Talking about Jesus, Mary, and Eucharistic Adoration

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ron Finn and Shayne Stanfield on Annunciation Radio. We shared a very meaningful conversation. Take a listen by clicking the image below.

Get your autographed copy of “30 Marian Eucharistic Visits” here

Learn more and purchase your copy here.

“Family Consecration to Jesus Through Mary: 33 Days of Preparation with Saint Louis Marie de Montfort”

Have you seen my Family Consecration book? I’ll post a few of the Amazon comments below from families who are using my book.

I gave a bit of background:

First, here’s a description:

“Saint Faustina warned parents that praying for their children is not enough. That’s why so many conscientious parents take the further step of consecrating their children to Jesus through Mary, thereby defending them from evil and paving their way to Heaven.

This book walks you through the simple process of doing just that. Its informed pages give you detailed instructions to help you lead your family (ages seven and up) through each of the 33 mini-retreat days recommended by Saint Louis de Montfort, the beloved eighteenth-century priest and confessor who tirelessly preached that Jesus is not known well enough because Mary is not known well enough. 

Adapted for the often less-than-ideal prayer circumstances of families — particularly those with young children — these 33 brief, stress-free daily spiritual exercises and family activities bring adults and children greater knowledge of Jesus through Mary, and a more fervent love of both. 

Don’t delay. There’s no book more immediately beneficial than this and no time better than now to seize the day and help all the members of your family — young and old — to consecrate their lives to Jesus through Mary.”

And a note from yours truly:

“Now, more than ever it is important to Consecrate our lives to Jesus through Mary and to help our children and grandchildren to Consecrate their lives too. That’s precisely why I wrote this book! I kept it totally true to Saint Louis de Montfort’s teachings. I’d also like to share that I am deeply touched by Saint Faustina’s words in her Diary (765) when she explained one of her visions in which she encountered a crowd of children about five to eleven years of age. They cried out to her, “Defend us from evil.” Saint Faustina then saw the Lord Jesus Who was distressed and told her, “You are to defend them from evil.” Saint Faustina said that from that moment she prayed for the children. She added, “But I feel that prayer alone is not enough.” Helping children to be Consecrated to Jesus through Mary will surely help to “defend them from evil” by greatly aiding their souls. It will be more than simply praying for them. Remember, St. Faustina expressed that she believed that, “Prayer alone is not enough.” I believe that the children’s Consecrations will surely please Jesus and Mary too. Their Consecrations will certainly help to pave the way to Heaven. May God bless you and your family, now and forever!”

A few Amazon reviews:

“I had previously completed the Morning Glory Consecration personal retreat which I loved, but we were looking for a guide with reflections for our family to complete together to prepare for our family Consecration to the heart of Jesus through Mary. The daily readings and prompts were great to lead us deeper in our faith and helped grow our relationship with Mary. The prayers were beautiful–we split half to pray at breakfast and half before bed. For context, we completed this book with our 2 sons ages 12y and 8y. They were so excited for our consecration day and I am grateful for this book to help teach us why mother Mary will help lead us to a faith filled life.”

***

If you are like me, and often feel concerned about whether or not you and your family will receive the grace of final perseverance and be united together with Christ in heaven at the end of your lives, reading this book with your family is like a breath of grace to carry you closer to Christ every day.
Christ says in Matthew 11:30 …”my yoke is sweet and my burden light.” (Douay-Rheims Bible) If you are feeling overwhelmed with everyday life and are looking for one of the best, easiest way to increase in holiness, “Family Consecration to Jesus Through Mary” will be such a blessing in your life as it takes just a few minutes each day to prepare for and make your consecration, although there will be deep spiritual work to be done if we are sincere in our consecration. I really enjoyed the user-friendly organization of having the traditional prayers recommended by St Louis de Montfort for each section compiled together in the back of the book along with the short family Scripture readings and prayers included in each chapter. I also love the familiarity of the book as it follows the
same template of the classic Marian consecration book “True Devotion to Mary” by St. Louis de Montfort.
I can already see my relationship with my child growing as we discuss important spiritual truths together through the child-friendly discussion questions in each chapter and pray together in our quest for holiness. She is visibly calmed in both body and spirit after each chapter and so am I. It has been such a sweet thing to have special time together in our family consecration readings and I am delighted to be able to finally share the experience of consecration to Jesus through Mary with my family as I longed to do during my first Marian consecration. Being a new Catholic, I also love the simple yet detailed explanations of how to physically carry out the act of consecration, family crowning of Mary, and many other Catholic devotional practices that have never done or observed before. Glory be to God for this timely aid in stepping heavenward. JMJ

