Coached by Josemaría Escrivá - Father John Henry Hanson, O. Praem. - Lessons in Discipleship

Coached by Josemaría Escrivá: 

Lessons in Discipleship

Father John Henry Hanson, O. Praem.

Scepter Publishers

ISBN 9781594175084

eISBN 9781594175091

When I read the first book in this series, Coached By Joan of Arc by Alexandre Havard, I was unaware it was the beginning of a series. Both are excellent reads. This one makes several references to the one on Joan and what Havard did in that work. I have been aware of Father John Henry Hanson but had not read any of his other works prior to reading this volume. A couple have jumped way up in my ‘to be read’ pile after reading this one. 

The description of this book states:

“Born at the turn of the 20th Century, Josemaría Escrivá spent his life as malleable clay in the Potter's hands. He took on a very visible leadership role as a priest and founder of Opus Dei, with a substantial collection of writings and recorded talks "revealing the personality, tone of voice, mannerisms, and spirit of the man."  

In this book, Fr. John Henry Hanson explores this role of leader and coach that our saint lived while on earth and continues to live today.  

Never one to mince words or refrain from action, Josemaría coaches us in work and rest, in times of struggle and ease, through confusion and certainty. Josemaría is for all of us – men and women of today, living and working in the midst of the world. He is for us all a coach, a father, and an excellent teacher of the elevated, virtuous, and courageous life.”

The chapters in the volume are:

Introduction: Speaking Confidentially

One: Is It All about Work?

Two: What Work Is All About

Three: Rest, Recreation, & Renewal: Luxury or Duty?

Four: Not for Your Coffee Mug: The Unquotable St. Josemaría

Five: Clay Made Divine: Material for Sanctity

Six: Strong Language: The Tough Talk We Need

Seven: Even Stronger Language: The Encouragement We Need

Eight: Struggle & Perseverance

Nine: “What Are You Waiting For?”

I highlighted numerous passages while reading this book, some of them are:

"I have noticed at times how an athlete’s eyes light up at the sight of the obstacles he has to overcome. What a victory there is in store! See how he conquers the difficulties! God Our Lord looks at us that way. He loves our struggle: we will win through always, because he will never deny us his all-powerful grace. Thus, it doesn’t matter if we have to fight, because he does not abandon us.—St. Josemaría Escrivá, Friends of God, no. 182"

"The main point, however, is not what the world makes of her, but what God made of her. Saints, empowered by God’s grace, can do just about anything—indeed, “all things in him,” as St. Paul attests (Phil 4: 13)."

"Those who have faith marvel at St. Joan of Arc, but we don’t write her off as an historical fluke—as though she just happened to be in the right place at the right time, and impersonal forces randomly converged to make her mission possible. Her story has God’s fingerprints all over it."

"With St. Josemaría Escrivá (1902–1975), no such imaginary monologues or pep talks need be dreamt up. He has left us with not only a substantial collection of written works, but also numerous hours of video footage. Many of his talks and dialogues in Opus Dei get-togethers (convened in small groups or among hundreds, sometimes thousands) are recorded for us, revealing the personality, tone of voice, mannerisms, and spirit of the man who founded The Work of God."

"Why this is important to mention in a book like this is that he already considered his relationship to his spiritual children to be both fatherly and directive—qualities of a good coach."

"From all the personal advice St. Josemaría addresses to his readers in books such as The Way, Furrow, and The Forge, this book will attempt to distill and reflect on certain of the saint’s counsels aimed at disciples and discipleship. In his writings and talks, he addresses leaders, souls of prayer, parents, students, many different types of people, and many aspects of Christian life. Our focus here is to glean lessons in discipleship from one who considered himself just that, a disciple, before anything else he later became."

"David’s defeat of Goliath is not the classic exception to the rule; it’s not the story of a kid who got lucky, but of one who faced his adversary with the Lord’s wisdom and strength, and God’s weakness is more powerful than human strength. David was outmatched only in build and fierceness, but not in courage and skill, nor especially in faith."

"It means spending time doing nothing else than being with God—keeping feet and hands still and, what is perhaps more difficult, keeping mind and heart at rest."

"This calls for an essentially contemplative vision of life, “in the middle of the street,” as St Josemaría often repeated. Just as the people of Jesus’ time had to look beyond (not disregard) his human appearance in order to see God, so must we arrive at a clarity that leads us to the treasure buried in an otherwise nondescript field. The sameness that characterizes most of our relationships and activities is the unspectacular setting in which God chooses to reveal himself."

"If you cite those instances when St. Josemaría praises “work without rest,” 17 let’s be clear that he does not mean “never rest,” but that when we work, we should be tireless in our efforts. In other words, to do everything with its proper intensity. It is the same in physical training or working out: you push through your reps, you sprint with all your might, because if you rest while doing either, you never make progress. It’s only after you’ve spent your energy that rest is in order."

"Tension inevitably strains both mind and body as one concentrates on the details of work, striving to do a good job. But releasing that tension is indispensable. People who never give themselves this permission do eventually break. And sometimes this brings discredit upon themselves and the work they’ve been busy about."

"But on a deeper level, we need to seek renewal in God. We have dwelt on this point already, but perhaps as a practical application we need to schedule days or hours of prayer, of retreat. An annual retreat, a monthly evening of recollection, a daily holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament—taken together, these renew the soul of the apostle. When we go to the source of life, we are rejuvenated, made youthful again in spirit."

