Originally published at National Catholic Register
Strictly for book-giving, not book-gifting!…
A friend told me recently that bookstores were making something of a comeback. I hope that’s true because browsing bookstores is one of life’s great pleasures. (For the ultimate such experience, visit Hatchards at 187 Piccadilly in London). In the spirit of happy browsing, here are some suggestions for Christmas book-giving (not “gifting”!) at a historical moment that needs equal doses of realism and hope.
Forming Families, Forming Saints by Father Carter Griffin (Emmaus Road Publishing): A guide to raising children for lives of sanctity by one of America’s finest priests, combining theological and spiritual insights, practical suggestions, and lives-of-the-saints in a reader-friendly style. Give it to young parents learning to navigate the rocks, shoals, and joys of child-rearing in an authentically Catholic key.
A Short History of the Roman Mass by Uwe Michael Lang (Ignatius Press): One knowledgeable reviewer, Father Cassian Folsom, described Father Lang’s walk through the development of Holy Mass from the Last Supper to today’s reform-of-the-reform as “wonderfully refreshing” and “free of the cliches” that mar standard tellings of story from both progressives and traditionalists. Give it to your pastor, parish worship director, and any seminarians you know –
