My radio interview on "Christopher Close Up"

My “Christopher Closeup” interview is scheduled to run on Mother’s Day, May 9th at 7:00 am and 7:30 pm Eastern on Sirius-XM’s The Catholic Channel (Sirius Channel 159 / XM Channel 117). It will also run on the Relevant Radio network at 2:30 pm Eastern/1:30 pm Central. A podcast of the interview will be available on The Christophers web site the following day.

St. Catherine of Siena

Saint Catherine of Siena is one of my favorite saints for sure. Take a look at my latest post on my saints' blog at the Goodness Reigns website for youth and young adults...

"Catherine was born on March 25, 1347, in Italy. One afternoon when she was six years old, she went for a walk with her brother. On the way home she saw the Blessed Mother seated upon a throne holding the Christ Child in her arms. The Child looked at Catherine and raised His hand to bless her as He smiled at her. Catherine’s heart melted and she lived her whole life afterward wanting to please Jesus so He would smile at her again.

Despite all her prayers, Catherine felt deserted by God until one day she questioned Him. He tenderly reassured her in her heart the whole time. She was then overwhelmed with peace..." Continued here at the GR blog.

Unveiling the cover!

I now have the cover image to show you. This is my new book coming out in September of this year.

My announcement - my new upcoming book!

Updated now with book cover image...

I am very excited to tell you that I have written a prayer book for women that will be released this fall by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Company! This new book will be for ALL Catholic and Christian women. It's for single, married, mothers and Religious! It will be called A Catholic Woman's Book of Prayers. My other prayer book Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers went right on the Catholic best-sellers list when it was released. It has been a bestseller since it has been published and has had several re-prints already! It showed me that Catholic and Christian mothers really want this kind of inspirational prayer book. Many women from all around the world have told me that they refer to it often for inspiration and help throughout their busy days in raising their families. Many have given this book as a gift to spread the inspiration to their friends and family.

I have felt that we should have a prayer book such as the one I just described, but for ALL women in every stage of a woman's journey. So, with that inspiration, I have taken up the task to write this book and am excited to tell you that it will be released early fall of this year! I have woven thoughts and inspiration from my dear friend, Blessed Mother Teresa within the pages so that we can learn from her timeless wisdom. I've also included wisdom from other saints and saintly people to give women the lift and affirmation they need. I have quoted our late dear Holy Father Pope John Paul II quite a bit because he has always been a hero for women. I have found when giving my talks, retreats, and presentations, that women are often brought to tears when I remind them of their God-given dignity as women and when I quote from Pope John Paul II. Women need this so much in our day and age and I feel so blessed to be able to provide it to women by God's grace and the wonderful efforts of Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Company.

The book will look very lovely. I got a glimpse of the cover image work-in-progress. It will be a hard cover book and in a compact size (but longer than Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers) to easily stash in a purse, briefcase, or diaper bag and is brimming with many prayers, refections, verses, and aspirations. Most of the prayers are original. Traditional prayers are sprinkled throughout as well.

As soon as I get a copy of the cover image I will post it here for you to see as well as details about ordering, book signing events and more.

So, what do you think?!

Inspire: Imitating Mother Teresa by Recognizing Calcutta in Our Midst - Catholic Online

Inspire: Imitating Mother Teresa by Recognizing Calcutta in Our Midst - Catholic Online

A new review of "Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship"

Ann from Maryland just wrote this beautiful review...

As a Catholic mom, this book really was inspirational. I read it in one day, I couldn't put it down. I really could feel the love between Mother Teresa and Donna. What a great story, how fortunate to have known a living-saint. We are so lucky to be able to see inside the relationship, and use some of it in our own lives. I was brought to tears by the end of the book. Very Very Very good, any Christian would take something from this story!

*******

Thank you ever so much, Ann. Your words are very kind. I pray that our Lord will bless you abundantly and that dear Mother Teresa will watch over you and yours!

hugs,
Donna-Marie

St. Bernadette Soubirous's feast day today

Saint Bernadette was the first saint I learned about. I was fascinated about her life of holiness and the fact that she was visited by the Blessed Mother.

