Diary of a Country Mother: A Year Remembering Tim
by Cynthia A. Montanaro
In Diary of a Country Mother, Cynthia A. Montanaro lovingly remembers her son Tim, whose joyful spirit and generous heart touched everyone he met. Structured across a year in the New England countryside, these reflections weave memories, Catholic faith, humour, grief, and prayer into a testimony of grace. More than an account of loss, this memoir affirms the immeasurable dignity of every person and reveals how suffering, entrusted to God, can yield healing, peace, and hope.
Paperback $19.95 | Audible $14.99 | Kindle $9.99
TESTIMONIALS
“I have just this minute put down the last page of Diary of a Country Mother. My word, what can one say? Cynthia Montanaro has given us the story of a splendidly faithful Catholic household…. The word ‘contemplative’ is the key to this amazing memoir, and the quiet pace belongs to its essence. Every chapter (or meditation) entails some concrete, softly-textured, domestic narrative, all bespeaking both Tim’s inner man and the household in which the Lord placed him to pass his brief time on this earth. Every episode has its keen point, and the combination of the domestic with the use of hymns, Scripture, the liturgy, Catholic writings, and Cynthia’s own reflections, produce the richness the reader will find here.” —THOMAS HOWARD, PH.D., author of Hallowed Be This House; Lead Kindly Light; Chance or the Dance; The Dove Descending
“Cynthia Montanaro is an excellent writer and this is a beautiful book. She demonstrates how the liturgical year provides the framework for embracing the joys and difficulties of family life.” —KIMBERLY HAHN, co-author with Scott Hahn of Rome Sweet Home; Author of Legacy of Love and Beloved and Blessed
“I enjoyed reading the daily reflections in Diary of a Country Mother, and learning of the impact Tim had on the lives of so many people. This memoir beautifully captures the reality that each and every person, regardless of any limitations or ailments, has profound value and can have significant impact on the lives of those around them.” —Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, former Archbishop of Hartford, Connecticut
“Diary of a Country Mother is an inspiring narrative about the redeemed sufferings of a mentally disturbed child with a beautiful soul. As we read this blend of Scripture, quotations from holy people, and the thoughts of Tim’s mother, we become reconciled to our own sufferings.” —Ronda Chervin, Ph.D, The Kiss from the Cross; Saints for Every Kind of Suffering
“As I turned the pages I was drawn in, not to a tragedy but to the life of a family immersed in the beauty of a faith-filled life. Cynthia Montanaro’s memoir is painted against the backdrop of a full year in the New England countryside where the daily pattern of a sacramental life, close to God and to the earth, brings healing, peace, and wisdom. Diary of a Country Mother gives me hope that I too, will be sustained by grace in life’s darkest moments.” —Daria Sockey, Everyday Catholic’s Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours
“What an honor and blessing to read this gently flowing memoir about Timothy, a young man who mysteriously and tragically left this world while still a youth. Yet thanks to his devoted mother, his life and death now serve to remind each of us that all hope is possible in the firmness of faith and the merciful love of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.” —Patricia Hershwitzky, founder of Trinity Bridge
“I love Cynthia’s friendly, down-to-earth style. Her strong faith is warmly wrapped around each day, offering precious comfort and hope to grievers who have faced similar circumstances. Families who have dealt with ADHD or Tourette Syndrome will find validation and strength in Diary of a Country Mother.” —Elaine Stillwell, The Death of a Child, Reflections for Grieving Parents
“I laughed, I cried, I prayed, I thanked God for the opportunity to meet Tim and to know such a devoted family. God bless a Country Mother who taught this city girl how much more to love my kids.” —Lynda Collins, homeschooling mother
“Like Our Lady’s grief at the death of her Son, Cynthia’s sorrow is illuminated and shot through by the light of the resurrected Christ. Consequently, this book is in no way depressing. Instead, it records the peace that passes understanding, the confident hope that true faith gives, and above all, love elevated and fulfilled by Love. The reader will come to know Tim well, and to know him is absolutely to love him.” —Suzie Andres, A Little Way of Homeschooling
“Tender, luminous, and deeply faithful, Diary of a Country Mother transforms a family’s sorrow into testimony. Cynthia Montanaro’s loving remembrance of Tim reveals how grace preserves every life’s meaning and carries hope beyond loss forever.” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, author of The Narrative Spirituality of Dante’s Divine Comedy
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cynthia Montanaro is a wife, mother, grandmother, and Secular Carmelite. She and her husband live in rural Massachusetts.
