**the winner is Mrs. Perez from ourhomeeconomics.blogspot.com!!
Congratulations!! (and cute blog! :) )***
I’m thrilled to offer a very special giveaway this week. My dear college friend, Fr. Brian McMaster has recently published a book titled Totus Tuus: A Consecration to Jesus Through Mary with Blessed John Paul II. And we’re giving away an autographed copy!
Now, any book written about Jesus and Mary by a priest will be special, right? Absolutely. But this book, for me, is even more special. Because of the author.
Fr. Brian and I have been friends since my freshman year at Texas A&M. We met in my RCIA class at St. Mary’s in College Station. He was an asistant teacher. I was the wide-eyed, smiley, new girl looking for friends. We hit it off, and he, being the gregarious, uber-friendly person that he is, introduced me to all his Catholic friends around St. Mary’s, and I was in heaven. Actually, I probably should give him credit for introducing me to my husband… since he was one of those guys in that crowd of Catholic friends. Hmmm…. I haven’t ever put all that together before just this very minute.
Anyway…
college days, from left to right: me, Fr. Brian, my dear friend Rita (wife and super mom of 5) and the future awesome Fr. Brian Eilers.
Fr. Brian is also from my hometown of San Antonio. So, when Christmas came around, and we were both home from college, he and his family kindly invited me to join them for midnight Mass – a tradition that held fast through the rest of my college years.
He and I also planned the Great New Years Bash each year, where dozens of college friends from all over the state would travel to San Antonio for a series of parties and outings around town to celebrate the New Year. We’d have friends camped out in both our houses, on couches, on the floor, in guest rooms. It was great fun! (and I recall one party where a really nice guy named Curt and his brother Anthony stayed after everyone had left to help me clean up the house. My mom came home and asked, “Who were those VERY nice boys?” Yet another husband connection!)
All through these years, Fr. Brian was pretty certain that he wanted to be a priest. He said he was discerning, but I think he was pretty sure, and the rest of us were all very sure! We used to pray the Rosary, talk about vocations, and about Mary being our guide in this life – pointing the way to Jesus. I remember him using those very words, the motto of JPII – “totus tuus”.
“Totally Yours”
The echo of two holy men’s love for Mary and her Savior Son.
So, here we are today, almost 20 years later. Fr. Brian is now the Vocations Director for the great Diocese of Austin. But, while he’s not forming and guiding young souls in their discernment, he’s taken some time to write this book! I can’t wait for you to read it!
Here’s a note to us from Fr. Brian, “This book will walk you through 33 days of meditative prayer into the very Heart of Mary. It will draw you into a mother’s love, Mary’s love of Jesus, and deepen your own relationship with God as a Catholic mom striving for holiness.”
love. this. photo.
And the summary from the publisher:
“I am totally yours, and all that I have is yours.” – St. Louis de Montfort
Amidst the Nazi occupation of Poland and long days in forced labor at a quarry and chemical plant, young Karol Wojtyla – the man who would become Pope John Paul II – made a discovery that would change his life. He read the 18th century spiritual writings of St. Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort and prayed St. Louis’ thirty-three days of preparation for total consecration to Jesus through Mary. He understood anew that the purpose of a true devotion to Mary is to be directed into a deeper relationship with Jesus and the Holy Trinity. The consecration so marked his life that he would adopt St. Louis’ phrase Totus Tuus (Latin for “Totally Yours”) as his motto as bishop and later as pope.Blessed John Paul II’s adoption of this radical commitment to Jesus through Mary ignited a new flame in the hearts of countless Catholics all over the world.This fresh look at Marian consecration takes the themes and structures of St. Louis de Montfort’s preparation for total consecration and incorporates the teachings and insight of Blessed John Paul II, including prayer, contemplation, and resolutions that will open your heart to the life of the Holy Trinity. Through these thirty-three days of spiritual exercises you will discover how you can grow closer to Jesus through the heart of Mary, while becoming the very best version of yourself in a life of consecration.
