Begin Again: The Life and Spiritual Legacy of Bruno Lanteri

I am reading this book slowly and I am almost half done. The Venerable Pio Bruno Lanteri inspired the spirituality of St. Louis de Montfort, who spent his life giving missions helping people to seek holiness by consecrating their lives to Jesus, through Mary, the Holy Mother of God. It's all there, the biography, spiritual formation, and inspiration of this great and holy priest. It includes, from the 17th Century, teachings about the hope and trust in the Divine Mercy, the purpose of St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises, and true devotion to Mary. For anyone who has secretly prayed to be made into a Saint, and who wonders if it is possible, this book is the answer, this book will affirm that a saint's life is indeed the call for many, and may we all pray that we are included in the many. If we fall one thousand times a day, says the Venerable Bruno Lanteri, then we get up 1,000 times and say "Now I Begin".

Fr. Gallagher did an excellent job giving us the life of Bruno Lanteri and his Spiritual Direction philosophy. The key phrase that helps me the most is when you find yourself failing in an area, put it behind you and begin again. Don't dwell on the mistake or failure, begin again doing what you know to be right. There is more to it of course but for me, this direction is very important.

This is easy to read and the life of Ven. Lanteri gives encouragement to anyone who finds their efforts at apostolate to be difficult or have setbacks, etc. He kept moving forward in spite of difficulties and poor health and the Oblates of the Virgin Mary are still an active Order today.

Heard about him from Fr Michael Gaitley and was curious. I think the book is well written and Bruno Lanteri is a wonderful witness for those of us who struggle to follow the Lord in season and out.

Happy with book

I benefited greatly from reading this extraordinarily well-researched book. It was particularly interesting to read about the trials that Venerable Father Lanteri underwent in bringing the moral theology of the then-Blessed Alphonsus Liguori -- who was no laxist -- into the Jansenist atmosphere of Piedmont in the early 19th century. There are many parallels between Lanteri and Pope Francis, and it is no surprise that Francis's ancestors came from the same region that Lanteri helped win back to orthodoxy with his message of divine mercy.

What a wonderful work written on the Life of Venerable Bruno Lanteri...It was a book hard to put down. His life gives hope and encouragement to never stop or give up that God has a plan and purpose for our life if we persevere and keep trying. A great witness for our times of struggle through difficulties, one that gives the encouragement needed to "Begin Again".

For spiritual encouragement.

This book is very encouraging for today's world. Fr Tim Gallagher presents the life of Bruno Lantieri, a priest, the story of whose life will 'awaken in many the courage to begin again in times of struggle and draw near to God whose love this man so effectively taught' (Harvey Dean SJ)Whilst living in a context of exciting historical significance, he overcame great odds to become a primary spiritual leader of his age, ultimately founding the Oblates of the Virgin Mary. He struggled with impatience and poor health and evolved into a man of fierce spiritual courage, a symbol of perseverance who tirelessly called the discouraged to "begin again" and trust in God's mercy.