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How to Be Happy - How to Be Holy
Very few Catholic writers indeed can touch the minds and hearts of all Catholics—whatever their back-ground—and Fr. Paul O'Sullivan happens to be one of these rare few. In How to Be Happy—How to Be Holy, Fr. O'Sullivan teaches all Christians about prayer: I ) how to pray. 2) how to derive immense benefits from prayer, and 3) how to enjoy the deep consolation of prayer. In the process, he focuses first on the profound meanings of our basic Catholic prayers: The Sign of the Cross, The Our Father, The Hail Mary, The Glory Be, The Apostles’ Creed, The Morning Offering, The Confiteor, etc. Next follows a full and beautiful explanation of the Rosary' and each of its Mysteries. Then he paints the wonders of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and finally he concludes on the power of ejaculations and the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.
The most beautiful aspect of this consoling and moving book—as in fact of all Fr. O’Sullivan’s writings—is his frequent use of lovely, short anecdotes from the lives of the Saints. And the principal value of this book is that it proves one need not be a saint to enjoy prayer and to derive great benefits from it. Every Catholic should own and read this charming book, for if ever a book were conceived and written to inspire people to pray, and to show them what great results and consolations are to be derived from prayer, it is Fr. O'Sullivan's How to Be Happy—How to Be Holy.
The most beautiful aspect of this consoling and moving book—as in fact of all Fr. O’Sullivan’s writings—is his frequent use of lovely, short anecdotes from the lives of the Saints. And the principal value of this book is that it proves one need not be a saint to enjoy prayer and to derive great benefits from it. Every Catholic should own and read this charming book, for if ever a book were conceived and written to inspire people to pray, and to show them what great results and consolations are to be derived from prayer, it is Fr. O'Sullivan's How to Be Happy—How to Be Holy.
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1943
25 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Paul O'Sullivan
30 books41 followersFather Paul O'Sullivan, O.P., was born on February 7, 1871. After studying in Dublin, he went on to Rome, where he was ordained a Dominican. He then pursued a Lectorate degree for theology, which in turn prepared him for his future career in writing simple, profound books and preaching to the faithful. Father O'Sullivan also founded the "Catholic Printing Press" and established the Rosary Association, one of several associations he created with the Church's permission. He wrote on and had a great devotion to St. Philomena as well. He died in 1958, on the Feast of the Presentation.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR
Librarian Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 26, 2021
This was the fourth book by Father Paul O’Sullivan that I have read in a month. And it is by far the longest. In fact, it is just slightly longer than the other three combined. I picked the first book up because it was promoted by TAN books in an email blast. They were promoting a bundle of books by Father Paul O'Sullivan. I know I have seen the covers before. And based on when the books were first published maybe even back to the Catholic Book Stores of my youth. A few of the titles piqued my interest. And books form TAN never disappoint. But I was not read to buy the whole bundle. I should have. As I have now read 4 and already have a2 more in my to be read list. For those not familiar as I was not:
“Fr. Paul Henry O'Sullivan, O.P., S.T.L., P.G., E.D.M., was born in Tralee, Ireland in 1871 and died in Lisbon, Portugal in 1958.”
The description of this volume is:
“Lovely short anecdotes from the lives of the Saints, showing us in a warm, encouraging and inspiring way the importance of prayer and the ease with which we can all derive great benefits therefrom, without yet being Saints ourselves. Covers the meaning of the basic Catholic prayers; plus, the Mysteries of the Rosary and the wonders of the Mass. Written for all and all should read it.”
The chapters in the book are:
