Reading Catholic

Reading Catholic and catholic

Book Reviews

Meet a Reader: Christine Mattern {@The Catholic Post}

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Following is the July “Meet a Reader” feature that appears on this month’s book page of the print edition of The Catholic Post.

FullSizeRenderHow you know me: I grew up as the oldest of four children in Magnolia, IL, on a family hog farm. My home parish is St. John XXIII, formerly known as St. Mary’s, in Henry, IL. I have been studying biology, psychology, and theology at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, IA, for the past four years. My time at Ambrose has not only allowed me to develop intellectually, but has also challenged me to grow spiritually in a deeper relationship with God. Upon graduation from St. Ambrose, I am excited to begin nursing school in January at St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing in Peoria. I look forward to developing the gifts that God has given me, as I learn how to apply them in my nursing profession.

Why I love reading: There’s nothing better than curling up on a rainy day with a warm blanket and devouring into a good book. I love reading for the escape that it provides. A good book will allow you to travel to a new place, meet different people, and experience the world in unique ways. Not all books have this capability, and that is what makes the occurrence so magical.

What I’m reading now: This summer, I have decided to work my way through the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares for the third time. I first read these books in junior high and high school. I thoroughly enjoyed each book and have grown very fond of the characters and the special friendships they share.

My favorite book: I would classify the Sisterhood series as one of my top favorite reads. I am also a big fan of Nicholas Sparks’ books. It’s difficult for me to pick just one favorite book, but overall, I enjoy reading realistic fiction, especially involving relationships and interactions among characters. I enjoy when networks begin to intertwine. It reminds me of God’s overarching knowledge and guidance over us. His grand design is always so much more intricate and extraordinary than we could ever imagine. 

Young Authors Offer Fresh Take on Catholic Life {July column @TheCatholicPost}

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Following is my July column that appears on this month’s book page of the print edition of The Catholic Post.

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Full disclosure: I sometimes disparage younger authors. You know, the ones writing memoirs at 15 or how-to-parent books at 25. It may be a kind of reverse ageism, but the older I get, the more I see that wisdom often comes with age.

But it’s also true that generalizations are dangerous and unhelpful, especially when I recall so many exceptions to the rule, such as Colleen Swaim’s excellent books for young people, or Elizabeth Esther’s searing memoir Girl at the End of the World, to name just two.

And then I realized that a number of new recent books, all by young authors, are excellent, each in their own way. See? Even middle-aged and older people can change their views, and—I say only partly joking— there can be harmony among the generations.

Leah Libresco is one of those younger authors.

Her first book, Arriving at Amen: Seven Catholic Prayers That Even I Can Offer, is a quirky and brainy mix of popular culture, literature, philosophy, and Church doctrine, that’s both enjoyable to read and a challenge to live out one’s Catholic faith more fully and intentionally.

Libresco is an accomplished writer and popular blogger at Patheos, a religious blog portal. She grew up in an atheist home, but during her time as an undergrad at Yale (just a few short years ago) she encountered intelligent, thoughtful Christians unafraid of intellectual rigor applied to faith.

Eventually, she converted to Catholicism and blogged her journey in real-time. This book recounts part of that improbable, highly intellectual, and spiritual journey.

But far more than a personal journey memoir, Arriving at Amen is a thoughtful book on seven of the basic elements of a healthy Catholic life: Petition, Confession, Examen, the Divine Office, Lectio Divina, and the Mass. The book shares, in-depth, how these nourish and inspire a robust faith and life.

For such a recent convert, and young writer, Libresco writes with a mature spirituality that is enlightening to readers of all ages.


Chastity Is for Lovers: Single, Happy, and (Still) a Virgin by Arleen Spenceley is another smart book by a talented young author.

Spenceley is a young but experienced journalist, so the writing is keen and clear. Like Arriving at Amen, Chastity is for Lovers is part personal story, but more an attentive analysis of what’s great about our Catholic faith; in this case, on what makes for healthy sexuality.

Spenceley sets out the argument for chastity as the healthiest, most integrative way of life, no matter one’s state in life. She explores, with humor and grace, how it can be a challenge in our culture, but so worthwhile.

There are many good things about Chastity is for Lovers, but the best chapter is Spenceley’s sharp critique the “purity culture” promoted in some Protestant churches, and how it can harm young people and impair healthy sexual development. “Purity culture” involves, at its worst, shame-based and condemning messages about premarital sex in a misguided effort to promote purity, but often having the result of creating unhealthy sexual messages and lead people away from the truth, rather than towards it.

Spenceley shares throughout her book how the Catholic vision of chastity is so very different from that, and how vital it is to convey that message to young people.

Decent Exposure, by actress and designer Jessica Rey, and former model Leah Darrow, is a very different book than the previous two, but has its place here. This is especially true since this kind of book is probably best created by young authors.

A line from the book sums up the authors’ well-met aim: “Decent Exposure was written with the simple idea that women need positive, uplifting guidance. It is not about shame; it is about empowerment.”

The book is a well-designed large volume, with engaging graphic design and appealing photos. This book is a great conversation starter for pre-teen, teen, and older girls on up about body image, beauty, relationships, and mostly, living in our culture without being overwhelmed by it.

Decent Exposure is not a perfect book, and some topics are worded differently than I might express them, but it’s a sensible resource for ideas to start or continue a healthy dialogue with the girls in your life.

The Grace of Being a “Broken God” {my June column @The Catholic Post}

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Following is my June column that appears on this month’s book page of the print edition of The Catholic Post.

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“For the Son of God became man so that we might become God,” — St. Athanasius

Did that quote make you go “hmm,” even just a little?

It did to me, too, the first time that I heard it. Many years ago, my then boyfriend (now husband) quoted it in a friendly conversation about religion with a sincere evangelical Christian. She paused for a moment and said, “Isn’t that heresy?”

I partially agreed with her, to be honest, not having been introduced to “deification.”

It is the idea, prevalent and believed since the earliest days of Christianity, that we humans are meant to live now and eternally in communion with the Holy Trinity—to become gods.

Because it’s not often stressed or even discussed in our 21st century American Christian life, many people are unaware of it, and are concerned or puzzled when they do hear about it.

But it’s an ancient Christian belief, one that has been affirmed by everyone from those early Christian writers like St. Athanasius and St. Irenaeus, through to St. Thomas Aquinas, and even Protestant leaders and writers like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and C.S. Lewis. Some call it the “primary purpose of the Christian life.”

Why is deification, or “divinization,” or “divine filiation,” as it is can also be called, so overlooked in our modern world and religious life?

There are probably a hundred reasons why, but an intriguing and important new book looks at deification through the lens of both psychological health and integrated faith.

Broken Gods: Hope, Healing, and the Seven Longings of the Human Heart by Gregory Popcak, PhD., explores what deification is, how and why we fall short, and how the virtues can heal us.

Popcak is not only a psychologist and prolific writer, but he has hosted several very watchable and entertaining programs on EWTN on marriage, psychology, and faith. So this book is not a jargon-laden treatise, but a down-to-earth exploration of a potentially “heavy” topic.

Popcak calls the concept of deification “a foundational teaching… and a lost treasure.” In the book, he offers an approach to re-introducing Catholics to this “lost treasure” and uniquely integrating it with psychological concepts.

“The truth is, God really and truly intends to make you a god—a being who is perfect, whole, healed, and yes, even immortal,” Popcak writes.

But he also points out that we are “broken gods” because of original sin, in need of healing, and that healing can come through a combination of prayer, practicing the virtues, and sound psychological practices.

The virtues approach works very well in this context. For each of the seven deadly sins, Popcak proposes a “divine longing” that the vice tries but can’t satisfy; for instance, pride is a misguided attempt to satisfy the divine longing for abundance, and humility is the way to approach it. The diving longing for justice is fulfilled through patience, not wrath. The divine longing for trust is fulfilled through generosity, not greed. And so forth.

It’s not a new approach—St. Thomas Aquinas, after all, said that grace perfects nature— but how Popcak updates these themes in the context of our deification is both novel and constructive for personal and spiritual growth.

In Broken Gods, Popcak is reintroducing a theological anthropology—fully understanding what it means to be human—as opposed to a secular anthropology. He shows the true dignity of humanity—that we are meant to live now and always in community with the Trinity.

“When we turn our longings over to him, he sets us on the path to becoming the gods we were created to be—whole and healed, peaceful and perfect, faithful, fearless, and fulfilled.”

Each chapter concludes with an exercise, beginning with prayer, in which Popcak guides the reader through the acronym “COAL” to explore the virtue, the vice, and a path to improve. COAL, as Popcak explains, is “fuel for change”—a neuroscience-based approach to meaningful transformation. COAL stands for curiosity, openness, acceptance, and love toward life, and our failings. In this section, Popcak walks readers through a list of questions, thoughts, and practical ideas to put each virtue into practice.

Broken Gods is a distinctive read with a powerful message. It offers space for pondering the mysteries of divine filiation, and invites us to consider ways we can grow closer to our true destiny.

“God will honor humility, and the devil will hate it” {Q&A with Father Mike Driscoll, author of “Demons, Deliverance, and Discernment”}

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My May column for The Catholic Post features a local author, Father Mike Driscoll, and his popular new book Demons, Deliverance, and Discernment: Separating Fact from Fiction about the Spirit World.  You can read my review of the book here.  Following is a longer version of my Q&A with Fr. Driscoll in the print edition of The Catholic Post.

Fr. Driscoll is chaplain and director of pastoral care at OSF St. Elizabeth Hospital in Ottawa. He’s been a priest of the Peoria diocese since 1992, and a licensed clinical counselor since 2012 .

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Q. How did you come to write a book about demons and exorcism?

I received a MA in Counseling from Bradley University in 2009. About that time, a friend of mine—a priest with a background in psychology—had been asked by his bishop to look into some cases of possible demonic possession.

We had several conversations about how to distinguish between possession and mental disorders. I then went to Regent University and received a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision. It included more counseling courses, but also involved studying counselors: how and why they do what they do. I thought it would be interesting to look at exorcists in the same way.

Q. Your work in counseling and health care informed your work on this book. Has writing the book at all changed your work in counseling and health care ministry?

Actual cases of demonic possession are extremely rare. On the other hand, it is relatively common for people to struggle with problems that are a combination of both mental/emotional problems and spiritual problems that do not involve possession.

The hospital where I am chaplain (St. Elizabeth’s, Ottawa) has an inpatient mental health unit. so on daily basis I talk to people who are struggling with these problems. Writing the book and serving these people have reinforced for me the need to address both aspects, the mental/emotional and the spiritual. If we neglect either one, we are not helping as much as we could.

Q. What are two or three things the “average Catholic” should know about demons?

One thing people should know is that demonic possession is extremely rare. There is a good reason why the vast majority of us have never seen a person possessed by a demon: it rarely happens. As one exorcist said, it does not happen randomly; you don’t wake up one day and suddenly find yourself possessed. It comes from building a relationship with evil.

That leads to the second thing: we should be much more concerned about temptations, whether from the flesh, the world, or the devil. Going to hell for committing mortal sins and not repenting of them should be more frightening to us than possession.

Third and most important, remember God’s infinite love for us, and keep in mind that the things we need to do to get to heaven are not complicated. We must say our prayers, receive the Sacraments, practice the virtues, and avoid the occasions of sin.

Q. Who is your target audience for the book? Is there a type of person you’d really like to read the book, and what would you most want them to take away from the book?

The primary audience is adult Catholics. The wider audience would include Christians and others interested in the Catholic view of the topic of demon possession.

Certainly some teenagers could understand the book, and there is nothing inappropriate in it. The caution I would give to that age group is that some of them are already too interested in the subject, and I don’t want to inflame that. Of course, the same could be said of many adults!

