I bought A Soldier Surrenders: The Conversion of Saint Camillus de Lellis quite awhile ago but set it aside and never read it.  Now for Advent I have decided to pick it up.

What are you reading for Advent?

Marsha

The Science of the Cross by St Edith Stein.

I'm glad you bumped, Marsha, or I may have missed it.  I very much enjoy "what are you reading" threads for excellent referrals, and had not considered Advent meditations - we're already caught up in some seasonal chaos.

I recently found 2 old and small books which I've looked forward to reading.  Advent is the perfect time to do so:

1.  My Changeless Friend by Francis P. Le Buffe, S.J.
58 pages, red hardcover binding, approx 3" x 4", printed in 1930.  The dedication, precisely as written:
To Isaac Jogues and Jean Brebeuf
And Their Companions
Robed Richly Red
In the Blood of Their Martyrdom
Praying
That They May Win For Us
Courage in Our Daily Trial

A depth of faith lacking in post conciliar book dedications.

2. A More Excellent Way by Alban Goodier, S.J., Archbishop of Bombay
approx 140 pages, red hardcover binding, approx 3" x 5", can't find an original print date, guessing 1920's / 30's.

The cover imprint is worn away and some initial pages missing, so I did a little research.  An excerpt:

My Lord Jesus Christ, Thou Wonder of the world, most beautiful among the sons of men, before whom Thy very enemies bow down, acknowledging the marvel of Thy countenance, the perfection of Thy character, the invincible attraction of Thy whole self, how strange a thing it is that there can be those who pass Thee by unnoticed, how stranger still that even we can pass Thee by! Yet is it even so. We believe, we are certain, we know; we build our life here, and our hope hereafter, on Thee and Thy claim; we own Thee, not only to be perfect Man, but to be very God of very God; we see in Thee alpha and omega, the beginning and the end, the climax of all for which this world was made, the source from which flows whatever of good this world contains; we can see all this, and know it to be true, and in our moments of emotion can think we would gladly give our lives to witness to its truth; and yet the next minute we can ignore Thee; we can go counter to Thee; we can go our way through life as if Thou hadst never been.

And the Archbishop's obit in 1939 is fascinating:
http://archive.thetablet.co.uk/article/18th-march-1939/25/requiescat

Here are some on-line books:

http://www.catholictreasury.info/library.php

 :reading:

Mabel, I had the same problem with The Liturgical Year.  I would resolve to make it our family's reading, but it went way over the children (and me sometimes!) and was longer than was good for family spiritual reading with children.  Then we found The Church's Year by Father Goffine.  It has readings, explanations and lessons for Sundays, Special Feast/Saint's Days and all days during Lent.  It's just the right length and very easy to understand.  We read it on our way to Mass each Sunday and after the rosary and night prayers for the special days of the Saints in the second part of the book.  I have learned so much from it and it has been great for the whole family.

For Advent I try to read The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary ... at least the parts surrounding the birth of Our Lord if that is all I have time for.

shin and Magdalena - thank you for taking the time to post those links.  Superb.  And free is always good :cheers: