Thursday, 22 April 2021

The Way of the Cross Booklet - Saint Josemaría Escrivá and Michael O'Brien

The Way of the Cross
Saint Josemaría Escrivá
Michael O'Brien (Illustrator)
ISBN 9781594173790


This is a new booklet from Scepter it contains part of the text in the book version, The Way of the Cross. It contains the same meditations but with out as much before the stations begin or after they end. At also does not contain the extra points for reflection after each station. 

There are, however, a few things that make this version exception. First the price point and being able to buy in bulk. Second the illustrations or paintings from Michael O'Brien. It contains 14 original full color paintings for the stations. The paintings are beautiful, with rich colors and they evoke deep emotions and feelings. 

Some sample pages are:
 


I love this smaller booklet format. It is excellent for personal, family or group use. But also enjoy the other edition. I do wish an eBook of this version was available. 

A great book. I picked up 5 and have already given the other 4 away. If you order spend the extra and order in bulk. They make great gifts through Lent, Easter Week, or all year round. 

An excellent resource from Scepter Publishers.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!





Books by St. Josemaria Escriva:
Christ Is Passing By
Conversations with Saint Josemaria
The Forge
Friends of God
Furrow

Holy Rosary
In Love with the Church
The Way
The Way of the Cross
The Way of the Cross - Booklet Illustrated Michael O'Brien

Books about St. Josemaria Escriva:
A Man Who Knew How to Forgive: Lessons from the Life of St. Josemaria Escriva - Francesc Faus

Praying 15 Days with St. Josemaria Escriva - Guillaume Derville

Volumes in the St Josemaria Escriva's Collected Letters:
Letters 1: Singuli dies, 24 March 1930
Letters 2: Videns eos, 24 March 1931
The Burgos Letters (1938-1939): Three Circular Letters
Letters: Letter 3: Res omnes, 9 January 1932
Letter 4: Vos autem, 16 July 1933 : Letter 4: Vos autem, 16 July 1933 
Letter 5: Euntes ergo, 2 October 1939 
Letter 6: Sincerus est, 11 March 1940
Letter 7: Quem per annos, 24 October 1942 
Letter 8: Legitima hominum, 31 May 1943 

Other Posts:

Other Way of the Cross Reviews:
The Way of The Cross
The Way of The Cross II

All reviews of Stations of the Cross.


Wednesday, 21 April 2021

A Changing of the Guard - Corinna Turner - Last Things Book 2

A Changing of the Guard 
Last Thing Book 2
Corinna Turner
Unseen Books
ISBN 9781910806364
eISBN 9781910806364
ASIN B0916LKFZC


Wow! Just wow! I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I did not expect a follow up. And had no idea it would be the beginning of a series. But this second volume is an incredible read. I have greatly enjoyed all the books by Corinna Turner that I have read. The first book in this series was completely unlike anything else I had read by her. That story was a surprise on many levels, and in many ways. Ant this one takes that surprise to a whole new level. I like all the series that Turner has written, but this one has moved me on a very different level.

This story picks up right after the events of Three last things or The hounding of Carl Jarrold, Soulless Assassin. Father Jacob Thompson soon returns to wait with the body of the executed Carl Jarrold. While there he has a medical crisis and the guard who is with him, Tomas Flores. Does what he can to keep the old priest alive. And When the medics arrive, he steps back. But events from the first story are coming back to haunt Tamas. 

A Dying Priest.
A Botched Execution.
A Young Man Dying.
  
Tamas felt his work at the prison was important. He believed he was serving. But after time on the execution team. He is feeling burned out. And he took the job to help his family out with his father’s illness. Now he is questioning what he should be doing with his life. He is shaken by several events. First the botched execution. Second finding out that Father Jacob was dying, and an intense visit to him in the hospital. And then a funeral that has several surprises. 

This short story is high octane. It is tightly written. A story masterfully told. It is a thriller with a spiritual current woven throughout the story. It reminds me of the writings of J.F. Powers, who was a master of the short fiction form. And as much as I am still awaiting 4 other announced books by Turner. I really hope we will have more stories set in this arc.

An incredible short story. Powerful enough to be read on it’s own but even more moving if you have read the first book. Christian fiction, Catholic literature at its best!  


Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 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

Tuesday, 20 April 2021

The Way of the Cross with the Carmelite Saints - Sister Joseph Marie of the Trinity, CHT

The Way of the Cross with the Carmelite Saints
Sister Joseph Marie of the Trinity, CHT
ISBN 9780935216295
eISBN 9781939272041
ASIN B00BJMNFD2  


I picked this volume up on recommend of a Catholic Blogger, The Curt Jester. I do not believe I have read any other works from ICS Publications, but have added a few to my wish list. And I do not believe that there are any other books currently available from Sister Joseph Marie of the Trinity, CHT. And that is a pity. The beginning of the description of the book states:

“This book offers one of the most fruitful and popular practices of Christian devotion: the Way of the Cross, or Stations of the Cross, from a Carmelite perspective. The reader has the opportunity to make the Way of the Cross with five inspiring Carmelite saints: John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Thérèse of Lisieux, Edith Stein (Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) and Elizabeth of the Trinity.

In effect, the book provides five different Ways of the Cross which the reader can use for prayer. A complete set of reflections from each saint includes a brief Scripture passage, followed by a selection from the saint’s writings; footnotes identify the source document for each.”

And it is a wonderful read. I did one of the five ways each day during Holy Week this year and plan on repeating the exercise next year. The chapters in the volume are:

About The Author 
The Way of the Cross with Saint John of the Cross 
The Way of the Cross with Saint Teresa of Avila 
The Way of the Cross with Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus 
The Way of the Cross with Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) 
The Way of the Cross with Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity 
The Institute of Carmelite Studies 

This is such a wonderful version of this devotion. I see my self using this frequently in Lent’s to come but also picking it up throughout the year and praying one of the 5 options presented. A great thing about the eBook edition is that I can always have it with me. At the end of each of the Ways is a section with Notes, which contains a list of volume or volumes used and which edition. And they contain the endnotes for the 27-35 quotes in that chapter. 

All 5 offerings are excellent. It I had to pick my favorite I would state The Way Of The Cross with Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. But honestly, each of them is of great value. Each of the stations has a drawing accompanying it. It is at the beginning of the station. The drawings are by the author. And the same ones are repeated for each version. A sample station from Saint John of the Cross:

III

JESUS FALLS THE FIRST TIME

I was hard pressed and was falling (Psalm 118:13). 

On this [narrow] road there is room only for self-denial (as our Savior asserts) and the cross. The cross is a supporting staff and greatly lightens and eases the journey.

… Not only are temporal goods and bodily delights contradictory to the path leading to God, but so also are spiritual consolations, if possessed or sought with attachment, an obstacle to the way of the cross of Christ, the Bridegroom.”

I have a few versions of the Stations of the cross I have used for years. And a couple I try and use all year round. This is another excellent volume to add to my collection. I am certain if you pick it up it will be of great benefit. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan

Books by Sister Joseph Marie of the Trinity, CHT:
Prayer-Songs (2001)
The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross (Indexed)

Books edited by Sister Joseph Marie of the Trinity, CHT:
Fire Within - Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M
Seeking Spiritual Direction - Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M
 



Monday, 19 April 2021

Saint Bernard Abbot of Clairvaux Doctor of the Church - Alice Curtayne

Saint Bernard Abbot of Clairvaux Doctor of the Church
The Anthonian Press
Dublin (1931)
33p
 

A few years back I encountered the works of Alice Curtayne. I became fascinated by them. I was able to track down about a dozen of the 32 books and booklets I believe she wrote. But it became harder and harder to find them, let alone at a reasonable price. The version I was able to track down literally crumbled as I read it. By the time I had finished this booklet twice both covers were off, and every of the other pages had split. And every time it moved it left crumbles of paper. But it was so worth tracking down and reading.

