Winter Reading

I recently ordered a few books from Amazon--just in time, too! I spent the entire morning wrapped in a blanket, drinking caffe mocha, and reading them while snowstorm raged on outside.

I bought the Catholic Women's Devotional Bible after happening to pick up my older sister's copy and ended up liking it so much that I wanted a one of my own. I originally had the standard New American Bible, but the nice thing about the Catholic Women's is that it contains articles on Biblical women, Tradition, and has daily devotions, prayers, and meditations scattered throughout. It also has a lectionary in the back if you're interested in reading daily Scripture readings. Another book I purchased was 33 Days to Morning Glory to go along with my copy of Saint Louis de Montfort's True Devotion to Mary. Eight popes have done the consecration to Mary through the True Devotion book and have highly recommended it. 33 Days to Morning Glory by Micheal E. Gaitley, MIC, breaks the Consecration into smaller steps and makes the Devotion easier to perform and simpler to understand. Vatican II stated that "everyone should have a genuine devotion to Mary and entrust his life to her motherly care." What better way to honor our Blessed Mother and grow in holiness as young ladies? Try starting this Devotion by forming a small group with your friends and beginning it together.

If you're looking for even more good books to read during your wintry evenings, be sure to check out The Ultimate List of Catholic Books here.

Consecration Prayer to Mary
I, (name), a faithless sinner, renew and ratify today in thy hands the vows of my Baptism; I renounce forever Satan, his pomps and works; and I give myself entirely to Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Wisdom, to carry my cross after Him all the days of my life, and to be more faithful to Him than I have ever been before. In the presence of all the heavenly court, I choose thee this day for my Mother and Mistress. I deliver and consecrate to thee, as thy slave, my body and soul, my goods, both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past, present and future; leaving to thee the entire and full right of disposing of me, and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to thy good pleasure, for the greater glory of God in time and in eternity. Amen.