Extent: Paperback
Pages: 252
Publisher: Veritas Publications
Publication Date: 10 November 2021
The author’s purpose in publishing The Courage of Their Convictions was to provide a source of encouragement for believers by reflecting on the remarkable lives of men and women and sometimes children from all over the world whose faith and courage have singled them out for attention over the past hundred years. Male and female religious, laity and the Legion of Mary all provide sterling examples of Christian fortitude and example and are given a warm if necessarily brief introduction through these brief sketches of their lives.
Twenty-eight tales are told in all, some well known like St Maximillian Kolbe and St Brigid. Others less often recounted such as Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, the Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican who saved many Jews during the second world war and Little Nellie of Holy God whose life inspired Pope Pius X to introduce today’s First Holy Communion for small children and Sister Blandina, known as the fastest nun in the West because of her association with a notorious outlaw.
Entertaining and edifying this little book provides enjoyable, daily inspiration for adults, young people and children and would make an excellent classroom resource for all ages.
Reviewer: Paul Clayton-Lea, Intercom, May 2022
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THIS collection of stories details the enormous contribution made by male and female religious and laity to the world. Through evangelisation, good example and tremendous personal courage, their efforts have marked many of them out for sainthood.
From humble beginnings in a troubled Italian American home, Mother Angelica, went on to establish EWTN - a global network that began life in the garage of her convent. Her continued battles with bishops and cardinals for control of the network led her to inform one bishop in true Sicilian fashion: "I'll blow the darn thing up before you get your hands on it."
Pope Pius XII - erroneously referred to as 'Hitler's Pope' - is depicted here in a very different light. While criticised for not speaking out more against Nazi atrocities during the Second World War, behind the scenes he was working with the allies and helping to save the lives of countless Jews.
Hollywood actress Dolores Hart gave Elvis his first onscreen kiss. While still in her twenties, and with a promising acting career ahead of her, Dolores turned her back on Hollywood to become a Benedictine nun.
Closer to home, Fr Hugh O'Flaherty, known as 'The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican', founded the Rome Escape Line. His organisation saved countless Jews and Allies from Nazi oppression. He even managed to convert his one-time nemesis, Herbert Kappler - head of Rome's notorious Gestapo.
Sister Blandina earned the title, 'The Fastest Nun in the West'. While attempting to set up schools and hospitals in the American Wild West of the 1800s, she struck up an unlikely friendship with a notorious outlaw.
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was television's first Catholic evangelist. His political astuteness and prophetic vision warned of the dangers of the Red Peril - Russia - at a time when America looked on Russia as an ally against German fascism. His keen insight brought him to the attention of the FBI who opened a file on him and closely followed his political comments.
Dorothy Day was considered one of the most remarkable American women and social reformers of the 20th century. Dorothy went from Marxist revolutionary to Catholic social reformer.
Many of the people discussed in this book have inspired films, TV series, books and plays. Jesuit priests who performed an exorcism on a young boy in America in 1949 could scarcely imagine their work would inspire one of the most revered horror movies of all time: The Exorcist.
As soldiers of Christ, these brave men and women took up their cross to overcome insurmountable obstacles, inspiring many followers and making their lives worth remembering.
Review by
The Irish News
IrishNews.com
Customer Reviews
I do not often write reviews, however, this book has compelled me to do so! Author Gemma Grant has spent a lot of time researching many ordinary people who have done remarkable things to make this world a better place. It is a book of hope, resiliency, compassion and love. This book restores our faith in believing that one life can make a huge difference to so many others! Gemma Grant has a very natural, fluid writing style that makes for a great read. I anxiously await her next book!
— Mary Cortright
Very well written and entertaining. Makes for a great Christmas present.
— Aodh Mac Gráinne
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Description
This fascinating collection details the stories of ordinary, and yet extraordinary, individuals whose unshakable faith and personal courage helped change the lives of millions.
These remarkable stories transport us to places all over the world, including a convent garage in Ohio, where Mother Angelica founded the largest religious television network in the world; inside the walls of the Vatican, where Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, ‘The Scarlett Pimpernel of the Vatican’, evaded the snare of a Gestapo colonel; the depths of the Bolivian jungle where Father Joe Walijewski helped build an entire city; and a church in Dublin where Matt Talbot quietly made his daily pilgrimage.
Common to each of these exceptional men and women, lay and religious alike, was their willingness to take up their cross, no matter what the cost. Their abilities to overcome insurmountable obstacles have made their stories worth telling and their lives worth remembering.
About the Author
Gemma Grant grew up in Belfast during the Troubles, a harrowing experience that placed an indelible mark on the author. She earned a Degree in History from Trinity College and has travelled extensively, from Rome to Marrakesh to the Dead Sea. Gemma has written for Ireland’s Eye, and has contributed numerous articles and short stories to Ireland’s Own, including a series of articles called ‘Ireland’s Historical Castles’. She has written unpublished works End of the Road: A Belfast Tale and a collection of children’s stories. She lives in Dublin with her husband, Ruairí.