LIMITED TIME: Both books for $25.95, a $6.00 savings! (button below)
For Advent and Christmas!
Book description: Take an Advent journey with Joseph, Anne-Marie, and Grandmother! Together, you’ll discover the story of Christmas and get ready to welcome Jesus into your own heart and home. Beautifully illustrated, this gentle, loving introduction to the true meaning of Christmas by celebrated author Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle will become a beloved book for every family and revisited each holiday season.Advent Spiritual Journey!
Book description: In these spiritually-rich pages, award-winning Catholic author Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle brings you powerful prayers and readings guaranteed to shield you from the annual holiday sales frenzy that, during the holy season of Advent, distracts even sincere believers from preparation for the coming of the Christ Child.
These wise pages are sure to draw you closer to Our Lady of Fatima and her gracious messages of peace and hope. For these Advent prayers and readings are all rooted in Mary’s 1917 messages to Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia (the three young Fatima visionaries); and in the personal Fatima devotions of three of our holy contemporaries, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. John Paul II, and the late Fr. Andrew Apostoli.
From Donna-Marie’s Introduction:Advent with Our Lady of Fatima will help you to stay the course and not get caught up with the holiday advertising frenzy which distracts from the attention due to Christ during this holy season. Instead, embrace the two-fold meaning of Advent in the coming of Jesus—the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus, as well as the ardent desire for the Second Coming of Christ. Through Church teachings and compelling stories of saintly friends, page-by-page; you will learn and refresh your Faith and reflect and meditate upon the remembrance and reality of Christ at the center of your life.
I was asked by my publisher Marian Press (based in Stockbridge, Mass) to write a book for the Great Jubilee Year of Hope in our Church which occurs in 2025. My newest book is titled: “Our Life, Our Sweetness, and Our Hope: Jubilee Pilgrims of Hope with Mary” and is due to be released very soon!
It is a true labor of love! Thanks to my very kind publisher, working hard and putting my book on a very fast track, it will be released in time for the Great Jubilee of Hope, but also in time for your Christmas gift-giving!
I’ll share a few secrets below. . . .
A few secrets!
Just very quickly for now, I’ll let you in on a few secrets:
I have used a word in this book that I have never ever used before in any of my previously published books! And I have over 35 books out thus far! To be honest, I was a bit surprised that it wasn’t edited out! 🙂
In my new book, I have revealed many very personal stories (some I didn’t plan to share)
I have also shared many compelling true stories, which might keep you on the edge of your seat.
But, very simply put, my new book is ALL about HOPE and how Mama Mary helps us!
Cardinal Dolan of New York has said about this book:
One of the devil’s most cunning tricks is trying to lead us to
despair, to believing that we are beyond God’s redemptive grace.
Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s fine book, Our Life, Our Sweetness,
and Our Hope! is a welcome reminder that our Blessed Mother
is always there for us, and a constant source of hope, encourage-
ment, and companionship towards a closer relationship with her
Son, Jesus.
— His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan,
Archbishop of New York
You’ll see a description below this image of the full book cover . . .
Here is a bit of a description taken from my Preface:
Hope is truly a lifesaver! Whether we have struggled through a world-wide pandemic, are dealing with seemingly hopeless diagnoses, losses, family troubles, or whatever else that might have caused us to become tempted to give up on hope, we should realize that God is certainly the foundation of our every hope. He will forever be. We need to continue to hope in His loving promises. He will never leave us! And He gifted us with the most eminent gift ever — His own Mother!
This book presents many reasons for hope in our world today through the lens of Our Mother Mary and some of her apparitions around the world. Join Our Blessed Mother, “Our Life, Our Sweetness, and Our Hope” on an inspiring journey to coincide with the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.
Let’s learn from and become inspired by the great pilgrims of hope who have gone before us (and those still with us): Jesus, Mary, St. Joseph, and the saints! Let us pray to encounter our Lord Jesus Christ in a more profound way, becoming pilgrims of hope in our weary world!
Pope Francis encourages us in this time of jubilee: “Let us lift up our hearts to Christ, and become singers of hope in a world marked by too much despair. By our actions, our words, the decisions we make each day, our patient efforts to sow seeds of beauty and kindness wherever we find ourselves, we want to sing of hope, so that its melody can touch the heartstrings of humanity and reawaken in every heart the joy and the courage to embrace life to the full.”
Yes, we can do this — during the Jubilee Year and beyond! Mother Mary will help us! Our world thirsts for hope. Let us carry the torch!
Ways to pre-order
My new book is scheduled to be ready in early December!
1. Please feel free to visit and support “Shop Mercy” website to see more about my book and other books. Marian Press is taking pre-orders. Click here to see more. See here for more of my books there on Shop Mercy. While you are at Shop Mercy you might see other items you’d like to purchase for Christmas gifts. 🙂
2. To purchase your autographed copy from my website, please use the payment button below to see more and to order. Or, you may visit the “Book” page here and find the book at the top of the page.
Payment button for 1 autographed copy at $16.95 (plus shipping)
Get 1 for you and 1 for a loved one at only $29.95 (for both books)!
Special introductory price for 2 autographed copies is only: $29.95 plus shipping (instead of $33.90)! Use the button below.
I recently had occasion to take a look at the shows I did with Ralph Martin on “The Choices We Face” on EWTN television a few years back. I decided to post the shows here in this blog post. I hope you get a chance to watch them. I know full well that time is precious and it’s difficult to make the time to sit down and watch something. However, if I may say so myself, I heartily recommend that you watch them. Ralph and I spoke about Saint Faustina and the message of Divine Mercy and how important it is in our day and time. We spoke a bit about my crazy path in life. We talked about Our Lady of Fatima’s important message to us.
I think these are shows that will help those who may be struggling in some way and for those who desire ways to help others to get to Heaven. Feel free to share this blog post with your loved ones.
Ralph is an amazing Host and had so much to say. Absolutely inspiring! Let me know your thoughts in the comments and if I can pray for you. God bless you!
Donna-Marie in Part One: “A Hard Life Redeemed.”
Donna-Marie with Ralph Martin in “Two Sides of Mercy.”
I recently had the pleasure of chatting with the Catholic Faith Network about my new children’s book: “I Can Pray Anywhere.” You can see our short interview by clicking here. Enjoy the show!
You can order your autographed copy of my book by clicking the book cover image below.
Someone posted a review on Amazon about my book 52 Weeks with Saint Faustina, stating:
“The author is so insightful, need I say in this instance, so inspired, I never miss a week.
Books on St Faustina have become a cottage industry. I’d say they primarily fall into two categories, Prayers and Devotion with St. Faustina and the Divine Mercy and secondly, those books that are of a historic nature, the biography of St. Faustina or the history of the devotion.
This falls into the first category and hands down, one of the best. I read another book by the author, it was okay but this one almost seems dictated by our beloved Saint Faustina. If St. Faustina was the secretary of Divine Mercy, it’s almost like Cooper Boyle is the secretary of Saint Faustina.”
Thank you very much dear Reviewer, whoever you are! I’m glad you’re enjoying my book and are inspired each week of the journey through the book. God bless you and may St. Faustina guide and teach you!
Ralph Martin said:
“I’m not usually keen about reading one of the 30 days or 52 weeks kind of books as I don’t usually find them going into depth enough to decently treat the saint they are focusing on. But it was different with Donna-Marie’s book. As I began to skim through it in preparation for doing a Television interview with her I realized that this book was different and I wanted to read it from cover to cover. This is the best integration of the main events of St. Faustina’s life and the best presentation in a clear, orderly way, of her spiritual teaching that I know of. I am very grateful for this book and highly recommend it.“
—Ralph Martin, S.T.D., Director of Graduate Theology Programs in the New Evangelization, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Archdiocese of Detroit
By the way, you can see more about my interviews on Ralph Martin’s shows. They were blessed times. Indeed! Just click here to see a blog post about them and click the book image below to learn more about the book or about ordering.
On today’s Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, I am so excited to announce for the first time my upcoming children’s book: “I Can Pray Anywhere”.
I love children and always want them to know the truth.
I wrote a book for little tots to teach them that they can pray anywhere they’d like. It’s no secret that rules exist at certain places, such as schools which attempt to forbid someone from praying. I’d like little ones (of all ages!) to know that no one can stop or prevent their prayers.
Their precious prayers are their intimate and private conversations with our Lord. No one can take them away from them. When children lift their hearts (even in silent prayer) to God, He hears their prayers!
I wrote this book to be a delightful read to the children and adult alike. It is very lighthearted and whimsical, all the while getting across the important teaching.
