Today I am offering a giveaway of a book by my prolific friend Peter Kwasniewski that I believe will help tremendously with the spiritual life of all who read it. The giveaway is closed!
The Holy Bread of Eternal Life: Restoring Eucharistic Reverence in an Age of Impiety is the spiritual reading we need now.
Sophia Institute, the publisher, has organized a novena in reparation for the Eucharistic abuses that have occurred — “but also to reintroduce proper respect and awe for the Holy Eucharist” — which is what this book is all about. (For information about the novena you can view and sign up here.)
I decided that a perfect way to prepare for this novena, for my own spiritual growth, and especially for the coming Lent, is to have solid spiritual reading, particularly on the subject of the incredible life-giving bread of heaven, the Eucharist, and so that is exactly what I am doing — using this book as my own reading that I take to prayer!
Holy Bread offers a door into the mind of the Church, from antiquity and through the ages, on the meaning and importance of reverent and worthy reception of the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ — a door we all desperately need to enter. Prof. Kwasniewski offers the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas on the Eucharist, insights into reverent reception, questions about posture and ministers of the Eucharist, and more.
Everything he writes will help us to renew our love of Christ so that we can renew the world around us.
You know, spiritual reading isn't just for information — it is carefully chosen daily reading that nourishes the soul and prepares us to have good dispositions for life — and for prayer in particular.
Often we sit down to pray but find frustration in the dryness we feel. There are many reasons for dryness, but one often overlooked one is that we tend to expect certain emotions, when really what we need is holy things to think about and talk to God about!
This book provides those holy ideas — while also being quite informative.
I especially appreciate that Prof. Kwasniewski emphasizes the need for examination of conscience, a fundamental spiritual step that has been buried under a desire for us to know that God loves us. He does, of course, love us! But for us to have a relationship with him — to be in communion with him — he sets the condition, that we repent and believe the Gospel, that he himself is the remedy for sin.
Repentance cannot take place without the deep interior examination in the light of the Commandments and the teachings of Christ. This “purgative way” is lacking in contemporary spirituality… and yet there is really no other way…
Two passages that have already jumped out at me:
Benedict XVI: “Kneeling in adoration before the Eucharist is the most valid and radical remedy against the idolatries of yesterday and today.”
(This reminds me to mention here a quote that I stumbled upon from Moses Maimonides, 12th Century Jewish philosopher:
“The first purpose of the whole law is to remove idolatry and to wipe out its traces and all that belongs to it, even in memory.”
The Guide of the Perplexed, Bk. 3, ch. 29
Peter Kwasniewski: “At the very least, right here and right now, every layman and laywoman can make a firm commitment, for the glory of God and the sanctification of their souls, always to receive Our Lord kneeling and on the tongue, at every Mass they attend, anywhere, at any time.”
I have made this commitment (as well as the commitment to wear a head covering at Mass). I'm getting older, so sometimes kneeling isn't the easiest thing to do — especially the getting up from the floor — but I decided during Lent of last year that I had to do it.
How about you? Are you interested in learning more? Enter a comment below to be in the running to win a copy of this book.
The giveaway will be short, so that the publisher has time to send the winner the book before the novena begins. We'll end on Tuesday, when I'll offer you a coupon code if you happen not to be the winner. Don't delay in making a comment! This giveaway is for US residents only.
bits & pieces
- A thorough article on spiritual reading and why we need it in our “rule of life” (which simply means the practices we have chosen, in the presence of God and one hopes, a good spiritual director, to incorporate in our daily life as a Christian). Bad reading can unmake a soul. Good reading can make a saint!
- The Great Adventure Bible Study offers a well thought out curriculum based on a timeline of salvation history. These podcasts from Fr. Mike Schmidt allow one to do the study in a year (they are short, so you can also compress/catch up when necessary).
- The Spiritual Quest [not in a good way] of Identity Politics — an interview and a transcript. Takes a few minutes to get going, but lots of interesting observations about the turn our political life has taken, towards a pagan conception of “the enemy.”
- French bishops call on their people to fast and pray as a bioethics bill goes to their Senate. Archbishop Michel Aupetit:
“Is there not violence, indeed, when a child is deliberately deprived of a father, when selective abortions are arranged in the case of multiple pregnancies, when the child discovers that the embryo it was might just as well have ended up under a researcher’s microscope or in a landfill after a more or less lengthy period of freezing?
from the archives
- Set up your Little Oratory now! Between deepening your Eucharistic commitment and making a beautiful (if simple and humble) place of prayer in your home, the renewal can begin. Buy the book here (affiliate link). See others' little oratories here, and by searching that hashtag on Twitter and Instagram.
- I had posted about my cream of broccoli soup on IG and realized I should link to this post about how to make cream of ANYTHING soup! Charlotte from Waltzing Matilda told me she printed it out and calls it “Auntie Leila's Cream of Kitchen Soup”!
liturgical living
St. Marcellus and St. Honoratus
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Kristin White says
This book looks amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Amy O’Donnell says
Please enter my name for the book. I am a mom of 5, just began homeschooling my youngest this year. I have very much enjoyed your posts and links to articles. Thank you for your guidance and wisdom.
Leila Miller says
Sounds amazing!! Enter me!
Mary says
I would love to be selected as the winner of this book giveaway. Thank you for sharing information about it; I may purchase a few extra copies.
Jessica says
Dr. K’s writings have been a blessing to me for the past year. They have sparked good conversations with my husband as we make decisions about how to go forward, especially for our children’s sakes. (We attended a very run of the mill diocesan parish leading up to the closures, and always had the nagging concern about what our children were witnessing.)
Erica says
Yes, thank you. Please enter me!
Sue Klejeski says
The cream soup link seems to be broken. Thanks.
Leila says
Thanks, I fixed it!
Jennifer says
Thank you for introducing us to this book! God bless.
Jacki says
Thanks for sharing! I’ve been on the hunt for some good spiritual reading for Lent. I love your cream of anything soup, but two of my children have to be dairy free (sobs!). Any chance you know of any ways to keep some of the deliciousness without the milk or cream?
Dixie says
Jacki, full-fat canned coconut milk works great as a cream substitute in many soups. We have actually grown to prefer it in some recipes!
Jacki says
Thanks! I’ll have to give it a try.
Monica says
I have one who is dairy free (although butter is okay) and we substitute with oat milk a lot and it has worked for us.
Jacki says
Thanks!
Mrs. Bee says
Jacki, I never use milk or cream in my Cream of Anything soups. If you learn just how much broth/stock/water to put in, then you can achieve a tasty creaminess without dairy. But you can fix things easily as well: if your soup is too thick, just add more liquid, if it’s too liquid you can add pureed cannellini/white beans, which are very delicate and hardly change the basic flavor of the soup.
Jo says
Please enter my name in the drawing .
“Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood.. you will have no life”
The Eucharist is where it’s at. A book dedicated to the Eucharist is what I need in my life! The Eucharist fellowship and understanding is my 2021 goal … your post is timely .
Thank you Leila.
Charlotte Knox says
I love the concept of studying the reasons for certain traditional practices of our Christian walk.
Please enter my name for the book as I would enjoy reading it. Just recently I have begun a challenge to read more IRL rather than online.
Jamie Salvucci says
would love a copy of this book!
Sarah says
My husband and I planned to read Bishop Athanasius Schneider’s book Dominus Est for winter spiritual reading, to increase our devotion to the most holy Eucharist. This book of Dr Kwasniewski that you are giving away sounds also like an excellent read for this intention.
Barbara Juneau says
Peter K is a truly Catholic writer and I thank him for all his words to encourage us to follow traditional practices regarding so many areas of Catholicism. Thank you for offering his new book as a giveaway.
Robin Mureiko says
Thank you for the giveaway. And thank you for creating a new blog post. It is always much appreciated!!!
Heather says
I’d be very interested to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway!
Rhebeka says
Please enter my name. We are about to enter the Church. I am a mom of five, home schooling and homesteading.
Kaitlin says
Thank you for yet another wonderful giveaway and book recommendation!
Elizabeth says
Thank you for offering a giveaway! I always,appreciate your hook recommendations!
Jaci says
Oooh that’d be lovely to win that book. It’d be a good read for Lent. ❤️
aamMama says
Never enough lent books 💛 thank you for the opportunity to win and for all you do!
mikeandloriread says
Sounds like an amazing book! Please enter me, thank you!
Claire says
Sounds like an amazing book! Please enter me, thank you!
Jacqueline says
Thank you for offering this giveaway, and for all that you share with us readers, Auntie Leila!
Piper says
Thank you for the offer and the reminder about good spiritual reading! God’s blessings to you.
Angela says
Yes, please! Looks to be a very good read!
Andrea says
What a lovely book. And such a lovely reminder to get ready for lent and procure good books now!
Nicole Parker says
I would love a copy of the book! Sounds like perfect reading for Lent.
Raquel says
As a convert last year to the Traditional Latin Mass, Ioved his “Reclaiming Our Roman Catholic Birthright”; would love to win this book, thank you for the chance to win!
Victoria says
Do you mean you entered Catholicism from a different denomination through the TLM? While there are some large differences, going to the Novus Ordo is still Catholicism, even if it sometimes misses some things–so I don’t think the right word would be “conversion” if you had been Catholic before. But you could also mean a change of heart about your personal life, I’m not sure.
Maureen says
I’d like to be entered! And thanks for the remarks about spiritual reading – that’s something I haven’t been doing but will have to reinvestigate.
Ingrid Fridenmaker says
This book sounds amazing – please sign me up! THANKS 😊
Courtney Anne Belair says
I’d love to be entered as well, thank you! And thank you for this blog and all you share here and elsewhere. It’s been of tremendous value to me and my family and I’m so appreciative of your work.
Janette says
Entering the giveaway! Thanks Leila 🙂
Angelika says
Thanks for the opportunity and my family lives your cream of anything soup.
Terrsa says
I would truly enjoy a copy of this book. I have been spending regular time in adoration and it has had an immense impact on my life. I would love a book to take to my regular meetings with Christ.
Brian D'Haeze says
A topic i would love to learn more about. Please enter me in the drawing.
Elizabeth Winston says
I would love a copy of the book! Thank you for doing the giveaway, and all your thoughtful writing. I’m also awaiting your new book with baited breath! 🙂
Cindy says
Hi Aunt Leila, thank you for letting us know about the book; I cannot enter the draw as I am from Canada however I appreciate the information and insights and I will order the book and tell others about it. In many of our Diocese in Canada, we are required to wear a mask to Mass and are not permitted to receive Our Lord on the tongue. This book is a tremendous gift to the faithful at this time. Thank you also for posting inspirational blogs for us wives and Mothers; your blog is my “go-to” for so many insights and encouragements and all my friends know about your site! Bless you!
Kate says
I’ve watched some Fr. Mike Schmidt videos from Ascension Press and I find them a bit annoying. While I’m watching, I’m thinking, “Give that man a Ritalin shot or take away his caffeine!” Is he more controlled in the Bible study podcasts?
I’m not posting to enter the book giveaway. I’m familiar with Peter’s work and his “TLM or die” attitude puts me off. I’d rather read something that helps me grow in my spiritual life than a list of complaints about the Novus Ordo. I’m currently reading “The Friendship of Christ” by Robert Hugh Benson and it is truly a gem. Highly recommend, especially the reprint edited by Catherine Hodge.
Leila says
Kate, I have to say that I think the podcast is a good medium for Father 😉
They do speed up his voice for the intro — I just skip it. I do think that the way the Bible Study is set up is helpful for providing an organized approach, even though, as you know, the sort of trendy vibe is not one I care for. But I have found that the timeline system has stood me in good stead (I have used it before for young people).
Just to let you know, Peter Kwasniewski’s book is not primarily about the Latin Mass vs. the Novus Ordo. It really is about the Eucharist — increasing understanding and reverence.
I love Robert Hugh Benson! I wonder what he would say about the casual abuses that have been going on for quite a long time now…
Jennifer says
Thank you for the book introduction, I would enjoy a copy of it. My family and I too have made the “on the tongue and kneeling commitment “. It has been so fruitful! God bless you and your family.
Monica says
Please enter me! This sounds like a great read.
Kristi says
I would love to win the book, thank you! I agree about the reverence due to the Eucharist, which is often lacking. I wish I had known that when I was growing up!
Joy Allison says
This book sounds like an important book to read. Thank you for the giveaway!
LindaKR says
Looks like an amazing book, please enter my name! God bless you!
Toni Graham says
Please enter my name in your drawing for the book! Thank you so much, Leila!
Nicole says
Hi Leila, I’d love to win this book! Like you, I receive Our Lord kneeling and on the tongue, often while carrying my baby in arms and one in the womb! I’d love to grow in my devotion to the Eucharist. Thank you and God bless all that you continue to do!
Nichole Snyder says
This looks wonderful! I’ve slowly been reading his book in the Latin Mass.
Kathy says
May I have a chance, please?
Christina A says
Thanks for the chance to win!
Karen Reep says
Thanks very much for the chance! God bless!
Paige says
Thank you for letting us all know about this book! I will join you in reading it this Lent.
Lena says
I’m thankful to see such good & holy books being offered.
Annie says
Please consider me. I’m fairly new to Adoration and this would be wonderful to read during my Holy Hours. 😍
Michele Slawson says
I would love to rwin a copy of this book.
alereflammamveritatis says
Entering the giveaway! Thanks, Leila!
