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The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped Me to Discover the Beauty of the Cross
Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle is a Catholic author, a radio and television host, and an inspirational speaker known and admired from coast to coast. Yet with all of her public exposure, she has revealed very little about her personal history, that is, until now. When she discovered that sharing her struggles gives encouragement to others, she was persuaded to write this story of her life.
Growing up in a Polish-American Catholic family, Donna-Marie was blessed with hard-working parents who provided a stable home for their eight children. At times her childhood was golden and carefree, but other times it was tarnished by pain that she felt was best left unspoken as she sought God for help and strength.
After she left home after high school, her path took some harrowing turns. A Vietnam veteran fiancé snapped and held her against her will. She suffered pregnancy loss, serious illness, divorce, and single motherhood. Perhaps her greatest trial was an epic custody battle in which she needed to defend both her reputation as a mother and the safety of her five children.
Yet through all the dark valleys, Donna-Marie kept the fire of her faith burning. Helping her to see the beauty of the crosses in her life, and to rely on the presence and the providence of God, were saintly souls who became her friends and mentors. One of these was Blessed Mother Teresa, who was her confidant and spiritual mother for ten years.
Growing up in a Polish-American Catholic family, Donna-Marie was blessed with hard-working parents who provided a stable home for their eight children. At times her childhood was golden and carefree, but other times it was tarnished by pain that she felt was best left unspoken as she sought God for help and strength.
After she left home after high school, her path took some harrowing turns. A Vietnam veteran fiancé snapped and held her against her will. She suffered pregnancy loss, serious illness, divorce, and single motherhood. Perhaps her greatest trial was an epic custody battle in which she needed to defend both her reputation as a mother and the safety of her five children.
Yet through all the dark valleys, Donna-Marie kept the fire of her faith burning. Helping her to see the beauty of the crosses in her life, and to rely on the presence and the providence of God, were saintly souls who became her friends and mentors. One of these was Blessed Mother Teresa, who was her confidant and spiritual mother for ten years.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 29, 2015
I have been reading and reviewing Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s books for the past seven years and have been a big fan. Donna-Marie has served as an inspiration to me and to all women, speaking to us in a gentle, gracious manner, guiding us spiritually, with wisdom and love. Now, she has written a book (her twentieth) that tops them all. In The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped Me to Discover the Beauty of the Cross, she shares her life story. And, what a story it is!
In this candid, astonishing autobiographical account, this soft-spoken, delicate, and devout Catholic media celebrity reveals the shocking struggles she has tackled in life. She became engaged to a drug addict who held her against her will, threatening harm to her family. She faced miscarriages, abuse, serious illness, divorce, financial difficulties, custody battles, and single motherhood – all with great inner strength and tremendous courage. Through God’s providence, she met Mother Teresa, the spiritual guide who shepherded her through some of these trials and helped her heal. Her ten year relationship with this saint provided the spiritual nourishment she needed to stay strong and to live an even holier life. In The Kiss of Jesus, Donna-Marie also reveals the joys in her life and shares instances of the incredible joy she brings to the hearts of others. She tells us that she was “born to be a mother” and expounds on her beautiful love for her vocation.
The Kiss of Jesus is an engaging, easy to read, fast-moving story that keeps you wanting more. It is an inspiring tale that will encourage all who read it. We have all been wounded in this life and will be rejuvenated by Donna-Marie’s words of hope and healing. Her memoir speaks especially to those who have suffered injustices and are angry, bitter, or resentful. Donna-Marie teaches us how to move beyond the pain and brokenness of the past to the peace and wholeness of the present, which occurs when we forgive and cultivate compassion for others. In doing so, we, too, will experience the joy of the Lord that emanates from the Holy Spirit.
I heartily recommend The Kiss of Jesus to all my readers. It is a book that will have a profound impact on your life, drawing you in the direction of holiness.
~ Copyright 2015, Jean M. Heimann
October 27, 2015
It takes something greater than guts to give the world carte blanche to look deep into the story of your soul the way Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle does in her latest book, “The Kiss of Jesus.”
Donna-Marie’s one-after-another life combats bring her to the knowledge that her sufferings were permitted by our Lord as opportunities to share in the weight of His Cross. Her acceptance of His lessons in love drew her closer and more trusting of Him with each travail. Unfailingly, she would call upon His name, then use His grace to choose love and charity where there was none.
“The Kiss of Jesus” is really about the extent to which God thirsts for us and how our “yes” brings about the miraculous courage to do His will.
As with each of Donna-Marie's writings, I highly recommend this can't-put-it-down read...thank you and God bless you, Donna-Marie!
Donna-Marie’s one-after-another life combats bring her to the knowledge that her sufferings were permitted by our Lord as opportunities to share in the weight of His Cross. Her acceptance of His lessons in love drew her closer and more trusting of Him with each travail. Unfailingly, she would call upon His name, then use His grace to choose love and charity where there was none.
“The Kiss of Jesus” is really about the extent to which God thirsts for us and how our “yes” brings about the miraculous courage to do His will.
