Regina Caeli - Reflections on Our Lady . . .

This beautiful book contains extracts from the speeches and writings of Pope Benedict XVI. The texts have been specially chosen by Fr Gerard Skinner, a priest of the Archdiocese of Westminster.

The book looks at the period from 2005 to 2010. The themes of the book consist of the many titles by which Our Blessed Lady is honoured; Mother of God, The Immaculate Conception. It reminds us of special events in her life, for example, the Annunciation and Assumption and contains the words of Marian prayers, the Hail Mary and Regina Caeli.

Pope Benedict encourages each of us to model and imitate Our Blessed Lady's positive response to the call of God.

As we approach the month of May, the month in which the Church gives special honour to Our Lady, this is an ideal gift for your priest or family.

Regina Caeli - Reflections on Our Lady is available from Family Publications at £11.95

A Saint Joseph Prayer Book . . .

Family Publications have sent me 'A Saint Joseph Prayer Book' to review.

This beautifully illustrated prayer book has been produced to honour St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church and foster-father of Jesus.

The book contains sacred texts together with prayers old and new which increase our devotion and nourish our spiritual lives. There are also extracts from St Francis de Sales, St Therese of Lisieux and others; there are quotes from Pope John XXIII and Pope Benedict XVI.

I recommend this book for private devotion or in family or school settings.

You may buy this prayer book from Family Publications. Price £4.50

A New Illustrated Rosary . . .

Family Publications have asked me to review a copy of 'A New Illustrated Rosary' by John Udris.

This beautiful prayer book is an ideal gift for those who have said the Rosary for years and likewise for those who are beginners. The main aim of the prayer book is as Pope John Paul II said, to 'contemplate with Mary the face of Christ'.

The illustrations are taken from medieval manuscripts and the meditations are based on the visual details in the images.

Canon Udris is best known for his writings on St Thérèse of Lisieux.

'A New Illustrated Rosary' is available from Family Publications and sells at £4.50.

Letter to a Non-Believer . . .

Thanks to Family Publications for asking me to review this book by Fr Thomas Crean OP, 'Letter to a Non-Believer'.

In this book Fr Crean offers basic facts, precise and clear arguments and much common sense; he deals with the Catholic aspects of Christian belief; namely, Christ's death, his Resurrection, the question of evil, suffering and man's free will and finally, the need for the Church and the Sacraments.

If you have read his best seller, 'A Catholic Replies to Professor Dawkins', then you will enjoy this excellent book.

Fr Crean is a Dominican friar, a hospital chaplain and a tutor at Maryvale Institute.

'Letters to a Non-Believer' can be purchased from Family Publications and is available now at £9.95

A Curé of Ars Prayer Book . . .

Family Publications have kindly sent me a copy of 'A Curé of Ars Prayer Book' to review.

The Holy Father has declared 19th June 2009 to 19th June 2010 'A Year for Priests' to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of the Curé of Ars - St Jean-Marie Vianney.

A man of great sanctity, St Jean-Marie Vianney attracted crowds and spent many hours daily hearing Confession he had a great love of the Eucharist and spent his life in leading souls to God through his prayer and example.

The book contains prayers and texts of St Jean-Marie Vianney together with a selection of prayers to him and by him.

In this Year of Priests, I recommend this beautiful book to priests and laity alike.

A Curé of Ars Prayer Book is published by Family Publications at £4.50.

A Pure Heart Create for Me . . .

I received in the post this morning from Family Publications a copy of ‘A Pure Heart Create for Me - Theology of the Body Today’ edited by Robert Colquhoun.

The book was inspired by a collection of lectures given in 2008 at St Patrick’s Church, Soho Square, London.

The lectures were given to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Humanae Vitae.

The book is divided into two sections; the first part contains lectures specifically on the Theology of the Body and the second part addresses particular issue for today.

The authors of this book are clergy and lay specialists; a variety of subjects are covered in the book including Authority in the Church, Call to Holiness and Communion with the Lord, Aids, Truths about Homosexuality and Contraception and others.

The book is available from Family Publications, Oxford and sells for £12.50.

Looking for a good book to buy someone for Easter?

My thanks are due to Family Publications for asking me to review Fr Francis Selman’s book, The Sacraments and the Mystery of Christ.’

The book is divided into two parts, the first part, an introduction to the sacraments, gives a general overview of the sacraments and their role in the life of the Church; and the second part devotes a chapter to each of the seven sacraments.

Fr Francis demonstrates how the sacraments are the means by which each of us in incorporated into the life of the Church and ultimately into the life of the Blessed Trinity. There are references to recent papal teaching, the Fathers of the Church and the thinking of St Thomas Aquinas.

This book is ideal for anyone who wishes to deepen their knowledge and understanding of their faith; it provides relevant material for parish catechists and for priests who wish to preach about the sacraments.

The Sacraments and the Mystery of Christ is very reasonably priced at £9.96 and available from Family Publications.

Priests of Jesus Christ - Reflections on the Priesthood

Priests of Jesus Christ - Reflections on the Priesthood.

In this new book, Pope Benedict gives an insight into various aspects of priestly life and demonstrates how the life and work of the priest is centred on Jesus, the Eternal High Priest.

The reflections contained in the book are taken from the writings of Pope Benedict from the time of his election as Pope in April 2005 to the end of 2008.

This beautiful book contains extracts from the writings and homilies of Pope Benedict and have been selected for publication by Fr Gerard Skinner.

I recommend this book to priests and anyone discerning God's call to the priesthood and indeed to the laity who encourage and support us by their prayers and example.

You can order a copy from Family Publications, price £12.95.