It's not a book, but...

You'll forgive me for adding this to the "Best Catholic Books" blog, given that I developed this music project--and sang on it last summer.

The idea for this album started back in 1972. Not kidding.
I was a brand new Catholic and was visiting the motherhouse of the Daughters of St. Paul for the first time. I firmly and wholeheartedly believed that the Catholic Church was the one true Church...and I just as strongly believed that I had sacrificed good music in the process of becoming a Catholic. (The early '70s was not the best of times for Church music.) But then here I was sitting in the sisters' chapel during a Sunday Mass listening to Gregorian Chant for the first time in my life. They were singing the Mass of the Angels... My first thought was, so this is where the good Church music is hiding!
Then about ten years ago when I was studying music I had a strong desire to share this musical heritage with the many Catholics who still had never heard of it. We sisters "grew up" in the convent, so to speak, singing this music on feast days, for benediction, novenas, etc.. I've rarely, if ever, heard this music outside of our motherhouse and most people I know have had the same reaction as I first did: Where have they been hiding this?
During the recording last summer, we did have to pull out the Latin dictionary...and we also had a vocal coach come in to help us, but on the whole, this type of music fits us like a glove.
In Paradisum is an introduction for those too young to remember, and a fresh take on old, familiar melodies for those who do: We took Gregorian chant up a notch by adding instruments and playing around with the arrangements. It's to give people a taste for chant, but also to give them an experience of "heavenly music"...the kind you listen to while you're driving or trying to pray. It puts you in another zone. It's familiar, but it's new. I think it's perfect prayer music--it can help in providing a reverent "atmosphere" that is conducive to prayer and reflection.


What's inside: Vexilla Regis Prodeunt ∙ Ave Regina Caelorum/Ave Maris Stella ∙ Salve Regina ∙ Adoro Te, Devote ∙ Tantum Ergo, Sacramentum ∙ Ave Verum Corpus Natum ∙ Ubi Caritas ∙ Te Joseph ∙ In Paradisum

The Spirituality of Archbishop Fenelon

This is a hidden treasure. It sat on our bookshelf for a year before I picked it up out of curiousity and read the contents. It's a skinny little book, but the vaule of it is as dense as the Summa Theologica! I couldn't resist reading it at a gallop, but it's one of those special books that is worth keeping (and sharing...definitely sharing!) Great introduction to the teachings of Francois Fenelon, a spirtual teacher along the lines of Brother Lawernce and St. Therese. It's too bad that a few centuries stand between us....I would have loved to have this 17th century Jesuit bishop as my spiritual director! Don't pass this one by!

I haven't read this one yet, but it's on my list (and my shelf!): Complete Fenelon...

Perpetua: A Novel

Sorry about the long silence...I've been reviewing books on Facebook! But I'll share them with you here, too!

I have always been fascinated by the story of Perpetua and Felicity that was recounted in the Office of Readings (from Perpetua's own diary!), so naturally I had to pick up this book. Title, cover, story, everything was asking me to take it off the library shelf. Brought it home and promptly ordered a copy of my own. Once upon a time there was a book that grabbed me like this and made me change my direction in life. I was 13 and read the Song of Bernadette. Went from that to every life of a saint I could find....mostly young girls my age: Joan of Arc. St. Agnes, Maria Goretti etc. Now to come across a story like this one that "fills in the blanks" around the account of her martyrdom and recreates a flesh and blood woman of such conviction and passion and humanity...you know, the kind of life your longing to live.
There's another book on Perpetua entitled "What Would You Die For?" This book shows not only what (Who) she most willingly died for, but who she most passionately lived for as well.

Good Reads!

You've seen so much of me talking about books, now you can listen to some of the other sisters... Sister Anne brought a video camera to some community meetings and just asked the sisters to talk about their favorite books, or what they were reading at the moment...


What about you? What are your favorite books? What are you reading right now?

The Year of St. Paul!

We had audio problems with this one (taped at the same time as the fiction recommendations), but hopefully we will do better in the future!

Speaking of future, every 2nd Wednesday of the month from September through June, our sisters in Chicago sponsor a Theology of the Body study group. You don't have to be in Chicago to join: it's online, with live streaming video! John Paul's work is a real tome, so it can be helpful to have someone guide you through it, someone you can also ask questions or clarifications. Join the group at 7:30 Eastern Time, 6:30 Central: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/theology-of-the-body . If you don't have a copy of the book, you can order it online right from the "channel" page. (Every 2nd Wednesday, so starting up again Sept. 10.)

It's not about a book, but...

I've been in Boston for a music project as well as my annual retreat. While we were in the studio (recording "Catholic Favorites, vol. 2"), Sr. Tracey got some candid footage on video, and this is the result: see if you can spot me!

Summer Reading

Granted, we're already in the middle of summer and I'm only now offering a summer reading list... But summer is a great time for a relaxed read, and nothing beats a good story. I'm talking fiction. 

Sr. Anne, the videographer, had some problems with the microphone (and some camera wobbling, too). So the video is not so great; the books are!

Mailbag

I've continued to get requests for new book reviews since the last post. Sorry it's been so long, but I had to wait until Sr. Anne came home on vacation with her camera. In the meantime, if you want a really good summer read, try Anne Rice's "Road to Cana." This is the second volume in her series on the life of Christ, and I didn't think it would be better than the first, but it is. Her description of St. Joseph in the first volume ("Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt") was the best I've ever read, and I still have that picture of St. Joseph in my mind--good thing, because he's still around at the beginning of the second volume! Enough said: go out and read!

St. Paul!

Now you would think that a Daughter of St. Paul would be able to tell you where to find a book about her spiritual father and patron saint, right? Well, up until a short while ago I would probably have responded, “good luck!” It seems I’ve been on the look out for a good biography of St. Paul since forever, but in spite of the fact that I basically live in a book store, I couldn’t seem to find anything that wasn’t academic, dry, outdated or just too over my head. Sure, you can always find shelves of books on St. Paul in the Scripture study section (after all, he did write 14 letters in the New Testament) but a decent biography? One that inspired devotion and made me want to be related to him?

Well, I’m writing this to tell you that all is not lost. I did find one! Last year we published Paul, Least of the Apostles, and I grabbed a copy as soon as we put it on display! It was easy to get into the story and I found it an extremely readable biography and one that I could confidently pass on to anyone. You’ll be happy to know that no degree in Scripture or Theology is needed to understand and enjoy this book. Alain Decoux is a French journalist and historian and writes this popular biography for the average reader (that would be most of us!). He has a smooth way of connecting past and present by giving details of the actual places Paul visited in a way that makes you feel as though you’re there and it’s real and you’re part of it. It has great pictures, too – both of the archeological sites and masterpiece artwork of Paul.

All in all, it comes highly recommended by one of his Daughters who has been looking a good long time for a book on him worth getting excited about.

Favorite Saints?

I love reading lives of the saints--they were my introduction to the Catholic Church! See if some of these books (and saints) are among your favorites, too...

Here are links to some of my favorites:
                  

Mailbag

This in from a priest:

Thanks a lot for your book suggestions. Is there a book you can suggest on Apologetics? How about a Biblical Commentary? If you have suggestions for movies, I would appreciate it if you could send a list too. All the above are materials I have been asked about recently by parishioners. Thanking you in advance for your suggestions.

For apologetics, three books come to mind (although I'm sure there are more!).

Handbook of Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft and Roland Tacelli. The subtitle is "hundreds od answers to crucial questions" "A virtual one-volume, self-study course on essential apologetics, elegantly outlined in plain English. Highly recommended." To me, it's thorough, it's clear, and it's user friendly. Also has discussion questions if you would be using this in a group. 400 pages, 22.95. I liked this one the best.

Yes or No: Straight answers to tough questions about Christianity, by Peter Kreeft. This one I found very engaging, especially if I was reading on my own (not really for group study). It's written in the form of a conversation, so it's very readable. Might be a good one for someone who is interested in the subject but isn't inclined to "heavy" reading. However, if the person wants to do further reading, there are suggested titles in the back of the book and also questions for discussion. 190 pages, 12.95

Reasons to Believe (How to understand, explain, and defend the Catholic Church) by Scott Hahn. If you've read any of Scott Hahn's other titles, then you're familiar with his stye: very clear, very readable, very convincing. And coming from someone who is himself a convert and passionate about the faith, it's a book to have. 227 pages, 21.95

Hope that helps. I'll get back to you soon on recommendations for Biblical Commentary! That list will be a little longer.

Catechisms!

I got an e-mail asking when I was going to resume ordinary blogging. I don't know! For now it's easier to have Sr. Anne record me on video talking about the books I love. And speaking of books I love...

Back again!

Here I am with more books! Sr. Anne taped me while we were in Boston this summer recording a new album.
Speaking of new albums, our newest Christmas album is now available.
But meanwhile, here are the latest "Best Books" for you to catch up on!

Summertime!

Share our mission by adding a link to this video to your blog or e-mail! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McTLqUCwXKg

For the Month of May!

Better late than never! Sr. Anne took this footage while I was in Chicago for a meeting...

Stations of the Cross

Did you ever find the Stations of the Cross booklets to be a bit too, well, saccharine? Or maybe just spiritually unhelpful? Sister Anne (from our Chicago community) looks at some newer titles (and one really old one) that could renew your Way of the Cross. Suggestions for kids, too!
Go to http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1180001027038762145.

The Best Catholic Books for Lent

Sr. Teresa taped me while I was in Boston in January, and Sr. Anne put together the somewhat "unfinished" finished product. After you've seen my recommendations for Lent, please consider sharing our mission by adding a link to the video to your e-mail signature for the Lenten season.

Best Catholic Books for Lent! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiBj2XlTF74 Don't have much time? Here's the two-minute version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQkuWjgiDYo. Share the Pauline mission! Add these links to your e-mail.

The Best Catholic Books for New Year's

Catholic books to help you start the New Year out in faith! Just a few, but worth your while (at least I think so!).

Advent and Christmas

Believe it or not...

It's funny how you have plans to read one book and end up with another.

I had no intentions of reading it but for some reason I picked up a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (a great small size copy that's kind of like a prayerbook or missal...printed in Australia and I found it in Italy...but it's in English, in case you're wondering!) I used it once before for meditation a few years ago and decided to read through it again. This time with a hi-lighter. Just for your happy information...it's marvellous. Like classic art...you can never exhaust it and you never get tired of going back to it again and again. I get the same feeling when I'm reading the Gospels - how did I miss that? Was that always there?

Read #260 . The prayer by Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity is beyond beautiful.

The CCC is not just a textbook or a reference book....it deserves to be meditated!

What's your favorite number??