The Godmother: Madre Pascalina, a Feminine Tour de Force

by Charles Theodore Murr, Enrique J. Aguilar (Illustrator), Robert T. Miller (Foreword)

What could two people from different generations, of different nationalities, backgrounds, and mentalities possibly have in common? The Godmother shows how human relationships can spring through common interests, but also how —through shared experience— they can flourish and mature into a deep, spiritual, and lasting friendship. Now for the first time author Charles T. Murr (The Society of Judas) vividly recounts his conversations with Josefine Lehnert —The woman known in some circles as La Popessa. At its core, The Godmother is a warm heart-to-heart exchange between an old nun from Bavaria and an American seminarian in his Roman years —working his way towards priesthood. It is a story of friendship, of fraternal charity rooted in their mutual admiration for a remarkable man, Pope Pius XII. Those who read this book will certainly come away enlightened by Mother Pascalina’s unique viewpoint on Vatican politics and innuendos, her knowledge of history, her womanly wisdom, and feminine strength. This is essential reading for anyone interested in modern Church history and for those seeking spiritual growth and development.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Catholic

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2017

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madre Pascalina, the author’s real Godmother—of his priesthood (yes, priests can have godmothers specifically for their ordination)—must have been something in her day, which was as long-time assistant and most trusted confidant of Pope Pius XII. The book would be interesting for her insights into that amazingly holy and sadly maligned pope were that all it was, but it is also about the tender friendship which develops between the highly-gifted, seminarian, Charles Murr from Minnesota and the already-elderly, Bavarian-born, Swiss nun, Josephine Lehnert, Mother Pascalina.

Each chapter covers an episode in Fr. Murr’s life, most of which were conversations with his lively, opinionated godmother. Wherever you stand on Church issues, and whoever you admire in relatively recent leadership, you are in for surprises. And also, be prepared for some refreshingly un-PC reading!

Madre lived in a different time and although she is ever the lady, and utterly devoted to ‘His Holiness’—only ONE Pope deserves that title in her opinion—she is circumspect regarding all others. She speaks of what is public knowledge though most don’t trouble to discover it. A few stories are related with the injunction, ‘to be saved until the individual has passed on’ yet even these are not told in a gossipy way, but as warnings for her dear godson, which, Wise Reader, may they be for us as well!

I reveled in Murr’s upbeat writing style and studied each of the charcoal sketches, primarily of important Church figures which initiated every chapter/visit. It reminded me that History is best understood one human life at a time. So many persons I did not know before—Giovanni Benelli, Edouard Gagnon, Sebastiano Baggio—important in Curial and therefore, Church events, were brought to life through their relevance to history. And as for the popes who came after HER pope, well ... as you may expect, none of them have quite come up to scratch. Her insights and the actual events she related just might allow for a broader view. I have much still to ponder. This is one biased woman’s experience, as seen through the lens of her American biographer; theirs is not the last or only perspective, and yet, they are more than credible witnesses to our Catholic story. Father Murr thoroughly sold me on dear Pope Pius XII, who was his childhood inspiration to become a priest, and intensified my desire to read more of this holy Holy Father’s writings, who I sadly know so little about.

Also, how Good Pope Pius XII’s reputation (re:WWII and his assistance to the Jewish people) came to be trashed is explained simply and concisely. Excellent! It never originated with a Jewish person, but sadly with a vengeful Catholic bishop.

Ah, what can I say?! ANOTHER book to keep due to all the references I shall refer back to again and again. It ends on a somewhat somber note for the Church and world as a whole, but Fr. Murr adds an essay by Archbishop Sheen which puts things in perspective. Very apropos.

Did not want to put this down once I started!

[Mary Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, well written by a talented and witty Priest who was eye witness to many happenings in the Church. Written to set the record straight.

Everything Fr. Murr writes, I want to read.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. I highly recommend that every Catholic read this book if they want an inside, accurate view of things that have taken place within the Vatican over the past 80 years, although, mostly between WWII and 1981. It will curl your hair and it will explain so much. Yes, the smoke of Satan was in the Church.
For anyone else who just has an interest, read this book. Madre Pascalina is amazing as was Venerable Pope Pius XII. All these years later when millions can attest to his great works saving Jews and others during WWII, the lies put out by freemasons and enemies of the Church are still circulating. You will know how great he was by how many try to evoke hatred upon him.
Read this book. Open your eyes.

[Rafael Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesante historia de una de las personas más cercanas a Pio XII y que da testimonio, entre otras cosas, de su integridad y valentía, especialmente ante la leyenda negra que se ha creado en torno a su figura respecto a lo que hizo para ayudar a los judíos durante la persecución nazi en la segunda guerra mundial. El libro también nos da una panorámica sobre hechos recientes de la historia de la Iglesia que nos ayuda a entender la corrupción que permitió casos como el de McCarrick y la confusión doctrinal en los más altos niveles de la jerarquía.

[Christopher Levis · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful

What a wonderful story of a saintly nun. I did not get to know her in person but I feel like we are United in our wonderful faith. God spare us from the Freemasons!

[Pianomans Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a keeper; it will remain on my shelf. This book is the telling of so much evil but also Christ's light, told primarily in a series of conversations.

[Beth Samuels · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Appreciated reading about someone I never even knew about prior to this book. Definitely some new insights and already shared perspectives on the world and church at large while reading it. It wasn’t as much of a “scoop” as I expected it to be with all that Mother Pascalina probably saw and took part in over her time in the Vatican, but definitely made me want to read further about Pope Pius XII’s pontificate and teachings. Overall an enjoyable read and would be worth it for everyone to just read it for the final chapter where the author summarizes some talks by Archbishop Fulton Sheen that are exactly what we need to hear these days.