In Their Own Words: Pope Benedict XVI and Padre Pio

Questions and Answers
by Pope Benedict XVI

The next question dedicated to the family was made by the parish priest of St. Sylvia. Here, I cannot but fully agree. Furthermore, during the ad limina visits I always speak to bishops about the family, threatened throughout the world in various ways.

The family is threatened in Africa because it is difficult to find the way from "traditional marriage" to "religious marriage," because there is a fear of finality.

Whereas in the West the fear of the child is caused by the fear of losing some part of life, in Africa it is the opposite. Until it is certain that the wife will also bear children, no on dares to enter marriage definitively. Therefore, the number of religious marriages remains relatively small, and even many "good" Christians with an excellent desire to be Christians do not take that final step....

If you ever wanted to ask the pope a question about modern life and living your faith, the chances are that someone already has done it for you. In this book, edited by Michael Dubruiel, we have a collection of questions presented to the pope from 2005 to 2007 by such various groups ranging from children making their first communion and priests from around Italy. In addition to such interesting bits of information as unexpectedly surface in the excerpt above, we see Pope Benedict's considerable range of thinking and ability to link disparate topics into an informative whole.

We also are given food for thought should we care to consider it. For example, in the sample above it is likely that this African view of marriage is quite new to those of us who thought that we already knew all about how marriage was threatened around the world. We are reminded of the scope and range necessary for the universal Church to minister to all of us. We also may ponder the desire of people to control their lives and how it leads to limiting the lives of others, whether marriage partners in Africa or denying children life as happens in the Western world.

The answers are unglossed. When a very complicated question was posed which assumed that the answer was known to all, thereby essentially serving as a statement rather than a question, it filled me with glee to see Pope Benedict answer briefly that he didn't understand the question ... and then make a kindly general statement about the overall topic. Quite often he then goes on to answer the next question by someone else with a comprehensive answer that covers the previous question as well as the most recent one.

Highly recommended.

Words of Light
Inspiration from the letters of Padre Pio
Compiled and introduced by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa [preacher to the papal household]

22 Besides the trial of Spiritual fears and agitations, with just a whiff of desolation, Jesus adds that long and varied trial of physical malaise, using to this end those horrible Cossaks.

Listen to what I had to suffer a few evenings ago from those impure apostates. The night was already advanced; they began their assault with a dreadful noise, and although I saw nothing at the beginning, I understood who was producing this very strange noise; and rather than becoming frightened I prepared myself for the fight by placing a mocking smile on my lips for them. then they appeared under the most abominable forms, and to entice me to lose my resolve they began to treat me courteously. But, thanks be to Heaven, I told them off good and proper, treating them for what they were. When they saw that their efforts were coming to nothing, they hurled themselves at me, they threw me on the ground and struck me again and again, launching pillows, books, chairs into the air, at the same time emitting desperate shrieks and uttering extremely dirty words. Luckily the rooms on either side of where I am, and also those below, are not being used.

I complained to my Guardian Angel about this, who, after having preached a nice little homily to me, added, "Give thanks to Jesus, that he treats you as one chosen to follow him closely up the steep slope of Calvary. I see, soul entrusted to my care by Jesus, with joy and emotion inside me, Jesus' conduct towards you. Do you think that you would be so happy, if you weren't so worn out? I, who in holy charity greatly desire what is best for you, rejoice ever more deeply to see you in this state. Jesus permits the devil these assaults, so that your devotion might make you dear to him, and he wants you to become like him during the anguish in the desert, the garden and the cross. Defend yourself, always drive off these malign insinuations and scorn them; and where your strength is of no use, do not worry, delight of my heart, I am close to you!"

From the section "Satan is a powerful enemy"

I actually had imagined that this book would be a series of complete letters. Instead, we have excerpts from letters. The above sampling is one of the lengthier sections. They are grouped by subject such as "I pray continually" and "I do not wish to ever offend God again." The sections are preceded by a brief commentary from Fr. Cantalamessa which helps put them in context for our contemplation. These excerpts are good for insight into Padre Pio's inner life and also as food for meditation. It is not quite the sort of book that I am attracted to yet I still got a great deal of good from it. It would certainly be a useful book for lectio divina or other contemplative prayer. If you are seeking a book that has concentrated samples of this mystic's life and experiences in Christ then it is definitely recommended.

Worth a Thousand Words

Max Leibermann, Mein Haus in Wannsee, mit Garten, 1926
Fouund at artnet Magazine; click through on the link for more.

