Books: Family Life

Tobias and Sarah Praying, by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (1794-1872)

Article Updated: 07 April 2024

I want to start off this blog by creating a list of excellent books that I have found (and read) that relate to family life. There is too much confusion in the Catholic Church today regarding authentic Christian family life, the life of the ecclesia domestica, the domestic church (the Catholic term for the family). I will close after the list with two prayers composed by Pope Pius XII. I hope that this list helps all those in the coming Year of the Lord Two Thousand Nineteen (2019).

The Christian Marriage

Dear Newlyweds: Pope Pius XII Speaks to Married Couples, by Pope Pius XII

Three to Get Married, by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
Married Saints and Blesseds Through the Centuries, by Ferdinand Holbock

Some Aids for Christian Marriage

The Temperament God Gave You, by Art and Laraine Bennett
The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse, by Art and Laraine Bennett
The Love Dare, by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Lawrence Kimbrough

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts, by Dr. Gary Chapman, Ph.D.
That's Not What I Meant! How Conversational Style Makes or Breaks Relationships, by Deborah Tannen

The Christian Family

Around the Year with the Von Trapp Family, by Maria Augusta von Trapp
The Catholic Family Handbook, by Fr. Lawrence G. Lovasik

The Catholic Family Handbook, by Rev. George A. Kelly, Foreword by Francis Cardinal Spellman

The Christian Husband and Father

Manual for Men, by Thomas J. Olmstead, Bishop of Phoenix, compilation by Dr. Travis Cook

Father: The Family Protector, by James B. Stenson

The 7 Secrets of Effective Fathers, by Dr. Ken R. Canfield, Ph.D.

The Resolution for Men, by Stephen and Alex Kendrick with Randy Alcorn

The Christian Wife and Mother

By Love Refined: Letters to a Young Bride, by Dr. Alice von Hildebrand, Ph.D.

Chosen and Cherished: Biblical Wisdom for Your Marriage, by Kimberly Hahn

Graced and Gifted: Biblical Wisdom for the Homemaker's Heart, by Kimberly Hahn

Beloved and Blessed: Biblical Wisdom for Family Life, by Kimberly Hahn

Manhood

The Three Marks of Manhood, by G.C. Dilsaver

Behold the Man: A Catholic Vision of Male Spirituality, by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers

Terror of Demons: Reclaiming Traditional Catholic Masculinity, by Kennedy Hall

The Catholic Gentleman: Living Authentic Manhood Today, by Sam Guzman, Foreword by Dale Ahlquist

The Art of Manliness – Manvotionals: Timeless Wisdom and Advice on Living the 7 Manly Virtues, by Brett and Kate McKay

Raising Children

Family Virtues: A Guide to Effective Parenting, edited by Jose M. Martin, Foreword by Mike Aquilina

Discipline That Lasts a Lifetime: The Best Gift You Can Give Your Kids, by Dr. Ray Guarendi

Lifeline: The Religious Upbringing of Your Children, by James B. Stenson

The Temperament God Gave Your Kids: Motivate, Discipline, and Love Your Children, by Art and Loraine Bennett

The 5 Love Languages of Children: The Secret to Loving Children Effectively, by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell

The Sins of Parents: The Common Mistakes Parents Make in Raising Their Children -- and How to Avoid Them, by Charles Hugo Doyle

Raising Boys

Defending Boyhood: How Building Forts, Reading Stories, Playing Ball, and Praying to God Can Change the World, by Anthony Esolen

Bringing Up Boys: Practical Advice and Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Men, by Dr. James Dobson

Raising a Modern-day Knight, by Robert Lewis

Boys to Men: The Transforming Power of Virtue, by Tim Gray and Curtis Martin

Boys Should Be Boys: 7 Secrets to Raising Healthy Sons, by Dr. Meg Meeker, M.D.

Strong Mothers, Strong Sons: Lessons Mothers Need to Raise Extraordinary Men, by Dr. Meg Meeker, M.D.

Raising Girls

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know, by Dr. Meg Meeker, M.D.

