Trying A New Idea

As some of the contributors of these blogs are either now ill, or other factors don't allow their being able to contribute here as much as before, I am going to try a “new” approach.

Since the home page for this series of blogs is “Faith of the Fathers” (faithofthefathers.blogspot.com), there will be a new headline animator (courtesy of FeedBurner) for this page placed in the top portion of the sidebar on each page of all the blogs. Since some people read only “Saint Quote of the Day”, “Pope Benedict XVI”, or one of the other of our other 23 total blogs under the Faith of the Fathers blogs (we have a kids section with 6 blogs), those readers may not be aware of the other blogs, and their content.

In the past, Marie, Ginny, Emmy and myself have all contributed our own original writings to “Spirituality and Mysticism”, “Saints of the Faith”, “Spiritual Warfare”, and essentially on all of our pages. Many of those writings (theirs, not mine) were quite good, are still quite good, and are very much worth reading, or even reading again if you've read them before.

So, each week I am going to place on the main page, a posting with some recommended posts from each section, called “Recommended Reading”. I will also have a post for “New Postings” as they occur. The “New Postings” will include “Daily Mass Readings” posts, “Saint Quote of the Day” posts (which are both daily postings), and “Pope Benedict XVI” (which occurs weekdays with news from the Vatican Information Service). Other new postings will be noted as they occur.

Since I will be going solo apparently, I can't promise how often new postings will occur on the other blog pages, but I will do my best.

At the ripe old age of 54, I have given up on the hope of being adopted by near-sighted millionaires who would throw embarrassing amounts of cash my way, which would leave me with the time necessary to write all I want. Since I have grown accustomed to eating and living indoors, it is necessary that I work, and my postings will occur as time permits. So please bear with me.

I hope this will be of help to our readers, and bring some good reading to the readers of all our blogs.

The Peace of Christ to you all!

On A&E: God or the Girl

Finally, a reality show based on reality. Thia Easter Sunday on the A&E network carried on cable and satellite, a five-part reality series premieres entitled "God or the Girl". This program has 4 young Catholic men as they contemplate one of the most serious choices in their lives...the choice between the priesthood and marriage. This is not, according to reviews in The Boston Herald, Milwaukee Journal, and New York Daily News, the typical reality show, nor is it disrespectful as one might assume from a title like "God or the Girl". It actually affirms the Catholic Church and honors vocations to the priesthood and the witness of faithful young Catholics. The series has received a positive review from the USCCB.

The full series schedule is as follows:
PART I - EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 16, @ 9PM EASTERN/8C MOST IMPORTANT
PART 2 - EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 16, @ 10PM/9C
PART 3 - EASTER MONDAY, APRIL 17, @ 9PM/8C
PART 4 - MONDAY, APRIL 17, @ 10PM/9C
FINALE (PART 5) - SUNDAY, APRIL 23, @ 10PM/9C

Catholic Church
Catholic Television
Catholic
Religion
Roman Catholic
Catholic books

The Magnificent Prayers of Saint Bridget of Sweden

This is a very moving and emotive prayer book on the Passion of Jesus. It opens with a short biographical sketch of this wonderful Saint of The Church.

The book then opens with her prayers to Jesus as He suffered for the Salvation of all. It is truly and deeply moving as she walks us through the sufferings endured by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

The pictures selected for this prayer book are also deeply moving and wont leave any soul untouched by its vivid portrayal of what our Lord endured with His sufferings for love of us.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

The Hiding Place-DVD

Corrie Ten Boom though born in Holland is world famous as a deeply devout woman of immense Faith, through her we see the freedom that true forgiveness gives to those who practice it.

The movie based on the life of this most famous Dutch family the Ten Booms, is a very well produced movie which truly does convey the risks that the Ten Boom family took to protect the persecuted Jews of Holland.

We follow what happens to this Christian family during the horrific war years of Nazi occupation, and what they suffered through for love of God.

The movie comes alive through the acting talents of Jeanette Clift who plays Corrie Ten Boom with extraordinary care and detail. It also stars that well known actress Julie Harris, who beautifully portrays Corrie's saintly sister, Betsie Ten Boom.

It is an extraordinary film of the power of love and the triumph of the spirit through all adversities.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

Edith Stein a Biography by Waltraud Herbstrith

This book covers the short life span of one of the Catholic Church's greatest Saints, and also one of its great minds, Saint Edith Stein.

Through this book we gain a glimpse into the heart of Edith, which does not gloss over her faults and failings, for Edith was indeed a precocious child, an enquiring teenager who grappled about her Faith and other issues, and a Mystic who abandoned herself for love of God alone.

But this is also a touching account of her life, told by those who knew her best, her relatives, teachers and friends. It unfolds before us the tapestry of Divine Providence which weaved its thread through Edith's life.

This is a celebration of her life and works and the Mystical path that Edith followed without faltering to the end.

I would encourage all to read the life of this remarkable Saints and one of the greatest theologians of the Catholic Church.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

Historic Catholic Converts

Divine Mercy in My Soul by Saint Faustina Kowalska

This book was written by a nun in Poland before the Second World War and its message of Apocalyptic warnings for the world is essential reading for all who long to fulfil God's Will in their lives.

For this book also has a message of Divine Mercy that our Lord has for each one of us and a way back to Him for those who have strayed from the path of Faithfulness.

It was also this book that our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II requested after the failed assassination attempt was made on his life and it made a great impact on our late and beloved Pope as he recovered from his near fatal wounds.

It is a book of hidden depths but also sublime meaning as to what is pleasing to our Heavenly Father and what is not! This book also leads the soul on an inner journey to discover God within and to live to please God and avoid any chastisements which may await those who refuse God's Merciful Love. It also teaches us how to pray to God and help to alleviate the Justice that awaits those who will not submit to God's Divine Will.

It has also been released in DVD format including the Beatification ceremony of Saint Faustina Kowalska.

I would encourage all to read this tremendous book in the times we live in and to view the DVD of the message given to St. Faustina by Jesus to the world.

Peace of Christ to you ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

The Life and Revelations of Anne Catherine Emmerich by the Very Reverend Carl E. Schmoger, C.SS.R.

This book goes beyond the myth and gives us a glimpse into the private world of one of the Church's greatest Mystics, the life of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich by her spiritual director.

This book not only details Anne Catherine's many mystical experiences but delves into how it affected her on a personal level and also the impact it made on her fellow Sisters within the Convent walls.

It recounts in vivid detail the personal trials and tribulations experienced by Anne Catherine and how she coped with the many Gifts that God had bestowed on this remarkable Saint of the Church.

It also delves into her visions, the stigmata, and the many warnings given to her about future events for the world and the Catholic Church which is still relevant to the present time.

It is through the writings of this remarkable Saint that we gain an insight into the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, and learn what pained our Lord the most as He suffered for us all.

I would encourage all to read more about this extraordinary Saint behind the image which inspired the movie produced by Mel Gibson 'The Passion of the Christ'.

Peace of Christ to ALL.

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.

Autobiography of a Saint- Therese of Lisieux- The Story of a Soul

This is a spiritual masterpiece for any person who longs to be closer to God. And through the words of this extraordinary young woman we learn step by step how to achieve a loving relationship with God.

Though this remarkable Saint lived a short life, her experiences on her spiritual journey is an eye opener for all who seek the same path. Through Saint Therese we learn to follow God in a simple movement of the heart, which requires no great deeds from us, but to allow God into the depths of our soul.

It is Saint Therese who teaches us how to achieve this in a simple to read style which is not complicated but leads the reader on a spiritual journey that will change their hearts forever.

This book is a spiritual treasure and sits alongside the great masterpieces of the spiritual life. It is also the inspiration behind the movie 'Therese-Story of St. Therese of Lisieux' produced by Luke Films and starring Lindsay Younce as Saint Therese of Lisieux, which will soon be released in DVD in February/March.

I encourage all to read the remarkable journey of Saint Therese of Lisieux and her little way and the movie based on the book.

Peace of Christ to ALL

Copyright © 2006 Marie Smith. All rights reserved.