"The answer is prayerful reflection and honest examination of oneself. Why did I fail? Is there something about a success that might be harmful? Sometimes, even at the cost of some attainment, the Lord lets our efforts fail because our success would be our downfall."

"We begin the life of discipleship poor, and our goal is to remain poor, even to grow in poverty. With eyes taken off of self, with no pretensions to excellence, with a simple joy that God notices me at all and delights to use me in some small corner of his kingdom . . . yes, I will be a garbage can in the Lord’s kingdom any day. Put me on some street in his city, preferably a backstreet, and I will serve there, awaiting his cleansing and beautifying of my very ordinary self."

"His love makes us who we truly are, who we are meant to be. If we see ourselves as basically fine and complete without God, we leave very little room for growth. Actually, we see a complete distortion: we are not even close to our true selves, our best selves, until we first completely humble ourselves before the Lord. Only those prostrate on the earth can be lifted up, only they can be exalted, only the least and last can be first."

"A lesson all of us need to take to heart: the deeper we are in self-knowledge, the deeper our compassion runs for the miseries of others."

"Sometimes the kind and gentle approach just won’t do. To get someone’s attention and to show them the seriousness of the situation, the verbal equivalent of smelling salts is sometimes in order."

"In addition to knowing that your coach or teacher loves you and wills your betterment, you must also know something crucial about yourself: You can do better. You are called to great holiness. Your vocation is to eternal glory. You are called to a place where only the “spotless” may enter (Rv 14: 5), hence the need to get serious about purifying self of dead weight, dross, and disorder."

"Our field of battle is also the job site where the spiritual edifice grows, and we are constantly waging war within against our tendencies to self-assertion, complacency, and egotism. The fight can potentially discourage, especially when we give ground here or there."

"Hence the impatience of our coach that we get going on this. These are not small matters we may take or leave. This is the Christian life fully lived. Life not fully lived is partially dead or dying. Can we settle for that? Doesn’t God deserve better from us? Isn’t the world in desperate need of the Gospel? If we are the salt of the earth and light of the world, we cannot at the same time rot and darken our areas of influence by refusing to exert a Christian influence."

I hope those quotes give you a feel for this volume. It is an excellent read. The material is clearly presented. It is easily accessible and could be used by a high school student up to a retiree. The writing is crisp and clean. When I started reading this, I planned on a chapter a day, but could just not put it down. As soon as I finished, I put it back on my ‘to be read pile’ to reread it again this time maybe I can stick to a chapter a day. 

This is an excellent volume that I can easily recommend. And I look forward to seeing what the next in the series will be. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2024 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books in the Scepter Coached by Series:

Coached by Josemaría Escrivá - Henry Hanson, O. Praem.

Coached By Joan of Arc - Alexandre Havard

…

Books by Fr. John Henry Hanson:

Coached by Josemaría Escrivá

Scatter My Darkness

Praying from the Depths of the Psalms

Home Again

…

Books by St. Josemaria Escriva:
Christ Is Passing By
Conversations with Saint Josemaria
The Forge
Friends of God
Furrow
Holy Rosary
In Love with the Church
The Way
The Way of the Cross
The Way of the Cross - Booklet Illustrated Michael O'Brien

Praying the Stations of the Cross with St. Josemaria Escriva

The Way, Furrow, Forge (3 in 1 Edition)

Points of Meditation About Our Lady from St. Josemaría

Coached by Josemaría Escrivá - Henry Hanson, O. Praem.

...

Books about St. Josemaria Escriva:
A Man Who Knew How to Forgive: Lessons from the Life of St. Josemaria Escriva - Francesc Faus
Praying 15 Days with St. Josemaria Escriva - Guillaume Derville

Loving Christ Through St Josemaría Escrivá - Holly Melita Rodriguez

...

Volumes in the St Josemaria Escriva's Collected Letters:

Introduction

Letters 1: Singuli dies, 24 March 1930

Letters 2: Videns eos, 24 March 1931

The Burgos Letters (1938-1939): Three Circular Letters

Letters: Letter 3: Res omnes, 9 January 1932

Letter 4: Vos autem, 16 July 1933 : Letter 4: Vos autem, 16 July 1933 

Letter 5: Euntes ergo, 2 October 1939 

Letter 6: Sincerus est, 11 March 1940

Letter 7: Quem per annos, 24 October 1942 

Letter 8: Legitima hominum, 31 May 1943 

…

Other Posts:

Prayer of the day Pray with Saint Josemaría Escrivá

Pray to the Holy Spirit from Saint Josemaría Escrivá

...

The Gospel in the Home - Georges Chevrot

The Gospel in the Home

Georges Chevrot

Scepter
ISBN 9780906138762

eISBN 9781910644133

ASIN B075S7WW1D

This book was originally published in French in 1951, in 2017 editions were released in translation by Scepter UK and Scepter US. There is no indication who the translator was. I have read The Prodigal Son a few times and loved it, and have read The Well of Life, but can find few of his works available in English. A few others are starting to show up, and for that I am very thankful. Each of the books I have read by Chevrot could easily become Christian, or at least Catholic Classics. The description of this volume is:

“The Gospel in the Home is a series of radio talks broadcast by Monsignor Chevrot in 1951. It was first published in French in that year. Based on texts from the Gospel, each chapter teases out considerations which are as relevant for developing family life and improving personal relationships in the home today, as when they were first broadcast.”

