The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer (FSSR also known as the Transalpine Redemptorists) have given their website a makeover. There is a fascinating page on the island itself and, of course, information about the FSSR. The blog is still there too.
There is a new online shop which sells some of the wonderful books that have been given away with copies of "Catholic", the excellent monthly magazine of the FSSR. I especially recommend "Jesus Caritas" which tells the life of Blessed Charles de Foucauld: it is not all as you might expect, given the way he is sometimes portrayed today. Another great one is "Trench Priest" the life of Fr William Doyle SJ who was a holy and conscientious priest. He transferred his discipline in prayer and asceticism to the ghastly conditions of the trenches in World War I where he shared the same conditions as the men and spent much time at the front line in order to minister to them. His life was cut short by the blast of a shell landing near him.
4 comments:
I also thought particularly highly of "Jesus Caritas". I had previously known of Charles de Foucauld only through Fergus Fleming's excellent book "The Sword and the Cross", but this splendid booklet from the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer expanded on this in a very readable and uplifting way.
Two points, though, Father; I didn't think Charles de Foucauld had yet been canonised - only ("only"!!) beatified. And what did you mean when you said "given the way he is sometimes portrayed today"? (I only ask because I don't know!)
Rusticus - thanks for the correction. He is "only" Blessed. Have corrected that.
Bl Charles is portrayed as someone almost indifferentist who just lived a simple life in a Muslim country. As the FSSR booklet shows, there is much more to his story than that.
Like "Rusticus" I too have read the book "The Sword and the Cross". I fact I only finished reading it two days ago. But, I was introduced to Bl. Charles de Foucauld by another biography whose name and author escape me now. The author was a woman, that I do know. It may have been "The Desert my Dwelling Place" by Elizabeth Hamilton. And, yet again, there is a very readable CTS booklet in their Biographies Series which cost one pound ninety-five and I certainly recommend that. It has a number of contacts in the back for anyone interested in the various organisations which now exist thanks to his mission of trying to reach out to the Tuaregs of the Sahara.
I feel that his cause for canonisation should be pushed much further.
"Trench Priest" is a powerful book.
I just finished it and am humbled by St William Doyles life.
I particularly like the story of the young prostitute he met and then several years later heard of the impending execution of a young girl who had committed murder, who was asking for him by description.
Fr went to her jail cell, recognized her as that prostitute and baptised her into the Church, offered Mass for the first time in her presence and she died happily, going straight to heaven.
By the way, I hope the Transalpine Redemptorists get their canonical standing very soon.
Too long in limbo!
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