Michele Bettigole, OSF is a Franciscan Brother of Brooklyn who has
served as a high school administrator for the past twenty-five years. from 1988-1994, he served
as the Program Director of The Prayer Channel, the television station of the Diocese of
Brooklyn, where he produced several television series dealing with literature and philosophy.
With Robert Muccigrosso, Ph.D. and Gregory Rossicone, Ed.D., he co-edited Stories of God: An
Anthology of Literature for Catholic Schools (Brown-ROA). He is currently the Principal of
Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, North Carolina
Reviews
"Brother Michel Bettigole, OSF, offers readers an 'Oprah's Book Club-like' collection of his
picks for some of Christianity's greatest hits in Tales of God: A Treasury of Great Short
Stories for the Catholic Family. Readers will enjoy an excellent sampling of authors whose
characters and plots witness the struggles of faith, hope and love lived in a real and often
difficult world. From widely acclaimed authors like Leo Tolstoy, G.K. Chesterton, and Flannery
O'Connor to lesser known works penned by Fray Angelico Chavez, Yaffa Eliach and J.F. Powers,
Brother Michel's stories engage the reader's mind, heart and soul. Divided into two parts, the
book offers nine stories to be enjoyed by the entire family as well as four tales whose sophisticated
style and complex themes suit them for mature literary tastes. Each tale invites inquiry: How
and why did a character react to given circumstances? Was this reaction right or wrong? What was
the author's intent in presenting this story to an audience? Begging these questions and others
appears to have been Brother Michel's reason for assembling this compilation. This call for
personal reflection embodies the true value of this treasury. Tales of God is an easy and
delightful read. It's a useful tool for any group seeking to initiate a spirit-centered dialogue
or any individual simply looking for a thought-provoking bedtime story. From fairytale to
detective story, comedy to non-fiction, there is something for everyone in this analogy: a very
human glimpse of the divine." --Maureen Coghlan in
Momentum, the November/ December 2001 issue of the Magazine
of the National Catholic Education Association
"Catholic prose and poetry were an important part of the lives of all educated members of the
Church only a few decades ago. Brother Michel has brought this enriching element back to us with
his beautiful and informative collection. If you can't read together, then take the book to your
room and sit down quietly and enjoy being a Catholic" --Fr. Benedict J.
Groeschel, CFR, Author and Director of the Office of Spiritual Development for the
Archdiocese of New York
"To achieve his goal of assisting readers to 'experience the wonder of God's presence and find
their imaginations enriched, enlarged, and open to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit,' Brother
Michel Bettigole offers in one compact volume stories by such gifted writers as Flannery O'Connor,
J.F. Powers, Graham Greene, Leo Tolstoy, Robert Hugh Benson, George MacDonald, and G.K. Chesterton.
The tales in this excellent anthology are presented in two parts. the nine stories in the initial
group were chosen for their ability to 'open up the world of the divine to the young' and are
meant to be read aloud in a family or classroom setting. The four stories in the latter group were
selected for their appeal to both adolescnets and adults. The stories fulfill the dual purposes
of all fine fiction -- to entertain and to edify. Heaven and Hell meet in some way in all of the
stories, and almost every tale ends in some form of epiphany. In Flannery O'Connor's story
'Revelation,' for example, the protagonist, Mrs. Turpin, undergoes an awakening in which, we are
told 'she felt as if she were absorbing some abysmal life-giving knowledge.' Notice the richness
of meaning in O'Connor's deliberate use of the word abysmal. On the one hand, the word
hints at the agony Mrs. Turpin experiences as she has to look at and assess her colossal vanity.
On the other hand, the word suggests the potential of Mrs. Turpin's new and inner vision. O'Connor
no doubt had in mind the significance mystics such as Elizabeth of the Trinity assume when using
this word: to them, the abyss is that deep holy place within the soul that connects at the
far end with the infinity of love that is God. In persuing the stories Bettigole has selected, one
has the same sensation that O'Connor attributes to Mrs. Turpin: the reader of Tales of God
absorbs life-giving knowledge from the infinite abyss of divine love. The children's tales in
this volume prove as stimulating to the imaginative faculties as do those for adults. The fairy
tales, fables and fantasies invariably have deeper levels to engage the adult mind. In all the stories
in this collection, Br. Bettigole gives us ample means to enrich and enlarge our imaginations
and our ability to perceive God's ever-abounding presence. Varied as they are, the 13 visions of
divinity gathered together in Tales of God coalesce to give even the confirmed skeptic a
sense of the authenticity of faith. It becomes clear that the different authors are obviously
reflecting facets of the same resplendent diamond. Tales of God is a firm testament to
the ultimate unity of truth." --Elaine Hallett in New
Oxford Review, January 2002
"Educator and editor, Brother Michel reminds us of our rich Catholic literary heritage in
creating this anthology. The spiritual richness and imagery of a good story enables the reader
to see the ways of God. Meant to be read alone or together in groups by parents, children and
clergy, the stories pass on some of the everlasting truths of our Catholic faith. The book is
divided into two parts: tales for the entire family and tales for adults. In the first section
are stories suitable for all age levels representing a variety of genres of fiction. They all
have one thing in common--intrinsic literary excellence and the light they shine on the mystery
of faith. Here are included tales by Tolstoy, Oscar Wilde, G.K. Chesterton and others. Not all
are Catholic authors but are writers with a Christian message relevant to Catholic families.
Tales for adults include stories by Graham Greene, Flannery O'Connor, J.F. Powers and Robert
Hugh Benson--a group of more sophisticated writers. 'Ours is a post Christian age whose literature
glorifies the secular,' writes Brother Michel. The stories he has chosen portray the world of the
spirit and the life of grace rather than exalting material success and fame. Tales of God
is a good addition to general library collections and family reading as well. The stories, many
of which we read a long time ago, are enjoyed again and we'll enjoy them again still--such is
their worth." --Arnold Rzepecki in Catholic
Library World, September 2001
"Everyone loves a story. Great stories illuminate for us the mystery of life; great Catholic
stories illuminate us for the mystery of God. Brother Michel's marvelous collection Tales of
God is a blessing for the Catholic community and should both stimulate and broaden the religious
imagination of its readers. This type of literature has a special value today for people who are
trying to have their religious faith form their consciences. Tales of God can be used in
schools and in homes. I plan to read it with a book discussion group and I know it could prove
very valuable in adult education courses." --Rev. Robert E. Lauder,
Professor of Philosophy, St. John's University, Author and Columnist
"This book is a true treasure for inculcating the Faith in children and adults! Divided in
two parts, the first is of stories to be read to the family and the second is comprised of stories
for growth in Faith for adolescents and adults. The selections have been very well chosen and
include short stories by Leo Tolstoy, Henry Van Dyke, Gregorio Lopez y Fuentes, Fray Angelico
Chavez, Oscar Wilde, G.K. Chesterton, George MacDonald, Graham Greene, Flannery O'Connor, J.F.
Powers, Msgr. Robert Hugh Benson and more. This is truly HARD TO PUT DOWN!" --Barbara
Meng in the Catholic Family Network Newsletter, April 2001
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