There has been an inherent dilemma in writing this book and getting it published. On the one hand, I am glad that Catholic Answers thought it worth publishing. On the other hand, I don’t want to encourage people to spend too much time on this topic.

Make sure you next spiritual reading is a book about God’s love, or a saint, or the angels.

Q. You write in the book about the connections (and often, lack of connection) between mental illness and demon possession. How do non-Catholics or even Catholics misconstrue these, and how does your book help to clear up those misunderstandings?

Movies that claim to be based on true stories always have inaccuracies; there is always an element of sensationalism. One of the main goals of this book is to provide the actual Church teaching on devils, possession, and exorcism.

One Catholic told me he heard that most people in psychiatric hospital care are actually suffering from demonic attacks, rather than mental health problems. That’s nonsense.

While the devil tempts all of us, especially in our weak points, the people I visit every day in our mental health unit are struggling with real mental and emotional problems. To say these are just demonic attacks is wrong, just as wrong as saying physical problems are just demonic attacks.

Does the devil try to aggravate all of our problems? Of course. That is why we pray for God’s protection and strength and healing for all disorders, whether physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or any combination of those.

Having said that, I should mention that it is not unusual for people with serious mental disorders (such as schizophrenia) to tell me they hear devils, see devils, or dream about devils. This does not mean they are possessed, but it could really be the devil bothering them.

I have had therapists ask me about this. My guess is that demons torment people with serious mental problems because others won’t believe them. Others might think it is just the mental disorder, but it could be both metal and spiritual. It is important to address both struggles: we provide counseling and medication to help with the mental problems, and we must be sure to pray for them and encourage a good spiritual life in order to help with the spiritual struggles.

Q. You caution sincere Catholics against over-reliance on what you call “deliverance professionals.” Could you explain a little more about that, and what your concerns are in that area?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church does not define deliverance; there is no Church book or ritual on deliverance; and there is no official title or office of “deliverance minister.”

If a person says they are involved in deliverance, and they further explain that they listen to people’s spiritual struggles and then pray for them, that’s great. But some claim to have special deliverance abilities or gifts, special deliverance methods, and special deliverance prayers. I would stay away from that whole scene.

Some of the saints had great power in driving away demons, but they always tried to avoid attracting attention. I mistrust those who publicize their claims of spiritual gifts.

Q. You write in the helpful appendix of prayers for protection against demons that “these are not imperative formulas that address demons directly. They are prayers asking God, his angels, and his saints to protect us against the attacks of evil spirits.” Why is that distinction important?

The generic definition of exorcism is words directed to devils. It is the opposite side of the coin of prayer, which is directed to God.

For example, in the extraordinary form of blessing water, the priest is directing prayers to God, but then the ritual has him say, “I cast out you, the devil and adversary of mankind, along with all your evil influence and cunning wickedness…” That is called a minor exorcism.

The only Church rituals in which demons are directly addressed are in the Rite of Exorcism, and the extraordinary form of Baptism and some blessings. Outside of a priest following a Church ritual, I don’t see any reason to address demons.

The prayers I have in the appendix are directed to God or the angels or saints, asking for their help and protection. When I hear people directing commands toward devils, saying things like, “In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to be gone!” it strikes me as overly dramatic, and maybe even prideful.

It’s just my opinion, but it seems more humble to ask God or the angels or saints for help. I think God will honor that humility, and the devil will hate it.

Q. Realizing the book is just being released, how has the early interest been from the publisher and others who have read it or are anticipating it?

I have been amazed at how much Catholic Answers has done to promote interest in it. They have arranged for me to be on a number of Catholic radio shows, which is something I have never done before.

I did the first on May 1, the Drew Mariani show—and it was great. People are definitely interested in this topic, as I am, but again, we all need to make sure that we don’t pay too much attention to demons. Jesus certainly did exorcisms, but the Gospel show him spending much more time teaching and healing.

We need to devote most of our spiritual energy toward prayer, the works of mercy, and spiritual reading that does not involve demons.

