RECOMMENDED READINGS: BOOKS / RELIGIOUS ARTICLES

BOOKS ==========

Robert Hugh Benson (1871 - 1914) was the youngest son of the Archbishop of Canterbury. After college Benson was ordained as a priest in the Church of England. While on a trip to the Middle East Benson began doubting the Church of England and eventually joined the Community of the Resurrection. In 1903 he became a Roman Catholic. In 1904 he was ordained as a priest. This is an account of a trip to the healing area known as Lourdes. The author describes his first sight of Lourdes "The first sign of sanctity that we saw, as we came out at the end of a street, was the mass of churches built on the rising ground above the river. Imagine first a great oval of open ground, perhaps two hundred by three hundred yards in area, crowded now with groups as busy as ants, partly embraced by two long white curving arms of masonry rising steadily to their junction; at the point on this side where the ends should meet if they were prolonged, stands a white stone image of Our Lady upon a pedestal, crowned, and half surrounded from beneath by some kind of metallic garland arching upward. At the farther end the two curves of masonry of which I have spoken, rising all the way by steps, meet upon a terrace. This terrace is, so to speak, the centre of gravity of the whole."

Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes

Shrine Of Our Lady Of Lourdes, Blackpool

Through the centuries, Our Blessed Lady has appeared frequently on earth with messages of warning, hope, and consolation for humanity--but never more frequently than in the last two centuries. Heralded as the Marian Age, the past two hundred years have been blessed with numerous appearances of Our Lady, each one offering messages of inspiration and hope and urging the world to return to the love of God through prayer, penance, and reparation for sins.A Woman Clothed with the Sun considers the seven most significant apparitions of Our Lady in the past two centuries: that of the Miraculous Medal at Paris, those at La Salette, Lourdes, Knock, Fatima, Beauraing, Banneux--and also the sixteenth-century appearance of Mary at Guadalupe with its profound message for Americans. The historical background of each apparition is given, the vision itself described, and Mary''s messages are quoted by writers distinguished for their special knowledge of the apparitions and their literary excellence. In his introductory chapter, editory John J. Delaney traces the relationships between the apparitions and provides a penetrating analysis of their significance.Recipient of the Marian Library Medal, A Woman Clothed with the Sun has been critically acclaimed as the one book on Our Lady that should be read by everyone.

In 1858 Our Lady appeared to Bernadette, a girl of fourteen, the eldest of the four children of Louise and Francois Soubirous, a miller who had fallen on hard times. The first apparition was on Thursday February 11th, the last on Friday July 16th. Bernadette saw the Blessed Virgin in a grotto at Massabielle, near Lourdes, a little Frnech township at the foot of the Pyrenees that is now one of the most important centres of pilgrimage in the Christian world. On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception in the Holy Year of 1933 Bernadette was herself canonized. In this highly readable book, Hugh Ross Williamson helps us to explore St Bernadette's life and, becoming familiar with the time and place in which she lived, understand her Challenge - to those amongst whom she lived and to us today.

First published in 1978 and hailed as "an important foreshadowing of issues that have become prominent in more recent anthropology," this classic work examines the theological doctrines, popular notions, and corresponding symbols and images promoting and sustaining Christian pilgrimage. The text examines two major aspects of pilgrimage practice: the significance of context, or the theological conditions that give rise to pilgrimage and the folk traditions that enable worshippers to absorb the meaning of the event; and the images and symbols that embody the experience of pilgrimage and transmit its visions in varying ways. Retelling its own tales of "mere mortals" confronted by potent visions, such as the man of mixed virtue who found redemption

with the Lady of Guadalupe and the poor French shepherdess Bernadette whose encounter with the Lady at Lourdes inspired Christians across the globe, this book treats religious visions as both paradox and empowering phenomena, tying them explicitly to the times in which they occurred. Offering vivid vignettes of social history, it extends their importance beyond the realm of the religious to our own conceptions of reality. Extensively revised throughout, this edition also includes a new introduction by the theologian Deborah Bhatti situating the book within the work of Victor and Edith Turner and movements of contemporary culture. She addresses the book's legacy within the discipline, especially its hermeneutical framework, which introduced a novel method of describing and interpreting pilgrimage. She also credits the Turners with cementing the link between mysticism, popular devotion, and Christian culture, as well as their recognition of the relationship between pilgrimage and human beings' deep spiritual needs. In conclusion, Bhatti surveys various critiques of the Turners' work and suggests future directions for research on this topic.

