Women Saints: A Nice Gift Idea for Mom

Here's a terrific book I discovered at the library, called Women Saints: Lives of Faith and Courage by Kathleen Jones (Orbis Books, 1999, paperback, 310 pages, ISBN 1-57075-291-5).

The book is divided into eight chapters:

1. Visionaries
2. Martyrs
3. Collaborators
4. Wives and Mothers
5. Penitents
6. Outcasts
7. Innovators
8. Missionaries

I just finished reading a selection from the Wives and Mothers, about St. Anna Maria Taigi (1769-1837), who lived a very arduous and difficult life. She lived in the poor quarters of Rome, and her husband was far from a reasonable and happy man. He was prone to many tantrums. Yet, while raising six children (she gave birth to them over a span of twenty years), she kept her eyes on Heaven and sought out Jesus' refuge. She offered her husband unending patience and guidance. In time, queens, clergy, and nobles sought her out, in her austere and humble home. One queen even offered her gold, which she readily refused, acknowledging the extraordinary gift of her faith. Her canonization was a long yet amazing process, during which her husband personally vouched for her strength in Christ. Since she was never a religious, documents were not available regarding her spiritual development, thus every detail was carefully scrutinized.

Author Kathleen Jones is Emeritus Professor of Social Policy at the University of York and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Pyschiatrists. She has translated The Poems of St. John of the Cross and revised two volumes of the new edition of Butler's Lives of the Saints.

Women Saints includes only a few modern women: Katherine Drexel, Edith Stein, and Anuarite Nengapeta. I would like to see more included, but just the same, the book is beautifully written and well researched.

You can purchase Women Saints by just clicking on the book above, or by visiting Kathleen's Catholic Book Shop. It is wonderful, edifying reading. Perhaps it would make a nice gift for a mom in your life.

God bless!

For Our Awe and Wonder, Made by a Magnificent Creator

Here is the Universe as we have been able to map it out thus far. What's even more amazing is how much we haven't been able to determine.

And to think the Creator of all this wants to be with us!

God bless!

Advent Wreath: The Wood of the Manger, Carpenter, and Cross

A few years ago, I was visiting my parents' home. On their dining room table sat a very simple yet elegant Advent wreath. Soon afterward, my father arrived at my home with two pieces of wood in his hands. "Here you go, Kathleen. I hope you like it." And I love it. Dad made one right away in his workshop. The above photo shows you the pieces of the wreath and how the two pieces of wood are fashioned.

It's a simple wreath, and I like Advent wreaths to reflect our time of waiting and preparation. While some people like to festoon their Advent wreaths, I am more of a purist. Each Sunday of Advent, a candle is lit, saving the rose candle for the third Sunday, called Joyful Sunday. It's a special day that reminds us to be attentive, the time is drawing near when His Light is about to enter the world.

I also like to add a white pillar in the center. This we light on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning, and burn it throughout the Christmas Season. This year, I'm going to replace the spent Advent candles with bright red Christmas candles. Together with the white pillar, they will look very festive.

There's one more thing about this wooden wreath I particularly love: It reminds me of the stable, Christ's manger, Christ the carpenter (learning the trade at Joseph's side), and also Christ's cross, from which He redeemed the world. I am still amazed that our God came to us--in complete union with His Creation--as a tiny and helpless baby, born to a simple handmaid and carpenter. This is why Advent is so special. It's a time to deeply reflect on this and also to prepare for His coming!

Have a wonderful, blessed Advent!

God bless.

Remedy for the Bah-Humbug

Check out my new column at CatholicMom.com. Click here to read about combatting the dreaded Bah-Humbug!

Have a blessed Advent!

Food Court Filled with Classical Voice

It looks like the food court had been invaded by Handel!

Lidia's NONNA TELL ME A STORY: A Book Review and Recipes

Just in time for Advent and Christmas preparations!

by Kathleen Blease

At CatholicMom.com this month, I review a wonderful book by a chef from whom I've learned a great deal, Lidia Bastianich, who is well-known for her cookbooks and PBS series, Lidia's Italy.

Lidia's new book, Nonna Tell Me A Story is meant to bring family together, and it's especially geared toward our little ones, ages four through eight. It features bright and joyful art, as well as fifteen scrumptious recipes of holiday treats for your family.

So I don't give it all away right here, you'll need to click here to read the entire review at CatholicMom. Are you the aunt that bakes the Christmas cookies? Me, too! So I also include at CatholicMom one of my own favorite recipes--something new for the holiday tray.

To purchase your own copy of Nonna Tell Me A Story by Lidia Bastianich (Running Press Kids, Oct. 2010, $15.95, ages 4-8), you can visit Kathleen's Catholic Book Shop right here on this blog. Just look for the little red box in the right column and click on it. Then click on Kathleen's Catholic Book Shop For Kids. We're offering the book at the discounted price of $10.85.

Here's a sneak preview of the book's colorful and joyful art, as well as as two of its scrumptious recipes. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Laura Logan's illustrations are bright and cheerful, setting the mood for the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Here are two recipes I'm looking forward to trying myself: Pine Nut Cookies and Sesame Cookies. They are printed here with permission from the publisher.

PINE NUT COOKIES
(Amaretti con Pignoli)

Yields: 3 dozen

1 lb. canned almond paste
1 1/2 c. sugar
3 large egg whites
1 c. pine nuts (optional)
1/4 c. confectioners' sugar, or as needed (optional)

1. Arrange one rack in the upper third of the oven and the other in the lower third. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Crumbe the almond paste into a mixing bowl. Beat with a hand held electric mixer until finely crumbled. Sprinkle the sugar over the almost paste and continue to beat unmtil the sugar is incorporated. Beat in the egg whites, one at a time adn continue beating unti lthe batter is smooth.

3. If using the pine nuts, spread them out on a plate. Pinch off a tablespoon-size piece of dough and roll between your palms to form a ball. Roll the ball in pine nuts or just place it on the baking sheet if you want plain cookies. Repeat with the remaining dough.

4. Bake the cookies until lightly browned and soft and springy, about 20 minutes. Remove and cool completely on wire racks before serving. The cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 week and are delicious with or without the pine nuts.

Note: The plain cookies can also be dusted with confectioners' sugar before serving.


SESAME COOKIES
(Biscotti ai Semi di Sesamo)

Yield: 4 dozen

1 c. sesame seeds (or sprinkles)
2 large eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. semolina flour
2/3 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
Pinch of ground nutmeg
1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1. Arrange one oven rack in the upper third of the oven and the other in the lower third. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spread the sesame seeds out on a baking sheet and bake them on the lower rack until toasted to golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Shake the pan once or twice as they bake so they toast evenly. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, vanilla, and salt until blended. Stir the all-purpose flour, semolina flour, sugar, baking powder, and nutmeg together in a mixing bowl until blended. With your fingers, work the butter into the flour mixture until the butter resembles small cornflakes. Pour in the egg mixture and mix well into a dough. Cover the refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to let it firm up.

3. Lightly flour your hands and pinch off a nectarine-size piece of the dough and roll it out with the palm and fingers of your hands, using light pressure, to a rope about 1/2 inch in diameter. Cut the rope into 2-inch lengths and roll them in the sesame seeds or sprinkles to coat completely. Transfer the coated cookies to the prepared baking sheets and repeat with the remaining dough and seeds.

4. Bake the cookies unti golden brown, adn 15 to 17 minutes. Rotate the baking sheets from rack to rack and side to side once during baking so the cookies bake and brown evenly.

Don't forget to visit CatholicMom.com to read my complete review and print out my own cookie recipe.

God bless!

Precious Freedoms Lost in the Holy Lands

The story linked below is very sad. Over the years, Pope Benedict XVI has been addressing the issues that face the Catholic Church in the Holy Lands, issues which threaten its very existence. Many Catholics have feared for their lives and have left their homes in the Middle East. There are now very few left. This most recent attack, which took place in a cathedral (a house of God and love), will surely have serious ramifications.

Please pray for our dear fellow Catholics who suffer persecution and are in danger of losing their lives. Remember them in your daily prayers with your family, and be grateful for our securities here in the United States.

Our freedoms--which are not just nice to have and to take for granted but are all-together necessary--are very precious indeed and need to be defended. Don't forget to vote and practice your God-given rights. Perhaps as you pull the lever, say a prayer for our fellow Catholics in the Holy Lands!

Over 50 Catholics die during terrorist attack on Baghdad cathedral :: EWTN News