THE LATEST BOOKS, by Fr. W. J. Randall

The founder of the Unity Octave
FATHER PAUL OF GRAYMOOR, by the Reverend David Gannon, S.A. (Macmillan, New York, 34s. 6d.). FIFTY mites from New York City stands the majestic Graymoor of today; it is known to unnumbered thousands through the 380 stations which broadcast the "Ave Maria Hour" It is the foundation named the Society of the Atonement founded by Fr, Paul (who was born Lewis Thomas Wattson in 1863 and died aged 78 in 1940); Anglican minister, then superior of the Anglican Friars of the Atonement. They (and the Sisters of the Atonement with their Superior, Sister Lurana) were received corporately into the Catholic Church by special dispensation of Pius X. Their romantic and widely influencing story is here told by Fr. Gannon, S.A., his book being completed through years of illness.
Enthralling
TT is an enthralling record. packed with information and incident, concerning many characters of renown-Newman. Mgr. Benson, Fr. Pascal Robinson. O.F.M., Cardinals and Popes-but revolving round the outstanding character of Fr. Paul. In his foreword, Cardinal Spellman brings out the fact that St.
Francis of Assisi "broke the feudal yoke by establishment of his Third Order, the Brothers of Penance . . . and the Holy See gave them the protection of the Catholic Church, despite the opposition of the feudal lords, and Christian democracy was born". He then points out that Franciscans were the first missionaries in the Americas, and that Fr. Paul of Graymoor followed them in the same work-for the reunion of Christendom.
In the 26 chapters Fr. Gannon traces the story of Fr. Paul from boyhood to death: his arrival at Graymoor ("A Poor Friar Buys a Mountain"); the corporate conversion of Graymoor communityfor which Pius X had prayed; the Church Unity Octave-now extended to the Universal Church; life with Fr. Paul: these are a few points in the vast contents of this immense biography of over 350 pages. There arc 13 illustrations, including the frontispiece of Fr. Paul, and a voluminous general index. The dust-jacket has a portrait of Fr. Gannon. This book is a classical biography, beautifully produced. and written in a style which makes fascinating reading.
The Holy Rule
THE BENEDICTINE IDEA, by Dons Hubert van Zeller (Bunts Oates, 21s.).
DOM HUBERT is as thorough in this hook as in his others. It is a very good precis of the gradual formation of the Benedictine rule as we know it today; and wo are taken for a survey of many foundations from Ireland to Mesopotamia, and of the work of many saints-Antony of Egypt, Pachomius, Basil, Paula, , Jerome. Macharius. and many others who seemed to have a little influence in the formation of St Benedict's Rule.
The missionary spirit in its turn modified the rule. so that the monks without any modern Ford made tremendous journeys, taking the faith to many lands. The modern idea may be to return to the Opus Del in the monasteries, but this may be difficult when countries like South America so badly need priests.
The work is well produced and has a very useful index.
Mary at home
OUR LADY THE VIRGIN. by Federico Suarez (Scepter Ltd., Dublin, 16s.).
THIS book, translated from the Spanish by Hugh and Lucia Fox, rather reminds one of some of the famous paintings of Our Lady-the Annunciation, Visitation, Finding in the Temple. Hidden Life, Cana, and the Mater Dolorosa. !But we would have to have Spanish paintings of Our Lady with that wealth of detail they love and the painter alongside to point out the little details of the distant scene.
This is what the author does with the scenes of Our Lady's life. He takes us into the house of the Holy Family. and we can almost hear the conversations which are analysed carefully so that nothing shall be lost. Shadows of meanings are pointed out.
No wonder the book was among the best sellers in Spain for 1956 and has been translated into English, Italian, and Portuguese. Suarez gives us Our Lady for a model in the active and the contemplative life. The references would be better on the page than at the end of the chapter.