***

“Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s new book, “Family Consecration to Jesus through Mary” is excellent. She has thought of all the tools that families need in order to prepare for and consecrate their family unit to Mary. The book is well planned out with daily prayers and exercises for family members age 7 and up. Donna-Marie has based the 33 days of preparation on the well-founded spiritual exercises and writings of Saint Louis Marie de Montfort. The “How to Use This Book” section is brief and clear for the step-by-step preparation. The Appendices contain many additional prayers and practices that can be used during the preparation as well as all year long. One question that I thought about was when to start the preparation – how to choose an appropriate date. Donna-Marie suggests choosing a special Marian Feast for the Consecration and she helps by providing a chart of monthly feasts (one or more just about every month) to choose from. Then, she backs up the calendar by 33 days to provide the start date for the family preparation. As an example, the Marian Feast of the Assumption is on August 15th, so Donna-Marie tells us that we should start our preparation with Day 1 on July 13th. That suggested to me a great way to start, by having family members decide together their favorite Marian feast day, then working together to prepare for that family Consecration date by following the daily prayers and exercises together during the 33 days of preparation. I found, above all, that this is not meant to be a one time preparation and consecration. Donna-Marie’s daily preparation and consecration can be used at least annually to strengthen our family in the faith as an entire unit. Donna-Marie definitely put together an excellent, well designed book to easily help us consecrate our family unit to Mary!”

Editorial Reviews:

“Mary loves families.This book is a wonderful way for families to open themselves to Mary s love for them, and her deepest desire that they join her in wholeheartedly surrendering to God and doing what Jesus tells them.”
Ralph Martin, S.T.D.
Director of Graduate Theology Programs in the New Evangelization, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Archdiocese of Detroit 

“Abandoning ourselves to God is the certain way to salvation; St Louis Marie de Montfort teaches us that Mary is the surest, shortest, and most perfect way to approach Jesus and make this act of abandonment. It is a journey we do not take alone, it is one we make in communion with others, most appropriately with members of our family, the domestic church. In this book, Donna-Marie Cooper O Boyle deftly guides families through St Louis Marie s plan of preparing to make the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, providing a catechism of Catholic faith and spirituality while helping parents in their role of forming their children as disciples of Christ. This is a beautiful book which, I hope, will enhance the spiritual lives of many Christian families.” 
Fr John S. Hogan, OCDS
Co-host of EWTN’s Forgotten Heritage, Author of “Thomas Becket: Defender of the Church” 

“Jesus says the greatest commandment is to Love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. And the second is to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:28-31). “Family Consecration to Jesus Through Mary” is a beautiful, clear, practical guide to understanding these commandments and most importantly living them out in your daily life.” 
Patrick Madrid
Host of the Patrick Madrid Show on Relevant Radio 

“In an era when family prayer consists of praying around the dinner table and before bed, and a time when more catechesis takes place at the parish church than in the home, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s Family Consecration to Jesus Through Mary will introduce families to prayer and assist them in handing on the faith to their children. Families together will consecrate themselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who will surely obtain many graces from her Son, as husbands, wives, and children, live out their Consecration and baptismal promises.” 
Fr. Edward Looney
Author of A Lenten Journey with Mother Mary

According to the experts:

“Don’t delay. There’s no book more immediately beneficial than this and no time better than now to seize the day and help all the members of your family — young and old — to consecrate their lives to Jesus through Mary.”

