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

'Behold the Lamb of God'

I am grateful to Family Publications for asking me to review this book, 'Behold the Lamb of God' by Pope Benedict XVI.

This latest book from Family Publications complements Pope Benedict XVI's previous book, 'Priests of Jesus Christ'.

'Behold the Lamb of God' is divided into two sections, the first section contains extracts from the Holy Father's homilies and the second section contains extracts from addresses made between May 2005 and August 2009.

Written with great pastoral sensitivity, this beautiful book is filled with deep spiritual and theological insight.

The texts here have been specially chosen by Fr Gerard Skinner of the Archdiocese of Westminster. This latest book by the Holy Father will help both priests and laity gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Blessed Eucharist.

Copies available from Family Publications, price £8.95.

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.

A Walsingham Prayer Book . . .

I am very grateful to Family Publications for asking me to review this lovely book.

For about a thousand years people have been making their journey to England’s National Shrine of Our Lady.

This beautiful prayer book is suitable for personal use, for a family or for pilgrimage groups. In it you will find popular prayers, litanies and hymns which are associated with devotion to Our Lady of Walsingham.

John Paul II writing on Our Lady said, ‘We need to live as she did, in the presence of God, raising our minds and hearts to him in our daily activities and worries.’

I believe it will inspire devotion to Our Lady who always leads us to her Son.

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.

Stations of the Cross ...

I have recently received two new booklets to review from Family Publications; one by John Henry Newman and the other by Dominic Allain.

I’m always happy to review books for Family Publications and with Lent starting in a few weeks time these are timely publications.

The first booklet is prayerful and meditative. The book contains John Henry Newman’s original text while on the opposite page are medieval illustrations from previously unpublished manuscripts.

It is suitable for private use at home, by the housebound or in church at a parish Stations of the Cross.



The second booklet is by Fr Dominic Allain who is a regular contributor to the Catholic Herald.

In Lent, the Stations of the Cross is a popular devotion in parishes throughout the country.

This a beautifully compiled, meditative and prayerful booklet. One is led from Christ’s condemnation to His burial in the tomb to witness the immense love of Christ portrayed in the action which each station calls to mind. Under each beautiful medieval illustration is a verse from the Stabat Mater.

Another ideal gift for Lent to use at home.

Both are available from Family Publications and are reasonably priced at £4.50.

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.

Another new book for your Christmas list ...

This morning's post brought with it a review copy of another delightful book from Family Publications.

Entitled, 'Nativity, A visual meditation', the book is very well presented with beautiful illustrations accompanying the meditations and prayers. The book is based on the fifteenth-century painting The Nativity by Robert Campin.

An ideal book for Advent and Christmas for anyone looking for a focus for their spiritual preparation for Christmas, and very reasonably priced at £8.95. You can order the book from Family Publications

A Thérèse of Lisieux Prayer Book

I've just received another delightful book from Family Publications. It is very readable with lovely black and white pictures, some beautiful prayers and litanies and text from St Thérèse's own manuscripts.

Very apt at this present time as Pope Benedict XVI has approved the beatification of Louis and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin, parents of St Thérèse. The couple will be beatified on 19th October, World Mission Sunday, during a Mass in the Basilica of St Thérèse in Lisieux, France. More information here.

By coincidence, I also received in the post today a letter giving details of the visit of Relics of St Thérèse of Lisieux to England and Wales in 2009. Looking at the itinerary, the nearest places to visit from Banstead would be Portsmouth Cathedral on 16th/17th September; Aylesford on 9th - 11th October and Westminster Cathedral on 12th- 15th October. In general the relics will arrive in the afternoon and leave in the morning. Further details may be found on this website.

An interesting perspective on parish life ...

From time to time I receive a review copy of a new book from Family Publications.

This time the book is called 'Diary of a City Priest' and is a compilation of articles by the popular 'Pastor Iuventus' who writes a weekly column in The Catholic Herald.

As it 'says on the tin' to coin a common phrase, it is the diary entries of a city priest, although it could apply equally well to a country priest or even a priest in a suburb like Banstead! It gives an insight into the highs and lows of the ministry of a parish priest and daily life in a parish.

'Pastor Iuventus' is a parish priest in the Archdiocese of Southwark and is currently serving in a parish in London. He is also chaplain to local hospitals and a school chaplain.

The book may be found in Christian book shops and ordered from Family Publications.

A prayer book for the Year of St Paul

Colin Mason at Family Publications has very kindly sent me a review copy of a new book for the Year of St Paul. This little book is very readable and, as they say, 'accessible to all'. It contains beautiful illustrations and short extracts from the writings of St Paul followed by a short prayer or reflection.

It is an ideal companion for anyone who wishes to learn a little more about the life and thoughts of St Paul during this special Pauline Year and a useful aid to prayer and meditation on this theme.

Copies are available from Family Publications at £4.50. Discounts are available for parishes and schools for bulk purchases.

Books for children

Today the postman delivered a parcel of some new books for children published by the Catholic Truth Sociey. They are all by well known Catholic authors. I've had a quick look at them and they look excellent. They contain colourful illustrations which will immediately appeal to younger children and the content contains very good, sound Catholic teaching. We have a sample of each of the 11 books which will be on sale in our parish repository. Further copies may be ordered via the parish or if you are visiting Westminster Cathedral , you should be able to find them in the CTS shop in the Piazza.