Book Reviews and More

Monday, 27 December 2021

The Wild Orchid - Sigrid Undset

The Wild Orchid

Sigrid Undset

Cluny Media

ISBN 9781949899924

eSIBN 9781950970605

ASIN B08711CHK1

First I must state I had high expectations for this book. The works of Sigrid Undset have been recommended to me several times and from various sources. And the Catholic Book Club on Goodreads was reading it. When I began the book I had several from Undest on my wish list or to be read pile. After this one I am not sure I will ever get to them. At best my feelings while reading this was underwhelmed. If we had not been reading it for the book club it would have ended up on my ‘did not finish pile’.

Two passages did stick out to me:

““Pray for?” Gotaas’s look was empty and stupid. “One doesn’t exactly pray for anything in particular—well, of course—” he drawled, and said no more. “I mean, for instance, you might pray for things you want—things you wish God to do for yourself or your family.” “Oh, I see. Supplications. Yes, I do that too—morning and evening— when I’ve finished with my morning prayer or evening prayer, then I do sometimes pray to God about my own affairs and such like—” “Then do you Catholics say your prayers simply for the sake of praying, is that it?” “Simply for the sake of praying—how do you mean?” Gotaas looked perfectly idiotic. “Well, what else should one pray for? Except of course sometimes, when one prays because of something one wants to obtain. But generally one prays for the sake of praying. It’s the same thing when you’re with ordinary people just—as a rule you’re with them for the sake of having their company, because you like them and think it’s cheerful to have them to talk to.””

And

“If this was the truth, then the whole of life was inconceivably more wonderful and dangerous and rich, so unspeakably more serious and valuable than he had ever dreamt. He had a glimpse of paths which led out into a darkness beyond his imagining, and forward into a light that he scarcely dared to divine.”

I typically read a novel in a day or two. This one was almost 2 weeks and it was work. Close to a dozen times I thought about throwing in the towel on this one. I found it slow and plodding. I did not find much redeemable or engaging about almost all of the characters. I found the characters flat at best. And The story just seemed to drag and drag and drag. I think if the book club does the continuation of the story, The Burning Bush, I might just have to skip it.

The most redeeming aspect was finding out the story is loosely autobiographical. Set a decade before her own conversion. If I had known that I may have appreciated the story more.

I really appreciate the work of Cluny Media, they are trying to restore Catholic books, bringing them back into print in wonderful physical editions and for a few eBooks. They are excellent editions.

Again my overall rating is underwhelmed! It is considered a classic in Catholic fiction, and the author receives rave reviews, But I would not personally recommend it.

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

Books by Sigrid Undset:

Gunnar's Daughter

Catherine of Siena

Jenny

Marta Oulie

Ida Elisabeth

Happy Times in Norway

Sigurd and His Brave Companions

Madame Dorthea

Stages on the Road

The Unknown Sigrid Undset: Jenny and Other Works

Return to the Future

Kristin Lavransdatter Series:

The Wreath

The Wife

The Cross

Kristin Lavransdatter (Complete)

The Master of Hestviken Series:

The Axe

The Snake Pit

In the Wilderness

The Son Avenger

The Winding Road Series:

The Wild Orchid

The Burning Bush

Sunday, 26 December 2021

20 Answers Eastern Catholicism - Daniel Dozier - 20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers

20 Answers: The Communion of Saints

20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers

Fr. Dcn. Daniel Dozier

Catholic Answers Press
ISBN 9781683571599

eISBN 9781683571612

eISBN 9781683571605

ASIN B083PTHCXC

I love the books in the 20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers. I have read books in the 20 Answers series over 30 times, a few of them multiple times and some of them just once. I have recommended many to friends and family. Both to those with questions, and For those looking to be able to answer the questions of others. A few years ago I started with the 20 Answers Challenge when there were just 20 books in the series, at the time. I have benefited from each that I have read in the series, and have recommended many to friends and family so often. And each one has been educational, informative and has encouraged my faith. I have a Religious Studies Degree with a specialization in Roman Catholic Thought. I would have loved to have had these books as resources back then, or during my time working in Campus Ministry. They are great reads, and this is an excellent offering from Father Daniel Dozier. The description of the volume is:

“What is it like to visit and worship at an Eastern Catholic parish?

How can there be many different “churches” in the one Catholic Church?

What are some aspects of Eastern Catholic theology and practice that differ from the West?

