Friday, 6 March 2020

Anthony of Padua - Jude Winkler - CTS Great Saints

Anthony of Padua 
CTS Great Saints
Jude Winkler 
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860822452
eISBN 9781784692803
ASIN B07261228X
CTS Booklet B679


 Over the last few years I have read over 100 books from the Catholic Truth society. This was the seventh in the Great Saints Series. I have also read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series. And have loved most of them. Lately I have been focused more on this series, and a couple of others, almost alternating books in each series, and still have over a dozen in this series I want to read. Back to this specific volume on Saint Anthony of Padua. And this is not the only book about this saint available from the Catholic Truth Society. The description of this book is:

 “Anthony of Padua has become one of the most popular saints, well known for the many favours granted through his intercession. His short life as one of the first Franciscans saw him go from his home in Portugal to Italy where his preaching and miracles gained many souls for Christ. This biography blends history and pious legend to open up the life of one of the most attractive saints. Also contains devotions and prayers.”

 I have already read a few books about this saint, and yet it was great to read this biography. This volume would serve as a great introduction to the Saint, or to help establish a personal devotion to the saint. There are several prayers at the end of the book. And the sections in this book are:

 Life
 Born in Lisbon
 Religious and priest
 A new call
 From Africa to Assisi
 Mission of preaching
 Heresies of his day
 Preaching to the fish
 Violent Opposition
 Reverence for the Holy Eucharist
 Minister of Reconciliation
 Consoling the distraught
 Converting through respect
 Teaching discipline
 Ministry of teaching
 Example of the Blessed Virgin Mary
 Peace and Good
 Against avarice
 Defender of social justice
 Defender against Satan
 Bilocation
 St Anthony and the Christ Child
 I see my Lord
 A Saint for all

 Prayers
 Prayer to St Anthony
 Nine Tuesdays Novena
 Litany of St Anthony
 Prayer for the restoration of things that are lost
 Prayer on giving St Anthony’s bread
 Student’s Prayer

 The more I read about saints the more I want to read about them. In fact I have three different series from CTS on the go and also read books about saints from several other Catholic Publishers. What I love about this book and this series is the CTS Great Saints books give us a short, sweet, and yet intense overview of the saint’s lives. In under 70 pages in this volume Jude Winkler give us the highlights and more about the life of this man of God. There were a few stories in this volume I had not encountered before. Like the time a young lady insisted she be walked home. And A couple of the examples of his bilocation. 

 This was the first book by Jude Winkler that I have read but it will not be the last. This volume was published in 2004, and the eBook edition released in 2017. A quick search finds almost 500 books with ‘Anthony of Padua’ in the title. And I have come across a few that do not have his name in the title. This is a wonderful little volume. It can serve as an introduction to those less familiar with the life and miracles of this saint. And for those who are already familiar there might be a thing or two you pick up. I did. It is another excellent read in a wonderful series from the Catholic Truth Society. I highly recommend it 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Other books about Saint Anthony of Padua:
Saint Anthony of Padua - Sylvia Vecchini and Antonio Vincenti - CTS Saints for Kids
Saint Anthnoy of Padua: Fire and Light - Margaret Charles Kerry - Encounter the Saints
Anthony of Padua - Jude Winkler - CTS Great Saints
St. Anthony of Padua – Alice Curtayne
…

 Books by Fr Jude Winkler, OMF:
Daily Meditations with the Holy Spirit
The Mass For Children
The Way Of The Cross For Children
Padre Pio
Minute Meditations From The Popes
St. Francis Of Paola
Illustrated Children's Bible
My First Prayers
Celebrating Lent
Receiving Holy Communion: How to Make a Good Communion
Mother Teresa
Saints Of The Americas
The Holy Trinity
Celebrating Christmas
Scriptural Rosary For Children
I Cry to You, O Lord!
Our Parish Church
Anthony of Padua
…

Books in the CTS Great Saints Series:
Antonio Rosmini - J.B. Midgley
Bernard of Clairvaux - J.B. Midgley
Benedict Patron of Europe - J.B. Midgley
Charles Borromeo - J.B. Midgley
Dominic - J.B. Midgley
Elizabeth of the Trinity The Great Carmelite Saint - Jennifer Moorcroft
Francis de Sales - J.B. Midgley
Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ John Paul Kirkham
George: Patron of England - J.B. Midgley
John Baptist de La Salle - J.B. Midgley
John of the Cross - Jennifer Moorcroft
John Vianney - J.B. Midgley
Martin de Porres - Glynn MacNiven-Johnston
Patrick Missionary to the Irish - Thomas O’Loughlin 











Labels: , , , ,

Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, 5 March 2020

The Harder They Fall - Alex Smith - Softley Softley Thrillers Book 1.0

The Harder They Fall
Softley Softley Thrillers Book 1.0
Zertex Crime
ASIN B0849PPWYL


 This is the third mystery or thriller I have read from Alex Smith. I have read the first two stories on the DCI Kett stories that I have read and I have can state that both were great crime mystery novels. This is the first of the Softley Softley series I have read. A decade ago, I read and loved the Lockdown series published primarily for a young adult audience by Alexander Gordon Smith. I compared the DCI Kett series to TV series like Wired in the Blood, or the Commander. Reading this was more like reading a British story similar to the Jack Reacher series, by Lee Child. or the character John T. Clark from Tom Clancy's works. In fact, I am almost certain that people who like the Reacher stories will thoroughly enjoy this first novel in a new series from Smith.

 This is a revised version of this novel. It has been updated with links to the DCI Kett stories. The original version of this that was released makes no reference to Kett, and the beginning because of that is slightly different. But the main story is the same. I can only expect that at some point the two series are going to cross over in a much more dramatic manner. If you have read the first version you only really need to reread the section where Jack Softley receives the news that his brother Liam is dead. He and his brother had mostly been estranged and had not seen each other in years. When he goes to London to the funeral, Jack gets mixed up in a world that he did not know existed, and that his brother had apparently been a part of.

  The story is fast packed, and is intense from the moment Jack walks into the funeral home until the story concludes. The Softley brothers appear to be very different. Jack is an English teacher, family man, and just wants to get back together with his wife and help look after his son. Liam was special forces and did a lot of contract work after his military time. But Jack holds secrets, and they upbringing at the hands of a brutal drunk has given both of them tools to survive, and tools to fight with. And Soon Jack is in a fight for his life and those of his family. Jack’s fight is both literal, in a bare-knuckle ring, against thugs, and against underworld characters. But also figurative in getting himself up and moving again and again no matter how hard he has been knocked down or what has happened to him. 

 Woven through the current events that are taking place over a few days, are Jack’s memories. Remembering back to his childhood. To Liam as his older brother and protector. To their father beating them and their mother. To them finding a dead body in the woods. And even finding a gun. 

 There are a couple of real twists in this story. Both took me by surprise. And the end leaves you desperate for book two.  Up until this past year I had not read many in the mystery or crime genres for over 25 years. But last year I did read a lot of crime and mystery books. I read all the books available by Maureen Jennings, the Jack Reacher Series by Lee Child, and the Hunt for Reacher series by Diane Capri. And the writing in this story kept up with each of them. It is a great first story in a series. And sets us up for some serious action in the coming volumes. 

 It is a great read for anyone who enjoys the crime, mystery, thriller genres!

Mystery Books as Alex Smith:

Softley Softley Series:
2.0 Hard Luck House
...

DCI Kett Series:
2.0 Bad Dog
3.0 Three Little Pigs

Books By Alexander Gordon Smith:
Escape from Furnace:
Lockdown
Solitary
Death Sentence
Fugitives 
Execution
Execution Epilogue - Short Story
The Night Children - Short Story

 Fury Series:
The Fury
The Storm

 The Inventors:
The Inventors
The Inventors And The City of Stolen Souls

Non-Fiction:
1001 Questions and Answers
Inspired Creative Writing: 52 Brilliant Ideas from the Master Wordsmiths
The Solar System
Family QuizWriting Bestselling Children's Books: 52 Brilliant Ideas for Inspiring Young Readers


Labels:

Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, 4 March 2020

Thomas Becket - J.B. Midgley - CTS Saints of the Isles

Thomas Becket
CTS Saints of the Isles
J.B. Midgley
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860824760
CTS Booklet B697 


 Over the last few years I have read over 100 books from the Catholic Truth Society. This was the thirteenth I have read in the Saints of the Isles Series. And the thirteenth I have read by J.B. Midgley. I have also read many in the CTS Biographies and also Great Saints Series. There are so many great stories about the lives of the saints. Lately I have not been focused more on this series  but more on the works of Midgley, this one just happens to cross over both interests. But back to this specific volume. The description of this book is:

 “This fascinating account of one of England’s best known saints reaches beyond the rise to power of a privileged and intelligent man, to reveal a story of holiness, suffering and courage. Set in a turbulent and changing times, the forces of religious freedom and unchecked political power inevitably and fatally clashed – in the person of the King and the Archbishop. ‘Our crime’ said Becket, ‘is the assertion of ecclesiastical liberty; for to profess it is to be guilty of high treason’.”

 And the chapters are:
Politics and Religion
Early Life
The king and the Archbishop
Exile and martyrdom
Devotion to Saint Thomas

 This is the second time I have read about Saint Thomas Becket, and there is a third coming out next year by Father John S. Hogan I plan on reading. This is an excellent book about a fascinating man. This is a small volume but I feel that it has provided an excellent foundation for further reading and study. One of the things that surprised me most was last section of the book, ‘Destruction of Becket’s shrine by Henry VIII’. In my previous reading and study, I had not known the extent on how wide spread this action was. And the description of the amount of wealth that was stolen from the shrine while it was destroyed. 

 Also, of great interest was the section ‘Murder in the Cathedral’, which highlights that five of his early biographers witnessed the events and two others had access to firsthand accounts. 

 There is much I can learn from this saint and his example. For many years I had animosity to the English and practically ignored English saints, because of my Irish and Scottish heritage. But reading this book and others in the Saints of the Isles Series have given me a new look, and have inspired and invigorated my faith. It is an excellent volume and well worth a read.

 Another excellent volume from the pen of Midgley and from the Catholic Truth Society!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Reviews of other books about Thomas Becket:
Devotions to St Thomas Becket - John S. Hogan
...

Books by J.B. Midgley:
Advent & Christmastide with the Saints
Antonio Rosmini
Benedict - Patron of Europe
Bernard of Clairvaux – CTS Great Saints
Charles Borromeo  - CTS Great Saints
Companion to St. Joseph
Companion to the Feasts of Mary
Companion to Saint Peter
Companion to Saint Paul
Companion to the Angels
Companion to the Feasts of Our Lord
Companion to the Passion of Our Lord
Dominic - CTS Great Saints
George: Patron of England - CTS Great Saints
Dewi Sant: St David Patron of Wales
Francis de Sales – CTS Great Saints
John Baptist de La Salle – CTS Great Saints
John Vianney – CTS Great Saints
Lent with the Saints
Nurturing the Young
Robert Bellarmine
Saint John the Baptist 
Stations of the Cross and Resurrection with the Saints
The Eucharist with the Saints
The Four Evangelists
Thomas Becket – CTS Saints of the Isles
Vincent de Paul – CTS Great Saints
Witchcraft, Sorcery and Magic
…

Contributed to:
First Fridays and First Saturdays The Devotions Explained 
Devotion and Prayers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
...

Books in the Saints of the Isles Series:
Edmund Arrowsmith - John S. Hogan
Margaret Clitherow - Jean Olwen Maynard
Edmund Campion - Alexander Haydon
John Southworth Priest and Martyr - Michael Archer
Saint Thomas More - Alvaro de Silva
John Ogilvie - Eleanor McDowell
Frances Taylor - Eithne Leonard
Mary Potter - Elizabeth Gilroy
John Fisher - Richard L. Smith
Robert Southwell - Fiorella Sultana De Maria
Ignatius Spencer - Fr. Ben Lodge
Sr Elizabeth Prout - Dominic Savio Hamer
Forty Martyrs of England and Wales - James Walsh
Thomas Becket - J.B. Midgley
...

 Other books about Saint Thomas Becket:
Devotions to St Thomas Becket - John S. Hogan
...











Labels: , , , , , ,

Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, 3 March 2020

The Cassandra Curse - Fiorella De Maria

The Cassandra Curse
Fiorella De Maria
Allied Publications
Progress Press Co. Ltd.
ISBN 9789990930764


 Last year I read 8 books by Fiorella. I started this one, but it was put down and not picked up for about 2 months. Once I picked it up again, I had a very hard time putting it down. To be honest I was rocked from the opening lines of this book.

 “For those of us who were born in the wrong country, at the wrong time or under the wrong circumstances, to feel at home can never be a comforting feeling. We do not tell strangers to make themselves at home when we want them to feel secure, we do not expect them to feel at ease with there environment. For those of us who were meant never to belong nowhere, to be at home is to feel unsettled, to feel unsafe, to feel not quite welcome but not entirely rejected either.” 

 Those words immediately echoed with me and my spirit. I felt like they had been written directly to my heart, and my experience. And maybe that is why I put the book down the first time, because it was hitting too close to home, too close to the heart! The description of the book is:

 "In the last days before war engulfed the tiny Mediterranean island, the eldest son of an old Maltese family asked his father to bless his marriage and instead received his curse. At the turn of the new millennium, the last descendant of the family, Kristjana Falzon, returns to her native Malta with her English fiancé, determined to explain the destruction of her family to him through the events of that day.

 Through the converging stories of a working class family from Sliema and the Sant'Angelos, whose ancestors were merchants and noblemen, they witness the experiences of men and women across three generations who endured displacement and poverty, a bitter wartime siege, the hopes and insecurities of the sixties and the emergence of an independent nation state with struggles of its own. Men and women such as Carmelina Buhagiar, a widow whose talent and courage held her family together, Alexandria Sant'Angelo, whose violent upbringing drove her into exile, and an innocent young priest unwittingly caught in the cross currents of social and political unrest..."

 And though the story tells the tale fictional tale of a Maltese family and the curse upon the generations. The great grand daughter is telling the story to her husband to be. The story of her family. And as we read, we wonder if she is not dropping all the skeletons from the closet in order to see if her benedict will bolt. Or just to be able to have her whole history out in the open. But it is hard for her and often uncomfortable for him. The story is told as they wander around Malta, in and out of buildings, churches. 

 The story may be written about a Maltese family, but it could just as easily have been written about either the Scottish or Irish sides of my family. Near the end of the book reflection on the story and the need to tell the story we are told:

 “I am not so sure, and I know it is not my country, any more than England where divisions fester beneath a veneer of inclusiveness and the virtue of tolerance has morphed into a weapon to silence dissent. Better to be a stranger there than in a place that feels so familiar that it is impossible to bear it. I can take my leave of all of them: Edward Sant’Angelo, Loenardo, Antoni, Carmelina, Gorg Buhangiar, Lawrence, Sam/Salvatore, nanna Buhagiar, Luigi, Elisabeth, Rosaria, the whole array of them whom I have loved and hated and buried on the way. Who knows where they are now? I do not suppose it makes much difference, but those of us who remain will them no ill, not even the ugliest amongst them. We will all stand before God one day and probably when we least expect it, when there are no more places of escape left open to us. Let them all rest now in their far away graves, in America, in France, at the bottom of the sea. Let them all be at peace as those of us who remain behind cannot and will not allow ourselves to be.”

 This book was deeply moving. Fiorella is one of my favorite contemporary authors, and one of my all time favorite Catholic novelists. This story is very well written. They characters are incredibly written. And the story spans generations and a generational curse. The Catholic tradition and faith weaves in and out of the family. Including priests and a man who leaves the priesthood. A convent school that provides shelter and protecting. And a family, maybe not that unlike your own. And a young woman coming to terms with her history and looking to her possible future.

 An incredible read by a very gifted writer. If you can lay you hands on it, do give it a read.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan! 



Labels: , ,

Posted by at No comments:

Monday, 2 March 2020

Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ - John Paul Kirkham - CTS Great Saints

Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ
CTS Great Saints
John Paul Kirkham
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860827105
eISBN 9781784693411
ASIN B072XNMQF3
CTS Booklet B738


 Over the last few years I have read over 100 books from the Catholic Truth society. This was the sixth in the Great Saints Series. I have also read many in the Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series. And have loved almost all of them. Lately I have been focused more on this series and still have over a dozen in the series I want to read. But back to this specific volume. The description of this book is:

 “As war raged in 1940s Europe, Gemma Galgani, a young and beautiful Italian girl, was made a saint - the first to have lived in the 20th Century: she died in 1903. Born into the modern world, her life of goodness and suffering, together with her writings of the love of God, have left a role model of Christian living for many young people living in this secular age. She carried the five wounds of Christ and is considered by many a visionary and mystic.”

