Review: My Life with the Jedi

In this insightful book, My Life with the Jedi: The Spirituality of Star Wars, author Eric A. Clayton takes us on an Ignatian journey around the Star Wars universe.

A little self-disclosure, I saw Star Wars when it was first released. I was a teenager soaking up all the Sci-Fi I could get my hands on, so you can imagine I fell instantly in love with these heroes and villains. The unique gift of the Star Wars universe is how subsequent generations have delved into the adventure. Parents have introduced it to the children, and it has become a multigenerational experience for the family. What better opportunity to also use it for a little evangelization and instruction?

As Catholics, we always enjoyed the inside joke response anytime we heard “ May the Force be with you.” We cleverly kept up with the new translation, too, just in time for new generations to join in the fun. so it comes as no surprise that Clayton would delve into Ignatian spirituality in concert with the many iterations of the Star Wars canon. After all, Star Wars is an epic adventure that takes us across the universe, only to take us interiorly in a study of The Human Condition. 

We’re familiar with the battle of Good versus Evil–and all the gray that fills the space between the two extremes, but Clayton explores all the many stories that make up the canon. While I have seen all three of the trilogies, and read a good many of the books, I haven’t watched all of the new series. I will, however, express my opinion that “The Mandalorian” is the best of the best.

Nevertheless, you don’t need to be familiar with all the characters; Clayton does a fine job of providing context for his exploration of Ignatian spirituality through the lens of Star Wars. It works.

Clayton sets the framework of his spiritual discussion within the narratives, analyzing motives and growth with a parallel discussion of the Ignatian perspective. The sections end with an examen-like exercise that encourages the reader to put into action the lessons learned.

I enjoyed the book, as I imagine many Star Wars fans would, but you don’t have to be a super-fan to enjoy how Clayton weaves the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius through a storyline that already explores the human condition. 


  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Loyola Press (February 27, 2024)
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0829457011
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0829457018

Review: Living the Seasons

Living the Seasons: Simple Ways to Celebrate the Beauty of Your Faith Throughout the Year by Erica Tighe Campbell, Ave Maria Press

Living the Seasons: Simple Ways to Celebrate the Beauty of Your Faith Throughout the Year, by Erica Tighe Campbell (Ave Maria Press, 2023) is a delightful and practical resource for Catholic mothers and families looking for a rich and family-fun way to celebrate the liturgical seasons of the Catholic Church. Campbell, owner and designer of Be a Heart, understands the importance of family bonding and spiritual growth. This book is filled projects and crafts that bring the liturgical calendar to life in a meaningful and enjoyable way. Don’t worry if crafts are not your thing! Campbell offers good advice and the crafts have easily accessible supplies. The beautiful pictures are great guides, too.

From Advent to Ordinary Time and back, Campbell gives us a wonderful selection of activities that cater to various age groups and interests within the family. Whether they are simple crafts for young children or more complex projects for older children, every member of the family can find ways to celebrate their faith.

The activities are designed to encourage families to spend quality time with one another, deepening their bonds through shared experiences rooted in the teachings of the Church. Whether it’s designing an Advent banner, creating a cardboard cactus during Lent, or preparing a special meal for a feast day, each project gives space for conversation and reflection. I especially love how she incorporates prayer as part of these activities.

Living the Seasons is a great resource for Catholic families seeking an activity-based approach to celebrating the faith. It’s filled with activities and projects that deepen that celebrate the liturgical seasons in creative ways while creating lasting memories. This book is a lovely companion for families looking for ways to introduce the celebration of all the liturgical seasons throughout the year.


  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ave Maria Press (October 6, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1646802314
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1646802319

Review: Poems Every Child Should Know

Book Review: Poems Every Child Should Know, compiled by Joseph Pearce

I love Joseph Pearce’s collection, Poems Every Child Should Know. This beautifully curated collection elegantly presents classic poetry that will shape hearts and minds and serve as an entry point into the sometimes daunting world of poetry.

When I was a freshman in college, I had a composition professor who assigned more literary reading to us than the literature professor. We were required to memorize a poem from a list, and I chose “Daffodils” by William Wordsworth. The rhyme and rhythm made it easy to memorize. I just wanted a quick solution to the assignment. I never expected that decades later, I can still recite the poem. It has been part party trick and part prayer to be able to recite this poem at various times in my life. Not only did it introduce me to the joy and challenge of poetry, but it showed me that it can have spiritual roots, too.

Reading good classical poetry contributes to a well-rounded education and creates a foundation for a lifelong love of literature and learning. This collection, designed for children, is really for anyone who wants to embrace the universal language of poetry. Its beauty, in carefully selected poems, is representative of the richness of the poetic literary tradition. Each section dedicated to an author’s work also provides a thematic context for the reader.

Some of my favorite selections include a section on so many beloved Mother Goose rhymes, poems by Gerard Manley Hopkins, and of course my favorite, “Daffodils.” It also has the lovely William Blake, and the touching A.A. Milne. I am enjoying revisiting many of the poems in this season of my life, and sharing my favorites with my grandchildren.

Within the pages of this lovely book, one can find echoes of the Catholic literary tradition, too. Poems exploring themes of love, compassion, and the wonders of creation are presented in a way that aligns with the moral and spiritual values often associated with the teachings of the Catholic Church. The collection serves as a subtle guide for parents and educators seeking to impart not only the joys of literature but also enduring virtues to the next generation.

Highly recommended.


  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ TAN Books (March 21, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Imitation Leather ‏ : ‎ 344 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1505126303
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1505126304

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