The book was first published in 1931 by the Anthonian Press, Temple Street, Dublin, C.14. And was printed in Ireland. It received:
     Nihil Obstat: Michael L. Dempsey S.T.L., Cnsor Theol. Dept
     Imprimi potest: Eduardus, Archiep. Dublinen., Hiberniae Primas.
     Dublini, die 12 Julii, 1933.

So the edition I laid my hands on is from at least 1933. The first half of this booklet is about Bernard and his role in the Cistercians and all of Europe during his lifetime. The second half is about his friendship with Saint Malachy and the founding of Cistercians in Ireland. It makes reference to another volume being needed on that friendship and in 1954 penned, Saint Bernard and His Friend Saint Malachy. Which I have yet been able to lay my hands on.

The cover of this booklet does not even contain Curtayne’s name. The title on the cover is St Bernard Doctor of the Church, the title on the title page is Saint Bernard Abbot of Clairvaux and Doctor of the Church. The back cover has No. 31 and something below that has been obliterated over time. The inside front cover has a prayer by Jas. A. McDermott it is Sr. Bernard’s MeMorare. The inside of the back cover has an image I believe of a flower or plant with these words:

 “O Clement 
O Pious
O Sweet
Virgin
Mary”.

The book also contains several Illustrations:

Authentic Portrait of St. Bernard
St. Malachy Archbishop of Armagh, Friend of St. Bernard
St. Christian O’Connarchy
Blessed Eugene III.Pope 
Alexander III.

It also contains 2 Photo reproductions:

Mellifont Abbey was the Scene of one of the Emancipation Celebrations of 1929.
The Centenery

If this had been an eBook there were several passages I would have highlighted. Some of them are:

“It would be impossible within the space of the present booklet to relate all Bernard’s activities, but his three main enterprises must be told in order to convey some ide of his towering importance in European life. These were: his healing of schism in the Church; the episode of his duel with Abelard; and his preaching of the Crusade.”

“His monastic foundations increased to a total that is nearly as incredible as his written output. During his forty years as a Cistercian, he founded one hundred and sixty-three monasteries all over Europe, directing and largely organizing himself this chain of religious houses. These increased to the number of three hundred and forty-three before his death.

“From this life, bewildering in the very complexity of its achievements, I want the reader to grasp one single quality chiefly, what I can only describe as the Roman-ness of Bernard. The soul of orthodoxy, he was the greatest protagonist of the Faith in Europe, and a director of ecclesiastical affairs from their very center. While being a most obedient child of the Papacy, circumstances made him the counsellor of Honorius, the staunch defender of Innocent II, and the spiritual director of Eugenius III. He was, therefore, a sure interpreter of the mind of the church; his opinion counted in Christendom; his word had more authority and weight than that of any other living man in Europe.”

“Malachy was in the prime of life, probably in his forty-sixth year, when he first met Bernard. There is a strange conformity in the lives of the two Saints, which could be extended to great length if set out in its fulness.”

“After Malachy’s return to Ireland the two Saints corresponded, of necessity, about the foundation of a Clairvaux in Ireland. Saint Bernard trained his four Gaelic disciples for two years, and then he sent them back to their country, accompanied by nine Frenchmen, to form the first Cistercian monastery in Ireland.”

This was a wonderful little booklet to read. And every time I track down one of Curtayne’s works, I wish that they were all back in print. Thankfully Cluny Media has been working on that and has reprinted 6 of her works and one she contributed to. If you get the chance to read this I strongly encourage you to do so. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books and Booklets by Alice Curtayne:
A Recall to Dante
Francis Ledwidge: A Life of the Poet
Lough Derg: St. Patrick's Purgatory
Patrick Sarsfield
Saint Anthony of Padua
St. Bernard Doctor of The Church 1933
The New Woman Transcript of a Talk
The servant of God, Mother Mary Aikenhead
....

Books Edited by Alice Curtayne:
The Complete works of Francis Ledwidge
...