Much like C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity as indicated above this volume is based on a series of radio broadcasts. Based on content we can discern when some of them originally aired. And they span the church year. The specific talks/chapters are:

  1. The house built on rock

  2. The woman who makes bread in her home

  3. An inventory of the cupboards

  4. The lamp under a bushel

  5. The lamp in the lampstand

  6. They call at the door

  7. The father’s home

  8. The house in mourning

  9. The well-guarded house 

  10. Mealtimes 

  11. The best moment 

  12. The goblet and the plate 

  13. The moment for prayer 

  14. The child is hungry 

  15. Beside the cradle 

  16. Invitations to dinner 

  17. The Holy Family in Nazareth 

  18. As the children grow 

  19. The age of ingratitude 

  20. The wedding at Cana 

  21. As the spouses grow old 

  22. The salt which has become insipid 

  23. Within Christ’s hearing 

  24. The woman who swept her house 

  25. The servant whose work never finishes 

  26. The landlord returns home 

  27. The Lord’s Supper 

  28. In the house of Cleophas

Prior to the text of the book we are informed about the author that:

“Georges Chevrot was born in 1879 in Paris, where he died on 4 February 1958. Ordained in 1903, he held various pastoral ministries in the diocese. He was appointed curate of St Francis Xavier Church, where he remained until his death. 

A man of deep inner life, an acute and intelligent observer, he was a priest totally dedicated to his ministry, refusing all honorary titles out of humility. Having the gift of also being a brilliant speaker, he was invited by several bishops to lead diocesan retreats throughout France. Cardinal Verdier appointed him to be the Lenten preacher at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in 1938, 1939 and 1940.

He was appointed Canon Emeritus in 1933 and prelate of His Holiness in 1939. During the occupation, he worked for the Resistance for the independence of France. He was elected member of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences in 1947.

 Among his works published in English are Our Mass, Simon Peter, On the Third Day, The Prodigal Son, The Well of Life, The Eight Beatitudes. The Gospel in the Home was a series of radio talks broadcast in 1951.”

I only highlighted a few passages my first time through this book. Two that stand out to me are:

“The action of the Gospel on men has to continue without pause: it really has to start again within each person in particular.”

And:

“To summarize: the minority which Christians form in the world can and ought to have an influence on public opinion. The handful of Christians which we are, can and ought to straighten out and to renew our country.”

I will admit this book was more effort than the previous two by the author I have read. It part, it may be the format in that these are 28 different talks, and even the transcript format of the talks. In part it could be the translator. But even with it taking more effort this was a most excellent read. A volume I was blessed to have read and one I know I will return to again. Because of the style of this book, you can read it from beginning to end, or randomly pick chapters to read as they grab your interest. I believe the book would greatly benefit from an index, maybe in a future reprint.

This book is a great little read. And I can only hope that Scepter bring back to print his other titles in English. I can easily recommend this volume. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Georges Chevrot available in English:
On the Third Day
Simon Peter
The Eight Beatitudes
The Gospel in the Home
The Prodigal Son
The Well of Life
…

Through Wind and Waves - Francis Fernandez - On Being a Spiritual Guide

Through Wind and Waves: 

On Being a Spiritual Guide

Francis Fernandez

Francisco Fernández-Carvajal

Scepter Publishers

ISBN 9781594171666

eISBN 9781594171772

ASIN B0089Y79US

Over the last 30ish years I have been reading Francis Fernandez’s In Conversation With God, I have read it many years. Finding his books in English has not always been easy. And in fact he has far more available in Spanish. One of the hard parts of tracking down his books is they are published under a few different names, especially English translations. I have seen volumes under these names:

Francis Carvajal

Francis Fernandez

Francis Fernandez-Carvajal

Francis Fernandez Carvajal 

Francisco Fernández-Carvajal

And there might be others out there. This volume is only available from Scepter as both a physical book and as an eBook, there is also still a Kindle edition available. A bio of the author on a different volume states:

“Francis Fernandez is the same author of the best selling 7-volume series IN CONVERSATION WITH GOD which has been printed in ten languages with a combined print-run of more than two million copies.”

The description of this book is:

“A guide is a welcome addition on most any journey. So it is with the greatest of all journeys: the journey to God. One of the Church’s most long-standing and fruitful traditions, spiritual direction is an instrument of God’s glory in the world. The act of clearing the way for the Holy Spirit is a delicate yet challenging matter, and one that requires humility, patience, and charity, among other virtues.

Through Wind and Waves: On Being a Spiritual Guide is a guidebook for those undertaking this important work. It offers wisdom for both the supernatural and the practical elements of spiritual direction. It shows that being a spiritual guide is not simply a matter of prayer and meditation, but one of a firm interior life, genuine friendship, and the daily realities of living one’s life for the Lord. That life will be marked by adventure, since every soul is unique and is led by the Spirit to blaze new paths to holiness.

Filled with wisdom from the saints, as well as Jesus’ words in the Gospels, Through Wind and Waves is a valuable resource for those called to lead others into the safe harbor of God’s love.

