Book reviews most often highlight a recently published work to excite interest.  However, every once in a while it is worth revisiting works that have been filed away or forgotten on the bookshelf, giving them a chance perhaps to find a new audience. 

One of the most beautiful books ever written on the Eucharist was written by a French writer and diplomat in the 1930s, reminiscing about the Holy Thursday liturgy of his childhood.  It is just under 100 pages and a fairly quick read, so it is not impossible to read it in a couple of sittings. I know a few people who try to read it every Holy Week as a preparation for the beginning of the Triduum and that lovely celebration of the Lord’s Last Supper.

It is a common principle in Catholicism that God raises up the humble and lowly by His grace, as our own Blessed Mother proclaimed in her Magnificat (Luke 1:46).  We have many examples of our saints who started from very poor and insignificant places, and because of their love of God and their openness to His will, they are now acclaimed as great saints known all over the world.

When I was halfway through my pregnancy, I found out that our baby had developmental issues.  We had an amniocentesis to draw a sample of amniotic fluid and test the baby’s DNA, and the tests confirmed that a tiny fraction of his #1 chromosome was missing. He was missing some of his arm bones, including his radius and humerus bones, and his right leg was clubbed.