Showing posts sorted by date for query Father Andrzej Muszala. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query Father Andrzej Muszala. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Thursday, 30 June 2022

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Second Quarter 2022

Top Ten Fiction and Non-Fiction Books Second Quarter 2022


It has been a very good first half of the year. Many great reads. I have read just over a book and a half a day. I read 110 books this quarter and 258 so far this year. Part of it is due to my youngest two children’s reading skills really growing and they read to/with me for 20 minutes four or five days a week. As well as this Lent I tried to read a different Stations of the Cross booklet each day. And have continued each Friday since Lent. 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. 

But back to this quarter. By the numbers:

Books Read: 110
First Time Reads: 86
Fiction: 31
Non-Fiction: 55
5/5 Stars: 74

Here is my top ten fiction and non-fiction books of the second quarter of 2022.

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books:
3. Books by Benedict XVI
6. Books by Deacon Nick Donnelly

Bonus Books:
Books by J.B. Midgley
Top Ten Fiction Books:
1. Short Stories by Karina Fabian
2. unSPARKed Books by Corinna Turner
3. St. Tommy NYPD Books by Declan Finn
5. Paul McGrath Books by Andrew Grant 
8. Detective Cooper Devereaux Books by Andrew Grant

Bonus Books:

The first half of 2022 has been a great, and this was another excellent quarter for reading. A few new authors, some favorites. Books in old series, and the beginnings of some new series. Again this year, at least so far, I managed to write reviews for all books read for the only the third time.

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 favorite books year by year list.  



Relates Posts: 
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2010
Top 10 Reading Goals for 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2010
Top 10 Fiction Books 4th Quarter 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2010 - Recap
Top 10 Fiction Books 2010
Top 10 Picture Books of 2010
Top 10 Non-Fiction Books of 2010
Top 10 Graphic Novels for 2010
Top Ten Reading Goals For 2011 
Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals for 2011 Update 
Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2011 
Top Ten Fictions Books 4th Quarter 2011
Top Ten Fiction Books 2011
Top Ten Reading Goals 2011 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 3rd Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books  4th Quarter 2012
Top Ten Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2012
Top Ten Reading Goals 2012 - Recap
Top Ten Reading Goals 2013
Top 10 Fiction Books 1st Quarter 2013
Top 10 Fiction Books 2nd Quarter 2013
Top 10 Books Second Half 2013
Top Ten Fiction Books 2013
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2013 
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2014
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2014
Top Ten Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2014
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2015
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2015
Top Ten Fiction Books 2015
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2015
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2016
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2016
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2016
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2016
Top Ten Non- Fiction Books 2016
Top Ten Fiction Books 2016
Top Ten Catholic Books
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2017
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2017
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2017
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2017
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2017
Top Ten Fiction Books 2017
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2018
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2018
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2018
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2018
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2018
Top Ten Fiction Books 2018
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2019
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2019
Top Ten Books Third Quarter 2019
Top Ten Books Fourth Quarter 2019
Top Ten Non-Fiction Books 2019
Top Ten Fiction Books 2019
Top Ten Books First Quarter 2020
Top Ten Books Second Quarter 2020
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


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Tuesday, 28 June 2022

The World of Marian Apparitions - Wincenty Laszewski - Mary's Appearances and Messages from Fatima to Today

The World of Marian Apparitions: 
Mary's Appearances and Messages from Fatima to Today
Sophia Institute Press
ISBN 9781644132029
ASIN 9781644132036


First this was an amazing read. A stunning book, full of photo’s, information boxes and well researched text. Wincenty Łaszewski, has written an incredible volume. And for the most part I thought it was excellent. I have a few concerns but will share them later. 

This is an English edition of, Świat Maryjnych Objawień, originally published in Polish and a fourth edition is releasing in 2022. This edition is based on the third edition published in 2020. Lately I have found several wonderful authors who publish in their native Polish, for example Father Jan Twardowski and Father Andrzej Muszala, and find that too few of their works are available in English.

The chapters are:

