Pain of Grace: Living and Suffering with Dignity

by Joni J. Seith

Segment cut from The Rosary – Living Divine Mercy TV Show (EWTN) Ep.102 with Fr. Donald Calloway (posted on August 24, 2024), the full broadcast of which is available here.

TESTIMONIALS

“Joni Seith was given the cross of Ehlers Danlos, a debilitating connective-tissue disorder. Pain of Grace is her touching and compelling tale of Jesus inviting her into his transformative love through her suffering. Joni eloquently testifies to the words of St. John Paul II in Salvifici Doloris, ‘It is suffering, more than anything else, which clears the way for the grace which transforms human souls.’ Her story is a guide for us all to find His Grace in our pain.” – Most Reverend William D. Byrne, Bishop of Springfield, Massachusetts

“Pain of Grace: Living and Suffering with Dignity is precisely as the title proclaims — and then some. This is a most engaging story of a life suffused with physical pain and spiritual suffering, but even more so with God’s grace and love. Every reader should resonate with Joni Seith’s heartfelt reflections, from early memories of her family of birth, to those of a loving wife and mother across decades of struggles and triumphs as her children grow to adulthood as children of God. Every reader with a serious physical illness should obtain special solace, motivation, and even good laughs in this beautiful story of how all kinds of adversity can be transformed by God’s grace to the benefit of those who suffer and to all who are blessed to share their lives with them. A glorious read!” – Kevin Vost, Psy.D., author of Memorize the Latin Mass!

“Joni Seith has opened a window into the sanctifying and life-giving grace God freely provides through her memoir recounting her many decades of suffering Ehlers Danlos Syndrome with love and dignity.” – Cameron Fradd, “Among the Lilies”

“The words in Pain of Grace uniquely emerged through tears. Author Joni Seith wept throughout her writing because, simply, she was often in agony. Readers will shed tears for a different reason: they’ll be pierced and taken into a warm embrace of the manner in which a person copes and surrenders lifelong pain to Christ. Seith offers readers a profound meditation on how one brings physical and emotional travail – and bouts of hopelessness – to Golgotha. Cheeky humor is spread throughout her story, which makes Seith’s omnibus on living redemptive suffering all the more poignant and effective. The cross is rarely discussed today; thankfully Seith’s bracing tale shines bright light on its eternal weight. Bravo!” – Kevin Wells, author of Burst, Priest and Beggar, and The Priests We Need to Save the Church

“With clarity, charm, and open-hearted honesty, Joni Seith shares her transformational life journey with readers in a way that inspires us to reflect on our own burdens and blessings, and to embrace hope as real, and faith with purpose and celebration. As we travel with her – through pages of pain and perseverance, and moments of discovery and deepening spirituality – we are gifted with the truth of ups and downs and tears and laughter and loss and longing – all of which unfold as opportunities to live wiser, and to know God’s presence and love in a more personal and powerful way.” – Jeni Stepanek, PhD, author of the NY Times Bestseller, Messenger: The Legacy of Mattie J.T. Stepanek & Heartsongs

“Joni Seith has produced an incredibly wonderful book based on a remarkably beautiful life.” – Sebastian Mahfood, OP, PhD, author of The Narrative Spirituality of Dante’s Divine Comedy

“What a wonderful life story – full of psychological insights and spiritual wisdom. A must to give to anyone suffering with chronic physical pain.” – Dr. Ronda Chervin, Jewish convert to the Catholic faith, philosophy professor, writer and speaker.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joni J. Seith is a convert to Catholicism from a culturally Jewish background whose conversion story has been published in Envoy Magazine and shared on EWTN’s Journey Home program. Joni is the author and illustrator of Cloud of Witnesses I and II, and was the Founder and President of Biblically Correct, Inc from 1995 – 2010 and a member of the Catholic Marketing Network. As a speaker on the subjects of Redemptive Suffering, prayer, the saints, miracles and her own conversion story, Joni enjoys sharing her love for the Catholic Church and Her teachings to people of all ages and faiths. Joni has given Lenten Retreat talks both to Catholic and non-Catholics alike and has taught Theology of the Body to teens. She has also taught RCIA classes as well as CCD. Although Joni suffers with a chronic debilitating pain and deteriorating condition, it hasn’t stopped her from spreading the joy of the Gospel which Jesus has handed down through His Suffering Bride, the Church. Joni’s candid and unique joy-filled way of seeing God in and through the sufferings in her life is both inspirational and contagious.

