Consoling the Heart of Jesus Book Review

Consoling the Heart of Jesus A Do-It-Yourself Retreat by Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC.

I liked the approachable writing style of this book and found myself  thinking ‘Hey, I have felt that” and “that’s what I was thinking” as the author articulates how the reader might receive the down-to-earth instructions and possible obstacles to consoling the Heart of Jesus.

I liked how Fr Gaitley references St. Therese and St. Faustina and tackles the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius (although I think I need to read it again to grasp that myself).

Even though I wish I could have been more focused and consistent, (rather than reading the book in only short snippets over a couple of months), I found myself referring to it, trying to explain what I had already learned to close family and friends.  That’s a huge deal, given the life I have right now with young kids and limited opportunities I have to talk to peers wanting to grow in their Faith.

 
I was a little surprised that the Appendices comprise about half of the book.  I don’t usually go out of my way to read Appendices, but when I started reading the lengthy Appendix 2: (Diary of St Faustina), I could appreciate why it’s such a big component of the book, and it definitely supports the retreat format of the book.

I liked the review questions at the end of the chapters.  I guess, since I read the book over quite a long period of time,  I could have used a little summary page just before I reached those review questions, to refresh my memory. I guess that that’s where the Prayer Companion comes in: it’s the travel version, summarizing the basic teachings and prayers.

The book addressed the question “how can we console Jesus if He is happy in Heaven”…a question that, I think, would have gnawed at me over time. This book also addresses the obstacles that we can all relate to, that get in the way of seeking and surrendering to God’s Will.

I will continue to recommend this book and I know I will be reading it again!