CWG Book Blast! ‘Encountering Signs of Faith,’ by Allison Gingras
This month, I’m joining the Catholic Writers’ Guild book tour of Allison Gingras’s book, Encountering Signs of Faith. In Encountering Signs of Faith, Allison Gingras opens her heart to you through personal and powerful stories—including the adoption of her Deaf daughter—with the desire that through the devotions of the Catholic faith, all can learn how to hear the message the Lord has specifically for you.
Summary:
What kind of book is this? An adoption story. That’s because every Christian has an adoption story—the story of our adoption through Christ as his brothers and sisters and as children of the Father. With any adoption come new traditions, heirlooms, and the opportunity to create lasting legacies. For Christians, these signs of adoption often come in items such as rosaries, prayer cards, medals, and other sacramentals, which are important avenues for grace and tangible ways to embrace the abundant grace of God.
Excerpt:
Each of us has desires that God longs to fulfill for us. Some are so minute they are fulfilled without our ever recognizing that grace played a role. Sometimes he plants the idea in our hearts early in our lives, like my desire to adopt a child. Other times he works through circumstances to lead us along the right path. The path God had in mind for us sent us on a mission that took us across a continent and an ocean; your mission is just as important, even if it takes you no further than your kitchen table. Either way, it takes courage to seek and to find the Lord’s will for our lives. If your heart is open to what he asks, I can guarantee that God will send you all the graces you need to fulfill his plan for you!
Allison Gingras (www.ReconciledToYou.com) — is a blogger, author, podcaster, and social media evangelizer. Her writing includes Encountering Signs of Faith (AMP), the Stay Connected Journals for Women (OSV), and many contributions to books and websites. Allison is a Digital Media Specialist for Family Rosary, Catholic Mom, and the Fall River Diocese.
If you’ve ever asked the question, “How did our society get so messed up?”, Rebellion gives you the answer.
Summary:
Our society is awash in immodesty, blasphemy, immorality, selfishness, and rage. The question many people are asking is, “How did we get to this point? How did society get so messed up?” Rebellion: The Epic Saga of Marriage, Satan, and the Battle for Our Souls is a page-turning book that answers those questions. Starting at the Garden of Eden and taking a whirlwind trip through major points in history, the reader will uncover how Satan caused Adam and Eve to sin, the epic events and major players throughout history, and why marriage always was and continues to be the battlefield between good and evil. Thoroughly researched with 240 citations, Rebellion pulls back the curtain of obscurity to reveal the roots of today’s societal mayhem.
Excerpt:
Rebellion is not your typical Christian book, where at the climax, Christ on Calvary wins the victory, and we all go to Heaven. Rebellion is a story of a battle that is still in progress. While Christ died once for all, His final victory still awaits us. Until that day, we are still in the middle of a great war: the war for souls. The battle against marriage is the key battle in that war, and the attacks against marriage will never cease until Christ’s final victory. Rebellion isn’t a story of Christ’s victory; rather, it is a wake-up call as well as a call to arms.”
— From the Introduction
Author Bio:
After successful careers in both advertising and software development fields, Michael has turned his attention to running Catholic Treehouse where he uses his passion for his Catholic faith and the skills acquired in his previous careers to spread the Gospel and Catholicism. He is the author of Rebellion, and is also the publisher of Passing Time, compiler of The Sacred Heart Book of Devotions, and compiler and editor of over twenty-five saint devotionals. He is also a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, and has been the lecturer at his council for over seven years. A native of Pittsburgh, Michael is a lifelong Catholic who has been married for over 20 years and has two children.
How A Catholic Millennial Learned the Value of Redemptive Suffering
Guest post by Caitie Crowley, a Catholic millennial
Have you ever asked how a good God could let bad things happen? Where is God in the midst of suffering? Is there any hope left for me?
On May 22, 2019, Caitie Crowley was an ordinary 24-year-old driving home from work, and then next moment her life would be changed forever. Caitie was in a traumatic car accident on her way home from work and almost lost her life. She couldn’t walk for 10 months. She took that time to write about her experiences and how her faith in God carried her through her pain. Her book, Stepping Up: How Christ Turned My Pain & Suffering Into Hope & Joy, takes the reader through Caitie’s physical struggle of learning to walk again and her interior struggle of learning to walk with God through the cross.
LIFE BEFORE
Prior to her traumatic car accident, Caitie was an ordinary 24-year-old girl. She was working at a marketing agency while attending graduate school at Northwestern University. Additionally, dance had always been a huge part of her life. She danced competitively in high school and a year in college, and she continued to place a high importance on fitness, usually working out six days a week. Caitie was dating, enjoying hobbies, and her Catholic faith was also very important to her. She went to weekly mass, adoration, and bible study. In just one moment, except for her faith, all of these aspects of her life were taken.
THE IMPACT
In her book, Stepping Up, Caitie recounts a vivid description of the accident, including asking Jesus for forgiveness as her car was rolling. She felt excruciating pain and expected to die. By God’s grace, she didn’t; however, she was left with multiple injuries. Caitie was hospitalized for 11 days, was in a wheelchair for 10 weeks, and couldn’t walk without braces and assisted devices for nearly a year. With surgery and therapy, pain and suffering lasted for two years, and she continues to improve each and every day.
