Book Reviews and More

Monday, 21 February 2022

The Stations of the Cross A Via Dolorosa - Father Marcus Holden - CTS Devotions

The Stations of the Cross:

A Via Dolorosa

CTS Devotions

Father Marcus Holden

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9781784697396

eISBN 9781784696986

ASIN B09QGY5NM9

CTS Booklet D843

Over the last few years, I have read over 250 books and booklets from the Catholic Truth Society. I have been blessed, encouraged, and challenged by these wonderful resources for the Catholic Faith. This is the first I have read by Father Holden. I have picked up a few of his other offerings, I have one in eBook format that was towards the op of my reading list and 2 in physical form waiting for me to get around to them. But this one was of three new offerings from the CTS that released in January of 2022, and I picked them all up as soon as they were available. This was the third one that I read but I know I will return to it often, especially through Lent this year. The description of this booklet is:

“Millions of pilgrims from all over the world have flocked to the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. To walk the route where Our Lord carried the load of all the sins of the world offers much inspiration and provokes contemplation. It was walking the Via Dolorosa that inspired these meditations on the Stations of the Cross, each written where the original saving actions took place.

As you pray these short stations, be transported to the places where the meditations were written, to when the Way of the Cross was walked by Christ two thousand years ago. May this ancient devotion continue to be a source of deep conversion, renewal in the spiritual life, and a powerful means of interceding for others.

Written to be said congregationally and for private devotion, this booklet is illustrated with beautiful early twentieth century stations.”

About the photos in this Way we are informed that:

“The Stations of the Cross at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Balham, South West London, date from 1931. They were installed by the then Parish Priest, Canon William Thompson, who was Rector of Balham for more than forty years (1917 - 1963). Canon Thompson was known as a very spiritual man, who served for a long time as Chaplain to the Guild of the Blessed Sacrament. Each of these Stations of the Cross was paid for by a different family in the parish, no doubt many of them in memory of relatives who had died in the First World War – a plaque in the church porch records the large number of parishioners who died serving in the armed forces during that conflict.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction

Prayer before the Stations

The First Station - Jesus is condemned to death

The Second Station - Jesus receives the Cross

The Third Station - Jesus falls the first time

The Fourth Station - Jesus meets his Sorrowful Mother

The Fifth Station - Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the Cross

The Sixth Station - Veronica wipes the face of Jesus

The Seventh Station - Jesus falls the second time

The Eighth Station - The Women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus

The Ninth Station - Jesus falls the third time

The Tenth Station - Jesus is stripped of his garments

The Eleventh Station - Jesus is nailed to the Cross

The Twelfth Station - Jesus dies on the Cross

The Thirteenth Station - Jesus is taken down from the Cross and placed in the arms of his Mother Mary

The Fourteenth Station - Jesus is laid in the tomb

Prayer after the Stations

Father holden informs us in the introduction that:

“In 2017 while on a bible study sabbatical in the Holy Land I had the opportunity to live for a few weeks on the ‘Via Dolorosa’ in Jerusalem, literally next to where Pontius Pilate had his Pretorium. Living on the ‘Way of Cross’, and daily walking the route where Our Lord carried the load of all the sins of the world, was the inspiration for writing these Stations of the Cross. After some days in Jerusalem, putting my biblical studies aside, I began to spend more and more time at each traditional ‘station’ to ponder and pray. The text that follows is the fruit of those meditations, written where the original saving actions took place and where millions of pilgrims have prayed. My hope is that these short stations can be an aid for anyone, in any place, but especially around our churches, to follow the fourteen steps of the Redeemer, to feel with Jesus in his Passion and thereby to carry our own cross alongside him. May this ancient devotion continue to be a source of deep conversion, renewal in the spiritual life, and a powerful means of interceding for others.”

And it delivers on that. This is a wonderful new Stations of the Cross, or Way of the Cross for personal or corporate devotion. Each year I try and pick up a new Way of the Cross or 2 to pray during Lend. Over the last few years I have tried to pray the stations each day through lend and at least weekly through the rest of the church year. I have used many over the years. Some I only use once or twice, others I have prayed countless times. This one will be used often.

This is an excellent stations of the cross and I highly recommend it!

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.

For all other reviews of Stations of the Cross click here.

