NEW YORK — Several books about a variety of topics have been suggested as resources that may interest newsletter readers. HNP Today occasionally provides recommendations of publications that may be relevant to friars as well as to their friends and colleagues.
Below are brief descriptions of two books provided by various sources:
Bible’s Best Love Stories by Allan F. Wright (St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2010) is the book of the month of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Midtown Manhattan. The author, according to the Aug. 8 parish bulletin, identifies form Old and New Testaments, the people who wanted to love and be loved, people with passion and people who formed strong bonds of friendship. He examines 20 stories of various kinds of love — spousal, friend, familial — and challenges us to make the “love connection” in our own lives and in our relationship with God. The Bible’s Best Love Stories is available at the St. Francis Book Store on West 31st Street.
A Knock at Midnight: Inspiration from the Great Sermons of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. edited by Peter Holloran and Clayborne Carson (Warner Books, 2000) is recommended by Marc DelMonico of the Franciscan Action Network. “This fantastic collection of less-well-known sermons of Dr. King is one of the most inspirational books I have experienced. I say ‘experienced’ because I originally listened to this as an audiobook.” DelMonico said. “Unlike most audiobooks, this is built up from recordings of the original sermons that Dr. King gave — often constructed from various recordings from the congregations to which he spoke.” DelMonico describes the speaches as “profoundly moving.” DelMonico submitted a full review of A Knock at Midnight to the Communications Office.
A Legend in Search of an Author: The Life of St. Clare of Assisi by Marco Guida (Societe des Bonaldsts, 2010) was reviewed in the August 2010 issue of Fraternitas which says, “through this current study, the author establishes that the Lengeda sanctae Clarae virginis is the actual work of Thomas of Celano, the most excellent hagiographer of St. Francis of Assisi.”
The HNP Communications Office welcomes e-mails from readers who would like to suggest a book or periodical and asks that a short description of the material be provided. The themes of the recommendations are Franciscan theology and history as well as topics affiliated with Holy Name Province committees and directorates: evangelization, justice and peace, African-American and Hispanic ministries, communications, wellness, and fraternal life.
Editor’s note: Recommendations of books and publications can be shared with HNP Today readers by e-mailing information to communications@hnp.org.