“The 33” an inspiring movie is opening today!

November 13, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

From Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures comes the untold true story of “The 33.”

In 2010, the eyes of the world turned to Chile, where 33 miners had been buried alive by the catastrophic collapse of a 100-year-old gold and copper mine. Over the next 69 days, an international team worked night and day in a desperate attempt to rescue the trapped men as their families and friends, as well as millions of people globally, waited and watched anxiously for any sign of hope. But 200 stories beneath the surface, in the suffocating heat and with tensions rising, provisions—and time—were quickly running out.

A story of resilience, personal transformation and triumph of the human spirit, the film takes us to the Earth’s darkest depths, revealing the psyches of the men trapped in the mine, and depicting the courage of both the miners and their families who refused to give up.

Based on the gripping true story of survival—and filmed with the cooperation of the miners, their families and their rescuers—“The 33” captures the never-before-seen actual events that unfolded, above and below ground, which became nothing less than a worldwide phenomenon.

The international cast is led by Antonio Banderas, Rodrigo Santoro, Academy Award winner Juliette Binoche (“The English Patient”), James Brolin, and Lou Diamond Phillips, with Bob Gunton and Gabriel Byrne. The cast also includes Mario Casas, Jacob Vargas, Juan Pablo Raba, Oscar Nuñez, Tenoch Huerta, Marco Treviño, Adriana Barraza, Kate Del Castillo, Cote de Pablo, Elizabeth De Razzo and Naomi Scott.

Patricia Riggen directed “The 33” from a screenplay by Mikko Alanne, Oscar nominee Craig Borten (“Dallas Buyers Club”) and Michael Thomas, based on the screen story by Oscar nominee José Rivera (“The Motorcycle Diaries”) and the book Deep Down Dark by Hector Tobar. The film was produced by Oscar nominee Mike Medavoy (“Black Swan”), Robert Katz and Edward McGurn. Carlos Eugenio Lavin, Leopoldo Enriquez, Alan Zhang and José Luis Escolar served as executive producers.

The behind-the-scene creative team included cinematographer Checco Varese, production designer Marco Niro, editor Michael Tronick and Oscar-nominated costume designer Paco Delgado (“Les Misérables”). The Academy Award-winning team of Alex Henning and Ben Grossmann (“Hugo”) supervised the visual effects. The score was composed by Oscar winner James Horner (“Titanic”).

“The 33” was filmed on location in Chile’s harshly remote yet breathtakingly beautiful Atacama desert just kilometers away from where the event took place, and deep within two mines located in central Colombia.

“The 33” is a presentation of Alcon Entertainment, co-founded by CEOs Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson. A Phoenix Pictures production, the film is being distributed domestically and in select international territories by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. This film has been rated PG-13 for a disaster sequence and some language.

CHECK IT OUT: the33movie.com

Visiting on the airwaves with Barbara on EWTN’s “The Good Fight”!

November 12, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with and sharing my story and my memoir The Kiss of Jesus with the very sweet Barbara McGuigan on EWTN’s “The Good Fight.” We chatted for a whole two hours which was my longest radio interview yet!

In case you didn’t get to tune in you can listen here at your leisure. I hope you enjoy it. Get yourself a beverage and pull up a chair. You might be surprised at what you will hear.

So happy to offer “holy” scarves to the homeless!

November 12, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

The first two scarves have arrived!

“This is the fasting that I wish: Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them.” (Is 58:6-7)

I am so happy that the first donation of scarves has arrived! I recently started a ministry to the homeless called “Warming the Homeless with LOVE, Scarves, and Sacramentals.” I will be attaching a blessed Miraculous Medal and a blessed St. Benedict Medal (which has a full exorcism blessing on it) to each scarf.

I am praying that not only will the scarves help to keep the homeless warm this winter, but will also keep them protected, and even inspired due to the attached holy sacramentals. I plan to have the scarves (hats, and gloves) blessed ahead of time with holy water too. And when possible, blessed by a priest.

Here is the blog post in which I told about a homeless man named Andrew, the new ministry, and how one can donate new or gently used (and freshly washed) scarves, hats, or gloves that I will give out to the homeless.