Introduction
Legend
Map

ROME 1884 - A Vision of the Church’s Future
SAN GIOVANNI ROTONDO 1911 - Padre Pio’s Laughing Madonna
ALJUSTREL 1913 - Little Lúcia’s Madonna
FATIMA 1917 - The Message of Fatima
BASEL 1917 - A Mystical Wound
RADZYMIN 1920 - The Anti-Bolshevik Mother of God
FATIMA 1921 - Mother of Obedience
FATIMA 1921 - The Seventh Fatima Apparition
PONTEVEDRA 1925 - The Contemplative Mother of God
TUI, SPAIN 1929 - Patroness of Russia’s Conversion
ŁAGIEWNIKI, VILNIUS, AND PŁOCK 1930s - Intercessor for Mercy
BEAURAING 1932 - Madonna with the Golden Heart
BANNEUX 1933 - Our Lady of the Poor
HEEDE 1937 - Queen of the Poor Souls in Purgatory
SIEKIERKI 1943 - Holy Mother, Teacher of Youth
BALAZAR 1944–1955 - Mother of Light
GHIAIE DI BONATE 1944 - Queen of Families
TURZA ŚLĄSKA 1945 - Sorrowful Mother of the Battlefield
L’ÎLE-BOUCHARD 1947 - The Mother at the Annunciation
TRE FONTANE 1947 - Virgin of Revelation
MONTICHIARI 1947 - Mystical Rose
LIPA 1948 - Mediatrix of All Graces
WARSAW 1948 - Dispenser of Divine Omnipotence
NGOME 1955 - Mary, Tabernacle of the Most High
ROME CITY 1956–1959 - Our Lady of America
ERD 1961–1981 - Flame of the Immaculate Heart
ZEITOUN 1968 - Silent Lady
FATIMA 1972 - The Apocalyptic Heart of Mary
AKITA 1973 - Apocalyptic Madonna
BETANIA 1976 - Mother of Peace and Unity
DEIR EL-AHMAR 1976 - Our Lady of Lebanon
CUAPA 1980 - Mother of Sinners
MEDJUGORJE 1981 - Queen of Peace
KIBEHO 1981 - Mother of the Word
SAN NICOLÁS 1983–1990 - Our Lady of the Rosary
ASDEE, IRELAND 1985 - Madonnas in Motion
MANILA 1986 - The Lady Who Commands Soldiers
BELPASSO 1986 - The Immaculate Heart of the Queen of Peace
YAGMA AND LOUDA 1986 - Lady of Assumption, Mother of Peace
HRUSHIV 1987 - Madonna of Kiev
UNITED STATES 1987 - Harbinger of Change
KUREŠČEK 1989–1999 - Queen of Peace
LITMANOVA 1990–1995 - The Immaculate Purity
AOKPE 1992 - Mediatrix of All Graces
IRELAND 2003 - A Beacon for Our Times
MEXICO CITY 2007 - A Strange Light
WARRAQ 2009 - Royal Virgin of Giza
TREVIGNANO ROMANO 2014 - Apocalyptic Protector

The book is stunning, each of the apparitions cover span from 2 pages to 14 pages, and a number of them are either 10 or 12. They begin with a spanned two page image of the location and contain Name, Dates, and symbols as code for status of the apparition. Those symbols are one of 9 they are:

An apparition recognized by the Vatican
A visionary recognized as a saint, blessed, venerable, or servant of God
The pope visited the apparition site and/or gave it special privileges
An apparition recognized by the local bishop
An imprimatur or nihil obstat granted to the texts of the revelation
Devotion recognized at the apparition site
Unusual miracles at the apparition site
An apparition recognized by the Coptic Church
An apparition accepted by belief of pilgrims

The world map has the following Symbols:

Recognized by the Vatican after bishop approval
Approved by local bishop
Unconfirmed as supernatural
Marian apparitions to future saints

It is almost information overload. I read the volume over a couple of weeks. Sometimes stopping after one apparition and sometimes reading a few. I cannot help but wonder what some of the updates in the new 2022, 4th Polish Edition will include, and if anything is being dropped. My first concern is related to two sites, one omitted in this volume, Knock Ireland, and Medjugorje. When it comes to Marian apparitions most of us have a few favourites. Knock is one of mine, and the first thing I did was check the table of contents, and honestly was a little disappointed when it was omitted. Second the author hints at controversy around  Medjugorje, which started when I was still in high school and hit a peak of popularity when I was in University. I have read much about this site, and my personal feelings have changed a lot over the years, I am currently working Medjugorje Complete: The Definitive Account of the Visions and Visionaries by Donal Anthony Foley. The author of this work does not go into some of the controversies around this site and the visionaries and seems to gloss over it. It seems very unbiased, especially considering I understand that both Saint John Paul II and Emiratis Pope Benedict XVI have had serious concerns about the site and messages. 

My second concern is the eBook edition. I have a dual form of dyslexia and usually prefer eBooks. I did purchase the eBook for this direct from the publisher, as there is no Kindle edition, the formatting was horrendous. The file is almost 90 MB in size, I tried reading it through a few eBook readers on my PC (FB Reader, Calibre, Kobo for PC), and even Google Play on the Web and it was terribly painful. And it was even worse on a tablet. I gave up on the digital edition and purchased a physical copy. In this case the eBook was more of a hindrance than a help. 

That being said this is a wonderful volume. I believe it is the only one by Wincenty Laszewski available in English currently. We are informed on the Sophia Institute site that:

“Polish theologian, doctor of dogmatic theology, writer and translator. Author of many books devoted to Our Lady , especially Marian apparitions. Member of the World Apostolate of Fatima. In his publications, he deals mainly with the history of Marian devotion in Europe and with apparitions taking place in various places around the world. He looks for connections between revelations and contemporary history.”
 