Superhero Highlight: H2WHOA!

Continuing the stories of superheroes devised by Hannah and Jenny (more about that can be found here as well as the first description).

H2WHOA!

Power: Ability to make water taste bad, like seriously

Back-story: H2Whoa! spent his days waiting tables at a local delicatessen, and thoroughly enjoyed his work, with ONE exception. There was a rather rowdy crowd of ne’er-do-wells who frequented said establishment and ordered naught but water and complimentary bread sticks. H2Whoa! constantly searched for a means of retribution, but his efforts proved fruitless. But it turns out H2Whoa!’s parents were both superheroes, although his own powers had not yet surfaced. On the eve of his seventeenth birthday, however, when it seemed his powers would NEVER come, he picked up a glass of water, saw it start to bubble, but decided to drink it anyway. It tasted HORRIBLE, and he knew that he had a responsibility to use powers well. So H2Whoa! headed straight to the restaurant to exact revenge upon the crowd of cheapskates. It was 3am when he arrived, so he had to wait for several hours, but the payoff was sweet, or more like HORRIBLE TASTING! The no-good group of troublemakers were all served terrible water along with their still-delicious bread sticks. They left with the atrocious aftertaste of justice in their mouths, never to return. However, they also spread word around town of the sub-par service they received and the restaurant went out of business within the year. But it was so worth it. Now H2Whoa! uses his powers to poorly serve only the lowest of the low, the most dreadful of criminals.

Cover: Mild-mannered waiter (and a handsome waiter at that)

Cover name: Wilbur Walterson

Partner: The Klutz

Introduction to partner: While waiting tables one evening, he noticed with despair that some of this more rowdy patrons had left their tables, with no sign that they would return. They had been one of the rudest and demanding tables that H2Whoa! had ever served, and to now see them shirking their responsibilities as restaurant goers by sticking their server with the cost of their food was simply disheartening. “What has happened to the world today, is there nothing good and moral anymore?” he thought to himself. At that moment, he saw his rambunctious patrons fly through the air and lie squarely on the ground. H2Whoa wondered what had caused this fortuitous turn of events to find that the work was none other than that of The Klutz, the clumsiest and most ass-kickin’ superhero in the world (and a gorgeous superhero at that).She had stopped the “dine and ditch” attempt presented before her, and in doing so, helped H2Whoa immensely. In his gratitude and amazement, he proposed that the two join forces and fight crime together. The Klutz agreed, and they became a very powerful duo, until, of course, they added another hero to their team, this hero of course being Ramen Girl.

Archnemesis: H2No, his evil twin who makes water disappear

===============

Next up: The Drossinator

Why Do We Need Apologetics?

This weekend I was listening to a podcast where the speaker said that she wasn't a fan of C.S. Lewis' nonfiction writing because she didn't think apologetics were necessary.

"I am against the idea of Christian apologetics anyway because if Christ is true then why do you have to explain him?"

For those who haven't come across this term before, apologetics quite simply is a systematic defense of something.

Now, some of this can be explained by the fact that this person is a young woman who perhaps has not come across some of the obstacles that the rest of us have encountered in our search for Truth. Perhaps, as happens with many of us, she has encountered apologetics as an excuse to bludgeon the other person with your own beliefs, although her comment doesn't indicate that.

However, I think this is a common enough objection that I thought I'd just post a couple of my thoughts on it. First of all, just because something is true doesn't mean that we don't need someone to explain it. Mathematics, physics, and foreign languages are all true, but they are much easier to understand and apply when we are helped along by a good instructor.

We have a sterling example given to us in the Acts of the Apostles.

Then the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, "Get up and head south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, the desert route."

So he got up and set out. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, that is, the queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, and was returning home. Seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah.

The Spirit said to Philip, "Go and join up with that chariot."

Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"

He replied, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.

This was the scripture passage he was reading: "Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

In (his) humiliation justice was denied him. Who will tell of his posterity? For his life is taken from the earth."

Then the eunuch said to Philip in reply, "I beg you, about whom is the prophet saying this? About himself, or about someone else?"

Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning with this scripture passage, he proclaimed Jesus to him.

As they traveled along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "Look, there is water. What is to prevent my being baptized?"

Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and he baptized him.

When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, but continued on his way rejoicing.

