I ordered a book for our women's Bible study that starts in the new year. I also ordered the Bible in a year companion because I have really enjoyed that this year and want to repeat it and dive deeper into the experience. When I went to check out was offered free shipping if I spent a few more dollars. Looked over what fell in the needed price ranged and choose In Saint Joseph's Footsteps.
This is the first time I have read anything by Fr. Mark Toups. I also received the advent Rejoice book from a friend for this year's advent. Between these two daily readings and reflections I feel this might be my best advent ever. Feel like I am being drawn to the psalms as never before and they are so beautiful and inspiring. Love this book on St. Joseph and am already thinking of who I can share it with when I am done. Thank you for growing my understanding and love of God and St. Joseph.
Our Catholic Book Club has been reading books focusing on St. Joseph during this year of St. Joseph. This book has increased our reflection on enabled us to move from a rather simplified understanding of St. Joseph, to a more personal relationship with St. Joseph, and through St. Joseph to his spouse, the Virgin Mary, and ultimately to Jesus and His Abba-Father, all through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I have read several books on St. Joseph and found them inspirational and enlightening. However, after purchasing Fr. Toups book it has given me more to ponder about this humble quiet Saint. I will not be reading the Gospel accounts of Christ's birth in the same old light. What I like most about the book though is Fr use of the Psalms. I really like that. Being lay person I have been praying LOTH for years----realizing that yes Our Lord, His Mother, St. Joseph and of course apostles and so on have prayed them as well. But to tie in certain psalms with St. Joseph life has made me see them in a new light. Reading psalms 127 (mid-morn, noon reading psalm 23 and then mid-afternoon reading psalm 121) gives new meaning and understanding.
So now when praying the Office I slow down and try to visualize what is occurring in the psalm. FR. Toups not only have you enlightened me on St. Joseph but you have opened a new way for me to relate to the psalms in the LOTH.
May Our Lord and His Blessed Mother Bless you as well as the outstanding team at Ascension Press.
Fr. Toups takes you intimately into the Holy Family. As someone who like wide and clear boundaries this is stretching my spiritual life. However, I do believe it has been good for me so far. I have certainly been contemplating the Holy Family more.
I'm only on Day 6 of the "journey" but am loving it. I'm not one for visualization/imagery in general but Fr. Toups has really made me a fan, through the Advent and Lent studies and now this beautiful book. I love getting to really "know" St. Joseph as a person, not just a statue with a lily.
I would recommend it to anyone for any time of the year.
God bless you, Fr. Toups and all at Ascension Press for bringing us another beautiful book to bring us closer to God and our faith.