NEW wrap style NOVENA bracelets by Donna-Marie

October 5, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I have created a new wrap style bracelet which you can see below. The difference between the WRAP style and the classic clasp bracelets are the way in which the bracelet fits around the wrist. There is less worry about a proper fit with the wrap style.

Here are a couple of new military styles in the NEW WRAP bracelet, as well as two classic (non-military style) “Prayerfully Expecting & Hoping” novena bracelets shown first with turquoise hearts and accenting beads in the NEW WRAP style. Secondly, with pink pearl beads and lovely tiny white pearl beads with silver accents.

You can see the history of these bracelets here and also see purchasing information. Every bracelet is comprised with nine major beads to symbolize a novena of prayer, a pregnancy representing human life, as well as the nine choirs of Angels.

Feeding Your Family’s Soul on EWTN plus surprise news!

October 3, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

In case you didn’t get a chance to see Fr. Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R and me recently on EWTN’s Sunday Night Prime discussing the family and my new book Feeding Your Family’s Soul: Dinner Table Spirituality, you can see it here and also below:

I have some happy news for you. I am excited to tell you that I have created a new television show for EWTN titled “Feeding Your Family’s Soul”! They will be short 2 minute shows filled with inspiration, encouragement, and the Catholic tools for today’s families. I’ll be going to the EWTN network soon to film forty shows! Yes, that’s right–forty! I’ll begin with those and go from there.

So, please keep me in your prayers to do a good job in presenting the Catholic tools and encouragement to Catholic parents and grandparents.

In addition, did you see my new website “Feeding Your Family’s Soul”? I created it recently to have a specific place to aid Catholic families. I’ll be building upon it steadily with all kinds of valuable information for the family, news about my shows, and wholesome recipes for family life, as well as food recipes too! Take a look here.

May God bless you and keep you!

Donna-Marie

NEW REVIEW: Feeding Your Family’s Soul

September 28, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

NEW REVIEW: Feeding Your Family’s Soul:

When I was a child, my family did not gather around the dinner table to share life together. Sure we ate at the same time, but on most nights, it was at the kitchen counter with the evening news blaring on the TV. When I visited my aunt and uncle’s home, I savored the commraderie around the dinner table—dishes being passed around, conversation flowing, even clean up and the rotation of chores was a novelty that I secretly wished was part of my normal routine.

When my husband and I married and started our family, dinnertime became very important to us. I don’t recall us talking about how we would gather together; we just did it. Perhaps my childhood experience unconsciously made dinnertime sacred to me. I am grateful that both of us knew the significance of coming together at the end of the day to pray, talk, and share a meal together.

When our children were small, conversation wasn’t very deep or insightful, but it was a chance for Greg and I to check in with each other after a long day. As more children joined us around the table, it became important to share highlights of the day. It gave the children a chance to share the spotlight, and it helped us connect the dots regarding what was reallygoing on at school and among friends.

We recently entered a new phase in our family life. Our two oldest daughters have started playing volleyball in the fall, and our family dinnertime has certainly been affected. Late-afternoon and early-evening games require us to eat in shifts. It can be tricky to have dinner ready for half of the family, when I am at a game. Missing out on the one time of the day when our entire family can be together can throw the rest of the evening off, too, since dinnertime is often the transition into our bedtime routine.

Thankfully, volleyball season has an end date, and our regular routine will return in about a month. However, this season of hit-or-miss meals together reminds me of the importance of the everyday dinnertime tradition and how all families need to fight to preserve it.

In her new book Feeding Your Family’s Soul: Dinner Table Spirituality, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle gives families a companion in the fight to preserve dinnertime togetherness. In it, she shares 53 conversation starters for each week of the year. Not only do the chapters give parents ideas on how to shape dinnertime conversation, they include wisdom from the saints, prayers, Scripture quotes, questions, and delicious recipes to prepare together.

