The Catholic Book Club discussion

6. Author is available for questions - what would you like to ask her?

I have a few questions to begin with:

1. In the list of private revelations that makes an appendix to the book, I missed the third message of Fatima. On the other hand, you included a quotation by Sister Lucia. Did you have any special reason for the omission?

2. In chapter 33 Gina is told this: "I can arrange for you to meet Sister Lucia at Our Lady of Perpetual Help." This Sister Lucia is never named again. Is this a wink to the reader?

3. I assume you are aware that some theologians think the Era of Peace is already in our past. It would have started on the year 313 with the Milan Edict and would have lasted until the return of atheism and the start of new persecutions against Christians. Others think that it is a mere metaphor. I suppose you didn't mention this because it doesn't fit with your novel :-)

4. Did you give Kylie that name because of Kylie Jenner, the model and TV personality, or for some other reason?

5. If it's not too indiscreet, what does C.D. mean?

Yeah, questions!

1. In the list of private revelations that makes an appendix to the book, I missed the third message of Fatima. On the other hand, you included a quotation by Sister Lucia. Did you have any special reason for the omission?

I meant to include it. Thought I had included it . . . until now. Oops.

2. In chapter 33 Gina is told this: "I can arrange for you to meet Sister Lucia at Our Lady of Perpetual Help." This Sister Lucia is never named again. Is this a wink to the reader?

Nope. In my mind, Sister Lucia was named after St. Lucia, the martyr from the 4th Century (also known as St. Lucy), patron saint of the blind. In the Inferno, St. Lucia says, “I will be your protector, Dante, as you seek to find light from your dark past . . .”
As the all-knowing author of the Comet Dust world, I knew that Sister Lucia was the perfect counselor for Gina. However, Gina refused to go to her for help (a lost grace). As a result, Gina had to hit rock bottom before getting help. Thank you for the question, Manuel. I didn’t expect to ever have the chance to explain my thoughts on this little tidbit.

3. I assume you are aware that some theologians think the Era of Peace is already in our past. It would have started on the year 313 with the Milan Edict and would have lasted until the return of atheism and the start of new persecutions against Christians. Others think that it is a mere metaphor. I suppose you didn't mention this because it doesn't fit with your novel :-)

Yes, I’ve read that some theologians think the thousand years of peace started in 313 and has already come and gone. If that’s true, why did prophets living during the thousand years of peace and those that came after, predict an upcoming era of peace, as if it hasn’t arrived yet?

The good will be martyred; the Holy Father will have much to suffer; various nations will be annihilated. In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me, and she shall be converted, and a period of peace will be granted to the world. – Our Lady of Fatima, 1917

Yes, a miracle was promised at Fatima, the greatest miracle in the history of the world, second only to the Resurrection. And that miracle will be an era of peace which has never really been granted before to the world. —Cardinal Mario Luigi Ciappi, who was the papal theologian for Saint John Paul II, Pius XII, John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul I, October 9th, 1994, Family Catechism, p. 35

But you're right, Manuel. I didn't include it because it wouldn't have fit with the novel.

4. Did you give Kylie that name because of Kylie Jenner, the model and TV personality, or for some other reason?

Your question made me smile. Honestly, it never hit me they shared the same name until now. The answer is a definite no. I was friends with a Carmelite Postulant, Sister Grace. Her birth-given name was Kylie. That’s the reason.

5. If it's not too indiscreet, what does C.D. mean?

CD is short for compact disc. Ha. Just teasing! Sorry, the real meaning is rather mundane. They’re my initials . . . Carol Deanna Verhoff. In real life, most people call me by my middle name because my mother was also a Carol.

Thank you for taking an interest, Manuel. I hope I answered your thoughtful questions adequately.

C.D. wrote: "CD is short for compact disc. Ha. Just teasing! Sorry, the real meaning is rather mundane. They’re my initials . . . "

I suppose you've noticed that C.D. are also the initials of the book, "Comet Dust."

By the way, this book appears in Goodreads with two different titles. The other one is "Days of Darkness." The publication dates seem to be similar. Could you explain?

I suppose you've noticed that C.D. are also the initials of the book, "Comet Dust."