“There were many long, difficult days. Days where nothing seemed to change, nothing seemed to get better,” relayed Crowley. “I didn’t know if I was ever going to get better. Despite all circumstances that seemed rather bleak, I knew I had to put my trust in God.”
GUIDE TO SUFFERING WELL
Her book focuses not only on her medical and rehabilitation journey but also on redemptive suffering. That is that even through difficulty there is hope and that even through difficulty God can bring good out of it.
“This book isn’t just for people that have gone through a traumatic car accident. Whether it’s cancer, divorce, a sick child — you can take themes out of my book to help you during your crosses and to say, ‘Even when it seems hopeless, there’s hope,’” described Crowley.
SUFFERING PRODUCES FRUIT
“It’s amazing to think about how I felt then and what was still yet to come. I wouldn’t have believed it if you told me at the beginning,” remarked Crowley. “I realized that God permitted my suffering, but He didn’t cause it. However, He used every drop of it for greater good. I’m confident that He used it for the salvation of souls, the salvation of my own soul, and many tangible fruits that I’m seeing unfold in my life.”
A year and a half after the traumatic car accident, Crowley went on to graduate summa cum laude in information design and strategy from Northwestern University and landed her dream job doing human resource communications at a Fortune 100 company.
HANG ONTO HOPE
Even if you can’t see what is ahead and you don’t see how things could ever get better, through Him, you can find hope when it appears hopeless.
Caitie Crowley is a Catholic millennial. By God’s grace, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Master of Science in Information Design and Strategy with a Content Strategy concentration from Northwestern University. She is an HR communications representative at a Fortune 100 company and has also done writing for The Catholic Post, FOCUS-SEEK21, Live Action, Human Life Action, and Human Defense Initiative. You can get in touch with Caitie on Twitter (@CaitieCrowley) or via email (caitiecrowley@gmail.com).
“Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
The Scriptural armor of God has always inspired me. It makes me think about the spiritual battle that goes on every minute of every day. It also reminds me that God gives us everything we need to triumph. He washes us clean (Confession), feeds us (Holy Communion), clothes us (grace), and gives us armor (see Ephesians) and weapons (Bible, Rosary, sacramentals)!
It is really such an honor–such a blessing–that God allows us to take part in this battle as His soldiers. I mean, He really doesn’t need us in the triumph over evil. God could have put an end to Satan and his rebellion with simply a thought or a single word. Instead, He lets us fight this battle in His name. He gives us the chance to merit as soldiers of Christ–and if we fight well, we will receive our reward for all eternity.
What an honor! What a blessing!
We must convey the great honor of this gift to our children so that they can learn to recognize the opportunities they have every day. Once they reach the age of reason, our children are morally responsible. So the Church helps them to armor up!
The books in my Armor of God chapter book series focus on the virtues associated with each piece of armor mentioned in Ephesians 6:13-17.
In Belt of Truth, George Pennington accidentally burns his mother’s cherished tapestry and fears that his chance at Knight School is over. A lie seems like the best solution, but as lying becomes easier, George and friends discover what they must do to earn the Belt of Truth.
In Breastplate of Righteousness, George wants to help his friend Henry, who accidentally made a hole in the thatched roof of his house, but his father won’t let him go because a storm is coming. George is desperate to make the right choices because he really wants to earn the Breastplate of Righteousness.
In Boots of Peace, while George and his friend Robyn work hard at being peacemakers, George can’t stop thinking about the strange rock he once discovered in the knights’ woods. He will stop at nothing to find out more about it, but he just might be missing a very important point about peace.
In Shield of Faith, George is invited on a secret mission–which holds answers to questions he’s been wondering since becoming a page! But when he finds himself in a tight situation, he’d rather have a lantern than faith. He is not the only one facing a challenge; each pages’ faith is tested before the day is out.
In Helmet of Salvation, dragons have been spotted! George wants to help at the outposts and Henry wants to collect dragon scales–even at the risk of being tossed out of Knight School. But the knights have other work for them to do. The pages will learn the importance of putting on the mind of Christ. Our thoughts and choices are important.
In Sword of the Spirit, George and friends investigate strange noises in the underground shelter and discover that the dragon threat is even greater than they had expected! The knights have one plan to solve the problem and the townsfolk another. The pages learn to keep courageous and peaceful spirits amidst chaos by working to earn the Sword of the Spirit–which is the Word of God!
Story themes concern the importance of virtues such as truthfulness, patience, inner peace, obedience, prayer, and trusting God.
Brother Coll’s Catechism lessons between chapters help readers see how prayer, the Bible, and the sacraments help us to put on the armor of God!
Four of the six books are out now. The fifth and sixth books will come out soon–before the end of winter 2022! You can get copies of the books on Amazon or anywhere you buy books. Ask your local Catholic bookstore to carry the series. Find the entire series as it comes out HERE! Feel free to sign up for my author newsletter for updates!
To help celebrate the release of the series,
enter the BIG Catholic Children’s Book GIVEAWAY HERE!
