Guiding Missal: Fifty Years. Three Generations of Military Men. One Spirited Prayer Book.

by Nancy Panko

In 1944, a U.S. Army baker volunteers as a forward observer to carry out covert operations behind German lines in World War II.
In the early 1960s, a focused nineteen-year-old Airman is responsible for decoding critical top secret messages during the height of the Berlin Crisis.
In 1993, an army sniper overcomes a debilitating condition only to fight for survival in the streets of war-torn Mogadishu, Somalia, when a Blackhawk helicopter is shot down.
When each of these men face a crisis, this very special prayer book, My Military Missal, provides the comfort and encouragement of divine power. Based on actual events, Guiding Missal’s timeless journey of faith, patriotism and miracles will touch your heart as the missal and the men call out to God for guidance, protection, and a safe return home.

Genres: Religion

286 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2017

About the author

Nancy is a retired pediatric RN and author of award-winning Guiding Missal published in 2017 and Sheltering Angels published in 2020. She wrote her first children's book, Gold Medal-winner Blueberry Moose, published in 2021. Peachy Possums and The Skunk Who Lost His Cents soon followed. Panko is a twenty-six-time contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul and has written for Woman's World and Guidepost magazines. Nancy is a member of The NC Scribes and The Military Writers Society of America.

She and her husband moved from Pennsylvania to North Carolina in 2008. They have two children, four grandchildren, and three granddogs. They love being in, on, or near the water with their family.

Reviews

[Nancy Panko · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small military missal carried in the pockets of three generations of servicemen narrates a compelling story from 1942 through 1993. Based on actual events from the Battle of the Bulge in World War II to the Cold War between the United States and Russia that resulted in The Berlin Crisis, and the building of the Berlin Wall, this story is one that had to be told. From the safety of a cedar chest, the prayer book is retrieved one last time in 1992 and given to the next member in the family to be deployed. The missal describes breath-taking, fast-paced action in the dusty streets of Mogadishu, Somalia in 1993 during what is known as Blackhawk Down. This timeless story of faith, family, patriotism, and miracles will touch your heart as three men navigate staying alive, struggle with loneliness, and forge unbreakable bonds with fellow soldiers both on and off the battlefield.

Nancy Panko has cleverly woven a beautiful tapestry of history along with expert storytelling and the truth that God’s amazing grace and mercy spans the ages. In this captivating saga, she illustrates the power and significance of God’s leading through the life and longevity of a beloved prayer book. This story is a journey through generations that immediately draws the reader in and holds them there through love and loss, crisis, and triumph. Guiding Missal is a must-read for all ages.

1941 The Awakening
Visiting the book distribution hub, Author Monsignor Joseph F. Stedman was in the process of blessing cases of his book, "My Military Missal." The priest had arrived earlier than expected and, instead of being neatly stacked, some of the boxes scheduled for shipping to military bases all over the country had not yet been closed and sealed. Assuring the warehouse manager the blessing could still take place, Father Stedman proceeded to walk the length of the concrete floor sprinkling holy water on each of the cartons.
I was one of those prayer books distributed from 1941 to 1945. The priest had no idea what the holy
water did to me as it hit my cover.
That one drop spread a warmth throughout my pages and down my spine. The heat awakened me,
infiltrating every precious word printed between my covers. I became aware of my surroundings. I
could think. I knew this event made me uniquely different from the rest of the missals, but how?
Suddenly, I knew I had become infused with the Holy Spirit. I had total clarity that my omnipotent
God could bend time and events to suit His needs when and where He saw fit. I was only a part of
His plan, but that was the extent of my knowledge. I trusted Him.