Books Translated by Alice Curtayne:
Labours in the Vineyard by Giovanni Papin
...

Books Contributed to by Alice Curtayne:
...





Friday, 16 April 2021

If I Ran the Zoo - Dr. Seuss

If I Ran the Zoo
Random House Books for Young Readers
1950
ISBN 0394800818
ISBN 9780394800813


Recently because of some media spotlight on Dr. Seuss and his works. I decided to reread the 6 books in question and two others. But alas only had 5 of the 6 on hand. This is the fourth of the reviews.

Dr. Seuss is famous for his many children’s books. Books that spark the imagination. Surprise, and amaze. There is a large collection of old animated shorts based on them. And these has been several movies both animated and life action. He also wrote two books that though written and illustrated in a similar style and format are considered adult books they are The Seven Lady Godivas and The Butter Battle Book. Butter Battle is a commentary on war and is often found in the children’s sections in bookstores and libraries. Godivas I believe is long out of print, I believe the last printing was in 1988. And I am only aware of it because it is the favorite book of a friend.  

I do not know a child who has not engaged with these books on some level. My youngest and my wife have a few of them memorized. And recite them to each other before bed, as much as read. My children loved the old, animated shorts, and like most of the movies. I was less fond of the live action movies but appreciate most of the animated ones. But back to this book.

This is yet another story about imagination. A young boy, Gerald McGrew is visiting the Zoo. And it is a perfectly good and respectable zoo. But young Gerald imagines what he would do if he ran the zoo. And soon it is a super, wonderous stupendous zoo filled with zany and crazy animals. Each bigger, better, and stranger than the last. 

Seuss at his best creating new animals with crazy names!

Note: I recently heard that 6 of the books by Dr. Seuss were being taken out of print. The 6 are: And to Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street, If I Ran the Zoo, McElligot's Pool, On Beyond Zebra!, Scrambled Eggs Super!, The Cat's Quizzer. We had 5 of the 6 in our collection so I gave them a reread. The 6th The Cat's Quizzer I can only find used in Canada, the lowest price is $740. 

Books by Dr. Seuss:









Thursday, 15 April 2021

An Easy Way To Become A Saint - Father Paul O'Sullivan

An Easy Way To Become A Saint
Father Paul O'Sullivan
ISBN 9780895553980
eISBN 9781505102376
ASIN B00U0I699S


This was the seventh volume from Father Paul that I have read, so far this year. I picked the first book, The Wonders of the Mass, up because it was promoted by TAN books in an email blast. They were promoting a bundle of books by Father Paul O'Sullivan. I know I have seen the covers before. After reading the first one I picked up a few more. And I realizes I should have grabbed the whole bundle. Each of the books I have read so far has been great. And this is another excellent read. The shorter description of this book is:

“A very optimistic book showing how an "ordinary" Catholic can become a great saint without ever doing anything "extraordinary"--just by using the many opportunities for holiness that to most people lie hidden in each day. Written with an assurance of success that is totally convincing and infectious. Many easy but infallible means of reaching great sanctity.”

And the chapters are:

Publisher's Note 
Foreword: An Easy Way to Become a Saint 

1. Two Kinds of Saints 
2. How to Love God 
3. The Wonderful Things God Has Done for Us 
4. God's Greatest Proof of Love 
5. The Passion 
6. After His Ascension 
7. We Must Do Everything for the Love of God 
8. The Principal Duties of the Day 
9. Reading 
10. Meditation 

How to Go to Confession 
The Twelve Promises of the Sacred Heart

This is a shorter read. And about the middle of the pack of Father Paul’s books I have read to date. It comes in at 82 pages for the eBook and only 120 for the print edition. It is a very good book. That is well written. It has excellent spiritual advice. One of the chapters that had a great impact on me was Chapter 9 Reading. Father Paul states:

“We have pointed out that the reason for so little sanctity in many souls is not weakness or malice, but ignorance. Spiritual reading dispels this ignorance and helps us to feel all the charm and consolation of God's blessed love.

