Book Review -Around the Year with the von Trapp Family by Maria Augusta von Trapp

My sister will now be the book reviewer on this blog.  The following is her latest review.  Please note:  the publisher Sophia Institute Press is offering a 25% discount to readers of this blog. 

Use Discount Code radio25 when ordering book to get the discount when using this link:  http://sophiainstitute.com/aroundtheyear  

God bless,

Esther, A Catholic Mom in Hawaii

Book Review by Rosa Sautner,

(Catholic homeschooling mom of 2)

When I began homeschooling, I was determined to teach my daughters to love the Catholic Church, to love living the Liturgical Year, to enjoy participating in the life of the Church.  I used an actual Catholic calendar, looked up the feasts, holy days, seasons and prepared my lessons accordingly.  

How I wish I had had this book by Maria Augusta von Trapp!  Maria, you may well know is the Maria of the Sound of Music fame.  As a former postulant in an Abbey, she must have had a deep love and knowledge of the Catholic Church and a devotion to all the beautiful traditions of the Austrian people.

As she writes in her introduction, when her family was "transplanted" to America, those long held traditions served to firmly root her family in America by helping them to live the life of the Church as they had when they were in Austria.  

This lovely book will also help you live the Liturgical Year with your own family in much the same way she did.  She provides lovely stories of each season of the year, the preparations they made, the foods they cooked, and especially the music they sang.  Each season is explained and carefully broken down so that your preparation can follow very simply by putting into practice her customs and traditions.  Beginning with Advent and ending with All Souls Day, Maria takes us through the Liturgical year and ends the book with an entire chapter on celebrating feasts, such as birthdays and baptismal days.

This beautiful book is a reprint of the 1955 edition.  It is simply a treasure.  I highly recommend it as a most useful and inspiring addition to any Catholic home library.

 

The Most Holy Name of Jesus

O Lord, give me Your peace; let it establish Your kingdom in me and make me a praise of glory of Your Holy Name.

Divine Intimacy by Father Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D.

The Power of the Holy Name of Jesus ~ Fr Isaac Mary Reylea

Standing with our Bishop and Pope

The following is a quote by Pope Pius XI and found in the self-retreat book I Believe in Love by Father Jean C. J. d'Elbee. Published by Sophia Institute Press.

Your bishop and the Pope are the golden chain which connects you to the Divine Redeemer.  You must be with the Pope, because whoever is with him is with the very foundation of the Church; for it is against him, and the Church founded on him, that the gates of Hell shall not prevail."

Plenary Indulgence - New Years Day

If you recite the Veni Creator Spiritus.  Thanks to Janette at Truth Himself for sharing.

Veni, Creator Spiritus 

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator

This hymn was probably written by Rabanus Maurus (856), Archbishop of Mainz.  In addition to its place in the Pentecost liturgy, the Veni Creator has also been assigned as the official opening prayer for Church councils and synods. It is recited and sung by the faithful all over the world at the start of important undertakings, such as the beginning of a school year, at conventions, missions, retreats, and on many similar occasions. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it. A plenary indulgence is granted if it is recited or sung on January 1st or on the feast of Pentecost.

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.

Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power imbue.

Kindle our sense from above,
and make our hearts o'erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
the weakness of our flesh supply.

Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.

Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,
of both the eternal Spirit blest.

Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven.   Amen.

Prayer Source: Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs

by Francis X. Weiser, S.J., Harcourt, Brace and Co, New York, 1958

The Best Christmas Gift

Saint Ambrose's Description of Mary

"Her movement was not indolent, her walk was not too quick, her voice not affected or sharp; the composure of her person showed the beauty and harmony of her interior.  It was a wonderful spectacle to see with what promptness and diligence she performed her domestic duties, to which she applied herself with great solicitude, but always with tranquility and great peace.  Her forehead was serene, and a modesty more celestial than terrestrial pervaded her every movement.  Her words were few and ever dignified, prudent, and joyful.  In Mary, all and everything was well regulated."