As with each of Donna-Marie's writings, I highly recommend this can't-put-it-down read...thank you and God bless you, Donna-Marie!
August 2, 2016
The second half of this book definitely picks up the pace and provides most of the substance for the title. Since the purely chronological narrative (first half) proceeded along a little bit dryly I think the editor could have helped out here, maybe consolidating or eliminating some events and using others to flesh out the story in a more descriptive fashion. One thing is for sure: after reading this book I admire the author's fortitude and the way she cooperated with God and avoided becoming cynical or distrusting in His care for her.
August 20, 2017
I loved this book. The cover did not draw me in - I thought it would just be one of those happy church- lady type books telling about how she met Mother Theresa, but I was constantly surprised as I was drawn deeper and deeper into her life's story; how she could endure so much suffering in her life and have so much joy and faith. I am very inspired and have much to contemplate after reading it. Thank you Donna-Marie for sharing your life with us.
May 17, 2016
After months of anticipating The Kiss of Jesus: How Mother Teresa and the Saints Helped Me to Discover the Beauty of the Cross, I read it from cover-to-cover in the span of a single day. This isn’t unheard of for me when it comes to books that are engrossing, well-written, and/or particularly inspiring. Since The Kiss of Jesus is all of the above, I stopped reading it only to eat and go to an interview.
I expected to be impressed by the caliber of the writing, and I was. I figured I’d be surprised by some of the trials Donna-Marie has faced, but I was actually floored by the amount of suffering she endured. The most miraculous and inspiring part is that she always remained trusting of God and a persistent prayer warrior.
Donna-Marie Cooper-O’Boyle has long been in the eye of the public as the author of many best-selling Catholic books, a popular speaker, as well as the host of EWTN’s “Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms” and “Catholic Mom’s Café.”
My first time meeting was at the Catholic Writers’ Conference in August 2009. She was one of the presenters. Two of Donna-Marie’s books that I have read, reviewed, and loved since our meeting in 2009 are Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship and A Catholic Woman’s Book of Prayers. I highly recommend both of them!
As I mentioned, I’d been eagerly awaiting the release of this memoir. One of the things that Donna-Marie does incredibly well is use social media as a tool for the new evangelization. In that respect, she has served as a model of faith and ongoing intercession for me and countless others.
As she writes in the preface, “I decided to open the book of my personal journey—the good and the bad, the crazy, the ugly, the scary, and the redemptive—so that with God’s grace I could offer hope, especially to those who are struggling on the sometimes precarious or crooked path that leads to heaven.”
Little did most people know that behind her joyful smile and humble demeanor is a woman who survived many dangerous situations that were miserable, confining, and demoralizing at best. Donna-Marie feared for her own safety as well as her family’s. In light of one husband’s alcohol abuse, another’s drug dealing, and the devastation of being physically, emotionally, spiritually, and sexually abused, there aren’t many types of pain she was spared.
The faith she has exhibited in the midst of incredible opposition and persecution is truly a gift from God. Her devotion to the Blessed Mother as the Mother of us all, particularly through the Miraculous Medal, has helped sow the seeds of conversion and bring about fruit in some of the most unexpected places.
When so many people in our culture and media still live by the scandal sells motto, it’s refreshing that a public figure has kept quiet for so long about the experiences she’s had that would be more likely to make headlines. She spent a huge portion of her life hiding from others the pain she was dealing with, but now she is ready and willing to bare her soul and the most intimate details of her past—not for shock value, out of revenge, or to gain notoriety—but for the purpose of bringing others closer to Christ, especially those still in the midst of the storm.
I feel certain from what I have read about and seen of Donna-Marie that her courage to do this springs from a desire to encourage others in harrowing, harmful, and hurtful situations not to give up hope. Keep praying, keep trusting, keep hoping that God can and will make all things good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Two of the prayers Donna-Marie (and I) have found to be very powerful meditations of Christ’s Passion are the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
When near the depths of despair, sometimes there is only the smallest glimmer of hope. What seems pointless, insignificant, and useless to us can be transformed into sacrifices that, when combined with Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the Cross, have real redemptive value in time and eternity.
She has overcome many of the tragedies in life I’ve feared the most: sexual abuse, abandonment, miscarriage, being a single mom, not having a safe place to live or enough money to provide for her children…
God provided numerous people, Mother Teresa being among the better known and admired, to help encourage Donna-Marie. Following the example of surrender to God’s will in all things, she has turned to the Blessed Mother and the saints for inspiration in the darkest days.
I highly recommend The Kiss of Jesus to all who have been and/or are currently experiencing times of darkness, doubt, and despair. This book is also for those who enjoy reading about people who refuse to give up while experiencing their own versions of the agony in the garden. This memoir beautifully illustrates that faith, hope, and love are possible regardless of the situation, and united with Christ’s suffering, our pain, great and small, has meaning, value, and a greater purpose.
I expected to be impressed by the caliber of the writing, and I was. I figured I’d be surprised by some of the trials Donna-Marie has faced, but I was actually floored by the amount of suffering she endured. The most miraculous and inspiring part is that she always remained trusting of God and a persistent prayer warrior.
