Book Reviews and More: FatherRocky

Showing posts with label FatherRocky. Show all posts

Monday, 30 December 2024

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2024

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2024

It has been a good year for reading. I have read 362 books this year, many great reads, and a few new authors that I had not explored yet, with plans to read more from some of them. I have read just about a day, in comparison with the last 7 years:

362 - 2024

455 - 2023

438 - 2022

365 - 2021

317 - 2020

392 - 2019

359 - 2018

380 - 2017

272 - 2016

But back to this year by the numbers:

Books Read: 362

First Time Reads: 282

Fiction: 153

Non-Fiction: 188

5/5 Stars: 264

The first half of this year was great. The second half, I switched roles at work, and family life was very busy.. I can state again that looking back 2016 is a bit of an outlier as late that year I switched jobs and have since had much better work – life balance. In the spring of 2016, I worked through Brandon Vogt’s course Read More Books Now (now available on ClaitasU). The year before that I removed all games from my phone and tablet and my reading had doubled.

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2024:

1. Vision Books for Young Readers - Ignatius Press

Brother André of Montreal - Ann Nolan Clark

Courage Under Fire Father Willie Doyle, S.J. - Fiorella De Maria

Father Kino Priest to the Pimas - Ann Nolan Clark

St. Benedict: Hero of the Hills - Mary Fabyan Windeatt

Saint Kevin of Glendalough - Kevin McKenzie

2. Books by Benedict XVI

The Fathers of the Church

Church Fathers From Clement of Rome to Augustine

The Medieval Fathers & Writers The Spiritual Masters

Church Fathers and Teachers: From Leo The Great to Peter Lombard

Caritas in Veritate

Charity In Truth

The Lenten Journey: Words for Lent and Easter

3. Books by Francis J. Hoffman aka Father Rocky

Mary at the Crossroads of History

The Memorare Moment

4. Born to Do This: 30 Days with Joan of Arc - Jaymie Stuart Wolfe - Great Spiritual Teachers Series

5. Sunday Hoimilies Series by Father Mike Schmitz

Are You Saved? The Catholic Understanding of Salvation

Ordinary Time: Finding Holiness in Everyday Life

Untroubled by the Unknown: Trusting God in Every Moment

It's Personal: Cultivating Your Relationship with God

What's Next? Surrendering Your Plans to Jesus

Come to the Altar: Worshiping God with Your Whole Heart

6. 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory - Matthew Kelly

7. Artificial Intelligence - Fr Andrew Pinsent, Sean Biggins, and Robert Seed - CTS Explanations

8. Coached by Josemaría Escrivá - Fr. John Henry Hanson O. Praem.

9. Deliver Us From Evil - Bishops' Conference of England and Wales - CTS Boo

10. Books by Barbara Calamari and Sandra Di Pasqua

Holy Cards

Visions of Mary: Mother of God

Bonus Books 2024:

Essential Prayers for the Dead - Sr. Mary Leonora Wilson FSP

The Rock from Which You Were Hewn: The Lives and Legacy of Holy Irish Men and Women - Fr. John Hogan and Dr. Patrick Kenny

Behold Your Mother: Marian Stations of the Cross - Marge Steinhage Fenelon

An Introduction to Living in the Divine Will: 33 Lessons from Luisa Piccarreta - Daniel O'Connor

As can be seen by the numbers, my reading has been up over each of the last few years, but this year there was a dip.

In April of 2023 I wrote a piece called How I Read So Much? Because I get asked the question so often, read the piece linked above if you are looking for some ideas on ways to read more.

Note: I do not include books that have been read in previous years and were reread this year in my top ten lists, they are sometimes in the bonus section. But if you want more options check out my favourite books year by year list. Or this year not to flood the list with one specific author.

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2020
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2020

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2020

Top Ten Fiction Books 2020

Top Ten Books First Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2021

Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2021

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2021

Top Ten Fiction Books 2021

Top Ten Books First Quarter 2022

Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2022

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2022

Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2022

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2022

Top Ten Fiction Books 2022

Top Ten Books First Quarter 2023

Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2023

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2023

Top Ten Fiction Books Fourth Quarter 2023

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2023

Top Ten Fiction Books 2023

Top Ten Books First Quarter 2024

Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2024

Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2023

Top Ten Fiction Books Fourth Quarter 2024

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2024

Top Ten Fiction Books 2024

Top Ten Books First Quarter 2025

...