You can share in this “Works of Mercy” ministry by praying about helping, praying for the ministry, and especially for the homeless. And, hopefully, by sending your donations of new or very gently used (and clean) scarves, hats, and gloves to me at: PO Box 773, New Milford, CT 06776.

ANOTHER WAY to join in this “Work of Mercy” is to get together in your own area with people who would like to crochet or knit scarves for the homeless. Imagine the beautiful fellowship that can unfold as you chat and pray, and knit or crochet away! I recommend that you start with a prayer when you gather together. Or, purchase or collect donations of scarves, gloves, and hats (or from your own closet) and attach blessed Miraculous Medals on them (and hopefully a blessed St. Benedict medal too). You can get them at my website or elsewhere. My medals have FULL blessings upon them. If you decide to do this, please let me know in the comments section, or you may email me: DMCOBoyle@aol.com.

Thank you very much in advance. God bless you!

PS Look what just arrived–a big box filled with homemade scarves!! I will get busy sewing the blessed medals onto these beautiful hand-made scarves.

Gorgeous homemade scarves donated to the ministry!

Please pray for me as I will be going out in a couple of days into a couple of big cities to gift these warm scarves to the needy.

So many beautiful scarves!

“Whatever you do to the least of my brothers you do to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Heartfelt words from a woman on the path to healing

November 6, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

A woman just reviewed The Kiss of Jesus and disclosed that because of the book and God’s Infinite Grace, she is now on a path to healing. Praise God!

“The inner most devastating details shared within this book spoke directly to my soul and have given me a real hope that God is with me…and also given me an understanding that this spiritual journey she presents (which is all too familiar) is purposeful and necessary in its purification of the soul perhaps or some other meaningful teaching that needs to be learned. I’m grateful for the courage Donna-Marie used to forge through revealing such painful experiences. I’m on a path to healing myself because of having read it and of course, more importantly thanks to God’s infinite grace.”

Let’s say a prayer for her and for all women experiencing difficulties and dark nights. May God bless them in great abundance!

My recent radio interview on Sacred Treasures

November 5, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Recently I visited with Kathie Duggan on Sacred Treasures on Radio Maria. You can listen here at your leisure. I hope that you enjoy it.

Keeping my promise to call a “stranger.”

November 4, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Two lovely women I know.

Guess who I called yesterday afternoon? Suzanne! She is the 88-year-old woman who called me by mistake a few weeks ago. We chatted for about an hour!

I’ll admit I was cleaning out a hall closet for part of the time as we spoke. But, I can multi-task. 🙂 And I paid full attention to her.

Finally, after an hour of chatting I needed to get off the phone and told Suzanne once again (I had tried a few times already) that I had better go. She then very enthusiastically told me that I had made her day by calling her! She thanked me over and over again. I told Suzanne that I was very happy to have chatted with her and I promised my prayers.

God is so good and I am thanking Him for the opportunity to reach out to this woman. Only He knows the reason that He arranged all of this. But I have no doubt that God has a plan. Mother Teresa would call this woman “Jesus in the distressing disguise.”

Here is a note about our first phone conversation when Suzanne called me by mistake when dialing a wrong number.

My recent visit with Wendy Wiese on Relevant Radio

November 3, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

In case you missed my recent radio visit with the lovely Wendy Wiese the other night it’s right here to listen to whenever you have about 20 minutes or so. You can move the little time thingie (at the bottom) to the 26 minute mark if you’d like. That’s where my interview begins. I hope you enjoy it!

Currents TV interview

November 3, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Award-winning anchor and reporter Liz Faublas recently interviewed me about The Kiss of Jesus for Currents TV in Brooklyn. Here is our five minute interview:

Instilling Holiness in our homes

November 3, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

In a recent article in the National Catholic Register, Katie Warner quotes me (using my sentiments expressed to her in an earlier interview).

Katie writes:

“Ever since I was a little girl, I observed a bit of the ‘big Church’ inside little domestic churches,” author, EWTN host and new grandmother Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle reminisced. “My Polish grandmother’s home was adorned with sacred Catholic items. From pictures of the saints and images of her favorite — Polish Pope John Paul II — to rosary beads and crucifixes, my grandmother’s faith was easily perceived in her home. My mother followed in her mother’s footsteps, and I grew up with [the Catholic faith] inconspicuously woven into my life.”