Donna-Marie Cooper-O’Boyle has long been in the eye of the public as the author of many best-selling Catholic books, a popular speaker, as well as the host of EWTN’s “Everyday Blessings for Catholic Moms” and “Catholic Mom’s Café.”
My first time meeting was at the Catholic Writers’ Conference in August 2009. She was one of the presenters. Two of Donna-Marie’s books that I have read, reviewed, and loved since our meeting in 2009 are Mother Teresa and Me: Ten Years of Friendship and A Catholic Woman’s Book of Prayers. I highly recommend both of them!
As I mentioned, I’d been eagerly awaiting the release of this memoir. One of the things that Donna-Marie does incredibly well is use social media as a tool for the new evangelization. In that respect, she has served as a model of faith and ongoing intercession for me and countless others.
As she writes in the preface, “I decided to open the book of my personal journey—the good and the bad, the crazy, the ugly, the scary, and the redemptive—so that with God’s grace I could offer hope, especially to those who are struggling on the sometimes precarious or crooked path that leads to heaven.”
Little did most people know that behind her joyful smile and humble demeanor is a woman who survived many dangerous situations that were miserable, confining, and demoralizing at best. Donna-Marie feared for her own safety as well as her family’s. In light of one husband’s alcohol abuse, another’s drug dealing, and the devastation of being physically, emotionally, spiritually, and sexually abused, there aren’t many types of pain she was spared.
The faith she has exhibited in the midst of incredible opposition and persecution is truly a gift from God. Her devotion to the Blessed Mother as the Mother of us all, particularly through the Miraculous Medal, has helped sow the seeds of conversion and bring about fruit in some of the most unexpected places.
When so many people in our culture and media still live by the scandal sells motto, it’s refreshing that a public figure has kept quiet for so long about the experiences she’s had that would be more likely to make headlines. She spent a huge portion of her life hiding from others the pain she was dealing with, but now she is ready and willing to bare her soul and the most intimate details of her past—not for shock value, out of revenge, or to gain notoriety—but for the purpose of bringing others closer to Christ, especially those still in the midst of the storm.
I feel certain from what I have read about and seen of Donna-Marie that her courage to do this springs from a desire to encourage others in harrowing, harmful, and hurtful situations not to give up hope. Keep praying, keep trusting, keep hoping that God can and will make all things good for those who love him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Two of the prayers Donna-Marie (and I) have found to be very powerful meditations of Christ’s Passion are the Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
When near the depths of despair, sometimes there is only the smallest glimmer of hope. What seems pointless, insignificant, and useless to us can be transformed into sacrifices that, when combined with Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the Cross, have real redemptive value in time and eternity.
She has overcome many of the tragedies in life I’ve feared the most: sexual abuse, abandonment, miscarriage, being a single mom, not having a safe place to live or enough money to provide for her children…
God provided numerous people, Mother Teresa being among the better known and admired, to help encourage Donna-Marie. Following the example of surrender to God’s will in all things, she has turned to the Blessed Mother and the saints for inspiration in the darkest days.
I highly recommend The Kiss of Jesus to all who have been and/or are currently experiencing times of darkness, doubt, and despair. This book is also for those who enjoy reading about people who refuse to give up while experiencing their own versions of the agony in the garden. This memoir beautifully illustrates that faith, hope, and love are possible regardless of the situation, and united with Christ’s suffering, our pain, great and small, has meaning, value, and a greater purpose.
September 13, 2016
Amazing and inspiring!
So many of us feel inundated by life's troubles, sufferings, unfairness, and misfortunes. The author lived through quite a big share of suffering but with God's grace has succeeded to love instead of despair; and find purpose and meaning. Easy to read and very poignant.
So many of us feel inundated by life's troubles, sufferings, unfairness, and misfortunes. The author lived through quite a big share of suffering but with God's grace has succeeded to love instead of despair; and find purpose and meaning. Easy to read and very poignant.
March 31, 2018
Wow! A powerful Message of Faith Hope & Love!
I sat down on Good Friday evening after prayers were said & read it through the night! I could bot put it down.! I completed it on Easter Vigil around 2 pm! It touched my heart and It will transform my life! Thank you, Donna Marie Cooper O’Boyle for your ‘yes’ to our Lord!!
I sat down on Good Friday evening after prayers were said & read it through the night! I could bot put it down.! I completed it on Easter Vigil around 2 pm! It touched my heart and It will transform my life! Thank you, Donna Marie Cooper O’Boyle for your ‘yes’ to our Lord!!
December 21, 2017
This book could have been edited much better, so that's why I gave it three stars. Nonetheless, Donna's story is amazing and I really admire her for her faith and how it continued to grow despite all her hardship in life. At some points I honestly thought I was reading a Lifetime movie!
May 3, 2018
This is a memoir about an abused wife who comes to terms with her difficult life through the influence of Mother Teresa.
March 25, 2020
A powerful memoir! Donna-Marie shows how an abounding faith, a love of God above all, along help from the Saints can overcome anything in life. Truly inspirational!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews