Forgiving Mother : A Marian Novena of Healing and Peace {Book Review}

We are in the midst of full on winter here in Michigan.  I think nearly a foot of snow has falling in the last day.  I've been preparing for Lent, decluttering and organizing ruthlessly, and in between nursing and laundry, reading.  The book Forgiving Mother: A Marian Novena of Healing and Peace was delivered to me just before Christmas.  With holiday busyness and quality family time I didn't want to rush through this book so I set it aside for a few weeks until I could give it the attention it deserved.  I'm very glad I did that.  I believe this book has the key to transform hearts and allow true grace and forgiveness to flow.  The author, Marge Steinhage Fenelon, is so incredibly transparent (something that I appreciate so much in my own struggles).  Her honesty and the work she put into forgiving an abusive mother is inspiring. 

The book begins with personal stories of her childhood traumas and goes on for several chapters outlining the pain in her heart but also her true desire to heal, show empathy toward her mother, and forgive.  The second part of the book walks the reader through a Novena to the Blessed Mother for true forgiveness and healing. 

You need not have a strained relationship with your own mother to appreciate this book.  In my experience everyone has someone that they struggle to forgive. This book reminds us that our Blessed Mother is there to comfort us and aid us in the forgiveness process.  The Novena contains scripture reflections, questions, things we may want to ask for intercession for, and prayers. 

I am richly blessed for having read this book and I know you would be as well.  It would be a great book to add to your Lenten reading materials.