O’Boyle continued to build upon the foundation that her grandmother and mother gave her in her own family, adorning her home with Catholic art and sacramentals, which for her serve as “holy reminders that help uplift one’s spirit and heart to God” in the midst of busy family life. “Placing visible signs of our faith throughout our Catholic homes will transform walls, brick and mortar into a beautiful domestic church,” she explained.

Furthermore, O’Boyle has noticed that the church of the home is a powerful place to evangelize others. “The sacred items and sacramentals that we are accustomed to in our home can spark a conversation about the faith with a visitor or even a complete stranger. A deliveryman ended up staying a short while because we became engrossed in a conversation about God. It all unfolded after he observed religious art in the foyer of my home. After that, he left with a big smile on his face and said, ‘Wow! This was really meant to be … I have never had this route before!’”

You can read the entire article here: http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/fostering-holiness/#ixzz3qRWHZF00

Warming the homeless with LOVE, scarves, and sacramentals.

November 2, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

My heart goes out to the needy and less fortunate–especially at this time of year. I always enjoy this beautiful season of Autumn. But, in my humble opinion, there is a problem with this glorious Fall season in my part of the world. It’s that winter and its freezing weather never fail to be not too far behind.

I am not particularly fond of the cold weather. But, more than that, I am concerned for the poor and homeless who are cold and needy.

The other day, I had a beautiful encounter with a couple of homeless men in which I offered a bit of monetary help and blessed sacramentals from our Church. I was very happy to see Andrew and his friend so that I could converse with Andrew again even briefly. I had met him a few weeks ago when I was passing through his town. That story is here. Perhaps you should take a look at that brief story first before continuing.

I had been hoping I’d see Andrew again when I would travel through that town. He had been in my thoughts and prayers. I wanted to see how he was doing and perhaps offer him a little something to eat, or a little money, or something to keep him warm.

In fact, with Andrew in mind, I dug around a bit in my hall closet and pulled out a scarf that my husband had not worn in years and I asked him if I could give it away to a homeless man. I thought I could bring it with me when we went back up to that area of Massachusetts. Well, Dave said he wanted to hang onto that particular scarf. So, I didn’t push the issue. But something was definitely brewing in my heart.

Recently, when passing through that area, I purposely strolled over to the area where I had met Andrew a few weeks ago. I was so delighted to see him again and I told him that I remembered that his name was Andrew.

He lit right up.

Then, he got right up from the sidewalk and reached into his pocket to pull out the blessed medals I had given him a few weeks ago. Wow. He said he always keeps them with him in his pocket. My heart was secretly soaring. And, I told him that I was happy that he still had the blessed medals. We chatted a few minutes and then I gave each of the homeless men a dollar bill. I handed the scruffy-looking man with the nose ring who was sitting next to Andrew, two of the same kinds of blessed medals that I had given to Andrew previously. He seemed very happy to receive them. I told him that they were powerful medals.

I pray that God blesses these men and all those who are living on the streets.

Sharing an Inspiration

I have an inspiration to do something to help keep our brothers and sisters warm. I would like to give warm scarves to the homeless that I will have attached blessed medals onto in advance. Of course, I’ll still be handing out the blessed medals to people I meet when I am inspired to do so. But, giving out the scarves is a way to help the needy to stay warmer, as well as have the protection of the blessed medals too.

Do you have a winter scarf hanging around? Maybe there are too many in your closet and it’s a good time to de-clutter. Would you like to donate a scarf to help keep someone warm?

Do you crochet or knit? Would you like to make a scarf for the homeless? Or perhaps you would like to buy a scarf for the homeless. If you’d like to help in some way, you can send your scarves to me at: PO Box 773, New Milford, CT 06776. I will add the blessed sacramentals (a Miraculous Medal and a St. Benedict medal that has the FULL exorcism blessing on it) to the scarves and give them to the homeless and will find ways to distribute them.

In addition, if you’d like to donate adult sized warm gloves or mittens, please feel free to send them along too.