The rich history and theological, liturgical, and artistic traditions of the twenty-three Eastern Catholic churches are such an indispensable part of the global Catholic communion that, along with the Latin West, these churches are said to form one of the two “lungs” by which the Church breathes and lives. Yet even though Pope St. John Paul II called on the faithful to appreciate the treasures of the Christian East, far too many Catholics remain ignorant of them. 20 Answers: Eastern Catholicism provides an invaluable primer, explaining the origins of the Eastern Catholic churches and how they fit into the one Church of Christ, their distinctive prayers and practices, and some of the common misunderstandings and controversies that even today can cause unnecessary division and confusion.”

The description of the series is:

“The 20 Answers Series from Catholic Answers offers hard facts, powerful arguments, and clear explanations of the most important topics facing the Church and the world—all in a compact, easy-to-read package. Check out dozens of other topics in the 20 Answers Series of booklets published by Catholic Answers Press.”

The questions answered in this volume are:

1. Doesn’t the Bible say all Christians are saints?

2. How does someone become a saint?

3. Can someone stop being a saint?

4. Are there non-Catholic saints?

5. Doesn’t praying to saints make gods out of them?

6. Doesn’t the Catholic practice of asking the saints to pray for us contradict 1 Timothy 2:5?

7. Why would we seek the help of saints when we can go straight to Jesus?

8. What about Deuteronomy 18:10–12, which forbids communicating with the dead?

9. How can the saints in heaven intercede for us when the Bible says in Ecclesiastes that they aren’t conscious or don’t know anything?

10. How can the saints in heaven intercede for us when the Bible says God alone knows the hearts of men?

11. Why should we believe that the saints are aware of our prayers when they don’t do anything to save us from harm in our lives?

12. Is there any evidence in the Bible that the saints pray for us?

13. Does the Bible ever instruct us to pray to the saints?

14. Do early Christian sources outside the New Testament affirm the intercession of the saints?

15. How can the Catholic Church approve of having statues when the Bible forbids graven images in Exodus 20:4–6?

16. What about bowing in front of statues?

17. Is the Catholic Church’s veneration of relics from the saints nothing but superstition?

18. What is the biblical basis for the distinction between dulia and latria?

19. Do I have to believe what a saint says in his writings or private revelations?

20. Must I have a devotion to the saints?

The beginning of the introduction to this volume states:

“In the opening remarks of his 1995 encyclical letter, Orientale Lumen (“Light of the East”), Pope St. John Paul II wrote:

“Since, in fact, we believe that the venerable and ancient tradition of the Eastern churches is an integral part of the heritage of Christ’s Church, the first need for Catholics is to be familiar with that tradition, so as to be nourished by it and to encourage the process of unity in the best way possible for each.

Our Eastern Catholic brothers and sisters are very conscious of being the living bearers of this tradition, together with our Orthodox brothers and sisters. The members of the Catholic Church of the Latin tradition must also be fully acquainted with this treasure and thus feel, with the pope, a passionate longing that the full manifestation of the Church’s catholicity be restored to the Church and to the world.”

This booklet is my own small contribution in honor of the saintly pope’s desires that Latin Catholics in the West become familiar with their brothers and sisters of the Christian East, along with their rich treasures of liturgy, spirituality, theology, and disciplines. In this respect, they can come to appreciate more fully what it means to be Catholic.”

And further on it states:

“None of us is responsible for these historical divisions and issues. We have inherited a past we did not create, and yet we have an obligation to shape our present and our future through knowledge, charity, prayerful study, and encounter. In that way we might in fact realize the hope-filled aspirations of a pope whose own familial heritage was itself both Latin and Greek Catholic.

I hope that you find within these pages helpful answers as we walk together toward our true East: the New Jerusalem. May the light of Christ inspire us all to be united in truth and charity as faithful members of the holy Church of the nations.”

When I was in university, I was involved with Campus Crusade for Christ, there was a series of booklets by the founder Bill Bright, called Transferable Concepts, and by reading them many times you could almost memorize them and the message so that you could share it. This book and this series are along those lines. You can easily work through this book in a couple of short sessions. And you could work through it a few times. And solidify the teaching in your own mind and heart. And thus be able to answer questions from non-Christians, non-Catholics and even other Catholics.

This volume was a fantastic read. I have covered the eastern traditions in several theology and church history courses, but this book took it to a deeper level. It really opened my eyes. It has helped me to see the eastern rights in a very different light. I highly recommend this volume.

I have benefited from all the books in this series that I have read. Father Dozier has done an excellent job with this topic, and I am certain all who read this book will come away with a clearer understanding of the Eastern Catholicism.

This is an excellent volume a great read in a wonderful series!

