My Perfect Mother's Prayerbook

After the birth of my little girl in January, I posted a lovely picture of her and mentioned briefly that I had a new prayerbook, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers, that was really 'feeding' my soul - and it was. And I still feel that, so much so that I want to write more about it. I understand that the mother who wrote this book, Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle was very much encouraged by Mother Teresa to write and publish it. Here are a few encouraging words from Mother Teresa inside the book:

"My gratitude is my prayer for you that you may grow in the love of God throgh your beautiful thoughts of prayer you write and thus share with others."

"Your books on mothers and expectant mothers are much needed. Yes, you may use some of the things I said on motherhood and family...I pray that God may bless your endeavors."

"I pray that it does much good."

I had alot of physical suffering after the birth of my little girl and it had the good effect of scouring my soul and softening it. It was time (I believe through the blessing of St Anne) for a greater renewal of my motherhood, a deepening of it. This book has been the perfect prayer manual companion to keep my heart soft and continually directed to my children and my eternal destination. And I know that it is only through daily prayer that it is possible. The prayers a written in such a way to speak to my heart as well as directing my petitions for my children's heart and soul.

The book is artistically delightful, a little hardback book that can weather my handling of it and the occasional 'pouncing upon' by little chubby fingers and small enough to carry in the handbag.

You can click on any of these photos to have a better look at the layout of the pages. The pages are filled with heart touching informal prayers, poems, quotes from the saints, lovely motherly thoughts, formal prayers we all know (The Memorare, St Michael prayer, prayer to St Therese etc.) Another important addition to this book is a 'Spiritual Communion' often mothers cannot get to daily Mass but they can unite themselves spiritually with the Lord. Finally, there is a reflection at the end of each chapter, good for meditation if you wish to add a 'mini retreat' to the end of your day's or week's prayers (whenever you have time to add it in.)

To start with, when I was confinded to the bed, I read it from cover to cover but as I became more mobile and had to pick up my daily chores and activity again, I read just the prayers. To enable to me to pinpoint those chosen prayers quickly, I bought some very small heart-shaped stickers and stuck them next to the prayers I wanted to say everyday. They look sweet and blend in with the book nicely. There will be times when I will have the time to re-read everything or there will be times when I will go searching for the particular poem or refection because I know it is just what I need to read.

I have always had my 'daily prayers' ~you know, those treasured and well-loved prayers I've garnered and collected over the years from different places and books and made them 'mine.' So I put them on file on the computer and printed them up on nice lavendar paper and cut them up in such a way to make a mini-booklet that sits nicely at the back.

I do recommend this book, it is not expensive and I have now decided to have a few on hand as they make beautiful gifts for mothers who have just had a baby (whether it is a new mother or a mother of ten.)

There has been alot of talk recently on attachment parenting and a new Catholic mother's attachment parenting e-group has just started Hold Onto Your Catholic Kids, and I really think this is the perfect 'attachment parenting' prayer book for mothers!