Here is a brief description of the book:
“With wonderful illustrations and a memorable rhyme, I Can Pray Anywhere teaches children that any moment is a good moment to pray! Prayer is not just for specific times and places, but for any and all times throughout the day. God is always listening and delights in hearing from us.”
You can order your book ($17.95 plus shipping) and be one of the first to enjoy this book. My book is due out in mid-August, but I will have early copies in early July!
Updated to say that the book has now officially released!
Order your autographed copy:
$17.95 plus shipping for inside the United States:
You can also see my book for sale here at Amazon and here at the OSV Bookstore. I also saw it available at Target and Walmart, as well as other places. Feel free to order from this page, or from my publisher (OSV KIDS), from Amazon, Target, Walmart, or your local heroic Catholic bookstore!
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ron Finn and Shayne Stanfield on Annunciation Radio. We shared a very meaningful conversation. Take a listen by clicking the image below.
Get your autographed copy of “30 Marian Eucharistic Visits” here
Have you seen my Family Consecration book? I’ll post a few of the Amazon comments below from families who are using my book.
I gave a bit of background:
First, here’s a description:
“Saint Faustina warned parents that praying for their children is not enough. That’s why so many conscientious parents take the further step of consecrating their children to Jesus through Mary, thereby defending them from evil and paving their way to Heaven.
This book walks you through the simple process of doing just that. Its informed pages give you detailed instructions to help you lead your family (ages seven and up) through each of the 33 mini-retreat days recommended by Saint Louis de Montfort, the beloved eighteenth-century priest and confessor who tirelessly preached that Jesus is not known well enough because Mary is not known well enough.
Adapted for the often less-than-ideal prayer circumstances of families — particularly those with young children — these 33 brief, stress-free daily spiritual exercises and family activities bring adults and children greater knowledge of Jesus through Mary, and a more fervent love of both.
Don’t delay. There’s no book more immediately beneficial than this and no time better than now to seize the day and help all the members of your family — young and old — to consecrate their lives to Jesus through Mary.”
And a note from yours truly:
“Now, more than ever it is important to Consecrate our lives to Jesus through Mary and to help our children and grandchildren to Consecrate their lives too. That’s precisely why I wrote this book! I kept it totally true to Saint Louis de Montfort’s teachings. I’d also like to share that I am deeply touched by Saint Faustina’s words in her Diary (765) when she explained one of her visions in which she encountered a crowd of children about five to eleven years of age. They cried out to her, “Defend us from evil.” Saint Faustina then saw the Lord Jesus Who was distressed and told her, “You are to defend them from evil.” Saint Faustina said that from that moment she prayed for the children. She added, “But I feel that prayer alone is not enough.” Helping children to be Consecrated to Jesus through Mary will surely help to “defend them from evil” by greatly aiding their souls. It will be more than simply praying for them. Remember, St. Faustina expressed that she believed that, “Prayer alone is not enough.” I believe that the children’s Consecrations will surely please Jesus and Mary too. Their Consecrations will certainly help to pave the way to Heaven. May God bless you and your family, now and forever!”
A few Amazon reviews:
“I had previously completed the Morning Glory Consecration personal retreat which I loved, but we were looking for a guide with reflections for our family to complete together to prepare for our family Consecration to the heart of Jesus through Mary. The daily readings and prompts were great to lead us deeper in our faith and helped grow our relationship with Mary. The prayers were beautiful–we split half to pray at breakfast and half before bed. For context, we completed this book with our 2 sons ages 12y and 8y. They were so excited for our consecration day and I am grateful for this book to help teach us why mother Mary will help lead us to a faith filled life.”
***
If you are like me, and often feel concerned about whether or not you and your family will receive the grace of final perseverance and be united together with Christ in heaven at the end of your lives, reading this book with your family is like a breath of grace to carry you closer to Christ every day. Christ says in Matthew 11:30 …”my yoke is sweet and my burden light.” (Douay-Rheims Bible) If you are feeling overwhelmed with everyday life and are looking for one of the best, easiest way to increase in holiness, “Family Consecration to Jesus Through Mary” will be such a blessing in your life as it takes just a few minutes each day to prepare for and make your consecration, although there will be deep spiritual work to be done if we are sincere in our consecration. I really enjoyed the user-friendly organization of having the traditional prayers recommended by St Louis de Montfort for each section compiled together in the back of the book along with the short family Scripture readings and prayers included in each chapter. I also love the familiarity of the book as it follows the same template of the classic Marian consecration book “True Devotion to Mary” by St. Louis de Montfort. I can already see my relationship with my child growing as we discuss important spiritual truths together through the child-friendly discussion questions in each chapter and pray together in our quest for holiness. She is visibly calmed in both body and spirit after each chapter and so am I. It has been such a sweet thing to have special time together in our family consecration readings and I am delighted to be able to finally share the experience of consecration to Jesus through Mary with my family as I longed to do during my first Marian consecration. Being a new Catholic, I also love the simple yet detailed explanations of how to physically carry out the act of consecration, family crowning of Mary, and many other Catholic devotional practices that have never done or observed before. Glory be to God for this timely aid in stepping heavenward. JMJ
***
“Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s new book, “Family Consecration to Jesus through Mary” is excellent. She has thought of all the tools that families need in order to prepare for and consecrate their family unit to Mary. The book is well planned out with daily prayers and exercises for family members age 7 and up. Donna-Marie has based the 33 days of preparation on the well-founded spiritual exercises and writings of Saint Louis Marie de Montfort. The “How to Use This Book” section is brief and clear for the step-by-step preparation. The Appendices contain many additional prayers and practices that can be used during the preparation as well as all year long. One question that I thought about was when to start the preparation – how to choose an appropriate date. Donna-Marie suggests choosing a special Marian Feast for the Consecration and she helps by providing a chart of monthly feasts (one or more just about every month) to choose from. Then, she backs up the calendar by 33 days to provide the start date for the family preparation. As an example, the Marian Feast of the Assumption is on August 15th, so Donna-Marie tells us that we should start our preparation with Day 1 on July 13th. That suggested to me a great way to start, by having family members decide together their favorite Marian feast day, then working together to prepare for that family Consecration date by following the daily prayers and exercises together during the 33 days of preparation. I found, above all, that this is not meant to be a one time preparation and consecration. Donna-Marie’s daily preparation and consecration can be used at least annually to strengthen our family in the faith as an entire unit. Donna-Marie definitely put together an excellent, well designed book to easily help us consecrate our family unit to Mary!”
Editorial Reviews:
“Mary loves families.This book is a wonderful way for families to open themselves to Mary s love for them, and her deepest desire that they join her in wholeheartedly surrendering to God and doing what Jesus tells them.” Ralph Martin, S.T.D. Director of Graduate Theology Programs in the New Evangelization, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Archdiocese of Detroit
“Abandoning ourselves to God is the certain way to salvation; St Louis Marie de Montfort teaches us that Mary is the surest, shortest, and most perfect way to approach Jesus and make this act of abandonment. It is a journey we do not take alone, it is one we make in communion with others, most appropriately with members of our family, the domestic church. In this book, Donna-Marie Cooper O Boyle deftly guides families through St Louis Marie s plan of preparing to make the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, providing a catechism of Catholic faith and spirituality while helping parents in their role of forming their children as disciples of Christ. This is a beautiful book which, I hope, will enhance the spiritual lives of many Christian families.” Fr John S. Hogan, OCDS Co-host of EWTN’s Forgotten Heritage, Author of “Thomas Becket: Defender of the Church”
“Jesus says the greatest commandment is to Love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. And the second is to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:28-31). “Family Consecration to Jesus Through Mary” is a beautiful, clear, practical guide to understanding these commandments and most importantly living them out in your daily life.” Patrick Madrid Host of the Patrick Madrid Show on Relevant Radio
“In an era when family prayer consists of praying around the dinner table and before bed, and a time when more catechesis takes place at the parish church than in the home, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s Family Consecration to Jesus Through Mary will introduce families to prayer and assist them in handing on the faith to their children. Families together will consecrate themselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who will surely obtain many graces from her Son, as husbands, wives, and children, live out their Consecration and baptismal promises.” Fr. Edward Looney Author of A Lenten Journey with Mother Mary
According to the experts:
“Don’t delay. There’s no book more immediately beneficial than this and no time better than now to seize the day and help all the members of your family — young and old — to consecrate their lives to Jesus through Mary.”
Order your autographed copy:
$18.95 plus shipping for inside the United States:
For ordering outside of the United States: $18.95 plus shipping
I have created a new Novena Prayer Bracelet design: “Irish Blessings.”
