Books

Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality

Reviewed by Michael E. Daniel

Contents - Aug 2007 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Census 2006: 'No religion' up, Christians down Lex orandi: Benedict XVI's liturgical armistice: 'Summorum Pontificum' - Fr Glen Tattersall Events: LATIN MASS CELEBRATIONS - Melbourne and Sydney University: Australian Catholic students' conference: 'an inspiring experience' - Br Barry Coldrey News: The Church Around the World World Congress of Families: grass roots ecumenism at work - Babette Francis Society: Defending faith and reason in public life - Eamonn Keane Catholics and the pornography epidemic - Bishop Robert Finn Why Catholic parents choose home-schooling - Leslie Sammut Obituary: Death of distinguished Australian philosopher John Ziegler - John Young Catholic students' joyful encounter with the Church's sacred music treasury - Gabrielle Walsh Letters: Vatican II infallible? - Frank Mobbs Letters: Stem cell 'debate' - Chris Hilder Letters: Breath of hope - Terry and Rosemary McDonnell Letters: Catholic politicians - Patricia Halligan Letters: Truth and courage - Errol P. Duke Letters: 'Staunch' Catholics? - Frank Bellet Letters: Study leave - Eamonn Keane Poetry: Shrapnel - Bruce Dawe Letters: Combating AIDS - Franklin J. Wood Letters: Education campaign - Henry Erftemeyer Letters: Fixing the schools - G. Brian Bibby DOES YOUR PARISH STOCK AD2000? Books: Jesus of Nazareth: Baptism to Transfiguration, by Joseph Ratzinger/Benedict XVI - Tim Cannon (reviewer) Books: The World's First Love, by Fulton J. Sheen - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality - Michael E. Daniel (reviewer) Books: AD2000 Books Reflection: The Assumption: how the Christian arts honour the Virgin Mary

MOTHER ANGELICA'S LITTLE BOOK
Of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality
(Ed. Raymond Arroyo, Doubleday, 2007, 221pp, $29.95. Available from Freedom Publishing)

One of the most popular religious figures in the USA has been Mother Angelica, the Catholic nun who established Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). Although no longer able to appear live due to illness, re-runs of her programs are still amongst the most popular shows watched by viewers from across the world, including Australia.

Her simplicity, humanity and down to earth, no-nonsense approach are what make her most appealing.

This volume serves as a companion to Arroyo's Mother Angelica: An Extraordinary Life, also recently published by Doubleday. Arroyo, author and presenter of 'The World Over Live' on EWTN, has gathered together Mother Angelica's reflections, organising them thematically.

Most of them are from lectures and other presentations not broadcast on EWTN and are responses to queries from audience members. The topics covered range from 'God's Will and Providence' to 'Sin and Temptation', 'Overcoming faults' and 'Motherly advice for the family.'

This is a book that is best read slowly and prayerfully, for example, one or two short sections in the evening or during a time of prayer. Open it at random and there will be something therein that speaks to you, no matter what your background. Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality would thus make an ideal gift.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 20 No 7 (August 2007), p. 18