Kevin Rowles’ booklet Blessed Alexandrina, A Living Miracle of
the Eucharist has been re-launched. After
its initial publication in England, it was published in Australia,
and a new version has now been published in
the
United States by
New Hope Publications.
The English and Australian versions were pocket size booklets
giving the life of Blessed Alexandrina; but the American edition has
been re-designed and illustrated with about 40 well chosen pictures.
In addition, the format of the booklet is no longer pocket size, but
much larger.
It was pleasing to see a mention of Jesus’ generous promise to those
who visit Blessed Alexandina’s tomb:
"I promise you – trust me - that after your death all the souls who
visit your tomb will be saved, so long as they do not continue in
sin and thus abuse the great favour I give them because of you."
The booklet also contains that poetic prayer which begins I see
my Homeland in the distance. This biography is very pleasant to
read, as it doesn’t just reveal the occurrences in Alexandrina’s
life, but seeks to capture the inner life of this great mystic soul
and highlights the lessons that make her particularly relevant to
today. In
the book, it is recalled that Alexandrina has been proposed by the
Church as "a model of purity and perseverance in the Faith for
today’s youth." It is important to highlight this aspect, as today
many young people are far removed from the Church. Alexandrina, as
a Salesian cooperator, so often prayed for them. The author
dedicates the work to the founder of the Alexandrina Society,
Francis Reynolds, to his wife, Sheila Reynolds, to the dynamic Josie
McEvoy and finally to all members of the Association. It is
therefore a publication that significantly boosts the dissemination
of Alexandrina’s life in the English-speaking world, an advantageous
step to fulfill Jesus’ desire that her life story reach the ends of
the earth. The bibliography lists English and French sources, and
also some internet sources, including the Official Website. An
inevitable book in this bibliography is that by Francis Johnston,
Alexandrina, the Agony and the Glory.
By José Ferreira |