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

20 Answers Series:

20 Answers: The Communion of Saints - Karlo Broussard

20 Answers Eastern Catholicism - Father Daniel Dozier

20 Answers Anti-Catholic Myths - Jimmy Akin

20 Answers The End Times - Jimmy Akin

20 Answers The Rosary - Tom Nash

20 Answers Seasons & Feasts – Michelle Arnold

20 Answers New Age - Michelle Arnold

20 Answers Catholic Social Teaching – Mark Brumley

20 Answers Prayer – Hugh Barbour O. Praem and Sebastian Walshe O. Praem

20 Answers Faith & Reason – Christopher Kaczor

20 Answers The New Testament – Jimmy Akin

20 Answers Protestantism – Jimmy Akin

20 Answers Marriage & Sex – Todd Aglialoro

20 Answers The Early Church – Jim Blackburn

20 Answers The Old Testament – Jimmy Akin

20 Answers Judaism – Michelle Arnold

20 Answers The Sacraments – Father Mike Driscoll

20 Answers St Thomas Aquinas - Dr. Kevin Vost

...

Other Books from Catholic Answers:
Hard Sayings: A Catholic Approach to Answering Bible Difficulties - Trent Horn
A Daily Defense: Apologetics Lessons for Every Day - Jimmy Akin
The Apostasy That Wasn't: The Extraordinary Story of the Unbreakable Early Church - Rod Bennett
Answering Atheism - How to Make the Case for God with Logic and Charity - Trent Horn
Persuasive Pro Life: How to Talk About Our Culture's Toughest Issue - Trent Horn and Fr Frank Pavone
The Protestant's Dilemma: How the Reformation's Shocking Consequences Point to the Truth of Catholicism - Devin Rose
Behold Your Mother: A Biblical and Historical Defense of the Marian Doctrines - Tim Staples
Handed Down: The Catholic Faith of the Early Christians - James L. Papandrea
Demons, Deliverance, Discernment: Separating Fact from Fiction about the Spirit World - Fr. Mike Driscoll
Navigating the Tiber: How to Help Your Friends and Family Journey Toward the Catholic Faith - Devin Rose
100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura - Dave Armstrong
The Drama of Salvation: How God Rescues You from Your Sins and Brings You to Eternal Life - Jimmy Akin
The Truth is Out There (Brendan and Erc in Exile Book 1 - Brother Amadeus and Amadeus
...Memorize the Reasons! Defending the Faith with the Catholic Art of Memory - Kevin Vost
Marching Orders: A Tactical Plan for Converting the World to Christ - Dan McGuire
The Fathers Know Best - Jimmy Akin
Why We're Catholic: Our Reasons for Faith, Hope, and Love - Trent Horn
The Old Evangelization: How to Spread the Faith Like Jesus Did - Eric Sammons
What the Saints Never Said - Trent Horn
...

Saturday, 25 December 2021

Merry Christmas 2021

Merry Christmas 2021

Merry Christmas from our family to you and yours.

Advent 2017 Reading Plan Preparing for the Season
1st Sunday of Advent 2017
Second Sunday of Advent 2017
Another Lonely Night - A Flash Fiction Story
Third Sunday of Advent 2017
Fourth Sunday of Advent 2017
Christmas 2017
I have sinned greatly ... a reflection.
Can you not with with me one hour?
I need God and I need the Catholic Church
Cedarcrest Retreat 2018 a Reflection and Photo Essay

Second Sunday of Advent 2018

...

Note: Link to all posts about St. Agnes Parish.

Friday, 24 December 2021

Why Priests? - Bishop Michael Evans - CTS

Why Priests?

Bishop Michael Evans

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9780851837819

CTS Booklet Do587

Over the last few years I have read over 250 books and booklets from the Catholic Truth Society. Often when I finish one I find others I am interested in while researching to write the review. Sometimes they are books in the same series, or in this case by the same author. This is the third by Bishop Michael Evans that I have read, the first was Why Deacons? Teachings of Pope John Paul II, and then Why go to Mass?. This one is older, out of print and was harder to track down but it was well worth it. The description of this volume is:

“The Christian Church needs priests. This pamphlet explains why.

Fr. Michael Evans was Vice-Rector and lecturer in systematic theology at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh. He is now a member of the team at the South London Catholic Students Chaplaincy, and is a priest of the Archdiocese of Southwark.”