 And the chapters are:

 Striking Beauty
A Childhood of Crosses
Learning Love through Suffering
The Stigmata
Daughter of His Passion
Modesty and Disposition
One True Love
Humility and Mortification
Prayer Life
Guardian Angel
Demonic Assaults
Incorrupt Heart
Canonisation
Footsteps of St Gemma- Feast Day April 11th
Prayers with St Gemma

 I will be honest; I am not even sure I had encountered the name Gemma Galgani. But the photo on the cover, and description captured my attention and it jumped to the top of my reading list. The book was an eye opening read for me. My son has Neurofibromatosis and Scoliosis, reading about this Saint and her medical issues and some of the healings attributed to her has inspired me and challenged me to hope and pray for more. We are told in the final section of the book, Prayers with St Gemma:

 “St Gemma Galgani is the Patron Saint of Students, Pharmacists, those suffering from any spinal or back disorder, those suffering from tuberculosis, those who have lost parents and those struggling with temptations.”

 This section has one prayer written by the saint and 2 prayers for her intercession. I have already started praying the one for my son. About her canonization process we are told:

 “In October 1903 Pope Pius X authorised the foundation of a Passionist convent in the city of Lucca. In March 1905, when Fr Germanus had raised and secured the finance, the first Passionist Sisters moved in to establish the landmark monastery. It stands with its distinctive great green dome opposite Lucca’s eastern Porta Elisa where the Viale Cadorna meets the Via di Tiglio. In 1906 Cecilia’s daughter, Gemma’s best friend and acquired sister, Euphemia Giannini joined the new community and took the name Sister Gemma Magdalena.

 By this time numerous graces and favours were being reported due to the intercession of this new “Spiritual Daughter of St Paul of the Cross”. In response to requests for information Fr Germanus collated Gemma’s writings into volumes and wrote a bestselling and complete account of her life. This he published in 1908. A year later, with the help of Mgr Volpi he published more of Gemma’s correspondence and words transcribed by her family. This paved the way for the process of canonisation to be initiated and in 1910 Gemma was officially called for the first time a “Servant of God”.”

 And that she was canonized in 1940. This book was first published in 2011, and the eBook edition was released in 2017. It is a very moving and inspiring read. I already have plans to reread it with my son. And to track down and read some of her many writings. It is an excellent book in a great series. Another fantastic read from the Catholic Truth Society. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Books by and about Saint Gemma Galgani:
The Autobiography of Gemma Galgani: The Book the Devil Tried to Burn - Gemma Galgani
The Autobiography and Diary of St Gemma with Novena and Prayers in Honor of the Saint - Edited by Glenn Dallaire
Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ - John Paul Kirkham - CTS Great Saints
The Life of St. Gemma Galgani - Ven. Fr. Germanus Of St. Stanislaus
The Saint Gemma Galgani Collection - Saint Gemma Galgani
...
...

Books by John Paul Kirkham:
A Simple Guide to the Catholic Faith
The Holy Souls
The Miraculous Infant of Prague

Books in the CTS Great Saints Series:
Antonio Rosmini - J.B. Midgley
Bernard of Clairvaux - J.B. Midgley
Benedict Patron of Europe - J.B. Midgley
Charles Borromeo - J.B. Midgley
Dominic - J.B. Midgley
Elizabeth of the Trinity The Great Carmelite Saint - Jennifer Moorcroft
Francis de Sales - J.B. Midgley
Gemma Galgani Gem of Christ John Paul Kirkham
George: Patron of England - J.B. Midgley
John Baptist de La Salle - J.B. Midgley
John of the Cross - Jennifer Moorcroft
John Vianney - J.B. Midgley
Martin de Porres - Glynn MacNiven-Johnston
Patrick Missionary to the Irish - Thomas O’Loughlin 












Labels: , , , , , ,

Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)