Tag Archives: memoir

Women of Grace, Part 4

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Reply

Here is Part 4 of my visits with Johnnette B. Williams on her show “Women of Grace” on EWTN. You can see it by clicking here.

Part 4: Discovering the Beauty of Cross

The description from the website is here:

“Do you recall the Via Dolorosa of Our Lord? That moment when He carried His cross through the streets of Jerusalem and up the hill to Calvary? 

We can only imagine the intensity of the suffering He endured, the pain and travail that he experienced – physically, emotionally, psychologically, and yes, spiritually. 
But notice something more. Jesus was not alone on His way of the Cross. God’s providence was in play and there were others who sojourned with Him to bring Him aid and relief, consolation and solace, encouragement and strength. 

And so it is with us. The Father always provides for us in the midst of our suffering. And He sends others to assist us as well, to help us discover the beauty of the Cross. Guest Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle knows this to be true. And today she is going to tell us about it.” 

Purchase your autographed copy by clicking here.

Women of Grace, Part 1

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Reply

Here is Part 1 of my 5-part mini-series with Johnnette Benkovic Williams in discussing my memoir “The Kiss of Jesus” and the spiritual life, particularly the crosses in our life. You can click here to watch Part 1.

Part 1 Discovering the Beauty of the Cross

Here’s the description from the Women of Grace website:

“The common denominator of the human experience is suffering. We all experience it to greater or lesser degree, and if we haven’t experienced it yet, it is sure to come. After all, we live in a broken and fallen world surrounded by broken and fallen people. 

So the question ought not to be. “Will I suffer?” We are assured of that. Rather the question ought to be, “What will I do when I suffer?” And the way we answer that question makes all the difference in the world. 

This week’s guest on Women of Grace answered that question not once in her life, but many times over. And what she discovered was the cross, when embraced, holds abundant and beautiful treasures. In this 5 Part Women of Grace series, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle will share with us how to Discover the Beauty of the Cross.”

You can purchase an autographed copy of my book “The Kiss of Jesus” here on my website or at EWTN Religious Catalogue.

My interview on Salt and Light TV/Radio

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Reply

I was recently on Salt and Light TV/Radio. The interview is here. After listening to the first few minutes of introduction by Deacon Pedro, you can scroll through to the 23 minute mark which starts the 2nd half of the show. That’s where you will hear my interview about my life of struggles and joy, meeting Mother Teresa, and my memoir The Kiss of Jesus.71E3vNvwhBL

Spending time with Tony Rossi on “Christopher Close Up!”

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
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I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Tony Rossi of “Christopher Close Up.” He wrote a lovely review as well. Here is his review:

Beautiful Threads of Grace Are Woven Through Life, Even in Times of Suffering

“Jesus, help me, please,” prayed a then-teenage Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle in a state of terror as her fiancé Matthew (not his real name) forced a gun into her hand and tried to get her to kill him.

Matthew was an ex-Marine and Vietnam veteran who had been a leader in O’Boyle’s Catholic parish and she believed that he would make a good husband. But then something snapped inside him and he suffered a nervous breakdown. With several guns, including a machine gun, in his home, he threatened to kill O’Boyle and her family if she ever left him. Fearful of what would happen, she stayed put, but kept trying to come up with ways that she could safely escape this situation.

One day, Matthew lunged at her, forced a pistol into her hand, got her finger on the trigger, and pushed her to shoot him. Tears streamed down O’Boyle’s face because, even though she wanted to get away from Matthew, she didn’t want to kill him. That’s when she prayed, “Jesus, help me, please.”

During an interview on “Christopher Closeup” about her new memoir “The Kiss of Jesus,” O’Boyle recalled, “Jesus did help me because [Matthew] got up immediately off my lap, threw the gun against the wall and ran out of the room screaming all kinds of crazy things. He came right back, picked up the gun and put it in his pocket. I had to sit there and not make one sound, one move, one blink, one breath – and then try to stay clear of him until I could figure out what to do next.”

Thankfully, O’Boyle did finally get away from Matthew and move on with her life – and she believes that Jesus was there to help and guide her every step of the way. But that doesn’t mean her road was trouble-free or pain-free. In fact, it was often just the opposite…

 

You can see the entire review and listen to our half hour chat here.

Visiting on the airwaves with Barbara on EWTN’s “The Good Fight”!

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Reply

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I recently had the pleasure of speaking with and sharing my story and my memoir The Kiss of Jesus with the very sweet Barbara McGuigan on EWTN’s “The Good Fight.” We chatted for a whole two hours which was my longest radio interview yet!

In case you didn’t get to tune in you can listen here at your leisure. I hope you enjoy it. Get yourself a beverage and pull up a chair. You might be surprised at what you will hear.

Heartfelt words about The Kiss of Jesus

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Reply

A woman recently shared her heartfelt thoughts on Face Book about how The Kiss of Jesus has changed her life. I am deeply thankful to God.

She said:

As one of those who Donna-Marie has helped make sense of a troubled life through her new book I encourage all to not only read the book but go to her website and read the blog tour. Also I recommend everyone to listen to this interview and all others there. The more blogs I read and interviews I listen to the more graces I receive from this book!! Donna-Marie has helped me deal with memories and deep sorrows from a difficult childhood, many life events, and poor choices I have made in my 60 years of life. Most importantly she has helped me realize my many blessings in my suffering and offering it all to God. I know going forward my relationship with God will not only improve but maybe I can even bring some blessings to others. This book and my friendship with Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle indeed has changed my life!

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 16!

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
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Today’s The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour stop is over at The Snoring Scholar.

reinhard-sarahSarah begins with an excerpt of my book and then gets into some personal stuff:

I had been writing Catholic articles whenever I could fit them into my schedule. After careful reflection and prayer, I decided to retire from my preschool program and to devote myself to full-time writing. Mother Teresa and Father Hardon had encouraged me to continue writing. Mother Teresa had said that she prayed my writing would “do much good” and that I should do it “for the glory of God and the good of the people.” Father Hardon had given me positive feedback and had reminded me that “many mothers are overwhelmed” and need encouragement and inspiration.

After many years of storing away my writings in cardboard boxes, I heard from a publisher who asked if I would be interested in writing a prayer book for Catholic mothers. They had seen some of my writing in the past, and I was thrilled to be invited to write for them. Before long, I signed my first book contract and got to work. Dave was very supportive of my writing work, and I thoroughly enjoyed the writing process, praying as I wrote that God would use my words for His glory and to help and encourage mothers of all ages. I drew from some ideas I had during my long bed rest while pregnant with Mary-Catherine.

I’ll never forget the day that the copies of my first book arrived…

 

[see the entire blog post here]

 

Visiting with Sheila Liaugminas on the airwaves.

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Reply
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Sheila Liaugminas

I was blessed last night with the pleasure of speaking with Sheila Liaugminas on her great show “A Closer Look” on Relevant Radio. If you missed it, you can listen anytime here at your leisure.

It’s about a half hour show. Our segment starts at about the hallway point. So, feel free to slide the little marker down to the 25:41 time and start listening there. Or, listen to the whole thing knowing my interview is in the 2nd half.

Enjoy!

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 14!

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
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Today our The Kiss of Jesus blog tour stops at “Water Into Wine.”

Lisa writes:

“I love when a memoir provides both the shock of the unfamiliar and an intimate sense of shared humanity. Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s new memoir, The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped Me to Discover the Beauty of the Cross, does all of that and more.

With incredible courage, through the gripping story of her life, Donna-Marie reveals to her many fans that she is wounded, like they are. She has made mistakes, suffered from abuse and humiliating losses, lived in poverty, fought to protect her children and clear her name, and struggled alone as a single mom.

Walking in faith sometimes seems like walking in the dark. I seemed to grope blindly a lot throughout my life, but with a certainty, or at least a strong hope, that there would be light–somewhere. I needed to trust God fully with my life and I prayed to do so. When I found myself in darkness I continued to search for God there, and I strove to serve Him each day in the people He put around me, starting in my own family. (p. 116)

Life, she admits candidly, has not gone according to plan. But because she has persevered in handing it all over to God, step by step and day by day, it has all come right; and she has done more than just survive: she has triumphed by joining her own suffering to that of her crucified Lord:”

[See the entire review here]

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 13!

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Reply

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Today’s Blog Tour Stop is at “Catholic News and Inspiration.” Patti writes:

“Sadness was not what I expected while listening to a popular Catholic speaker.  His love of God and family bubbled over as he and his described a beautiful coming-of-age tradition when kids became teenagers in her family. That’s when it hit me. “Wow, our families are so different!”

Their event included relatives who called with affirming messages.  I imagined trying to arrange the same thing among my relatives. First would be an awkward pause. Then: “You’re kidding, right?”

That realization hit with a pang of sadness. But quickly, my Catholic mindset shifted into gear. God gave me my family and he knows the challenges. Everyone’s crosses are different but we all have them.

That moment laid on my heart the sensitivity that many parents struggle with family challenges beyond their control. Friends have shared such pain with me after listening to good Catholic speakers then feeling salt was rubbed into their wounds. For example, at a Catholic high school, it’s a great idea to bring in speakers for a parents’ night to impart good family values.  But inevitably, some parents will go home feeling sad for what they are lacking.

The Kiss of Jesus

It was that very realization of the pain and struggles in the lives of others that spurred Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, a popular author, speaker and EWTN TV host, to share her shocking past.  I have known Donna-Marie for several years and knew parts of her story, but not all.  I often thought, “She is so sweet and graceful, no one would ever suspect what she has been through.”…

[See the entire blog post here.]

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 12!

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
2

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Today our blog tour stops at Catholic Mom. Lisa Hendey writes:

cm_logo_final_vertical-copy_300“I’ve lovingly called Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle a mentor and friend for over a decade. Her work has inspired, edified and blessed me in countless ways over those years. And while I’ve known for some time that Donna-Marie faced personal challenges along her spiritual journey, nothing could have hinted at the level of hardship she retells in her new memoir The Kiss of Jesus.

Why was I so surprised when I read this book? The reason comes from the love and peace that Donna-Marie exudes. When reading of her hardships over the course of so many years, one might imagine that a “victim” mentality or a bitter worldview would be the result of such suffering. But the truth of the matter is that Donna-Marie has found a key to peace and joy in her life: her faith in and love for Jesus Christ. Her ability to convey this life-changing love is what’s at the heart of  The Kiss of Jesus and it’s also what you feel when you meet this lovely author, speaker and television host in “real life”.  This is also what takes this book from being simply a “tell all” story and turns it into a major gift for anyone who has faced challenges and hardships along life’s path…”

[See the entire blog post here]

 

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 11

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Reply

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Today’s Blog tour stop is at the Military Council of Catholic Women (MCCW.org.) Elizabeth Tomlin, President of the MCCW writes:

“When I was asked to review Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s memoir and latest book published through Ignatius Press, The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped me to Discover the Beauty of the Cross, I felt honored and wanted to do my best.  I approached this project like I did any other project – mathematically – it’s just the way God made me.  I noted that the book has 181 pages and did the math.  With ten days to complete the task, I set out to read 20 pages a night and reserved day 10 to write the review.  Two evenings later, I was finished with the book.

I have spent the remaining eight days re-reading and considering how to distill a book with such profundity to a review of 900 words.  BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) – Read this book.  Pray for Donna-Marie’s ministry.  Pray that God gives us all the grace to thirst for Jesus amidst whatever adversity we face.