Order your autographed copy:

$18.95 plus shipping for inside the United States:


For ordering outside of the United States:
$18.95 plus shipping


Thinking of Ireland: “Irish Blessings!”

I have created a new Novena Prayer Bracelet design: “Irish Blessings.”

I made this particular style in four ways (white pearl-like beads, crystal beads, as well as crystal with semi-precious gem stones).

Description: “Irish Blessings!”

Currently, there are THREE styles for “Irish Blessings.” One is crafted with pearl-like glass beads, one other is with crystal glass beads. The third, is with the white pearl beads and “Fancy Jasper” semi-precious stones.

All have pretty green decorated beads as well (some are decorated glass, others are “Fancy Jasper” semi-precious stones). The St. Patrick medal has the image of St. Bridget (shown in next photo) on the back! Each bracelet features sterling silver plated and silver-plated components, along with the Saint’s medal and Miraculous Medal, Celtic Cross, and shamrock. There are also small Irish-looking hearts, as well as silver “knot” beads between each bead (hard to see in the pictures).

Each Novena Prayer Bracelet will come to you in a velvet bag, along with a prayer card to St. Patrick and St. Bridget.

“Irish Blessings!” Prayer Novena Bracelet (white pearl) with nine beads for a Novena of prayer

Use the button below to order one bracelet ($42.95, plus Priority shipping in U.S.)

 

Use the button below to buy two for only $80.00 (plus Priority shipping in the U.S.) for both!

 

“Irish Blessings!” Prayer Novena Bracelet (crystal) with nine beads for a Novena of prayer

Use the button below to order one bracelet ($42.95 plus Priority shipping in U.S.)

 

Use the button below to buy two for only $80.00 (plus Priority shipping in the U.S.) for both!

 

“Irish Blessings!” Prayer Novena Bracelet (white pearl and “Fancy Jasper”) with nine beads for a Novena of prayer

This third style features the “Fancy Jasper” semi-precious stones and touches of tiny green glass beads throughout. Saint Bridget is on the other side of the St. Patrick medal.

Use the button below to order one bracelet ($42.95 plus Priority shipping in U.S.)

 

Use the button below to buy two for only $80.00 (plus Priority shipping in the U.S.) for both!

 

“Irish Blessings!” Prayer Novena Bracelet (white pearl and “Fancy Jasper”) with nine beads for a Novena of prayer

This fourth style features the “Fancy Jasper” semi-precious stones and touches of tiny green glass beads throughout. Saint Bridget is on the other side of the St. Patrick medal.

Use the button below to order one bracelet ($42.95 plus Priority shipping in U.S.)

 

Use the button below to buy two for only $80.00 (plus Priority shipping in the U.S.) for both!

 

I didn’t know who would open the card …

I don’t always think to put a Christmas card out for our mail carrier. After all, we have several carriers and also substitutes. How would I know to whom it would or should go? How many are needed? How would I address it?

Add to that, I wondered if the card would get lost in the shuffle and dropped into the post office mailbox by mistake. I had placed a bunch of Christmas cards in my mailbox to be mailed one day. On the top of that pile, I had placed the one without the postage stamp.

Well, I have a little story to share with you just a few days before Christmas. I’ll leave the gift wrapping and cleaning on hold for a few minutes so that I can tell you.

Yesterday, a mail truck pulled up in my driveway to deliver a heavy package. It was filled with the extra books I had sent back from Texas. You see, I was recently in San Antonio, Texas to present on Mary and the Eucharist. Any books that are left over from my book signing, I send back home.

The friendly and energetic young man came to my door. I greeted him and asked if there was another box as well. I had shipped two from Texas.

“No, just this one,” he said.

Then he added, “By the way, do you know my godparents, ‘so and so’?”

“Yes! I do? What made you think I’d know them?” I was a bit puzzled because they live about an hour’s distance away.

“Well, they told me that you were going to speak in ‘such and such place’ awhile back and I told them I thought that you were on my mail route!”

“Wow!” I think I said to him after learning this interesting “coincidence.” Suddenly a thought popped into my head. Did he find the card in our mailbox awhile back or someone else? Should I ask him? Maybe not, because he might not have been the one.