This volume was first published in 1989. It was a very interesting read. And also very different from either of the others I have read by Father Evans. I am thankful I was able to track it down and give it a read. I highlighted many passages my first time through this book. They were:

“Until recently, few Catholics would have wanted to pose the question, ‘Why priests?’ It was obvious what a priest was for: he was ordained above all to say Mass and hear Confessions, but there was also a long list of other tasks usually reserved for him. As alter Christus, another Christ, he was the visible centre and focus of any Catholic community, clearly set apart from the rest of the faithful and endowed with Christ’s authority as their shepherd and spiritual father.”

“Has the pendulum swung too far the other way? No – but in renewing our appreciation of the common dignity and responsibility of all the faithful we must not lose sight of the role of the priest in the Church. The whole community is taking on many of the activities long reserved to the priest, and rightly so, but so much emphasis can be put on the active ‘ministry’ of every Christian that little room is left for the special role of the ordained minister. There is a danger that the priest will be seen simply as someone who has the special tasks of saying the words of consecration at Mass and absolving sinners, but is otherwise no different from anyone else.”

“When we try to answer the question, ‘why priests?’, we should not begin by asking, ‘What can a priest do that the laity cannot?’ The most important question is rather, ‘What is a priest?’: what does a man become through ordination? It is because of what a priest is that he does what he does!”

“On the other hand, the Catholic tradition understands ordained ministry as perpetuating the apostles’ essential work through the ages, and we believe that there is a real continuity between the ministry of the apostles and that of bishops and priests today.”

“By AD 100 a pattern of leadership centred on ‘presbyter-bishops’ was widely know, although it is not really known how soon ‘presbyters’ and ‘bishops’ became clearly distinct forms of ministry. Ordained ministry as we know it is a distillation of several distinct roles in the New Testament churches. Gradual development took place, in accordance with God’s will, to meet the needs of the Church as it became more established and more widespread.”

“The ordained minister is a member of Christ’s Body, one of the many parts which make up the united whole. But what is so distinctive about his place in the Body? Precisely that it is he who represents Christ as the Head of the Body to the Body itself, the Bridegroom to the Bride, the Shepherd to the Flock. The ordained minister is the living sign and instrument of the risen Jesus to the Church.”

“The whole people are called to minister, to serve, and the unique priesthood of Christ is shared by the whole community of those who believe in him. But to carry out their vocation, the priestly faithful need ordained minsters who are Christ’s own living instruments in building up his Church. The distinction between the priesthood of all the faithful and the ministerial priesthood (a distinction which involves a difference in ‘essence’ and not merely in degree) is there precisely for the unity and pastoral fruitfulness of the Church, no simply for the sake of creating distinctions.”

“The priest is a leader in prayer, a teacher of prayer. He must then himself be in a special way a man whose whole life and ministry is rooted in his living personal relationship with Jesus Christ: he must himself be ‘a man of prayer.’”

“This is why the priest’s role at the liturgy is central to his whole ministry. Everything else he does is directed towards the Church’s worship and flows over from it.”

“Whatever a priest does in Christ’s name, whether it be celebrating the liturgy, visiting homes or talking to children in a playground, it is who he is that matters, not simply what he is doing. The priest is always the special representative of Christ among his people, his living sign, steward and instrument.”

“If you are an unmarried Catholic man or boy, and feel reasonably settled in the idea that God may be calling you to be a priest, then get in touch with your parish priest or the vocations director of the diocese or religious order in which you seek to serve.”

“Every member of the Church has a responsibility for vocations to the priestly ministry: pray for more priests to serve the Church, and encourage and support anyone thinking of the priesthood, especially in your own family.”

This work was much more academic than the other volumes by Father Evans I have read. The quotes above give a feel for the volume. I have enjoyed all the books by Father Evans that I have read, and hope to track down the read. This is a great read.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Books by Bishop Michael Evans:

Why go to Mass?

Why be Confirmed?

Is Jesus Really Present in the Eucharist?

Why Deacons? Teachings of Pope John Paul II

Why Priests?

Mary, Mother of the Lord, Sign of Grace, Faith and Holiness

Being a Catholic

…

Thursday, 23 December 2021

Prayer in Action - Father Andrzej Muszala - CTS Devotions

Prayer in Action

CTS Devotions

Father Andrzej Muszala

Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784696603

eISBN 9781784696771

ASIN B09M7HVJXT

CTS Booklet D839

This was one of three new eBooks I picked up from the Catholic Truth Society the day the released. The other two are Prepare the Way of the Lord by Carl E. Olson and Praying the Great O Antiphons by Katy Carl (which is a great resource as well), and all three were eagerly anticipated since I first heard of them being announced. I had picked up the physical copy of the companion book to this one, Silent Prayer, but have not got around to reading it. 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 250 volumes from the Catholic Turth Society, the CTS. I have read books from many series. And many authors. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. I love the biographies because they inspire and challenge us, and I love the prayer and devotions books because they help us growing in practicing and living out our faith. The description of the booklet is:

“Following his insightful book on Silent Prayer, in Prayer in Action Fr Andrzej Muszala examines what St Paul’s edict to ‘Always be joyful, pray constantly’ (1 Th 5:17) means and how it can be lived.