Q. You’ve written a fiction book called The Father Capranica Mysteries: Stories of the Strange and Supernatural along the lines of the Father Brown mysteries, but with a modern twist. Can you share about its unique perspective, and what inspired you to write that book?

I love G. K. Chesterton’s “Fr. Brown Mysteries,” based in England in the early 1900s. He was the first to write stories about a priest investigator.

In order to take breaks from writing the “Demons” book, I started writing stories about a priest who investigates mysteries. Unlike Fr. Brown, who usually solved murders and robberies, Fr. Capranica solves mysteries involving the supernatural: angels, demons, creatures from mythology and folklore.

I don’t like it when a movie is almost purely fictional, and has a line at the beginning saying “Based on a true story.” They should just make up the scary story and have fun with it, not try to pass it off as true! The Father Capranica Mysteries are definitely not based on true stories.
If you are wondering, Capranica is my mom’s maiden name; my grandfather was born and raised in the Abruzzi region in Italy.

Q. What is your next writing project?

I don’t know. I have written some thoughts on the topic of forgiveness. We all know how important it is to forgive, but it is also difficult. The more someone has been hurt, the more difficult it is to forgive the offender. But lack of forgiveness is bad for us, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

I would like to write a book of spiritual practices and counseling suggestions on what to do on a daily basis to forgive others. Like other virtues, forgiveness is never finished.

Just as we have to be loving and faithful and patient every day, we also have to forgive every day.

People get frustrated because they want to forgive others, but the negative thoughts and emotional pain keep coming back. I reassure them that doesn’t mean they have failed to forgive. We just have to stay with it every day.

Q. You are a lifelong and winning long-time long-distance runner.  I’ve read and reviewed numerous Catholic running memoirs, (including Alberto Salazar’s 14 Minutes;  Sister Madonna Buder’s The Grace to Race, and Jeff Grabosky’s Running with God Across America) and I’m fascinated with the connection between running and spirituality. What is your perspective on that? Can you share how running is part of your faith life?

I think it is physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy for us to get outside and be physically active on a regular basis, if we can. Of course there are many reasons why some people cannot. God gives us different things we enjoy and that are good for us, so I think it shows gratitude to do those things.

In moderation, of course: I’m injured right now, from putting in more miles than I knew I should, training for the Starved Rock Marathon. Now I have to miss it! Maybe I’ll be ready for the Peoria marathon in the fall.
I won the Morton Pumpkin Festival 10K twice, and the Metamora Lincoln-Douglas 8 mile several times. I won the Wildlife Prairie Park 5k once. But I never won Steamboat, darn it!

I don’t know how many marathons I have run. I’ve run one or two, sometimes three, almost every year since the late 1970s. I’ve probably run about 60 or 70 of them, maybe 75.

To put it another way: when I ran my first marathon, Paul VI was the pope!

You might also be interested to know:

*my husband Joseph Piccione took the photo of Father Mike Driscoll above several years ago.  I remembered seeing it among our digital photos, and searched for because I remember it being a really good one.

*I was glad to ask Fr. Driscoll the question about running, but I always feel a little intimidated because he’s such a speedy runner (as in, winning races or his age group a fair amount of the time). But he has always been gracious and encouraging about my “finishing is winning” approach to running.

Meet a Reader: Amy Lee

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Following is the monthly feature that appears in the print edition of The Catholic Post, featuring a Peoria diocesan reader.

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How you know me:

I’m a parishioner at St. Marys’ Cathedral in Peoria, IL. I was blessed to start attending and serving Mass there when I was a sophomore at Bradley University. It is through the Newman Center at Bradley and the Cathedral that I met my husband, Phillip Lee. We were married in 2013, and last year welcomed our daughter, Elizabeth. In addition to being a wife and mother, I also work as a full-time nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Galesburg, IL.