Every Catholic should without fail make spiritual reading daily for ten or fifteen minutes. The neglect of this duty is disastrous.”

He makes some recommendations about reading:

Read books that appeal to you.
Pray before reading.
Read your book not once but many times.

This section also has a quote or summary of several of Father Paul’s books, as well as makes reference to several other good options.

I believe I have now read all the books from TAN that are currently in print by Father Paul. There appears to be two other volumes that do not seem to be in print. Which I believe is a great pity. If they are anywhere as good as this one or the others I have read, it is a great loss that they are not still available. 

Father Paul writes in an easy and engaging way. It took everything I had to not consume his books back to back. Another fantastic read from the pen of Father Paul O’Sullivan. This book helps us realize the call to be saints, or as Matthew Kelly always puts it “To become the best version of ourselves.”. It is an excellent volume that any Catholic would benefit from reading. I highly recommend it.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Father Paul Henry O'Sullivan, O.P:
How to Avoid Purgatory
My Lord and My God, Or, Visits to the Blessed Sacrament
Our Lady of Fatima
Read Me or Rue It
St. Patrick and the Irish
The Divine Office: How to Say it Devoutly, How to Make it a Pleasure
The Glorious Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Story of a Great Man: Doctor Antonio de Oliveira Salazar
The Ten Commandments: For Real - For Now
What Ireland Owes to Portugal









Wednesday, 14 April 2021

Work Play Love - Mike Aquilina

Work Play Love
How the Mass Changed the Life of the First Christians 
ISBN 9781640604254
eISBN 9781640604278
ASIN B0846K87WL
 

This is the twelfth volume from the pen of Mike Aquilina that I have read. And it is one of my favorites. This is one of those books that every Catholic, every Christian should read. And if we were to read and live it, it truly would transform our families, our workplaces, our nations and our world. I know more than a few converts to Catholicism, who were greatly influenced once they started learning about the early church. This volume delves deeply into the early church and what made it different, and how it transformed the world. The description of the book states:

“…The Mass was the reality most essential to the life of believers, and it deeply affected everything they did. In Work Play Love popular author Mike Aquilina shows how the Eucharist shaped three basic dimensions of life for the early Christians. Work. Christians brought the fruits of their labor to the altar—not only bread and wine, but also cheese, olives, honey, dried fish, and freshly pressed oil. As they worshiped, they consecrated the world itself to God. In turn, this affected the way they approached their work. It was not just toil. It was an act of love, undertaken for the Father. They labored in imitation of Jesus the laborer. Made one with Christians in the Eucharist, Jesus worked through them and in them. Play. The Mass was a leisurely, contemplative act, but it was celebrated on a normal workday in the Roman world. It was useless by the standards of the city. And yet it called forth—gently, gradually—the most creative responses. The Mass inspired new forms of music, poetry, architecture, and painting. At liturgy Christians stood back and reconsidered the cosmos from God’s perspective. They saw their lives as part of a profoundly new and different narrative. This made for new and different art. Love. Christian ritual demanded personal and communal acts of charity. The earliest descriptions of the Mass show the importance of the collection and its distribution to the poor, the imprisoned, and the home-bound sick. Deacons and deaconesses were dismissed to take Communion to the same people in need. The fruits of the Mass extended beyond the time of liturgy—and the bounds of Christian community. Christians took care even of their persecutors. …”

One of the passages in the book that hit me most was:

“The Mass makes Christians—that’s what this book is about. The Eucharistic liturgy isn’t just a nice little ceremony we made up to remember a historical event, like fireworks on the Fourth of July. The Mass makes our lives whole. All the useful work we do is bound up in it. All our playful joy comes out of it. And all our Christian love funnels through it.”