Rev. Francis Fernández-Carvajal holds graduate degrees in both History and Canon Law. Ordained in 1964, he is a priest of the Opus Dei Prelature and the author of many popular spiritual works. His seven-volume series In Conversation with God provides over 500 meditations to be used throughout the liturgical year. It has sold over 2 million copies and has been translated into many languages.”

I am not really the target audience for this volume, I am not now a Spiritual Director, and when I was while involved in Campus Ministry many years ago, I probably should not have been. However, that being said, I found this an excellent read, as someone who receives spiritual direction. I read this book over a few weeks, often stopping after a section, either in the book, or the extensive appendix. The Appendix is about a third of the volume and each section in it could be read as Spiritual Reading. The chapters, sections and subsections in the volume are:

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1: QUALITIES OF A GOOD GUIDE

An Instrument Of The Holy Spirit

     The Humility of Being “Only” an Instrument

     Rejecting Praise

     Humility and High Goals

     Asking for the Gift of Counsel

Personal Sanctity: Care For One’s Own Interior Life

     Saints in Order to Sanctify

     Bringing Souls Frequently to One’s Prayer

Love And Detachment

     Love with Deeds

     Fortitude

     Detachment

Respect For Souls

     God Never Repeats Himself

     Personal Interest for Each One

Chapter 2: RULES OF A GOOD GUIDE

A Father

     An Adult Faith

A Teacher

      “The Gift of Tongues”

     Spiritual Reading

A Doctor

     Arriving in Time

     When the Illness Is Serious

     With a Mother’s Affection

     Knowing the Symptoms

A Friend

The Good Shepherd

     The Mercenary

     Vigilance of the Good Shepherd

     In Search of the Lost Sheep

Chapter 3: A FEW GUIDELINES

Formed In Freedom

     Free and Responsible

Showing Prudence

The Human And The Divine

     A Christian Personality

     Developing Human Virtues

What Should Always Be Present

     Struggling for Love: Confidence in God’s Help

     As God’s Children

     Filiation and Fraternity

     Behaving as God’s Children Toward All God’s Sons and Daughters

     Spiritual Childhood

Great Ideals And The Little Things Of Each Day

     Sanctity in Ordinary Work

     Apostolate: The Overflow of Supernatural Life

     Unity of Life

Chapter 4: THE CONVERSATION

Place, Frequency, Duration

     Order and Duration

The First Conversations

Knowing How To Listen

      “Iuvenes Videntur”

Being Understanding

     Showing Sympathy

     Truth with Charity

Being Patient

     Channels of Grace

     Beginning Again

Knowing People Well

Fostering Simplicity

Teaching Souls To Struggle

     Self-Denial

     Getting Down to Specifics

     A Positive Outlook

     In This Vineyard

     Optimism

Chapter 5: CORRESPONDENCE TO GRACE

The Place Of The Heart In The Interior Life

     The Passions and Their Influence on the Interior Life

     Guiding the Emotions

     Feelings in Piety

     Lack of Feelings

     The Hour for the Heart

     Guarding the Heart

     Affectivity

     A Big Heart

Causes And Remedies

     Self-Knowledge

     Docility

     Correspondence in Little Things: “Grace Calls Out to Grace”

“Retarded” Souls

The Importance Of Sincerity

     A Right Intention

     Facets of Sincerity

     Helping People to Be Sincere

     Insincerity

APPENDIX: POSSIBLE TOPICS FOR SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

Prayer

Life Of Faith

Purity, The Entrance Way

     Conjugal Chastity

     Celibacy and Virginity

Vocation

Mortification: An Encounter With The Cross

     Voluntary and Passive Mortification

     Interior Mortification

Self-Knowledge And Examinations Of Conscience

     Examination of Conscience

     The General Examination

     The Particular Examination

Charity And Apostolate 

The Family

Joys And Sorrows

Love For The Church And The Communion Of Saints

     Love for the Pope and the Hierarchy

     The Communion of Saints

Lukewarmness And Comfort-Seeking

     The Big Enemy: Lukewarmness

     It’s Worthwhile

Humility And Forgetfulness Of Self

     Humility: The Cornerstone

Poverty And Detachment

     Real Poverty

Work

     Finding Our Lord

Health, Sickness, Rest

     An Apostolic Means as Well

     Teaching People to Rest and Sanctify Rest

By Way Of A Conclusion

Those topics will give you an idea of the breadth and depth of topics covered in this volume. Prior to the actual text of this volume is a quote from Pope Benedict XVI’s Spe Salvi, No 49:

“Life is like a voyage on the sea of history, often dark and stormy, a voyage in which we watch for the stars that indicate the route. The true stars of our life are the people who have lived good lives. They are lights of hope. Certainly, Jesus Christ is the true light, the sun that has risen above all the shadows of history. But to reach him we also need lights close by—people who shine with his light and so guide us along our way.”

This book is intended as a guidebook for the guides. It is written for spiritual directors, it provides an excellent outline of spiritual direction and topics that can be covered in that practice. The Writing is as engaging as his In Conversation With God series. It is easy to read an engage with, and yet has a great depth or thought. The final section in the book, By Way Of A Conclusion states:

“I asked a priest who is a good friend of mine, with experience in giving spiritual guidance, to write down what he said to me in a conversation about this book. I think his words can serve as a conclusion to the book, since they provide a sound framework for personal spiritual direction.