Introduction: Read, Catholics, Read
1. The Morning Offering
2. Morning and Evening Prayers
3. The Sign of the Cross
4. The Our Father
5. The Hail Mary
6. The Power of the Hail Mary
7. The Creed
8. The Confiteor
9. Hail Holy Queen
10. The Gloria Patri
11. The Rosary
12. The Old Irish Woman’s Rosary
13. The Popes and the Rosary
14. Meditations on the Mysteries
15. The Annunciation
16. The Visitation
17. The Birth of Our Lord
18. The Presentation in the Temple
19. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
20. The Sorrowful Mysteries
21. The Agony of Jesus in the Garden
22. The Scourging at the Pillar
23. The Crowning with Thorns
24. Christ Carrying His Cross
25. Jesus Dies on the Cross
26. A Lover of the Passion
27. The Resurrection
28. The Ascension
29. The Descent of the Holy Ghost
30. The Assumption
31. The Coronation of Our Lady in Heaven
32. The Wonders of Holy Mass
33. What Is the Mass?
34. The Joy of the Saints at Mass
35. Priests, the Happiest of Men
36. The Benefits of the Mass
37. Priests, Angels on Earth
38. How to Hear Mass with Profit
39. The Value of Small Things
40. Ejaculations
41. What the Saints Say of Ejaculations
42. Our Angel Guardians Introduction
In the introduction we are told that:
“This booklet has in view to teach Christians:
a) How to pray.
b) How to derive immense benefits from prayer.
c) How to enjoy the deep consolation of prayer.”
And also:
“First of all, what is prayer and how should we pray?
The second great thought is that God has bound Himself most solemnly to hear our prayers.
A third truth which we must bear in mind is that every prayer we say with reverence and trust, such as any ordinary Christian can say, gives God immense glory and pleasure.
Fourthly, our prayers obtain for us many important graces and blessings which we shall never get and never enjoy if we do not ask for them.
Fifthly, all men desire happiness, all men seek happiness, all men work for happiness.
God alone gives happiness, as God alone gives life and health. Happiness is God’s greatest gift, for it embraces what is best for us.”
This book is an excellent read. I believe that no matter who we are we can always improve our prayer life. It can develop, grow, and deepen. But Like anything else it will take, work, discipline, and effort. This volume is a fantastic tool for growing in the discipline of prayer, and through prayer to learn to be more happy, and to become more holy.
Matthew Kelly often uses the line “Become the best version of yourself.” In his talks and in his books. I heard his say that he used to tell people to become saints, but that they would say that they did not think they could be saints. But when he switched to the best version they embraced it. This volume could easily be a precursor to much of Kelly’s writings. It would also be an excellent read for fans of Kelly’s works.
This book is well written. Father Paul draws extensively from the saints and church writings. One of the statements that really hit me was:
“Prayer Is The Greatest Power,
The Greatest Consolation In The World”
This book can easily be read by anyone with a grammar school education. It is easy to digest. And can take a lifetime to apply. It is well written. It will encourage and challenge the reader.
It is another excellent volume from TAN Books and Father Paul O’Sullivan. I highly recommend it.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Father Paul O'Sullivan.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!
“Fr. Paul Henry O'Sullivan, O.P., S.T.L., P.G., E.D.M., was born in Tralee, Ireland in 1871 and died in Lisbon, Portugal in 1958.”
The description of this volume is:
“Lovely short anecdotes from the lives of the Saints, showing us in a warm, encouraging and inspiring way the importance of prayer and the ease with which we can all derive great benefits therefrom, without yet being Saints ourselves. Covers the meaning of the basic Catholic prayers; plus, the Mysteries of the Rosary and the wonders of the Mass. Written for all and all should read it.”
The chapters in the book are:
Introduction: Read, Catholics, Read
1. The Morning Offering
2. Morning and Evening Prayers
3. The Sign of the Cross
4. The Our Father
5. The Hail Mary
6. The Power of the Hail Mary
7. The Creed
8. The Confiteor
9. Hail Holy Queen
10. The Gloria Patri
11. The Rosary
12. The Old Irish Woman’s Rosary
13. The Popes and the Rosary
14. Meditations on the Mysteries
15. The Annunciation
16. The Visitation
17. The Birth of Our Lord
18. The Presentation in the Temple
19. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
20. The Sorrowful Mysteries
21. The Agony of Jesus in the Garden
22. The Scourging at the Pillar
23. The Crowning with Thorns
24. Christ Carrying His Cross
25. Jesus Dies on the Cross
26. A Lover of the Passion
27. The Resurrection
28. The Ascension
29. The Descent of the Holy Ghost
30. The Assumption
31. The Coronation of Our Lady in Heaven
32. The Wonders of Holy Mass
33. What Is the Mass?
34. The Joy of the Saints at Mass
35. Priests, the Happiest of Men
36. The Benefits of the Mass
37. Priests, Angels on Earth
38. How to Hear Mass with Profit
39. The Value of Small Things
40. Ejaculations
41. What the Saints Say of Ejaculations
42. Our Angel Guardians Introduction
In the introduction we are told that:
“This booklet has in view to teach Christians:
a) How to pray.
b) How to derive immense benefits from prayer.
c) How to enjoy the deep consolation of prayer.”
And also:
“First of all, what is prayer and how should we pray?
The second great thought is that God has bound Himself most solemnly to hear our prayers.
A third truth which we must bear in mind is that every prayer we say with reverence and trust, such as any ordinary Christian can say, gives God immense glory and pleasure.
Fourthly, our prayers obtain for us many important graces and blessings which we shall never get and never enjoy if we do not ask for them.
Fifthly, all men desire happiness, all men seek happiness, all men work for happiness.
God alone gives happiness, as God alone gives life and health. Happiness is God’s greatest gift, for it embraces what is best for us.”
This book is an excellent read. I believe that no matter who we are we can always improve our prayer life. It can develop, grow, and deepen. But Like anything else it will take, work, discipline, and effort. This volume is a fantastic tool for growing in the discipline of prayer, and through prayer to learn to be more happy, and to become more holy.
Matthew Kelly often uses the line “Become the best version of yourself.” In his talks and in his books. I heard his say that he used to tell people to become saints, but that they would say that they did not think they could be saints. But when he switched to the best version they embraced it. This volume could easily be a precursor to much of Kelly’s writings. It would also be an excellent read for fans of Kelly’s works.
This book is well written. Father Paul draws extensively from the saints and church writings. One of the statements that really hit me was:
“Prayer Is The Greatest Power,
The Greatest Consolation In The World”
This book can easily be read by anyone with a grammar school education. It is easy to digest. And can take a lifetime to apply. It is well written. It will encourage and challenge the reader.
It is another excellent volume from TAN Books and Father Paul O’Sullivan. I highly recommend it.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Father Paul O'Sullivan.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!
February 26, 2021
Amazing! I think I could read this book 100x more and find a new gem each time to fix deep in my soul and carry with me forever. A wonderful tool to help improve your prayer life. Highly recommend!
April 15, 2025
I’m trying to make my ratings follow a normal distribution, so here’s another 3 star.
First half was pretty solid, but second half fell off a little. Lots of private revelation stories that mostly felt like anecdotal folk tales to get people to avoid doing the bad, or sinful, thing, so they don’t go to hell. Not a fan of private revelation framed in that way.
I feel like at a certain point reading on how to be a saint is just all the same, and there needs to be more practicing. So, I need to pray more.
First half was pretty solid, but second half fell off a little. Lots of private revelation stories that mostly felt like anecdotal folk tales to get people to avoid doing the bad, or sinful, thing, so they don’t go to hell. Not a fan of private revelation framed in that way.
I feel like at a certain point reading on how to be a saint is just all the same, and there needs to be more practicing. So, I need to pray more.
January 31, 2024
This was such an amazing spiritual read! I highly recommend this book for those that want an understanding of the Holy Mass! Fr. Paul O'Sullivan is easy to understand and his writing is profound!
January 23, 2017
I loved this book. It's right up my alley. A practical, straightforward guide to prayers and such, geared toward living a better life, both here and in Heaven.
I personally like the old-fashioned writing style; refers to the "Great War" and Lourdes and Fatima as very recent events.
I personally like the old-fashioned writing style; refers to the "Great War" and Lourdes and Fatima as very recent events.
March 25, 2016
Great little Lenten daily read! All about the power of our daily prayers, the rosary and the Mass.
March 28, 2025
One of the best spiritual books I've read; it details prayers so clearly and beautifully.
April 23, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Many beautiful reflections on the “cradle catholic basics” and exhortations to pray these, and more, as frequently as possible with attention and love.
I would have rated it higher if there hadn’t been so much reliance on anecdotal evidence of God “showing His favour” to one person who prays over another person who doesn’t. As we know, piety and devotion do not spare us from sorrow or suffering, but this author insists that not only will it do so, but it will cause an increase in fortune - while simultaneously praising those Saints that suffered agonies and miseries, and ill-fortune. You cannot have it both ways, sir, but your zeal for prayer is admirable and the book is quite readable.
