Thank you all for your kind and encouraging comments on the Apron Giveaway Post! They mean a lot! ❤️❤️❤️
AND NOW, THE WINNER IS….
CONGRATULATIONS, STEPHANIE! I have sent you an email!
I have read this book more than once. It is delightful. And it is now reprinted! (I paid $50 back in the day for my copy…there are some books that are just worth it!)
It is not just for those aspiring to become a nun. It has so many lovely spiritual lessons within the book! Available here.
This book is an autobiography written by Mother Catherine Thomas and published in 1957. It tells of her journey as a normal, happy young lady who enjoyed life in its wholesomeness.
She chooses Carmel and eventually becomes the Mother Superior. It tells of her spiritual journey and is charmingly candid and human.
It is good reading for young and old.
These reviews sum it up well:
“My Beloved: the Story of a Carmelite Nun is an American Carmelite classic about a young woman, Cecilia Walsh, who answers the call of God and so enters a Carmelite Monastery in New York (later moving to a new foundation in Oklahoma).
This is her autobiography. She reveals many things about the hidden life of Carmel… the simplest things often wondered about. She speaks of the work, recreation, prayers, meal times, silence, ceremonies, vows, the Rules and Constitutions and much more of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns.
She is very detailed in writing. She does all of this while recounting her own struggles and successes physically, mentally, and spiritually as a postulant, novice, and finally professed sister. It is an absolute delight to read because she is so intimate, simple, and even comical in her writing. It is interesting and captivating… I couldn’t put it down. I read practically straight through it in one setting. It has wonderful wisdom for lay as well as religious, and I would recommend it to both as well as those not of the Catholic faith.”
“Great personal account of one ordinary girl’s journey into the Carmelite order, a very readable and interesting blend of autobiography and theology. Inspiring reading for the vocationally discerning, but a fascinating story for anyone else interested in Catholicism.“
“It has excellent spiritual advice for those who are considering consecrated life and also for the laity. I loved it very much and it helped me a lot to grow spiritually as a lay woman. :)”
A few pictures from the older version of the book (click on first picture to view gallery):
A reporter interviewing Mother Catherine
A nun arranging one of the original barrack cells on the day of the move.
Mother Catherine writing in the barn loft.
A nun milking the monastery cow.
“The love of parents is made manifest only through sacrifice, respect for the human nature of their children, companionship and a deep interest in the studies, the work, the play and the progress of their children. It does not injure the children by coddling them; it does not stunt them by unreasonable severity in its demands and punishments.” -Fr. Donald Miller, C.SS.R., 1950’s
A little encouragement in your search for modest blouses for the hot weather along with a little tutorial on shortening and hemming your blouse sleeves...
In With God in Russia, Ciszek reflects on his daily life as a prisoner, the labor he endured while working in the mines and on construction gangs, his unwavering faith in God, and his firm devotion to his vows and vocation. Enduring brutal conditions, Ciszek risked his life to offer spiritual guidance to fellow prisoners who could easily have exposed him for their own gains. He chronicles these experiences with grace, humility, and candor, from his secret work leading mass and hearing confessions within the prison grounds, to his participation in a major gulag uprising, to his own “resurrection”—his eventual release in a prisoner exchange in October 1963 which astonished all who had feared he was dead.
Powerful and inspirational, With God in Russia captures the heroic patience, endurance, and religious conviction of a man whose life embodied the Christian ideals that sustained him…..
Captured by a Russian army during World War II and convicted of being a “Vatican spy,” Jesuit Father Walter J. Ciszek spent 23 agonizing years in Soviet prisons and the labor camps of Siberia. Only through an utter reliance on God’s will did he manage to endure the extreme hardship. He tells of the courage he found in prayer–a courage that eased the loneliness, the pain, the frustration, the anguish, the fears, the despair. For, as Ciszek relates, the solace of spiritual contemplation gave him an inner serenity upon which he was able to draw amidst the “arrogance of evil” that surrounded him. Ciszek learns to accept the inhuman work in the infamous Siberian salt mines as a labor pleasing to God. And through that experience, he was able to turn the adverse forces of circumstance into a source of positive value and a means of drawing closer to the compassionate and never-forsaking Divine Spirit.
He Leadeth Me is a book to inspire all Christians to greater faith and trust in God–even in their darkest hour. As the author asks, “What can ultimately trouble the soul that accepts every moment of every day as a gift from the hands of God and strives always to do his will?” This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
The following pages in this Maglet (magazine/booklet) is for you…to inspire you in your daily walk as a loving, strong, patient Catholic mother. As mothers we have an awesome responsibility, as one of the key people in our children’s lives, to help mold them into happy, well-adjusted, faith-filled adults. This Maglet is filled with unique articles and anecdotes to help you in this journey. It is unique because most of the articles are written by men and women (some priests and a Dominican nun) who have lived in an age where common sense was more of the norm. Their advice and experience are timeless and invaluable…
“I enjoyed this book so much. These are articles that can be read and reread many times especially when your spirits need a ‘pick-me-up’. I especially liked the little thoughts and sayings sprinkled throughout the book. So full of wisdom!” -Julie S.
“Oh it’s purely delightful to cuddle up with a cup of tea and my Finer Femininity Maglet. 🙂 I LOVE IT! Can’t wait for the Christmas edition!!” -Elizabeth V.
“This book is very refreshing to read. It is very beautifully written and easy to read. This book encourages you that your efforts are worth it, enlightens you to do better in a positive way and gives you confidence that you can be good in a not-so-good world. If you want an all-around good book this is it. I look forward to each new publication!” -Emily
“Love it! this is something I will pick up over and over to read.” -Sarah
“Amazing maglet like all the others! Thank you for your lovely work! :)” -Dominique
“Inspiring and uplifting articles that help with everyday life situations and relationships. I will be recommending this to my married friends and daughters.” – Lana
Package Specials!
Package Special! The Catholic Wife’s Maglet/The Catholic Young Lady’s Maglet/The Catholic Mother’s Maglet! Available here.
All 6 Maglets! Young Lady’s Maglet, Wife’s Maglet, Mother’s Maglet, Sunshiny Disposition, True Womanhood and Advent/Christmas! Available here.
“Our words do more than just make our children feel good. Our words can make them feel like somebody who can accomplish great dreams or like a nobody who is destined to be a loser.”
“Affirming words from Moms and Dads are like light switches. Speak a word of affirmation at the right moment in a child’s life, and it’s like lighting up a whole roomful of possibilities.” – The Power of a Woman’s Words
Painting by Vladimir Volegov
The rosary, scapulars, formal prayers and blessings, holy water, incense, altar candles. . . The sacramentals of the Holy Catholic Church express the supreme beauty and goodness of Almighty God. The words and language of the blessings are beautiful; the form and art of statues and pictures inspire the best in us. The sacramentals of themselves do not save souls, but they are the means for securing heavenly help for those who use them properly. A sacramental is anything set apart or blessed by the Church to excite good thoughts and to help devotion, and thus secure grace and take away venial sin or the temporal punishment due to sin. This beautiful compendium of Catholic sacramentals contains more than 60,000 words and over 50 full color illustrations that make the time-tested sacramental traditions of the Church – many of which have been forgotten since Vatican II – readily available to every believer.
“The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Published 80 years ago, this Catholic classic focuses on the Christian family and uses as its foundation the1929 encyclical “On Christian Education of Youth” coupled with the “sense of Faith.” Addressing family topics and issues that remain as timely now as they were when the guide was first published, “The Christian Home” succinctly offers sound priestly reminders and advice in six major areas…
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
It’s here and reprinted!!! Celebrate the Feasts and Seasons with the Von Trapp Family!
This is one of my all-time favorite books, full of Catholic, old-fashioned goodness for the whole family! Do you want to inspire your children? Do you want to fill them with the beauty and charm of our Catholic heritage? Then give this book a read! It will serve to encourage and enlighten you as you and your family continue on your Faith-filled journey!
Just for you, Finer Femininity readers, Sophia Institute Press is giving a chance to purchase Around the Year with the Von Trapp Family at a great 25% discount…plus you will be supporting a wonderful Catholic publishing company! So….order yours now using this code at the checkout:
FF25
“In this joyful and charming book, Maria von Trapp (from The Sound of Music) unveils for you the year-round Christian traditions she loved traditions that created for her large family a warm and inviting Catholic home and will do the same for yours.
Here are the songs they sang for feasts and holidays, as well as Maria s personal recipes for traditional holiday foods. Here are stories and games to delight your children, and countless other ways to turn events such as anniversaries, baptisms, graduations, birthdays, wedding receptions, and even funerals into feasts celebrated in the Lord.
Most people only know the young Maria from The Sound of Music; few realize that in subsequent years, as a pious wife and a seasoned Catholic mother, Maria gave herself unreservedly to keeping her family Catholic by observing in her home the many feasts of the Church s liturgical year, with poems and prayers, food and fun, and so much more!
With the help of Maria von Trapp, you, too, can provide Christian structure and vibrancy to your home. Soon your home will be a warm and loving place, an earthly reflection of our eternal home.”
And now, the Winner of the Finer Femininity Giveaway is…..
Congratulations, Rose! I will send you an email.
Nothing attracts the children more than the Crib.This very attraction makes it imperative that they learn about it correctly. Care must be taken not to mix in with the gospel mystery any details which the child will later come to recognize as false. -Christ in the Home, Fr. Raoul Plus, S.J., 1950’s
Please, in your charity, continue your prayers for Rosie who is not doing too well…and for Margy who had emergency surgery and will be in the hospital for a few days. They would both appreciate your prayers….and I would, too! Thank you for all the kindness you have shown me by your prayerful support. It has meant so much! I include all of you in my prayers each day.
Last year at this time….
Margy
Rosie
This year…
Margy
Rosie
Are you blessed by this site? Consider donating today. Our benefactors are remembered in our daily, family rosaries….
We’ve heard the comments and maybe thought them ourselves.
When someone enters the religious life, especially those who are entering into the contemplative orders, which shuts one out from the whole world, heads are shaken in disbelief and wonderment. Why would one do such a thing? She is so talented, so beautiful…what a waste!
I remember when my sister-in-law, a beauty of about 20 years old, was joining the convent. I thought of her thick, long, gold flaxen hair, natural highlights and all and my heart gave a tug. Gulp! Off it goes!
It’s amazing how we humans judge things….by exteriors a lot of times!
I did see the bigger picture, though, and I was very happy for my sister-in-law and in awe of the awesome step she was about to take! She saw life for what it was and walked away from it…for something very beautiful!
Those of us who are schooled in the beauty and meaning of our Catholic Faith know what this “walking away” means. And Fr. Gabriel puts it into beautiful words in Divine Intimacy.
Let us pray for more contemplatives! They are the backbone of the active work! Like St. Francis de Sales says….”If you don’t have time for prayer, you don’t have time for anything!”
And let us remember this in our own lives. It is not all about what we get done. It is about the power of the Holy Ghost working through us as we do our duties and work in our own fields of the Apostolate. Prayer is where it’s at…with the prayer of the Sacrifice of the Mass at the top of the list!
When we speak of the apostolate, we think almost exclusively of external activity; this is certainly necessary, but it is not the only kind of apostolate. We must always bear in mind that Jesus saved us not only by the activity of the last three years of His life, which were dedicated to the evangelization of the multitudes and the formation of the first nucleus of the church, but also by prayer, suffering, vigils – by His whole life.
Jesus was always an apostle, always the one sent by the Father for our salvation. His apostolate began at Bethlehem in the dreariness of a cave; as a tiny Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, He was already suffering for us; it continued during the thirty years spent at Nazareth in prayer, in retirement, in the hidden life; it took an external form in His direct contact with souls during His public life, and reached its culmination in His agony in the Garden of Olives and his death on the Cross.
Our apostolate consists in associating ourselves with what Jesus has done for the redemption of mankind; therefore, it is not limited to external activity, but it also consists, and essentially so, in prayer and sacrifice.
Thus one clearly sees that there are two fundamental forms of apostolate: the interior apostolate of prayer and immolation, which is a prolongation of the hidden life and of the Passion of Jesus; and the exterior apostolate of word and of work, which is a prolongation of His public life. Both are a participation in the redemptive work of Jesus, but there is a great difference between them.
The interior apostolate is the indispensable foundation of the exterior apostolate; no one, in fact, can hope to save souls by exterior works which are not sustained by prayer and sacrifice.
On the other hand, there are cases where external works can be dispensed with, without, on that account, lessening the interior apostolate of prayer and sacrifice, which can still be very intense and fruitful.
Every Christian is an apostle, not only in virtue of the activity in which he engages, but principally because of his participation in the prayer and sacrifice by which Jesus has redeemed the world.
The interior apostolate can subsist by itself; in fact, there are states of life that justify the absence of an exterior apostolate. One of these is the purely contemplative life, which has always flourished in the Church.
Like a mother, she jealously defends it against the attacks of those who condemn it as an escape from the field of action.
Those who follow God’s call and retire from active works to give themselves to this kind of life are not deserters; if they leave the ranks of the external apostolate, they do this only in order to give themselves to a more intensive apostolate, that of prayer and continual immolation.
“Those in the Church who perform the function of prayer and continual penance, contribute to the growth of the Church and the salvation of the human race to a greater degree than those who cultivate the Lord’s field by their activity; for, if they did not draw down from heaven an abundance of divine grace to irrigate the field, the evangelical workers would certainly receive less fruit from their labors” (Pius XI: Umbratilem).
This authorized statement of a great Pope can leave no doubt as to the immense apostolic value of the contemplative life; but, on the other hand, it is but just to remark that such value is realized only when contemplatives engage themselves with all their strength in prayer and continual immolation.
In other words, it is not any kind of prayer or sacrifice that will result in such great fruitfulness, but only the prayer and sacrifice that come from an extremely pure and generous heart, a heart wholly given to God and which, day by day, renews and lives its immolation with ever greater freshness and intensity.
When the contemplative life is lived with such intensity it is, in an eminent way, an apostolic life.
It is in this sense that Pope Pius XII has defined the vocation to a cloistered life as “a universal, apostolic vocation…a fully and totally apostolic vocation, not limited by boundaries of place, time, and circumstances, but always and everywhere, zealous for everything that in any way relates to the honor of the heavenly Spouse or the salvation of souls” (Apostolic Constitution: Sponsa Christi).
Furthermore, contemplative monasteries, by the simple example of their hidden life, their prayer and penance, are a continual reminder for all to be detached from earthly things and to seek those that are heavenly: union with God and sanctity.
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
While we are speaking of contemplatives…..this is a fascinating and beautiful book!
I have read it more than once. It is delightful. You may have to search around for it as it is out of print.
This book is an autobiography written by Mother Catherine Thomas and published in 1957. It tells of her journey as a normal, happy young lady who enjoyed life in its wholesomeness.
She chooses Carmel and eventually becomes the Mother Superior. It tells of her spiritual journey and is charmingly candid and human.
It is good reading for young and old.
This is a review that sums it up well:
“My Beloved: the Story of a Carmelite Nun is an American Carmelite classic about a young woman, Cecilia Walsh, who answers the call of God and so enters a Carmelite Monastery in New York (later moving to a new foundation in Oklahoma). This is her autobiography. She reveals many things about the hidden life of Carmel… the simplest things often wondered about. She speaks of the work, recreation, prayers, meal times, silence, ceremonies, vows, the Rules and Constitutions and much more of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns. She is very detailed in writing. She does all of this while recounting her own struggles and successes physically, mentally, and spiritually as a postulant, novice, and finally professed sister. It is an absolute delight to read because she is so intimate, simple, and even comical in her writing. It is interesting and captivating… I couldn’t put it down. I read practically straight through it in one setting. It sadly is not published any longer, so one would have to search for a used copy. It has wonderful wisdom for lay as well as religious, and I would recommend it to both as well as those not of the Catholic faith.”
A few pictures from the book:
A reporter interviewing Mother Catherine.
A nun arranging one of the original barrack cells on the day of the move.
Have you heard of the sacramental, the Agnus Dei? “It is a sacramental, consisting of a small piece of wax, blessed by the Pope. It is a symbol of the ‘Lamb of God’, the Savior. It is intended as a protection against Satan, sickness, tempests, temptations and sudden death, also in maternity cases. It is usually worn suspended from the neck, but may be carried in any other manner. Those who piously venerate the Agnus Dei may hope for the divine aid in all the evils that threaten mankind, through the merits of the Passion of Jesus Christ.” -The Precious Blood and Family Prayer Book (I found some available here: http://traditionalpoorclaremonastery.org/index.html)
by Monseigneur Landriot, Archbishop of Rheims,
Translated from the French by Helena Lyons
“Long out of print, this rare jewel is destined to become the favored spiritual guide for Catholic wives and mothers. Msgr. Landriot gave these conferences over 100 years ago, but they are as relevant to us today as the Gospels. This book is a guide for women who want to achieve sanctity in the home. Reading this book is the best thing you could do for your husband and children, as well as for yourself. This book was published to help women to raise and keep their families Catholic.” – Loreto Publications
by Monseigneur Landriot, Archbishop of Rheims,
Translated from the French by Helena Lyons
“This book consists of fifteen discourses (four on Sins of the Tongue, three on Envy and Jealousy, two on Rash Judgments, two on Christian Patience, and four on Grace) that were originally talks given to laywomen of his diocese in the late 19th century. At the beginning the good Archbishop says I propose, my children, to give you some instructions on the tongue, and the faults which it causes us to commit. I shall commence today by speaking of the power and beauty of that organ, of the noble use which ought to be made of it, and of the many advantages we may derive from it. There is precious little teaching on the topics covered in these instructions which is accessible to the average man and woman of today.” Loreto Publications
The life of the party, a dancer, an expert tennis and basketball player, popular, Maria Theresa Quevedo wanted more—eternal glory. She entered Carmel before finishing high school and her cause for canonization is under examination. “For him alone I lived,” she said, and Mary was her secret.
A female St. Dominic Savio. A Spanish bishop is quoted in the book:
“The book which you have in your hands is not one to leaf through and set aside for someone else to read. That God has placed it in your hands should be sufficient to assure you that there is something in it written for you. If you are a man, prepare to enter into a beautiful and chaste feminine world. If you are a father, the intimacy of the authentic Catholic family sketched on these pages will delight you. If you are a woman, there are a million things in this book for you. If you are a young girl, walking the same path as that of Teresita, it will fascinate you! Whoever you are, read to the end and you will learn how a holy and happy young girl finds God.” -Angelus Press
Ah yes! Christ in the Home! A real treasure, that is for sure. I took this book and did a complete PowerPoint presentation on it. Families and young people met every Monday night to read some of it on the Projector Screen with pictures added. It took 5 months to get through it but what a wonderful wealth of wisdom this book has! Worth every penny, indeed!
Ideal for the engaged, marriage instruction classes, and for those married many years. This guidebook to finding a happy marriage, keeping a happy marriage, and raising happy children has been out of print for over 50 years. Loads of practical and spiritual advice on family life and raising children that will never be outdated because the principles are as timeless as human nature and virtue. Dominicana stated in 1951:
This is a work that fulfills the needs of the marriageable and the married – it not only unveils Christian Marriage in its majestic supernatural setting, but it is also a solid psychological guide to a tremendously successful married life. Fr. Plus points out, that “supernatural love, far from suppressing natural love, makes it more tender, more attentive, more generous; it intensifies the sentiments of affection, esteem, admiration, gratitude, respect, and devotion which constitute the essence of true love.
A series of meditations grouped under four general sections: Courtship, Marriage, the Home, and the Training of Children. His section on imparting sex knowledge to children will be helpful to parents faced with this complex problem and duty.
It is sad to know that many young Catholic couples entering marriage today will never enjoy the happiness of true love because they are tainted with worldly ideas on marriage culled from the mass media. Fr. Plus strikes at the root of these evils by presenting Marriage in its true light as a sacrament. -Angelus Press
How many opportunities do we, as wives and mothers, have each day to do God’s will, not our own?? Many….many. We do not need a retreat to figure this out. A wife and a mother’s journey is laying down her life for those she loves. And we prove it each time we tend to the needs around us. We learn that most important life-lesson that the hermit in the desert is learning…..to lay down our lives for Christ.
The truly religious wife finds God at Mass and from Him receives the strength to become the ideal helpmate to her husband. She does not leave God at church but keeps Him with her every minute of the day in every nook and cranny of her home. Each menial, repetitious task she must perform is a work of love for her husband and children, and through them, a work of love for her Creator. – Fr. Raoul Plus, S.J. 1950’s
“We must live in the present moment. This is the only moment within our hands, the only one that can make us happy. The past exists no more; let us leave it to the Divine Mercy. And, though it does not yet exist, let us entrust the future to God’s loving Providence and live happily in the present.” -Fr. Narciso Irala, S.J.
The Magic of Gratitude “Before, I always remembered to complain when my husband didn’t do something he was supposed to, but I rarely remembered to thank him for what he had done. Naturally, he felt that his efforts were invisible, as though it didn’t matter what he did or how hard he tried. Today, I’m quick to thank him for big and small things alike, even if I consider them his responsibility, such as taking out the trash, driving us home from a late party, or paying the bills. I used to worry that if I thanked him, he would come to see those jobs as optional. Now I realize that expressing my gratitude just lets him know I notice how hard he works, and that I don’t take it for granted. He does more than ever for me, and seems happy to do them — all because I say thank you.” -Surrendered Wife
“The first area that you must succeed in, since you are a woman, is in the home, in the roles of compassionate wife, diligent mother, and successful keeper of the home. Yes, the key to your happiness lies within your own four walls. To reach these goals you may have to go beyond the call of duty…go the second mile, doing more than is asked or expected. ” -FW
Visit my Meadows of Grace Shoppe to browse through these truly lovely Kanzashi Ribbon Flowers made by my daughter, Virginia! What great gifts for that special someone!
Intricate and Classy Hand-Crafted Kanzashi Accessory Flower.. Hair, Scarf, Collar, etc…. This fetching ribbon flower is a perfect accent to any special outfit and provides a sweet final touch! Each petal takes undivided attention! First, it is cut and shaped, then burnt to ensure there will be no fraying. The petals are then folded and glued into a flower design and the finishing touches are then added. The back of the flower has a clip that easily opens and holds firmly. Ribbon flowers are an excellent alternative to real flowers and will look fresh and beautiful forever!
We’ve heard the comments and maybe thought them ourselves.
When someone is joining the religious life, especially those who are entering into the contemplative orders, which shuts one out from the whole world, heads are shaken in disbelief and wonderment. Why would one do such a thing? She is so talented, so beautiful…what a waste!
I remember when my sister-in-law, a beauty of about 20 years old, was joining the convent. I thought of her thick, long, gold flaxen hair, natural highlights and all and my heart gave a tug. Gulp! Off it goes!
It’s amazing how we humans judge things….by exteriors a lot of times!
I did see the bigger picture, though, and I was very happy for my sister-in-law and in awe of the awesome step she was about to take! She saw life for what it was and walked away from it…for something very beautiful!
Those of us who are schooled in the beauty and meaning of our Catholic Faith know what this “walking away” means. And Fr. Gabriel puts it into beautiful words in Divine Intimacy.
Let us pray for more contemplatives! They are the backbone of the active work! Like St. Francis de Sales says….”If you don’t have time for prayer, you don’t have time for anything!”
And let us remember this in our own lives. It is not all about what we get done. It is about the power of the Holy Ghost working through us as we do our duties and work in our own fields of the Apostolate. Prayer is where it’s at…with the prayer of the Sacrifice of the Mass at the top of the list!
When we speak of the apostolate, we think almost exclusively of external activity; this is certainly necessary, but it is not the only kind of apostolate. We must always bear in mind that Jesus saved us not only by the activity of the last three years of His life, which were dedicated to the evangelization of the multitudes and the formation of the first nucleus of the church, but also by prayer, suffering, vigils – by His whole life.
Jesus was always an apostle, always the one sent by the Father for our salvation. His apostolate began at Bethlehem in the dreariness of a cave; as a tiny Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, He was already suffering for us; it continued during the thirty years spent at Nazareth in prayer, in retirement, in the hidden life; it took an external form in His direct contact with souls during His public life, and reached its culmination in His agony in the Garden of Olives and his death on the Cross.
Our apostolate consists in associating ourselves with what Jesus has done for the redemption of mankind; therefore, it is not limited to external activity, but it also consists, and essentially so, in prayer and sacrifice.
Thus one clearly sees that there are two fundamental forms of apostolate: the interior apostolate of prayer and immolation, which is a prolongation of the hidden life and of the Passion of Jesus; and the exterior apostolate of word and of work, which is a prolongation of His public life. Both are a participation in the redemptive work of Jesus, but there is a great difference between them.
The interior apostolate is the indispensable foundation of the exterior apostolate; no one, in fact, can hope to save souls by exterior works which are not sustained by prayer and sacrifice.
On the other hand, there are cases where external works can be dispensed with, without, on that account, lessening the interior apostolate of prayer and sacrifice, which can still be very intense and fruitful.
Every Christian is an apostle, not only in virtue of the activity in which he engages, but principally because of his participation in the prayer and sacrifice by which Jesus has redeemed the world.
The interior apostolate can subsist by itself; in fact, there are states of life that justify the absence of an exterior apostolate. One of these is the purely contemplative life, which has always flourished in the Church.
Like a mother, she jealously defends it against the attacks of those who condemn it as an escape from the field of action.
Those who follow God’s call and retire from active works to give themselves to this kind of life are not deserters; if they leave the ranks of the external apostolate, they do this only in order to give themselves to a more intensive apostolate, that of prayer and continual immolation.
“Those in the Church who perform the function of prayer and continual penance, contribute to the growth of the Church and the salvation of the human race to a greater degree than those who cultivate the Lord’s field by their activity; for, if they did not draw down from heaven an abundance of divine grace to irrigate the field, the evangelical workers would certainly receive less fruit from their labors” (Pius XI: Umbratilem).
This authorized statement of a great Pope can leave no doubt as to the immense apostolic value of the contemplative life; but, on the other hand, it is but just to remark that such value is realized only when contemplatives engage themselves with all their strength in prayer and continual immolation.
In other words, it is not any kind of prayer or sacrifice that will result in such great fruitfulness, but only the prayer and sacrifice that come from an extremely pure and generous heart, a heart wholly given to God and which, day by day, renews and lives its immolation with ever greater freshness and intensity.
When the contemplative life is lived with such intensity it is, in an eminent way, an apostolic life.
It is in this sense that Pope Pius XII has defined the vocation to a cloistered life as “a universal, apostolic vocation…a fully and totally apostolic vocation, not limited by boundaries of place, time, and circumstances, but always and everywhere, zealous for everything that in any way relates to the honor of the heavenly Spouse or the salvation of souls” (Apostolic Constitution: Sponsa Christi).
Furthermore, contemplative monasteries, by the simple example of their hidden life, their prayer and penance, are a continual reminder for all to be detached from earthly things and to seek those that are heavenly: union with God and sanctity.
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
While we are speaking of contemplatives…..this is a fascinating and beautiful book!
I have read it more than once. It is delightful. You may have to search around for it as it is out of print.
This book is an autobiography written by Mother Catherine Thomas and published in 1957. It tells of her journey as a normal, happy young lady who enjoyed life in its wholesomeness.
She chooses Carmel and eventually becomes the Mother Superior. It tells of her spiritual journey and is charmingly candid and human.
It is good reading for young and old.
This is a review that sums it up well:
“My Beloved: the Story of a Carmelite Nun is an American Carmelite classic about a young woman, Cecilia Walsh, who answers the call of God and so enters a Carmelite Monastery in New York (later moving to a new foundation in Oklahoma). This is her autobiography. She reveals many things about the hidden life of Carmel… the simplest things often wondered about. She speaks of the work, recreation, prayers, meal times, silence, ceremonies, vows, the Rules and Constitutions and much more of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns. She is very detailed in writing. She does all of this while recounting her own struggles and successes physically, mentally, and spiritually as a postulant, novice, and finally professed sister. It is an absolute delight to read because she is so intimate, simple, and even comical in her writing. It is interesting and captivating… I couldn’t put it down. I read practically straight through it in one setting. It sadly is not published any longer, so one would have to search for a used copy. It has wonderful wisdom for lay as well as religious, and I would recommend it to both as well as those not of the Catholic faith.”
A few pictures from the book:
A reporter interviewing Mother Catherine.
A nun arranging one of the original barrack cells on the day of the move.
This book is helping me with meditation and prayer. It is based on St. Teresa of Avila’s way of prayer, it is in layman’s terms, down-to-earth and user-friendly. I highly recommend it!
From Amazon:
About the Author
The Rev. Father Peter Thomas Rohrbach, O.C.D., is a Carmelite priest and author. Born in 1926 and based in Washington, D.C., he has also served as an editor for the Catholic quarterly Spiritual Life. His Conversation with Christ, dedicated to our Lady of Mount Carmel, was first published in 1956 by Fides Published, Illinois, with the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur. Father Rohrbach’s work was also printed by TAN in 2010.
Reviews:
This volume grounded me. It helped me to move from a self-centered mysticism into a human being blessed to find his life re-immersed daily in the life of Jesus Christ. The “Conversation with Christ” that one is drawn into through the teachings of Teresa of Avila leads to frequent repentance, regular returning to the Lord, ongoing petition to be more and more available for the uses Jesus has for us, even into old age.
An explanation for everyone of St. Teresa of Avila’s teaching about personal prayer, especially the prayer of meditation, which she calls the “royal highway to Heaven.” Though a mystic, St. Teresa was an eminently practical person, and that quality imbues her approach to prayer – and this book. Filled with saintly wisdom. Easy to understand. Highly recommended by Fr. Dubay, author of “Fire Within”.
Superb, practical, deep, non-fanatical. Opens vistas unimagined.
Christian meditation and prayer at its finest, not always begging for things, but adoring, knowing, becoming one with Christ.
Ends the dryness of the spiritual life.
And it is not hard either.
“Whether you’ve been attending the Extraordinary Form of the Mass for years, or are merely curious about it, this guide is designed to open up the riches contained within the Mass to all. Inside, you will find a word-for-word English translation of the Latin text of the Mass, together with photos, diagrams, notes and explanations that will help you not only to follow along, but also to understand the history and significance of the ceremonies in which you are taking part. In addition, you will find sections explaining the main di8fferences between the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms, a discussion comparing the development of the Mass with that of its sister liturgy, the Divine office, an exploration of the English translations of the Bible, a full glossary, and finally, recommended prayers intended to help you prepare when receiving the sacraments of Penance and the Holy Eucharist.”
Page-by-page we have been delving into it as a family in order to understand more fully the beautiful Tridentine Mass. It is rich in beautiful images and explanations of every point of the Mass, its deep symbolism, its reverent sacrifice…and its bond with our Catholic heritage.
I am not familiar with the following websites but in looking at reviews I found these two helpful:
Shower of Roses has given a wonderful review here.
Check out my new book, Cheerful Chats for Catholic Children here! 🙂
Review:
(Thank you, Hannah!): I just bought this book about a week ago, and I already love it! The stories are well-written, clear, and childlike without being “dumbed-down.” My kids range in age from 10 to 5, and they each really appreciate the stories. I like that there is a good selection of discussion questions, some of which are open-ended, and some of which are review. Perfect item for this busy homeschool mama!
You can get my True Womanhood Finer Femininity book here. (Previously titled Finer Femininity Fall 2014).
A couple of these books may be outdated (don’t you just love the outdated ones? …I do!!) so you may have to search around to find them.
My advice would be to read the books yourself, first, to judge the timing and maturity level of when to introduce them to your daughter (or son). Happy Reading!!