Those called to provide spiritual assistance face a great challenge. Theirs is a particularly delicate service, since the only two protagonists in this “business” are God and the person seeking guidance. The spiritual guide has to shun any hint of self-affirmation; in some way, he has to learn to contemplate the interior world of the other person with the reserve, skill, and humility of the professional whose success consists in helping another person to improve while his own role is scarcely noticed.

…

Finally, since it is a confidential consultation, the expert knows that his knowledge of the chest doesn’t give him any right of ownership, or even the right to reveal that he knows its value or has been entrusted with that task. The only person he can discuss this work with is the owner. If anyone has to decide what should be made known and to whom, it is the owner, not the one consulted, since his role his simply to give advice.

In short, if a faithful friend should be seen as a treasure, how much more so is this true of a guide, someone who can advise us what means to use, someone we can talk with about our ideas and plans, and someone who can assure us that the route we are taking is suited to the goal we seek and that we are truly making progress in the right direction.”

Being a spiritual director is not an easy task. With great responsibility. I have had a spiritual director recommend I not read any books by a specific author, and a few years later on retreat a different director recommend that author. As someone receiving spiritual direction we also have a role to play, in openness, honesty and transparency. And as I have grown older, humble obedience. This volume will serve anyone who is a spiritual director well. It can also be of benefit to those of us who are directed. It is a great volume, and I am thankful I took the time to read and work through it. And it is likely one I will return to again.

An excellent read a book I can easily. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books edited by Francis Fernandez Carvajal:

Year of Faith Treasury: Prayer 

Year of Faith Treasury: Holy Communion 

Year of Faith Treasury: The Roman Pontiff 

Year of Faith Treasury: The Sacrament of Confession 

Year of Faith Treasury: The Virtue of Faith

Year of Faith Treasury: The Virtue of Fortitude 

In Conversation with God:

Volume #1 Advent and Christmastide

Volume #2 Lent and Eastertide

Volume #3 Ordinary Time Weeks 1-12

Volume #4 Ordinary Time Weeks 13-23

Volume #5 Ordinary Time Weeks 24-34

Volume #6 Special Feasts January-June

Volume #7 Special Feats July -December

Complete Set 7 Volumes

In Conversation with God eBooks:
Volume 1 Part 1 Advent 
Volume 1 Part 2 Christmas and Epiphany
Volume 2 Part 1 Lent and Holy Week
Volume 2 Part 2 Eastertide
Volume 3 Part 1 Ordinary Time Weeks 1-6
Volume 4 Part 1 Ordinary Time Weeks 13-18
Volume 4 Part 2 Ordinary Time Weeks 19-23
Volume 4 Part 2 Ordinary Time Weeks 19-23
Volume 5 Part 1 Ordinary Time Weeks 24-28
Volume 5 Part 2 Ordinary Time Weeks 29-34
Volume 6 Part 1 Special Feasts January-March
Volume 6 Part 2 Special Feasts April-June
Volume 7 Part 1 Special Feats July -September
Volume 7 Part 2 Special Feats October -December

Books by Francis Fernandez Carvajal:

Overcoming Lukewarmness

Through The Winds and Waves

The Day that Changed My Life

...

Coached By Joan of Arc - Alexandre Havard - Lessons in Virtuous Leadership

Coached By Joan of Arc

Lessons in Virtuous Leadership

Alexandre Havard

Anthony T. Salvia (Translator)

Scepter Publishers

ISBN 9781594174506

eISBN 9781594174513

I have read a few books now from the pen of Alexandre Havard and I believe this is the third translated by Anthony T. Salvia. I have yet to read one that I did not benefit from. They are always challenging to my spiritual life, how I see myself, and where I see myself going. They are books that really make me pause and think. They are well worth the time and effort to read. The description of this volume is:

“This book is a dialogue between the reader and Joan of Arc, the woman Mark Twain called “easily and by far the most extraordinary person the human race has ever produced.”

As we explore her virtue-infused life, this astonishingly modern woman takes us by the hand, coaches us, whispers wise advice in our ear. Far from being anachronistic, her way of life and virtuous example is eternally new, for she follows precepts that are above human weakness.

Joan is for all of us – men and women of today, living and working in the midst of the world. She is for us all a coach, a mother, and an excellent teacher of the elevated, virtuous, and courageous life.”

And the chapters are:

Preface

One: Finding Victory in Defeat

Two: Be Aware of Your Strength

Three: Magnanimity Trumps Self-Esteem

Four: Create a Plan for Personal Growth

Five: Cultivate Filial Piety

Six: Help Yourself and Heaven Will Help You

Seven: Put Your Intelligence into Everything You Do

Eight: Discover Your Mission

Nine: Do Not Confuse Your Objectives with Your Mission

Ten: Work for the Long Term

Eleven: Flee from Voluntarism

Twelve: Banish Sentimentalism

Thirteen: Purify Your Intentions

Fourteen: Do Not Fear Public Opinion

Fifteen: Reject Perfectionism

Postscript

Chronology of Joan’s Life

We are informed at the beginning of this volume that:

“Alexandre Havard created the Virtuous Leadership system, which is now taught in countries the world over. His books Virtuous Leadership (2007), Created for Greatness (2011), From Temperament to Character (2018), and Free Hearts (2019) have been translated into some twenty languages. After graduating from Paris Descartes University with a degree in law, he served as a barrister in Strasbourg and Helsinki. He is the founder of the Virtuous Leadership Institute, which has affiliates in numerous countries on five continents.”

