“Praise the Lord, who heals the brokenhearted.” -Psalm 147:3
From today’s Responsorial Psalm, this refrain stands out to me for so many ways. In varied ways, we are all brokenhearted over/about something/someone. We all know those situations where we just don’t know what to do, we don’t know if we can survive it, and even sometimes… we don’t know if we want to survive it. We have all experienced these times.
Read MoreHello all! I figured it was time for a reintroduction post as I am working on some new things for the blog and my YouTube channel.
My name is Amanda and I am a consecrated virgin in the Catholic Church. I was consecrated just over six years ago on January first in the Diocese of Great Falls-Billings at the hands of Bishop Michael Warfel.
I have a bachelors degree in Theology and a masters degree in Catechetics and Evangelization from Franciscan University of Steubenville. I also have graduate studies in elementary education. I have worked for Catholic parishes in various ways for the past six years.
My hope is for my blog and YouTube channel is to share pieces of my life through that I read and so as a consecrated virgin as well as to provide some insight on what I believe as a Catholic. I have some ideas on what I would like to cover. If you have any comments of suggestions, please let me know in the comments.
I have roughly decided on a weekly framework into which posts will be categorized. This does not mean that there will be a post every day but that all posts in these categories will be posted on these days:
Again, if you have any feedback, I would be more than happy to hear it.
I have also decided to restart my email list that includes an email notification for each post on the blog. If you are interested, please sign up below or in the sidebar.
May God bless you abundantly and grant you peace.
With God,
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Prepare Your Heart by Father Agustino Torres CFR
Publisher: Ave Maria Press (2023)
ARC, eARC (144 pages)
Via: NetGalley
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Join Fr. Agustino Torres, CFR—founder of Corazón Puro—on a multimedia Advent journey led by the saints and the Holy Family to prepare yourself to enter into the story of Christ’s birth through prayer, charity, and joyful acts of service to the needy.
Prepare Your Heart features stunning original art by Valerie Delgado of Pax.Valerie, along with daily meditations on a passage from scripture, reflection questions, prayer, and space for journaling and notetaking.
During each week of Advent, you will embark on a new path informed by Franciscan spirituality to guide you to becoming closer to God:
Week One, the way of Nazareth: a spirituality that attunes you to the needs of others and the hidden presence of God.
Week Two, the way of the saints: featuring Sts. Lucy, Nicholas, Juan Diego, and Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose feast days fall during Advent; they will teach you to live with intentionality, humility, and devotion.
Week Three, the way of St. Joseph: revealing the creative courage of Jesus’s foster father, teaching you how he makes a home for each of us in the heart of God.
Week Four, the way of Mary: a tutorial in learning how to say yes to God’s call for your life and trusting in his loving providence.
Prepare Your Heart is perfect for both individual and group use. Free companion videos; ideas for celebrating Sundays in Advent with family, friends, and small groups; and a downloadable leader’s guide are available at avemariapress.com.
The book, videos, leader’s guide, and family guide are available in Spanish as well.
Find the book: Goodreads, Amazon
The Other Princess by Denny S Bryce
Publisher: William Morrow (2023 (October 3))
ARC, eARC (448 pages)
Via: NetGalley
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A stunning portrait of an African princess raised in Queen Victoria’s court and adapting to life in Victorian England—based on the real-life story of a recently rediscovered historical figure, Sarah Forbes Bonetta.
With a brilliant mind and a fierce will to survive, Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a kidnapped African princess, is rescued from enslavement at seven years old and presented to Queen Victoria as a “gift.” To the Queen, the girl is an exotic trophy to be trotted out for the entertainment of the royal court and to showcase Victoria’s magnanimity. Sarah charms most of the people she meets, even those who would cast her aside. Her keen intelligence and her aptitude for languages and musical composition helps Sarah navigate the Victorian era as an outsider given insider privileges.
But embedded in Sarah’s past is her destiny. Haunted by visions of destruction and decapitations, she desperately seeks a place, a home she will never run from, never fear, a refuge from nightmares and memories of death.
From West Africa to Windsor Castle to Sierra Leone, to St. James's Palace, and the Lagos Colony, Sarah juggles the power and pitfalls of a royal upbringing as she battles racism and systematic oppression on her way to living a life worthy of a Yoruba princess.
Based on the real life of Queen Victoria’s Black goddaughter, Sarah Forbes Bonetta’s story is a sweeping saga of an African princess in Victorian England and West Africa, as she searches for a home, family, love, and identity.
Find the book: Goodreads, Amazon
Spirit of the Wood by Kristen Britain
Series: Green Rider #7.5
Publisher: Penguin Random House, Penguin, Daw (2023 (November 7))
ARC, eARC (208 pages)
Via: NetGalley
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Also by this author: Green Rider, First Rider's Call, The High King's Tomb
Also in this series: Green Rider, First Rider's Call, The High King's Tomb
This short novel set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Green Rider series tells the backstory of fan-favorite character Laren Mapstone
Perfect for longtime Green Rider fans eager for more of the world or new readers discovering the realm of Sacoridia for the first time, this action-packed, feminist fantasy is a must-read for lovers of the genre.
After years of leading the battle against the vicious Darrow Raiders, Lieutenant-Rider Laren Mapstone has built a fortress around herself to conceal her emotions and the deep scars she carries. When she is made mentor to Tavin Bankside, a Green Rider trainee on his first message errand, her cold and brooding exterior quickly earns her the moniker the “Ice Lady.”
Only after Laren is severely wounded in an attack on the North Road by a gang of bandits—including some former Darrow Raiders with vengeance on their minds—do the fortress walls fall. Even as they seek refuge from danger in a Rider waystation, Tavin’s natural empathic gift leaves him vulnerable to the assault of the lieutenant’s emotions. Tavin must save Lieutenant Mapstone’s life and master his empathic gift before it destroys them both.
However, an ancient power lurks deep within the Green Cloak, and its aid or hindrance could mean survival for the Riders or the downfall of Sacoridia and all the free lands.
Find the book: Goodreads, Amazon