As Christmas approaches and we begin to think about gifts that enrich the spirit, we launch Bound by Faith — an occasional feature highlighting books written by authors within our own Diocese of Norwich. This first installment brings together three inspiring works by local writers whose faith and insight offer the perfect spiritual nourishment for the Advent and Christmas seasons.
She Loved: Resting in the Beauty of Motherhood
By Suzanne Bilodeau, Christ the King Parish, Old Lyme — Published by Ascension Press
I met author Suzanne Bilodeau at a sidewalk café in Essex, where the conversation about her book flowed as naturally as the coffee being poured. She Loved: Resting in the Beauty of Motherhood is both luminous and practical — a collection of reflections by older mothers writing heartfelt letters to their younger selves. Each chapter gently explores the joys and struggles of motherhood through the lens of Saint Paul’s great hymn to love from 1 Corinthians 13: “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful…”Bilodeau organizes the book around this timeless passage, allowing every virtue and challenge of love to unfold in the context of family life. Interwoven among the letters are thought-provoking quotes and bits of wisdom from saints, offering reassurance that even the most ordinary moments of parenting are occasions of grace. It’s a book you’ll want to leave out on your coffee table — the kind you open for a few minutes of peace and end up reading for an hour.
The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Revisited
By Rev. Raymond Introvigne, Founder, Spiritual Renewal Services, Diocese of Norwich, and William Ayles, D.D.
At 93, Father Ray Introvigne still radiates the joy of the Holy Spirit that has marked his decades of ministry. For nearly ten years, I have been blessed to have Father Ray as my spiritual director, and his wisdom, humor, and profound faith have shaped both my spiritual life and my understanding of God’s grace at work in everyday moments.
In his new book, The Catholic Charismatic Renewal Revisited, Father Ray reflects on the movement that took root in our diocese in the 1970s and continues to inspire prayer groups and parish communities today. He writes with the humility of one who has seen firsthand the Spirit at work — through healing, conversion, and deepened love of the Church. His book is part history, part testimony, and wholly an invitation to rediscover the seven gifts of the Spirit as a living force in our lives.
Whether you experienced the Renewal years ago or are hearing about it for the first time, Father Ray’s warmth and conviction remind us that spiritual renewal is always possible.
Beloved Disciple: Living Out Your Marian Consecration Daily
By Fr. Josémaría M. Barbin, F.I.
Marian Friary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Griswold
Fr. Josémaría Barbin, Vocations Director for the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, offers a daily guide for those seeking to live their Marian consecration more deeply. Beloved Disciple combines short meditations with practical suggestions for drawing closer to Our Lady — and through her, to Christ. His tone is both theological and tender, showing that consecration is not a single act but a lifelong relationship of trust and love.
Fr. Josémaría’s gentle wisdom and clarity of thought have drawn national attention, including a wonderful interview on Matt Fradd’s popular podcast Pints With Aquinas. In their conversation, he shares how true devotion to Mary leads us to imitate her virtues of humility, obedience, and joy — virtues that prepare the soul to receive Christ more completely. For listeners and readers alike, his words reveal the heart of a friar whose life of prayer and consecration is itself a testimony to the peace that comes from belonging entirely to Jesus through Mary.
Each of these authors — a mother, a seasoned priest, and a contemplative friar — reveals a facet of the same truth: love, in all its forms, is patient, kind, and enduring. This Christmas, consider giving a book that not only fills a shelf but also fills the heart — gifts Bound by Faith.
By Wayne Gignac