All Top Ten Lists on Book Reviews and More

Statistics Books Read By Year:
363 - 2024

455 - 2023

438 - 2022

365 - 2021

317 - 2020
392 - 2019
359 - 2018
380 - 2017
272 - 2016
177 - 2015
130 - 2014
88 - 2013
176 - 2012
163 - 2011
302 - 2010
142 - 2009
98 - 2008
83 - 2007
191 - 2006
151 - 2005
60 - 2004
52 - 2003
97 - 2002
50 - 2001
41 - 2000
71 - 1999
73 - 1998
131 - 1997
101 - 1996

Wednesday, 17 July 2024

The Memorare Moment - Francis J. Hoffman aka Fr Rocky

The Memorare Moment:

The 30 Second Prayer That Will Change Your Life - and the World

Francis J. Hoffman

Fr Rocky

Scepter Publishers

ISBN 9798988066712

ISBN 9781594174933

The Memorare Moment - Francis J. Hoffman aka Fr Rocky

TThis volume was originally published in 2012 by Relevant Radio, under the title For Immediate Assistance, Pray the Memorare it was reprinted by Scepter Publishers in 2022 under the current title. I received a copy to review many months ago, I took it on a short vacation to read and absolutely loved it. My only regret is that there is no eBook edition of this or Mary at the Crossroads of History, I have a dual form of dyslexia and prefer eBooks so I can change the font, and the colour of the font and the page, to make reading easier. But even with there being no eBook edition I consider this an excellent volume and one of the best books I have read this year. At the reading of this volume I have read 192 books in nearly the first half of this year. This is a volume I will be sharing with friends for a long time to come.

The description of the book states:

“You may be very familiar with the Memorare, a devotional prayer to Our Lady that asks for her intercession in times of need. Or maybe you’ve never even heard of the prayer but are interested in new ways to grow in devotion to Mary.

Whether you’re looking to learn more about the prayer that you grew up praying or are brand new to the Memorare, The Memorare Moment by Father Rocky has something to offer to people at every stage of their spiritual lives.

Encounter the profound and Christ-centered theology that underlines this quick, easy to memorize Marian devotion. Experience its impact through inspiring stories in history – and throughout Father Rocky’s life.

“The time has come for us to stand up and pray! Our friends, families, and world need to turn to this powerful prayer and our Blessed Mother’s guiding hand. This is the moment for Our Lady’s maternal intercession to bring about a change of hearts, a change of laws and a change of culture.” – Father Rocky.”

And about the author we are informed:

“Rev. Francis J. Hoffman, JCD (Fr. Rocky) is Executive Director of Relevant Radio. Ordained as a priest for Opus Dei in 1992 by Blessed John Paul II, he holds a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, an MBA from the University of Notre Dame, and a BA in History from Northwestern University.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction: The Matter of a Moment

A Mother’s Prayer

Faith of a Father

The Mysteries of the Memorare

Behold Your Mother!

The Rock Prayer

Remember

O Most Gracious Virgin

Never Was It Known … Never Left Unsaid

Fled, Sought, Implored

In Your Mercy

Hear and Answer Me

Amen: The Marian Shape of History

The Memorare, Tomorrow and Forever

A Few Recommended Books

Father Rocky states in the introduction:

“In the first edition I made the historical and devotional case for this great Marian prayer. I drew from my own experience and from the lives of very recent sainst, and I begged readers to take that message and apply it specifically to a special intention: the eradication of legal abortion. I also asked them to log the number of their prayers on the ‘Memorare Meter’ created just for this purpose on the Relevant Radio website."

At the end of the introduction he states:

“Our task is enormous, and it will not be the work of a day, But it is the matter of a moment, and the moment, I believe, belongs to the Memorare. Please join me in this prayer without ceasing and discover, as I have that prayer is more powerful than politics.

We need to go now to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who intervenes decisively at the crossroads of history. She will lead us and teach us. She will pray with us and console us. She will offer her infallible intercession for us, and we will live to see the difference it makes.

Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve gone to her. Even if it’s been an hour, it’s been too long! So remind her of who you are and why you’re here: Remember …”

The prayer at the centre of this volume is:

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it

known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy

help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins,

my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and

sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my

petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

This story is part history of the Memorare and it’s uses down through history. It is also part biography of Father Rocky and his goring in faith his upbringing, discerning his vocation, and founding Relevant Radio, all while seeking the guidance and prayers of Mary.