Acts 8:27-39, New American Bible

That is a case which might not strictly fit in with apologetics as a defense but is definitely consistent with explaining the faith, which would be the ultimate point of a defense. Certainly, that is more the way that I see C.S. Lewis' books about Christianity. I realize they probably were written more with a point than the one I see, but as Lewis himself was brought to believe in Jesus as Truth thanks to his friends' spirited defense of their faith, then one can see why he would want to pass on the favor. I tend to see his books as springing from much the same point as this blog ... being made so joyful by that Truth that one wishes to share it with as many people as possible.

My own personal experience, as any regular readers will know, is that my siblings and I knew about Christianity and Jesus only as it was presented through secular culture, as we were raised by atheists. Our main exposure to faith came through Ben Hur, The Ten Commandments, and such movies shown at Easter on television. Had not we been exposed to more indepth explanations of Christianity on some level then we would have been left believing the misconceptions and outright lies that secular culture tells as truth.

As I am discovering, my father is probably not actually an atheist as much as he is a hater of Christians and disbeliever in Jesus Christ. That was made abundantly clear during a conversation I had with him recently. I had to practice apologetics in defending the idea of a personal God of love, especially as made manifest to us in the person of Jesus Christ, when he told me that it was supremely arrogant of people to think that the God who created the universe thought of us as anything more than ants. (I have to say that taking on Happy Catholic using The History Channel as your defense is not very wise ... though I was as loving about it as I could be, it still came down to having to talk about a "personal relationship with God." If you think that wasn't hard, well, think again.) This is simply one of many possible scenarios where one can see that a reasoned, and non-hostile, defense of one's faith can be quite necessary simply to give the Truth a chance to shine upon others.

My own policy is to wait until someone comes to me with a question unless I find that there is a misconception being passed along, usually innocently as was the case when a mention of Catholics "worshiping" saints came up during CraftLit's coverage of Frankenstein. (You find chances to enlighten in the oddest places sometimes!) Much of the time, as with Heather, the person is happy to receive the explanations.

The other use I can make of Lewis' books and one of which I hope this young woman will avail herself later in life when needed, is that his writing turns the mirror upon us when we read it. Every time I read one of his books I see another truth about something I should be considering in my own life of faith. He is supremely insightful in a very simple way that is not condescending.

Something that we all should remember when defending the faith is to do so in a spirit of charity and not to try to win. We personally can do nothing to move men's hearts if they will not let us and, ultimately, it is not us at all anyway. The increase is God's alone though we may be his instruments.

A book that I would highly recommend about apologetics is How Not to Share Your Faith: The Seven Deadly Sins of Catholic Apologetics and Evangelization. I thought I had posted a review, but actually see that I had a series of excerpts. You may read those here:

• Make Disciples of All Nations: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Finis
  


• Faith and Contentiousness: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV


• Defending the Faith: Ecumenism


• Defending the Faith: Instructing the Ignorant


• Defending the Faith: Friendly Fire


• Defending the Faith: Trying to Win


• Defending the Faith: Dialogue, More Dialogue

Pope's Message to America - Updated

I like that the Pope is talking to all of us, not just the Catholics. Here is the Vatican site with the complete text of his message to us.

Check out this story from John Allen which looks at the pope's previous comments about America in different books and talks. Very interesting.

I am beginning to get emails with links to places keeping up with the Holy Father on his visit ... I'll list them below and update as info comes in:

• Pope 2008, being run by Tim Drake.
• Papal Visit 2008 News and Views, from Our Sunday Visitor, being run by John Norton, Russell Shaw, and Mary Deturris Poust
• Pope Benedict in the US, being run by BeliefNet.
• Benedictions, David Gibson's blog covering the Papal visit.
• Pope Benedict - USA - 2008, Marcel LeJeune's clearinghouse of links to info about the Papal visit. This is one big list!
• Papal Visit Coverage, a list from The Curt Jester
  

Of course, I am sure that all the usual suspects will be covering this as well such as American Papist, Whispering in the Loggia, Amy Welborn at Charlotte was Both and more.

Reading Suggestions Requested

Now this is something that I know y'all can help with. A reader asks:

I’m needing some suggestions for books for my 13-year-old son. He’s gone through Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, and now all of Tolkien. He really needs to get out of the fantasy genre and I’m not exactly willing to trust his English teacher on choices. I’ve found some of her suggestions contain language and situations that I don’t approve. I’m sure there must be other parents out there with the same problem.

My son is an advanced reader, but not an enthusiastic one. I did have him read “Night” by Elie Wiesel and he was quite moved by it. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

I am going to think about this question and have suggested that she check Semicolon's place for ideas as she is a dedicated reader and reviewer for younger readers.

Ideas and suggestions?

Worth a Thousand Words

McGregor Public Library Doors from Flickr's Door Pool.

Superhero Highlight: Queen Bee

Continuing the stories of superheroes devised by Hannah and Jenny (more about that can be found here as well as the first description).

The Queen Bee

Power: Having bees follow her

Back-story: One morning, as the Queen Bee was walking to work, she decided to take the scenic route, as it was such a lovely day. Little did she suspect, however, that the field of wildflowers was no ordinary field of wildflowers. THIS field of wildflowers sat above an ancient INDIAN BURIAL GROUND! Naturally, the flowers it produced were extremely evil and magical. The unknowing bees fell victim to the flowers’ treachery, and upon harvesting the evil nectar, became EVIL THEMSELVES. Had the Queen Bee known this, she might have taken a different path, but as fate would have it, she walked through the wildflower field and was stung by a +2 queen bee! And as we all know, +2 queen bees transfer their life force to the recipient of their stings upon their deaths. Verily, The Queen Bee was endowed with the essence of queen beedom and was thereafter presumed by the bee colony to be their illustrious leader. Of course, The Queen Bee is not actually a bee and did not know how to communicate with her new unsolicited army of unholy minions. But despite the lack of communication between themselves and their supposed leader, the malevolent bees loyally followed their new master, awaiting instructions that they will not understand or receive.

Cover: Mild-mannered scrapbook store owner (and a gorgeous scrapbook store owner at that)

Cover name: Stephanie Snellson

Partner: Backwards Man

Introduction to partner: As a result of her new following, The Queen Bee was no longer able to traipse backwards, for fear of the dense cloud of wicked bees behind her. So when she saw Backwards Man involved in high-speed running of the backwards variety, her heart pounded, and she knew this must be her soul-mate. For weeks she observed him from afar and instructed her bees to follow him, which they did not do since they can’t understand her. Finally an opportunity to meet Backwards Man arose when, attempting in vain to walk forwards, he tripped. The Queen Bee gave him her hand to help him up, and her hand in marriage the very next day. The two have fought crime together as an unstoppable duo ever since.

Archnemesis: Karen Krousworth, a crotchety old scrapbooker who visited The Queen Bee’s establishment and was stung by a bee. They are now involved in a lengthy lawsuit.

===============

Next up: H2WHOA!

Resume Makeovers for Job Hunters Over 50

Like other job hunters over 50, Ms. Diaforli figured she was running into the misconceptions that older workers are unproductive, set in their ways and likely to quit after a few years.

Then a friend suggested a makeover – or, more precisely, a résumé makeover.

Ms. Diaforli turned to the Senior Source's employment program, which helps workers 50 and older with job searches.

A counselor at the Dallas nonprofit agency helped make her résumé pop, throwing out wordy explanations of Ms. Diaforli's jobs and replacing them with snappy summaries of her accomplishments.

"The makeover worked wonders," she said. "I got an interview and then my receptionist's job."

This article seemed like a good idea and very useful with some resources listed at the end ... so I am passing it along. It may require free registration.

Superhero Highlight: The Klutz

Hannah and her friend Jenny conceived of a sort of scavenger hunt where each person was a superhero. They then made up each of the superheroes' back stories, set up the hunt each had to go on to defeat their archnemesis, and oversaw the evening. People were showing up in superhero costumes ... it sounds like a lot of fun.

I enjoyed each of the heroes' descriptions so much that I'm going to share them with you a day at a time.

The Klutz

Power: Ability to fall over A LOT

Back-story: The Klutz, despite being a rather successful movie star (and a gorgeous movie star at that), continued to be a very foolish dresser. She often (always, actually) went out wearing a mismatched pair of shoes. This proved problematic to her balance, as The Klutz frequently wore one pump with one flat, or some such ridiculous pairing. Her downfall came when one of her plainer-looking understudies was overcome with the green-eyed monster of jealousy. Realizing that she could not rely on her looks to get anything but a role as an evil old woman, this understudy wisely invested her time in the study of witchcraft. First, she picked up four copies of Harry Potter, but upon the realization that these were not instructional books, returned them for the more informative series: Lord of the Rings. After many a movie marathon, she found a book that actually told her how to cast many various spells, but she could not concentrate very well because she was so distraught over Dumbledore’s fate. So the only spell she could master was one that would cement The Klutz’s mismatched shoes to her feet FOREVER. However, the understudy’s evil scheme backfired when The Klutz’s newfound prowess at falling proved useful in the world of crime-fighting: she tripped many a criminal on the run and thwarted many an evil plot in such a manner. Yes, The Klutz leads a blessed life.