I made this particular style in four ways (white pearl-like beads, crystal beads, as well as crystal with semi-precious gem stones).
Description: “Irish Blessings!”
Currently, there are THREE styles for “Irish Blessings.” One is crafted with pearl-like glass beads, one other is with crystal glass beads. The third, is with the white pearl beads and “Fancy Jasper” semi-precious stones.
All have pretty green decorated beads as well (some are decorated glass, others are “Fancy Jasper” semi-precious stones). The St. Patrick medal has the image of St. Bridget (shown in next photo) on the back! Each bracelet features sterling silver plated and silver-plated components, along with the Saint’s medal and Miraculous Medal, Celtic Cross, and shamrock. There are also small Irish-looking hearts, as well as silver “knot” beads between each bead (hard to see in the pictures).
Each Novena Prayer Bracelet will come to you in a velvet bag, along with a prayer card to St. Patrick and St. Bridget.
“Irish Blessings!” Prayer Novena Bracelet (white pearl) with nine beads for a Novena of prayer
Use the button below to order one bracelet ($42.95, plus Priority shipping in U.S.)
Use the button below to buy two for only $80.00 (plus Priority shipping in the U.S.) for both!
“Irish Blessings!” Prayer Novena Bracelet (crystal) with nine beads for a Novena of prayer
Use the button below to order one bracelet ($42.95 plus Priority shipping in U.S.)
Use the button below to buy two for only $80.00 (plus Priority shipping in the U.S.) for both!
“Irish Blessings!” Prayer Novena Bracelet (white pearl and “Fancy Jasper”) with nine beads for a Novena of prayer
This third style features the “Fancy Jasper” semi-precious stones and touches of tiny green glass beads throughout. Saint Bridget is on the other side of the St. Patrick medal.
Use the button below to order one bracelet ($42.95 plus Priority shipping in U.S.)
Use the button below to buy two for only $80.00 (plus Priority shipping in the U.S.) for both!
“Irish Blessings!” Prayer Novena Bracelet (white pearl and “Fancy Jasper”) with nine beads for a Novena of prayer
This fourth style features the “Fancy Jasper” semi-precious stones and touches of tiny green glass beads throughout. Saint Bridget is on the other side of the St. Patrick medal.
Use the button below to order one bracelet ($42.95 plus Priority shipping in U.S.)
Use the button below to buy two for only $80.00 (plus Priority shipping in the U.S.) for both!
I am happy to debut my inspiration. It is my signature Novena Bracelet design, comprised of the nine beads to represent a Novena of prayer. This lovely “Remembering” Novena Bracelet is created for mothers and grandmothers who have lost a small baby or child, whether through miscarriage, still birth, abortion, or death. Every single life is beautiful and created in the image and likeness of God. Each human life is sacred, unique, and unrepeatable. And, we remember them.
Currently, I have two designs — white pearl beads or crystal beads. I can swap the medals (Guardian Angel or Holy Family) if the purchaser sends and email to me (DMCOBOYLE@aol.com) after placing their order. You may request the other medal to be put on your bracelet instead of the one pictured if you prefer that one on your bracelet. You may also request a different Saint medal, and if I am able, I’ll do it for you.
You can also order a bracelet with more than one silver locket (to represent more than one child). The price goes up slightly for each silver locket. You can place a small photo in the locket, or some other small item, or just leave it as is.
Each bracelet comes to you in a nice gift box along with the prayer card (shown front and back above).
Each bracelet is comprised of the beads, sterling silver plated and silver plated components, a heart clasp, a St. Benedict crucifix, Miraculous Medal, a medal, and silver heart locket. You’ll notice lots of pretty silver hearts throughout. I always recommend that after receiving your bracelet, you get it blessed by your priest or deacon.
To order the white pearl “Remembering” Novena Bracelet for $39.95 plus shipping, click button below.
To order the white pearl “Remembering” Novena Bracelet with two silver heart lockets, ($41.95) order here:
To order the white pearl “Remembering” Novena Bracelet with three silver heart lockets, ($43.95) order here:
To order the white pearl “Remembering” Novena Bracelet with four silver heart lockets for $45.95 plus shipping, order here:
To order the crystal “Remembering” Novena Bracelet for $39.95 plus shipping, click button below.