Book Reviews -Loyola books for Children

The following is a book review by a guest reviewer.  Rosa Sautner is a Catholic homeschooling mom of twin girls on the East Coast. She also happens to be my dear sister.

by Amy Welborn, illustrated by Marina Seoane

Published 2018, Loyola Press, 177 pages

The Catholic Church is filled with signs and symbols which point to deeper, more profound mysteries.  In  this beautifully illustrated book, author Amy Welborn, explains and expounds upon  the many signs and symbols  we find in our Church, its Saints,  the Liturgical Seasons, the Sacraments and the Bible.  With lovely, full-colored illustrations and simply written explanations for each sign and symbol, this book will appeal to children and adults alike.  It is not only a lovely reference book but an engaging picture book as well. This book will inspire all who read it to see beyond the signs into the mystery that is God's plan of love for each of us.

Shhh...God Is in the Silence

by Fiona Basile, illustrated by Alice Mount

Published 2016, Loyola Press, 23 pages

With all the noise of our modern world, can we hear when God speaks to us?  Author Fiona Basile found during her silent retreat that one can only hear God when we silence ourselves to hear his gentle voice.  With repetition and sweet illustrations this book will gently explain to young children that we must quiet ourselves and listen to God speak to our hearts.  This lovely picture book brings home the message of God's great love for each of us found deep within the silence of our hearts. 

Exaltation of the Holy Cross Reflection

"Men called up to Jesus hanging on the Cross that if He came down t hey would put their faith in Him.   Men still do that today to His Mystical Body, the Church.  They call out that if the Church would change her teachings on certain faith and moral principles, they would find the Church more believable.  They forget our Savior is a Crucified Savior and that unless we take up our cross daily, as He said, we are not worthy of Him.  They have lost faith who would take the Cross out of Christianity.  Christ without His Cross is not the true Christ but an anti-christ.  Religion without the Cross is a godless religion of worshipping self."

- Father Robert J.  Fox

A List of Patron Saints

These were found in an old book of patron saints.


Cause or Patronage                  Name                                     Feast Day

Abused children                      St. Germaine Cousin             June 15
Actors                                      St. Ardalion                            April 14
                                                 St. Genesius the Comedien    August 25
Blind people                             St. Laurece the Illuminator   February 3
Book Lovers                             St. Aldhelm                           May 25
Booksellers                             Bl. James Duckett                 April 19
Breast Cancer                          St. Aldegund                          January 30
Cancer Sufferers                      St. Peregrine Laziosi             May 1
Catholic schools                       St. John Baptist de la Salle   April 7
Converting Muslims                Bl. Andrew Hiberon              April 18
Cooks                                     Bl. Eustochium of Padua        February 13
                                               St. Lawrence of Rome            August 10
Extreme Suffering                  Bl. Lydovina of Schiedam      April 14
Friends of the Holy Souls      St. Adelaide                             June 15
in Purgatory                            St. Catherine of Genoa           September 15
                                                Bl.  Mary of Providence         February 7
                                                St. John Vianney                     August 4
Gardeners                                St. Bandaridus                      August 9
                                                 St. Jonas                               February 11
                                                 St. Phocas the Gardener       July 23
Headaches                              St. Gerald of Sauve-Majeune April 5
                                                St. Ulric of Cluny                  July 14
Journalists                               St. Francis de Sales               January 24
Lawyers                                   St. Liphardus                        June 3
Mathematicians                        St. Anatolius                         July 3
Orphaned and abandoned        St. Jerome Emiliani              July 20
children
                                                 Bl. Margaret Cittadi Castello April 14
People with bad tempers         St. Jerome                              September 30
                                                Bl. John Colombini              July 31
Peru                                         St. Francis Solano                July 14
                                                 Bl. John de Massias             September 18
                                                 St. Martin de Porres             November 3
                                                 St. Rosa de Lima                  August 23
Rogation Days                        St. Mamertas                        May 11
                                                 St. Sidonius Apollinaris       August 23
Sacred Will of God                 Bl. James Gerius                   August 5
Sense of humor                       St. Athanasius                       May 2
Students                                    St. Joseph Calasanctius        August 27
                                                Bl. Louis Mary Palazzolo      May 1
Students and Teachers            Sts. Laurence of Nuvara
                                                and Companions                    April 30
Sweet Tempers                       St. Gerard of Brogne              October 3
Toothaches                               St. Apollonia                         February 9
Twins                                      Sts. Cosmos and Damian      September 27
                                                Sts. John and Benignus         July 21

Women of ill-repute                 St. John Eudes                      August 19
Workers                                   Bl. Leonard Muraldo             April 30