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Rating: 
Summary: A Disappointing Introduction to St Joseph
Review: How can the author get away with proclaiming St Joseph to be 5 times more popular than Our Lady? (Or as he puts it, he "outsells" her -see p.109) No way!You know, I was hoping for great things, and was encouraged by the cute hype and slick sales pitch of front and back covers. So I read this book in one sitting this evening. Here I sit, let-down and not a little annoyed. The author mixes pious enthusiasm and "everyday life in Nazareth ..." with an easy, entertaining style. The book's idea is to be fun, informative and inspirational. But the fun is at the expense of the information, so the inspiration just doesn't happen. It's what the author doesn't say that got on my nerves, even more than the misplaced glibness of his humour. As you read this book here are 5 points to ponder:
(1) Jesus: Is Jesus presented to me as "God the Son" in the text at all? What of the Blessed Trinity, for that matter? (I got the impression I was being presented with a re-hash of the ages old error that Jesus only gradually learnt of his own Messianic dignity).
(2) Mary: Why is Our Lady's perpetual virginity (& St Joseph's) not mentioned? It appears the author overlooks a significant role of "Her Most Chaste Spouse".
(3) Angels: The angels come in for some seemingly light-hearted flak. But is it light hearted really? Is the role of angels presented fairly, truthfully, and does the author's approach encourage any respect, admiration or understanding of angels? Does he offer even begrudging affection for angels?
(4) The Church: What of the Church, that Christ founded on Peter, and which has St Joseph as her patron? Is her history such that today St Joseph is popular despite her best efforts, as the author suggests? How are her rituals and sacraments presented? (hint: hardly at all, and then very badly!!)
(5) Prayer: If the prayers & blessings section appended after the book appears a bit home-made, that's because it includes poor adaptations of centuries old Catholic prayers and house blessings. I think this book does St Joseph few favours.
Rating:
Summary: A Disappointing Introduction to St Joseph
Review: How can the author get away with proclaiming St Joseph to be 5 times more popular than Our Lady? (Or as he puts it, he "outsells" her -see p.109) No way! You know, I was hoping for great things, and was encouraged by the cute hype and slick sales pitch of front and back covers. So I read this book in one sitting this evening. Here I sit, let-down and not a little annoyed. The author mixes pious enthusiasm and "everyday life in Nazareth ..." with an easy, entertaining style. The book's idea is to be fun, informative and inspirational. But the fun is at the expense of the information, so the inspiration just doesn't happen. It's what the author doesn't say that got on my nerves, even more than the misplaced glibness of his humour. As you read this book here are 5 points to ponder:
(1) Jesus: Is Jesus presented to me as "God the Son" in the text at all? What of the Blessed Trinity, for that matter? (I got the impression I was being presented with a re-hash of the ages old error that Jesus only gradually learnt of his own Messianic dignity).
(2) Mary: Why is Our Lady's perpetual virginity (& St Joseph's) not mentioned? It appears the author overlooks a significant role of "Her Most Chaste Spouse".
(3) Angels: The angels come in for some seemingly light-hearted flak. But is it light hearted really? Is the role of angels presented fairly, truthfully, and does the author's approach encourage any respect, admiration or understanding of angels? Does he offer even begrudging affection for angels?
(4) The Church: What of the Church, that Christ founded on Peter, and which has St Joseph as her patron? Is her history such that today St Joseph is popular despite her best efforts, as the author suggests? How are her rituals and sacraments presented? (hint: hardly at all, and then very badly!!)
(5) Prayer: If the prayers & blessings section appended after the book appears a bit home-made, that's because it includes poor adaptations of centuries old Catholic prayers and house blessings. I think this book does St Joseph few favours.
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