Dear Readers, I am excited to let you know that I have published my study guide — God Has No Grandchildren — on marriage! It's now available on Kindle — all the posts from my Casti Connubii series in one place, completely revised and expanded!
And yes! George Cardinal Pell of Australia, Prefect, Secretariat for the Economy (as in, he works in the Vatican!), has graciously endorsed your humble servant in this endeavor.
Why? Because he wants you to know: We need to understand as deeply as we possibly can the mystery of marriage!
This! This is the most important battle today, the “ground zero” of all our struggles to bring good into the world: Forming and keeping happy families!
As you will recall, back in the day I wrote some posts here that guided you through the encyclical (apostolic letter) of Pope Pius XI.
Why did I do this? I don't know! It doesn't seem like the kind of thing that drives traffic to the blog or makes me famous, does it?
It does seem odd. But. I was really compelled by the need to bring this prophetic pope's teachings into our world today (it was written in 1930, at the very start of the disastrous era of World War II). I can't explain it, but I knew that if I didn't do it, no one else would, and I also knew that I had to try, as quixotic an adventure as it might be.
The encyclical not that easy to read.
But it's really, really wise.
My reading of it may help you.
Many people have changed their lives when they have read this letter. Their marriages have changed. They suddenly got it.
Father Jerry J. Pokorsky is a priest of the Diocese of Arlington. Fr. Pokorsky co-founded both CREDO and Adoremus, two organizations deeply engaged in authentic liturgical renewal. He says:
God Has No Grandchildren is a splendid new book. It is a beautifully presented treatment of a crucial theme which time is only revealing ever more to have been prophetic.
- Where does marriage come from?
- What is God's plan for marriage?
- What are the goals of marriage?
- What does “wives, submit to your husbands” mean?
- What is mutual submission?
- How do I balance my desire to do good in the world with demands at home?
It's not a long read. Here would be my suggestions for you:
- Read it alone.
- Read it with your spouse.
- Give it to your engaged children or friends.
- Read it with your St. Gregory Pocket — in your ladies' group or as a couples' activity.
- Invite your pastor to read with you.
It's a short book on its own, and it's a study guide to use in a group. Instead of finding the scattered posts here, just bring your tablet/reader to your meeting. (Of course, they will still be here!)
You can trust its contents: Several orthodox priests have read it and helped me fine-tune its message. Cardinal Pell's introduction testifies to the importance of this message to our world today.
If you find that it's helpful, can I ask you a favor? Can you leave a review on Amazon for me, and/or on Goodreads? Thank you!
Thank you so much for being our readers!!
(By the way, the cover is designed by our own Deirdre's husband John Folley. Isn't it beautiful?)
Claudia says
Congratulations on your new book!
Laura Jeanne says
Your new book looks lovely, Leila! Congratulations. I am wondering, would your book be good for me to read when my husband is not a Christian?
Also, if I don’t have a Kindle can I still read it? 🙂
Leila says
It is good for everyone. It explains what marriage is. Basically, if you read my Casti Connubii posts here on the blog, you’ve read it. This book puts those posts into a more readable format, and I cleaned everything up — it’s more than just posts slapped into a book, but you will have gotten the gist from the blog.
You can read a Kindle book on any device that can download the Kindle app, such as your phone or tablet or computer. Hope that helps!
Kathleen L says
Thanks for the Kindle edition, Leila! I am eager to re-read this in book form! We are expecting a massive wind storm this weekend, so this will be perfect to settle into with a lantern!:))
Mrs. B. says
Cardinal Pell! Congratulations, Leila! There is a real need for a book like this, and for the thoughts and changes it will inspire. The buzzword today is “Equality!”, but in a destructive way that pits wives against husbands. Marriage is not a competition – thank you for spreading the good news!
sibyl says
My very best wishes, Auntie Leila! I can’t wait to read it.
Kelly says
Leila!
Thank you for this much needed, highly appreciated work.
Just wondering if your new book can be made into a hard copy? Does Amazon/Kindle offer that? (I suppose I could research that on Amazon’s site, but figured there are other readers who have or will have that same question for you!)
May God continue to bless you and Phil, your daughters, sons, in-laws, grandchildren and your mother!
~Kelly
Leila says
Thanks, Kelly!
At this time, the book is only available in non-paper form. Without the option of the ebook, I couldn’t publish it at all!
If there is no way for you to access it — you know that you can install the Kindle app on your phone, tablet, or computer and read it that way — email me and I will see what I can do for you.
God bless!
Cindy says
Regarding ordering your e book in Canada.
Hello Aunt Lila, thank you so much for your insights. Your blog is a part of our daily readings and quotes between my daughter and I. Thank you. I am wondering how to order this ebook as it is not available on Amazon Canada. I tried via Amazon U.S. but I think I would need to set up a new account for U.S. customers and I am not sure about doing that. Any suggestions for where else to get it? We are quite eager to read it and share it with others once we find a way to buy it! Bless you.
Cindy
Leila says
Dear Cindy, I think you just have to sign up with amazon in the US. It shouldn’t be too hard, right? Otherwise, you will have to wait for the hard copy, and I don’t know when that will be available, although I am working to make it happen.
Thank you!
Cindy says
Thank you! I will look at doing it thst way and I look forward to the hard copy too! How exciting to think of being able to put it on my reading table. Bless you.
Greg Bond says
Good evening! Is the text of Casti Connubii included in the study guide? If not, I realize it’s available for free on the Vatican website – just checking.
Leila says
Hello, Greg — no, the text is not included. Reference numbers to the paragraphs of the text of CC are provided in the study guide for ease of reading.