Before I could ask though, he said, “Thank you for the Christmas card and note, by the way.”

Ahh! I thought. He was the one that got the card. It didn’t get lost after all.

I had left a Christmas card addressed to “Our Mail Carrier” for whomever was going to find it. I included a monetary tip and a holy card. Even though the Christmas card I wrote out to him wouldn’t be “religious” (so as not to offend anyone), it did mention “Christmas.” And I couldn’t help but include a holy card, hoping it could be inspiring to whomever saw it. You never know … it could be just the message someone needs at this time of year.

Well, it gets even better. And that is why I have to pause from the “million” things I need to do today before Mass tonight so that I can share with you.

As you can see, this is not the one I wrote to him. But just showing you which card it was.

Our mail carrier made mention again about the card. He said he had been away from church for a while now and he knows he needs to get back. He said the holy card touched his heart.

AND, he happened to open my Christmas card in front of his Mother and her eyes caught sight of the holy card. She said, “You see!!!” She had been asking him to get back to church.

As you can imagine, my heart was rejoicing — so very happy that my little gesture of love could touch someone’s heart and that it meant something profound to him. He then told me he’d like to talk with me more.

I ran inside to get my business card to give to him so that he could get in touch. He then reminded me, “Well, I’ll see you again! I still have to deliver that second package!”

I didn’t want to delay him. No doubt, he had a busy day of deliveries ahead of him. We bid good bye and “Merry Christmas!” to one another.

As he headed to his mail truck, I couldn’t help myself. I shouted, “Listen to your Mother!”

He knew what I meant. He chuckled and he said, “Yes, Mothers always know what is best!”

Remember, dear Reader, your little acts of love go a very long way with God’s grace!

Merry (almost!) Christmas!

My Bookmark Appearance this Sunday Dec. 17th

My two new books: “30 Marian Eucharistic Visits: Adoring Jesus with His Mother” (EWTN Publishing)

and “Diary of a Future Saint: Faustina’s Incredible Journey” (Marian Press) will air on EWTN television (in one 26-min. episode) on Sunday, Dec. 17th, 10 a.m. ET, with 3 re-airs, and it will be on “On Demand” as soon as the episode finishes the debut on Sunday a.m.

A quote below from my appearance on EWTN’s “Bookmark” show with regard to “30 Marian Eucharistic Visits.”

Donna-Marie’s Recent EWTN Bookmark Appearance

A brief description from EWTN: “Today’s guest offers inspired suggestions on what to pray about in Adoration, and a down-to-earth portrayal of St. Faustina, to whom Jesus entrusted the message of Divine Mercy.”

Enjoy at your leisure! And if you like it, please give it a “thumbs up” on Youtube!

Visiting with Doug Keck on EWTN’s “Bookmark Brief”

Watch the Bookmark Brief below. The entire Bookmark program interview will air on EWTN television in the near future.

You can order your autographed copy of “Diary of a Future Saint: Faustina’s Incredible Journey” below

You can learn more and purchase here.

Chatting on the airwaves with Jon Leonetti

I recently chatted on the airwaves with Jon Leonetti on “The Catholic Morning Show” about my new book “30 Marian Eucharistic Visits: Adoring Jesus with His Mother.”

You can listen to our conversation here.

You can learn more and order your autographed copy of my book here.

Chatting with Teresa Tomeo on Catholic Connection

I recently had the pleasure and blessing of chatting with Teresa Tomeo on the airwaves on her show “Catholic Connection” on EWTN Radio. We chatted about my new book with EWTN Publishing: “30 Marian Eucharistic Visits: Adoring Jesus with His Mother.”

You can listen to our conversation here.

Order your autographed copy here

Click on book cover image to learn more.

Hot off the press! Releasing NOW!

Diary of a Future Saint: Faustina’s Incredible Journey

“Young children are capable of great holiness. This book will help them get there!”

Ralph Martin, S.T.D., Director of Graduate Theology Programs in the New Evangelization, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Archdiocese of Detroit

Finally, the inspiring story of Saint Faustina for young readers! 