I see that you have an eagle's eye for detail, Manuel. I bet mistakes seldom slip past you on the job. In fact, I did NOT notice my initials are the same as Comet Dust. Now that you pointed it out, I think it’s pretty cool. : )

By the way, this book appears in Goodreads with two different titles. The other one is "Days of Darkness." The publication dates seem to be similar. Could you explain?

I’m always second guessing titles and choice of book covers when my novels first come out—usually due to lack of sales. I like to tell myself if only it had a flashier name or a more attractive cover, the book would start flying off the shelf. I’m delusional that way, LOL. So most of my books start out with one title and end up with another. Days of Darkness and Comet Dust are the exact same book.

C.D. wrote: "Days of Darkness and Comet Dust are the exact same book."

In my opinion, Comet Dust is a much better title. The dust of the comet pervades the whole book. The Days of Darkness, however, refer only to the last chapters.

Manuel wrote: "I suppose you've noticed that C.D. are also the initials of the book."

I also noticed this. :)

I am close to finishing the book, and will post about it soon.

At the end, when they were in the church and people were getting ready for the Easter Vigil I was expecting that liturgy to become the center of the ending of the book. At our parish in Florida the lights are left out until the singing of the Gloria following the last Old Testament reading (normally until this point the only light in the church is from the candles (including in many parishes the candles being held by parishioners, all lit from the Easter Candle), then with the singing of the Gloria all the lights are turned on and every bell in the church is rung - it is spectacular and I envisioned the same thing except with the light coming from the supernatural light of the return of the Risen Christ.

You obviously had to make some different choices to work in the storm references from several of the prophecies, but I was curious why you didn't work in more of the Easter Vigil liturgy?

Let me start by saying I LOVE the Easter Vigil. The way you describe how it's done in your church, and your suggestion on how it could have unfolded in the novel, gives me pangs of regret that I didn’t do it that way. It surely would have deepened the meaning.

Then again, considering the instructions of the prophets to burn blessed candles during the three days of darkness, extinguishing them for any reason, even the Easter Vigil, might have been risky, but that's not the reason.

The Easter Vigil didn't get the pomp it deserves because I wanted it to play out the way it did in an intense dream I had back in college. Although I had to alter a few things to make it fit with the novel, I wrote most of the scene the way I remembered it from the dream, down to the color of the bishop's robes. The same goes for the scene where Gina undergoes the Illumination of Conscience. I went through my own mini-judgment in the dream, so it was a big influence when writing chapter two. I’m sorry if this bothers anyone, but Comet Dust wouldn’t have been written if I hadn't dreamed what I dreamed.

C.D. wrote: "Let me start by saying I LOVE the Easter Vigil. The way you describe how it's done in your church, and your suggestion on how it could have unfolded in the novel, gives me pangs of regret that I di..."

That's interesting. Is that why the Bishop fled during the mass, is that what happened in your dream? And was there some underlying reason for his running away that I missed?

The bishop fled in my dream. I wasn't sure of the reason, but we were all afraid. I suspected his lack of faith made him into a coward. He couldn't handle it when the spiritual world got a little too real. I wrote the dream down right after I had it. It's only a page or two in all. Keep in mind, I wasn't a believer at the time. Nonetheless, it made an impression and found its way into the book.

In Comet Dust, even though I never came out and said it, the bishop was part of the evil that infiltrated the church in later days. However, it's left to the readers to draw their own conclusions as to the why he abandoned the flock. There is no wrong answer.

The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres … churches and altars sacked; the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord. The demon will be especially implacable against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will be no longer pardon for them. --Our Lady of Akita

Manuel wrote: "C.D. wrote: "Days of Darkness and Comet Dust are the exact same book."

In my opinion, Comet Dust is a much better title. The dust of the comet pervades the whole book. The Days of Darkness, howeve..."

I think you're right. Thank you for weighing-in.

I'm currently driving myself crazy trying to come up with the perfect title and cover for another book I'm working on. I'm sure I'll get it wrong the first time . . . I always do, LOL.

C.D. wrote: "Manuel wrote: "C.D. wrote: "Days of Darkness and Comet Dust are the exact same book."