Teenager Evie Gallagher is stunned when her 45-year-old father dies tragically and suddenly. Too many unanswered questions accompany Evie’s challenging journey to adulthood. When she finally discovers the reason her father led such a troubled life, shock turns to anger. She is determined to find justice for her father.
Nervous about the first day of his freshman year, 14-year-old Hank Gallagher steps inside Holy Archangels High School for the first time in September of 1954. Although the majestic Holy Archangels statues inside the school’s grand lobby present an air of protection, it is not long before Hank passes right under them and into the hands of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Confused and cornered by threats, Hank attempts to abandon his secret to the past, but a horrible wound on his heart eventually leads to a catastrophic breakdown.
Based loosely on actual events, chapters alternate between Evie and Hank to reveal a life haunted by betrayal and a revelation of true justice and hope.
Beautifully written, yet heart-rending tale of sexual abuse and the long-term effects such a crime has on its victims. I believe this novel will bring to light the utter tragedy of clerical abuse and the ripple effect it has for generations to come. Yet through the darkness of that abomination, dawn rises, and we are assured that justice can prevail, and healing can be achieved. I highly recommend this book for anyone who seeks to understand, for this just might be one of the most important novels of our time. Mary Jo Thayer, award-winning author of Close to the Soul
Ellen Gable tells a very personal and difficult story,Where Angels Pass, with such gentleness, love, and heartfelt honesty. What I expected to be an uncomfortable story ended up being a love story of a daughter for her father, a father who suffered the lifelong effects of something no young person should ever experience. Thank you, Ellen, for sharing this deeply moving story that will surely touch readers in a very profound way. Jim Sano, author, The Father’s Son
Ellen Gable Hrkach addresses the darkness of sexual abuse and the resulting lifelong wounds with delicate finesse.Michelle Buckman, award-winning author of Turning Circles and Rachel’s Contrition
I couldn’t put this book down, so don’t let the topic deter you. The story, told simply and honestly—and without sensationalism—will draw you in and have you rooting for these characters long after you close the book.Victoria Ryan, author
The greatest tragedy that could befall the Roman Catholic Church is for a child’s innocence to be stolen by a priest. And yet it has happened thousands of times and continues to happen. Told by Ellen Gable, as only she can tell it, with candor and faith, this story sheds light on the darkness of a case of clerical abuse. As the results of the abuse envelop an entire family, one sees how that the original victim truly had his life destroyed by one evil man. A moving and heart-breaking read that will change your life and strengthen your faith! Elena-Maria Vidal, author
And in the unfolding of the story — with the inevitable fury and sorrow that surfaces along the way — we are finally brought face to face with Jesus’ call to forgive those who harm us. A feat that Ellen shows us is not impossible, for nothing is impossible for those with God on their side. This book will change, teach, and inspire. Every Catholic should read it. Veronica Smallhorn, author, A Channel of Your Peace
Interview Questions for Ellen Gable
Where Angels Pass is quite different from your most recent books. Why?
Where Angels Pass has actually been on my “To Write” shelf for at least 15 years. Any time I tried to sit down and write it, I couldn’t. This was a very difficult topic to write about because of what happened to my father.
When my father was a freshman in a Catholic high school in Philly, he was sexually assaulted by one of his teachers. He kept the secret his whole life and the only person he ever told was my mother. My father had a very troubled life after that and eventually wound up having a nervous breakdown the same day my youngest brother was born. Then he had to cope with the stigma of mental illness, eventually becoming an alcoholic and dying tragically when he was only in his 40s.
This summer, when I sat down to write, I started writing and didn’t stop until the book was complete (three weeks). I have never written a book in only three weeks, but every day, I just wrote and couldn’t stop. I’d stay up late to write another thousand words. I’d get up early to write. The only time I stopped writing was when I cried (which was frequent throughout the writing process) and I had to step away.
How much of this book is based on true events?
Most of the book is based loosely on true events. I changed names, of course, amalgamated characters and situations. The time period is different as well. Evie (based on me) is seven years younger than me. The story is told from the perspectives of both Evie (my character) and Hank (my father’s character).
One thing that is not true about the book is that I never met my father’s abuser. He was already dead when I found out about him. The book takes place between seven and ten years after the events in real life because I wanted the abuser to still be alive. In many respects, that chapter was very healing for me to write.
What do you hope the reader will take away from your story?
It’s my hope that the reader will be able to learn that just because a person has suffered clerical abuse (in this case, my father) does not mean his life had any less value than any other person. Did he make mistakes because of his woundedness? Of course, he did, because we’re all born with original sin and with free will.
And despite all these things that happened to him, he was really an incredible father and, I believe, made the world a better place (again, despite his nervous breakdown and alcoholism).
Most importantly, I hope the reader can understand that the Catholic Church is not an evil institution, and we should not leave the Church because of the sins of some of her members. One thing I didn’t realize until recently was how widespread the clerical abuse problem has been for many years. And while it saddened me that my father was abused, it breaks my heart that so many others suffered like my father.
Why did it take 15 years for you to be able to write this book?