Part of the description of this volume is:

“The world-changing appearance of Our Lady at Fatima ushered in a continuing series of remarkable apparitions worldwide that the Church has either officially approved or marked as likely-authentic. Author and Mariologist Wincenty Laszewski summarizes the powerful and urgent messages of these apparitions in this unparalleled, encyclopedic work-instantly the new standard on the subject. Most of these riveting chapters include portentous warnings - some are ominous, others more hopeful. This stunning book serves as a wake-up call to the faithful and is a worldwide clarion call to deeper prayer and conversion. It includes:

     • Over 400 pages describing the fully documented miracles and visions
     • Fascinating accounts by eyewitnesses, including non-believers
     • 50+ maps of locations and pilgrimage sites
     • Photos and illustrations: documents, events, and faces of the visionaries
     • The finest works of art and reproductions of Our Lady

Each message and appearance is analyzed and quoted precisely. Their sheer abundance is enough to absorb believing Catholics-and many a skeptic-from all walks of life and reading habits.”

And I agree. This is a magnificent volume, great for any home, school or church library. With how many books I read a year I tend not to keep many physical books, this is one that will stay on my shelf, at least until the next edition comes out in English. A great read for all Catholics!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!

Read as part of  Father Mark Gorings School or Reading click here.









Books by Wincenty Laszewski:
In English:
…

In Polish:
Apokalipsa wedlug Fatimy
Boży szaleńcy
Cuda Maryi w życiu Jana Pawła II
Cudowny medalik. Klucz do skarbnicy Ĺ ask
Czwarty wizjoner z Fatimy
Duchowa misja Polski
Ewangelia Zwycięstwa wedĹ‚ug Jana PawĹ‚a II
Fatima Stuletnia tajemnica
Ilustrowany przewodnik po Fatimie
Miłosierdzie Boże Droga krzyżowa
Modlitwy zatroskanych o Polskę
NaboĹźeĹ„stwo Pięciu Pierwszych SobĂłt Miesiąca
Nadchodzi kres: Mistyczne wizje końca świata
Największa tajemnica Guadalupe
Niewidzialna wojna
Nowy lepszy świat
Opowiem Ci o Guadalupe
Rewolucja Maryi: Opowieść o Niepokalanym Sercu
Stefan Błogosławiony Wyszyński
Swiat Maryjnych Objawien
Totus Tuus - Tota Tua
Wszystko o różańcu który może wszystko
Zwycięstwa z pomocą nieba
…


Books and articles about Fatima:
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Sunday, 15 May 2022

Silent Prayer - Father Andrzej Muszala - CTS Devotions

Silent Prayer
Father Andrzej Muszala
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784691301
CTS Booklet D810


I picked up a physical copy of this book a while ago. But Because of my dual form of Dyslexia I really prefer eBooks. So it has sat for several months. I picked it up because I had read Prayer in Action by the same author and loved it. I also tracked down a copy of this in the original Polish for my parish priest who is a Polish Pallottine Father, as a gift for the 27th Anniversary of his ordination. Both of these volumes by Father Andrzej are wonderful reads. These two appear to be the only books available by Father Andrzej in English, but there appears to be several other titles available in Polish.

Over the last several years, I have read over 275 volumes from the Catholic Turth Society, the CTS. In fact to date I have read 287 specific titles and many of them more than once. I have read books from many series. And many authors. This is one of only a few in translation. This is an excellent volume and it leaves me wishing more of Father Andrzej Muszala’s works were available in English.   

The description of the booklet is:

“Silent prayer teaches us how to leave everything behind and spend time with God, so as to deepen our Christian faith.

We are not accustomed to spending time with God, in silence, without any specific words or intentions. We feel more comfortable saying something! We feel we must tell him about the Church's needs, the world's needs, our own needs. Then we feel we have achieved something; we have not wasted our time. Silent prayer obliges us to leave all that to the Almighty. To enter into silent prayer we must leave everything behind. Learning how to pray is possible and a way of living that supports a deep and happy Christian faith.”

And the chapters in the book are:

Introduction 
Part One: What is silent prayer? 
     1. The beginning of prayer 
     2. How to pray 
     3. God's presence 
     4. Spiritual reading 
     5. Closing your eyes 
     6. Looking at Jesus 
Part Two: The act of faith 
     7. The act of faith in silent prayer
     8. The act of faith - the example of the woman who had a flow of blood
     9. The act of faith - confidence 
     10. The act of faith - darkness 
     11. God is touched by the act of faith 
     12. Trust: The act of faith in everyday life 

The English Edition was published late in 2016, the Polish edition was published early in 2015, and has an Imprimatur. This book is an excellent read. I read it over a few sittings. The book is easy to read, very applicable, but could take a lifetime to master. I highlighted several passages my first time through. Some of them are:

“To pray is not to fly off to the skies or to other galaxies, embellishing or reinventing ourselves; it is to plumb the deepest caverns of who and where we are.”