Sue K says
I would love to win a copy. Thank you for the giveaway!
Betsy M. says
This book looks like an amazing read for Lent. Thanks for your review!
Kelsey says
Spiritual reading always seems to be the first thing I drop when I’m busy. Not this year!
Marissa says
Please put my name in the hat for Mr. K’s bool!
Erica says
Oh please enter me! Perfect way to start 2021
Stephanie langley says
Thank you for this timely giveaway!
Cathy Johnson says
Thanks for your blog. I would love to win this book!
Grammy says
I just found out that I likely have cancer, so a this might be a good book to help me focus on the Most Important.
Leila says
Oh, prayers for you!
Sarah Gervasio says
Hi Leila, I would like to order it and your books as well! Are they all found at Sophia Institue?
Leila says
Sarah, The Little Oratory is found at Sophia and at Amazon and other booksellers. God Has No Grandchildren is available on Kindle. (But I am hoping to have a revised version available in a hard copy! Stand by!)
Amanda says
Please enter me! And thank you, thank you, thank you!
Heather Schultz says
This looks like a beautiful book on a topic that has long been on my heart. Thank you for sharing about it!
Jessica says
Enter me please! This book sounds fantastic!!
Katie says
Would love to read it- thanks for the recommendation!
Terra says
This books sounds amazing!! Especially during a time where 70% of Catholics don’t actually believe in the true presence! Us 30% need to fully understand and really spread the message!!
Kristen says
Thanks for the chance to win!
Kelsey says
I’d love to be entered in this giveaway! Thank you!
Pilar says
I would love to be entered – thank you!
Monet says
Please enter me in the book giveaway. I have committed to wearing a head covering and to receive kneeling and on the tongue also. My knees are starting to get pretty bad so this is difficult for me unless I can find a church with an altar rail!
Danielle Lajoie says
Thank you always for introducing us to another gem!
Kate says
I’d love to win a copy of this book!
Christy says
Soup link is still broken…..
Leila says
Try refreshing your page…
Diana Johnston says
I’d love to be entered! Thanks for hosting!
Dr. K, I have been enjoying your articles in Crisis Magazine! (At least, I think it was Crisis.) Thanks for your hard work.
Shannon says
Enter me please! It looks like a wonderful book!
Anna says
I’d love a copy!
Melanie says
This sounds like a wonderful book to read this Lent. I would love a copy.
Margaret Pezzella says
Sounds like a fantastic book.
kenhpics says
I’d love to have a copy of this book – It would be a good idea to have a plan for Lenten reading, so I’ll look forward to winning (or buying a copy)… thank you Leila!
Meghan says
I would like to win a copy of the book. Thank you!
Jean says
Thank you for the book recommendation and giveaway! Do you know if the book has any discussion of veiling? I am interested in learning more about this practice.
Leila says
Yes, it does discuss veiling!
Carly O says
Yes, it does discuss veiling!
Elizabeth says
Please enter my name for the giveaway as well, and thank you for offering this!
Margee Simeo says
Sounds like a fantastic book for all Catholics. Please enter my name. I certainly desire to be stirred with Eucharistic amazement.
Dawn says
Thank you for this conversation. Your thoughts came to me as I prepared my children for Mass yesterday. Especially now that I have a daughter questions of veiling and dressing beautifully for Our Lord are especially on my mind. I would love to read the book.
Mary says
Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of this book.
Eireann says
This book looks wonderful. O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine. <3, <3, <3 (Three hearts for the Trinity)
Katy Boever says
Thank you for supporting Dr. K’s book. We are so grateful for his influence on our beloved faith here in Lincoln. Please enter us for the drawing. Thank you for your wonderful blog.
Valerie says
After reading Dr. K’s last book on the Latin Mass being our lost heritage, I would love to read this one! Thank you for hosting a giveaway!
Kate M says
This sounds like an excellent book for Lenten reading.
Michelle Dena says
Would love to have as reading for Lent!
Kat Brenner says
Thank you for this opportunity to win his book! It looks great, and I really liked what you said about spiritual reading helping our prayer life. So true!
Elissa Speach says
This book looks like wonderful Lenten reading, for myself as well as a gift for others! Thank you for all your recommendations – I really enjoy them – and for periodically having these book give-a-ways. God bless you and your beautiful family!
Kimberlee says
This looks fabulous! The Eucharist is Life! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity, though I also look forward to the coupon code. 🙂