I didn’t want to imagine what my father went through during his abuse and afterward. And while I wrote this book, I had to step away because I’d be crying, especially during the abuse chapters, the aftermath, his nervous breakdown, and his battle with alcoholism.
My father wasn’t the sum total of his faults. Instead, he was a unique image of God, who tried his darnedest to be a good husband, son, and father. However, his woundedness was like a snake that slithered all throughout everything he did, good or bad.
Why do you feel your extended family are also victims of clerical abuse?
Having a father who was abused by a priest directly contributed to my father having a mental breakdown and suffering from alcoholism. I believe that had my father never been abused, he probably would not have had a nervous breakdown and he may never have become an alcoholic. As the daughter of an alcoholic, I remember times when as a young teen, I was the parent figure and had to take him to bed or help him put clothes on. In some respects, having an alcoholic father makes a child grow up too quickly.
Author Biography
Ellen Gable is acoach, speaker, publisher, NFP teacher, book reviewer, transcriptionist, and instructor in the Theology of the Body for Teens. Her books have been collectively downloaded 750,000 times on Kindle. Some of her books have been translated into Portuguese, Italian, Spanish, and French. The mother of five adult sons and grandmother to one cherished grandson, Ellen (originally from New Jersey) now lives with her husband of nearly 40 years, James Hrkach, in Pakenham, Ontario, Canada.
This month, the Catholic Writers’ Guild is touring Carolyn Astfalk’s book, “Rightfully Ours.” It is a CWG Seal of Approval recipient! A coming-of-age story of first love, buried treasure, and discovering that some things are worth the wait.
Book Summary:
Sixteen-year-old Paul Porter’s relocation to Pennsylvania is a temporary move during his dad’s deployment. Or so he and his brother think, until devastating news lands on their doorstep.
Paul’s new home with the Muellers provides solace, especially in the form of Rachel, his friend and confidante. Their abiding friendship deepens as they work side by side to uncover what could be lost treasure.
Will they acquire the strength of character and virtue to take only what rightfully belongs to them or are they in way over their heads, with more than a few lost artifacts at stake?
Excerpt:
Everything outside the window remained still. The crescent moon did nothing to dispel the darkness in the yard. No lights lit Rachel’s house. The only light in his room came from the blue glow of the digital alarm clock and its reflection in the mirror above the dresser. A set of rosary beads hung from the upper corner of the mirror.
The brown, well-used beads dangled lazily in the darkness. Dad’s rosary beads. Paul hadn’t touched them in the year and a half they’d hung there. Besides a few pictures of his mom, him, and Sean, they were the only items found on Dad.
What do I have to lose?
Learn about the author, Carolyn Astfalk:
Carolyn Astfalk is a wife, mother, and author of contemporary Catholic romances Stay With Me, Come Back to Me, Ornamental Graces, Rightfully Ours, and All in Good Time. She formerly worked as a communications director and now works just to keep her head above water. Find her books on Amazon and her other words scattered around the blogosphere and social media.
Rightfully Ours will be on sale for 99 cents on Amazon Kindle on June 24, 25, and 26. Rightfully Ours is available as June’s Book-Club -in-a-Box offering from Catholic Teen Books, and discussion questions for the novel are available on the author’s website.
St. Zélie Martin (1831-1877) is best known as the mother of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, one of the most-loved saints of modern times, but she is also a saint in her own right. In this work of historical fiction based largely on St. Zélie’s letters, a compelling portrait of a working mother who always put God first comes to life.
St. Zélie is a saint many women can relate to. She suffered from anxiety, struggled with work-life balance, grieved the loss of children, cared for aging parents, had a child with special needs, and dealt with personal illness. Above all, she loved God and her family and had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother.
In this intimate portrayal, you will come to know a complex woman who achieved holiness while living in the world and dealing with the stress of modern life.
Interview with Author Anne Faye
Why tell St. Zélie’s story?
Like many others, I first heard of St. Zélie in the story of her most famous child, St. Thérèse of Lisieux. I first read St. Thérèse’s autobiography, Story of a Soul, when I was young. My mother had a great devotion to St. Thérèse and passed that on to me. I would revisit that famous book many more times in my life. Yet, for a long time, the most I could have told you about St. Thérèse’s mother was that she died when the great saint was only a small child.
My first true introduction to St. Zélie was when she and her husband, Louis, were being beatified in 2008. By this point, I had been married for several years and had children of my own. It was exciting to see a married couple being beatified. They were canonized in 2015.
In October of 2019, I read The Extraordinary Parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux by Hélène Mongin and became intrigued by this story of a modern woman who lived a life of holiness out in the world while dealing with the challenges of marriage, motherhood, and work. Here was a saint I could relate to.
I then attended a retreat in November 2019 in which the facilitator, Megan Baillargeon, spoke about St. Zélie. She had a book of St. Zélie’s letters. I had not known such a resource existed. I left the retreat determined to get a copy of that book and to write this saint’s story.