Rejecting the common assumption that prayer is something wholly private and personal, Fr Muszala examines the key relationships in each person’s life – those with God, with other persons, and with oneself – and describes how prayer is the action that allows all of them to flourish and empowers each person to actively live the Gospel.”

And the chapters in the book are:

Introduction

Part One: Forgetting about yourself – forming a proper relationship with others, with the world and with yourself

Jesus Christ – the source of prayer in action

Thinking about others

Being ready to serve

A proper relationship with one another within the family

Love for nature

Forming a proper relationship with yourself

Part Two: Trust – the correct relationship with God

The beauty of silent prayer

God is present in every event

…when we suffer, in sickness and when we die

God approaches us in every person we meet

Life in the presence of God

Living every minute

Constant prayer

The end

This is one of those books I know I will end up rereading several times. It is written in a clear and concise manner but has so much information that it will take several reading to learn to live it the way I want to. Father Andrzej states in a forward:

“This is the second in a series of publications on silent prayer. Together they form an introduction to prayer in the spirit of Jesus. Our Lord, who was constantly alert to the gentle whispers of the Holy Spirit, established a new way of life based on constant prayer – “prayer in action”. Let us look at this in greater depth.”

And reading this volume has caused me to bump the companion volume to the top of my reading list. I highlighted a few passages my first time through this book. Some I copied to my digital notebook others I shared to friends and family. A sampling of them is:

“Prayer in action is the continuation of silent prayer once we have left the “room” in our heart. Prayer in action is just as intense as prayer in silence but in a different way. What links these two modes of prayer is the fact that we are giving ourselves entirely to others, as God does: the Greatest Love.”

“If constant prayer provides the ground our love for God springs from, then prayer in action has the same function: it enables us to give everything to God who has conquered our hearts with the arrow of his tender love. In silent prayer we seek Jesus inside ourselves, deep within our souls, whereas, by prayer in action, we seek him externally, in the people and events that we encounter.”

“The streams of our desire need to return to the Source, which is the Holy Spirit. This is very difficult. This is like asking the current of the river to flow upstream. “If you want to find the source, you have to go up, against the current, tear through, seek, don’t give up” (John Paul II, Roman Triptych).”

“The second EVERYTHING is achieved by our attitude towards other people, by the way we regard their well-being, by the way we look after them and by the way we relate to the members of our families.”

“Jesus was asking us to do simple, everyday things but to do them with great love. There are many examples of occasions when we can do this. At a simple level we can pass the bread at meal times, we can offer water to a hot and thirsty person and we can show friendship by accepting invitations to parties when we would prefer to be elsewhere. More significantly, there are opportunities to visit the sick – in hospital or at home, to visit prisoners, to give shelter to a refugee, to donate clothing to the poor and groceries to a food bank.”

“If you find a goal for your sacrifice you will find it easier to fight your trials. You will take up the battle knowing it is more powerful than any verbal prayer. Human beings are all interlinked. If you renounce something and offer yourself, somebody else gets a priceless gift from God.”

“Do not forget about the great enemy that comes as years pass by: laziness. It comes in the guise of sluggishness and apathy, conforming to meaningless routine and lacking motivation. Over the years one becomes lazy without noticing. It can destroy everything you’ve achieved so far. It gives rise to timewasting by watching endless TV programmes, sitting for hours in front of the computer screen or scrolling through your phone.”

I hope those few quotes will show you a sampling of the wisdom in this book and inspire you to pick it up and give it a read. This is an excellent resource for spiritual growth. It is a book that anyone could pick up and read and be blessed by. And I believe that if read multiple times that the blessing would also be multiplied.

This is a standout resource from a publisher I trust and respect. It is an excellent volume that I give a solid 5/5 stars. A great read!

