Customer Reviews

The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home

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This is a lovely book, steeped in understanding of and respect for mothers.

"I think we can all agree that mothers in our day could use some encouragement and recognition," Donna writes in the introduction. This book offers both, as well as some practical advice, mom to mom.

Donna begins by pointing out that the "ordinary" vocation of motherhood is actually quite extraordinary in both its requirements and rewards, and moves on to remind us that Mary is our model for motherhood. Lest that sound too lofty, I can say that Donna remains firmly rooted on earth as seen in this passage on the Rosary:

"When teaching our children to pray, we should try not to inadvertently turn our children away from prayer by being unrealistic in what we expect from them or by becoming overly regimented with them ... Setting a prayerful example for them is much more articulate than harping at them to pray could ever be."

In a chapter entitled, "Splinters from the Cross and the Kiss of Jesus," Donna takes an unflinching look at the fact that wholehearted mothering demands sacrifices. She quotes Pope John Paul II:

"Humanity's future depends on people who rely on the truth and whose lives are enlightened by lofty moral principles that enable their hearts to love to the point of sacrifice."

Clearly, mothers live in this category. The point is reinforced with a quote from Donna's friend and spiritual director, Fr. Bill Smith, who says, "Good, faithful mothers skip purgatory and go straight to Heaven!"

As she did in her Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers, Donna also draws on her friendship and correspondence with Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. One of my favorite quotations in the book is from Blessed Teresa. It's not new, it's not earth-shaking, but it's true, and how often we all need these true and vital reminders:

"The best and surest way to learn the love of Jesus is through the family. Whatever you do in your family for your children, for your husband, for your wife -- you do for Jesus."

What I really like about this book is that it takes timeless concepts, solid teachings of the Church, and the words of giants such as John Paul the Great and Blessed Teresa and weaves them into an eminently readable book with a vital message: motherhood is a necessary and powerful vocation that can and will turn our lives into prayers.

The next time I head out the door to teach baptism classes at our parish, I'll be bringing Donna's book along with me. It's perfect for young and new moms who are just beginning to realize the implications of their role in the family. But it's for all moms, too -- we all need to hear the message that what we do is important and holy.

What we do is our path to heaven. That is the heart of motherhood.

I've read MANY books about being Catholic, being a Mom & being a Catholic Mom...but none of them have touched my heart & mind the way this one did. It was SO common sense about how to weave our Catholicity into our daily lives when there are children at our feet before 5 AM (when it's near impossible to get up before them to pray...even if we really, really want to) and at night, we just pass out, not fall asleep. I read this book twice, have MUCH highlighting throughout & even bought a 2nd copy to give to my sil for her birthday this past Feb. Being a Mom can seem to be a thankless job, being a stay-at-home mom is less than respected in today's society and being a Catholic Mom in the truest sense of the word, can be rougher than anything else I could imagine. Using the practical wisdom in this book helped me to see that even though I can't physically be on my knees in prayer, my heart can be bowed down & focused on Our Lord all day, everyday, keeping my focus on the true Heart of (Catholic) Motherhood.

During May, Mary's month and the month in which we celebrate the vocation of motherhood, it seems fitting to write about what is undoubtedly one of my favorite mothering books in recent years. The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home by noted author Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle offers and encouraging and inspirational look at the vocation of motherhood.

In her introductory remarks, Donna-Marie shares that today's mothers need encouragement and recognition. Her mission statement for the book comes in these early pages:

"My hope is that I can help more mothers realize and embrace the sublimity of their missions as mothers, responsible for the souls entrusted to our care."

Having savored the pages of this book through several readings, I would say that Cooper O'Boyle manages to hit that mark head on. Among the highlights of this book, along with Donna-Marie's warm and engaging writing style, are the many quotations she shares from two luminaries of our Church: Pope John Paul II and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, with whom the author shared a personal correspondence. The Heart of Motherhood is the type of parenting book I favor most. Concise enough to be read in a few short settings, yet thought provoking enough to invite its reader back repeatedly for in depth illumination. Each chapter ends with dual prayers, inspiring pause and reflection upon the content discussed.