Then the volume opens with a quote from Saint Josemaría Escrivá:

“There are many Christians who are persuaded that the Redemption will be completed in all environments of the world, and that there have to be some souls—they do not know which ones—who will contribute to carrying it out with Christ. But they think it will take centuries, many centuries. It would be an eternity, if it were to take place at the rate of their self-giving. That was the way you yourself thought, until someone came to “wake you up.””

Before the main text of the book Alexandre shares with us a revelation. That revelation relates to his life, leaving the practice of law, founding Virtuous Leadership, and specifically why Joan. He atets:

“An insipid-looking girl mounted on a muscular war horse, nearly asphyxiated and crushed by her armor—that was the way I imagined Joan of Arc during my years at school and in college. Joan of Arc did not move me at all. After all, it was no longer the patriotic time of 1914. Rather, it was “The Deserter,” written by the eccentric Boris Vian and sung by the very melancholic Serge Reggiani, which I retain in my memory from that time. His magnificent despair grabbed me in the gut.

Joan of Arc entered into my life at the turn of the millennium. I was approaching my forties. I had been living in Finland for more than ten years. France was far away. And suddenly, in the icy darkness of a winter’s night very much like so many others, I perceived a face radiating light and purity!

The face of Joan. A smiling, rather mischievous face said to me, “Let’s go.” She said it in English. These words resonated in the deepest, most intimate part of my soul with a power preventing me from doubting for a single instant.

A grace of God—I have never had the slightest doubt, so much had her presence filled me with joy and peace. This grace led me to give up the practice of law and devote myself to the teaching of virtuous leadership all over the world.”

He has lived out that revelation and this book goes back to the beginning and gives us leadership examples from the life of Saint Joan of Arc. This volume has 15 leadership lessons, each chapter ends with a section called “Some practical advice”, and the book would be worth the price just for these 15 exercises. This is followed by an image of Joan from art work, a wide variety of paintings, sculptures, etchings, and prints. I highlighted several passages my first time through this book, some of them were:

“It is thanks to my trial, and this testimony—the like of which history had never seen—that today I continue to work in the hearts of men. It is thanks to my judges, to the often absurd and humiliating questions they posed, that the whole world knows of my life and spirit. Bishop Pierre Cauchon, the head of the tribunal and the main negotiator of the Treaty of Troyes, which gave France to the English, wanted to preside over a “beautiful trial,” as he said. And it is because he wanted the trial to be “beautiful” that my words were recorded, timed, and sealed. He wanted to tarnish my memory forever, but the more he tarnished it, the more it served the plans of God. Unknowingly, he was building a monument to my glory.”

“Put your trust in God, as I trusted in him. Where you see defeat, God sees victory.”

“Some practical advice: Identify three major defeats in your life and discover in them all of the victories you derived or could have derived from them: 1) for your personal growth; 2) for the benefit of others; 3) for the quality of your professional, familial, and social life.”

“I was confident in my talents. Everyone who knew me agreed that I was tall and beautiful, strong and at the same time profoundly feminine. I had a soft voice and spoke in a way admired by others. I was sensitive and did not hide my tears. I liked to laugh and make others laugh. I had a proud look and a joyous face. I took care over my appearance when necessary. I had a religious soul in a robust, magnificent, and healthy body. I was conscious of all of these gifts, of all of these qualities of body and spirit.”

“In recognizing our talents, we give thanks to God, who created us. Refusing to recognize our talents is not humility but ingratitude.”

“Recognizing our talents, increasing them, and using them well is the virtue of magnanimity, the virtue of the great.”

“I expected everything of God as if I could do nothing myself, and I expected everything of myself as if God did not exist. I was a child before God, but a giant before men.”

“This is what I wanted to tell you today. Be aware of your talents. Multiply them. Live at full tilt. May your humility not be pusillanimity! May your humility never deviate from your magnanimity! Develop your human potential to the point of exhaustion, and do not be afraid of humanists spewing hatred.”

“We have been talking about humility in the wrong way. It is true that man by himself is absolute nothingness, a non-being, but the man who was created in the image of God, ransomed by the Son and divinized by the Holy Spirit, is a true wonder. Man was constituted as a son of God. This intimate truth, this sublime reality, should impel you to accomplish great things. You are a son of God—there is no greater dignity than that. This dignity should encourage you to dream and convert your dream into a mission.”

“Remember: evil is not what others do, it is the good that you, personally, do not do.”

“I was aware that without God I was nothing. I constantly sought his presence and naturally had recourse to him. I did not confine myself to the requirements religion prescribed. I passionately sought the face of God and communion with him. I was a pious and religious soul from my earliest childhood. I owe my piety to my mother, Isabelle. Everything I knew about Christian life I took from her teaching and example.”

“Piety begins with the truth. The great truth is that without God, you do not exist. Anyone not understanding this simple fact cannot be humble or pious. If life is a gift of God, religious indifference is an abomination. If God wanted you to be, justice demands that you love him with all of your heart, all of your mind, and all of your soul. So, I encourage you to be pious. May your piety be that of a child—natural, sincere, and trusting.”

