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TracyFD
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| Posted: March 01 2011 at 10:16pm | IP Logged
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I was thinking of reading One Thousand Gifts for Lent but after reading the 1, 2, and 3 star reviews I now have cold feet about it. I might read it after all but now I am looking at some titles from Monastery Greetings such as A Lenten Journey with St. Therese or the 40 Day Journey with Kathleen Norris.
Can anyone recommend something orthodox but not too dry or lofty? Something real and applicable to our station in life as mothers but maybe not quite so poetic and emotional as 1,000 Gifts?
I don't know how to articulate it - this book is so popular right now. Can anyone help me out here?
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Tracy
Mom to 3 girly girls,
1 absent-minded professor, and one adorable toddling terrorist.
Pinewood Castle
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JennGM
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| Posted: March 02 2011 at 7:07am | IP Logged
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Tracy,
I thought I would just mention that One Thousand Gifts is by a Protestant author.
I know what you mean. I can't follow Ann Voscamp's thoughts...to me they are too nebulous and go in circles for me. Her points are lost to me in a sea of words -- if she has a point. I think she writes to evoke feelings. I don't get the attraction of her writing, but to each his own.
I would not recommend Kathleen Norris as someone always true to following the Church's teachings. I would use caution with her work.
The ones you are mentioning look like you want a thought a day for Lent?
I try to take on 3 books, following Maria Von Trapp's plan:
1) Something for the mind, to grow in the knowledge of God and the Faith
2) Something for the soul, spiritual reading for nourishment
3) Something for the heart, inspiring biographies of saints and holy people
I usually like to read something on the life of Christ, his passion, etc. Life of Christ by Fulton J. Sheen is fantastic.
Also books by Archbishop Alban Goodier are classics and wonderful. 50 Meditations on the Passion of Christ would be perfect for a daily thought through Lent. But he also has titles Public Life of Our Lord and Passion of Our Lord and more following the life of Christ.
I've got a few other ideas, but I'm out of time. I know we have discussed adult Lenten reading in the past. I'll be back later!
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: March 02 2011 at 7:52am | IP Logged
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I think that anything by Father Dubay would be very appropriate for Lent. His writings are not especially "motherly" but while they can be a bit "heavy," to me this makes them especially nice for this season. I really like Fire Within, which combines the spirituality of Theresa of Avila and John of the Cross. Even with his helpful breakdown, I still find St. Theresa a joy and St. John a puzzle, lol, but I'm considering revisiting this book for Lent myself. His book on prayer has a lot of overlap but is considerable thinner which might be a bit more manageable as a busy mom. These would also overlap nicely with Theresa of Avila's biography.
If you haven't read Holliness for Housewives, it is a thin little volume that is a wealth. People have been recommending it for years, and I have finally gotten around to it. Not sure what was taking me so long! I think that perhaps it might be along the lines of what you would be seeking in the first book you mentioned, but his writing is rather the opposite style. Very straight forward, succinct, and easy to understand.
I have also enjoyed the Lenten meditations in Divine Intimacy for the past few years. I noticed this week that you can buy this book in separate volumes, so instead of the really thick one for the whole year, you could just get the one for Lent for less $$. They really are excellent. For a change, I'm considering In Conversation With God this year.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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TracyFD
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| Posted: March 02 2011 at 8:31am | IP Logged
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I knew y'all would have great recommendations!
Yes, I realize 1,000 gifts is written by a Protestant. Thanks, Jennifer for being upfront with that! I think the appeal to me is the exercise in intentional gratitude - a gift I think the Lord would appreciate from me these days. And yet - I get the idea that this book advocates a belief that everything in our lives (good or bad) is specifically orchestrated by God for our benefit. Of course this is partly true - but I have always thought in terms of God's ordaining will and His permitting will. My intuition tells me that 1,000 Gifts is a little self-absorbed.
Additionally, I feel the same way about her writing style - that it's like getting on a ride and not knowing where you are going.
I think I would like something geared towards joy, gratitude, not too heavy, but thoroughly Catholic.
Anyway, I should order something today so it arrives next week. I will check back for more book titles after piano lessons this morning!
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Tracy
Mom to 3 girly girls,
1 absent-minded professor, and one adorable toddling terrorist.
Pinewood Castle
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Christine
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| Posted: March 02 2011 at 8:33am | IP Logged
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One of the books that I plan to read this Lent is Fulton Sheen's Victory over Vice.
Book Description:
Fulton Sheen claims that since all seven deadly sins led Christ’s enemies to nail Him to the Cross, you and I can find in the example of His suffering and death on the Cross sure means to overcome each one of those sins, plus the key to under- standing — and to nurturing in our own souls — each corresponding virtue.
So, for example, in these pages filled with wisdom and hope, Bishop Sheen teaches us not only how to conquer our gluttony; he shows us how to satisfy our spiritual hunger. We learn not merely how to overcome pride; we discover what we must do to grow humble.
