You asked for it and now it’s here! Giveaway!
Almost five years ago, I published the Kindle version of my book, God Has No Grandchildren: A guided reading of Pius XI’s encyclical Casti Connubii, On Chaste Marriage. I had to publish it myself, because as I say in the introduction, who is interested in reading a dusty old encyclical?
But funnily enough, thousands of you did want to read it. Many of you had read my posts and were excited to have an edited version, all in one place, that you could take to your study. You wanted to think more about what the Church teaches about marriage. You were willing to put in the work to find out. You got together in reading groups, you read it alone, you read it with your spouse.
And after you read it, you exclaimed, “I never knew… ” “This changed my marriage… ” “We had another baby… ”
But the one comment I always got was, “Auntie Leila, please make this a real book! I don’t want to read it on my Kindle!” Or many just don’t read on a Kindle, period.
Well, thanks to Peter Kwasniewski, who innocently asked me, “Have you ever written anything about Casti Connubii?” (Me: “Do I ever!”) and then expressed great enthusiasm for getting it published for real, and Alexandros Barbas, publisher of Arouca Press, who was equally excited and got right to work, the second edition of God Has No Grandchildren has been released! In both hard- and soft-cover!
And I am happy to offer a giveaway of a signed hardcover copy of this book! Just leave a comment to be entered!
What I’m really thrilled about is that this edition has a new introduction, the full text of the encyclical for easy reference while studying, a timeline of events leading up to it, and in general has been spruced up. The book, although 224 pages, is a good size to pop into your bag for book club. The margins are ample enough for little notes and the book opens up pleasingly (these are the hills I die on!).
In addition to the endorsement by George Cardinal Pell and a nice plug from Fr. Jerry Pokorsky, this second edition has new endorsements from Prof. Robert George and Kimberly Hahn.
But the most important update to this book came about in an interesting way. After I published the first edition, the apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia was promulgated. At the time, I thought and wrote a lot about this letter, which deeply disturbed me. At that point, I realized two things: one, it seems to contradict paragraph 10 of Casti Connubii, and two, that is the one paragraph I did not discuss in the book; I didn’t even include #10 in the paragraph schema.
Some critics mentioned difficulties with the claim of Amoris Laetitia that those in a second relationship can basically make their peace with the Church, and receive Holy Communion, if the presence of children requires it. But that is exactly the opposite of what Pius XI (citing St. Augustine) says in Casti Connubii!
So this new edition has a new chapter, in which I carefully lay out the steps that expose the lack of continuity in Pope Francis’ exhortation; and of course, continuity is essential for the Magisterium.
My original lacuna was providential; it gave me the opportunity to delve deeply into the question, study it, and offer what I hope is a good analysis of the implications of accepting this new interpretation.
The paperback version!I hope you will read it. I hope you will read the whole thing, because I truly believe that the crisis of our time is a crisis of marriage. Ordinary people, abetted by a corrupt clergy, have turned away from their God-given responsibility to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth in a way that is faithful, generous, unitive, and sacramental. The refusal has implications that resonate throughout the natural and spiritual realms, for as St. Paul tells us, “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” (Ephesians 5:32)
I believe that Christianity has the answers but they have been hidden from us. Perhaps you have read the encyclical Humanae Vitae; I assure you that you will be challenged, in a good way, by reading Casti Connubii. My aim is to get it into your hands! If I can do this, I will truly rest easier, because the words are life-changing! We need to return to them.
Please note that the publisher is open to discounting bulk orders; if your pastor, for instance, wants to get in a supply for marriage prep (for which this book is ideally suited, as my explanations are geared towards those who really have never heard any of this teaching before), he should be encouraged! Or for your book club… or for you to distribute to all and sundry! Just email him for details: info@aroucapress.com
To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment! I will choose a winner next week!
And please, please leave a review on the Amazon page or in your Goodreads account. It makes such a difference to bringing a book to people’s attention. I would be so grateful!
bits & piecesThings are hotting up. It seems like aggression has increased, and even just stating obvious facts like girls are girls and boys are boys is met with diabolical scorn, anger, and silencing. Let’s be calm but strong. Dr. Paul McHugh provides a good role model and combines the highest standard of medical expertise with the clear vision and fortitude of a Catholic gentleman. A Virtual Time-Lapse Recreation of the Building of Notre Dame (1160)Clear Creek Abbey Revisited: A Triumph of Modern Classicism in the Romanesque FootprintA brief history of British socks (knitters corner haha)The Mortifications of Beverly Cleary: The author recognized that humiliation is a kind of trauma—and that gentle humor could help neutralize it.Transgenderism and the End of the Sacramental Order Why do I keep posting links about this? Please know that this ideology has entered the mainstream. It’s likely that a medical professional will ask your child, if given the chance, what his preferred pronouns are. In many states, you will lose your rights over your child if these professionals can drive the thin edge of the wedge into the situation by finding a pretext in the answers to pursue “transitioning,” which is quite simply a lucrative market for them. The fact that it destroys lives doesn’t seem to stop this juggernaut. Carnegie Hall Selects is a new series of free concert films from legendary stages around the world, featuring some of the greatest performances of music central to the Hall’s history. Each film is introduced by Clive Gillinson, Carnegie Hall’s executive and artistic director, who shares insights about the various connections to the Hall, as well as personal anecdotes about the performers and the music. A new Carnegie Hall Selects film will be released each Friday at 12 PM (Eastern), available to stream for one week exclusively on the Hall’s website.from the archivesIn case you missed it: I talk to Eric Sammons of Crisis Magazine about feminism. In podcast form here. I think people have really not heard some of my arguments… I posted about summer salads and rushing and being so efficient that the food doesn’t seem fresh and basically just let’s be calmer and enjoy! liturgical livingSt. Mother Orsola (Giulia) Ledóchowska. Tomorrow is Trinity Sunday!
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