St. Zélie has much to offer as a role model for women today. Although she lived nearly 150 years ago, she struggled with many of the same issues that women do today. She had to balance family and work. She often was sleep-deprived. She suffered from anxiety, constantly worrying about her children. She experienced great grief, losing four of her children in early childhood. She had health problems, experiencing painful headaches and then ultimately dying of breast cancer. Through it all, she put her trust in God.
Those who believe she deserved sainthood only because of her children (all five of her children who lived to adulthood became religious sisters) sell her short. Yes, she raised her children to be holy, but she and her husband are saints in their own right because of their own faith lived out in the daily challenge of life in the world. St. Zélie was not perfect, but she always put God first. She is a heavenly friend whom women can turn to in their times of need. St. Zélie, pray for us.
What is truth and fiction in this retelling?
Whenever I read a work of historical fiction, I always wonder what is based in fact and what is a product of the author’s imagination.
Part One of this book is largely fictional. With the exception of a few major life events, little is known of St. Zélie’s early life. She did have a difficult relationship with her mother. She was rejected when she attempted to enter the convent. She did have inner locutions that told her to make lace and that Louis Martin was the man for her. The two did have a celibate marriage for nine months before a spiritual director encouraged them to consummate their relationship. They did care for a small child during those early days. The vast majority of details are my best guess of what might have happened.
Parts Two and Three are based largely on St. Zélie’s letters. While, to my knowledge, she never kept a journal, she was a prolific letter writer, corresponding often with her brother and sister. Later on, she would write to her daughters while they were away at school. Not all of her letters survived. Some were destroyed. Others were edited by her family in order to remove sensitive material. However, those letters that do remain paint a vibrant portrait of the saint’s daily life. I have paraphrased parts of those letters, adding some additional color.
I prayed fervently to both the Holy Spirit and to St. Zélie for inspiration and guidance as I wrote this book. I can only hope that if I am ever blessed enough to encounter St. Zélie in heaven, she will be pleased with how I portrayed her. Any errors are mine.
You haven’t written about a real-life historical person before. How was that different?
It was definitely a different experience to write about a real-life person. With my previous books, I was able to let creativity take over. I could let the story go wherever I wanted. With this book, I wanted to make it as historically accurate as possible. That took a lot of research. It also meant that there were limitations on where the story could go. While I had some leeway in how I presented her story and what details I chose to include, the basic framework that I had to work within was already there.
I enjoyed the process, but it was also a bit nerve-wracking. I wanted this book to be an accurate portrayal of St. Zélie. In the early part of her story, I didn’t have as much research material to rely on so that was more based on my imagination. I hope I have portrayed her well.
Anne Faye’s fictionalized biography of St. Zelie Martin, largely based on the saint’s personal correspondence, is a compelling read. The book is well researched and gives the reader a clear portrait of life in that time and place. It is written in the form of diary entries, and truly is an intimate look at the dreams, disappointments, joys, and difficulties this saint experienced. 5 out of 5 stars!
As I am re-reading Divine Mercy in My Soul: The Diary of Saint Faustina, I am deeply moved by the message of mercy and the absolute trust to which Jesus calls us. Jesus longs for a deeper relationship with me and with you. Our Lord thirsts for every person in the whole world. There is no sin too great for Him to forgive. There is no wound too big for Him to heal. There is no problem too complex for Him to solve.
When I am reading the pages of The Diary, my heart overflows with love and I want to have that close connection with Jesus every moment of my life. Unfortunately, as I go about my day, I get sucked up in the distractions of life and in the fulfillment of my duties. Disappointments, conflict, and suffering throw me off balance. And I forget the mercy that I am called to give and the trust that Jesus longs for as I face the trials of life.
Because I need daily reminders and meditations that help me hold onto the messages, I am so happy to have found Praying with Jesus and Faustina during Lent and in Times of Suffering. This beautiful devotional compiled by Susan Tassone includes excerpts from The Diary, prayers, and meditations for every day of Lent, beginning with Shrove Tuesday and ending with Divine Mercy Sunday.
It also includes meditations on the Passion, a deeply moving Way of the Cross, litanies appropriate for Lent, reflections on Our Lady’s sorrow, and a Confession preparation guide using Jesus’ own words.
From the preface, Susan Tassone writes that she hopes this book will help readers:
Meditate with Jesus and St. Faustina daily during Lent and in times of suffering
Participate in St. Faustina’s vision of Christ’s Passion
Find comfort and strength from the crucified Christ
Pray the Stations of the Cross using the words of Jesus and St. Faustina
Join your sufferings to Christ’s sorrowful Passion
Find refuge, consolation, and mercy in Christ’s wounds
Unite your sorrows with the sufferings that afflicted Our Lady’s heart
Get a “firsthand look” at purgatory
Pray a variety of litanies for the troubled times of your life
Come to appreciate the beauty and value of Confession, from the words of Jesus and Faustina
I highly recommend this powerful devotional as an aid to help you make the most of your Lent. You can get the book HERE or wherever you buy books.
