
I Left My Brains in San Francisco
Shambling in a Winter Wonderland
…

DragonEye PI Series:
DragonEye PI Novels:

Space Traipse Series:
Space Traipse: Hold My Beer, Season 1
Space Traipse: Hold My Beer, Season 2
Space Traipse: Hold My Beer, Season 3
Space Traipse Stories
…

Madness of Kanaan Series:
(formerly The Mind Over Series)

Edited by: Karina Fabian:
Infinite Space, Infinite God I
Leaps of Faith
Infinite Space, Infinite God II
...


Contributed to:
Firestorm of Dragons
The Zombie Cookbook
The Book of Tentacles
Twisted Fayrie Tales
FRIGHTLINER: And Other Tales of the Undead
Mother Goose is Dead
Word by Word: Slowing Down with the Hail Mary
Image and Likeness Literary Reflections on the Theology of the Body
Corrupts Absolutely? Dark Metahuman Fiction
Weird Noir
The Complete Guide to Writing Paranormal Novels
Manifesto UF
Avenir Eclectia
Planetary Anthology: Jupiter
Planetary Anthology: Pluto
Planetary Anthology: Luna
Planetary Anthology: Uranus
FlagShip Science Fiction and Fantasy v2i5
My Little Book of Headdesks
To Be Men: Stories Celebrating Masculinity
...

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Sunday, 20 December 2020

Christmas Angel - Leslea Wahl

Christmas Angel 
Leslea Wahl
Ministry Through Mystery
ASIN B08MKQTF58


I have read five novels by Leslea Wahl and her short stories in the collections, Secrets: Visible & Invisible 7 Amazing Stories and Gifts Visible & Invisible 8 Christmas Stories for Teens. This story appears in the second of those anthologies. But like the offering by Carolyn Astfalk, A Perfect Christmas, this one had a different impact upon me reading it as a stand alone story. Reading it by itself helped me to really reflect upon the concept of doing a good deed every day. Also how that looks in 2020 with social distancing and isolation. 

It also reminded me of the impact that even small actions can have. And the ripples that our actions can trigger that have the possibility of becoming waves or even tsunamis of kindness. And it helped me appreciate even more the great kindness that has been shown towards our own family as we prepare for my son’s spinal surgery on December 22nd. At one point in the book it is stated:

“By doing special things for others, I was drawn closer to Christ. What if, in some small way, my deeds had a ripple effect and brought others closer to Christ as well? That would be incredible. 

My heart patters. I can’t wait to tell Father Brady how his simple words made such an impact.”

That is part of what this story teaches us. The impact we can have on the world if we listen to God and follow his promptings. And in this case stirred up by a sermon. A bit later in the story:

“Rachael reaches for her water. “Well, now that Christmas has arrived, you can go back to your normal life.” 

I stare at her and realize that part of my unsettled feeling is a sadness that my good-deeds campaign is over. That grand finale I was expecting would surely make it all feel complete.”

Meg realized she doesn’t want to stop. What started with a goal until Christmas can be continued. And be even more impactful if she learns to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guiding’s and promptings. But to find out if that happens you will need to pick up this story and give it a read. 

This story is written for the Young adult audience. And it is great Christian fiction and a wonderful Catholic story. But no matter what your age, I am certain you will be blessed by giving this short story a read. And seeing what sort of impact it has on you and your life.

I have loved the novels by Wahl that I have read. But this year, this Christmas this story holds a special place in my heart. And I am certain it will enchant you as well.

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

Books by Leslea Wahl:
To Serve and Protect

Finding Faith Series:
Into the Spotlight
Charting the Course
…
An Unexpected Role – Republished as Into The Spotlight
…

Blind Side Series:

All For One:
Unlikely Witness (Original Edition)
…

Contributed to:







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