A series of outstanding meditations that follows the Church's liturgical calendar. Each day's meditation is divided into three parts and is five or six pages long. The subjects relate to themes from the Mass readings for that day or the liturgical season. This work helps the reader deepen the message of Christ in the ordinary circumstances of the day. Topics include: January: Mary, Mother of God The Epiphany of Our Lord The Baptism of Our Lord Christian Unity Octave: Christ founded One Church Unity Within the Church The Deposit of the Faith The Foundation of Unity Christ and the Church The new people of God Mary, Mother of Unity St. Francis De Sales The conversion of St. Paul Saints Timothy and Titus St. Thomas Aquinas February: The Presentation of Our Lord The Purification of Our Lady Our Lady of Lourdes Saints Cyril and Methodius The Chair of St. Peter March: St. Patrick Vocation and Sanctity of St. Joseph The Virtues of St. Joseph Joseph, Husband of Mary Joy and Sorrows - I and II Death and glorification of St. Joseph The fatherly intercession of St. Joseph

The Annunciation of the Lord The Vocation of Our Lady April: St. Mark the Evangelist Our Lady of Montserrat St. Catherine of Sienna May: St. Joseph the Worker Saints Philip and James Our Lady of Fatima St. Matthias The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Pentecost: Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest The Blessed Trinity The indwelling of the Holy Trinity in the Soul Corpus Christi: The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ A hidden God The Eucharist: Substantial Presence of Christ Like the Repentant Thief The Wounds the Thomas saw Food for the weak Cleanse me, Lord Jesus A Pledge of Eternal Life The Sacred Heart of Jesus: Christ's Love for us The Immaculate Heart of Mary June: St. Justin St. Barnabas Saints John Fisher and Thomas More Birth of John the Baptist St. Peter St. Paul The first Martyrs of the Church of Rome See other In Conversation with God Books

Two thousand years ago, a girl from Nazareth was transformed by a simple "yes" into the Mother of God the subject of sublime devotion, divisive controversy, and extravagant speculation. A mother and a virgin, a saint and a peasant, a woman both tragic and triumphant, Mary has held sway over the human imagination for centuries. Yet she has never felt as relevant to our everyday lives as she does today. In Full of Grace, Judith Dupr, the bestselling author of Churches, offers an intimate exploration of this beloved figure, now and through the ages. In a series of poignant stories and essays, Dupre examines Mary's artistic, cultural, and historical influence, and at the same time shows how Mary's human journey of love, compassion, grief, and humble strength inextricably connects her to our modern lives. Accompanied by a breathtaking visual feast ranging from classic Renaissance portraits to unexpected contemporary images, Dupre's text offers insights into the Virgin Mary as a mother and as a religious icon. Visits to the great shrines of Marian pilgrimage Lourdes, Medjugorje, Fatima, and the

Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe underscore the author's journey to find Mary's meaning in her own life. In an essay about Mary in the Quran, we see how Mary, far from being an exclusively Catholic figure, emerges as one of the central women in Islam. Another piece details the author's travels in the Holy Land, a landscape wracked by religious strife but still overflowing with the spirit of generosity that Mary embodies. From Sudanese refugee camps to the painful reminders of Auschwitz, from the struggle of divorce to the challenges of raising a child with autism, we see how Mary's tenderness, bravery, and grace infuse the story of every mother, young and old. For men and women seeking to better understand their own life journey, this book looks at the many miracles, large and small, along the way.

The New Revised Jesus, Mary and Joseph Novena Manual Author: Father Stedman A powerful tool featuring devotions to Jesus, Mary and Joseph Details The New Revised Jesus, Mary, Joseph Novena Manual was originally written for the world-wide communities of the Sisters Adores of the Precious Blood and the lay-members of the Confraternity of the Precious Blood. Similar to the Novena medal of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the Novena Manual features devotions to the Precious Blood of Jesus, to Mary Immaculate from whom Jesus drew the first drops of His Precious Blood, and to St. Joseph, the guardian of Him who redeemed us by His Precious Blood.  The Novena Manual also contains a novena to Our Lady of Lourdes and a unique and beautiful novena to Our Sorrowful Mother centered around the Stations of the Cross (p. 24) among many other benefits, including: • Prayers for before and after Communion • A consecration to Mary  • A beautiful prayer for children before birth

(p. 95) • Prayers to pray before the exposed Eucharist • Meditations on the Seven Bloodsheddings of Christ (p. 86) • And much more…  The Revised Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Novena Manual is more than a list of prayers, it is a powerful tool that will teach you how to pray with confidence, contrition, fervor, and perseverance. Small and durable, this Manual will be your constant companion in prayer, whether around the dinner table, on the road, or in the adoration chapel.   Dimensions & Specifications 5 x 3 inches