To order the crystal “Remembering” Novena Bracelet (with two silver heart lockets) for $41.95 plus shipping, click button below.
To order the crystal “Remembering” Novena Bracelet (with three silver heart lockets) for $43.95 plus shipping, click below:
To order the crystal “Remembering” Novena Bracelet (with 4 silver heart lockets) for $45.95 plus shipping, click below:
I feel inspired!
I decided to add a few grains of Blessed Salt inside the lockets as my special gift to you! If for some reason you’d rather not have the Blessed Salt (a powerful and protective sacramental), simply email me and tell me and I won’t include the Blessed Salt in your bracelet.
I don’t always think to put a Christmas card out for our mail carrier. After all, we have several carriers and also substitutes. How would I know to whom it would or should go? How many are needed? How would I address it?
Add to that, I wondered if the card would get lost in the shuffle and dropped into the post office mailbox by mistake. I had placed a bunch of Christmas cards in my mailbox to be mailed one day. On the top of that pile, I had placed the one without the postage stamp.
Well, I have a little story to share with you just a few days before Christmas. I’ll leave the gift wrapping and cleaning on hold for a few minutes so that I can tell you.
Yesterday, a mail truck pulled up in my driveway to deliver a heavy package. It was filled with the extra books I had sent back from Texas. You see, I was recently in San Antonio, Texas to present on Mary and the Eucharist. Any books that are left over from my book signing, I send back home.
The friendly and energetic young man came to my door. I greeted him and asked if there was another box as well. I had shipped two from Texas.
“No, just this one,” he said.
Then he added, “By the way, do you know my godparents, ‘so and so’?”
“Yes! I do? What made you think I’d know them?” I was a bit puzzled because they live about an hour’s distance away.
“Well, they told me that you were going to speak in ‘such and such place’ awhile back and I told them I thought that you were on my mail route!”
“Wow!” I think I said to him after learning this interesting “coincidence.” Suddenly a thought popped into my head. Did he find the card in our mailbox awhile back or someone else? Should I ask him? Maybe not, because he might not have been the one.
Before I could ask though, he said, “Thank you for the Christmas card and note, by the way.”
Ahh! I thought. He was the one that got the card.It didn’t get lost after all.
I had left a Christmas card addressed to “Our Mail Carrier” for whomever was going to find it. I included a monetary tip and a holy card. Even though the Christmas card I wrote out to him wouldn’t be “religious” (so as not to offend anyone), it did mention “Christmas.” And I couldn’t help but include a holy card, hoping it could be inspiring to whomever saw it. You never know … it could be just the message someone needs at this time of year.
Well, it gets even better. And that is why I have to pause from the “million” things I need to do today before Mass tonight so that I can share with you.
As you can see, this is not the one I wrote to him. But just showing you which card it was.
Our mail carrier made mention again about the card. He said he had been away from church for a while now and he knows he needs to get back. He said the holy card touched his heart.
AND, he happened to open my Christmas card in front of his Mother and her eyes caught sight of the holy card. She said, “You see!!!” She had been asking him to get back to church.
As you can imagine, my heart was rejoicing — so very happy that my little gesture of love could touch someone’s heart and that it meant something profound to him. He then told me he’d like to talk with me more.
I ran inside to get my business card to give to him so that he could get in touch. He then reminded me, “Well, I’ll see you again! I still have to deliver that second package!”
I didn’t want to delay him. No doubt, he had a busy day of deliveries ahead of him. We bid good bye and “Merry Christmas!” to one another.
As he headed to his mail truck, I couldn’t help myself. I shouted, “Listen to your Mother!”
He knew what I meant. He chuckled and he said, “Yes, Mothers always know what is best!”
Remember, dear Reader, your little acts of love go a very long way with God’s grace!
My two new books: “30 Marian Eucharistic Visits: Adoring Jesus with His Mother” (EWTN Publishing)
and “Diary of a Future Saint: Faustina’s Incredible Journey” (Marian Press) will air on EWTN television (in one 26-min. episode) on Sunday, Dec. 17th, 10 a.m. ET, with 3 re-airs, and it will be on “On Demand” as soon as the episode finishes the debut on Sunday a.m.
A quote below from my appearance on EWTN’s “Bookmark” show with regard to “30 Marian Eucharistic Visits.”