Lifeskills for Men: How A Man Prepares His Daughters for Life, by Michael Farris

Infant Loss, Stillbirth, and Miscarriage

Letters to Gabriel: The True Story of Gabriel Michael Santorum, by Karen Garver Santorum, Foreword by Mother Teresa

Prayer for Christian Families 

Composed by Pope Pius XII.

O Lord God of goodness and mercy, Who in the midst of an evil and sinful world hast presented to the society of the redeemed the Holy Family of Nazareth as a spotless mirror of piety, justice and love, behold how the family is being undermined on all sides, every effort being made to desecrate it by stripping it of faith, religion, and morals.

Regard the work of Thy own hands. Safeguard in our homes the domestic virtues, for these alone will ensure us harmony and peace.

Come and stir up the champions of the family. Bestir the modern apostles so that in Thy Name, bearing the message of Jesus Christ and exhibiting holiness of life, they may revive the doctrines of conjugal fidelity for married couples, the exercise of authority by parents, obedience on the part of children, and modesty on the part of girls. Grant also through the efforts of these apostles, that the home favored by Thee with many blessings may again become an object of esteem and love in the minds and hearts of all.

It is through the examples of the Divine model of Nazareth that the Christian family is to be restored in Jesus Christ and to recover its former respect and dignity. Then every home will again become a sanctuary and in every household will be rekindled the flame of faith to teach patience in adversity and moderation in prosperity and to promote order, peace, and harmony in all things.

Under Thy paternal gaze, O Lord, and with confidence in Thy Providence and in the loving patronage of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, the family will become a sanctuary of virtue and a school of wisdom. It shall prove, as Christ has promised, a haven of rest against life's burdens. In the sight of the world it shall render glory to Thee, O Father, and to Thy Son, Jesus, until the day when, through Him, we shall, together with all His members, sing the Divine praises in the eternal ages to come. Amen.  

Prayer for Members of a Christian Family 

Composed by Pope Pius XII.

O Holy Family, Trinity of the earth, O Jesus, Mary and Joseph, sublime models and protectors of Christian families, to Thee do we have recourse, not only to find comfort in the sweet contemplation of Thy loving examples, but also to implore Thy protection and to promise constant fidelity in the paths Thou hast pointed out to us.

Thy peace, Thy unalterable serenity refreshes our troubled souls in the midst of the continuous stress and strain of life's burdens. We are thus given eloquent proof that only in a home adorned and embellished with the virtues Thou hast exemplified can our hearts find the peace and happiness they so earnestly desire.

But how could such a tender plant as the family be defended against the burning heat of unbridled passions, against the insidious spirit of rebellion that asserts itself almost everywhere, against the raging storm of present-day life which seems bent on overthrowing everything? How else except by causing its roots to penetrate deeply into the noble soil of Christian piety; by imploring for it continuous streams of Divine grace, especially through the reception of the Holy Sacraments in common; by animating it with a true spirit of faith which will enable us to surmount the materialistic concept of life; by joining all its branches closely together through the strong bonds of a love which, were it not also supernatural, would pass away like all things here below; by strengthening it, from within through the firm resolution, made by each one, to fulfill our duties in everything that the right order of the family requires; by supporting it in the severe trials of this earthly exile where sometimes people are without even a decent home or suffer from a lack of the bare necessities of life.

In the midst of the present confusion of ideas with which minds are often disturbed, we loudly proclaim the sanctity, the unity and Divine mission of the Christian family as the cell of society and of the Church, and each at our post – parents and children – humbly but firmly pledge ourselves to do all in our power in order that such holy ideals may become a reality in the world.

Help us, O Joseph, mirror of the most admirable paternity in the diligent concern that thou didst manifest for the Savior and for the Virgin, ever faithful to the Divine inspirations; come to our aid, O Mary, the most loving, the most faithful and the most pure of all spouses and mothers; assist us, O Jesus, Who, as our light and model in all things, didst will to become the most submissive of children. Be always near to us, all ye three, in times of joy and in times of sadness, in our work and in our rest, in our anxieties and in our hopes, be near to those who are born and to those who die.

Finally, obtain for us that all homes, made holy through the imitation of Thine, may become for all their members schools of virtue, sanctuaries of holiness, a sure way to that eternal happiness which we confidently hope for through Thine intercession. Amen.