At a time when there is renewed interest in the Extraordinary Rite, Hugh Ross Williamson's classic exposition of the Roman Canon provides a superb commentary to provide priest and people alike with a deeper devotional understanding of the Mass. The very considerable learning, both historical and theological, which stands behind his writing is never obtrusive, but always serves the main purpose of the book which is devotional. Every paragraph of the Canon is given, both in Latin and in English translation. The prayers which compose the Canon of the Mass in the Extraordinary Rite are exactly those, without any alteration, which St Augustine said the first time he celebrated Mass in Canterbury when he came to England in the year 597. I commend this book to all who wish to discover afresh the riches of the Church's Liturgy and thus to renew her life. ] Alan S Hopes Titular Bishop of Chester le Street Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster Hugh Ross Williamson (1901-1978) wrote nineteen plays and more than fifty books, entertaining and informing a wide public from 1933 until the time of his

death. Journalist, historian, novelist, theologian and playwright, he had been an Anglican clergyman from 1940 - 1956 before converting to Catholicism. One of the first to explore the thesis that Shakespeare was a Catholic, much of his work was concerned with the rehabilitation of Catholicism in our understanding of England's history - a process that continues to this day. His popular introduction to St Bernadette and the Apparitions of Our Lady at Lourdes, The Challenge of Bernadette, is also published by Gracewing. Allow Fr. Peter John Cameron, O.P., editor of Magnificat, to lead you on a rewarding journey of prayer and intercession in rhythm with the Church year. Bring your fears, your passions, your worries and your thanksgiving to God with a wide variety of novenas including those in honor of: Mary the Mother of God The Presentation of the Lord Good Friday The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Week of Christian Unity The Chair of Saint Peter Chrism Mass World Day of Prayer for Vocations Our Lady of Lourdes Pentecost Guardian Angels   Dimensions & Specifications Hardcover 6 3/4 x 4 1/2

Novenas for the Church Year Author Fr. Peter John Cameron, O.P. Details Since the seventh century Catholics the world over have used the novena as a means of deepening their spiritual life, expressing devotion to a saint, or as an avenue for petitioning the Lord for a particular grace. The novena (from the Latin novem, "nine," and noveni, "nine at a time") is a period of public or private prayer lasting nine days, symbolizing the time between Christ's Ascension and Pentecost, during which Mary and the Apostles awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit. Novenas for the Church Year is a collection of nearly 60 original novenas that you can use to feed your soul as you commemorate an astounding variety of holy souls and holy days.

Thirteen years before the bloody 1994 genocide that swept across Rwanda and left more than a million people dead, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ appeared to eight young people in the remote village of Kibeho. Through these visionaries, Mary and Jesus warned of the looming holocaust, which they assured could be averted if Rwandans opened their hearts to God and embraced His love. Much like what happened at similar sites such as Fatima and Lourdes, the messengers of Kibeho were at first mocked and disbelieved. But as miracle after miracle occurred in the tiny village, tens of thousands of Rwandans journeyed to Kibeho to behold the apparitions. For years, countless onlookers watched as the Mother and Son of God spoke through the eight seers about God's love, sending messages that they insisted were meant not only for Rwandans, but for the entire world, to hear. Mary also sent messages to government and church leaders to instruct them how to end the ethnic hatred simmering in their country. She warned them that Rwanda would become "a river of blood"--a land of unspeakable carnage--if the hatred of the people was not quickly quelled by love. Some leaders listened, but

very few believed: the prophetic and apocalyptic warnings tragically came true during 100 horrifying days of savage bloodletting and mass murder. After the genocide, and two decades of rigorous investigation, Our Lady of Kibeho became the first and only Vatican-approved Marian (that is, related to the Virgin Mary) site in all of Africa. But the story still remains largely unknown. Now, Immaculee Ilibagiza plans to change all that. She made many pilgrimages to Kibeho both before and after the holocaust, personally witnessed true miracles, and spoke with a number of the visionaries themselves. What she's discovered will deeply touch your heart.