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

Silent Prayer

Prayer in Action

…

Wednesday, 22 December 2021

Saint Therese of Lisieux The Way of Love - Mary Kathleen Glavich and Virginia Esquinaldo - Encounter the Saints Series Book 16

Saint Therese of Lisieux:

The Way of Love

Encounter the Saints Series Book 16

Mary Kathleen Glavich

Virginia Esquinaldo (Illustrator)

Pauline Books and Media
ISBN 9780819870742

I first read this book 5 years ago. Back when I first encountered the Encounter the Saints Series. I believe I have now read all of the books in this series. Even if it took longer than the year or two I had planned. This one is another excellent read! As a family we have read all books in this series many of them multiple times. I started reading them myself reading books on Saint Damien of Molokai and Saint Edith Stein Blessed by the Cross, both of whom I have a devotion to. Then my children saw me reading them and it became a family affair. I then began reading them with my three youngest children. My children and I love this series. We have read many of the books more than once. I have read much by and about Saint Therese of Lisieux over the years. I enjoyed reading this book, ever rereading it after 5 years.

I have said it before and I say it again, this is an excellent series is! With my three children and I we have now read all of the books in this series. I have read them either by myself, or with one or more child. My youngest 2 children current ages 14, 11, still both love these books. And they have read or reread them frequently. My son wants to have the complete set in his room, so he keeps asking to buy his own copies, he loves these books so much. We have picked up several volumes to donate to the school library. I would love to have the whole set in the school library as a resource when the students are picking confirmation saints. With each reading of a book in this series we appreciate this series more. And though only one book has been released since we started reading them a few years ago, we hope there will be more books released in the series in the future. I would love to see how this series handles Saint Josemaria Escriva, Blessed Carlo Actus, … and many more. We would also like to eventually see eBooks of all of the volumes in the series. With my dyslexia and my son’s eye tracking issues we both prefer eBooks where we can change page color, font size and font spacing. This book has an no eBook ever listed.

Now back to this specific book on Saint Therese of Lisieux.

The description of this volume is:

“Mary Kathleen Glavich, SND Encounter the Saints Series Experience the adventures and challenges, heroism and holiness of some of the greatest friends of God! Offers intermediate readers a down-to-earth portrayal of the saints. Each distinct story vividly recreates for the intermediate reader the saint's place of origin, family life, and corresponding historical events. Every volume also features a prayer to the saint, as well as a brief glossary. This collection gives children new friends and role models.”

And the description of the Encounter the Saints series is:

“The Encounter the Saints series offers intermediate readers relatable portrayals of the saints. Each story, in a handy format, vividly recreates the saint's place of origin, family life, and corresponding historical events.”

The chapters in this volume are:

1. The Little Queen

2. Difficult Changes

3. School Days

4. A Strange Sickness

5. Christmas Conversion

6. Winning a Heart

7. Revealing the Call

8. Resistance

9. To the Pope

10. Victory!

11. A Dream Come True

12. Early Testing

13. Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus

14. Small Things

15. Vow Day

16. Goodbyes

17. Gifts and Talents

18. A Little Way

19. Writings

20. Signs of Trouble

21. A Happy Sufferer

22. Final Days

23. A Shower of Roses

Prayer

Glossary

The prayer in this volume is:

“Saint Thérèse, your love for Jesus led you to try to do every little thing well. By being hidden, small, and totally open to what God wanted, you became a powerful saint.

Teach me to live your way of love too. Help me to treat everyone kindly, to be patient, to pray for people who are away from God, and to accept things that are hard or make me suffer. Let me follow this way with determination and cheerfulness. Then someday I will be with you in our Father’s home. Amen.”

The prayer in this volume is not the same as the one in the companion volume, The Saints Pray for Us, which has prays for the first 30 saints and blessed covered in the series. The first things my children checked when we read one of these books, is the prayer, and the illustrations. Each volume in the series has 5 illustrations. This is one of three volumes illustrated by Virginia Esquinaldo, and they are wonderful full page illustrations. I feel they make Thérèse look a little too young and childish, especially compared to some photos of her I have seen. But the children, especially my youngest loved them. This is one of three books in the series written by Mary Kathleen Glavich, SND, but one has been taken out of print, sort of an unofficial canon. My children enjoy these books so much they always read through the whole Glossary. And the prayer and glossary is at the end of each volume.

This book is very moving read. Learning more about Thérèse will bless any reader. I have now read all of the books in the Encounter the Saints Series from Pauline Books and Media we are still enthralled by these volumes. This book and all in the series are excellent reads and would be wonderful additions to a home, school, or church library. Each book has been worth the read. It is an excellent read in a wonderful series! And now we wait to see if more volumes are released or if we just keep rereading these ones.

Please Note: I discovered recently that most of the eBook editions are no long available for this series. In fact I could only find a handful of the over 20 volumes that had been available electronically. I do not know why this is the case but I consider it a great loss. A loss for people with reading issues like my son and I, for others with learning disabilities, and for those in different geographic regions.