OTHER CATHOLIC POPULAR SPIRITUALITY
Slow Dancing with Jesus: Living Joyfully as a Single Catholic Woman! by Miss Robyne L. Ferri
Slow Dancing with Jesus: Living Joyfully as a Single Catholic Woman! by Miss Robyne L. Ferri Slow Dancing with Jesus invites single Catholic women to discover joy, peace, and fulfilment in God during their single life journey, regardless of the length of that journey....
Priest, Victim, Surrender by Fr. Eugène Prévost and Mother St. Teresa of Jesus
Priest, Victim, Surrender by Fr. Eugène Prévost and Mother St. Teresa of Jesus. Translated by Sr. Pauline Labrecque and edited by Dr. Mary Elizabeth Anne Kloska, Fiat+ Drawing from the profound writings of Fr. Eugène Prévost and Mother St. Teresa of Jesus, Priest,...
Discerning Stirrings: A Personal Experience of Catholic Spirituality by Francis V. Tiso
Discerning Stirrings: A Personal Experience of Catholic Spirituality by Francis V. Tiso Discerning Stirrings is Fr. Francis V. Tiso's profound reflection on the Catholic spiritual journey, drawing together decades of pastoral experience, theological scholarship, and...
Salvation History: God’s Rescue Operation by Dcn. Jim McFadden
Salvation History: God's Rescue Operation By Dcn. Jim McFadden Salvation History: God’s Rescue Operation presents Scripture as the unfolding story of God’s tenacious love for humanity. Deacon Jim McFadden traces this saving plan from Adam and Eve through Abraham,...
La Renovación Carismática Católica, Revisada por Padre Ray Introvigne, M.Div. y William Ayles, D.D.
La Renovación Carismática Católica, Revisada por Fr. Ray Introvigne, M.Div., and William Ayles, D.D. La Renovación Carismática Católica es una «experiencia que lleva de la cabeza al corazón», plenamente respaldada por nuestros Santos Padres de la era moderna. Este...
The Mass Unveiled: Encountering Heaven on Earth by Augustine Kelechi Ikegwu
The Mass Unveiled: Encountering Heaven on Earth by Augustine Kelechi Ikegwu The Catholic Mass is Heaven's greatest mystery, often hidden in plain sight. Behind every prayer, gesture, and moment of silence lies a divine drama in which Heaven touches Earth, and Christ...
Locusts and Wild Honey: Meditations on John the Baptist by Fr. Dennis J. Billy, CSsR
Locusts and Wild Honey: Meditations on John the Baptist by Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. In Locusts and Wild Honey, Fr. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R., offers a deeply contemplative exploration of the life, mission, and spiritual significance of John the Baptist. Through rich...
Holiness in the Hundred-Acre Wood (or What Tiggers Like Best!) by Fr. Lawrence Maria Waszkiewicz
Published in collaboration with the Christian Center for Culture of Mary Our Queen.Holiness in the Hundred-Acre Wood (or What Tiggers Like Best!) by Fr. Lawrence Maria Waszkiewicz Many adults joyfully return to the books they loved as children in later years,...
The Uncreated Fire: A Metaphysical Offering in Procession and Return by Basil, Obl. O.S.B.
The Uncreated Fire: A Metaphysical Offering in Procession and Return by Basil, Oblate Order of St. Benedict (Obl. O.S.B.) What if the deepest truth of the universe is not concept, not structure, not sequence— but fire? What if the Trinity is not a doctrine to be...
The Breath that Never Ages by Basil, Obl. O.S.B.
The Breath that Never Ages by Basil, Oblate Order of St. Benedict (Obl. O.S.B.) This is not a book. It is a breath. A theological meditation on time, erosion, and divine endurance, The Breath That Never Ages is the final offering of Basil, Oblate Order of St....
That the Figure May Remain Whole: A Liturgical Offering in Breath and Gesture by Basil, Obl. O.S.B.
That the Figure May Remain Whole: A Liturgical Offering in Breath and Gesture by Basil, Oblate Order of St. Benedict (Obl. O.S.B.) Let the work be quiet. Let the breath be whole. Let the figure remain. This manuscript is a liturgical reflection in seven movements. It...
Tinsel Talk: Fakery or Pleasantry? by Ronda Chervin
Tinsel Talk: Fakery or Pleasantry? By Ronda Chervin Tinsel Talk: Fakery or Pleasantry? by Ronda Chervin explores the subtle ways everyday language can obscure truth through euphemism, exaggeration, and convention. Drawing from philosophy, spirituality, and lived...