It is a very easy volume to engage with. It is a book any high school student could easily read. It is an amazing little volume that any Catholic would benefit from reading. It will challenge, encourage and inspire readers of all ages. A great volume to add to any home, school, or church library! I can easily recommend this book.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Father Rocky:

For Immediate Assistance, Pray the Memorare

Marriage Insurance: 12 Rules to Live By

Mary at the Crossroads of History

The Memorare Moment

Treasures of the Rosary: Reflections by Those Who Pray it Daily

…

Other posts about Guadalupe:

Our Lady of Guadalupe - Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua

Message of Guadalupe - Gillian Rae - CTS Christian Shrines Series

Saint Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe - Josephine Nobisso and Virginia Esquinaldo

Mary at the Crossroads of History - Francis J. Hoffman aka Fr Rocky

The Memorare Moment - Francis J. Hoffman aka Fr Rocky

Novena and Consecration to Our Lady of Guadalupe: for Nine Days or Nine Months - Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke

A Prayer of the Day Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe

A prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

...

Mary at the Crossroads of History - Francis J. Hoffman aka Fr Rocky

Friday, 12 July 2024

Mary at the Crossroads of History - Francis J. Hoffman aka Fr Rocky

Mary at the Crossroads of History

Francis J. Hoffman

Fr Rocky

Scepter Publishers

ISBN 9798988066705

This volume was originally published in 2020 by Relevant Radio, it was then reprinted by Scepter Publishers in 2022. I received a copy to review many months ago, I took it on a short vacation to read and absolutely loved it. My only regret is that there is no eBook edition of this or The Memorare Moment, I have a dual form of dyslexia and prefer eBooks so I can change the font, and the colour of the font and the page, to make reading easier. But even with there being no eBook edition I consider this an excellent volume and one of the best books I have read this year. At the reading of this volume I have read 187 books in nearly the first half of this year. And this is one I will be sharing with friends for a long time to come.

The description of the book states:

“Mary at the Crossroads of History provides insight and justification into the special role our Blessed Mother plays in history. As Drew Mariani expressed: " This book will give you a deeper understanding of Our Lady's special role in human history and stir your heart with a greater love for her".”

And about the author we are informed:

The chapters in this volume are:

Forward: The Inflection Point

The Millennium Game

In the Beginning

Mother of God, Mother of the Church

The Confrontation in Spain

The Flowering of Christendom

The Century of Fatima

The Battle for Life – and Relevant Radio’s Part in It

What We Can Do – with Our Lady’s Help

Some Sources

About the Author

About Relevant Radio

The story of the Millennium Game and how it started the idea for this volume back on December 31st 1999 was fascinating, and from there Father Rocky goes back and forth through history of Mary’s interventions, messages, and the impact they have had on communities, society and the world. But that is wrapped in the idea that we are at another inflection point in history, and we can use these examples from the past to trust in Mary and her intercession.

His examples span history from Mary’s interactions with the disciples, to the battle at Lepanto, From Guadalupe to Fatima. He has a focus of a few stores about Our Lady of Good Help, and Adele Brise. His story are from epic battles in Christendom, Mary guiding a bullet, to personal stories of families he met on the Walk to Champion.

This is an amazing little volume that any Catholic would benefit from reading. It will challenge, encourage and inspire readers of all ages. I can easily recommend this book.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Father Rocky:

For Immediate Assistance, Pray the Memorare

Marriage Insurance: 12 Rules to Live By

Mary at the Crossroads of History

The Memorare Moment

Treasures of the Rosary: Reflections by Those Who Pray it Daily

…

Other posts about Guadalupe:

Our Lady of Guadalupe - Barbara Calamari and Sandra DiPasqua

Message of Guadalupe - Gillian Rae - CTS Christian Shrines Series

Saint Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe - Josephine Nobisso and Virginia Esquinaldo

Mary at the Crossroads of History - Francis J. Hoffman aka Fr Rocky

The Memorare Moment - Francis J. Hoffman aka Fr Rocky

Novena and Consecration to Our Lady of Guadalupe: for Nine Days or Nine Months - Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke

A Prayer of the Day Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe

A prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

...