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

Books about the North American Saints and Martyrs:

North American Martyrs Kids Activity Book - Bonnie Way

Saints of North America - Jean Olwen Maynard

…

Encounter the Saints Series from Pauline Books and Media:

Blessed James Alberione Media Apostle
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Journey to the Summit
Journeys with Mary Apparitions of Our Lady
Saint André Bessette Miracles in Montreal
Saint Anthony of Padua Fire and Light
Saint Bakhita of Sudan Forever Free
Saint Bernadette Soubirous And Our Lady of Lourdes
Saint Catherine Labouré And Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Saint Clare of Assisi A Light for the World
Saint Damien of Molokai Hero of Hawaii
Saint Edith Stein Blessed by the Cross
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Daughter of America
Saint Faustina Kowalska Messenger of Mercy
Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini Cecchina's Dream
Saint Francis of Assisi Gentle Revolutionary
Saint Gianna Beretta Molla The Gift of Life
Saint Ignatius of Loyola For the Greater Glory of God
Saint Isaac Jogues With Burning Heart
Saint Joan of Arc God's Soldier
Saint John Bosco Champion for the Young
Saint John Neumann Missionary to Immigrants
Saint John Paul II Be Not Afraid
Saint John Vianney A Priest for All People
Saint Juan Diego And Our Lady of Guadalupe
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha: Courageous Faith
Saint Katharine Drexel The Total Gift
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque And the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Saint Martin de Porres Humble Healer
Saint Maximilian Kolbe Mary's Knight
Saint Paul The Thirteenth Apostle
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina Rich in Love
Saint Teresa of Avila Joyful in the Lord
Saint Teresa of Calcutta Missionary of Charity
Saint Teresa of Kalkota Missionary of Charity
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux The Way of Love
Saint Thomas Aquinas Missionary of Truth
Saint Thomas More Courage, Conscience, and the King
Saints Jacinta and Francisco Marto: Shepherds of Fatima
The Saints Pray for Us

Saint Julie Billiart The Smiling Saint

...

CTS Books and Booklets n the life and spirituality of St Thérèse:

Thérèse of Lisieux - On the visit of her relics to Great Britain (Do 810)

Thérèse, teacher of Prayer, by Brother Craig Driscoll (D 693)

The Message of Thérèse, by Vernon Johnson (D 331)

Thérèse of Lisieux, a biography, by Vernon Johnson (B 204)

Louis and Zélie Martin, Parents of Thérèse of Lisieux, by Paulinus Redmond (B 709)

Lisieux: A Pilgrim's Companion - David Baldwin - CTS Christian Shrines (D 706)

The Little Way of St Therese of Lisieux: In Her Own Words - Thérèse de Lisieux (D 707)

Praying for Priests with St Therese of Lisieux - Maureen O'Riordan - CTS Devotions (D715)

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Prayers and Devotions - Donal Anthony Foley (D771)

The Prayer of St Thérèse of Lisieux by Vernon Johnson (CL23)

St Thérèse of Lisieux: Transformation into Love - Jennifer Moorcroft (B780)

Seeing the Pandemic with Eyes of Faith - Father Ivano Millico - Seven Prophets for Our Time (PA63)

C’est La Confiance - Pope Francis (Do971)

...

Other books by or about Lisieux:

Saint Therese of Lisieux The Way of Love - Mary Kathleen Glavich and Virginia Esquinaldo - Encounter the Saints Book 16

Story of a Soul The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux - Ascension Catholic Classics

Simply Surrender 30 Days with Thérèse of Lisieux - Caroline Myss - Great Spiritual Teachers Series

30 Days with Saint Thérèse - Thomas J. Craughwell

...

Tuesday, 21 December 2021

A Book of Novenas - Raymond Edwards (Editor) - Catholic Truth Society CST Devotions

A Book of Novenas

CTS Devotions

Raymond Edwards (Editor)

Glynn MacNiven-Johnston

Philip G. Bochanski

Kristina Cooper

Walter Macken

Miguel Cuartero

CTS Devotions

Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784691714

CTS Booklet D820

Over the last few years I have read over 250 volumes from the Catholic Truth Society. There are many wonderful books, series and authors. I ordered this book under the suspicion that it was made up of many Novenas I had encountered in other volumes. And that is exactly what it is. This volume contains the book by Glynn MacNiven-Johnston and Raymond Edwards:

Handbook of Novenas for Feasts and Seasons

Handbook of Novenas to the Saints: Short Prayers for Needs & Graces

Handbook of Scriptural Novenas: For Various Needs and Intentions

As well as:

Novena to the Holy Spirit - Philip G. Bochanski

Road to Pentecost Prayer Guide for Eastertide - Kristina Cooper (Excerpt)

Novena to the Blessed Virgin Mary - Walter Macken

Our Lady, Untier of Knots - Miguel Cuartero

The description of this volume is:

“Containing a rich selection for many different needs, this beautiful collection of novenas encourages intercession of the saints and making prayer in the tradition of the great figures of Scripture.