Here’s how you enter:
Leave a comment below before 5 PM on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 (just in time for Lent!)
- Be sure that you like my Facebook page, and subscribe to my blog feed via email.
- Winners will be announced later that evening. One entry per person, please.
- You must have a valid email address, which I promise not to use for anything other than this giveaway.
Sign me up for the book give away. I had no idea Fr. Brian had written a book. Awesome!!
Wow — great to hear about Fr. Brian’s book…and so fun to hear the stories! God bless!
YAY!!!!! I LOVE the history you briefed. I am so GRATEFUL to be a part of this history. GOD is so very good. And I agree, I can hear Fr.BMC saying those words throughout college, “totus tuus”
Best giveaway ever. I had no idea the history between you two. Thank you for sharing that. How awesome!
Would love this book. I’m going to subscribe now, I’ve never done that before ;)
Whoop! My dance partner has written a book!!
I think I went to one of those New Year’s parties! :-)
I would love to read Fr. Brian’s book!!
Whoop! This is so exciting! :)
Anything by Fr. Brian is going to be profound. I would love this to read during lent. I still remember when Fr. Brian gave a talk on my adult confirmation class, and have been in awe ever since. :-)
He was a big part of my conversion to our lovely Catholic faith as well! He gave a talk on AA about love of Mary, and when I asked him how that really worked, he told me to read “Pierced By a Sword”. That started it all…..
So thankful for all those Catholics I’ve met along the way, who are open and unashamedly Catholic, and full of charity at the same time.
I would love Fr. Brian’s book to lead me through Lent. :) Where do I sign my name? :)
Yay! Fr Brian! Yay Aggies!
What a great giveaway. I’d love to win a copy of this book.
Gig ‘em Aggie Catholics! (and I miss you Lauren!)
Oooh, count me in! I did the consecration for the first time last year, and would love to renew it “with” Blessed John Paul II this year.
I am totally yours
I’ve totally wanted a copy ever since I saw it announced he wrote this. Cool!
We used to see him at Mass when we lived in Wimberley and went to Mass in Dripping Springs– he’d come speak at Mass sometimes!
Yeah! Giveaways rock!
Lauren, thanks for sharing this…Fr. Patrick was really excited when his copy arrived the other day. ;)
Lauren, thanks for sharing. I hope I win! :-)
I start my consecration next week! Would love to have this book along with Montfort’s.
Always knew we would see great and wonderful things from Fr Brian. I have a favorite memory from A&M when he prayed with me at a retreat. Knew then he was a great man of God. Thank you for your direction given in this book. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy.
I am so looking forward to reading this wonderful book!
Excited for Fr. Brian on the publication of his book!
Im so glad you posted a reminder on FB!! Thanks for bringing this book to our attention!
Congratulations “Dad!” As one of your Awakening kids I am extremely excited for you. A book is a tremendous legacy to leave. Awesome job!
Can’t wait to read this book! It seems like last week that he mentioned to us his idea for the book!
Fr Brian is the best! He is one of the reasons I found my way to become Catholic.
The book sounds awesome! Please sign me up!
Wonderful. My husband knew Fr. Brian at A&M. We would love to read this amazing book. Thanks for providing us with the chance.
It is wonderful news to hear that Fr. Brian wrote such an amazing book. Congratulation’s Fr. Brian I’m so excited for you. When I first met Fr. Brian at St. Mary’s I knew there was something special about him and he proved that many times over. He is an awesome priest and he has helped me many times when I needed to talk with someone he was always there for me. I would love to read his book! I am a writer of children’s books…not published yet, my hopes are still there to be published some day.
Thank you so much for the give-away….this book sounds awesome!
Fr. Brian baptized my now 10.5yo son when he was just a baby priest. He was the best confessor I ever had and his homilies are priceless. I miss him greatly!