Why I love reading:

I love reading fiction mostly, and good books have become friends. When I read, I can instantly visit a new place, meet new people, experience different cultures, and even travel through time. My favorite books have the ability to inspire and challenge me to learn and grow into a better person. They have introduced me to characters that I admire and desire to emulate. When I read, my imagination can take over, and I can dream.

What I’m reading now:


I’m currently reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, aloud to my husband and daughter whenever I get the chance.




Other frequent contenders in the “board and baby book” category include: Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, I Love You Through And Through by Bernadette Rossetti Shustak, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, and Five Little Monkeys Storybook Treasury by Eileen Christelow.


I am also (slowly) reading Fatima for Today: The Urgent Marian Message of Hope by Fr. Andrew Apostoli.

My Favorite Book:
This is a tough one to answer. If I have to choose one, I would have to say Little Women. I can’t even begin to remember how many times I’ve read it. I also love just about anything by Jane Austen, and Pride and Prejudice  in particular, is at the top of the list. I’m also a big Tolkien fan, and have been known to be addicted to the Star Wars universe.

“Demons, Deliverance, and Discernment” An Informative, Absorbing Read {My May column @ The Catholic Post}

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Following is my May column that appears on the book page of this week’s edition of The Catholic Post.

When I first heard Father Mike Driscoll had written a book, I was thrilled for him and excited to read it. Our family has known Father Driscoll for years, and he’s a kind, intelligent, and devout priest.

The subject matter—demons and deliverance—made me a little nervous.

Why? My first experience with this type of book was back in the late 1980s, when a dear friend and Catholic co-worker in the pro-life movement lent me a book about exorcism. He sincerely meant it as a way to edify me and strengthen my early 20s faith, but its chief effect? Freaking me out.

Most of the reaction might have been a result of spiritual immaturity, but the book, with its drama and horrifying details of actual exorcisms, didn’t help. It had the good effect keeping me away from anything related to the occult, but it didn’t do much for my faith.

But Father Driscoll’s new book is not “that” kind of a book at all.


Demons, Deliverance, Discernment : Separating Fact from Fiction about the Spirit World is a sensible, highly readable book about some complex  and sensitive areas.

He writes in the book that he wants to write a “different sort of book” about this topic, and he succeeds impressively.

C.S. Lewis wrote in the preface to The Screwtape Letters, his book imagining letters between demons on how to tempt humans, “There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”

Father Driscoll’s book walks the line between these two extremes. As he writes, “Although we may not face the more dramatic demonic attacks, the devil tempts everyone—he even tempted our Lord.

We would be mistaken if we acted as if demonic possession were commonplace. We would be equally mistaken, however—as well as foolish—to ignore the presence of the devil, and to neglect the means of resisting his activity in the world.”

Some highlights:

*the book provides some fascinating background about various cultures, nearly all of which have a belief in spirit possession, and how that can relate to a Catholic vision of the “unseen world.”

*Father Driscoll also relates Catholic teaching and practice when it comes to exorcism, pointing out the not-uncommon misconception that mental illness is caused primarily by demonic possession. As a licensed counselor, Father Driscoll wants to help readers discern the difference between mental health issues and true exorcism, and provide some general background about the differences.

The book shares how truly rare demonic possession is, and also how the many people who struggle with mental health issues can be helped through modern medicine and counseling, and good general mental and spiritual habits to promote health.

*Father also cautions a healthy skepticism about self-proclaimed “deliverance ministers” either Catholic or general Christians, who perform quasi-exorcisms outside the guidelines of the church.

*the helpful appendices. One appendix is of prayers for protection against demons. This isn’t a do-it-yourself exorcism advice, but rather a general, healthy advice to “pray always” and some of the powerful prayers the Church has to protect people from the enemy of our souls.

Here’s the importance distinction Fr. Driscoll makes about these prayers “these are not imperative formulas that address demons directly. They are prayers asking God, his angels, and his saints to protect us against the attacks of evil spirits.”

Rather than a scary book about demons and exorcisms, Demons, Deliverance, and Discernment provides helpful background, cultural perspective and prudent guidance for all readers.