May, the traditional month of Mary, puts us in mind of her special prayer, the Rosary. St. Anthony Messenger Press offers several titles to help you in pursuing this devotion:

In Praying the Rosary: New Reflections on the Mysteries, author Gloria Hutchinson begins each mystery with a personal reflection linked in some way with the Mary-Jesus event, a meditation based on Scripture, tradition or the author’s interpretation of the event, and a brief “Response” that challenges readers to make the Rosary their own. The author comments, “Only by praying the rosary contemplatively will we recognize it as a ‘sweet chain’ linking us to God and to each other....May we never take up our beads, crafted in wood, glass, stone or clay, without remembering how securely we are embraced in the circle of Christ’s love, Mary’s intercession, others’ care.”

Patricia M. Robertson, in The Rosary: Worry Beads for Anxious Parents , offers heartfelt reflections on the mysteries of the Rosary which will enrich and deepen your own rosary meditations. She writes, “Good mysteries are wonderful. They keep our attention, keep us wondering, keep us coming back for more until the denouement when all is explained, everything comes together and makes sense.”

If praying the rosary is not a regular practice of yours, 101 Inspirational Stories of the Rosary (I84470), by Sister Patricia Proctor, OSC, will inspire you to begin. These stories, from ordinary people, tell of the rosary’s power to heal, convert, protect and aid. One reader commented, “The wonderful stories in this book show that miracles can happen everyday to anyone through the power of the Rosary. I think I’d better dust off my rosary!”

One of the best things about being editorial director of books is becoming friends with wonderful authors.

One blessed friendship is with Monsignor William H. Shannon (Here on the Way to There: A Catholic Perspective on Death and What Follows and Thomas Merton: An Introduction), professor emeritus of religious studies at Nazareth College, founding president of the International Thomas Merton Society and a prolific writer of books and articles.

I stood in for Bill at commencement exercises at my alma mater, St. Bonaventure University in Allegany, New York, when he was awarded a Doctor of Letters honora causa. Afterward I visited Bill in Rochester, New York, where he resides with the Sisters of St. Joseph at Nazareth College and serves as their chaplain. Fellow authors in Rochester, Peggy Rosenthal (Praying the Gospels Through Poetry: Lent to Easter) and George Dardess (Do We Worship the Same God? Comparing the Bible and the Qur’an), joined us for a celebratory lunch.

At 90, an age when some people let life just happen to them, Bill continues to make things happen. He’s editing a book and seeking other writing projects as well as performing priestly duties.

Bill became interested in Thomas Merton when two of his college students pestered him to teach a Merton course. Later Bill and a small group of other Merton followers met in 1978 and 1987 to establish a society to recognize Merton and promote his writings. Thus the International Thomas Merton Society was created, and Bill was elected its first president. Bill said Merton always had international appeal that was transcultural, unlike that of most other spiritual writers. Since retiring from teaching, Bill has devoted the bulk of his time to writing on Catholic topics and to Merton research, spending considerable time at the Merton Center in Louisville and at Gethsemani in Bardstown, Kentucky.

Bill Shannon is a gift to the church and to St. Anthony Messenger Press. We are proud of him and pleased to call him friend.

*****

With sadness, we learned May 9 of the death of friend-author Theresa Cotter, whose work graced the pages of St. Anthony Messenger magazine and the pages of numerous SAMP books, including Handing on the Faith: When Your Adult Child Chooses a Different Path. Her contributions to our publishing efforts were wonderful works that spoke much of Theresa’s love of our Catholic faith and her deep desire to help others fathom the mystery of God’s love and presence in our lives. She had such a knack for writing pastorally without talking down to people, always respecting readers where they were in their own faith journey while sharing her own bumps and adventures. We will miss our friend much.

Marriage: It’s a God Thing, by William P. Roberts
“…a wonderful little book considering the spirituality of Christian marriage.”—Catholic Library World

Jesus in the House: Gospel Reflections on Christ’s Presence in the Home, by Allan F. Wright
“By exploring the events recorded in the Bible when Jesus spent time in the homes and houses of the people, Wright presents the importance of bringing Him into our homes….”—Catholic Library World

Make Room for God: Clearing Out the Clutter, by Susan K. Rowland
“More than just another self-help book, Rowland offers principles that work…. For those who wish to make changes in their lives but don’t know how or where to begin….”—Prairie Messenger

Do We Worship the Same God? Comparing the Bible and the Qur’an, by George Dardess
“With this book as a tool, engaging folks in discussion may not be as difficult as imagined.”—Prairie Messenger

A Short History of the Mass, by Alfred McBride, O. Praem.
“If you have ever wanted to know more about how the Mass evolved over time from Jesus’ day, this book is for you…. Copious illustrations enrich the text, and discussion questions at the end of each chapter provoke further thought.”—Share

Healing Troubled Hearts: Daily Spiritual Exercises, by Lyn Holley Doucet
“Doucet relates the gospel concretely to life in today’s world, giving readers the spiritual foundation for true healing. This is the book to help us stop running from ourselves and into the healing love of God.”—Prairie Messenger

What Mother Teresa Taught Me, by Maryanne Raphael
“…This book is an easy to read primer on the life, work and message of the saint of Calcutta aimed at a young adult audience. Raphael does a good job of narrating Mother Teresa’s story and encouraging young people to follow her message of love and service.”—The Catholic Register

“…a highly readable story based on memories and anecdotes from those who knew Mother Teresa throughout her life.”—WritingWorks

Bridges of Faith: Building a Relationship With a Sister Parish, by Dennis P. O’Connor
“…This is a truly valuable book for anyone involved in or considering a twinning relationship.”—WritingWorks

Joan of Arc: God’s Warrior—A Seven-Day Retreat, by Barbara Beckwith
“Double-dog dare you to read the long first paragraph of Barbara Beckwith’s Joan of Arc: God’s Warrior—A Seven-Day Retreat...and be able to put it down. Anyone willing to set aside 30 minutes for seven days will find that this book will give his or her faith and spirituality an invigorating shot in the arm.”—Catholic Herald, Diocese of Madison

Saint Paul: Called to Conversion—A Seven-Day Retreat, by Ronald D. Witherup
“…It presents its material in ways that bring together the insights of Scripture studies and uses them to nourish in the reader a spirit of prayerfulness.”—Catholic Herald, Diocese of Madison

John the Baptist: Prophet and Disciple, by Alexander J. Burke, Jr.
“…a well-organized book that outlines the prophet’s life story, his relationship with Jesus, and the challenge of his uncompromising message to modern Christians.”—U.S. News and World Report

“…Burke is not afraid to approach his subject from all angles. The portrait that emerges is both interesting and inspiring….”—The Catholic Sun

“A mom cannot spend every hour of every day—24/7—filling other people’s needs without running dry, unless she takes some time along the busy road to fill up for herself.” – Tammy Bundy, Catholic Mom 24/7

This year, why not give all the mothers in your life something that lasts longer than flowers, candy or perfume—how about a gift of nourishment for her soul? Here are some book suggestions that celebrate and inspire Mom:

Moms will recognize and relate to the situations described in Catholic Mom 24/7: Daily Meditations for Busy Mothers by Tammy Bundy. A mother of four herself, Tammy relates to the daily stress and massive to-do lists of today’s mom. You’ll find humor, understanding and the peace of daily reflection and prayer in this small, purse-friendly book. 

It’s a story that is every parent’s worst nightmare, but as told in My Joy, My Sorrow: Karen Ann’s Mother Remembers, by Julia Duane Quinlan, it’s also a story of hope, love and redemption. The headline-making ordeal of Karen Ann Quinlan captured the country’s attention like nothing else in the 70s, and no one can tell the inside story better than Karen Ann’s mother.

And what a dramatic story it is, told in Julia’s quiet voice. When it was all over, the case of Karen Ann Quinlan resulted in significant changes in medical protocols, the rights of patients, the growth of hospices and living wills, and how we all look at death and dying today. But it’s also a story of mother’s love, a love that never gives up and never fails.

Mothers will appreciate the practical and spiritual advice in Make Room for God: Clearing Out the Clutter, by Susan Rowland. What mother can’t relate to this statement from the beginning of the book: “Not long ago, I was wandering around in my own little world, stressed out by all the things I believed I had to do, frustrated by the clutter that was filling my closets and my mind, and all the while longing for something better. I worked too much, prayed too little and added to my load with long lists that never got done.”

In this heartfelt book, Susan provides not only the practical steps of how to clear clutter, but also the spiritual reasons of why. Moms will find inspiration in learning how another mother decluttered her space, and in doing so, also decluttered her mind and heart and life.   

Every year, May offers Catholics a whole month to reflect on the Mother of God, to honor her with May crownings, to celebrate all mothers with Mother’s Day. This May, expand your reflection on and appreciation of Mary with books from St. Anthony Messenger Press.

Mary and Me: Catholic Women Reflect on the Mother of God, by Ginny Kubitz Moyer, offers stories of Mary from women from all walks of life – from lay to religious, cradle Catholics to converts, young to mature. You’ll likely find a story that resonates with your own personal experience of Mary today. 

In The Miracle of Lourdes: A Message of Healing and Hope, Father John Lochran retells the familiar story with deep insight and new appreciation, providing an armchair pilgrimage for those who haven’t been to Lourdes and a memoir for those who have.

Images of Mary, by Alfred McBride, O. Praem., explores ten images of Mary and explains their evolution and influence, tracing her appeal through different eras and cultures.

Vincenzina Krymow's Mary’s Flowers: Gardens, Legends and Meditations, a beautiful book celebrating both Mary and May flowers, would make a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day. Learn the legends behind flowers named for Mary and their biblical origins. Thirty illustrations by A. Joseph Barrish, S.M., based on medieval woodcuts, bring each bloom to colorful life.