Amata Means Beloved [Paperback]

Mary Catharine Perry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2003

When Sister Maria Amata-the former Emily Barone-enters newly-established Mater Christi Monastery, she is eager to become a spouse of Christ-to give all she is and has to God. However, Sister Maria Amata finds that living in the monastery with the other nuns radically confronts her understanding of the life itself and her own motives. Why did she really enter the monastery? To give herself completely to God? Or is she instead running from facing her inability to forgive the man who murdered her brother?The possibility of acquiring a long-desired bell for the monastery catapults Sister Maria Amata into a crisis. The novice mistress, Sister Maria Bernadette, challenges the young novice by appointing her as the bell ringer for the Angelus each day. She must choose to live in the ways of freedom and love if her gift to God at first profession is to be truly one of total surrender. She can no longer hold onto her anger and lack of forgiveness.Can Sister Maria Amata overcome her fear of ringing the bell? More importantly, will she open her heart to God's grace and forgive?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sister Mary Catharine Perry, O. P. is a cloistered Dominican Nun of the Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary, Summit, New Jersey. This is her first book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 122 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (October 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595300243
• ISBN-13: 978-0595300242
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,171,521 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!!!, January 7, 2004

By 

Michael Dubruiel "annunciations.wordpress.com" (Birmingham, AL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amata Means Beloved (Paperback)

There are a lot of books out there that are about religious and what supposedly goes on behind the closed doors of convents and monasteries. But here is a work of fiction written by someone who lives the life and one can be assured that the struggles, hopes and dreams of Sister Mary Catharine are reflected in the characters in her fine novel.

This is a real page turner, a great read!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, December 18, 2003

By 

Sheryl Nantus "Author" (Brownsville, Pennsylvania United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amata Means Beloved (Paperback)

I just finished this book and can't recommend it enough! The fear, the trepidation of Emily/Maria Amata comes across on every page as she struggles with her committment to the Lord and the concept of forgiveness. Truly, a good and thoughtful read for anyone of any age or faith - be you Catholic, Very Lapsed Catholic (like myself!), Protestant or of whatever faith you follow, this book will show a whole new world while telling a story that appeals to everyone's heart and soul.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book - Recommend highly!, April 28, 2004

By 

Lisa M. Hendey "Mom, Blogger, Podcaster, Author" (Fresno, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amata Means Beloved (Paperback)

If you're like me and love a good novel, you find yourself reading to discover new worlds that you may not ever be able to physically visit. A good book enables us to enter a place, interact with the community of characters living there, and grow to love and care about the people in that place and what happens to them. On a higher level, a book occasionally comes along and challenges us to look at our own lives and at how we might become more: by giving more of ourselves, by loving our family or friends more, by deepening our spiritual lives and our connection to God, even by seeing the daily tasks we undertake with a more positive attitude - seeing them as faith and love offerings to God. Amata Means Beloved is one of these treasures: a book that will take you into its world, cause you to fall in love, and challenge you to make your world a better place. Please read this book and share it with the special people in your lives - you'll be happy you took the time!