Cover: Mild-mannered movie star

Cover name: Mildred McEntire

Partners: H2Whoa, Ramen Girl

Introduction to partner: The Klutz was ready to relax after a hard day’s film shoot by dining out one fine evening, when she spied CRIME AFOOT. Two no-good-niks at the next table clearly intended to skip out on their check, leaving their bill FULLY UNPAID. Unable to turn a blind eye to the injustices around her, The Klutz quickly leapt up and immediately face-planted squarely in the would-be criminals’ path, foiling their reprehensible scheme. Unwittingly, The Klutz had also fallen in the path of a handsome young waiter searching for his erstwhile customers. H2Whoa!, as she learned he was called, was extremely grateful to The Klutz for preventing his cheapskate diners from running out the bill. H2Whoa! revealed that he had long been searching for a superhero partner with whom to protect the city, and The Klutz immediately agreed to form a crime-fighting duo with him, the likes which had never been seen. They have been fighting crime together ever since.

Archnemesis: Her understudy

===========================

Tomorrow's superhero highlight: The Queen Bee

Picky, Picky, Picky

I agree with The Curt Jester about this ad which was pulled at the request of the Washington D.C. Archdiocese:

My own opinion is that it is a somewhat clever ad (quality more YouTubish than polished) that certainly was not meant to be disrespectful and a good way to advertise the Papal Mass. I did like the Pontiff and Driver magazine the man was reading. With so much media that actually engages in Catholic bashing it seems silly to me to get upset over an ad such as this.

Worth a Thousand Words

Watercolor: Dog Bed Squatter by Belinda Del Pesco.

Click through on the link to see more of her wonderful art.

Qu'est-ce que?

For those missing Lost, Rose and I still haven't caught up on the last few episodes and now have a new deadline as it will be coming back in a couple of weeks ...

In the meantime, let's take a look at this which helps remind us just what they are trying to figure out. Via Jeffrey Overstreet.

Worth a Thousand Words

Today's visual delights come from Joan in Rome.

The Keyhole ...

... and what's on the other side.

Oh me! She swallowed a bee!

Except in this case it wasn't an old frog, it was our boxer, Daffy.

Rose glanced up in time to see her curiously trying to eat a bee. Daffy didn't eat the bee but she must have stepped on it because shortly thereafter she was limping pitifully, holding one paw off the ground, and then lying down to lick frantically at it. We couldn't see the stinger but later I found the bee on the kitchen windowsill in its death throes.

Daffy was fine within the hour and it gave us a bit of excitement.

Now, that I think of it, there has been a bee theme to my last few days. My mom has a birdbath near her patio door. Every day when the sun has warmed things up a bit we could watch dozens of bees coming to have a drink and then leaving for the hive again. It was almost hypnotizing ...

$3.99 for These Earbuds?

With a good rating on Amazon. Ok, I'm a risk taker (and the price is not so great that it is a real risk) ... I have some coming my way ...

Any Recommendations for This Request?

A reader writes:

I am wondering if you know of a parish around the Arlington, Texas, area with a reputation for having an outstanding high school youth group.

I don't but do y'all have any recommendations?

"And Jesus says to me with great joy ..."

I was sitting in my car yesterday morning praying. Living that joyous sorrow I've been given. "I'm sorry for it, for the hatred and contempt, the cross, the whip, the nails..." And Jesus says to me with great joy, "I'm not! I'm not sorry at all! I did it for you; you're worth it. For I have made you so."

I do not look around, and the world is made new; the world is the same as it ever was. But I, am a new creation, and I look around with new eyes. This is what my God has given me, this is what His church has given me, this is what you have given me. Thank you.

This new convert has been given the grace to truly understand confession and absolution. His conveyance to us of Jesus' joy is very similar to the feeling I had during Holy Thursday. Go read it all at Catholic and Enjoying It.

Two Books That Might Have Been Written to My Specifications

I am not sure just how The Word Among Us knew that I had been needing these two books but they have printed resources that I have long been seeking. The answer, of course, is that I am not the only one who needs them. You just might find the perfect answer to a gift for first communion, a wedding, or a much needed resource for someone contemplating entering the Church.

