Denver Catholic

19 DENVER CATHOLIC | JULY 8-21, 2017 Summer books for Catholic Bookstore Month S ummer o¬ ers us leisure — time for family, travels, and reading. July also provides an opportu- nity to highlight the importance of Catholic bookstores, with the third annual Catholic bookstore month. The Arch- diocese of Denver has a number of Catho- lic stores, located within parishes and operating inde- pendently. Take advantage of summer to fi nd some extra reading time, checking out a nearby Catholi c book- store and reading some great Catholic books. We have a wealth of enriching books from a variety of genres made accessible to us through the work of Catholic publishers and bookstores. Here are a few ideas. THE POWER OF SILENCE (IGNATIUS, 2017) GOD OR NOTHING (IGNATIUS, 2015) ROBERT CARDINAL SARAH Cardinal Sarah has risen to prom- inence as a spiritual guide recently with these two monumental, inter- view books. God or Nothing details his life, beginning in a remote village of Guinea, Africa, coming to the faith through the Holy Ghost Fathers, and entrance into the seminary at age 12. He became an archbishop at the astounding age of 34, su¬ er- ing persecution under his nation's dictatorship, and was then called to Rome, where he has served in various capacities. Both books con- tain a powerful spiritual message: The renewal of the Church and the world will come through prayer. For a more detailed review of The Power of Silence and its timely message in our noisy, technologically dominated culture, see "The Way God Speaks" in the last issue of the Denver Catholic. FATIMA FOR TODAY (IGNATIUS PRESS, 2011) FATHER ANDREW APOSTOLI, C.F.R. With the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima, this book provides a helpful overview of Fatima's message, events, visionar- ies and continuing importance. Father Apostoli describes how we can par- ticipate in the mission of Fatima by praying the rosary for peace, offer- ing acts of sacrifice and penance for conversion, and honoring Our Lady 's Immaculate Heart on the first Saturday of the month. October 13 marks the centenary of the mira- cle of the sun and on this day Arch- bishop Aquila will consecrate the Archdiocese to Our Lady of Fatima. Reading Father Apostoli's book will help us prepare for this important event. A JOURNEY OF THE MIND: COLLECTED POEMS 1945-2016 (WISEBLOOD BOOKS, 2016) HELEN PINKERTON Unfortunately, poetry has lost its pride of place in West- ern culture. Pinker- ton's poems show us why we should begin reading poetry again with their simple ele- gance, beauty and pro- found spiritual vision. Here is one of her poems: DEATH COMES FOR THE ARCHBISHOP (VINTAGE CLASSICS) WILLA CATHER This wonderful novel set in Sante Fe in the mid 1800s, fea- tures prominently the Archdiocese's fi rst bishop. Though Bishop Machebeuf appears with the fi c- tional name Father Vaillant, Cather stated that much of the novel is historically accurate and came from William Joseph Howlett's biography of Machebeuf and excerpts of the letters contained within it. The novel describes the meeting of many cul- tures in Santa Fe — Native, Spanish, American, and French — and the dedication of Father Vaillant and his bishop-friend Latour (Archbishop Lamy in real life). The book inspired me to explore the amazing Catholic sites of New Mexico. UNION WITH GOD: LETTERS OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTION (ZACCHEUS PRESS, 2006) BLESSED COLUMBA MARMION Marmion spiritually infl uenced St. John Paul II, as well as other popes, and this book in partic- ular was mentioned by Mother Teresa as one of her favorites. Blessed Marmion was a diocesan priest from Dublin who discerned a vocation to the Benedictine Abbey of Maredsous in Belgium, eventually becoming abbot there. He led spiritual confer- ences throughout Europe and gave regular spiritual direction to priests, religious and laity. Union with God gives us excerpts of letters to those he directed, providing a deep spiritual vision grounded in simple directives for daily life. Through these letters we fi nd an application of Marmion's central doctrine that our holiness consists in sharing, through sanctify- ing grace, Christ's own relationship of sonship to the Father. SAINT JOHN PAUL THE GREAT: HIS FIVE LOVES (TOTUS TUUS, 2014) JASON EVERT After George Weigel's monumental biography of Pope John Paul II, Witness to Hope (1999), we might wonder if we need another biography. Weigel himself praised Evert's book as "an insightful, popular introduction," which not only provides a succinct and accurate glimpse of John Paul's life, but details his fi ve loves: Young people, human love, the Blessed Sacrament, the Virgin Mary, and the Cross. It's an important introduction to the great Pope for those too young to remember him, but also provides a great portrait and testimony to his greatness even for those already enriched by his life and witness. John Paul continues to provide an essential model of holiness and evangelization for the Church today. THE GLORY OF THE CRUSADES (CATHOLIC ANSWERS, 2014) STEVE WEIDENKOPF As Catholics we don't hear much about the "glory" of the crusades, but fi nd ourselves on the defensive as they are listed as an example of Catholic oppression. Weidenkopf, author of Ascension's Church history resource Epic, shows how the common view of the crusades is mis- taken. They were not acts of violent bigotry, but important defensive exercises and even expressions of devotion to Our Lord, by honoring the places he made sacred. The Cru- sades responded to the pleas of Chris- tians in the Middle East for support and were undertaken as penitential pilgrimages to work toward salva- tion. Drawing upon recent historical scholarship, Weidenkopf dispels mis- understanding and false accusations, while providing a compelling portrait of the real story. Guest Column Jared Staudt is the catechetical formation specialist for the O¹ ce of Evangelization and Family Life Ministries. JARED STAUDT, PHD VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE In touching gently like a golden fi nger, The sunlight, falling as a steady shimmer Through curling fruit leaves, fi lls the mind with hunger For meaning in the time and light of summer. Dispersed by myriad surfaces in falling, Drawn into green and into air dissolving, Light seems uncaught by sudden sight or feeling. Remembered, it gives rise to one's believing Its truth resides in constant speed descending. The momentary beauty is attendant. A fl icker of the animate responding Shifts in the mind with time and fades, inconstant.

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