A brief description from EWTN: “Today’s guest offers inspired suggestions on what to pray about in Adoration, and a down-to-earth portrayal of St. Faustina, to whom Jesus entrusted the message of Divine Mercy.”
Enjoy at your leisure! And if you like it, please give it a “thumbs up” on Youtube!
I recently chatted with the Miracle Hunter. You can listen to our conversation: It is on the EWTN show page (aired 11/11/2023). Just click here and look for that date.
I thought I would tell you the history of my “Signature” nine-bead design for my “Novena Bracelets.”
First of all, it started with a perplexing pregnancy for my daughter. I wrote my book Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine Month Novena for Mothers To Be during my own precarious pregnancy in which I was placed on complete bed rest.
I had a huge hemorrhage in my uterus and a serious heart condition. My doctor didn’t think my baby would make it. I had lost three babies earlier on by miscarriage. It would be a trial of patience and commitment to bed rest.
Though it was a scary and difficult time, I feel God truly blessed me with much inspiration because very soon into my pregnancy, while on bedrest, I became deeply inspired to envision a pregnancy as a beautiful nine month novena of prayer as I awaited the birth of my unborn baby.
I prayed fervently and hoped for the very best. I even got word to my friend Mother Teresa to request her special prayers. She prayed for my baby and me and also sent to me a blessed Miraculous Medal which I wear to this day. She told me to count on our Blessed Mother and pray a simple prayer: “Mary, Mother of Jesus, be Mother to me now.”
As I prayed and waited…I also wanted to share my new inspiration of seeing a pregnancy as a nine-month novena of prayer and I desired to offer a kind of a prayer journal to other expectant mothers. I wanted to help them reflect upon their holy time of waiting, all the while as they prayed and grew in holiness.
So, I put pen to paper (literally, since I did not own a typewriter or computer at the time) and I continued to write down all of the inspiration that was stirring in my heart. These scraps of paper would be stored away in a cardboard box for “later on.”
Later on, in God’s Divine plan, I would put it all together in manuscript form and Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta would end up writing the Foreword to my book. She had also encouraged me to continue to write for mothers and expectant mothers.
Women all around the world are using my book Prayerfully Expecting to create a living novena of prayer throughout their pregnancies.
Here is an article written in 2007 about my book that you might find interesting.
During the season of Advent 2015, I felt very inspired to create Novena bracelets to celebrate the sanctity of human life, as well as to have a tangible means to pray for it.
A few examples below:
The Sanctity of Human Life
These novena prayer bracelets serve many purposes. I have made each bracelet with nine beads to symbolize nine months of pregnancy. The number nine is very significant in praying a novena of prayer. As well, there are nine choirs of Angels. With regard to the sanctity of human life, the bracelet will be a visual reminder to pray a novena for your own pregnancy, for your daughter, granddaughter, godchild, daughter-in-law, or niece’s pregnancy, to pray to conceive a child, to pray to adopt a child, to pray for your own children and grandchildren, and to pray for every pregnancy to result in a live birth and for the end to abortion.
I pray as I create each novena bracelet. Each bracelet is crafted with an attached crucifix, a Miraculous Medal, and most of them will also contain a pregnancy saint’s medal. It will be shipped to you in an attractive box with prayer cards inside. I encourage you to get your bracelet blessed so that it may serve as a blessed sacramental.
You will see some of the first “Prayerfully Expecting” Novena bracelets at my bracelet shop. I have added more over the years. More photos of the Novena bracelets will be regularly added to my “Prayerfully Expecting” shop as I create them. I will also be adding a variety of saint medals to the bracelets.
Other Kinds of Novena Bracelets
After awhile, I began designing and creating an assortment of Novena Prayer Bracelets, always with my signature “nine-bead” design to represent a Novena of Prayer, and not ten beads as are in a chaplet or decade. Each bracelet comes with a prayer card to use while praying a Novena of Prayer.
I also have designed some ten-bead Prayer Bracelets when it was most appropriate to use ten beads for the particular devotion. That said, I also have a seven-bead design which is for the “Seven Sorrows of Mary” devotion. You can see these designs at my Bracelet Shop. I started another website for my bracelets and creations but I need t have some time to finish it! 🙂
I recently chatted on the airwaves with Jon Leonetti on “The Catholic Morning Show” about my new book “30 Marian Eucharistic Visits: Adoring Jesus with His Mother.”