Many beautiful reflections on the “cradle catholic basics” and exhortations to pray these, and more, as frequently as possible with attention and love.
I would have rated it higher if there hadn’t been so much reliance on anecdotal evidence of God “showing His favour” to one person who prays over another person who doesn’t. As we know, piety and devotion do not spare us from sorrow or suffering, but this author insists that not only will it do so, but it will cause an increase in fortune - while simultaneously praising those Saints that suffered agonies and miseries, and ill-fortune. You cannot have it both ways, sir, but your zeal for prayer is admirable and the book is quite readable.
July 21, 2022
Probably the most lovely little devotional I have ever read. The author calls to mind how our approach to prayer and devotions should go beginning with the Sign of the Cross. Giving very accessible little insights and thoughts on various basic prayers. The core of the book covers the Holy Rosary with some true stories and simple but profound thoughts on all fifteen decades of the Rosary. Also covers briefly the Holy Mass. The author already has a good booklet dedicated to the Mass so he only briefly expounds how we should hear Mass in this booklet. The book is really very accessible and even younger readers will be able to understand and appreciate it and profit by it.
July 24, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. Even though it took me a while to read (busy schedule) when I did read, I couldn’t put it down. I really liked that Fr. Sullivan added some prayers that we can say throughout the day. I think if you’re coming back into the Catholic faith or just a new Catholic, this book should be on your reading list.
October 4, 2025
SO good. It took many months to finish because I just read little snatches here and there at bedtime, and because it was intense! But I plan to keep it on my nightstand and start right over from the beginning again.
July 23, 2022
I'm a cradle Catholic and so much of this book I've never heard before, despite it being relatively basic. It's also very practical. Definitely a book to revisit in the future. 4.5/5 stars
May 6, 2021
I find this as an immenseful and wonderful treasures. It lightens my load everytime I read it over and over again. It is worthy to be highly recommended to all who wants their lives happy and fulfilled. This is a reminder of how we can show piety to our dearly all powerful God who created us. Every Catholic must have this book on their lifetime. God a most loving Father who love us so dearly. It explains about anything all the GIFTS God has given us. Holy Mass, Rosary, Saints, Angels, Mama Mary, The Magisterium and all Sacramentals and Sacred things, The Sacraments, One God in Three Persons, the Name of Jesus, The Cross and how to pray fervently. Thanks Be to God. And God will give us immense graces. Happy 😊 and Holy.
June 22, 2021
A wonderful little book to keep on the nightstand and re-read the short chapters over and over again. It has many things to learn and enjoy about prayers. Although I enjoyed the entire book, I think my most favorite chapters were the ones on the old Irish woman's rosary, the chapters about mass and priests, and the ejaculations and angels.
November 5, 2024
🖋️ Well-written and well-organized, this book presents the path to true happiness and joy by way of prayers, the Rosary, and the benefits of attending Mass regularly.
📕 Published in 1943.
જ⁀📕 Read from my private library.
🕊️●✿🕊️✿●🕊️
📕 Published in 1943.
જ⁀📕 Read from my private library.
🕊️●✿🕊️✿●🕊️
November 21, 2024
Every Christian should read this.
November 21, 2025
I listened to the audio and it felt like I was listening to an old-timey radio station. It did encourage me to consider the rosary, which was appreciated.
December 5, 2019
90/100 (= 5.3/6) ≈ 5 Stars
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Super meditations on the Our Father. His style is always so simple, convincing and revealing. Great insights into the beauty of our Faith.
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Super meditations on the Our Father. His style is always so simple, convincing and revealing. Great insights into the beauty of our Faith.
July 9, 2021
My Favourite Book
This is such a good book for all to read and re-read. I use the section on the Holy Rosary as I say my Rosary. The Ejaculations are of infinite value for our salvation. There are so many priceless explanations of our Catholic faith explained.
This is such a good book for all to read and re-read. I use the section on the Holy Rosary as I say my Rosary. The Ejaculations are of infinite value for our salvation. There are so many priceless explanations of our Catholic faith explained.
July 21, 2016
Definitely learned some new things and think the ideas are easy to remember!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews