A Mother's Study Guide

By the way, my daughter illustrated the cover!

Pope John Paul II wrote that the little domestic church, like the greater Church, needs to be constantly and intensely evangelized: hence its duty regarding permanent education in the faith. The home is a center of living faith, a domestic church, and motherhood is a vocation. This book offers a systematic course for mothers that is equally useful for groups and individuals. The leader's guide contains helpful suggestions for women on how to begin a study group in their parish or neighborhood, a format for weekly sessions, how to create a comfortable, inspiring atmosphere, and tips for leading each lesson. 

"Though an individual would benefit from reading, this book is arranged as a study guide for a group, with discussion questions at the end of each section. (And, pssst ... don't worry, busy moms -- the answers are there, too! So don't worry about passing class.)
The Domestic Church, like all of Donna-Marie's books, backs up its exhortation with solid sources such as quotes from Scripture, encyclicals and saints. I love Donna-Marie's realism, too. In this book, she includes a beautiful quote from Blessed Teresa of Calcutta:
"A living love hurts. Jesus, to prove His love for us, died on the Cross. The mother, to give birth to her child, has to suffer. If you really love one another properly, there must be sacrifice."

And she honestly addresses temptations to abandon the heart of the home," noting that mothers can get discouraged, or feel unrecognized and unappreciated. She writes: "A mother who is fighting this interior battle may feel, or even state that she is 'just' a mother. I have heard this so often, and I will tell the mom that she is 'not just a mother!
This is the heart of Donna's message, and this is her mission: to help other moms realize that their work is a vital, vibrant, holy vocation.

I highly recommend Donna-Marie's books to newly married women and new mothers, and to moms of any age who seek encouragement and affirmation in their vocation.
And so, dear moms, if you have any doubts about the worth of your daily struggles, sacrifices and joys, dig into these books. When you've finished, you'll close them with a contented sigh, knowing that someone out there understands your worth and knows what you're going through...that you are storing up treasures in heaven."~Author and blogger, Karen Edmisten

Thank you for your beautiful review, Karen Edmisten!
Autographed copies available at: www.donnacooperoboyle.com Discounts available on bulk orders for group studies. Inquire at: DMCOBoyle@aol.com