Each week, the family will learn about an aspect of the Catholic faith through storytelling and discussion, which will allow children (and adults alike) to ask questions and seek understanding. If a family has some extra time on Saturday and Sunday to introduce the week’s theme, it will provide a springboard for continued conversation during shorter, weekday meals.

This book can be utilized in a number of ways. A family could easily begin with Chapter 1 and go through the book in order. Or a family could skip around the book and focus on the chapters that line up with the liturgical calendar. For example, Chapter 4 on “The Communion of Saints” could be highlighted the week of November 1, when the Church celebrates All Saints Day, and Chapter 47 on “Why Catholics Honor the Blessed Mother” could be read and discussed during the month of May, which is dedicated to Mary. In addition, if parents want to focus on a particular virtue with their children, such as mercy, they could easily incorporate the corresponding chapter (Chapter 11 on “Learning Mercy from St. Faustina Kowalska”) to help that teaching along.

I am really excited about incorporating Feeding Your Family’s Soul into my family’s dinnertime conversation. Especially after this fall’s volleyball season, it will get us back on track with connecting to and conversing with each other on a daily basis. I am confident that the stories, questions, and prayers will enhance our family’s prayer life and extend our shared experience into other parts of the day.

If Feeding Your Family’s Soul is a book you’d enjoy adding to your spiritual library, I am pleased to give away three copies, thanks to Paraclete Press. To enter the giveaway, simply fill out the Rafflecopter giveaway below. I will pick three winners next Friday, Oct. 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

[Visit the blog here to enter the contest and to see more.]

Mother Teresa’s Canonization Portrait and More

September 15, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

It was a blessing to be at the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven, CT just two days before Mother Teresa’s canonization in Rome, Italy. The original portrait that was used for the canonization was hung on the wall of the Museum for all to see. It had been unveiled in Washington DC just days before. Here is an article about the painting in Aleteia. And another article here about Mother Teresa and events at the Museum.

Gazing upon the beautiful portrait and feeling like Mother Teresa was gazing upon me!

I had the wonderful opportunity to venerate a first class relic of dear Mother Teresa. It was a very moving experience.

It is always such a blessing to be with the MC Sisters. These Sisters are from the Bridgeport, CT convent. They were present on Friday before the canonization day. They were presented a stunning replica of the portrait for their convent.

This is on Mother Teresa’s canonization day at the Knights of Columbus Museum. I gave a reflection to more than 100 people who came out that day. I could have been in Rome but Mother Teresa’s words “Love begins at home” kept ringing in my heart when I was praying about where I should be on that day. There were various requests for me to be here in the US to speak about Mother Teresa and do many news interviews, and more. I knew my place was here, though I still felt united to all that was going on in Rome. Graces abounded on that beautiful day and I am sure they will continue.

I loved sharing about my spiritual mother, dear Mother Teresa.

Here is a recent article I wrote for Catholic World Report about some of my experiences knowing Mother Teresa.

God bless you! May St. Teresa of Calcutta guide you ever closer to Jesus!

[Most photos here by Aaron Joseph, Catholic Life Photography]

Sneak peek a chapter in my new book: “Feeding Your Family’s Soul”!

September 13, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

You can have a look at one of the chapters in my new book Feeding Your Family’s Soul: Dinner Table Spirituality by clicking here.

You can order the book here.

Additionally, I have some exciting news that I will share soon…Stay tuned! 🙂

Feed your family’s body and soul!

September 10, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

It was lovely to see Bonnie Rodgers from Boston Catholic TV recently when I was at the Catholic Marketing Network (CMN) Conference this past summer. Check out our interview below…

News Times article: “A Friendship Forged in Faith”

September 5, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

“NEW MILFORD – Mother Teresa’s canonization by Pope Francis is bringing fresh focus to the legacy of a contemporary saint whose love for the poor transformed the lives of the world’s most destitute people.

And in the eyes of one admirer who shared a 10-year friendship with the Nobel Peace Prize-winning nun, Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta also transformed those inspired by her example.

“She said that holiness is not a luxury for a few, but everyone’s duty,” said Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, a New Milford author, television host and mother of five who formed a friendship with Mother Teresa during the last decade of her life. ‘God gave her to the worldto teach us that hunger is not just about starving for a piece of bread in Calcutta, but about starving for love right here in our own homes.'”

[You can see the FULL recent News Times article about my friendship with Mother Teresa here.]

“Take 2 with Jerry and Debbie” on EWTN Radio

September 5, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I recently visited with Jerry and Debbie on EWTN’s “Take 2 with Jerry and Debbie.”

You can listen to our hour-long radio conversation about Mother Teresa when you have time. Get yourself a beverage and pull up a chair and enjoy listening about dear Mother Teresa now canonized and called Saint Teresa of Calcutta. Truth be told, I will continue to call her Mother Teresa. 🙂

By the way, we also discuss my Miraculous Medal ministry and my memoir, The Kiss of Jesus.

Click here to listen.

Being the “poorest of the poor” with Mother Teresa

September 5, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

My article “Being the ‘poorest of the poor’ with Mother Teresa” in the Catholic World Report is here below:

Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be staying at Mother Teresa’s homeless shelters. And not just once, but twice. Truth be told, I have endured times of poverty, but my days spent in the shelters were not during those times, and they were in two different parts of the world.

The first time was in Harlem, New York about 30 years ago, when it was very dangerous to be on the streets of that barbed-wire jungle. The second time was just a few years ago in Rome, Italy.

Allow me to back up a bit in order to tell the story about meeting my spiritual mother, whom others knew as the Saint of the Gutters, or simply as Mother Teresa. Almost 30 years ago, I first laid eyes on the little saint of the poor, dressed in a simple white cotton sari trimmed in Blessed Mother blue. I caught my first glimpse of her out of the corner of my eye, when she walked right past me quietly in her bare feet just before Mass was about to begin at the Missionaries of Charity convent in Washington, DC.

I was visiting the nation’s capital because my spiritual director, Father John A. Hardon, SJ, had asked me to bring my family to see him for a face-to-face meeting. After our time with him, at Father’s encouragement, we set out to visit the sick and dying in the “Gift of Peace” home at the convent. We had a very meaningful visit, observing the great love and tenderness shown to the poor and suffering living in the home, at which there was a clear and beautiful aura of holiness. The MC sisters invited us to return the following day for a private Mass in their chapel. I was honored to be invited, but imagine my excitement when one sister informed me that Mother Teresa would be at one of their two Masses the next day; she didn’t know which one. My heart secretly soared hearing that Mother Teresa was there at the convent. Still, as much as I had always admired her for her selfless work with the poor and had considered her to be a living saint, I didn’t want to take up her time if we happened to see her the following day.

Early the next morning, we arrived at the convent’s chapel and I spotted several pairs of sandals lined up outside the door, which prompted us to take off our shoes before entering. Once inside, one of the first things I noticed was actually a lack of things. The chapel was very stark, yet so very meaningful. The few items there—an altar, a tabernacle, a crucifix, a statue of the Blessed Mother, and the words, “I Thirst” painted on the wall beside the tabernacle—drew my heart to what was most important. Those two words—“I thirst”—would echo in my heart for years after, and still do. I settled my children and we all knelt down to say our prayers before Mass.

Meeting the Saint of the Gutters

We had picked the right Mass, for Mother Teresa unexpectedly walked in. She seemed to float right past me. I needed to quickly direct my mind back to the Mass that was about to begin. Never mind the fact that a living saint was in our midst! I was kneeling down on the chapel’s bare floor with my husband and children, trying my best to prepare my heart for Mass, while still keeping an eye on my children: Justin, Chaldea, and Jessica. Mother Teresa’s presence certainly seemed to send a holy jolt up and down my spine!

Another surprise unfolded right after the Mass. As we were leaving the modest chapel, my children genuflected to Jesus in the tabernacle when unexpectedly a Missionaries of Charity nun came running up behind my six-year-old daughter Chaldea and gave her a hug. I surmised that the sweet sister must have been touched to see a little girl saying good bye to Jesus. Before I could finish my thought, I realized that it was none other than Mother Teresa! But, as quickly as she came into the picture, she was heading out of the room in another direction. The door closed behind her. I was so overcome with gratefulness after witnessing a living saint hug my child—but there was more to come.

As we were standing in a huddle in the convent’s foyer, the door opened across the way and this time Mother Teresa didn’t walk past me—she began to walk straight towards me. I was holding my little precocious one-and-a-half-year-old Jessica in my arms so that she couldn’t get into trouble or run around the convent. Then Mother Teresa was standing directly in front of us. She asked me a question…

[More here at Catholic World Report]

Graces abound on and around Mother Teresa’s Canonization day!

September 5, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I was blessed to have been part of an event in Mother Teresa’s honor at the Knights of Columbus Museum in New Haven, CT a couple of days before her canonization day. The original portrait painting was unveiled and hung at the Museum. A photograph of the image was used to make over a million prayer cards for the canonization in Rome. The banners used at the canonization were taken from that image. It was a privilege to be part of the event.

I have been extremely busy this past week doing many media interviews including Fox News in New York City and doing many radio shows (at least 2 or 3 a day). You can listen to some of the interviews on this website. I’ll add more to my website when I get a chance.

I’ll be traveling to Ave Maria University in a couple of days to bring the message of Mother Teresa to University students there.

But, first, I’ll leave you with a couple of photos from the Knights Museum.

And today is Mother Teresa’s feast day! Pray for the graces!

God bless you! Please pray for me!

Visiting with Wendy Weis about dear Mother Teresa

September 3, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Recently I had the pleasure of speaking again with Relevant Radio’s lovely Wendy Weis who was so gracious to rearrange our visit due to my grueling schedule with all of the media interviews about Mother Teresa.

You can hear our chat here.

Please move the little marker to the 23:45 mark to hear my segment which is in the second part of Wendy’s show. Or listen to the whole thing.

It’s always special to chat with Wendy. We feel like we are sitting down and chatting over a cup of tea. 🙂

Enjoy!

Remembering Mother Teresa…

August 31, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Remembering Mother…

Distinct details of meeting Blessed Teresa of Calcutta the first time remain etched in my memory. Her height, or lack thereof, especially struck me. Being short in stature and hunched over, she appeared a bit frail. But I was totally convinced that this “little” woman was a passionate powerhouse of faith, hope and love! I knew that along with God’s grace, she was responsible for incredible transformations in the lives of the “poorest of the poor,” all over the world.

My heart soared one summer morning, when straight after a Mass I attended with the Missionaries of Charity sisters, Mother Teresa approached me. I was immediately filled with an incredible peace. The tireless servant of the poor took time from her duties to speak to me about my children.

She asked if my daughter Jessica (who was secure in my arms so she wouldn’t get into trouble!) was the “baby who was singing at Mass?” (No doubt, her polite way of saying she was aware of my continuous tip-toeing in and out of Mass with my restless little one!) Then, she told me, “Your children are very fortunate to have a family.” I felt compelled to tell her that I was very fortunate to be their mother. At that time I had three children on earth and three in heaven.

Mother Teresa was accustomed to rescuing babies and children from the dust bins in Calcutta, India, disposed of by their dying parents. She took them in, gave them love and care, and placed them within families yearning for children.

Blessed Teresa never mothered a child biologically, but she in so many ways spiritually mothered countless people all around the globe. She indeed became a mother to me. Mother Teresa begged for all unwanted babies whose mothers contemplated abortion and said she’d care for them herself. She opened our eyes and hearts to the needy around us whom we should “mother.”

[See the entire article here]

Talking about Mother Teresa on “Seize the Day” Radio

August 31, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

You can listen in here to my recent radio chat with Tom at Seize the Day. We chatted about Mother Teresa and the faith. I hope you enjoy it. God bless you!

Donna-Marie to present at the Knights of Columbus Museum

August 29, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

The Knights of Columbus Museum will celebrate the canonization of Mother Teresa of Calcutta with a series of events beginning Friday, Sept. 2, 2016.
The original of the official canonization portrait will be received at the Museum in a ceremony at 10:15 a.m. Titled “St. Teresa of Calcutta: Carrier of God’s Love,” the painting was commissioned as a gift to the Missionaries of Charity, the religious order founded in 1950 by Mother Teresa. Painted by Chas Fagan, a Yale University alum living in North Carolina, the portrait was selected by the Mother Teresa Center as the official image that will be draped from the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City during the Sept. 4 canonization ceremony.

In addition to the painting, the Knights of Columbus has donated more than a million holy cards bearing the official image for distribution in St. Peter’s Square on canonization day. Printed at the Knights of Columbus printing plant in New Haven, an estimated 500,000 more cards are being printed for distribution by Missionaries of Charity at their various homes and centers.

Also on Sept. 2, a relic of Mother Teresa will be available for public veneration from 12-4 p.m. The relic may be venerated Sept. 3-7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Sept. 6, when veneration will continue until 7 p.m.

The Museum will welcome Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle for a presentation on Mother Teresa’s spirituality and mission Sunday, Sept. 4, at 2 p.m. In addition, she will do a book signing of her books. Donna-Marie will also be present on September 2, 2016 and available for interviews that morning. Donna-Marie was blessed to know Mother Teresa for ten years. She is a popular speaker and author of several books, including “Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship,” “The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped Me To Discover the Beauty of the Cross,” and “Bringing Lent Home with Mother Teresa.”

The Museum’s display, “Mother Teresa: Saint of the Streets,” continues until Nov. 6, however the original painting is available to be viewed for only a limited time. It is to be formally presented at the Mother Teresa Center in Rome at an undetermined date.

Happy birthday Mother Teresa!

August 26, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Today is Mother Teresa’s birthday! She has so much to teach us! I never tire speaking about her or writing about her. I will post some of the recent radio interviews very soon. I’ll also be in various places speaking about the saint of the gutters.

Here we are sharing a beautiful moment together when I was pregnant for my son Joseph almost twenty nine years ago.

Meanwhile, I thought that today I’d post an excerpt from three of my books on Mother Teresa.

This excerpt is from my book Bringing Lent Home with Mother Teresa:

Here is an excerpt from my book Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship:

And here is one from The Kiss of Jesus How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped Me To Discover the Beauty of the Cross:

I pray that dear Mother Teresa will intercede for all of us today!

INTERVIEW: “Champions of the Rosary” by Fr. Donald H. Calloway, MIC

August 20, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Fr. Donald H. Calloway, MIC about his newest book: Champions of the Rosary.

Donna-Marie: Why a book on the Rosary now?

Fr. Calloway: The reason I wrote this book is because the Church and the world need to be reminded of the power of the rosary and how it has been used by popes and saints over the last 800 years as a spiritual weapon against falsehoods and evil. In the early 18th century, St. Louis de Montfort wrote The Secret of the Rosary to remind the people of his time, especially priests, that the rosary had been given to us by heaven as a powerful weapon. Sadly, most of the people of his era were not open to his message and, along with many of his writings, The Secret of the Rosary was buried in a field in France during the French Revolution. In our crazy times, we need a book that serves as a follow-up to his rosary masterpiece, informing our modern age of the wonders and glories of the rosary. It needs to be a book that retells the story of the origins of the rosary, the many battles, victories, and miracles that have occurred as a result of people praying it, and highlight the numerous champions and heroes who have used it. These are some of the reasons I wrote Champions of the Rosary.