The Church encourages us to ask for the intercession of the saints, to locate our prayer within the annual round of the Church’s year, and to make our prayer in the tradition of the great figures of Scripture. The novenas in this beautifully bound collection help us to pray in all of these ways. It contains a rich selection for many different needs and intentions, including popular novenas to our Lady and the Holy Spirit.”

The chapters in this book are:

Introduction

What is a novena?

How to use this book

Part I Novenas Through the Church’s Year

Advent

St Andrew (November 30th)

Blessed Charles de Foucauld (December 1st)

Immaculate Conception

Christmas

Epiphany

St Thomas Aquinas (January 28th)

St Josephine Bakhita (February 8th)

St David (March 1st)

St John of God (March 8th)

St Patrick (March 17th)

St Joseph (March 19th; May 1st)

St Benedict (March 21st; July 11th)

Annunciation

Easter

St George (April 23rd)

St Peregrine (May 1st)

The English Martyrs (May 4th)

St Damien of Molokai (May 10th)

St Dymphna (May 15th)

St Rita (May 22nd)

Pentecost

St Anthony of Padua (June 13th)

St Thomas More (June 22nd)

St John Fisher (June 22nd)

Sacred Heart

St Christopher (July 25th)

St Anne (July 26th)

St Martha (July 29th)

Transfiguration

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) (August 9th)

St Maximilian Kolbe (August 14th)

Assumption

St Helena (August 18th)

St Monica (August 27th)

Exaltation of the Cross

St Joseph of Cupertino (September 18th)

St Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) (September 23rd)

St Raphael (September 29th)

St Thérè se of Lisieux (October 1st)

St Gerard Majella (October 16th)

St Jude (October 28th)

St Martin de Porres (November 3rd)

Christ the King

Part II Scriptural Novenas

Moses - discerning and accepting our vocation

Elijah - finding strength in God

Tobit - Marriage Hannah - the gift of children

Hannah: The gift of Children

Joseph & his brothers - for peace in the family

David & Absalom and the Prodigal Son - estranged children

Martha - being the one that does all the work

Ruth and Naomi - feeling abandoned and forgotten

Deborah and Barak - when things seem too much for us.

Jonah - when God’s plan doesn’t seem to make sense

Job - being honest with God

Abraham - old age

Part III Four Longer Novenas:

To the Holy Spirit

For Pentecost

To the Blessed Virgin Mary

Our Lady Untier of Knots

The book begins with these words:

“A novena is a way of praying, often for a particular need or grace. It consists of a prayer or prayers said over nine days. The word novena is originally Latin, and means “in a group of nine”. 1 This is because a novena lasts for nine consecutive days; on each day, there is a particular prayer to be said, or devotional practice to be made.”

We are also informed in the introduction that:

“There are many different sorts of novena; you can make a novena using any prayer you want: the main thing is to pray it regularly for nine days in a row. Nevertheless most people will make a novena using a prayer composed for the purpose. Some novena prayers are long, and may include litanies, or meditations; others are short. You can make a novena using the same prayer nine times, or nine different prayers, one for each day. There are no rules; what follows are only suggestions.”

And they are some wonderful suggestions. I have set calendar reminder’s to do a few of these Novena’s over the next year leading up to specific Saints feast days. I had read all of the Novenas in this book through the various source booklets. Part I of this book is compiled from all the novenas in:

Handbook of Novenas for Feasts and Seasons

Handbook of Novenas to the Saints: Short Prayers for Needs & Graces

But they are ordered following the church year. Section II has the novenas in the same order as the booklet. And section III has either the whole booklet or an excerpt of just the novena. But even though I have eBooks of all of these Novenas I am thankful to have picked up this volume. First it is a stunning and it is well crafted book. It is printed in colour, great page and font sizing. And made to last. I am not usually a physical book guy, I tend to pass on all the physical books I read, but this one is going sit on my bedside table and be used for praying my way around the church year, and for other intentions.

This is an excellent volume for personal devotion, for use with a prayer group, or family. And it would make a wonderful gift. An excellent collection from the Catholic Truth Society and I highly recommend it.

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