Far from a mere gathering of historic details, this is an engaging and readable biography. In her personal, conversational style, Donna-Marie is simply telling the story of one of her favorite saints. It’s a compelling story and, as it unfolds, she invites her readers to think about their own relationship with Christ, offering them practical ways to model their lives on Faustina’s. Though geared primarily for young people, this is perhaps the fullest and richest biography of Saint Faustina and will be a great blessing for young and old alike.

Vinny Flynn, best-selling author of 7 Secrets of Divine Mercy

Book description:

Born Helena Kowalska, a simple Polish peasant farm girl at the dawn of the 20th century, Faustina was chosen by God to teach the world about His unfathomable Divine Mercy. Though mocked, ridiculed, and unbelieved, she earnestly followed Jesus’ commands, the Blessed Mother’s instructions, and saintly wisdom to tread an amazing mystical journey, filled to overflowing with gifts and graces to glorify God. She went on to become one of the world’s most popular saints. Befriend this lovable, down-to-earth saint through the work of celebrated author Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, an authority on the life of St. Fasutina and master storyteller, who presents St. Faustina’s life in this page-turning novel for all ages.

***

Buy your autographed copy here: $15.95 U.S./ dollars plus shipping.

 

For purchasing when outside the United States, order here: $15.95 plus shipping

 

Longer book description:

In Diary of a Future Saint, an authority on the life of St. Faustina, master storyteller, and celebrated author Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, brings to life the incredible story of one of the world’s most popular saints, and according to St. John Paul II, “the great apostle of Divine Mercy in our time.”

This true biography reads like a page-turning novel and is written for ages ten and up. Helena Kowalska, once a poor Polish farm girl, whose family struggled during the years of World War I, perseveringly navigated many obstacles to follow her call to religious life. Even her pious parents stood in her way. One day, after a shocking visit from Jesus, Whom appeared covered in blood, the startled young aspirant fled to the nearby church, eventually eloping with Jesus in order to finally enter the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy in Poland during the 1930s.

Crossing over the threshold to religious life was an arduous journey for Helena, whom experienced crippling blows when doors shut in her face by the congregations that deemed her undesirable. With less than three years of formal education under her belt, Helena was considered to be no-one special, from a low rung of society. Therefore, when the door at the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy finally opened to her, the Sisters placed Helena in the “second choir” or class of nuns, responsible for the domestic duties.

Yet, it was there among the pots and pans, the dirty laundry, the vegetable gardens, and beggars at the gate where Jesus communed with His little bride. Helena, whom was later named Sister Maria Faustina, would flourish in the spiritual life hidden behind a cloak of humility. Saint Faustina received many graces and gifts (such as a hidden stigmata, visions, revelations, the gift of contemplation, bilocation, levitation, reading human souls, a gift of prophesy, deep knowledge of God’s mercy and of the Blessed Trinity, and mystical espousal). However, she never let on to anyone, with the exception of her directors, that Jesus Himself was instructing her to tell the world about His unfathomable Divine Mercy.

Divine Mercy is not a new revelation, for God has always been merciful. Yet, Heaven saw fit that Divine Mercy would be revealed in a new way. On the evening of February 22, 1931, Sr. Faustina was in her cell when Jesus appeared to her in the image of the Divine Mercy, which took her breath away! Jesus gave her explicit instructions in propagating His image and His promises to those who venerate the image. The young visionary also communed with the Blessed Mother, whom also guided her.

Early in religious life, Sr. Faustina’s Guardian Angel escorted her to Purgatory where she learned the need to pray for the holy souls. She also experienced Hell and all its chasms and observed many unspeakable torments. She learned that almost all souls perishing in Hell were ones who did not believe in Hell’s existence while on Earth. Sister Faustina had many enthralling experiences with holy angels and dreaded demons. Jesus asked Sr. Faustina to record her experiences, which she hand wrote in notebooks. Today, St. Faustina’s writings are known as the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska.