“Father Andrzej Muszala's little book, Silent Prayer, is an excellent guide to the first steps of the journey of prayer. It starts with the chapter, "The beginning of prayer", not because it is concerned only with the beginning of prayer but because prayer is a never-ending beginning, and the "first steps" are what keep us on the right way.”

“We are reminded that the act of faith is the essential act of prayer. Everything else is a means; everything else is secondary and accidental. The act of faith may be dark but it is also certain and its certitude finds rest and comfort in God's promises. God is always touched by the act of faith and this is the fundamental certitude of prayer. This certitude should be translated in an attitude of hope and trust in our everyday life and work. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rm 8:31). This certitude is the source of great joy.”

“St Teresa of Avila was able to describe prayer as nothing other than a close sharing between friends: "being on terms of friendship with God, with Him Who, we know, loves us" (The Life, VIII, 7). For her, words, however beautifully crafted, were not necessary.”

“To enter into silent prayer we must leave everything behind. All must be still and silent so that we can prepare to open our soul for the presence and the action of the Holy Trinity. We have to give God the time to act upon us and transform us into His own image which is what He wishes to do.”

“How to Pray:
The First Nothing: Standing in the presence of God … 
The Second Nothing: Spiritual reading … 
The Third Nothing: Closing your eyes … 
The Fourth Nothing: Looking at Jesus … 
The Fifth Nothing: Making your act of faith …”

“God is here! God lives in everyone. He even lives in the person who does not believe in Him. This is where silent prayer truly starts. God is within, in each of us, in the depths of our souls. This is where we should seek Him, not somewhere else.”

“When you close your eyes and concentrate, you will find His secret presence. God is there, inside you, full of His life. It is very hard to feel Him because He is in the very centre of your soul where neither your physical nor mystical senses can reach. But nevertheless that is the truth!”

“Prayer, especially interior prayer, acts as a link between you and God. This is the prayer which enables you to seek God and strive towards meeting Him, touching
Him with faith and love in order to possess Him and to be submerged in Him.”

“The biggest misunderstanding is the thought that your distractions are a sign that you are unable to pray. What does it mean if you have a hundred and one distractions during your half hour of prayer? It means that each time you turn your back on your distractions, you are turning to God. It means that a hundred and one times, you say "NO" to yourself and "YES" to God; a hundred and one times, you act with unselfish love, helping "the old self" to die in order for the "new self" to be born in you.
(D. Tarkington, Prophet: The Inner Meaning of Prayer)”

“Everything depends on one thing: PERSEVERANCE!”

“This is silent prayer. This is touching God by the act of faith which connects man's soul with God.”

“Faith has a second feature. According to St John of the Cross, faith is dark.
Faith can be compared to midnight.”

“If you spend at least half an hour every day on your journey to God and connect with Him through your faith, your prayer lasts for the rest of the day. It will slowly change your way of life - your conversations, thoughts, and deeds.”

The volume ends with Charles de Foucauld’s prayer of abandonment to divine providence:

Father,
I abandon myself into Your hands;
Do with me what You will.
For whatever You may do I thank You.
I am ready for all,
I accept all.
Let only your will to be done in me,
as in all Your creatures.
I wish no more than this, 0 Lord.
Into Your hands I commend my soul.
I offer it to you
with all the love of my heart.
For I love you, my God,
And so need to give myself
To surrender myself
into Your hands,
without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.

There is not a single line of text in the book after the prayer. We are informed that Fr Andrzej Muszala is a priest of Krakow diocese, and a professor of bioethics and medical ethics. I loved this book, I just wish there was an eBook option so I could have it on my device all the time beside the companion volume. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series and the two by Father Andrzej Muszala are among my favourites. This is a volume I can easily recommend. It will bless all who read it with an open mind, and seeing the spirit’s help. A great resource for all Christians!

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.

For reviews of other books in the CTS Devotions series click here.

Books by Father Andrzej Muszala in English:
…





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Monday, 3 January 2022

List of Favorite Books 2022

Favorite Books 2022

(Note: this list will grow and be updated through out the year.)


...


I started keeping track of the books I finished reading in October of 1995, and movies watched in January of 1996. and Catholic Books by year since 2016. I have lists for:

I also do a Top Ten List of books each quarter and for the year. They can be found here. I was also asked to pick a Top Ten Catholic Books I have read, you can find that list here (and occasionally I add a note when I come across something exceptional.)




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