Monday, 5 August 2019

Our Lady of Good Help Prayer Book For Pilgrims - Fr. Edward Looney

Our Lady of Good Help Prayer Book For Pilgrims
Fr. Edward Looney

TAN Books
ISBN 9781505114270



First I must categorically state this is a wonderful prayer book! I typically prefer eBooks. But have read this as a physical volume and will likely keep it on my bedside table for years to come. And even if the eBook edition eventually comes, I will keep both. This is only the second book by Father Looney I have read, but after finishing this one I know I need to pick up the rest of the ones that are available. This volume has both a Nihil Obstat and an Imprimatur. So many prayer books are just thrown together and skip those two important steps. This one does not. It is noted at the beginning of the volume that all the prayers in this book are either in the public domain or were written specifically for this manual by Fr. Edward Looney himself. His piety, his sincere faith, and his devotion tour lady clearly come through in this manual of prayer. The first and second part of this book are about equal length, and the final section is about half the length of the preceding two. 

The sections in the book are:

Part I
Introductory Essays Concerning Marian Apparitions
and the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help

Private Revelation, Biblical and Historical 
Mary Visits Wisconsin
Analyzing the Apparition
Method of Approval for Marian Apparitions 
Understanding Champion in Light of Approved Marian Apparitions
Graces of Champion
What to Do When Visiting the Shrine 

Part II
Prayers and Devotions

Preparation for Receiving the Sacraments 
     Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation 
     Celebrating the Eucharist 
     Celebrating the Anointing of the Sick
Praying the Rosary With Sister Adele
The Stations of the Cross
Novenas to the Queen of Heaven, Our Lady of Good Help 
Additional Prayers and Litanies
Praying at the National Shrine 

Appendix

The Original Devotion to Notre Dame de Bon Secours 
Timeline of the Historical Devotion to Our Lady of Good Help 
Prayers to Our Lady of Good Help
Hymns to Our Lady of Good Help
Acknowledgments 

The prayers in this volume are wonderful. And though many are written to be prayed at the shrine. You can pray most of the prayers almost anywhere. The National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help in the United States that is in Wisconsin. But this book is so much more than just a prayer book. It is history, it is church teaching. It is the representation of faith lived out. Lived out by those near and who journey to the shrine, and those with a devotion to the shrine from afar. 

This is an excellent volume that I treasure, and I am sure you will also. It is a great prayer book. I strongly recommend that you pick it up, read the history and begin praying the prayers. Another great read from Father Looney, and excellent resource from TAN Books. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan!


Books by Fr. Edward Looney:
A Heart Like Mary's: 31 Daily Meditations to Help You Live and Love as She Does
Our Lady of Good Help Mary's Message and Mission for Adele Brise and the World
A Rosary Litany
Our Lady of Good Help Prayer Book For Pilgrims

Lenten Journey with Mother Mary
Behold the Handmaid of the Lord: A 10-Day Personal Retreat with St. Louis de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary
Praying with the Church Through Advent
Praying with the Church Through Lent

Children’s Books:
Little Chapels, Grateful Hearts
The Story of Sister Adele and Our Lady of Champion
Breakfast in Bethlehem
Fr. Looney's Christmas Stories





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