God bless you for considering helping and also for praying for the homeless and less fortunate.

Remember that Jesus continually teaches us in the Gospel of Matthew: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25: 40).

AFTER POSTING ABOUT THIS MINISTRY, Aleteia interviewed me for an article. Check it out here.

Heartfelt words about The Kiss of Jesus

November 1, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

A woman recently shared her heartfelt thoughts on Face Book about how The Kiss of Jesus has changed her life. I am deeply thankful to God.

She said:

As one of those who Donna-Marie has helped make sense of a troubled life through her new book I encourage all to not only read the book but go to her website and read the blog tour. Also I recommend everyone to listen to this interview and all others there. The more blogs I read and interviews I listen to the more graces I receive from this book!! Donna-Marie has helped me deal with memories and deep sorrows from a difficult childhood, many life events, and poor choices I have made in my 60 years of life. Most importantly she has helped me realize my many blessings in my suffering and offering it all to God. I know going forward my relationship with God will not only improve but maybe I can even bring some blessings to others. This book and my friendship with Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle indeed has changed my life!

Chatting with The Catholic Foodie about The Kiss of Jesus

October 31, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jeff Young AKA the Catholic Foodie.

He writes: “I have wanted to have Donna-Marie join me here on The Catholic Foodie Show for quite a while, and the recent release of her new book provided the perfect opportunity. The Kiss of Jesus is the name of the book, published by Ignatius Press. In The Kiss of Jesus, Donna-Marie tells her story, the good and the bad. She doesn’t shy away from the dark corners. She tells her story because she knows that so many of us are suffering. We are hurting and we are trying to make sense of it all. We are trying to find God in the midst of it. Donna-Marie understands the power of stories, and she shares hers knowing that doing so might just give hope to you and to me. Listen now to our conversation. Full show notes are available at CatholicFoodie.com.

Jeff has recently interviewed me on his radio show. You can listen to that here.

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 16!

October 31, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Today’s The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour stop is over at The Snoring Scholar.

Sarah begins with an excerpt of my book and then gets into some personal stuff:

I had been writing Catholic articles whenever I could fit them into my schedule. After careful reflection and prayer, I decided to retire from my preschool program and to devote myself to full-time writing. Mother Teresa and Father Hardon had encouraged me to continue writing. Mother Teresa had said that she prayed my writing would “do much good” and that I should do it “for the glory of God and the good of the people.” Father Hardon had given me positive feedback and had reminded me that “many mothers are overwhelmed” and need encouragement and inspiration.

After many years of storing away my writings in cardboard boxes, I heard from a publisher who asked if I would be interested in writing a prayer book for Catholic mothers. They had seen some of my writing in the past, and I was thrilled to be invited to write for them. Before long, I signed my first book contract and got to work. Dave was very supportive of my writing work, and I thoroughly enjoyed the writing process, praying as I wrote that God would use my words for His glory and to help and encourage mothers of all ages. I drew from some ideas I had during my long bed rest while pregnant with Mary-Catherine.

I’ll never forget the day that the copies of my first book arrived…

[see the entire blog post here]

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 15!

October 29, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

The Kiss of Jesus blog tour stops at Catholic Fire today. Jean writes:

“I have been reading and reviewing Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s books for the past seven years and have been a big fan. Donna-Marie has served as an inspiration to me and to all women, speaking to us in a gentle, gracious manner, guiding us spiritually, with wisdom and love. Now, she has written a book (her twentieth) that tops them all. In The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped Me to Discover the Beauty of the Cross, she shares her life story. And, what a story it is!

In this candid, astonishing autobiographical account, this soft-spoken, delicate, and devout Catholic media celebrity reveals the shocking struggles she has tackled in life. She became engaged to a drug addict who held her against her will, threatening harm to her family. She faced miscarriages, abuse, serious illness, divorce, financial difficulties, custody battles, and single motherhood – all with great inner strength and tremendous courage. Through God’s providence, she met Mother Teresa, the spiritual guide who shepherded her through some of these trials and helped her heal. Her ten year relationship with this saint provided the spiritual nourishment she needed to stay strong and to live an even holier life. In The Kiss of Jesus, Donna-Marie also reveals the joys in her life and shares instances of the incredible joy she brings to the hearts of others. She tells us that she was “born to be a mother” and expounds on her beautiful love for her vocation…”

[See the entire review here]

True Radiance and Lisa Mladinich!

October 29, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

True Radiance Blog Stop #8

Chapter Seven: Don’t Tempt Me! Three Common Pitfalls to Avoid

My friend Lisa Mladinich asked me to be a part of her blog tour. And though I am intensely busy with my own book tour at the moment, I wholeheartedly want to help promote this treasure of a book. I am absolutely sure that Lisa’s lovely new book True Radiance will resonate with so many women and will deeply touch their hearts. Lisa is the “real deal.” She is such a lovely, sincere, and down-to-earth, faith-filled woman that I am so blessed to know. I hope that you will get to know Lisa a bit through her wonderful book.

I have endorsed True Radiance. My endorsement is here:

“We think about beauty more than we realize,” says author Lisa Mladinich who underscores women’s “hard wire” to recognize beauty. Through True Radiance women are invited in out of the cold of our youth obsessed culture to “steal” back our true God-given feminine beauty and encouraged to walk in love, through grace. Expressive anecdotes, caring sentiments, and the author’s insightful guidance are guaranteed to lift your spirits and even change your life!

~Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, EWTN TV Host, speaker, and award winning author of twenty books, including: The Kiss of Jesus and Rooted in Love: Our Calling as Catholic Women www.donnacooperoboyle.com

Today, I’d like to share an interview with Lisa Mladinich, the author of True Radiance: Finding Grace in the Second Half of Life, a timely new book about how prayerful women increase in authentic feminine beauty as they mature spiritually.

Donna-Marie: Lisa, in Chapter Seven of True Radiance, you write about three common pitfalls for maturing women.
Lisa: Yes, I highlight the tendency to complain, the habit of comparing ourselves to others, and the psychological rut of obsessing about the loss of our youth. I offer some remedies for each.

Donna-Marie: I was particularly interested in the section called, “Complain, Complain, Complain,” which starts with these words:
I have a problem with complaining: I despise listening to it, and I hate catching myself doing it. I don’t know about you, but especially if I’m overtired or stressed, I’m vulnerable to negative thinking. At the first sign of disappointment, frustration, or unexpected changes of plan, out pop the whiny comments and criticisms, falling like acid rain on the people around me. When I’m feeling this way, I’m sorely tempted to the sins of gossip and ingratitude, as well, and I risk drawing others into sin, right along with me. (True Radiance, p. 96)