About the author: Susan Tassone has long been a passionate champion for the holy souls in purgatory and is recognized as leading a worldwide “purgatory movement.” The award-winning author of thirteen best-sellers, including Jesus Speaks to Faustina and You. Day by Day with St. Faustina, St. Faustina Prayer Book for Adoration, and Day by Day for the Holy Souls in Purgatory,Susan makes speaking appearances throughout the country. Over a dozen cardinals and bishops worldwide have endorsed her works. She’s a frequent and popular guest on national radio and television programs as well as social media. EWTN said: “Susan Tassone is the all time best selling author in the history of the network.”
In 2013, she was featured in the groundbreaking documentary Purgatory: The Forgotten Church and was on the cover of Catholic Digest magazine in 2017. She also continues to work tirelessly to raise donations for Masses for the holy souls. Susan holds a master’s degree in religious education from Loyola University Chicago and had the honor and privilege of being granted two private audiences with St. John Paul II, who bestowed a special blessing on her and her ministry for the holy souls.
I pray that you have a grace-filled Lent and that you grow closer to Jesus through the messages of trust and mercy!
Thank you, Carolyn Astfalk, for hosting An Open Book!
Please check out the book recommendations at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com! Be sure to check out the other book blogs that are linked up too!
Not just the big ones. Every little choice matters.
If you’re a Catholic, you might remember from the Catechism: God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him for ever in heaven (Baltimore Catechism No. 1 #6). That’s the purpose of life! How do we do this? Every choice we make in every single moment of our lives either draws us closer to God or turns us away from Him.
Beginning from the first moment you wake up in the morning, you have choices. You can check your phone to see who messaged you overnight, dive right into your day with your thoughts on what needs done, drag yourself to the kitchen for coffee, hit snooze on your alarm clock and steal a few more minutes of sleep, or you can take a moment to turn your heart to God and consecrate the day to Him.
On your way to work, when the car ahead drives too slow for you, you have a choice to offer up the inconvenience or to grumble and complain–or show impatience in worse ways. When another speaks unkindly during the day, you have the choice of responding in kind or responding with charity and mercy.
Countless times a day we face little opportunities to make a choice, when facing responsibilities, carrying old and new crosses, dealing with kind or unkind people, receiving opportunities, and when stirred with the inspiration to pray or help others.
God hinges our salvation on our choices, and He has from the beginning. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had everything they could’ve hoped for, but they also had a little test, a single command from God.
Sadly, our first parents chose themselves over God and death entered the world, along with suffering, illness, conflict, and the like.
God, who knows all things, knew our first parents would fall, but He made them—and all of us—anyway. God allowed the Fall because something greater would come from it. He allows all the evil and suffering in the world only for this reason: that some greater good may come of it. The greater good that resulted from the first fall: the Son of God took on our human nature and came into the world to save us.
But even this God did not accomplish without human cooperation. God could’ve saved us in any way He wanted. He could’ve come into the world in any way He wanted. But He chose to come into the world through the assent of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The angel of the Lord appeared to the Blessed Virgin and told her the plan of God. At that moment, she had a choice and all of heaven waited for her response. Mary’s choice became pivotal to the salvation of the world.
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Luke 1:38
And because of her choice to accept the will of God, the Savior came into the world. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us (1 John 1:14).
God does not change. He continues to come into the world, to bring His salvation into the world through us. He makes us his co-workers in the work of salvation (1 Corinthians 3:9), hinging the spread of salvation on us.
Think of the story of the Wedding at Cana. When the Blessed Mother told her Son that they had run out of wine, Jesus could have simply made more. He’s God. He can do anything. But He asked for the servants’ help. He asked that they fill six stone jars with water. Once they did their part (which they did the best they could, filling them to the brim it says in John 2:7), then Jesus performed a miracle and turned the water to wine.
Through our words, example, actions, prayers, and especially in the patient bearing of our crosses we can bring the love of God more and more into our lives, our families, our places of work and play, our countries, and the world.
Good can come from our daily sufferings, illnesses, conflicts, disappointments, and failures. Whenever we make the choice to follow the way of Jesus by taking up our crosses as He took up His, a greater love grows in us. If life went smoothly and our choices to love were easy, our love wouldn’t be as deep as the love we are called to through the way of the cross.
“Love to be real, it must cost—it must hurt—it must empty us of self.”
Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta
God knows us through and through. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses. He has always known what family He would make us a part of and all the people that would come into and out of our lives. The situations each of us find ourselves in are the best situations for us to grow in holiness. All the crosses, challenges, joys, and responsibilities present choices whereby we can choose to love in the way God has loved us. Without the fall, we wouldn’t have the opportunities and challenges to live according to that love that imitates the great love of God. Our choices, even when made from love of God or neighbor, might not bring the results we hoped for, but God brings good from them when, like the servants at Cana, we do our best.
What if we don’t do our best? What if we choose selfishness and sin instead? Just as our good choices affect many others, so do our poor choices. Sin has consequences. Saint John Vianney once said, “Sin is the assassin of the soul.” Sin and lukewarmness take us down the wide and easy path that leads to hell. Additionally, the selfishness and sin of one brings sadness, hurt, and additional crosses to many others.
Our choices matter.
We were made to come to know, love, and serve God in this world so that we can be happy with Him in the next. But it’s easy to get distracted. Temptations have us falling and going down the wrong path way too often. We need reminders. That’s one reason a regular prayer life and faith-filled friends are important.