Donna-Marie: Thank you for explaining all of that. Your book is quite beautiful and extensive. How long did it take you to write it?

Fr. Calloway: It took me over two years to put Champions of the Rosary together. Before I even began writing, I conducted extensive research in libraries and monasteries around the world. Thanks to the generosity of many Dominican priests and sisters in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, I was able to gather incredible information and historical facts that would serve as the skeleton for the book. Once the information was gathered, I had to earnestly pray about how to organize all the information into a book that flowed well and was not too academic. To do this, I prayed a 54-day rosary novena to ask the guidance of Our Lady. She came through and gave me the structure for the entire book. Then, I decided that as I was writing it, I would make a novena to every single saint, blessed, venerable, and servant of God that was to appear in the book. There are so many that I had to group them together and do 3 novenas at a time! Praying a novena to every holy person in the book took me a year and a half.

Donna-Marie: Wow. That’s wonderful, Fr. Calloway!

You have many endorsements from Dominicans for your book. Why did you feel it was important to show their support?

Fr. Calloway: The rosary was first given to St. Dominic in the 13th century and it is the spiritual sons and daughters of St. Dominic who are the custodians of the great gift of the rosary. However, over the centuries there have been many who have tried to deny the tradition that Our Lady gave the rosary to St. Dominic, even within the Dominican Order itself. Therefore, in order to lend support for my research and writing, I wanted to have as many Dominicans behind me as I could. Incredibly, I was able to get endorsements from the Master General of the Dominicans, the General Promoter of the rosary, 10 Dominican bishops, and numerous Dominican provincials and theologians from around the world. I truly love the Dominicans and believe that they have been entrusted with one of the greatest treasures of the Church.

Donna-Marie: You’ve broken your book up into three parts. What are they and what is their importance?

Fr. Calloway: The first part contains a thoroughly researched history of the origins of the rosary. To my knowledge, this is the most thorough presentation of the history of the rosary ever written. It begins by presenting the antecedent elements that went into the making of the Dominican rosary, then moves into a century-by-century presentation of battles, victories, miracles, and popes and saints who have promoted it. The second part of the book contains 26 of the greatest champions of the rosary throughout history. There have been many more than 26, but these are the ones who are particularly known for having made it a major part of their life and apostolate. In the third part of the book I present the practical steps of how to pray the rosary (and how not to pray the rosary), how to become a champion of the rosary, and the indulgences offered by the Church for those who pray the rosary. Lastly, in an appendix, is contained a 36-page color section of the rosary in classical art. I even had 4 images commissioned for the book!

Donna-Marie: That is really amazing!

Your book is a treasury of history and wisdom on the Rosary as well as stories and Rosary gems the reader can take to his or her heart. You have even included many Apostles and defenders of the Rosary along with photographs. What do you say to the person who might feel intimidated to read this book in light of all of the material?

Fr. Calloway: I really believe that this book can be read by anyone. I intentionally asked Our Lady to kiss the book and make it enjoyable for both the academic and the pious non-academic. I even took the entire manuscript to the tomb of St. Dominic in Bologna, Italy, and asked St. Dominic to let the whole world read this book. I’m quite positive that once a person starts reading the book, they will not be able to put it down. Some of the Dominican bishops who endorsed it called it an encyclopedia and a summa of the rosary. It is truly meant for everyone, and every person who reads it will get something from it.

Donna-Marie: I wholeheartedly agree!

You share what you call “the three keys” to unlocking the power of the Rosary. Can the average Rosary pray-er unlock the power of the Rosary?

Fr. Calloway: The “three keys” are easy. They are 1) understanding the rosary as a spiritual weapon, especially a spiritual sword; 2) respecting the pious tradition that states that St. Dominic is the founder; and 3) acknowledging that the rosary has had both antecedents and developments throughout history. With this in mind, the power of the rosary can be unlocked by anyone and everyone; from young children to the aged, infirm, and those in prison. The book is intended to make of everyone who reads it a champion of the rosary!