Books by Father Marcus Holden:

A Year with the English Saints

Apologia - Catholic answers to today's Questions

Credo: The Catholic Faith Explained

Evangelium Participant's Book: Sharing the Riches of the Catholic Faith

Faith in the Family: A Handbook for Parents

Lumen: The Catholic Gift to Civilisation

Saints of the English Calendar

The Priesthood – Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

The Stations of the Cross: A Via Dolorosa

…

Other Stations of the Cross from the Catholic Truth Society:

Calvary Through the Eyes of Mary - Helen Pepper

Scriptural Way of the Cross - Father Adrian Graffy

Way of the Cross Meditations and Prayers - Pope Benedict XVI

Meditations on Stations of the Cross - John Henry Newman

Way of the Cross Uniting Our Sufferings to Christ - Michael Campbell

Stations of the Cross and Resurrection with the Saints - J.B. Midgley

The Stations of the Cross: A Via Dolorosa - Father Marcus Holden

Via Dolorosa with Pope Benedict XVI - Cardinal Camillo Ruini

Stations of the Cross - Saint Alphonsus Liguori - The Way of Divine Mercy

Way of the Cross with Pope Benedict XVI - Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun

The Way of the Cross in the Words of St Paul - Donal Anthony Foley and

Father Clement Parsons

Year of Faith Stations of the Cross - Brendan Leahy

Lenten Devotions - Lawrence Lew O.P.

Stations of the Cross: In Light of the Work of the Society of St Vincent De Paul - Fr Gerard Bogan

…

Saturday, 19 February 2022

The Sharp Kid - David Vining

Crystal Embers
David Vining
ISBN 9798482518335

ASIN B09GYGVXNC

A few years back I read several works by David Vining. A number of collections of stories and a couple of novels. This is his latest offering. It took me some time to get started after I picked this up, but once I did, I could hardly put it down. It is a very melancholy story. It is in a classic Western style but has a dystopian feel. The description of the book is:

“1880s Missouri is a time of gangs and civilization, finding a way towards modernity through the old scars of the Civil War. 16 year old Cal Braden joins his absent father on a journey of train robbing with the promise of a new life further West in San Francisco. But promises are cheap, as cheap as iron, and it's a question of whether they'll ever be able to get out of the life of criminality they've decided to take up.”

The story in many ways made me thing back on the movie, Unforgiven, starring and directed by Clint Eastwood. It was a very atypical western and this is an atypical western story. One part of the movie has stayed with me for years:

““Well,” the Schofield Kid says toward the end, “I guess they have it coming” — meaning the bad guys, whoever they are this time. “We all have it coming, Kid,” Will Munny says, riding off to face a fate of his own.”

I would not recommend this book for younger readers, tweens and even some teens. But it is a book that could serve for great discussion among young adults and even among adult friends. A Catholic priest makes a brief appearance. And his role drastically changed where I though the story was going.

This story is a western written true. Life was not easy, being a criminal was not easy. And some addictions once they have a hold of you will take everything you have. Young Cal follows his father. And soon his whole world is turned upside down. His moral compass is warped. He struggles with what he has done, and who he is becoming. He desires to end the cycle but gets sucked into something else. The question I wrestle with is did Cal get what was coming to him?

Overall it is a sad tragic tale. But I believe one we can learn from. Father Giorgio’s appearance and interactions redeem much. If you enjoy Western’s and want one with a different twist this book is for you. If you just want a good book to read and maybe make you think, I assure you this book if for you. I cannot say I was blessed or even greatly enjoyed the story, but I did really appreciate it. Vining is coming into his own as a writer, his craft and skill growing, and this latest book is well written.

Books by David Vining:
A Quest Through Winter Sleep
The Battle of Lake Erie: One Young American's Adventure in the War of 1812
Crystal Embers
The Sharp Kid

...

Collections of Short Stories:
Shoes for Two Soldier Sons
Old Magic in a New World
A Light in the Darkness
Mutiny!
A Boy and His Satellit
...

Author profile and interview with David Vining.

Friday, 18 February 2022

Meditations on the Stabat Mater - Father Armand de Malleray - CTS Devotions and Prayers

Meditations on the Stabat Mater

CTS Devotions and Prayers

Father Armand de Malleray, FSSP

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9781784697402

eISBN 9781784696962

ASIN B09QH5JCC7

CTS Booklet D844

Over the last several years I have read many books from the Catholic Truth Society. I have been blessed, challenged, and encouraged by those books and booklets. I now have a watch list for new titles from the CTS and for old out of print titles. I picked this one up as soon as I saw it available in my market. I had no idea what it was about, and had not even read the description, because it was from the CTS I wanted to read it! It did not disappoint. The description of the booklet is:

“Stabat mater dolorosa – “The mournful mother was standing”. This is the opening line of the extraordinary hymn attributed to the 13th-century Franciscan friar Jacopone da Todi, which is still a popular Lenten devotion. In this book Fr Armand de Malleray, FSSP meditates upon the Stabat Mater line by line. This is a book to help the reader to walk the road from Lent to Passiontide to Easter – and indeed from life to death to eternal life – in the company of the most Blessed and Sorrowful Mother, who stands at the foot of the Cross of her Son.”

The chapters in the volume are:

Foreword

Stabat Mater

‘The Sorrowful Mother was standing’

Part One – His Mother

Part Two – My Mother

Part Three – Our Mother

Conclusion

Text of the Stabat Mater

And no, the first chapter and the last are not the same. At least not identical. The first chapter is the Stabat Matter is a more literal translation for the purpose of the commentary that follows. And the final chapter we are informed in the better-known version by Fr Edward Caswell CO and the preferred or recommended version for private prayer, devotion, and meditation. The first chapter also only has the English translation, where the final has the English and Latin in Parallel.

I finished University a dozen years ago, and high school almost 35. It has been a while since I looked at literary criticism. And that was my feeling when I started reading this, a line by line breakdown, and that after going over the structure and form. But it is truly so much more than that. It is a work of devotion, of deep faith, and it is both inspiring and challenging to readers. I highlighted many passages my first read through. Some of them are:

“If you truly wish to be transformed by Christ, go to the Cross and contemplate his Passion. If you truly desire to plumb the depths of knowledge of Christ’s Passion, go to his Blessed Mother.”

“With great wisdom, Rev Fr Armand de Malleray has chosen the hymn which best expresses the profound sorrow of Our Lady, a sorrow filled with hope – the Stabat Mater. This hymn forms the landscape in which he skilfully illustrates the mystery of Calvary and the journey of the soul from fall to rise.”

“This conviction of faith inspired Jacopone da Todi’s writing of his hymn, the Stabat Mater, and animates Fr de Malleray’s new commentary, so clear and sound in its doctrine and lyrical in its language. This beautiful little book, born of prayer, is just what I need, what every Catholic needs, for the fruitful praying of the Stations of the Cross. FR JOHN SAWARD, Blackfriars Hall, Oxford, author of Redeemer in the Womb: Jesus Living in Mary”

“The Stabat Mater teaches us that every fallen child of Adam and Eve benefits from uniting sacrificially with Jesus and Mary.”

“The structure of the hymn is telling: Part One describes the situation; Part Two connects us with the Blessed Mother; and Part Three emboldens us to address her Son personally.”

“In the Stabat Mater, the Blessed Virgin Mary teaches us sorrow as the condition for salvation. It must not be selfish or sentimental sorrow. Instead, it must be sorrow born from the realisation of our guilt and grown through trust in God’s forgiveness and mercy.”

“Standing is to Mary hardly less painful than is hanging for Jesus, though; while hanging betrays no less strength in Jesus than standing does for Mary, since the Lord chose and willed this passive posture to redeem the world through his obedience: “‘And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all things to myself.’ (Now this he said, signifying what death he should die)” (John 12:32-33).”

“The only legitimate and fruitful purpose is to better appreciate her grief so as to be shaped by it, her sorrowful heart becoming the mould for our souls as they learn contrition.”

“Our Lady will not disavow us, on the contrary, she will suffer for us. Her natural grief for Jesus is the vehicle for her supernatural suffering with Him and for us. She knows that He undergoes his Passion freely in order to save us from sin. She wills to support his design fully, thus contributing to our salvation.”

“This adoption of us by the Mother was commanded by Our Lord when entrusting St John to Mary: “Woman, behold thy son” (John 19:26). Whereas in Bethlehem Our Lady as the New Eve had been spared the penalty of suffering when giving birth to Our Lord, the New Adam, on Calvary she begot us mystically through her sufferings.”

“It is ‘his’ grace we seek, while ‘hers’ leads us to ‘his’. Because He is God – as just confessed – He is the One whose favour we must win. Far from being left out of our growth in love, his Mother is our safest way to become his.”

“This Third and last part of the Stabat Mater is surprisingly brief, comprising merely two stanzas against eight (Part One) and ten (Part Two). Far from clumsy, this imbalance is dynamic and artistic. It shows how ninety percent of the poem is meant to prepare the reader for entering this ultimate and most sacred stage. Keeping the Mother in mind, we could compare the Stabat Mater with the iceberg, whose visible tip above water amounts to only ten percent of its total volume. The first eighteen stanzas (ninety percent of the poem) are about Our Lady and only the last two about Our Lord.”

“A better interpretation therefore would be: ‘through our mother’, that is, Christ’s and mine, as himself spoke of his Father: “Go to my brethren, and say to them: I ascend to my Father and to your Father, to my God and your God” (John 20:17).”

“The Stabat Mater purges our fallen ego fatally inflated by pride. Our swollen ego is shrunk to nothingness in Part One while witnessing the sufferings of the Woman. It awakens through Marian filiation in Part Two. It is fully restored to life in Part Three, through kinship with the divine Son of Mary, our Redeemer.”

“The Stabat Mater is understood and well prayed only when allowing the Holy Mother to look at our souls as once disfigured by sin and causing the pains of her Son and herself – or as redeemed from sin, through the pains of her Son and herself. Then we truly become her children, she our Mother, and He our Brother Redeemer.”

I hope those few examples show you some of the richness contained within this text. I will be praying this devotion often now, I will al return to this volume from time to time as a refresher. I came away from this with a deeper connection to both Mary our mother and to her son through her. This is an excellent read and I strongly urge you to pick it up and give it a read. And then go and pray.

Another great resource from the Catholic Truth Society!

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 Armand de Malleray:

Meditations on the Stabat Mater

Near Missed Masses: Ten Short Stories Based on Actual Events

Ego Eimi - It is I

X-Ray of the Priest In a Field Hospital: Reflections on the Sacred Priesthood

…

Thursday, 17 February 2022

Operation Do-Over - Gordon Korman

Operation Do-Over
Gordon Korman

Balzer & Bray

Harperteen

ISBN 9780063032743

eISBN 9780063032767

ASIN B092VXRLGF

Scholastic Canada

ISBN 9781443193788

eISBN 9781443193795

Wow! This story is Gordon Korman’s book 99. Yes you read that correctly, his hundredth book is the next one out, The Fort. My introduction to Korman’s works was the 39 Clues back in 2009. Since then I have read 15 of his books. Barely a drop in the buck, but with each one I read I am entertained and often challenged. My son who is 14 did not initially want to read this one because of the description about a fight over a girl. But when he saw how much I was enjoying it he gave it a try as well.

My son and I started reading Gordon Korman books together a few years ago. Prior to that I had a read a few of his contributions to the 39 Clues. We have mostly been reading his more recent titles. We had this one on our wish list from a Canadian bookseller but the US version released almost 2 months earlier so we tracked it down there. (In the US published by Balzer & Bray an imprint of Harper Collins, in Canada published by Scholastic.) I consider Korman a master of the Middle Grade and even Young Adult genres. His books are amazing for kids, tweens and teens. And even some of us older readers. C.S. Lewis in On Stories: And Other Essays on Literature stated: “It is very rarely that a middle-aged man finds an author who gives him, what he knew so often in his teens and twenties, the sense of having opened a new door.” Korman accomplished that in this and to be honest many of his other books I have read. With 1 shy of 100 books published it is hard to say something an author has written is very new and different. But I can state that this was an amazing read! The description of this books is:

“Mason and Ty were once the very best of friends, like two nerdy sides of the same coin . . . until seventh grade, when Ava Petrakis came along. Now Mason can trace everything bad in his life to that terrible fight they had over the new girl. The one thing he'd give anything for is a do-over. But that can't happen in real life--can it?

As a science kid, Mason knows do-overs are impossible, so he can't believe it when he wakes up from a freak accident and finds himself magically transported back to seventh grade. His parents aren't yet divorced and his beloved sheepdog is still alive. Best of all, he and Ty haven't had their falling-out yet.

It makes no logical sense, but Mason is determined to use this second chance to not only save his friendship (and his dog!) but do other things differently--like trying out for the football team and giving new friends a chance. There's just one person he'll be avoiding at all costs: Ava. But despite his best efforts, will he be able to stop the chain of events that made his previous life implode?”

And what a ride the story is. Many of Korman’s books are told where the Chapters are alternating first person accounts. This whole story is first person told from Mason’s eyes. But the chapters in this give his age:

1. Twelve Years Old

2. Zero Years Old

3. Seventeen Years Old

4. Twelve Years Old

5. Twelve Years Old

6. Twelve Years Old

7. Twelve Years Old

8. Seventeen Years Old

9. Seventeen Years Old

10. Twelve Years Old

11. Twelve Years Old

12. Twelve Years Old

13. Twelve Years Old

14. Twelve Years Old

15. Twelve Years Old

16. Twelve Years Old

17. Twelve Years Old

18. Twelve Years Old

19. Twelve Years Old

20. Twelve Years Old

21. Twelve Years Old

22. Twelve Years Old

23. Twelve Years Old

24. Twelve Years Old

25. Twelve Years Old

26. Twelve Years Old

27. Twelve Years Old

28. Twelve Years Old

29. Twelve Years Old

30. Seventeen Years Old

31. Seventeen Years Old

Mason believes he may be dying or lost his mind, when he wakes up back in his 12 year old body. And yet has clear memories of being 17 and having lived those 5 years. Once he concludes it is not a near death experience, and that he actually has a chance for a Do-Over. And he does everything he can to try and stop some of the bad things happening. And his main focus is on Ava, his dog, and his parents’ marriage. In trying to not fall for Ava and lose his best friend he ends up alienating him anyways.

The question is, is Mason doomed to relive those five years and make several mistakes over again, or even make them worse. Or will he get a do over and be able to make things better. How many of us have something that we have in our lives we would not have done, or done differently or better. Would we take a change and go back and change it not knowing what other changes we might cause to happen.

Another amazing read from Korman’s masterful pen!

Books by Gordon Korman:

MacDonald Hall Series:

This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall (1978)

Go Jump in the Pool (1979)

Beware the Fish! (1980)

The Wizzle War (1982)

(formerly The War With Mr. Wizzle)

The Zucchini Warriors (1988)

Light’s Camera, Disaster (1991)

(aka Macdonald Hall Goes Hollywood)

The Jokes on Us (1995)

(formerly Something Fishy at Macdonald Hall)

…

Bugs Potter Series:

Who is Bugs Potter? (1980)

Bugs Potter LIVE at Nickaninny (1983)

…

Jeremy Bloom Series:

The D−Poems of Jeremy Bloom (1992)

The Last-Place Sports Poems of Jeremy Bloom (1996)

…

Monday Night Football Series:

The Quarterback Exchange (1997)

Running Back Conversion (1997)

Super Bowl Switch (1997)

Heavy Artillery (1997)

Ultimate Scoring Machine (1998)

NFL Rules! Bloopers, Pranks, Upsets, and Touchdowns (1998)

…

Masterminds Series:

Masterminds (2015)

Masterminds: Criminal Destiny (2016)

Masterminds: Payback (2017)

…

Slapshots Series:

The Stars From Mars (1999)

All-Mars All-Stars/The Dream Team (1999)

The Face-off Phony (2000)

Cup Crazy (2000)

…

4-in-1 Slapshots: The Complete Collection (2008)

…

Nose Pickers Series:

Nose Pickers from Outer Space! (1999)

Planet of the Nose Pickers (2000)

Your Mummy Is a Nose Picker (2000)

Invasion of the Nose Pickers (2001)

…

4-in-1 The Ultimate Nose-Picker Collection (2006)

…

Island Series:

Shipwreck (2001)

Survival (2001)

Escape (2001)

…

3-in-1 Island Trilogy Collection (2006)

…

Son of the Mob Series:

Son of the Mob (2002)

Son of the Mob 2: Hollywood Hustle (2004)

…

Everest Series:

The Contest (2002)

The Climb (2002)

The Summit (2002)

…

Everest Trilogy Box Set (2002)

Dive Series:

The Discovery (2003)

The Deep (2003)

The Danger (2003)

…

On the Run Series:

Chasing the Falconers (2005)

The Fugitive Factor (2005)

Now You See Them, Now You Don't (2005)

The Stowaway Solution (2005)

Public Enemies (2005)

Hunting the Hunter (2006)

…

Kidnapped Series:

The Abduction (2006)

The Search (2006)

The Rescue (2006)

…

Swindle Series:

Swindle (2008)

Zoobreak (2009)

Framed (2010)

Showoff (2012)

Hideout (2013)

Jackpot (2014)

Unleashed (2015)

Jingle (2016)

…

Titanic Series:

Unsinkable (2011)

Collision Course (2011)

S.O.S (2011)

…

The 39 Clues Series:

One False Note (2008)

The Emperor's Code (2010)

Vespers Rising (2011)

The Medusa Plot (2011)

Flashpoint (2014)

…

Hypnotists Series:

The Hypnotists (2013)

Memory Maze (2014)

The Dragonfly Effect (2015)

…

Ungifted Series:

Ungifted (2012)

Supergifted (2018)

Hypergifted (2026)

…

Slacker Series:

Slacker (2016)
Level 13 (2019)

...

Non Series Books:

I Want to Go Home! (1981)

Our Man Weston (1982)

No Coins, Please (1984)

Don't Care High (1985)

Son of Interflux (1986)

A Semester in the Life of a Garbage Bag (1987)

Radio 5th Grade (1989)

Losing Joe's Place (1990)

The Twinkie Squad (1992)

The Toilet Paper Tigers (1993)

Why Did the Underwear Cross the Road (1994)

The Chicken Doesn't Skate (1996)

Liar, Liar Pants on Fire (1997)

The Sixth Grade Nickname Game (1998)

No More Dead Dogs (2000)

Maxx Comedy: The Funniest Kid in America (2003)

Jake, Reinvented (2003)

Born To Rock (2006)

Schooled (2007)

The Juvie Three (2008)

Pop (2009)

Restart (2017)

What's His Face? (2018)

The Unteachables (2019)

Notorious (2019)

War Stories (2020)

Game On (contains The Chicken Doesn’t Skate and The Toilet Paper Tigers (2021)

Unplugged (2021)

Linked (2021)

Operation Do-Over (2022)

The Fort (2022)

The Super Teacher Project (2023)

Mixed Up (2023)

Slugfest (2024)

Faker (2024)

Old School (2025)

Snoop (2025)

Sleepless (2026)

The Favorite (2027)

…

Gordon Korman - Sheelagh Matthews - Remarkable Writers

Gordon Korman Children’s Storytellers - Chris Bowman

...

Author Profile and Interview with Gordon Korman

...

Wednesday, 16 February 2022

Spiritual Combat According to St Benedict - Father Bernard Ducruet, OSB

Spiritual Combat According to St Benedict

Father Bernard Ducruet, OSB

Giles Conacher, OSB (Translator)

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9781784697419

eISBN 9781784696979

ASIN B09QGZPG8W

CTS Booklet PA65

This was one of 6 new books announced for publication in 2022 that really grabbed my attention. The first three released on January 7th, and I picked them up immediately, or as soon as the eBooks were available across the pond. This was the first that I have read. As the very end of this book is this piece:

“Fr Bernard Ducruet (1927-2020) entered the Benedictine Abbey of St-Benoît-sur-Loire as a monk in 1946. He was Abbot of the community and led it from 1971-1991, and died 4th April 2020. He was author of half a dozen other titles in this series.”

I am uncertain if all the books are being translated into English and released by the Catholic Truth Society, but based on this first volume I certainly hope so. There is one other title planned for release in March, Peace of Heart: According to St Benedict. But back to this book. It is an absolutely wonderful volume. The booklet is listed at 48 pages and I highlighted 16 passages my first time through. The description of this book is:

“Spiritual combat may seem off-putting, but no one is exempt from it. Discover the essential facts about spiritual combat in this book, and learn why it is, above all, a source of growth in charity.

Spiritual combat is the lot of every one of Christ’s Disciples. Too often, the idea seems off-putting, and a good number of Christians think that it has little to do with them. However, no one is exempt from it. To help us discover its merits, Fr Bernard Ducruet, OSB offers us some of the essential facts about spiritual combat. He shows us how this combat is, above all, a source of growth in charity. This simple, profound, and enlightening teaching will be of great benefit to everyone who prays and seeks greater union with Christ.”

When I was in university and involved in non-denominational Campus Ministry groups, in the 90’s and early 2000’s spiritual warfare was all the rage. But looking back with older, and hopefully more mature eyes, it was often extremism, from the works of Neil T. Anderson, Derek Prince, and Mark I. Bubeck to name a few. This volume on the other hand is practical. It is based in scripture, church history and of course the writings of Saint Benedict. The chapters in this volume are:

Spiritual Combat: Translator’s Introduction

Introduction: St Benedict

The Spiritual Combat

Conditions Which Worsen the Spiritual Combat

Place of the Spiritual Combat

Main Principles of Spiritual Combat

Chief Means of Spiritual Combat

Conclusion: Filial Spirit

Some of the passages I highlighted during my reading of this volume were:

“Christian spiritual combat goes back to the very beginning, when “Michael, the prince of the heavenly host” did battle with the devil and his angels. In the last book of the Bible – Revelation, or The Apocalypse – the devil, the great red dragon, opposes the Woman clothed with the sun, crowned with twelve stars – Mary, Mother of God, and also of the Church. Still today the devil goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he can devour, opposing God and trying to subvert his Kingdom, tempting us and trying to prevent our reaching eternal happiness with God.”

“The Book of Job says that our life “is a soldiery on this earth” (Jb 7:1). St Paul tells the Ephesians, and us, “We are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, the powers, the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ep 6:12).”

“If you want to win, whether in war or athletics, you need discipline and sacrifice. Think of the almost obsessive efforts required of a top athlete, hours in the gym, the pool and on the track, endless exercises, careful diet, constant coaching – all for maybe ten seconds of glory… It’s the same for soldiers: all that boring, repetitive training, relentlessly obeying orders, submitting to discipline, learning teamwork, trusting others, mutually supporting each other.”

“Spiritual combat demands that we renounce this idolatrous “me” in order to seek the true God. The whole Gospel invites us, following Jesus, to crucify this swollen false relationship so that we may rediscover the wisdom of love. We have to lose ourselves so as to win ourselves, to go beyond ourselves to love, to renounce self in order to go to the other.”

“This de-centring of desire is a Passover. We must die to the desire that is proud, grasping and vain, to open ourselves to the life-giving dynamism of charity, to the humble desire detached from self, which is the gift of the Spirit.”

“Thus, it is by sharing in the death and resurrection of Christ that we can die to carnal desire and open ourselves to desire of the Spirit. This Passover is then “a passage from love of self and things, even to despising God, to love of God, even to despising self.” It is the crossing over from illusion to true existence, from desire to possess God to accepting being possessed by him.”

“These wounds may arise from our family situation in our childhood or from events in the course of life which have, as it were, damaged our sensitivity. This has as a result become weakened and sickened, incapable of that watchful attention which is, as we shall see, essential for redirecting our desires.”

“Often temptation arouses us through struggle to a greater faith and greater trust in God, upon whom we fervently call in prayer. But we know, as St Paul says, that God never allows us to be tried beyond our strength. Through prayer, we ask him to chain the adversary to the foot of the Cross of Jesus, whose Name alone is enough to terrify hell.”

“Thus spiritual combat has medical, social, political and educational aspects. We must constantly say “no” to suffering in order to relieve it, to sickness in order to cure it, to every kind of sorrow, in order to offer consolation.”

“A Battle of the Church Lastly, we need always to be convinced that this combat is of the Church. The devil wants us to despair, by isolating us in silence and trying to persuade us that since we are on our own, we are bound to be overcome by our trials. But our combat is always in solidarity with, united to, every combatant in the Church. We are in communion with those who are undergoing the same trial. We suffer trial and temptation with and for the Church. We are cured in the Church, by her and for her. We do battle for, with and within the Church.”

“Further, the Church’s holy liturgy is an effective way of purifying our thoughts, as Simone Weil, like so many others, was happy to demonstrate. The whole of Tradition agrees that psalmody is a means for this combat. This prayer needs to be bodily – in other words, said aloud, not merely mentally – and to be accompanied by actions – prostrations, deep bows, fasting – because spiritual combat is also physical.”

“Spiritual combat has as its most important result the rediscovery of that filial trust in God which grows ever more complete. St Benedict expresses this from the very beginning of the Prologue of his Rule:”

I hope those few samples will inspire you to pick up this volume and give it a read. I know I will reread this book again and likely again many times over. I already plan to reread it before the next volume in the series releases. Over the last few years I have read over 250 books and booklets from the Catholic Truth Society. Many amazing biographies, prayer and devotional booklets, books on Catholic teachings and thought. I have been so blessed by the books and booklets from the CTS and have recommended so many to others. This book is an amazing read in a new series and I strongly urge you to give it a read. I have read almost 50 books in the last month and this is the one I would recommend most! So please pick up a physical copy or the eBook and give it a read, it will be life changing!

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.

Books by Father Bernard Ducruet, OSB:

Spiritual Combat: According to St Benedict

Peace of Heart: According to St Benedict

…

Tuesday, 15 February 2022

Shield of Faith - Theresa Linden - Armor of God Series Book 4

Shield of Faith
Armor of God Book 4
Theresa Linden
Silver Fire Publishing

ISBN 9781734992922

eISBN 9798201650506

ASIN B09QH7PYXR

I have now read books from Linden’s pen 27 times, and her contributions to anthologies several times each. To say that Theresa Linden is one of my contemporary Catholic and Christian authors, would be a bit of an understatement. Everything I have read from her has been impressive. I have reread several of her books myself, and reread others with one or more of my children. My children are all through their first communion, but even so we loved this book and this series. I am a fan of all of Linden’s writings, but this series geared for a younger audience than her other works is excellent and a great addition to the canon of her work. With this volume we are two thirds of the way through the series.

As is obvious by the series title this series is based on the Armour of God:

“Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So, stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

~ Ephesians 6:13-17

The chapters in the story are:

1 Sword Fighting

2 A Knight At Home

3 To Become A Good Knight

4 Time To Go

5 A New Mission

6 What Shelter?

7 That Shelter

8 Afraid Of The Dark

9 George And A Lantern

10 Waiting On The Knight

11 A Wrong Turn

12 Responsibilities

13 Hope And A Prayer

14 A Figure Eight Knot

15 The Shield Of Faith

The description of the book is:

“While George and the other pages work hard at Knight School, learning how to earn the Shield of Faith, Robyn notices several knights have gone away. She suspects they've gone to investigate the dragon sightings.

Before George and his friends can learn more, Sir Lucian invites George and his little brother, Erik, on a secret mission that answers questions George has been wondering ever since he first became a page. When George finds himself in a tight situation, he'd rather have a lantern than faith. He's not the only one facing a challenge. Each page--anxious to earn the Shield of Faith--is tested before the day is out.”

At the beginning of the book is a note ‘Dear Reader’ And at the end a section about the author and about the series. All the books available in this series are well worth reading. Between many of the chapters are Brother Coll’s Catechism Lesson, there are 6 of these lessons in this volume. And the last one really hit me hard. It is:

“Brother Coll’s Catechism Lesson

Whether you are preparing to make your First Holy Communion or you have already received this Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for faith.

At every Mass, the priest changes ordinary bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord. Let us pray for the faith to believe not in what our eyes see—ordinary bread and wine—but in what Jesus tells us: this is my Body given for you.”

Part of these stories is the adventure and growth in virtues of the students at the Knight’s Academy. Part is living out their faith and lessons. Learning to live, work and play in mind of our role as Christians. Part of the stories is these lessons, and bringing home the faith in a very meaningful and applicable way. My own first communion was over 40 years ago, and yet this passage at the end of this volume has refreshed my approach to communion and spiritual communions. Linden has infused these stories with faith. And it is a faith that will both inspire and challenge us, no matter our age!

This continuing story of George Pennington, and as we now know Dragons truly are on the move, that the knights are preparing for them, and preparing the towns and village folks about, we can guess that this George is one who later in life is one of some fame.. He is a young lad who is attending knight’s school. To graduate they must obtain the 6 pieces of the armor of God. Six levels of training to become a squire. In the first volume, Belt of Truth, only some of the classmates do not get their belt. And it was very close for George. George learned the value of truth, even if you need to admit to lies, and mistakes you have made. Robyn Haylan and Erik, Georges younger brother continue to be good influences. In the second they must earn the Breastplate of Righteousness. In the third volume they must earn the Boots of Peace. And in this one they are working towards the Shield of Faith. At the beginning of the story we are informed that:

““Today you will learn a new virtue from the Knight’s Code.” Sir Lucian motioned toward the word “faith” scrawled on the chalkboard. A few students whispered. “A knight strives to be the best he can. You learn and practice both physical skills and inner strength. Virtue. But a knight can’t do everything on his own. Knights rely on one another. And . . . knights rely on God.” Sir Lucian stopped. He stood still a moment and looked from student to student.”

And at the beginning of the final chapter:

“Armor day came sooner than expected.

After the meeting with the townsfolk at dawn, the knights called the pages and squires together on the back lawn of Knight School. Heavy clouds threatened rain, but the sun shone brightly between them.

Sir Lucian’s cape flapped around him as he stood before the students. He explained what the knights had told the townsfolk. The rumors were true. Dragons had been spotted nearby, but no one needed to worry. Stay alert and ready. No one could know the day or hour. Should the threat increase, the knights would come to their aid. The squires and certain pages would know what to do.”

And a few paragraphs further on:

““You have risen above fear”—the knight glanced at George—“and disappointment.” His gaze shifted to Robyn. “You have overcome worry”—he looked at Erik—“and even failure.” He looked at other pages in the group, including Henry and Otho. “You have trusted in God. …”

The way Linden explains faith and how to live it out in this tale is wonderful. Those lessons are not only excellent for younger readers but for us older readers as well. Several of the characters have specific tests or trials; George, Robin, Erik, Fendrel, and of course several of the Knights.

This is another excellent volume from the masterful pen of Linden. It is a great read in an excellent series. I recommend them to those in the intended audience who are preparing for their first communion. And for older reads who enjoy a faith filled story.

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