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS

An Unlikely Gardener: Prose and Poems

by Francis Etheredge

Part V: Talking Points

The garden of the world and the Word of God

A poem called “Global Gardening”

Part VI: A Question of Science

Biblical Science

A poem called “Shells”

Part VII: Philosophy and Ecology

The vocation to Global Gardening

A poem called: “Clothes

Part VIII: The Identity of a Seed

An Enclosed Garden

A poem called “Tree Seeds”

Part IX: We Are Not Products

The Garden of Gethsemane

A poem called “The Winter Tree”

Part X: The Garden of God

The future Garden

A poem called “Lilies”

IN THE NEWS

A shout out to Mary Grenchus of the Grenchus Foundation for sharing the lead poem, entitled “Beautiful”, on her blog.

TESTIMONIALS

“A vision of loveliness, passing through time and space
Like a glance at the opening and flowering of grace.”

 

“This final couplet of An Unlikely Gardener, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, also aptly describes the experience of reading this collection of prose and poetry by Francis Etheredge. For indeed we behold the loveliness Etheredge shows us, with a gardener’s eye for displaying beauty and juxtaposing this lush crop with lessons firmly rooted in seasoned experience. In An Unlikely Gardener, Etheredge offers a well-ripened harvest of work, filled with the sun and shadow of hard-won wisdom learned over the literal and symbolic gardens of abundant years. Etheredge’s signature literary style is present in this volume in full splendour— journeying deftly from prose to poetry and back again— and his show-stopping hybrid is one that weaves faith and Scripture with family stories and verse bursting forth with tendrils of lush language. Francis Etheredge writes of, ‘Going into the garden with a cup of tea…’ and I suggest you enter this writer’s garden with a cup of tea large enough to fully savor the experience. The Unlikely Gardener sings of ‘The one who comes, you are the one who is already here, Ready and able to save me into the bark of Peter, You who are the Risen Christ, rising in me.’ May the Saviour, the greatest of all gardeners, accompany you through this ‘vision of loveliness’ Etheredge has written, and may you grow closer to Him because of it.” — Annabelle Moseley, author of Awake with Christ: Living the Catholic Holy Hour in Your Home (How Keeping God Prayerful Company in the Garden of Gethsemane can Change Your Life)

“As a lifelong Christian with a particularly strong passion for just about everything outdoors, I found An Unlikely Gardener to be thought provoking, spiritually nourishing, and refreshing. Akin to a beautiful and bountiful garden that begins, thrives, dies, requires work and thought along the way, and then brings goodness again, Etheredge has composed and arranged his own garden of interlacing stories, observations, reflections, and rich poetic verse that bring God’s gifts of the personal human experience, nature, and written word – with reminder of our call for Christian stewardship – into one unique place, An Unlikely Gardener.” — Tom Sunderland, Native Edge Landscapes | MLA, University of Colorado Denver

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mr. Francis Etheredge is married with eight children, plus three in heaven.

Francis is currently a freelance writer and speaker and his “Posts” on LinkedIn can be viewed here. Poetry; short articles; autobiographical blog; excerpts from books; and “Philosophize: A Ten Minute Write.”

For a list of all of Francis’ books published by En Route Books and Media, click here.

See Francis’ other books, too, entitled Scripture: A Unique Word, From Truth and truth: Volume I-Faithful Reason, From Truth and truth: Volume II: Faith and Reason in Dialogue, From Truth and truth: Volume III: Faith is Married Reason.

He has earned a BA Div (Hons), MA in Catholic Theology, PGC in Biblical Studies, PGC in Higher Education, and an MA in Marriage and Family (Distinction).

Enjoy these additional articles by Francis Etheredge:

• Witness “begets” Witnesses
• Love is a Liturgical Act
• The Holy Family, Celibacy, and Marriage: A Reflection on the “Passage” from the Jewish Rite of Marriage to the Sacrament of Marriage
• “Do-it-Yourself” or Vocation: Coincidence or Providence

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS 

Non Nobis Domine: No Para Nosotros, Señor

by Marge Giangiulio

TESTIMONIOS

“En el ruidoso y ajetreado mundo actual, hemos olvidado hasta qué punto Dios está íntimamente implicado en nuestras vidas. Estas historias de la vida real demuestran Su profundo amor y misericordia por cada uno de nosotros. Las historias nos recuerdan que no hay simples coincidencias: Las “coincidencias” son disfraces de la providencia de Dios. Esperemos que quienes lean estas historias reflexionen sobre ello y tal vez sean más conscientes de la presencia de Dios en sus vidas personales y en las de quienes les rodean.” – Rev. Julius D. Leloczky, O. Cist.

“Enhorabuena por la publicación de su libro. Ahora los maravillosos y amorosos Caminos de Nuestro Señor estarán disponibles para tantas personas que necesitan Su amor, paz y aliento. Usted ha sido verdaderamente un salvavidas para tantos que han estado sufriendo y necesitan Su sanación y gracia. Estoy tan orgullosa y agradecida por tu “sí” a haber hecho realidad tus experiencias para tantos”. – Shirley Vilfordi, amiga de la autora

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marge Giangiulio es una antigua neoyorquina que se trasladó a Texas mientras trabajaba como ejecutiva en American Airlines. Se describe a sí misma como una católica perdida que experimentó una profunda conversión después de peregrinar a Medjugorje. Esta experiencia despertó su deseo de vivir más plenamente su fe católica. Como adoradora diaria de la Adoración Eucarística, recibió muchos impulsos del Espíritu Santo que fructificaron en toda la Diócesis de Dallas y, en cascada, llegaron a tocar las vidas de cientos, si no miles, de personas en todo el mundo. Sus muchos compromisos incluyen la implementación de programas de Adoración Eucarística, Asesoramiento en la Acera de Clínicas de Aborto, instigación de un programa mundial para rezar por nuestros sacerdotes, voluntariado con retiros de Jóvenes Centrados en la Eucaristía, Red de Radio Guadalupe, San Vicente de Paúl y el Comité Católico Pro Vida. Escribió Non Nobis Domine a petición de su Director Espiritual, cuya esperanza es proporcionar una oportunidad más para dirigir las almas a Dios.

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS

There be Hope: Islands of Hope, My Memoir of Haiti, & The Hopeful Coconut

by Kiki Latimer

TESTIMONIALS

TBA

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kiki Latimer is the author of Islands of Hope, The WaterFire Duck, Bubble Butt, Heal of the Hand, Seeing God’s Face, Home for the Homily, co-author of Philosophy Begins in Wonder, and host of The Catholic Bookworm. She lives in Hope Valley, Rhode Island, with her husband Jim.

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS

Sad Songs: A View from the Front Lines of the Spiritual Battle between the Culture of Death and the Culture of Life–A Sidewalk Advocate’s Journal

By David E. Dowd with a commentary by Ronda Chervin

TESTIMONIALS

“David E. Dowd’s splendid new book—Sad Songs, A Sidewalk Advocate’s Journal—is a revealing and compelling first hand account of the struggles and challenges of pro-life advocates outside the killing centers, as they try to rescue innocent children from the ‘primordial evil of our time’, legal abortion. David Dowd’s testimony is a reminder of the passage from Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Sidewalk advocates understand the spiritual nature of this warfare. They seek not only to save the life of the child, but the soul of the mother. Even the abortionists and their collaborators are not beyond their prayers and ministrations. Reading David Dowd’s book, one apprehends the vital necessity for spiritual preparation and grounding on the part of the sidewalk advocate. Their unique apostolate requires all of the Theological, Cardinal and Capital Virtues and the many Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Ghost. Armed with all of these, and in a state of sanctifying grace, they are ready to do battle against this Luciferian evil. They are the heroes of our time.” – C.J. Doyle, Executive Director, Catholic Action League of Massachusetts

“This book is a great read for those who pray outside of abortion clinics or are considering it. The best parts are the factual descriptions of what actually happens outside a clinic. It introduces all of the characters you are likely to meet: clinic workers and volunteers, other prayer warriors and counselors, and, most importantly, women who are considering abortion. Dowd offers excellent examples of how to engage with these and others in calm, empathetic dialogue.” — Jennifer Hurt, Pro-life Ministry Leader, Philosophy MA Holy Apostles 

“Like watching a trainwreck, you won’t be able to tear your eyes away. You won’t be able to unsee the story David Dowd, a sidewalk counselor and advocate, has put together for you. Yet, an essential story for everyone on the right side of life, a story that will resonate with anyone who’s ever tried to save an unborn child.” — Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, a Lay Dominican of the Province of St. Albert the Great

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ABOUT THE COMMENTATOR

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS

God’s Memoir

by Kristina Olsen, OCDS, PhD

TESTIMONIALS

“An interesting and creative piece of writing.” – Fr. Salvatore Sciurba, OCD

“What a beautiful, poetic, inspiring book! We may think that we know the basics of the faith so well that we will never read anything new. Not so! In this original creative book, we feel inspired to sing a new song to our God.” – Dr. Ronda Chervin is the author of numerous books about Catholic spirituality and a media presenter

“I’ve never heard of such a creative book.” – Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson, author of Survivor: A Memoir of Forgiveness

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Kristina Olsen has a Ph.D. in Theology/Spirituality from Catholic University of America, a D.B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Maryland, and an M.S. in Computer Science from Northwestern University. She also has certifications in Project Management (PMP) and Change Management (PCP). She is retired from Bell Laboratories, where she was a Member of the Technical Staff. Currently she works in the Office of Innovation and Technology at the City of Philadelphia. She also teaches courses in Theology, Business and Information Technology at several universities. She is a member of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS).

OTHER CATHOLIC MEMOIRS