Donna-Marie:That is really great.

Finally, what is your deepest desire for this book?

Fr. Calloway: My greatest desire is that people return to the saving mysteries of the God-Man and grow in virtue. Only by doing these things will things change in our crazy world. I consider this book to be our marching-orders for the trials that are ahead of us. Peace will not come from man-made concords and edicts. True peace will only come when we return to the fundamentals of Divine Revelation as encapsulated in the sacred mysteries of the rosary!

Donna-Marie: Amen, Fr. Calloway! Thank you very much for your time, Fr. Calloway.

Please visit Fr. Calloway’s website to see more about his ministry and to order his beautiful book.

Unveiling the new book cover for my upcoming book on Fatima!

August 15, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

As you might already know, this year is the 100th anniversary of the Apparitions of the Angel of Peace to the Fatima visionaries. Next year in 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the Apparitions of the Blessed Mother at Fatima. I was asked by Servant Books to write the book: Our Lady of Fatima: 100 Years of Stories, Prayers, and Devotions.

Here is a brief description from the publisher:

On May 13, 1917, the Virgin Mary first revealed herself to a trio of shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. She would appear to them five more times over the course of the year until the great miracle of the sun on October 13, 1917. She brought a message of love and peace that was heard around the world—a sorely-needed antidote to the ravages of World War I. To mark the 100th anniversary of the apparitions, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle provides a one-stop guide to the tradition, history and spirituality of Our Lady of Fatima, including the testimonies of those who have made the pilgrimage and prayers for those who share this devotion.

In Our Lady of Fatima, award-winning author, journalist, pilgrimage host and host of EWTN’s Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms and Catholic Mom’s Café Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle offers a mini-Fatima retreat—an “armchair pilgrimage,” if you will. This collection of prayers, testimonies and reflections will bring to life the events of Fatima and help you find ways to apply Mary’s Fatima message to the nitty-gritty details of your daily life.

Each chapter begins with a quote by or about the Blessed Mother before delving into a key aspect of the story of Mary’s appearances to nine-year-old Lúcia Santos and her cousins, Jacinta and Francisco Marto. A prayer, a simple reflection and a doable call to action transform this book from a simple historical retelling into a practical devotional.
The Blessed Mother’s Fatima message is needed now more than ever. The uncertainty of global events can seep into our daily worries, creating fear and anxiety that’s difficult to overcome. Our Lady of Fatimais a welcome remedy for that worry. In it, you’ll find a chance to grow in faith and holiness, as well as a needed dose of inspiration, hope and peace in following its advice and suggestions, and in praying the prayers.

Today, on the Blessed Mother’s feast day, I am very excited to show you the cover of this book which will be released in March 2017!

Are you ready?

Here it is!

Amazon is already taking pre-orders which you can see here.

You can pre-order an autographed copy at my website here.

So, what do you think?

Sunday Night Prime: “Feeding Your Family’s Soul”

August 8, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

[Hit the pause button above if you are not ready to view the show. This will allow you to read the blog post first. 🙂 ]

I believe that we need a strong backbone to parent our children and grandchildren properly. We can’t allow the culture to dictate to us about how we should parent our children or how our home life should be. As the first and foremost educator of the faith to our children and grandchildren, we absolutely need to know our faith and to in turn teach it to the children. God is counting on us!

The video above is the recent discussion I had with Fr. Andrew Apostoli about my newest book “Feeding Your Family’s Soul: Dinner Table Spirituality” on his very popular EWTN Sunday Night Prime TV show. During our time together, I show how we can seize the opportunity to teach the faith right at the dinner table. Fr. Andrew and I even talked about (in the words of Fulton Sheen), “dead bodies floating down the stream”! As well, how we do not want to be one of them! We need to go against the flow of our world today to parent our children properly.