In my opinion, Comet Dust is a much better title. The dust of the comet pervades the whole book. The Days of D..."
The title is poetic and beautiful.

This isn't really a question, but I wanted to add a comment that I continue to think about this book. Something in current events, or a passage in scripture and I think about how it fits into the storyline of the book. Not that many books stay with me for extended periods. Thank you.

This is what an author likes to hear. I've been high on your words all week now. ; )

I want to ask a question. Why Ed did not get to arrive to the Church?. He was catholic. I was surprised because he did not arrive to the Church. I apologize in case i had not understood the text. I do not ususually to read in English and Screen.
Soon i want to write the review of Comet Dust :-).

Great question! Thanks for giving me the opportunity to expand on the situation.

SPOILERS AHEAD (throughout the discussion)

Ed's precise Christian affiliation was never mentioned in the book. In my mind, he definitely wasn't a Catholic. However, he was a Christian and a pretty good one at that. According to the prophecies of the saints, anyone caught outside during the Three Days of Darkness, whether good or bad, will die right there on the spot.

The reason Ed didn't make it to safety was because he refused to get under Mary's mantle when Gina offered it to him. His death is symbolic of the power of Mary's protection. Those who lack the fullness of truth are at a severe disadvantage, but note how Ed didn't meet the same horrific an end as Gina's other companions. God is merciful, so there is hope that he made it to heaven.

During the second Fatima apparition on June 13th, Mary said, "My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God." Keeping this in mind, I wanted to show Our Lady's important role in the End Times.

While we're discussing the mantle, I want to mention that it wasn't part of the original draft. The item given to Gina's grandmother during The Warning was a silver rosary.

Then I got to thinking, what if the Three Days of Darkness comes and someone has a vague recollection of reading somewhere that they'll be safe outside if they hold onto a rosary?

Not wanting to be responsible for anyone's demise, I prayed and brainstormed for an item to give Gina that nobody could possible have in real life. Inspiration struck and in the second draft I changed the rosary into the Mantle of Mary. I think it was a good decision. How about you?

I think the book is much more credible with the Mantle of Mary, that makes Gina "invisible" to the forces of evil and thus makes her an exception to the general rule, than a rosary, which everybody can have.

Manuel wrote: "I think the book is much more credible with the Mantle of Mary, that makes Gina "invisible" to the forces of evil and thus makes her an exception to the general rule, than a rosary, which everybody..."
The final part of the novel cause to me a big impression.

I would like to ask another question, after the party, when Misstress Bianca Mouflon is murdered, and Gina confused with a pig. The rats. Are product of the drugs? Are caused by the Gina regrets for attending to the party? or Are a God signal? or the three things are right?.

C.D. wrote: "While we're discussing the mantle, I want to mention that it wasn't part of the original draft. The item given to Gina's grandmother during The Warning was a silver rosary.

Then I got to thinking..."

I agree that this was a great change - inspired even. :-) My only question was why you had the cloak blow away as she reaches the church?

Fonch wrote: "I would like to ask another question, after the party, when Misstress Bianca Mouflon is murdered, and Gina confused with a pig. The rats. Are product of the drugs? Are caused by the Gina regrets fo..."

I try to avoid dictating what this or that ought to mean in my books, but I see no harm in telling you that Gina confused Mouflon with the pig due to a combination of the hallucinatory effects of drugs and old-fashioned denial. Plus, the evil she had become a part of that night had darkened her mind.

I'm going to leave the rats to your own discernment. They could have been the by-product Gina's drug-induced frenzy. Then again, they might have been demonic beings released into the world by the sins that took place in the forest, a forewarning of worse to come.

I agree that this was a great change - inspired even. :-) My only question was why you had the cloak blow away as she reaches the church?

The mantle blowing away symbolizes how Gina no longer needed physical signs and wonders to believe. She entered the church with only her faith and was saved.

Another motive was planting a seed for a possible sequel. At this point, I'm not planning on doing one. There isn't much prophecy on the Era of Peace and I'm not feeling the urge to write about it in the least, but just in case . . .

It would involve a quest for the missing mantle. Imagine something along the lines of Raiders of the Lost Ark meets The Robe.