The mass is so central to our faith. It is about placing the mass first, and through that transforming our work and our play. It is a book that will help us find greater fulfillment at work, with our family and friends, in all we do. And should be central to our life. Mike writes so powerfully and passionately. That it is hard to not want to aspire to more. To life the life he is describing in this volume. This is a book that will leave you fundamentally changed. I will leave you with one final quote:

“Everything is measured against the Eucharist. This meal we share is what forms us as Christians.”

And so, I challenge you to read this book, and through the guidance grow in understanding, and be formed. Be well formed. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Mike Aquilina:
A Year with the Angels: Daily Meditations with the Messengers of God
A Year With The Church Fathers: Patristic Wisdom for Daily Living
Angels of God: The Bible, the Church and the Heavenly Hosts
Companion Guide to Pope Benedict's 'The Fathers' 
Faith of Our Fathers: Why the Early Christians Still Matter and Always Will
Fire of God's Love: 120 Reflections on the Eucharist
Good Pope, Bad Pope: Their Lives, Our Lessons 
Love in the Little Things: Tales of Family Life
Ministers & Martyrs: The Ultimate Catholic Guide to the Apostolic Age
Praying in the Presence of Our Lord: With St. Thomas Aquinas
Roots of the Faith: From the Church Fathers to You
Sharing Christ's Priesthood: A Bible Study for Catholics
Signs and Mysteries: Revealing Ancient Christian Symbols
Sweet Gridlock: Selected Love Poems 
Terms and Conditions: Assorted Poems
The Apostles and Their Times
The Church and the Roman Empire
The Fathers of the Church Bible
The Fathers of the Church: An Introduction to the First Christian Teachers
The Mass of the Early Christians
The Resilient Church: The Glory, the Shame, & the Hope for Tomorrow
The Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
The Way of the Fathers: Praying With the Early Christians
The Witness of Early Christian Women: Mothers of the Church
Understanding the Mass: 100 Questions, 100 Answers
Why Me? When Bad Things Happen
Yours Is the Church: How Catholicism Shapes Our World

Books co-written by Mike Aquilina:
A Pocket Catechism for Kids - Fr. Kris Stubna
Dion: The Wanderer Talks Truth - Dion DiMucci
Keeping Mary Close: Devotion to Our Lady through the Ages - Fr. Frederick Gruber
Living the Mysteries: A Guide for Unfinished Christians - Scott Hahn
Praying the Psalms the Early Christians - Christopher Bailey
Saint Monica and the Power of Persistent Prayer - Mark W. Sullivan
Seven Revolutions: How Christianity Changed the World and Can Change It Again - James Papandrea
Something More Pastoral: The Mission of Bishop, Archbishop, and Cardinal Donald Wuerl - Ann Rodgers
Take Five: Meditations John Henry Newman - Fr. Juan Velez
Take Five: Meditations Pope Benedict XVI - Fr. Kris Stubna
Take Five: On the Job Meditations With St. Ignatius - Fr. Kris Stubna
Talking to Youth About Sexuality: A Parents' Guide - Fr. Kris Stubna
The Ancient Path: Old Lessons from the Church Fathers for a New Life Today - John Michael Talbot
The Church: Unlocking the Secrets to the Places Catholics Call Home - Cardinal Donald Wuerl
The Doubter's Novena: Nine Steps to Trust the Apostle Thomas - Christopher Bailey
The Feasts: How the Church Year Forms Us as Catholics - Cardinal Donald Wuerl
The Grail Code: Quest for the Real Presence - Christopher Bailey
The Great Life: Essays on Doctrine and Holiness in Honor of Father Ronald Lawler, O.F.M. Cap. - Kenneth Ogorek
The Holy Land: A Guide for Pilgrims - Fr. Dave Halaiko
The How-To Book of Catholic Devotions - Regis J. Flaherty
The Mass: The Glory, the Mystery, the Tradition - Cardinal Donald Wuerl
The World's First Christmas: Jubilee 2000 - Regis J. Flaherty
Weapons of the Spirit: Selected Writings of Father John Hugo - David Scott
What Catholics Believe: A Pocket Catechism - Fr. Kris Stubna
...