Our Befriending God by Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R.
Our Befriending God by Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. Our Befriending God invites readers into the heart of the Catholic call to holiness, revealing friendship with God as the goal of the spiritual life. Drawing on Scripture, tradition, and the lives of the saints, Fr....
This is the Hour: The Urgency of Living for Christ Now by Dr. Marcus Peter
This is the Hour: The Urgency of Living for Christ Now by Dr. Marcus B. Peter This Is the Hour by Dr. Marcus Peter is a compelling spiritual call to awaken to the urgency of the Christian life. Rooted in Scripture and salvation history, it explores Christ’s “hour” as...
Meditations on Deification and the Luminous Mysteries by Dr. Matthew Tsakanikas
Meditations on Deification and the Luminous Mysteries by Matthew A. Tsakanikas, STD This meditation booklet by Dr. Matthew A. Tsakanikas offers theologically rich reflections on the Luminous Mysteries, emphasizing the call to share in God’s divine life through Christ...
Overcome with Paschal Joy: Carrying your Cross in the Joy of the Paschal Mystery by Rev. Matthew Pohlman
Overcome with Paschal Joy: Carrying your Cross in the Joy of the Paschal Mystery by Rev. Matthew Pohlman In Overcome with Paschal Joy, Rev. Matthew Pohlman invites readers into the paradox at the heart of the Christian life: that suffering, united to Christ, becomes a...
Radical Surrender: Letters to Seminarians by Fr. Michael Najim
Radical Surrender: Letters to Seminarians By Fr. Michael Najim In Radical Surrender: Letters to Seminarians, Father Michael Najim offers a series of spiritual letters designed to accompany men discerning the priesthood. Written in the spirit of lectio divina, these...
Mass Divisions: That the Cause of Our Downfall Might Become the Means of Our Salvation by Fr. Roc O’Connor, SJ
Mass Divisions: That the Cause of Our Downfall Might Become the Means of Our Salvation by Roc O'Connor, SJ In Mass Divisions, Roc O’Connor, SJ explores the inner landscapes of persons in our country and church, marked as they are by precarious divisions, to offer a...
A Shepherd by the Cross by Dr. Mary Elizabeth Kloska, Th.D.
A Shepherd by the Cross by Dr. Mary Elizabeth Anne Kloska, Fiat+ A Shepherd by the Cross is a meditative retreat text that invites priests into a prayerful dialogue with Christ the Eternal High Priest. Through reflections on the Passion and the maternal presence of...
The Treasure of Confession by Dr. Annabelle Moseley
The Treasure of Confession by Dr. Annabelle Moseley, Th.D. This little book summons you to discover ever more deeply, the multi-faceted beauty and worth of the Sacrament of Confession: treasure that is in many ways hidden-in-plain sight, yet nevertheless is a call to...
My Seal on His Heart: Eucharistic Intimacy in the Song of Songs by Fr. Gregory Cleveland, OMV
My Seal on His Heart: Eucharistic Intimacy in the Song of Songs by Fr. Gregory Cleveland, OMV In My Seal on His Heart, Fr. Cleveland unveils the Song of Songs as the key that unlocks the deepest mystery of the Eucharist: God’s desire to unite Himself to His people in...
Lavished in Love: Daily Short Lenten Meditations by Dr. Marcus B. Peter
Published by Credo Publishing, an imprint of En Route Books and Media!Lavished in Love: Daily Short Lenten Meditations by Dr. Marcus B. Peter Lavished in Love invites readers into a daily Lenten pilgrimage shaped by Scripture, the Catechism, and the wisdom of the...
Going Forth: St. Alphonsus de Liguori and the Spirituality of Mission by Rev. Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R.
Going Forth: St. Alphonsus de Liguori and the Spirituality of Mission by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. This book completes Fr. Dennis J. Billy’s acclaimed trilogy on Alphonsian spirituality. Drawing on theology, history, and pastoral insight, Fr. Billy explores how mission...
40 Short Lenten Reflections: A Journal to Get You to Easter by Fr. Peter Grover, OMV
40 Short Lenten Reflections: A Journal to Get You to Easter by Fr. Peter Grover, OMV 40 Short Lenten Reflections invites readers to experience Lent as a spiritual marathon—one marked by discipline, perseverance, humility, and grace. Drawing on vivid stories from...