Good books are another way we can remind ourselves of what matters and find inspiration to continue on the steep and narrow path that leads to life. The following stories will remind readers of the importance of our choices.
All in Good Time– this contemporary Christian romance by Carolyn Astfalk shows how poor choices made in the past can affect a person and others in their life for years to come. It addresses tough themes that aren’t often dealt with in fiction but should be. We can read articles and studies about the challenges of single parenthood and of losing a spouse and of the long-term effects of giving into temptation and pornography, but reading a novel that deals with these issues takes it to a deeper level. We get to see the thoughts and experience the feelings these characters have throughout their challenges, failures, and victories. This novel recently won honorable mention in the Catholic Press Association.
Shadow Stalker – this speculative thriller by T. M. Gaouette is truly thought-provoking and unique. With paranormal elements and a high sense of urgency, this story is riveting and intense. The powerful themes—or maybe warnings—speak to disturbing elements of today’s culture and make clear that all our choices have consequences, even when we think no one is aware of them. The reader will likely be examining his or her own conscience right along with the characters. The author is a first-place award winner in this years Catholic Press Association book awards.
Tortured Soul – this purgatory soul story shows how the consequences of our choices go with us to eternity. Every one of us will stand before the judgment seat of God. At that moment, we will see our souls as God sees them. We will see each of our choices from our earliest years to our last moment on earth, and we will realize that every one of them matters. Every choice has either drawn us closer to God or turned us away from him. This story is loosely based on the apparitions of souls in purgatory to modern day mystic Eugenie von de Leyen, and it recently won honorable mention in the Catholic Press Association book awards.
“Only those who live by faith really know what is happening in the world.”
Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Do we know what is happening in the world today?
Evil runs rampant. Over 20,898,000 babies worldwide died from abortion so far this year; over 526,946 suicides; over $196,583,000,000 spent on illegal drugs this year (see https://www.worldometers.info/ for continuously updated numbers). And what about the numbers for violent crime, sex trafficking, sexual depravity, and—most troubling—the priest sex abuse scandal?
Plus, there has been a great loss of faith. Less and less identify as Christian. More and more embrace everything from hedonism and New Age beliefs to pure evil. And even among Catholics, over 69% no longer believe in the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist (see Pew Research).
We’ve known about all those things, but what have we done about them? And now, within the past few months, we’ve been struck with more–things we cannot ignore even if we wanted to! The entire world lives in fear of a virus, and we’ve completely changed the way we live our lives. Terrorists are destroying countries from within. Many churches are still closed. And who knows what lies on the horizon?
But do we really know what is happening in the world today?
The news media reports these tragedies, one after the other–too often with a slant. The situation in our world today can terrify us if we don’t have the right vision. We are called to live by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). We need to look beyond the wars and rumors of war, the plagues and violence, and even beyond our own needs and physical well-being. We need to see with the eyes of faith. What underlies all the conflict and tragedy we see and hear about in the world? It is the spiritual battle between good and evil.
Are you a child of light?
Archbishop Vigano, in his letter to President Trump, recognized the two opposing sides that exist as eternal enemies and which are growing in our world today: the children of light and the children of darkness. He sees the forces of darkness, which once concealed their true intentions, revealing their plans openly in this generation, certain that they have won. He suspects that the riots in America, and those happening at the same time in Europe, have been orchestrated to dissolve the social order and build a new world without freedom.
Vigano recognizes the opposing sides within the Church as well: “the faithful Shepherds who care for the flock of Christ” vs. the “mercenary infidels who seek to scatter the flock and hand the sheep over to be devoured by the ravenous wolves.”
It is enough to make your head spin. It is enough to make one despair.
Has God forsaken us?
While it sometimes feels like God has forsaken us, God has already proven His love for us by sacrificing His only Son in atonement for our sins. He loves us and desires our salvation. He made each one of us to be happy with Him forever in heaven, so we can know with certainty that whatever cross comes our way, He only allows it so that some greater good will come of it. So the question is, have we forsaken God? Heaven is ours if we choose it, and we choose it by choosing God in our everyday actions.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Jesus, John 14:15
For those who are not living in the state of grace, misfortune serves as a wake-up call. For those in a relationship with Jesus, trials and crosses are meant to purify a soul like silver in fire. By uniting our sufferings to the cross, they become valuable, and when added to our prayers, they can help many souls. We have no need to fear pain, suffering, inconvenience, bad news, setbacks, and other disappointments.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28
If we remain close to Our Lord and strive for holiness, we have nothing to fear in these dark times. But we do have a role to play. Pray, do penance, and have courage.
You were made for these times!
God wants you to be His instrument. And if you are tempted to think that you are too little, too much of a nobody to accomplish great things, think of Saint Joan of Arc, who was called by God as a teen, led the French in several battles, and then died a martyr’s death all by age 19.
Think of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. He developed a deep spiritual life at a young age, and joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society so he could care for the sick and needy–even at the risk of his own health. He contracted polio from the sick he tended. So great was his love, so fearless his faith, that he even asked that his medicine be given to another.
Think of Blessed Isidore Bakanja, a merciful catechist who forgave the attackers who caused his death–they hated him for his Catholicism and his African race. He converted to Christianity at age 18, wore the Brown Scapular, and carried the Rosary with him everywhere he went. He also zealously shared his faith with anyone who would listen and on his death bed promised to pray for his attackers in heaven.
Or take this contemporary teen and expert in computers for your role model, with his brief but intense witness to an authentic Christian life. Venerable Carlo Acutis attended daily Mass, prayed the Rosary daily, and developed a website that catalogs Eucharistic miracles. He died of leukemia at the age of 15, after offering all his sufferings for the pope and the Church.
So, what are we to do in these difficult times?
Look to the saints for the examples of courage and faith that we need today. It is really such an honor that we are called to be the saints of our generation! The light in our dark culture!
Using Sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we must learn our faith inside and out so we can embody it, teach it to our children, and share it with anyone who will listen to us. Our formation is a never-ending process, and we must make sure our children realize that too.
We should also learn our history. Some seek to erase it as part of their plan to destroy our country. And we should make sure our children know it.
Heed the messages of Our Lady made known at Fatima and elsewhere: God calls us to holiness, to lives of prayer and penance. He calls us to be faithful soldiers of Christ, in the army of God.
Visit Jesus often in the Blessed Sacrament, the unique gift of His presence with us, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.
Pray the Rosary daily, avail yourself of the sacraments, and invest in the Brown Scapular.
Live the Faith. Learning and speaking about it is nothing if you are not living it for all to see and learn from your example.
Let us also remind ourselves and instill in our children the fact that we were not made for this world but to be with God in the eternal happiness of heaven. We are pilgrims in this world, on our way to the castle of the Great King.
“Have we lost sight of this world being a pilgrimage? It’s a journey. You’re not home yet. A Christian must never lose sight of this passing reality of life.”
Mother M. Angelica
Heaven help us.
Jesus has not left us orphans. He has promised to remain with us always, to the close of the age (Matt 28:20). He fulfills this promise in the Most Blessed Sacrament, His true presence among us. And He will remain in our tabernacles and on the altar in every Catholic Mass until the end of the age. Even if we aren’t allowed to go to Mass for a period of time.
Who would’ve ever imagined that we would be forbidden from attending Mass for so long? These are indeed unsettling times. I seem to remember a verse in Daniel that talks about the Holy Sacrifice being abolished and abomination being set up in the holy place (see Daniel 12:11). Jesus referred to this verse when asked what will be the sign of His second coming and the end of the age (see Matthew 24:15).
Are we at the end of the age?
Some believe we are. Some also believe that we will soon experience the illumination of conscience that many saints, blesseds, and modern-day seers have told us about. If you have not heard of it before, let me explain. This will be like a mini judgment where every person sees their soul as God sees it. We will each see the sins of our life and the consequences of those sins. We will know and feel our eternal destination, should we die without repentance. This is a gift of mercy, whereby sinners will have the opportunity to reconcile with God.
To Saint Faustina Kowalska Jesus said: “In the Old Covenant I sent prophets wielding thunderbolts to My people. Today I am sending you with My mercy to the people of the whole world. I do not want to punish suffering mankind, but I desire to heal it, pressing it to My Merciful Heart. I use punishment when they themselves force Me to do so; My hand is reluctant to take hold of the sword of justice. Before the Day of Justice I am sending the Day of Mercy.
Diary of St Faustina, #1588
I recently read a novella that reminded me of this supernatural event, though the author had not been following Marian apparitions and was not aware of the illumination of conscience. She wrote the story and set it aside for years but recently felt called to work on the story and publish it. I read an advanced copy and knew at once it was a story for our times. This story had me thinking hard about the times we live in and the drastic decline in morals. And it had me thinking of this prophecy, the illumination of conscience, which I do wish would come soon. I want to see my soul as God sees it, so that I can change whatever is displeasing to Him. I want the faithful throughout the world to grow in holiness and for the unfaithful to repent.
New release by Catholic teen fiction author T.M. Gaouette
Story summary: It all happened one morning. It was as if the world had gone mad. Well, maybe not the whole world, but enough of it to get noticed. People were waking up as if possessed; suffering souls resorting to tearing at their skin, crying out loud to no one in particular, haunted by a sudden internal torment that no one around them could decipher. For investigative reporter Elijah, this news story was way bigger than a scoop. Unless he could unmask the truth behind the madness, how could he stop it, once and for all? And more urgent – how could he keep it from happening to him?
Get the book HERE. Learn more about the author, T.M. Gaouette, HERE.
“Write this: before I come as the Just Judge, I am coming first as the King of Mercy. Before the day of justice arrives, there will be given to people a sign in the heavens of this sort: All light in the heavens will be extinguished, and there will be great darkness over the whole earth. Then the sign of the cross will be seen in the sky, and from the openings where the hands and the feet of the Savior were nailed will come forth great lights which will light up the earth for a period of time. This will take place shortly before the last day.”
Things Visible & Invisible 