As the soldiers moved through the assembly line of haircuts, showers, and immunizations, and
after receiving their government-issued clothing and toiletries, they entered another area where
Army chaplains were handing out Bibles and prayer books for all denominations. As a recruit
stepped up, I felt an odd, unfamiliar tingling.
I heard the chaplain ask, "Would you like one of these books?"
....the man replied, "Yes, I'm Catholic, I'll take the black prayer book on the end of the third row."
He pointed directly at me...
Suddenly, I was plucked from the pile of military missals and placed on the stack of clothing
nestled in the man's arms...I began to have flickering flashes of visions. My soldier is dangling
precariously on the side of a troopship about to be crushed. Blinding, drifting snow is covering the
minefields. Supply lines can't reach the soldiers. There is much danger. The invasion begins. The
forest teems with enemy forces and becomes a place of slaughter. Great red flashes set the trees on
fire. I see frozen bodies stacked like firewood. My soldier is stranded behind enemy lines. There is
danger all around. I see two lines of weary, unshaven men trudging along with bandoliers of
ammunition strung across their chests. Another flash reveals my soldier wading in cold, black
water while big guns are firing artillery shells dangerously close. Lord, have mercy! I hear laughter
while at the same time sensing feelings of unrelenting fear, sadness, and longing. I feel weighed
down by sights and sounds.
I never expected these premonitions. Although my metamorphosis is happening at an astonishing
rate, through the grace of God, I find myself totally in sync with my soldier. That connection tells
me everything about him and much of the strife to come. Heavenly Father, I implore you to guide
and protect this man.
He knew he had been drawn to me, but he knew nothing about my gifts.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guiding Missal
by Nancy Panko
BooksGoSocial
Christian , Historical Fiction
Pub Date 11 Apr 2018


I am reviewing a copy of Guiding Missal Through BooksGoSocial and Netgalley:



Guiding Missal is a story about a little prayer book that accompanied three military men as they lived through some of the most of Momentous events of the history of our nation.


George Panko was drafted into the U.S Army in 1942 where he volunteers to be a forward onserver conducting convert operations behind convert lines during The Battle of the Bulge. In his pocket he carries a small prayer book in his pocket. The prayer book is titled My Military Missal and he provides Solace, and has a commentary on both the battle and deeds that won him two Bronze Stars.


George’s Son Bush enlists In the Airforce during the 1960’s, before Bush leaves for basic training his Dad gives him his worn military Missal. During the height of the Berlin Crisis Butch finds himself decoding top secret information in a military bunker. He is in the bunker with the Missal praying that there‘s not about to be a World War 3.


In 1991 T.O Williams, Butch Panko’s Future Son In Law overcomes a debilitating condition to enlist in the U.S Army. In 1992 the newly married WilliAm is grateful for the well worn prayer book his Father in Law Butch Panko gives him just before he is deployed to Africa. As he finds himself fighting for survival on the war torn streets of Mogadishu, Somalia during Black Hawk Down. He and the Missal survive to tell the story.


I give Guiding Missal five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Terry Hans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guiding Missal is a historical novel with a unique perspective. The narrator is a prayer book issue to a soldier during WWII. The prayer book takes on a personality of its own as it feels the power of the Holy Spirit. We get to know the Panko family and follow their military men though 50 years. It's an uplifting tale that’s a real page turner. Nancy Panko made the prayer book a character we will never forget. It's a story that comes alive as the prayer book guides the soldiers throughout their military careers. Guiding Missal is filled with something that should appeal to every reader. The author incorporates accurate accounts of battles scenes and ordinary family life in the voice of the Military Missal. This story is heartwarming, heartfelt, sincere and profound. Guiding Missal is a must read and a great gift for any occasion.

[Military Writers Society of America (MWSA)]

MWSA Review

Guiding Missal is a multi-generational family story of courage and faith with an inspiring premise. The story focuses on the lives of three men, spans fifty years, two wars and one crisis that brings the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of war. What helps these men through their life-and-death situations is the comfort they receive from a missal that's been handed down from father to son. Author Nancy Panko has taken a familiar story and added a twist: the missal not merely a passive prayer book—she makes it a participant in a way that is both clever and touching. The narrative is further enhanced by real-life accounts of incidents told to her by veterans and relatives. The result is a moving and inspirational story, specific in its action and timeless in its theme.

Reviewed by Dwight Jon Zimmerman, MWSA President