THE WORD IN YOUR HEART: MARY, YOUTH, AND MENTAL HEALTH by Francis Etheredge - Book Review
THE WORD IN YOUR HEART : MARY, YOUTH, AND MENTAL HEALTH
A Collection of Articles, Prayers, and an Experience of Pilgrimage
By Francis Etheredge
(Book not released to the public yet)
ISBN-
Publisher: Enroute Books and Media
Publication date:
Pages: 190
Available in Paperback, Ebook, and Bulk
Thesis:
Francis Etheredge weaves in and out throughout THE WORD IN YOUR HEART : MARY, YOUTH, AND MENTAL HEALTH three themes creating a thick braid of what a journey of faith includes for youth, young adults, and adults in the modern post-covid era. While on pilgrimage Francis has flashbacks / moments of recollection about his own childhood and young adulthood, as well as his interactions with others, mental health topics and sites of the pilgrimage. Our Lady is the ribbon which creates and indestructible braid of faith throughout the journey of the pilgrimage, Francis’ life, and a salve for youth and young adults during this modern era when so many mental health issues creep up into people’s lives. Discussing different mental health topics, Francis address’ the thoughts, feelings, and prayer in relation. He offers a glimmer of hope for those with mental health issues, or for youth and young adults experiencing the pressure of life in this modern post-covid era. Highlighting the need for faith and drive for finding faith, he further presents role models for youth and young adults to also turn to; those role models being individuals who have been canonized, “blesseds,” or those finding a way for their faith to shine through despite different life circumstances.
Although some who read the book may find it a little confusing as to how the articles and stories unfold… the three themed braid of: pilgrimage, Francis’ life story, and the current issues youth/young adults face that have to do with Mental Health… makes sense, as it symbolically points back to Our Lady who further always points back to the Trinity. This provides a refreshing and unique perspective as Francis discusses different trials and tribulations he went through in his own life, only to find his way to faith, with faith, and through faith. It is a breadth of fresh air in the aspect that it is honest, genuine and unfiltered - lending itself for any young adult to read and realize that a life of faith isn’t always easy or perfect. Francis is candid and open about his life experiences in this book, creating the space for young adults to share their truth, no matter how easy or difficult it may be.
Acknowledging the pressure that youth and young adults face as well as the mental health struggles they come up against everyday, he bridges the gap between youth, young adults, the church and those that are part of the the church, reaching young adults on their level, and meeting them along their journey through young adulthood. While Francis acknowledges Our Lady has a role in our lives, as well as the Trinity, he also makes it even more clear that each one of us and our journey of faith, does too. I laud Francis for stating some hard truths within this book, while also offering comfort and care to the current situations that youth and young adults are presented with and struggle with every day.
If the book falls short in any way, it is that I wish Francis shared more about his experience while on pilgrimage - as in the food he ate, the little details about what he experienced in relation to all the things I know planning committees plan for and want to know how the pilgrims feel about everything they experienced. I would have liked to have known how he felt when he met the pope or when he saw him in person etc, hahahah! …although Francis did share a lot of key takeaways. The book itself was an unexpected pleasant surprise and offers a new way for the planning committees to experience the delight of the pilgrimage experience through a first hand account in written form. When we think about the takeaways, we usually think about the little things, the interaction with others, and the story of the soul’s change while on pilgrimage.. this, I would say provides us with a peek into the soul’s revelations while on pilgrimage and after, and how those revelations are good for the whole community as well as the rest of the world.
This book also serves as proof of the power of pilgrimage and some of the gifts and blessings through the revelations that are given by the Trinity and Our Lady to the soul when going on pilgrimage. Kudos to Francis for writing this, and being able to express it! In many ways the book is not only eye opening, but life changing. He also begins to describe where the soul and heart meet the mind, creating the whole of the person… despite our life circumstances, or our every day experience, as well as the special experience we are given by God to grow us in faith on our journey here. It also recounts some of the blessings and delights one has in their faith and faith journey.
He has earned a BA Div (Hons), MA in Catholic Theology, PGC in Biblical Studies, PGC in Higher Education, and an MA in Marriage and Family (Distinction). He is a collaborator of the Dignitas Personae Institute for Nascent Human Life.
