Courtney McGrailTo Live in the Love of God: A Guide to Prayer
by parishioners of Kirkinriola Parish, ed. Fr P. Delargy
(Ballymena Parish Centre, £5.00)
This book is an unusual effort by local people from an Ulster parish to answer the question: “Do you want to discover the truth and be a good person and make others happy and grow close to God?” It is a question many will have pondered.
The book, which is also locally produced, derives its initial inspiration from the writings of St Francis de Sales, drawing on his spiritual guide which was so familiar to earlier generations. An appendix indeed outlines the main themes of his spirituality.
Some 10 contributors explain how they have benefit in their own lives from the simple idea presented by St Francis: compose yourself to become aware of God’s presence, reflect on an episode in the life of Christ, praying to the Holy Spirit and resolving to do what is God’s will in their daily lives.
But it is the experiences of those daily lives, contacts with neighbours, a welcoming attitude to strangers, the care of a disabled daughter, even local politics, provide the locations of a way of transforming individuals lives, and though that the whole community.
But inspiring this also are the insights of Evangelii Gaudium of Pope Francis – so this book represents also a very modern response rooted in the present day.
Individuals and others parishes may well be inspired themselves by what these people from Ballymena have been doing in the spirit of the exhortation. Certainly the book is tremendous value at the price it is offered at, although those ordering it should perhaps enclose with the price a sum to cover postage as well.
When Silence Speaks. The Spiritual Way of the Carthusian Order
by Tim Peeters
(Darton, Longman and Todd, £12.99)
Due to a production error the last sentences of Anthony Redmond’s review, complete in the online edition, were truncated in the printed edition (September 24). The ending should have read:
There is a wonderful comment which I love by the monk, Dom Jacques Dupont. He says: “Indeed, we waste our lives for Jesus because we love him. But whoever has fallen in love knows that love is capable of the greatest foolishness!”
Like the film, Into Great Silence, this superb book will stay with you for a long time.