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 their friends and colleagues.
Below are brief descriptions of several books provided by various sources.
Fray Angelico Chavez: A Bibliography of Published Works (1925-2010)by Phyllis Morgan (Rio Grande Books, 2010) was recommended in the April 29 issue of SJB News Notes, the publication of St. John the Baptist Province. This description of New Mexico’s first native-born Franciscan priest was introduced April 10 at a 100th birthday symposium for Chavez at the New Mexico History Museum.
God’s Enduring Presence: Strength for the Spiritual Journey by Joyce Rupp (Twenty-Third Publications, 2008) was described by the May 16 bulletin of St. Francis of Assisi Church, New York City, as “the book of the month for May,” saying that it offers “the spiritual assurance that God is always with us, God’s presence is enduring and God gives us strength for our own spiritual journey.” Rupp, an award-winning Catholic author, is a member of the Servites religious community.
The Catholic Priest, Image of Christ: Through Fifteen Centuries of Art by Steen Heidemann (Ignatius, 2010) was reviewed last month by Fr. Matthew Gamber for Catholic News Service. This 320-page coffee-table book contains 550 color images that show Catholic priests “celebrating the sacraments, preaching and sometimes facing danger,” according to an article in the April 29 issue of The Beacon, publication of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. The book was published last month to mark the Year for Priests, which concludes in June. At a book launch in Rome, the Danish author told his audience that the book is “his gift to God in thanksgiving for his conversion to Catholicism, which took place in England after an adolescence marked by family tragedies.”
The Province’s Communications Office welcomes e-mails from readers who would like to suggest a book or periodical and requests a short description of the material. The themes of the recommendations are Franciscan theology and history as well as topics related to the goals of 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. Cover images of these recommended books can be seen by clicking the stack of books above.