Lisa: I have to laugh because complaining is a big problem for me and for many women, especially as our lives get more complicated and our bodies and mental energies start to slow down. We’re pulled in ten thousand directions in the second half, and the stress levels can be overwhelming. When we’re overtired and overstressed, our tempers get shorter and we tend to vent all over everybody.
Donna-Marie: Our culture definitely encourages us to indulge our feelings. Why do you think complaining isn’t healthy.
Lisa: First, complaining is not all bad. It’s a natural impulse to want to throw off suffering by venting it verbally. Women are verbal creatures, which is why we’re natural evangelizers and nurturers. God uses our verbal gifts in many beautiful ways. And confiding our troubles to someone trustworthy can be healthy, as long as we’re not gossiping and leading others into sin. In fact, sometimes our complaints become motivators for taking action and solving problems. The context and the attitude are important.
But it’s very easy to become a chronic complainer and miss out on the many gifts that God offers us on any given day. We were not made adopted sisters of Christ just to waste our lives cataloguing and complaining about our own crosses.
In your fabulous, deep, beautiful new memoir, The Kiss of Jesus, you recount something that Mother Teresa said to you about suffering:
“Suffering is the sharing in the passion of Christ. Suffering is the kiss of Jesus, a sign that you have come so close to Jesus on the Cross that He can kiss you…. ”
Just a gorgeous quote, so full of meaning.
Donna-Marie: Thank you for your kind words about my memoir, Lisa. Yes, Mother Teresa taught me so much and I strive to pass the blessings on to others.
Lisa: I love the quality of hope in your memoir, because it shows that a life that has been dogged by danger, disappointment, and intense suffering can be seen, truthfully, in a beautiful light. Our sufferings joined to the cross of Christ can heal and sanctify our souls and those of others.
Donna-Marie: That is so true. It is a beautiful and profound mystery. You also point out that aging women suffer a great deal because of the many burdens we carry in the second half of our lives; but because of our growing spiritual maturity, we also experience the joy of deepening vocations and greater intimacy with God.
Lisa: Right! Jen Fitz blogged about that beautiful depth of connection in mature vocations, at her blog, this week.
This time of our lives, with all its necessary outpouring of concern, love, work, and prayer is deeply meaningful and part of God’s beautiful plan of salvation. Think of all the lives we touch on any given day, if we embrace the people who come to us–our children and grandchildren, aging parents, friends, neighbors, colleagues–and share our time and energy with a willing heart. Like Our Lord, whose beauty and power are hidden in the Eucharist under the guise of a small circle of bread, the value of our service may be invisible to the world. But God blesses our efforts and makes them bear fruit in beautiful ways: in this life and in the life to come.
Donna-Marie: So what do you recommend for women who would like to break the habit of complaining?
Lisa: Principally, to count their blessings, religiously, and commit to following Jesus wholeheartedly. Both are simple to say, harder to do. But with God, all things are possible!
Our Lord made it clear that following him involves two steps. He urges us in Scripture (Matthew 16:24) to first, deny ourselves and second, take up our crosses. This two-fold command is packed with insight, because when we learn self-denial–even in little things (for instance eating a little less, getting right up at the sound of the alarm, or withholding a snarky comment), we are greatly strengthened in the spiritual life and better able to take up our crosses with a willing spirit.
And we shouldn’t gloss over his call for us to practice self-denial. When women are stressed, we tend to neglect ourselves–even while being a little self-indulgent. You know what I mean: overeating because we’re exhausted from taking care of everyone but ourselves, or complaining rather than asking for help. But practicing self denial in little things weeds out the wimpiness in our character, as it increases our self-control–which fuels our growth in holiness.
As we draw closer to the suffering Jesus, we grow stronger in the virtues of patience, faith, and perseverance, which leads to greater wisdom. The spiritual fruits of embracing the cross can be truly spectacular.
And cultivating gratitude sensitizes us to beauty and helps us to see more of the countless ways that God is speaking to us through the beauty of our own lives. When we appreciate these hints of heaven for the gifts they really are, it’s like gazing into the eyes of God. And when we do that, he gazes back. And then the graces really flow.

Donna-Marie: Thank you very much, Lisa. Your book is a treasure! I am so glad that you have written it. May it help countless souls!

Lisa Mladinich is a Catholic wife and mom, the founder of AmazingCatechists.com, and an author and speaker whose dynamic presentations on faith, catechetics, and women’s issues can be heard at events around the country.

True Radiance: Finding Grace in the Second Half of Life can be purchased here.

The rest of Lisa’s updated Blog Tour links can be found here.

Visiting with Sheila Liaugminas on the airwaves.

October 28, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Sheila Liaugminas

I was blessed last night with the pleasure of speaking with Sheila Liaugminas on her great show “A Closer Look” on Relevant Radio. If you missed it, you can listen anytime here at your leisure.

It’s about a half hour show. Our segment starts at about the hallway point. So, feel free to slide the little marker down to the 25:41 time and start listening there. Or, listen to the whole thing knowing my interview is in the 2nd half.

Enjoy!

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 14!

October 28, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Today our The Kiss of Jesus blog tour stops at “Water Into Wine.”

Lisa writes:

“I love when a memoir provides both the shock of the unfamiliar and an intimate sense of shared humanity. Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s new memoir, The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped Me to Discover the Beauty of the Cross, does all of that and more.

With incredible courage, through the gripping story of her life, Donna-Marie reveals to her many fans that she is wounded, like they are. She has made mistakes, suffered from abuse and humiliating losses, lived in poverty, fought to protect her children and clear her name, and struggled alone as a single mom.

