I recently read Raymond Arroyo’s new book Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality and found it to be an excellent book. I also really enjoyed his first book which was a biography of Mother Angelica and found the new book to be a perfect companion to it. Raymond Arroyo has really done an excellent service by providing a sort of compendium on the teachings of Mother Angelica in the new book.
Raymond has selected passages of her writings from her mini-books, from what she has used to teach her nuns, and from her television show and placed those writing into chapters designated by an overall topic. You are not going to find some new profound truth in her writings, but more than likely you will come to understand a truth better. She has built upon many of the treasures handed down by spiritual writers and then translated them in her own distinct way.
No one will accuse Mother Angelica of teaching via flower words. Most of what she says are more like arrows shot between the eyes using language that is quite straight forward. For example she says the following on the importance of humor.
Humor is a gift that Christians should be filled with. You must laugh at yourself so you are able to take your neighbor’s faults with a grain of salt. Give him the privilege of being imperfect — just like you, sweetheart.
She is probably also the only spiritual writer that can get away with using dodo, of which she frequently has recourse to do. If you have ever watched Mother Angelica Live you will probably be familiar with some of what is in the book. Many of her well-homed stories are repeated, but there is also much material that even fans of hers show will not have heard. Besides culling from her writings and shows, Raymond Arroyo also publishes many of her prayers that she had taught her nuns and many of those are worth the price of the book.
This is also a book that I think that even people who were not great fans of her television show would enjoy. The type of book that will make you both laugh and reflect with equal measure. Regardless of whether your a newbie in the spiritual life or a prayer warrior this book has a lot to offer and I highly recommend it for everyone.
Here are some other positive reviews from around St. Blogs.
4 comments
After reading Mother’s book, you can’t help but fall in love with her. I only wish she was still in her 30’s and could be around for another 50+ years. I feel like I would have liked to have met her. She isn’t available for many visitors now, and she’s someone I think everyone should have the chance to meet. Now, only through her books.
Dave Hartline at Catholic Report also has a review of the book on his site now.
One of these days, I will get around to posting on my blog the story of when Raymond took me to meet her…what a day it was!!!!! I can say I met a should-be canonized Saint!
After reading Mother’s book, you can’t help but fall in love with her. I only wish she was still in her 30’s and could be around for another 50+ years.
Thanks to her, the Church is now energized by scores of thirty-something ‘Mother Angelicas.’