“You have to pray, but you also have to act. “Help yourself and heaven will help you.” I often repeat these words. They have entered into history. When the theologians of Poitiers asked me why I needed an army if it was the will of God to deliver the French people, I told them, “The soldiers will fight, and God will grant the victory.” They were stupefied by the profundity and simplicity of my theology.”

“The war in which you are engaged is a total war. It is no longer a question of saving France from the English; it is a question of saving humanity from self-destruction. Your world sacrifices the dignity and freedom of millions of human beings on the altar of pleasure every day.”

“Many would like to make me a symbol of patriotism. That is because they do not, or do not want, to understand me. The Church canonized me very late—five hundred years after the annulment of my trial—to avoid all confusion in this regard. I am not a “patriot.” I am someone who loves the will of God.”

“If I were above all a patriot, my name would not have spread through the whole world; men like Winston Churchill, G. K. Chesterton, and Mark Twain would probably never have been interested in my story. I was a gift of God to all of humanity. To make me into the incarnation of nationalist sentiment is not only unjust, it is also blasphemy.”

“For you, things are different. What God expects of you, he communicates through the usual channels of the interior life, not through angels, visions, or voices. Although he uses ordinary means, therein lies their interest. They presume that you will bring to bear your heart, mind, will, imagination, and memory, and that you will free yourself once and for all of the thirst for certainty and security that is devouring you.”

“You will always have doubts about your mission and how to accomplish it. If you are pious, God will not abandon you. He will grant you his grace and light, as you make choices bringing you closer to achieving your mission. This mission demands imagination and creativity on your part. Even if it does not descend from heaven, it is an integral part of God’s plan for you.”

“You are a voluntarist, and probably think I was, too. You think I submitted coldly to God’s will like the heroine in a Greek tragedy, who submits stoically to her fate. I am not a stoic but a Christian. I loved the will of God more than I submitted to it. I rejoiced in his will much more than in my submission to it. I did good with my will, most certainly, but I did it also and above all with my heart—with my feelings and emotions, with my senses and flesh. I had learned from earliest childhood to revel in the good. I knew sorrow, but I learned to discover charm, transcendence, and mystery in every moment.”

“Some practical advice: Learn to be happy. Be convinced that happiness is not a sin! Refuse to base your life on things that have nothing to do with you, your interests or nature, and which serve a task or moral obligation existing only in your imagination. Know yourself; discover your own substance and God’s will for you. Love God, love yourself, and love others in your own way. Learn to live.”

“Some practical advice: Does the image you give of yourself correspond to reality? Do you take care that the impression you make faithfully reveals your intentions, virtues, and talents? Are you doing too much, or not enough? Are you prepared to sacrifice your image in the name of truth and the good, in the name of your conscience?”

“Some practical advice: Are you demoralized by failure? Are you overwhelmed by your mistakes, weaknesses, and shortcomings? At the end of each day, put your miseries in the hands of God. Submerge yourself in his mercy. Forget the past. Renew yourself. Get up each morning with a healthy enthusiasm, which is not a reflection of naivete, but of a warrior spirit full of faith, hope, and charity.”

“In making Joan your coach, you cannot go wrong. Joan, as you will have noticed, is a universal model accessible to all men and women, whatever their cultural or religious background. The interest Joan arouses today in all parts of the world comes as no surprise. The heroine of Orléans is an astonishingly modern woman. There is nothing strange about her, nothing inappropriate or anachronistic. Joan is eternally new. The “Case of Joan of Arc” is unique in history. We know everything about her life, even though it was lived in the fifteenth century. Nothing we know about her is the stuff of legend; our knowledge is based on archival documents. God wanted it to be so. He wanted Joan to be for all of us—men and women working at the very heart of society and worldly affairs—a coach, a teacher, and a mother. May 16, 2020 Centennial of Joan of Arc’s canonization.”

I hope at least a few of the passages that really spoke to me, will also speak to you, and inspire you to pick up this volume and give it a read. It is another excellent volume from the pen of Harvard, and I am certain if you read with an open heart your life will be changed. An excellent offering from the masterful pen of Harvard!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books in the Scepter Coached by Series:

Coached by Josemaría Escrivá - Henry Hanson, O. Praem.

Coached By Joan of Arc - Alexandre Havard

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Books by Alexandre Havard:

Virtuous Leadership: An Agenda for Personal Excellence

Created for Greatness: The Power of Magnanimity

From Temperament to Character: On Becoming A Virtuous Leader

My Russian Way: a spiritual autobiography

Free Hearts: Understanding Your Deepest Motivations

Coached By Joan of Arc

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Other books about Joan of Arc:

Coached By Joan of Arc - Alexandre Havard

Joan of Arc - Paul Dunn and Colin Jeffery - CTS Biographies

Saint Joan of Arc: God's Soldier - Susan Helen Wallace – Encounter the Saints

Saint Joan The Girl Soldier - Louis de Wohl – Vision Books

Joan of Arc The Maid of Orléans - Andrew Votipka

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St Josemaria Escriva's Collected Letters: Introduction - Prof José Luis Illanes

St Josemaria Escriva's Collected Letters: Introduction

Prof José Luis Illanes

St Josemaria Escriva's

Scepter UK

Scepter Publishers

ASIN B09Q3MQH12

This book was a very interesting read. It serves as an introduction to the new editions being released of the letters of the Founder of Opus Dei Saint Josemaría Escrivá. It is available in paperback from Scepter in the US as a single volume. The eBook edition splits it into four volumes, and this serves as a general introduction. To these specific letters and to those yet to be republished. These are a translated edition released in 2022, the original Spanish edition, “Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer: Cartas (Vol I)” was released in 2020. The first volume in paperback comprises 4 eBooks, it is titled, St. Josemaría Escrivá: The Collected Letters, Volume 1. The description of this volume is:

“St Josemaría wrote thirty-eight Letters to the members of Opus Dei to explain in detail some fundamental aspects of the spirit, apostolate and history of the institution to which he had given life, following the foundational light of 2 October 1928.

