2025: Spiritual Diary, Monthly Meditations on the Twelve Virtues

 This is a wonderful daily read! Each month focuses on one particular virtue. The book tells stories of saints/holy souls as well as quoting the same. 

2025: On Union With God

 

Saint Albert the Great never disappoints! This is a wonderful little book full of good directions on uniting with God!  I do believe this is also in the public domain. 

2025: Should Women Wear Head Coverings

 

Sugenis provides a nice breakdown of Canon Law and, what I deem, a miss by those in the Novus Ordo world. Head coverings have never been abrogated and are still required. The fact that this practice has well exceeded 100 years solidifies the requirement. Don't let Novus Ordo new speak get you confused ladies! Wear the head covering! 

2025: The Practice of Humility

What a gem of a booklet! This a quick, but beautiful read for any soul. It is a beautiful reminder, that, without humility, we will never unite with Our Lord. 

 

2025: Edmund Campion A Life

 

We often think we are living in the worst of times and we may be, depending on our own situation/location in life. But, instead of becoming depressed/despondent, it is always well to look back at history. We can always learn from history, but we can also seek and find strength. 

I have always been drawn to the period of time when Henry VIII (he was no king) attempted to destroy the Catholic Church in England because of his uncontrolled passions. Unfortunately, his daughter Elizabeth continued in this destruction. And, on a side note, it always puzzled me, given that her father killed her mother when she was only three years of age.

Saint Edmund Campion was one of those martyred for his faith and this book asks you to join on his journey to helping so many Catholic souls and bringing others to the faith up and until his death. 

But, the secret (at least for me) was the revelation that there was only one man creating the hiding places of these priests traveling all over England! He designed and built them and never revealed to a single soul (other than the house owner) any information to always ensure the priest was kept safe. Who was he? Nicholas Owens. A Jesuit lay brother and subsequent martyr as he was caught, tortured and killed for refusing to reveal any information. Folks, if you are lukewarm- read this book!

And then couple it with:

 

 

2025: Treatise on Prayer and Meditation

 

Saint Peter of Alcantara, a Franciscan who was the spiritual director to a Carmelite, Saint Teresa of Avila. 

The book provides both the meditations for each day of the week, plus the instructions on how to properly meditate. 

It is a beautiful work and highly recommended. 

2025: Soul of the Apostolate

 

My parish priest recommended this book for the ladies group who takes care of the general cleaning for the church. What a wonderful book! It really opens your eyes to the state of your heart, mind, and soul as you do corporal and spiritual works.  The group read this very slowly over five to seven months to ensure all could read, contemplate and reread. This is the type of book in which you highlight/underline and even write down your favorite excerpts. 

From one of the footnotes, "Good actions conceal within themselves delights, honor, glory and a certain undeniable something which human nature finds extremely tasty, and which often likes far more than pleasure. And the soul is not on its guard against this gnawing worm, this refined egoism which kills actual grace."

2025: Finding Meaning

 

 I read this book to understand better those in grief amongst family and friends. I also wanted to determine where I was in my own grief. 

This is a tough read because the author provides various stories of loved one who have passed. But, the stories are there to let you know that you are not alone in your grief. 

The book fell short for me because of three primary points: 

1. I did not care for the celebrity stories. These should have been left out or told anonymously. 

2. The book is written to embrace all faiths/non-beliefs and falls short of delving deeper. 

3. There is some obvious left wing political and belief bias

Did I learn from this book? Yes. 

Would I recommend this book? Yes, but only with the comments above or just letting someone have my copy.

2025: STRIPED ICE CREAM

 

My sister found and gave me a favorite childhood book! 

2025: Mantilla: The Veil of the Bride of Christ

 

This would be a book for those who believe that what was not mentioned from the 1917 Canon Law was abrogated in the  1983 Canon Law which included the requirement of head coverings. Nevermind what St. Paul stated.... 

The author, Anna Elissa, glossed over Archbishop Lefebvre and any other persons/groups that fought to keep both the true Mass and the doctrine and traditions that were/are so very important. 

She is careful to not offend anyone who is in love with the Vatican II council. Quite frankly, while some of the information was good/helpful, the pandering to the modernists was nauseating. 

This is NOT a recommended reading for anyone in the fight against modernism. It is, however, a possible stepping stone for someone attending the Novus Ordo Mass on a regular basis. 

2025: Wayside School Is Falling Down

Sometimes you just need to read something fun! I love the Wayside School stories- all children should read them (and an adult once in a while-tee hee)!

 

2025: Piety and Personality

 

This is a light but enjoyable read. Written by a traditional Catholic, you do not have to worry about any modern references or quotes. The chapters on Saints Mary and Magdalene and Saint Thomas Aquinas were of particular interest to me. I also enjoyed the chapter on Saint Thomas Moore. 

Price point is high for this book at $29.95. 

2025: House of My Mother

 

Here and there I will read a book that is truly out of the norm for me. 

This story captivated my attention and, when the oldest daughter wrote a book about her family- it interested me. I wanted to read about the situation straight from the family and not the news/websites. 

It is quite a sad story, but with a happy ending.  This wouldn't be a read recommend unless you were already invested in the story. 

2025: The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ

 

You can't go wrong with Saint Alphonsus De Ligouri! This book not only gives you beautiful meditations throughout Lent but also provides various prayers and devotions (Stations of the Cross and the Chaplet) to incorporate into Lent. 

My only regret is not starting this book on Septuagesima Sunday to allow more time for reading before the 15 days of meditation. 

2025: The Quest for Happiness

 

This is a small book, an excerpt of his greater works. Lovely book and worth the read. There are many sections I underlined concerning sin and virtues.

2025: God Within Us

This is the same author who wrote, "Christ in the Home" which is a wonderful book for those contemplating marriage. "God Within Us' is a beautiful journey to help with deeper contemplation and love for the Holy Trinity. 

Do I recommend this book? Yes, yes I do. 

Do you need a quiet place to read it? Yes, this is a contemplative book that should be read in quiet and with time for reflection.

 

2025: Anne of Avonlea

 

I mean, how can you go wrong with any "Anne" book?