Month: February 2024

The Mass and the manger: my interactive Christmas story

~ Betty Vertin ~ Leave a comment

The Mass and the Manger: My Interactive Christmas Story is a fun and meaningful new children’s book the whole family can enjoy. It tells the story of the first Christmas and then, using interactive full-page flaps, reveals the story of two young children, a brother and sister, who receive Jesus through the Eucharist at midnight Mass. The young siblings discover connections between the birth of Jesus and Mass that the young readers in your life will surely make as well.

As a mother to seven, I first read the book by myself and immediately knew kids would like it. This book is geared towards children ages six to 10. However, when I read it out loud to my youngest, 22 months, pointing out the things she would recognize in the illustrations and showed her the baby, Jesus, I noticed that several of my other children in the room were listening and were drawn into the remarkable story. Their ages ranged from 22 months to 18 years old.  Just as the book proclaims, “That first Christmas, long ago, not so different from, now, you know! Jesus comes to us still now! “The book has a message for all ages.

It will hold a special place for children who have recently or will soon receive their first communion. Several times in the book, we are reminded that we get to hold Jesus in our hearts through the Eucharist just as Mary and Joseph held him close on that first Christmas.

My nine-year-old daughter, Mary, who had her first communion a few months ago, loved the simple, rhyming language used by author Jennifer Sharpe and said she learned things about the Mass she didn’t know or remember.  The Christmas story is already one of her favorites because of her name, but she especially liked the illustrations. 

I have to agree; the illustrations by Gina Capaldi look like beautiful paintings that could be framed and hung in your home, especially those of the first Christmas.  In a world where children are saturated with toy commercials and Santa Claus, it is refreshing to see beautiful pictures of the holy family, the nativity, and the Mass intended for them.

The Mass and the Manger: My Interactive Christmas Story belongs in every Christmas library.  This book will find a place in our family Christmas Eve tradition as well.  We will read it each Christmas Eve before Mass, and my younger children can bring it to Mass and follow along.

I highly recommend this book for the children in your lives. You can order a copy from Ascension Press.

Book Review: Essential Eucharistic Adoration

~ Betty Vertin ~ Leave a comment

Marie Paul Curley, FSP, has compiled the perfect pocket-sized book of prayers to enhance your experiences in Eucharistic Adoration.

Essential Eucharistic Adoration Prayers include the following sections: biblical prayers, prayers of adoration, prayers of praise and thanksgiving, prayers of repentance and reparation, prayers of intercession and petition in adoration with Mary, and Benediction. These sections include everything one might need, including stations of the cross and the mysteries of the rosary.

In the weeks I spent in eucharistic adoration with this book, preparing to write this review, I particularly liked the biblical prayers. It includes Psalms 63, which says, “For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.”  This book of prayers is just that: help guide you to a fruitful adoration.

I often participate in the sacrament of reconciliation before Eucharistic adoration and appreciate the many prayers of reparation and repentance.  I found the prayer, “To Jesus, Good Shepard,” especially beautiful and found the words: “Recall us to your way. Sustain us when we waver, strengthen us when we are weak,” very healing.

There is vast content within the pages of this book, but it is still nearly as small as my phone.  It can easily accompany me anywhere in my purse or pocket. I give Essential Eucharistic Adoration Prayers a 10 out of 10 and plan to keep in with me in adoration, reconciliation, stations, and when I’m on the go for added prayer time throughout my day.