A book Review: Full of Grace, by Christine Watkins

At times of sorrow and great trials, one calls out to God, “Where are you, HELP!” Something to show definitively that He is there, proof that this too shall pass, would be consolation to get through each day we only dream of receiving. Usually there is just silence, a quiet that gives no hope.

Lisa Hendey, of Catholicmom.com, put out a request for some moms to write a review on a book called, “Full of Grace” written by Christine Watkins, a spiritual director and convert to the Catholic Church from Atheism or at least gnosticism. In Christine’s book written earlier this year, 2010, is an amazing compilation of stories of people searching for something, someone to help them get through each day of their life’s situation. Each of these six souls, including herself, endures situations very different from each other, yet with a common denominator, the search and knowledge of God.

Goran, John, Papa Jaime, Angela, Michael, and Christine tell stories of alarming degrees of desparation, isolation, and at times, complete hopelessness to the near point of death in some cases. During my reading of the book, I felt it difficult to believe such tribulations and human struggle. I would tell myself, “Good grief, this is too weird, or too unbelievable and dramatized.” Only to be reminded by my own deep faith in the love our Holy Mother has for us throughout the ages.


The journeys from the pit of life to the amazing place called Medugorje and the power of prayer, peace, and divine love is incredible enough, but to read the unfolding of deliverance at the hands of our Holy Mother’s divine love and nurturing is a blessing of hope. How astonishing is it to be cured of cancer, addiction, hopelessness, and given a new life of love, mercy, and forgiveness.



The search is over for these six believers, but is it for you the reader? Where are you in your faith journey? Do you need a shot of encouragement and hope? Inspired by this book, you may see similarities in the stories and know that if they can receive the motherly attention of our Divine Matriarch, so can you. Ponder the questions and thought provoking reflections at the end of each story, read the messages our blessed mother continues to send to us like the one below for further help in turning to a more disciplined prayer life and especially the rosary.

Dear Children, as I look at you, my heart seizes with pain. Where are you going my children? How you sunk so deeply into sin that you do not know how to stop yourselves? You justify yourselves with sin and live according to it. Kneel down beneath the Cross and look at my Son. He conquered sin and died so that you, my children, may live. Permit me to help you not to die, but to live with my Son forever. Thank you!

-Mary’s message of October 2, 2009, from www.Medjugorje.org.

Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with you!

Christine Watkins was kind enough to send me a copy of her book for this review. Thank you! This is a book review for http://www.catholicmom.com/