The Mosaic of Life by Fr. Vasyl Chepelskyy
The Mosaic of Life by Fr. Vasyl Chepelskyy We all want to be happy. We try so hard to find the happiness we long for, often looking in the wrong places and ending up disappointed. As a result, happiness can feel impossible to attain. This disappointment may lead us to...
Living Fiat Crucified Love: Littleness, Spousal Love and the Cross by Dr. Mary Kloska
Living Fiat Crucified Love: Littleness, Spousal Love and the Cross by Dr. Mary Elizabeth Anne Kloska, Fiat+ Living Crucified Fiat Love offers a clear, accessible introduction to Dr. Mary Elizabeth Kloska’s profound theology of Christ’s self-emptying love, Our Lady’s...
Known: A Journey into God’s Identity and Yours by Cathy Garland and Randy Colver
Special thanks to Tamara Colver Dixon for designing the cover.Known: A Journey into God's Identity and Yours by Cathy Garland and Dr. Randy Colver You Were Meant to Know God—And Know Yourself in the Light of His Names Known: A Journey into God’s Identity and Yours is...
The Disciple Christ Deserves: A Catholic Spiritual Director’s Approach by Rev. Michael J. Stalla, DMin
The Disciple Christ Deserves: A Catholic Spiritual Director’s Approach by Rev. Michael J. Stalla, DMin The journey to the Father is a joyful one, but there are times that the fragments of life, like bits and pieces of broken glass, seem shattered, seem useless. God...
The Womb of My Heart Rosary Devotional by Laura Ercolino
The Womb of My Heart Rosary Devotional by Laura Ercolino In The Womb of My Heart, Laura Ercolino invites readers to encounter the mysteries of the Rosary as a living participation in Christ’s life and love. Guided by Mary, the soul becomes a spiritual womb where...
Daily Journal: 30-day Prayer Prescription by Gina Witt
Daily Journal: 30-Day Prayer Prescription by Gina Witt Daily Journal: 30-Day Prayer Prescription is a practical spiritual guide designed to deepen daily communion with God. Over 30 days, readers receive scripture-based reflections, intentional prayer prompts, and...
The Suffering Paradox by Keithen Hamilton
The Suffering Paradox by Keithen Hamilton This book explores the profound mystery of human suffering through a lens of Christian faith. Drawing from theology, philosophy, and personal witness, Keithen Hamilton reflects on how pain, while deeply challenging, can become...
The Hidden Self Grown Strong in God: The Collected Essays of Father George Aschenbrenner, S.J.
The Hidden Self Grown Strong in God: The Collected Essays of Father George Aschenbrenner, S.J. by Fr. George Aschenbrenner, S.J. This book gathers the profound spiritual insights of Fr. George Aschenbrenner, S.J., offering a lifetime of wisdom on prayer, discernment,...
¿Quién Dices Que Soy Yo?: Un Estudio del Secreto Mesiánico por Juan Novo
¿Quién Dices Que Soy Yo?: Un Estudio del Secreto Mesiánico by Juan Novo Abrí la Biblia un día hermoso y leí: "Y mientras bajaban del monte, Él [Jesús] les ordenó que no contaran a nadie lo que habían visto, hasta que el Hijo del hombre resucitara de entre los...
Journeys in Faith with Anne DeSantis
Journeys in Faith with Anne DeSantis by Anne DeSantis Journeys in Faith with Anne DeSantis invites readers into a tapestry of real-life stories—testimonies of hope, healing, and the quiet heroism of everyday believers. Drawn from Anne’s inspiring video series, each...
Paradise for God: St. Alphonsus de Liguori and the Spirituality of Heart by Dennis J. Billy, C.Ss.R.
Paradise for God: St. Alphonsus de Liguori and the Spirituality of Heart by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. Paradise for God explores St. Alphonsus de Liguori’s “spirituality of heart,” examining his vision of conversion, prayer, and intimate friendship with God. Focusing on...
Awakening Love: An Ignatian Retreat with the Song of Songs by Fr. Gregory Cleveland, OMV
Awakening Love: An Ignatian Retreat with the Song of Songs by Fr. Gregory Cleveland, OMV The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and the Song of Songs are spiritual masterpieces that have changed countless lives and intrigued saints throughout the ages....
“Who Do You Say I Am?”: A Study of the Messianic Secret by Juan Novo
"Who Do You Say I Am?": A Study of the Messianic Secret by Juan Novo I opened the Bible one beautiful day and read: “And as they were coming down the mountain, he [Jesus] charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of man should have risen from the...