DVD'S / FILMS =============

Following up the acclaimed best-selling movie, Bernadette , the story of the apparitions of Our Lady in Lourdes to Bernadette Soubirous, this beautiful Jean Delannoy film tells the rest of the story of her life after the Marian visions- the life that made Bernadette a saint. The grotto at Lourdes is flourishing with many pilgrims, and Bernadette leaves to enter the convent of the sisters of Nevers to dedicate her life to God. Under the harsh rule of the Novice Mistress who "doesn't believe in apparitions", Bernadette, now Sister Marie Bernard, begins her life of achieving sanctity through prayer, faith, suffering, and deep charity toward all. With another moving performance by actress Sydney Penny, this film reveals incessant illness and suffering that St. Bernadette patiently, even cheerfully endured throughout her life in the convent, often repeating her prayer to "suffer and offer it to God." She went to her eternal reward in 1879, at the age of 35. When her body was exhumed many years later, it was found to be incorrupt. Today she lays in rest in a glass case in the chapel of the Sisters of Nevers, where millions have come to see "the little saint of Lourdes." This DVD includes the following language options English or French with optional English or Spanish subtitles. This is a Region 1 DVD - playable ONLY in Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, United States and U.S. territories.

Saints Popes Holy places Three seperate films in one DVD Details This new documentary film series presents investigations into intriguing mysteries connected with the stories and history of famous Catholic saints, apparitions, Popes, and holy places, and some amazing findings from these studies. This DVD includes three separate films. The Secret of Bernadette An exploration into the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, as well as into the character and holiness of St. Bernadette, the secret of what made her such a great saint, and the incredible reality of her beautiful, incorrupt body 130 years after her death. Includes glorious footage and photography of Lourdes, and Nevers where Bernadette lived as a nun in the order of the Sisters of Charity. This film also reveals the little-known and amazing link between the visions of Lourdes and of St. Catherine Laboure, and the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Paris where St. Catherine had her apparitions. The Pope of Mercy Tells the story of the deep relationship between Pope John Paul II and St. Faustina Kowalska, the Polish nun whose visions in the early 20th century were the origin of the incredible worldwide diffusion of the Divine Mercy devotion. The Pope and the nun never met in person, and yet their stories are so profoundly intertwined that they significantly marked the entire pontificate of Karol Wojtyla, who established the feast of Divine Mercy and died on the eve of that feast in 2005. The Lost Ark Journey to Ethiopia in search of the Ark of the Covenant carried, according to legend, from Jerusalem to Axum by Menelik, son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. For many centuries the Ethiopians have claimed to have this most sought-after relic in history, housed in the Church of Our Lady of Zion in Axum, and how they carefully guard it from the world because it is such a sacred and mysterious object. Hear the testimony of an Italian architect who, on entering the sacred building to inspect a damaged section, claims to have seen and photographed the Ark.   Specifications 150 Minutes This film is Not Rated This DVD contains the following language options: English This is a Region 1 DVD (playable ONLY in Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, United States and U.S. territories).

MUSIC =============

Chants From The Holy Land - Cd:29 - Apparition Of Our Lady Of Lourdes

New Widescreen Edition with many new Special Features! From Jean Delannoy, one of France's foremost filmmakers, comes this top quality feature film production of the story of St. Bernadette and the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes. Actress Sydney Penny gives a beautiful performance as Bernadette, and the rest of the cast is equally superb. Also stars Roland Lesaffre and Michele Simonnet. It is highly recommended by the Vatican as a "sensitive portrayal of a very moving story that deserves a wide audience. "Shot on location in France with outstanding cinematography and a beautiful music score, this is the film that was chosen to be shown daily at the shrine in Lourdes. Special Features: Re-mastered new Widescreen edition; Includes French language film version (first time available) and English language version; English and Spanish subtitles; Film interview with actress Sydney Penny on playing Bernadette; Audio interviews with Sydney Penny; Collector's Booklet. This movie is Not Rated Includes a music CD with acclaimed "Song of Bernadette" by Oscar and Grammy-winning singer Jennifer Warnes. This is a Region 1 DVD (playable ONLY in Bermuda, Canada, the Cayman Islands, United States and U.S. territories) See also: The sequel: Passion of Bernadette (DVD)

The Virgin Mary inspires intense religious devotion throughout the Catholic world. In her 350 official incarnations?among them Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Lourdes, and The Mother of Sorrows?Mary brings a feminine face to worship, and serves as a conduit for the redemption of humanity. This beautiful and timeless book by the authors of the Abrams title Holy Cards explores Mary''s many visionary appearances throughout history and their significance, and examines the iconography surrounding the most famous of these visions. Catholics honor the woman they venerate as the Mother of God through special novena prayers. The Marian prayer cards displayed here, along with other examples of vernacular art illustrating Mary''s various appearances, form an exquisite but accessible treasury of the many facets of the Holy Mother. With its radiantly illustrated iconography; its eternal theme; and its rare collection of holy cards, Visions of Mary should inspire believers and all those interested in art and religious iconography.

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