Our family LOVES this book! All of us who are “of age” have read it, and more than once. It is a love story. A love story of one special family’s undying devotion to Christ.
The family story of St. Bernard will inspire you! It is written with an easy-to-read style and once you start, you won’t want to set it down. 🙂
Do you want to get your teenage children to read a great book? Hand them this one!
Review:
“He was called the man of his age, the voice of his century. His influence towered above that of his contemporaries, and his sanctity moved God himself.
Men flocked to him–some in wonder, others in curiosity, but all drawn by the magnetism of his spiritual gianthood. Bernard of Clairvaux–who or what fashioned him to be suitable for his role of counseling Popes, healing schisms, battling errors and filling the world with holy religious and profound spiritual doctrine?
Undoubtedly, Bernard is the product of God’s grace. But it is hard to say whether this grace is more evident in Bernard himself or in the extraordinary family in which God chose to situate this dynamic personality.
This book is the fascinating account of a family that took seriously the challenge to follow Christ… and to overtake Him. With warmth and realism, Venerable Tescelin, Blesseds Alice, Guy, Gerard, Humbeline, Andrew, Bartholomew, Nivard and St. Bernard step off these pages with the engaging naturalness that atttacks imitation.
Here is a book that makes centuries disappear, as each member of this unique family becomes an inspiration in our own quest of overtaking Christ.”
Father Raymond wrote many extraordinary books and these are some we especially like:
This is a wonderful book and is something very much needed in a Catholic world where we have forgotten what IS the proper thing to say and do at a wedding, baptism, funeral and many aspects of just life in general.
So many of these things have fallen by the wayside and need to be rekindled in our families!
Authored by Miss Lelia Hardin Bugg
Introduction and notes by Mrs. Colleen M Hammond
There are plenty of etiquette and manners books available, but how many are exclusively for Catholics? How many focus on the fact that manners are morally good inner character traits that are exhibited in an outward manner?
Our lives are full of moments when we are not sure how to handle a certain situation. These occasions of uncertainty and discomfort could be everyday activities or special events that only happen once a year.
This practical book is the perfect guide to help you learn to do the correct thing in any situation — at Catholic Sacramental functions, in public, or in the home.
In addition to basic behavior for Sacramental events, this little handbook offers a wide range of advice and addresses such topics as:
What to say and do (and what not to say and do!) when visiting convents
How to greet a bishop or religious, and addressing ecclesiastics
Appropriate dress and grooming for various functions
The correct thing regarding Faith in the workplace
Responsibilities of a Catholic in respect to civic duty
Cultivating engaging and appropriate conversational skills
How to have a happier home life
The physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of education
Picking proper entertainment, as an index of character
Obligation of Catholics when traveling.
Etiquette is not something that is turned on and off. Good manners, decorum,and charity benefit not only us personally, but the entire society. Good manners show an inner character that the ancients called virtues — those morally good inner character traits that are exhibited in an outward manner. That is why there really is no such thing as company manners.
The Correct Thing is the perfect guide for parents — as well as religious — who want a practical guide to help mind your manners in any situation, and to foster morally good inner character traits that will be exhibited in an outward manner.
Another Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Timeless Guide, March 26, 2014
By Elena Maria Vidal
This review is from: The Correct Thing (Paperback)
It is with pleasure that I review the informative and inspiring guide to Catholic living entitled The Correct Thing by Lelia Hardin Bugg, with Introduction and notes by Colleen Hammond. This charming vintage book, written by a Catholic spinster in Wichita, Kansas in 1881, was something Mrs. Hammond came upon by chance. In spite of the quaint style, Colleen could see that the book is a gem of wisdom, with advice just as relevant for our time as it was when first published. Not only do I find it of historical interest, but it is a practical guide as well, fraught with both common sense and devotion.
What makes this book unique is that at a time when such books for Catholics were usually composed by nuns or priests, this one was written by a laywoman. Miss Lelia can be viewed as a forerunner of the many Catholic laywomen who write today. Her zeal for propriety and manners as an outer manifestation of the virtue of charity help us to realize our good intentions fall short if not communicated effectively. Also, the reader can see that there were abuses and rudeness then as there are now. People talked in church and spoiled children misbehaved in public. There was gossiping and scandal, although no where near the degree of contemporary manifestations.
Colleen is known as the author of the best-seller Dressing with Dignity, a book which over the years has helped many Christian women achieve a more feminine manner of dress along with a restoration of their self-respect. In bringing Miss Lelia’s The Correct Thing to the public, she is helping all of us find a restored sense of human dignity. There is something in the book for everyone; I have certainly already learned a lot from it and I hope I find the courage and the fortitude to make the needed self-corrections.