In this Introduction to the series, Prof Illanes describes the genre of these Letters, their pre-history and the process of writing them. He describes the dating and titles of these Letters. And, finally, he offers a detailed compilation of the Collection, describing briefly each of the 38 Letters.”

The chapters in this volume are:

A Note from the publisher

An Introduction to the Letters

     1. Genre of the “Letters”

     2. Prehistory and process of writing the “Collection of Letters”

     3. Dating of the Letters

     4. Title of the Letters

     5. Revisions and reprints of the Letters

     6. Detailed compilation of the “Collection of Letters”

It was fascinating to read this volume. The history of the letters. The attempts by Saint Josemaria to collection and organize them. His decisions around naming and numbering convention, changes to some letters over time. The history of previous reprints, and then their collection and elimination except for the official archives. The book was fascinating from the beginning to the ends and leaves the reader desperate for the others volumes currently available and for the future collections that will be released.

The note from the publisher states:

“The aim of this edition has been to offer the English-speaking reader an opportunity to reflect and concentrate on a translation of St Josemaría’s texts quite soon after their original publication in Spanish. With this in mind, commentaries have been reduced to a minimum, and there are brief Introductions to each of the four Letters. Reflections of a historical, theological or spiritual nature are being left to specialists, and to be published in another forum.

As this is the first is a series of volumes which will make other Letters available when they are published, we have included a long introduction, to give an overview to the whole “Collection of Letters”.”

And further on:

“For biblical quotations, St Josemaría used the Vulgate version then in force. After quoting a text in Latin, he might translate it or paraphrase it. Where he does neither, we have chosen to include a translation in the main text. Where his paraphrase differs markedly, the English translation is shown as a footnote. All English translations are from the ESV-CE (English Standard Version – Catholic Edition).

We wish to put on record our gratitude to Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz, the Prelate of Opus Dei, who encouraged the early publication of these texts.

Our texts and commentaries are based on the critical edition prepared by Dr Luis Cano and published by Ediciones Rialp, Madrid. We have also received help, advice and co-operation from the St Josemaría Historical Institute in Rome.”

We are informed that Saint Josemaria wrote 38 letters to the members of Opus Dei they were written to explain in detail some fundamental aspects of the spirit, the apostolate, and the history of the institution of Opus Dei. 

Many readers skip prefaces, introductions and some even footnotes. This whole volume is an introduction and absolutely one not to be skipped. If you are reading the paperback, I believe you will find yourself flipping back to this section often for clarification and confirmation. And if you read the eBooks you will jump back to this volume often as well. I had debated just picking up the first volume of letters, I am so thankful I picked this up and have read it before jumping into the letters directly. 

It was so fascinating reading the history in this introduction. It is a volume well worth picking up. I highly recommend it. When I was in university doing a Religious Studies degree with a focus on Roman Catholic Thought, I was drawn to Opus Dei as a research subject. Other than the Jesuits I believed they were the most misunderstood and disliked organization within the Church. I came for research and stayed for the quality of the teaching and formation. This would have been excellent for some of my papers, and it is just as valuable for understanding Opus Dei, Saint Josemaria Escriva. It is a book that will bless every reader. It is an excellent read, I highly recommend it.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan! 

Books by St. Josemaria Escriva:
Christ Is Passing By
Conversations with Saint Josemaria
The Forge
Friends of God
Furrow
Holy Rosary
In Love with the Church
The Way
The Way of the Cross
The Way of the Cross - Booklet Illustrated Michael O'Brien

Praying the Stations of the Cross with St. Josemaria Escriva

The Way, Furrow, Forge (3 in 1 Edition)

Points of Meditation About Our Lady from St. Josemaría

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Books about St. Josemaria Escriva:
A Man Who Knew How to Forgive: Lessons from the Life of St. Josemaria Escriva - Francesc Faus
Praying 15 Days with St. Josemaria Escriva - Guillaume Derville

Loving Christ Through St Josemaría Escrivá - Holly Melita Rodriguez

Coached by Josemaría Escrivá - Henry Hanson, O. Praem.

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Volumes in the St Josemaria Escriva's Collected Letters:

Introduction

Letters 1: Singuli dies, 24 March 1930

Letters 2: Videns eos, 24 March 1931

The Burgos Letters (1938-1939): Three Circular Letters

Letters: Letter 3: Res omnes, 9 January 1932

Letter 4: Vos autem, 16 July 1933 : Letter 4: Vos autem, 16 July 1933 

Letter 5: Euntes ergo, 2 October 1939 

Letter 6: Sincerus est, 11 March 1940

Letter 7: Quem per annos, 24 October 1942 

Letter 8: Legitima hominum, 31 May 1943 

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Other Posts:

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Pray to the Holy Spirit from Saint Josemaría Escrivá

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