What the heck am I talking about?! Well, I often think about what I'll blog about on a given day while I get ready for work in the morning. I'm usually listening to podcasts for part of this time as well, and sometimes I get ideas from those. See, the podcasters are my friends too, just like you all are. We have these conversations and inspire ideas in each other. ;-) I just love our global community.
At any rate, I was thinking in the back of my mind this morning as I straightened my hair and listened to "Adventures in Imperfect Living" with Greg and Jennifer: "what should I write about today?" And then it struck me: 33 Days to Merciful Love.
I've been on a hunt to find this book for several weeks now. I first learned about it through our fellow blog friend Laura, and the title instantly resonated with me. I bookmarked it in my little brain, but then didn't think about it again right away. Then I came across another mention of it in something that I was reading online, and the lightbulb in my head went off. Lightbulb, I know that so often I let you down and don't recognize your signals, but every once in a while I get it right.
I did an Amazon search, and found the book available for pre-order. I tweeted about it, and Laura and dear friend Samantha and I chatted back and forth about its' availability. The listed publication date had come and gone, yet Amazon still did not have it in stock. After reading the description on the back cover, I was more intrigued than ever:
33 Days to Merciful Love: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Consecration to Divine MercySt. Therese? I'm there!! The three of us kept tabs on it via Amazon, but quickly Amazon changed the availability to "unavailable - out of print." There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Live the Jubilee Year of Mercy to the full! Get your copy of 33 Days to Merciful Love, the stirring sequel to the international sensation, 33 Days to Morning Glory. Using the same 33-day preparation format, 33 Days to Merciful Love journeys with one of the most beloved saints of modern times, St. Therese of Lisieux, and concludes with a consecration to Divine Mercy. So whether you want to deepen your love of Divine Mercy or have a devotion to St. Therese, 33 Days to Merciful Love is the book for you.
Over the weekend, I ordered it via the Marian Helpers Catalog, and my copy is on it's way to me now. *beams* Samantha and I have been having lovely daily chats about the book now that the 33 day window to consecrate on the feast of Divine Mercy is underway. Obviously, you can read the book and do the at-home retreat whenever you'd like, but the Divine Mercy feast day tie-in is lovely, no? And even though our books aren't in our hot little hands just yet, the Marians of the Immaculate Conception website is making the first week of readings available for those of us in just such a situation. Day 1 was yesterday, but you can easily catch up by reading a few days together. Want to join us?! Ohhh, I see that it is also available as an ebook for instant gratification purposes! FYI, it is in epub form, so not compatible with Kindle. (UPDATE: Amazon now is offering a Kindle copy here!)
I'm very excited about this, and hope to have the book by the end of the week. If you're going to join in, leave a comment to let us know! Which brings me full circle from the beginning of this post: all of you. Over the past year or so, this community here at Life of a Catholic Librarian has grown a little bit. Not a lot, granted, we're still a small family here, ;-) but I get regular comments and messages now from readers that I absolutely treasure. And I feel like I've really gotten to know some of you! I've mentioned Laura and Samantha in this post, and I chat with them regularly on social media. There are a number of others of you out there that I've chatted with in the comments or over email, and I appreciate each and every one of you. You are all an inspiration to me, and I cherish your friendship. Thank you for bringing extra joy and meaning into my life.
*hug*
