It's kind of crazy, but I haven't posted a thing since my book came out: just when I should be going crazy with promotions of every kind! It's not that I haven't been promoting my book, it's that I haven't been online much. The Christmas concert "season" saw to that, coming within two weeks of the book launch. But now that we are over a full month into the not-so-new year, and Mardi Gras, I mean LENT, is here, I have a number of opportunities in the New Orleans area to bring my book right to the people. And, as you can see, I have some really strong support in that regard!!! (Photo taken at this weekend's parish book fair at Our Lady of Divine Providence here in Metairie.)
Besides going to parishes as part of a Pauline book fair, I am preparing a brochure promoting talks on the First Friday devotion and other topics connected to the themes of the book. That way parishes and groups in need of a speaker or a retreat presenter can schedule a talk or mission and the people have an opportunity to keep the fire burning by taking a book home! Given that this is the 350th anniversary year of the apparitions of the Sacred heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary, it is quite a good time to renew the devotion he specifically requested! The hard part about this is trying to advertise my own abilities. Thankfully, one of our Pauline cooperators worked in marketing, and she is helping me get over it.
So far, here are the topics I am developing:
The Secret of the Nine First Fridays
350 years ago, Jesus appeared to a cloistered nun in France with a complaint, a request, and a series of promises. All of those are summed up in the image of the Sacred Heart and in the “Nine First Fridays” devotion. Learn the amazing story, and how nine First Fridays can renew your relationship with Jesus.
Praying with Art
In the spirit of the ancient practice of lectio divina (prayerful reading), visio divina is a way of praying with art. Background on the artist and the context of the artwork provide an entryway into a time of reflective prayer on themes rooted in the biblical theology of the Sacred Heart.
(Makes use of a projected image; contact presenter for technical requirements.)
The Saints of the Sacred Heart
In this 350th anniversary of the apparitions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary, it can be easy to forget that the French nun was not the first (or last) saint of the Sacred Heart! Find out about the saints who prepared the way for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, those who helped develop it, and what their lives say to us today.
Offer It Up!
In times past, it was the answer to seemingly every complaint: “Offer it up!” As short as it is, the expression is surprisingly deep. But what does it mean? Is it really an answer? What good is “offering it up”?
Discovery through Eucharistic Adoration
Come meet Jesus! For many people, Eucharistic adoration is a welcome opportunity for prayer, drawing from and leading back to the Mass. The history and structure of the liturgy itself offers a kind of pattern that can serve as a guide for making an enriching Holy Hour, one that promises an ever-new relationship with the Lord who continues to call out, “Come to me, all of you.”
An ideal presentation for parishes where formal adoration is already established, or just being introduced.
Come to Me: Living the Nine First Fridays offers a practical and inspiring approach to “making the nine First Fridays” along with the biblical and historical background of devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. With a complete, Scripture-based Holy Hour guide for each month, it is a perfect companion for the Eucharistic Revival and promises to transform your spiritual life.
1 comment:
Good for you, Sr Anne, and your mission. Glad you've success with the book and are back! It has been literally 'years' since I've followed the periodic commentary in a 'blog' format --when you were living in Chicago --quite some time ago. I'm glad and you're glad, and we're all glad together!
Have a blessed Lenten season, and the other DSP communities. (And, may the Good Lord protect you all from alligators.)
My mother always used to say, "Make the effort, you never know when it will be your last chance to participate in Lent." Well, she actually used to say 'celebrate' Lent, but am editorializing as perhaps, as the use of that word 'celebrate' might have a bit of different connotation about those forty days of prayer and fasting in the wilderness in perception of intent of Lenten practices. Or, maybe not. Matthew 6:16-18.
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