Book News
Jesuit story goes hand-in-hand with building of Canada
By Indre Cuplinskas, Catholic Register SpecialTeachers of a Nation: Jesuits in English Canada, Jesuit History Series, vol. 1, by Joseph B. Gavin S.J. (Novalis, 288 pages, hardcover, $34.95).
Builders of a Nation: Jesuits in English Canada, Jesuit History Series, vol. 2, Jacques Monet S.J. editor (Novalis, 288 pages, hardcover, $34.95).
Talk of Canada’s Jesuits and their history usually conjures images of St. Jean de Brebeuf and his seven companions martyred in the 17th century at the hands of the Iroquois. Those dramatic events, famously recounted in the Jesuit Relations, would inspire and encourage future generations of the Society of Jesus to missionary work and to the care and feeding of the cult of their martyr-confrères.
Where the euthanasia slippery slope lies
By Peter Kavanagh, Catholic Register SpecialDo You Call This A Life? Blurred Boundaries in the Netherlands Right-to-Die-Laws, by Gerbert van Loenen (Ross Lattner, 196 pages, softcover, $20).
Canadian judges and Members of Parliament should read this book.
Author tackles atheism with humour
By Jean Ko Din, The Catholic RegisterLaughter might truly be the best medicine if it can encourage friendly conversation between Christians and atheists. That was Andy Bannister’s goal when he wrote The Atheist Who Didn’t Exist.
Farrow’s thoughts won’t make for a better country
By Fr. Paul Hansen, Catholic Register SpecialDesiring a Better Country: Forays in Political Theology by Douglas Farrow (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 192 pages, softcover, $29.95)
As Douglas Farrow’s Desiring a Better Country: Forays in Political Theology arrived on my desk, I was in a conversation about whether we still live in a nation state or a corporate state. If in a corporate state, what does this say about democracy and the role left to us, the citizens of international free trade agreements? Are we just spectators to the drama being played out between Greece and the European Union?
Tomics tickle the Catholic funny bone
By Jean Ko Din, The Catholic RegisterIf God truly has a sense of humour, He would probably enjoy reading the Tomics Collection book by Tom Gould.
Tomics are weekly “religious funnies” published by The Catholic Fellows, a lay ministry that fosters men’s spiritual fellowship. Every Friday, their website features a new comic strip inspired by Scripture readings, lives of the saints or Catholic teaching.
Finding God’s presence in media and culture
By Ruane Remy, Catholic Register SpecialSeeds of the Word: Finding God in the Culture (Word On Fire, hardcover, 275 pages, $24.95).
The teen vampire series Twilight has at least one thing in common with the prolific 20th-century Catholic writer and monk Thomas Merton — they both have a part in teaching us about God in the culture.
Why stay? A new book looks at feminists who refuse to give up on faith
By Lauren Markoe, Religion News ServiceIn the moments before Jennifer Zobair converted to Islam, she had one pressing question for the imam, about a verse in the Quran that seemed to give husbands permission to beat their wives.
A simple formula for those who struggle with prayer
By Carolyn Savoie, Catholic Register Special3 Moments of the Day by Christopher S. Collins, S.J. (Ave Maria Press, 138 pages, softcover $17.60).
Prayer is a conversation with God — but are we delivering a one-way monologue? It can sometimes be difficult to hear God in prayer. However, 3 Moments of the Day presents a refreshingly simple, straightforward method to help us encounter God not only in prayer but throughout the day.
Antigonish from the sinner’s eye
By Bob McKeon, Catholic Register SpecialThe Canny Scot: Archbishop James Morrison of Antigonish, by Peter Ludlow (McGill-Queens University Press, 352 pages, hardcover, $34.95).
For those of us interested in how Church social action really happens, Peter Ludlow has written a fascinating, accessible, full-length biography of Archbishop James Morrison, one of the most important Canadian bishops of the 20th century.
Make room for God in the man cave
By Evan Boudreau, The Catholic RegisterWhile many men spend time in their man cave drinking beer and watching sports, Todd Stahl would rather pass his time in male solitude with devotions and self-reflection.
God plants the idea, author writes about it
By Jean Ko Din, The Catholic RegisterIrish Beth Maddock says she gets a lot of calls from God late at night or early in the morning. It is during these quiet hours of the night she “downloads” the ideas God plants in her mind.