Here's an excerpt from my book, Catholic Saints Prayer Book:

Marie Bernarde Soubirous was born at Lourdes,
France, on January 7, 1844. As a child she
was called Bernadette. She lived in bleak poverty with
her family, being uneducated and suffering from asthma.
On February 11, 1858, Bernadette went out to
collect firewood on the banks of the Gave River near
Lourdes. There, in a cave above the riverbank, the
young girl was granted a vision of a beautiful lady who
eventually identified herself as the Blessed Virgin Mary.
When Bernadette revealed the vision to others,
they responded with severe skepticism and jealousy.

Bernadette received additional daily visions from February
18 through March 4, which drew curious
crowds once the word got out. The civil authorities
were hostile toward Bernadette and tried to frighten
her into recanting her story.
Bernadette persisted in her claims. On February
25, a spring began to flow at the cave where there was
previously none, and the water proved to be miraculous,
capable of healing the sick. In the vision on
March 25, the beautiful woman said to Bernadette,

“I am the Immaculate Conception.”
Our Lady directed the girl to have a chapel built
on the site. Many authorities tried to shut down the
spring and prevent the construction of the chapel. But
the influence and fame of the visions eventually
reached Empress Eugenie of France, wife of Napoleon
III, who made sure that construction went forward.
In 1866, Bernadette was sent to the Sisters of
Notre Dame in Nevers, where she became a sister of
the community. She was treated harshly by the mistress
of novices. Eventually it was discovered that
Bernadette suffered from a painful, incurable illness
and she died April 16, 1879.

Lourdes has become one of the major pilgrimage
destinations of the world. The spring continues to
produce miracles, as well as over 27,000 gallons of
20 water each week. After investigation, the apparitions
were approved by the Church. Bernadette was beatified
in 1925 and canonized in 1933.

Prayer to St. Bernadette

Dear St. Bernadette, how I would have loved to be
with you during your privileged times with the
Blessed Mother! Your unwavering faith, trust, and
humility are an awesome inspiration for us all. Please
pray for me to the Blessed Mother for the graces that
I need most. Pray that I can have an increase in faith
to do the things that God calls me to do, no matter
how contrary they may seem to the world. Remind
me to pray for the conversion of sinners, as you were
called to do. St. Bernadette, pray for us and for all
who invoke your aid. If it is in God’s holy will, please
grant me (here mention your request). Amen.


[Excerpt from Catholic Saints Prayer Book: Moments of Inspiration from Your Favorite Saints (Our Sunday Visitor, 2008) available at my website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com]

Opportunities surround us...

Small Opportunities to Be Saintly Surround Us

No, we don’t need to take a course in sanctity to become a saint one day– it’s all mapped out for us and right under our noses...

Check out my latest installment about the saints for youth at the Goodness Reigns website here.

"Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms" will premiere on Monday, April 12th!

Praised be to God! I just got word from my EWTN producer who told me that "Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms" will premiere this Monday, April 12th! The first one will air right before the Mass which is broadcast at 8:00am Eastern. So, if you turn your TV on about 15min before the Mass you should catch it. Another spot is set to air at exactly 6:20pm Monday night. These will be two separate episodes. I'm looking forward to seeing how they come out. :) I hope they will be inspiring to Catholic Moms everywhere. I hope you'll be able to catch them on Monday to hopefully give you a healthy dose of inspiration for your day. Please stop back and let me know what you think. Twenty five episodes have been taped so far and if they are well-received, God willing, I will do more.

God bless your week end, especially Divine Mercy Sunday!

hugs,

Donna-Marie

Eighth Day: Divine Mercy Novena

Eighth Day

"Today bring to Me the Souls who are in the prison of Purgatory,

and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice."

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.

Eighth Day: Divine Mercy Novena

Seventh Day

Today bring to Me the Souls who especially venerate and glorify My Mercy*,

and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.

Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God:

Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.

*The text leads one to conclude that in the first prayer directed to Jesus, Who is the Redeemer, it is "victim" souls and contemplatives that are being prayed for; those persons, that is, that voluntarily offered themselves to God for the salvation of their neighbor (see Col 1:24; 2 Cor 4:12). This explains their close union with the Savior and the extraordinary efficacy that their invisible activity has for others. In the second prayer, directed to the Father from whom comes "every worthwhile gift and every genuine benefit,"we recommend the "active" souls, who promote devotion to The Divine Mercy and exercise with it all the other works that lend themselves to the spiritual and material uplifting of their brethren.

Sixth day: Divine Mercy Novena

Sixth Day

Today bring to Me the Meek and Humble Souls and the Souls of Little Children,

and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.

Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Joan Lewis interviews Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz.

Fifth day: Divine Mercy Novena

Fifth Day

"Today bring to Me the Souls of those who have separated themselves from My Church*,

and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion."

Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.

*Our Lord's original words here were "heretics and schismatics," since He spoke to Saint Faustina within the context of her times. As of the Second Vatican Council, Church authorities have seen fit not to use those designations in accordance with the explanation given in the Council's Decree on Ecumenism (n.3). Every pope since the Council has reaffirmed that usage. Saint Faustina herself, her heart always in harmony with the mind of the Church, most certainly would have agreed. When at one time, because of the decisions of her superiors and father confessor, she was not able to execute Our Lord's inspirations and orders, she declared: "I will follow Your will insofar as You will permit me to do so through Your representative. O my Jesus " I give priority to the voice of the Church over the voice with which You speak to me" (497). The Lord confirmed her action and praised her for it.

Book signing in Springfield, MA

BOOK SIGNING coming up in Springfield, MA on Saturday, April 17th at Cathedral High School. Please see my website Donna Cooper O'Boyle for more details.

Fourth day: Divine Mercy Novena

Fourth Day

"Today bring to Me those who do not believe in God and those who do not know Me,

I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy."

Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

*Our Lord's original words here were "the pagans." Since the pontificate of Pope John XXIII, the Church has seen fit to replace this term with clearer and more appropriate terminology.

Third Day: Divine Mercy Novena

Third Day

"Today bring to Me all Devout and Faithful Souls,

and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were a drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness."

Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Second day: Divine Mercy Novena

Second Day

"Today bring to Me the Souls of Priests and Religious,

and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind."

Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service,* that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard -- upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.

* In the original text, Saint Faustina uses the pronoun "us" since she was offering this prayer as a consecrated religious sister. The wording adapted here is intended to make the prayer suitable for universal use.

For more information click here.

Divine Mercy Novena starts today!

Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:

"These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."

In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her:

"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy ... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls."

For more info...

go here

and here
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REGARDING THE NOVENA STARTING TODAY...

Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:
"These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."

In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her:

"On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy ... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls."

The different souls prayed for on each day of the novena are:

DAY 1 (Good Friday) - All mankind, especially sinners

DAY 2 (Holy Saturday) - The souls of priests and religious

DAY 3 (Easter Sunday) - All devout and faithful souls

DAY 4 (Easter Monday) - Those who do not believe in Jesus and those who do not yet know Him

DAY 5 (Easter Tuesday) - The souls of separated brethren

DAY 6 (Easter Wednesday) - The meek and humble souls and the souls of children

DAY 7 (Easter Thursday) - The souls who especially venerate and glorify Jesus' mercy

DAY 8 (Easter Friday) - The souls who are detained in purgatory;

DAY 9 (Easter Saturday) - The souls who have become lukewarm.

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy may also be offered each day for the day's intention, but is not strictly necessary to the Novena.

The first day of the novena is today beginning on Good Friday

First Day

"Today bring to Me all mankind, especially all sinners,

and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me."

Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.


Follow the novena here

I'll try to post each day of the novena on this blog.

God bless you all on this very holy Good Friday!

Donna-Marie