If you have not met Donna-Marie in person, she is soft-spoken and gentle.  She makes an impact in her gentleness, so much so, that my two-and a half year old son saw the book cover with Donna-Marie’s face several months after she visited my family, and remembered her, saying, “Dat’s Donna-Mawie!  I want her to come back to me.”  Her personality is imbued with a genuine care for others, so it’s not surprising that she states often, ‘I think I was born to be a mother.’”

[Continued here]

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 10!

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Reply

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Today’s blog tour stops at the Patheos blog, Season’s of Grace with Kathy Schiffer.

In her post titled, Hope for the Suffering: Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle Inspires in Candid Memoir, Kathy writes:

I remember the first time I saw Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle on EWTN. She seemed so delicate, so mild-mannered, so firm in her Catholic faith. Later I met Donna-Marie at a meeting of the Catholic Writers Guild, and her image as a strong faith leader and an inspirational speaker was reinforced in my mind.

Her writing is truly inspirational–reading her books, one can’t help but resolve to be holier. When, in December 2012, I participated in the blog tour for Donna-Marie’s book Rooted in Love: Our Calling As Catholic Women, I wrote:

“Donna-Marie brings to her writing a softness, a peaceful witness born of time spent in prayer.”

Such grace-filled encouragement must, I thought, be born in a childhood of devotion, a youthful hunger for Christ, and a model family life.

That’s why I was shocked–really, SHOCKED!–to read the earthy revelations about her earlier life in Donna-Marie’s deeply moving memoir, The Kiss of Jesus.

[You can read the full review here.]

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 9!

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Reply

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Today’s Blog tour stop is at Peace Garden Passage.

Rozane writes:

“I am finding it more and more difficult these days to carve out adequate time for indulging in my longtime passion of reading. But Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s memoir, “The Kiss of Jesus,” had me blissfully rediscovering the delights of sneaking a flashlight and book under the covers each night, and staying up to the wee hours, quietly turning pages while my husband snored nearby.

For when you have a jewel that shimmers in your hands, the thought of it collecting dust becomes quickly dismantled, and “where there’s a will there’s a way” makes room.

It doesn’t hurt that Donna-Marie is a personal friend, and that memoir happens to be my favorite genre. Through that friendship, I knew this book was percolating a while before it came to light. In fact, Donna-Marie and I met in person for the first time, after a years-long online friendship, at a conference where she was set about the task of setting her memoir in motion…”

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Meeting up with Roxane at the Catholic Marketing Network

[See more here]

Chatting with John Harper on Morning Air!

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Reply

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I recently visited with John Harper on “Morning Air” on Relevant Radio. In case you didn’t have a chance to tune in initially you can listen here at your leisure. In my memoir The Kiss of Jesus I have revealed a lot of crazy stuff and I share things that I haven’t revealed before. This is the first time I tell of these things in this interview on Morning Air.

In the radio interview (and my memoir), I spoke about the many challenges, crosses, and deep joy in my life. I shared about the saints and dear Mother Teresa in my life. We also spoke about courtship, marriage, and family in this interview. I hope that you enjoy it.

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 8!

- Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
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Today’s blog tour is hosted by the Practicing Catholic who writes:

“I’ve scaled back on participheaderating in book reviews and blog tours, primarily because I want to safeguard my holy leisure reading time for whatever the current book is for Well-Read Mom. But when I received the request to participate in the blog tour for The Kiss of Jesus by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, my intuition told me to give the book a good look before declining participation.
30 seconds into the book, on the first page of the preface I read,

… I had been a single mother to five children for many years …”

Now you may know Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle as I do, strictly from her public persona. She’s that lovely woman with the soothing voice who has two first names and two last names and is frequently heard and seen on Catholic media. You know, the woman who knew Blessed Mother Teresa personally and wrote about their relationship in the book Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship.

She was a single mother to five children?! I had no clue…”

[Read the full blog post here]