Mercy in All Things: Reflections on the Diary of St Faustina Kowalska by Fr. Éamonn P. Bourke
Mercy in All Things: Reflections on the Diary of St Faustina Kowalska By Father Éamonn Bourke ‘Act in such a way that all those who come in contact with you will go away joyful. Sow happiness about you because you have received much from God.’ This book is a series...
Heart Speaks to Heart: A Review of Life and Healing Prayer by Fr. John Horn, SJ
Heart Speaks to Heart: A Review of Life and Healing Prayer By Fr. John Horn, S.J. This workbook invites readers into the depths of their history, thoughts, and feelings, so that they can be led into prayerful communion with Christ. Through the tools found in this...
Healing Prayer: Practical Mysticism and St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises by Fr. John Horn, SJ
Healing Prayer: Practical Mysticism and St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises By Fr. John Horn, S.J. Healing Prayer is a necessary aid to all who guide others into a life of prayer. It is especially meant for spiritual directors and pastors. Several chapters of the book...
Make Your Home in Me: Reflections on Prayer by Father Éamonn Bourke
Make Your Home in Me: Reflections on Prayer By Father Éamonn Bourke Father Bourke’s book takes the sometimes elusive process of prayer and presents it in easily accessible terms. Because of this gift for clarity in the author, this book makes prayer inviting and...
Consecration to Christ the Bridegroom: Enthroning Christ as the King of Your Heart by Laura Ercolino
Consecration to Christ the Bridegroom: Enthroning Christ as the King of Your Heart By Laura Ercolino Are you, like so many, seeking refreshment and restoration for your soul, as you walk through the desert of our present culture? Have you found only mirages and “false...
Victory over Death: Foretastes of Eternity in Prayer by Ronda Chervin
Victory over Death: Foretastes of Eternity in Prayer By Ronda Chervin This beautiful little book is meant for all of us -- because no one can escape the mystery of death. To nourish trust in God and overcome our fears, the author teaches us to immerse ourselves in...
Speaking One’s Soul: Magnifying God’s Word in a Madly Godless World by Patti Hershwitzky and Mary Sobel Ott
Patti HershwitzkyAt Our Lady of Grace, Palm Bay FSip and ShopDecember 6, 2025Speaking One’s Soul: Magnifying God’s Word in a Madly Godless World by Patti Hershwitzky, Ed.S. and Mary Sobel Ott Innumerous works through the ages have addressed the contradictions and...
A Rosary for Religious and Restless Minds: The Structured Contemplative Rosary – A New Method of Contemplation within The Holy Rosary by Stephen W. Rouhana, Ph.D.
A Rosary for Religious and Restless Minds: The Structured Contemplative Rosary - A New Method of Contemplation within The Holy Rosary by Stephen W. Rouhana, Ph.D. This book introduces a new method to pray the Rosary that helps the person praying stay focused on the...
SEE SEVEN SEAS and FOLLOWING SEAS by Vincent Salamoni
On November 13, 2025, Pope Leo XIV established the Apostolate of the Sea, defining the Church’s global pastoral ministry to seafarers and maritime communities. Operating under the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, it establishes governance structures...
The Power of Humor by Fr. Eugene Azorji
Parish Book SigningMarch 2025The Power of Humor by Fr. Eugene Azorji This book explores the profound role humor and metaphor play in communication, spirituality, and human relationships. Through biblical insights, cultural anecdotes, and theological reflections, the...
How Saints Change by Kristina R. Olsen, Ph.D., OCDS
How Saints Change Kristina R. Olsen, Ph.D., OCDS This book explores the transformative journeys of Christian saints, showing how their encounters with Jesus led to profound personal changes and inspired their lives of faith. Through stories of figures like Mary, St....
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Revisited by Fr. Ray Introvigne and William Ayles, D.D.
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Revisited by Fr. Ray Introvigne, M.Div., and William Ayles, D.D. The Catholic Charismatic Renewal is a “Head to Heart Experience”—and is fully backed by our modern-day Holy Fathers. This book is dedicated to all our fellow Catholic...
Saints and the Struggle for a Christian Society by Paul Likoudis
Saints and the Struggle for a Christian Society authored by Paul Likoudis and edited by Andrew Likoudis Paul Likoudis examines the lives of over sixty saints, drawing lessons on their contributions to Christian civilization and personal holiness. Likoudis highlights...