Walking in faith sometimes seems like walking in the dark. I seemed to grope blindly a lot throughout my life, but with a certainty, or at least a strong hope, that there would be light–somewhere. I needed to trust God fully with my life and I prayed to do so. When I found myself in darkness I continued to search for God there, and I strove to serve Him each day in the people He put around me, starting in my own family. (p. 116)

Life, she admits candidly, has not gone according to plan. But because she has persevered in handing it all over to God, step by step and day by day, it has all come right; and she has done more than just survive: she has triumphed by joining her own suffering to that of her crucified Lord:”

[See the entire review here]

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 13!

October 27, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Today’s Blog Tour Stop is at “Catholic News and Inspiration.” Patti writes:

“Sadness was not what I expected while listening to a popular Catholic speaker. His love of God and family bubbled over as he and his described a beautiful coming-of-age tradition when kids became teenagers in her family. That’s when it hit me. “Wow, our families are so different!”

Their event included relatives who called with affirming messages. I imagined trying to arrange the same thing among my relatives. First would be an awkward pause. Then: “You’re kidding, right?”

That realization hit with a pang of sadness. But quickly, my Catholic mindset shifted into gear. God gave me my family and he knows the challenges. Everyone’s crosses are different but we all have them.

That moment laid on my heart the sensitivity that many parents struggle with family challenges beyond their control. Friends have shared such pain with me after listening to good Catholic speakers then feeling salt was rubbed into their wounds. For example, at a Catholic high school, it’s a great idea to bring in speakers for a parents’ night to impart good family values. But inevitably, some parents will go home feeling sad for what they are lacking.

The Kiss of Jesus

It was that very realization of the pain and struggles in the lives of others that spurred Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, a popular author, speaker and EWTN TV host, to share her shocking past. I have known Donna-Marie for several years and knew parts of her story, but not all. I often thought, “She is so sweet and graceful, no one would ever suspect what she has been through.”…

[See the entire blog post here.]

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 12!

October 26, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Today our blog tour stops at Catholic Mom. Lisa Hendey writes:

“I’ve lovingly called Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle a mentor and friend for over a decade. Her work has inspired, edified and blessed me in countless ways over those years. And while I’ve known for some time that Donna-Marie faced personal challenges along her spiritual journey, nothing could have hinted at the level of hardship she retells in her new memoir The Kiss of Jesus.

Why was I so surprised when I read this book? The reason comes from the love and peace that Donna-Marie exudes. When reading of her hardships over the course of so many years, one might imagine that a “victim” mentality or a bitter worldview would be the result of such suffering. But the truth of the matter is that Donna-Marie has found a key to peace and joy in her life: her faith in and love for Jesus Christ. Her ability to convey this life-changing love is what’s at the heart of The Kiss of Jesus and it’s also what you feel when you meet this lovely author, speaker and television host in “real life”. This is also what takes this book from being simply a “tell all” story and turns it into a major gift for anyone who has faced challenges and hardships along life’s path…”

[See the entire blog post here]

The Kiss of Jesus Blog Tour Day # 11

October 25, 2015 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Today’s Blog tour stop is at the Military Council of Catholic Women (MCCW.org.) Elizabeth Tomlin, President of the MCCW writes:

“When I was asked to review Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s memoir and latest book published through Ignatius Press, The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped me to Discover the Beauty of the Cross, I felt honored and wanted to do my best. I approached this project like I did any other project – mathematically – it’s just the way God made me. I noted that the book has 181 pages and did the math. With ten days to complete the task, I set out to read 20 pages a night and reserved day 10 to write the review. Two evenings later, I was finished with the book.

I have spent the remaining eight days re-reading and considering how to distill a book with such profundity to a review of 900 words. BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) – Read this book. Pray for Donna-Marie’s ministry. Pray that God gives us all the grace to thirst for Jesus amidst whatever adversity we face.

If you have not met Donna-Marie in person, she is soft-spoken and gentle. She makes an impact in her gentleness, so much so, that my two-and a half year old son saw the book cover with Donna-Marie’s face several months after she visited my family, and remembered her, saying, “Dat’s Donna-Mawie! I want her to come back to me.” Her personality is imbued with a genuine care for others, so it’s not surprising that she states often, ‘I think I was born to be a mother.’”

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