Sunday, 30 June 2024

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Second Quarter 2024

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Second Quarter 2024

It has been a good year for reading so far. I am still averaging about a book a day. It was slower this year than the last few, but both work and home life have been much busier.

In April of 2023 I wrote a piece called How I Read So Much? Because I get asked the question so often, read the piece linked above if you are looking for some ideas on ways to read more.

This quarter I read 78 books, low compared to the last few years, below is the comparison with the last 8 years:

2024 - 78

2023 – 109

2022 – 110

2021 – 104

2020 – 85

2019 – 102

2018 – 102

2017 – 112

2016 – 36

But back to this quarter by the numbers:

Books Read: 78

First Time Reads: 61

Fiction: 43

Non-Fiction: 35

5/5 Stars: 55

A significant dip over the last few years. I can state again that looking back 2016 is a bit of an outlier as late that year I switched jobs and have since had much better work – life balance. In the spring of 2016, I worked through Brandon Vogt’s course Read More Books Now (now available on ClaitasU). The year before that I removed all games from my phone and tablet and my reading had doubled.

Here is my top ten fiction and non-fiction books of the second quarter of 2024.

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books:

1. Vision Books for Young readers - Ignatius Press

Brother André of Montreal - Ann Nolan Clark

Courage Under Fire Father Willie Doyle, S.J. - Fiorella De Maria

Father Kino Priest to the Pimas - Ann Nolan Clark

St. Benedict: Hero of the Hills - Mary Fabyan Windeatt

2. Books by Francis J. Hoffman aka Father Rocky

Mary at the Crossroads of History

The Memorare Moment

3. How to spread the Gospel: Advice and encouragement from Pope Benedict XVI - Fr Donncha Ó hAodha - CTS Books

4. Behold Your Mother: Marian Stations of the Cross - Marge Steinhage Fenelon

5. Deliver Us From Evil - Bishops' Conference of England and Wales - CTS Books

6. Places of Grace: My Visits to Shrines, Chapels, Graves, and Monasteries and the Graces I Received - Fr. Edward Looney

7. The Stations of the Cross in Slow Motion - Suzan M. Sammons - A Daily Devotion for Lent

8. Saint Thomas and the Forbidden Birds - James Matthew Wilson

9. The Remarkable Life of Bishop Bonaventure Broderick: Exile, Redemption, and a Gas Station - James Hanna

10. Beyond Columbo: The Life and Times of Peter Falk - Richard A. Lertzman and William J. Birnes

Bonus Books:

The 72 Crew Manual 1st Edition - Fr. Mark Goring CC Eucharistic Adoration Prayer Book - Marie Paul Curley, FSP

The Catechism in a Year Companion, Volume I - Fr. Mike Schmitz, Petroc Willey, and Ann Koshute

Top Ten Fiction Books:

1. Archangel - N.R. LaPoint - Raven Mistcreek Book 3

2. Curse of the Seawolf - Nick Donnelly

(I read un unpublished manuscript.)

3. Escaping Infinity - Richard Paolinelli - Infinity Book 1

4. Raven - Lori Janeski - Carter Files Book 2

5. Pixie Noir - Cedar Sanderson - Pixie for Hire Book 1

6. I, Brax: 1 A Battle Divine - Arthur Slade

7. Deus Volt - N.R. LaPoint - Dinosaur Warfare Book 3

8. Worth Dying For - Marie Keiser

9. Contact: Angeles - Caroline Furlong

10. A Lion for a Tomb Ignatius of Antioch - Corinna Turner - Friends in High Places 04

11. Lyorn - Steven Brust - Vlad Taltos Book 17

Bonus Books:

The Journey - Jim Sano

A Cloud of Unknowing - Andrew Gillsmith - Deserted Vineyard Book 2

The Eternity Symbiote - Cedar Sanderson

My reading has been up over each of the last few years, but it is staying pretty consistent at about a book a day over the year. I attribute in part to Brandon Vogt’s course Read More Books Now, removing all games but 1 brain game from my devices. And I was commuting to work on a bus and read on the bus every day. Working from home reading took a little more discipline, and we are now back to a hybrid model with 5 days a month in the office, so things are changing again.

Note: I do not include books that have been read in previous years and were reread this year in my top ten lists, they are sometimes in the bonus section.

But if you want more options check out my favourite books year by year list. Or this year not to flood the list with one specific author.