From Christ’s holy response to each of the seven deadly sins that led to His Crucifixion, Bishop Sheen draws a lesson in how you and I must deal with those same sins, whether we meet them in others or in ourselves.
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Christine
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Memories of a Catholic Wife and Mother
Pretty Lilla Rose
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Christine
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| Posted: March 02 2011 at 8:37am | IP Logged
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TracyFD wrote:
I think I would like something geared towards joy, gratitude, not too heavy, but thoroughly Catholic.
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I Believe in Love by Jean C. J. d'Elbée might be perfect. It is one of my favorite books. 
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Christine
Mommy to 4 girls, 5 boys, & 2 in God's care
Memories of a Catholic Wife and Mother
Pretty Lilla Rose
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florasita
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| Posted: March 02 2011 at 9:19am | IP Logged
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 Lindsay I am the total opposite of You !! I find ST.Teresa 's writing so hard to get through & ST.John is like poetry for my soul like the psalms .
I honsetly think I am just to simple minded to "get " the deep writing of some like ST.Teresa  now Therese is a different story
I've ordered my novena book by Fr. Lovasik and another of his books about Kindness .Have any of You read that book ? I don't know if it will be a good lenten read but I absolutly love his writing and prayer books so thought it is probably a good investment to order this book of his .
Thank You for the ideas gals
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May I rise & rest with words of Gratitude on my Breath
May I have the Heart & Mind of a Child in my Depth
May I forever remember to be a Light
May Peace Love & Hope be My Sight
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Bethany
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I also looked at the reviews on Amazon and was happy I did. Especially the one that wrote an excerpt! What?! I didn't get it at all. I'm not that ethereal and romantic. Thank you all for the recommendations as I'm also trying to decide what to focus on this Lent.
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Bethany
Wife to Mike, Mommy to Amelia (6/02), Sarah (10/03), Martha Grace (10/05), Rebecca Anne (12/07), Laura Catherine (3/10) and Reed Michael 7/4/14.
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*Lindsey*
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Consoling the Heart of Jesus
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Lindsey
Mama to DS (11), DD(9), twin dds(7), DD (5), DS (4), DS (3), and 5 angels in heaven.
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: March 02 2011 at 4:42pm | IP Logged
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Christine wrote:
TracyFD wrote:
I think I would like something geared towards joy, gratitude, not too heavy, but thoroughly Catholic.
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I Believe in Love by Jean C. J. d'Elbée might be perfect. It is one of my favorite books. |
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Mine too. I am reading Abandonment to Divine Providence right now but have ordered the Pope's second book on Jesus for my Lenten reading.
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Michele Quigley
wife to my prince charming and mom of 10 in Lancaster County, PA USA
http://michelequigley.com
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JennGM
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| Posted: March 02 2011 at 4:43pm | IP Logged
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Christine wrote:
TracyFD wrote:
I think I would like something geared towards joy, gratitude, not too heavy, but thoroughly Catholic.
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I Believe in Love by Jean C. J. d'Elbée might be perfect. It is one of my favorite books. |
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I second this. My favorite book, but some books along similar veins that would fit the bill:
Books by Jacques Philippe, available from Scepter Press. These are very small, but super, super wonderful books. Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart echoes I Believe in Love but in a smaller way, and straight to the point. And all of his books are small, but powerful, practical, but speak to the heart, nothing too heady.
St. Josemaria's writings. His books are usually small thoughts to chew on and pray throughout the day.
And Call Him Father by Edward G. Maristany is a powerful little booklet that sums up the Divine Filiation -- we are sons and daughters of God, and what that means to us.
I think concentrating on being a daughter of God is all-encompassing, source of peace and joy. This is the essence of the Little Way and also Josemaria's writings -- and the essence of the Gospel.
Children of God
Abba, Father
That's where I'm focusing right now.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Trinity
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| Posted: March 08 2011 at 6:59am | IP Logged
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Christine wrote:
TracyFD wrote:
I think I would like something geared towards joy, gratitude, not too heavy, but thoroughly Catholic.
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I Believe in Love by Jean C. J. d'Elbée might be perfect. It is one of my favorite books. |
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I picked that one up for Lent. : ) I also plan to read an autobiography of Saint Therese of Lisieux.
I bought four of the Vision saint books for read alouds with my oldest. I'll let him decide which one we start with.
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Trinity
DS(05/01/03)& DD(03/02/08)
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hylabrook1
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I am planning to read Living More with Less by Doris Longacre. This is NOT a cookbook, but it is a work related to or following up on the principles in the More With Less Cookbook. The author and many contributors are Mennonite, so I'm not exactly reading it for its Catholic teaching. The book talks about the poor in the world, the many ways in which we are just too wealthy, and the practical sacrifices we can make, even in small ways. Just the kind of mindful contemplation (and action) I need this Lent.
Peace,
Nancy
ETA: Please excuse the overuse of italics; I goofed something up.
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Lenten Reading