Recently, a weary homeschooling Mom of many children came to me for a little “shot in the arm.” She was worn out from demands pulling at her, sleepless nights, and active children. A new school year was about to begin and being in her third trimester of a pregnancy, she felt quite exhausted. I think you get the picture. Things were getting to be a bit overwhelming. We chatted through emails and then it was time for this show to air. Afterwards, the gracious Mom emailed me again to share her thoughts. With her permission, I will share some of her note to me:

“Before I head to bed, I just wanted to tell you that the Sunday Night Prime show was tremendously excellent! It was a huge blessing that came at the perfect time for me! I feel completely renewed in my goal and purpose as a homeschooling mom!

I love the quotes and the reinforcement that being countercultural, having a backbone, swimming up stream (not floating downstream with the other dead bodies) is absolutely God’s call on my life. Through your interview, I am convinced now, more than ever, that He is with me and for me in this sometimes very intense homeschooling adventure. No other path allows me to so vehemently protect my children from evil influences. This show was a God-send at the beginning of a new homeschooling year for me (and at the end of the pregnancy). My resolve is strengthened! Thank you!”

By the way, in addition to the above opportunity to view the show, you can also see the show here on the EWTN website. I hope that you will enjoy the show! May God bless families everywhere!

Books can be pre-ordered here at Amazon or autographed copies here at my website and at Paraclete Press!

God bless!

Donna-Marie

Two empty dinner plates and a miracle

August 6, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

The other day an 88-year-old man rang my door bell. I opened the door to see him holding two empty dinner plates in his hands.

“Here are your dishes. I meant to return them earlier. “Dorothy” (I have changed her name for this story) loved the salmon dinner you made for us. Thank you very much!”

I set the dishes down on the table in my foyer. “You are more than welcome,” I replied. “How is she feeling?”

Dorothy is an 85-years-old I know who had to start chemotherapy a little over a month ago because of a diagnosis of breast cancer. I was very concerned for her having to go through chemo at such a late season in life. I committed to making a nice healthy dinner for her and her husband on each chemo evening and to especially wrap the two of them in my daily prayers.

“Miraculously, she has had no nausea from the chemo!” Dorothy’s husband exclaimed rather jubilantly.

“Yes!” I couldn’t help myself. I was very excited that he used the word, “miraculously.”

“You can certainly say it’s miraculous–because God is taking care of her! We are praying for her.”

“Thank you very much,” was his sincere response to me.

I suddenly remembered that the following day was another chemo day. So, I said, “Tomorrow is chemo day. I’ll bring these plates back to you tomorrow night with a fresh salmon dinner!”

I suspect this brand new and very sudden arduous journey must be very difficult for both of these fine people who were starting to slow down a bit and trying to enjoy the rest of their lives, especially since Dorothy also struggles with other health issues and her husband has had a form of cancer for many years. I pray that my mention of “prayer” and “God” will touch their hearts in a special way. We have had conversations in the past in which they have told me that they are non-church-goers. I have given them blessed Miraculous Medals and I don’t shy away from gently planting the seeds of faith within our conversations.

I am a firm believer that our loving God continuously provides every one of us with countless opportunities to turn to Him and to serve others with extra doses of love. Please say a prayer for this sweet couple.

What opportunity to speak about God and about prayer will unfold in your own life soon? Perhaps it will be to someone who does not believe in God. Be ready. The Lord is waiting to shine through you. Your Guardian Angel will assist you!

Chatting about dear Mother Teresa on Son Rise Morning

August 5, 2016 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

This morning I chatted with sweet Anna Mitchell on the Son Rise Morning Show on Sacred Heart Radio. I love doing my regular segment on “Mother Teresa and Mercy” every First Friday in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Today we focused on Mother Teresa’s upcoming canonization and my friendship with her.

Here is our short radio chat this morning. I hope that you enjoy it.