The Compact Catholic Prayer Book

Prayer Before a Crucifix

Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before your face I humbly kneel and ask you to fix deep in my heart lively faith, ope, and charity; true contrition for my sins; and firm purpose of amendment; while I contemplate with great love and tender grief your five wounds; while I call to mind the words your prophet David said of you, my Jesus: "They pierced my hands and my feet; they numbered all my bones" (see Psalm 22:17).

I have been looking for "the right" Catholic prayer book for a long time and not found one that just suited my needs perfectly until receiving this one. A treasury of traditional prayers, this little book is one that I have been slipping into my "big bag" just in case I need quick reference to the Act of Contrition (yes, I still don't have it memorized) or I stop in for a quick visit to Jesus in the tabernacle and want a prayer or something for contemplation. It has clearly marked sections for Everyday Prayers, Prayer and the Sacraments, Prayers to Mary and the Saints, Classic devotional Prayers, and Prayers for Special Needs. Most of the prayers are traditional while a few are contemporary. The contemporary are clearly marked with the initials of the writer so it is easy to sort out which is which, if one desires to do so. Looking through it, I have found a wealth of prayer assistance that I didn't know existed, such as the many prayers and scriptures available to use before confession. There is also a basic examination of conscience included. The index is an alphabetical list of prayers which I have found very handy as well. Highly recommended.

Mary and the Christian Life by Amy Welborn

Flannery O'Connor, the great American writer who was also a devout Catholic, and who also suffered and died from the immunological disease lupus, once wrote that being sick is like being in a foreign country. This is true of any kind of physical, psychological, or spiritual suffering as well. there are borders, it seems. Maybe even fences and the border patrol.

So how can we help?

Look at Mary.

Be present. Don't hide, don't shut doors, and don't turn away, convinced that there is nothihg you could do or that there is no need for you.

Love, after all, is what John tells us over and over that Jesus is about. Love required, first of all, presence. sometimes our presence can lead to action, but sometimes presence is enough.

Of course, presence is hard. It is horrible to watch someone suffer; it is even worse when our hands are tied. Who wouldn't be tempted to run away? Even if we're not in the situation of the disciples, who literally feared for their lives, remaining with the suffering can make us fear for our lives in another way, as we face our own future, as we face the possibilities of pain that exist for all of us, as we are reminded of the suffering we may have survived in the past.

But given all of that, what is really the alternative to presence? It's running away, denial, closed eyes. It is fear.

We don't know what went through Mary's mind as she watched her Son suffer and die. We can guess, and writers through history have used their imaginations to describe what she might have been feeling. A minor but intriguing theme of some medieval spiritual writing was that as she watched Jesus die, Mary experienced the birth pangs she had been spared thirty-three years before.

But it's hard to say what she felt beyond the normal pain of a mother watching her son unjustly executed and the extraordinary pain of a sword through her heart as she went over and over the angel's promises so long ago.

Jesus said that whenever we encounter suffering, we encounter him (see Matthew 25:31-46). So it stands to reason that when we are present with suffering, we are present at the cross with Mary at our side. We watch her and we learn how to be present, which means how to love, simply and deeply ...

I truly enjoyed Amy Welborn's The Words We Pray and learned a lot from it so it is not surprising that I found a great deal of value in this book about Mary as well. The passage above gives a hint of the theological depth which she makes easily available to us, while showing clearly how Christ's first disciple, his mother, is a prime example of how to follow Him. Likewise, Welborn ties in Mary's life to our own so that we are given many examples of how the trials and joys of everyday life have much to contemplate that brings us closer to Jesus. As we are guided through the Annunciation, the Visitation, and on to Mary's appearance in the Book of Revelations, there are other contemplations on Mary included in appropriate sections. From Hilary of Poitiers to Caryll Houselander, from Thomas Merton to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and Pope John Paul II, thoughtfully selected hymns and thoughts enrich the journey. As well, each section ends with "On the Devotional Side" which highlights a particular devotion to Mary. We are given not only the devotion itself, but the history and how it has influenced the saints as well as more current people. It is hard to imagine that such a complete resource can be only 150 pages but Welborn has done it beautifully. This is a book that I can use for my own enlightenment as well as being a perfect gift to those who wonder just what it is about Mary that attracts Catholics so. Highly recommended.

A pdf of the first chapter of the book may be downloaded here.

Southern Appeal ... is back!

Welcome back to Southern Appeal!