Saint Faustina’s Diary is God’s loving message of Divine Mercy for our world. Though Helena Kowalska was considered to be insignificant and uneducated, she was obedient to God’s designs on her soul and eventually raised to the altar as a canonized saint, Jesus’ “Secretary and Apostle of Divine Mercy.” Faustina’s humble faith and trust in God gives us great hope for our own lives.

Please visit the Marian Press website to learn more or to purchase there.

Stay tuned for additional endorsements to be posted.

Women of Grace, Part 5

Here is Part 5 of my visits with Johnnette B. Williams on “Women of Grace” on EWTN. You can see it by clicking here.

Watch by clicking here.

Here’s a description of the episode:

“Have you ever considered that you may well be part of God’s plan in bringing restoration and hope to others, healing and new life? 

And have you ever considered that perhaps your sufferings and trials are the means God uses to fill you with His divine life that you might be that font of mercy for another? 

Well, it’s not just possible, it is plausible. And here to tell us how God has used her travail to be a source of grace for others is our guest, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle.”

Click here to purchase your autographed copy.

Women of Grace, Part 3

Here is Part 3 of my visits with Johnnette B. Williams on her “Women of Grace” show on the EWTN television network. You can see it by clicking here.

Here’s the description from the “Women of Grace” website:

“As we have come to discover, no one is immune from suffering, especially those seeking holiness of life and working in the service of the Lord. 

It seems that it is in the crucible of tribulation that the greatest of saints are made. And, when they are in that crucible, they strive to find the spiritual benefit as well as God’s will – what am I to do, Lord? What is your will? 

Today, we will look at the trial of marital discord and divorce with our guest, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle.”

Part 3: Discovering the Beauty of the Cross
Purchase your autographed copy by clicking here.

Women of Grace, Part 1

Here is Part 1 of my 5-part mini-series with Johnnette Benkovic Williams in discussing my memoir “The Kiss of Jesus” and the spiritual life, particularly the crosses in our life. You can click here to watch Part 1.

Part 1 Discovering the Beauty of the Cross

Here’s the description from the Women of Grace website:

“The common denominator of the human experience is suffering. We all experience it to greater or lesser degree, and if we haven’t experienced it yet, it is sure to come. After all, we live in a broken and fallen world surrounded by broken and fallen people. 

So the question ought not to be. “Will I suffer?” We are assured of that. Rather the question ought to be, “What will I do when I suffer?” And the way we answer that question makes all the difference in the world. 

This week’s guest on Women of Grace answered that question not once in her life, but many times over. And what she discovered was the cross, when embraced, holds abundant and beautiful treasures. In this 5 Part Women of Grace series, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle will share with us how to Discover the Beauty of the Cross.”

You can purchase an autographed copy of my book “The Kiss of Jesus” here on my website or at EWTN Religious Catalogue.

The Kiss of Jesus

My visits with Johnnette B. Williams are airings this week on EWTN’s “Women of Grace” television.

The description for the series

“The common denominator of the human experience is suffering. We all experience it to greater or lesser degree, and if we haven’t experienced it yet, it is sure to come. After all, we live in a broken and fallen world surrounded by broken and fallen people. 

So the question ought not to be. “Will I suffer?” We are assured of that. Rather the question ought to be, “What will I do when I suffer?” And the way we answer that question makes all the difference in the world. 

This week’s guest on Women of Grace answered that question not once in her life, but many times over. And what she discovered was the cross, when embraced, holds abundant and beautiful treasures. In this 5 Part Women of Grace series, Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle will share with us how to Discover the Beauty of the Cross.” 

Part 1 through Part 5 airing all week this week on EWTN television (1:00 PM and 11:00 PM Eastern)
Always a blessing to visit with Johnnette Benkovic!

“The Kiss of Jesus” is #4 in Biographies of Catholicism

By the way, Amazon just posted that my memoir “The Kiss of Jesus” is right now #4 in Biographies of Catholicism!

Number 4 right now on Amazon in Biographies of Catholicism!

You can get your autographed copy here!

A great Lenten read. You can order your autographed copy here.

Retails for $20.00.

 

You can also visit the EWTN Religious Catalogue here.