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Do you keep a journal, or have you resolved to start journaling this year? I've road-tested several options for you, including two journals that you can use with your children.
For You
CatholicMom's own Allison Gingras created the "Stay Connected" Journal series (GraceWatch Media) this year and authored the first of the three journals from the series that have already been released. If a full-year blank journal is overwhelming, try these short journals: Each is designed to be used over the course of seven weeks and can be used individually or in a group setting. They're pretty journals, printed on quality paper, and the line drawings throughout can be used for coloring if you wish.
Allison wrote The Gift of Invitation: 7 Ways Jesus Invites You to a Life of Grace, which examines seven powerful ways Jesus extends invitations to you and leads you to examine how each invitation plays out in your own life. The second journal in the series, by Tiffany Walsh, focuses on one of my favorite topics: reading! Exploring the Catholic Classics: How Spiritual Reading Can Help You Grow in Wisdom introduces seven spiritual writers: Thomas á Kempis, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), St. John Paul II, and Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade. Deanna Bartalini's journal finishes out the series and is titled Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life: Growing in Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. This journal will help you open your heart to what the Holy Spirit can do in your life.
The Catholic Journaling Bible (Our Sunday Visitor and Blessed is She) is the full Catholic Bible, the New American Bible, Revised Edition, so you'll read the same translation of Scripture you hear at Mass. The outer margins of each page in this Bible offer faintly-ruled lines for writing. I begin my day with this Bible; right now I'm praying over the daily Gospel and then jotting down a few thoughts. Occasionally you'll find a page with a hand-lettered verse: If you're artistic, you might want to embellish that page. This Bible is a high-quality hardcover book with a linen cover and elegant design.
Maria Shriver's I've Been Thinking ... The Journal is a companion to her recent I've Been Thinking ... Reflections, Prayers, and Meditations for a Meaningful Life (both from Penguin Random House). It's faith-based but not specifically Catholic, and organized according to the seasons and holidays of the year. The journal is set up in a weekly format, with at least four pages per week. Each week begins with a quote and short reflection with a journal prompts and plenty of space to write. Next, you'll find a prayer and another small writing box, a few lines for a midweek reflection, and for the end of the week, a section called "My Yippee! Moment of the Week."
Above All by Elizabeth Foss (To Take Up and Read) is a beautifully presented Lenten lectio divina journal. It's based on Colossians 3:12-17 and combines original art and essays with Scripture readings and meditations -- and offers plenty of space for you to write your own thoughts. This is a slightly oversized book, at 7x10 inches. To Take Up and Read has also produced many other journals for other times of year.
For You and the Kids
Side by Side: A Catholic Mother-Daughter Journal by Lori and Ava Ubowski (Ave Maria Press) was written by a mom and her tween daughter and is a fun way for moms and young girls to bond. Each page contains writing prompts that invite users of the journal to share their thoughts and their faith while they learn about virtue through the example of biblical women and the saints.
The Daily Question for You and Your Child (WaterBrook) is more of a conversation starter than a journal; at one page for two people's answers for three years in a row, each person will only get to write a sentence each time. But the questions are a lot of fun. This journal would be good to use at the dinner table to spark an interesting discussion, or anytime parents and kids have some down time together. I'd recommend this for use with children 8 and up.
What's a new journal without new pens to go with it? Here are a few of my favorites:
- Zebra F-301 0.7mm (the only pen I use for the journaling Bible, which has thin paper)
- Pentel EnerGel Liquid Gel Ink (excellent all-purpose pen)
- PaperMate InkJoy Gel (quick drying, no smears, many colors available, great for kids' journals)
- Staedtler Dry Plus Fineliner (wide assortment of colors, very fine line)
Visit our Book Notes archive.
Copyright 2018 Barb Szyszkiewicz, OFS This article contains Amazon affiliate links; your purchases through these links benefit the author.
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