In her chapter on the need for saints in our world today, Cooper O'Boyle shares the life story of Mother Teresa, reminding readers that each of us is called to be a saint in our own walk of life. It is fitting that the author reminds mothers that any task, done with love, becomes an act of faith, love and prayer. In this manner, she commends and affirms the role of any mother who may feel that the mendacity of her day to day lives is not "good enough" or sufficiently holy. Remarks by Pope John Paul II reinforce the dignity of the role of every mother. Cooper O'Boyle also underscores the vital necessity for mothers to take breaks for prayer and refreshment throughout the course of their daily familial service.

As Catholics, we have in the Blessed Virgin Mary the greatest role model for parenting with faith and love. Cooper O'Boyle reminds mothers to strive to imitate Mary and her virtues in their lives and to turn to Mary, mother of Jesus and our mother, when in need of help or consolation. Additionally, she reminds mothers of their duty to pray on a regular basis, to teach their children to lead lives of constant prayer, and to seek out opportunities for evangelization in our everyday relationships. The age old conundrum of taking small children to Mass is lovingly and patiently discussed as the author shares her own experience as a mother of five. Donna-Marie encourages mothers to pray throughout their day and to model this prayer to their families. Families should emphasize family dinner as a time of spiritual and physical nourishment and each day should end in quiet prayer with our children.

In subsequent chapters, Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle shares the story of female saints whose lives of quiet service to their families shine as a true lesson for today's mothers. Additionally, and with great charm, Donna-Marie addresses the topic of suffering as a form of prayer and encourages mothers to look for life's "everyday miracles", those moments of grace and opportunity that are sprinkled throughout family life.

I have loved and followed the progression of Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle's writing from her previous book [...]. With The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home it is certain that Donna-Marie continues to encourage and support the vocation of motherhood with gentle and loving care.

I am a mother of soon to be 3 children ages 3 and under and have read THE HEART OF MOTHERHOOD and it has truly changed my life! The author's outlook on the vocation of motherhood could only have come from the Holy Spirit....Donna Marie Cooper Oboyle's writings are awe inspiring. I encourage all mothers to read this book. It is easy reading and one you can't put down. The writings of this book are ones you remember in the middle of the night when you are up with sick children and want to break down and cry or the days you don't know how you are going to make it through the day....the voice of this book sticks with you and truly helps you become a better mother and helps you to live a holy life at home. IT is a reminder of the true vocation of motherhood that has been lost in today's society.

Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle's work is excellent and a definite must read for any woman who is serious about motherhood. Her text is moving, inspiring, and easy to read. I recommend this text to all the women of my parish, and it is mandatory reading for everyone in our marriage preparation program.
-Fr. James Farfaglia
St. Helena of the True Cross of Jesus Catholic Church
Corpus Christi, TX
[...]

"The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home" by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle is both encouraging and inspirational. A mother of five, Donna has weathered the storms and inspires me (as a new mom) with her experience and wisdom.

Peppered with inspirational quotes from Mother Teresa, among others, Bible passages and heartfelt prayers, The Heart of Motherhood, inspires from within. Donna-Marie begins the book with the statement that motherhood is, indeed, a truly ordinary and yet extraordinary vocation. By being mothers and by welcoming, loving and teaching our children, we are truly doing the Lord's work. She explains,

"A mother's day is filled to capacity with many ordinary tasks, not unimportant, but rather works of love that may be overlooked or unnoticed. Changing diapers, doing laundry, schedule keeping, house cleaning, planning and cooking nutritious meals and helping with homework are just some of the ordinary tasks in a mom's repertoire. Her own family family may take these loving acts for granted. Although these tasks may seem mundane, or even monotonous, they are the nitty-gritty details that keep the family going and together. . . . A mother's deep inner faith affirms that a day's sacrifices and seemingly ordinary tasks please our Lord because they are done with extraordinary love."

And later reminds us that "love is not merely a feeling or emotion. Love is also a decision . . . at times, this decision may be an enormous sacrifice."

Donna-Marie notes that today's society, unfortunately, rarely respects the woman's role as mother and wife nor the mother's domestic role in the home. However, rather than focus on that, she encourages her readers to bring back the dignity and respect motherhood deserves by being an example of holy mothering to one's family and, ultimately, to society. She continues by explaining how one can focus on holy mothering, the importance of a mother's prayer life, shares inspiration for those times when you feel anything but holy in your mothering, gives inspirational examples of holy mothers (including the most holy mother, Mary) in history and ends each chapter with beautiful prayer.

It is a blessing to me to have read this book. I kept starring and underlining passages and prayers that spoke to me! I couldn't put it down! This is a book that will be an inspiration for years to come. It does not tell you how to run a household, how to clean a sink or how to get your family pulled together each Sunday morning to make it to church on time. Instead, it delves deeper into the holy vocation of motherhood and encourages mothers young and old to keep the faith and to recognize the immeasurable importance of the job to not only their children and families, but to society, the Christian family and God.

I'll be keeping this book handy, by my bedside, on my kitchen counter, in the bathroom (yes, you read that right. You KNOW it might be the only quiet time you get all day!) . . . maybe for a few minutes of refreshing, or even for 30-seconds of inspiration and prayer.

The essence of "The Heart of Motherhood" is love. God is love. "And the greatest of these is love. . . . " We do easy, and difficult, ordinary and extraordinary things for our family and children because we are mothers (and wives) and we do them out of love.

Donna-Marie captures the essence of being a mother in today's world. With so many outside influences on our lives, she offers a unique perspective on how to keep our own spirtuality, prayer life, and role models in check. By describing motherhood as a vocation and using role models such as the Blessed Mother, and various saints, she gives us inspiration to do our best and to accept our calling to be a mother first and foremost. She tells us we can live our lives as a prayer- as we do not always get time to stop and pray during the day. With guidance from Blessed Mother Teresa and blessings from Pope John Paul II, Donna-Marie offers the guidance all mothers need in their daily lives.

Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, author of the "Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers" (Our Sunday Visitor, 2005) and mother of five children, tackles what it means to be a Catholic mother in "The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home." This book is aimed primarily at stay-at-home mothers. Cooper O'Boyle uses the words of John Paul II to emphasize the importance of that vocation and the need to improve its status in the eyes of the world. "It is . . . necessary to counter the misconception that the role of motherhood is oppressive to women and that a commitment to her family, particularly to her children, prevents a woman from reaching personal fulfillment and from having an influence in society."

Motherhood is largely a hidden vocation. One will receive few accolades as a result and even one's family may not appreciate all that a mother does. While a life of joy, it is also a life of sacrifice. With five children, Cooper O'Boyle certainly knows what she is speaking about. In "The Heart of Motherhood" she encourages women to find time for prayer while acknowledging just how difficult that can be. "Throughout the difficulties in trying to find the time for prayer, we can persevere even if it is in bits and pieces. Our Lord knows our hearts. He will reward a mother's efforts and will watch over our families." She also emphasizes just how important it is for a mother to provide a prayerful example, to encourage her family to pray together. Prayer becomes a habit for children if begun when they are very young. She also understands the difficulty of attending mass with small children but underscores how important it is. "We should also remember that even our small children receive graces during holy mass. Even when it is difficult for us to participate, or at times to actually hear what is happening at Mass, our Lord is pleased that we have brought our `little ones' to him."

Cooper O'Boyle also discusses what it is to suffer as a mother, especially if a child is going down the wrong path. She uses St. Monica, mother of the wayward St. Augustine, as an example of the power of a mother's prayer. "We must never give up hope, no matter how far away from the flock our `little' ones will roam. We must be consistent in our prayer for their salvation, remaining faithful and loving and continuing to set a good example."

"The Heart of Motherhood" offers much hope, encouragement, and good advice for those who dedicate their lives to raising their children. It emphasizes that being a mother can indeed be a path to holiness.

This is exactly the book I was looking for. I am a stay at home Catholic mom who at times needs a few words of encouragement. It is hard to pray when the 3 year old is up at 5am, the 1 year old just went back to sleep, the 11 and 14 year old need to get up and be ready to go at 7:30 and I am trying to find time for a conversation with God. It is helpful to hear that everything we offer up for our children is a prayer. While I was reading this book I thought of friends and sisters who have and have not given up comfort and wealth to raise souls for God. The Chapter on the Cross made me think of my own Mother who lost my adult sister a few years ago. This book is highly recomended for moms and dads who suspect that there is more to life than what our culture is trying to sell us. God is love and the fullness of his love is in loving our children.

As with all of her books, this work is no disappointment! So great to hear the truth proclaimed from this veteran Catholic mom about motherhood, daily living and all that it entails. Her point of view is both refreshing and challenging- thank you Mrs Oboyle! Looking forward to reading her next book!