Books

'Great Christian Prayers' by Stephen Redmond SJ

Reviewed by Peter Westmore

Contents - May 2001 - Buy a copy now Editorial: A crucial appointment to Sydney - Michael Gilchrist Vatican signals continuation of reform process - AD2000 Report AD2000 Online - Michael Gilchrist 'Systematic instruction in the faith' program to be launched in July - Bishop Luc Matthys News: The Church Around the World The Church in Germany: John Paul II expresses serious concerns - Catholic World News New WA Catholic schools document stresses orthodoxy US professor defends papal teaching on universities - Charles E. Rice Why John Henry Newman converted to Catholicism - Michael Davies A Melbourne artist's labour of love - Michael Gilchrist Letters: Different Church (letter) - Frank Smith Letters: Vocation question (letter) - Msgr Richard Schuler PP Letters: Racism (letter) - Helen Daniel Letters: Sydney appointment (letter) - Frank Bellet Letters: Paul Collins (letter) - Arnold Jago (Dr) Letters: Vatican II ambiguities (1) (letter) - George F. Simpson Letters: Vatican II ambiguities (2) (letter) - Fr G.H. Duggan SM Letters: Eucharistic Congress (letter) - Basil Lane Letters: Elizabeth Anscombe (letter) - Edward Clarke Letters: 'Courage' (letter) - John Dodwell Letters: Objectionable cover (letter) - Fr Edward P. Evans Letters: Altar? (letter) - D.I. Davies Letters: Destruction (letter) - John D. Pratt Letters: Queensland Bishops (letter) - Dr Tim Coyle Letters: African reader (letter) - Fr Stephen B. Muchemwa Letters: Scripture truth (letter) - Mary Beaumont Letters: Enlightening book (letter) - Br Con Moloney CFC Books: 'Becoming Fire' by Fr Ken Barker mgl - Peter Westmore (reviewer) Books: 'Great Christian Prayers' by Stephen Redmond SJ - Peter Westmore (reviewer) Books: 'He's Risen' by Phelim McGowan SJ - Mary-Jane Donnellan (reviewer) Books: 'Prayers From The Heart: for the Feasts of the Year', Joanna Bogle - Mary-Jane Donnellan (reviewer) Books: 'A Vacation With The Lord' by Fr Thomas H. Green SJ - Catherine Sheehan (reviewer) Books: Stations Of The Cross (CD), Perth Catholic Productions - Colleen McGuiness-Howard (reviewer) Poetry: The Ballad of Antichrist - Andrew Huntley Reflection: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit' - Fr Ian Falconer SJ

Great Christian Prayers by Stephen Redmond SJ (Dublin, Columba Press, 2001, 111pp, RRP $22.00. Available from AD Books (03) 9326 5757)

Fr Stephen Redmond, an Irish Jesuit, has compiled a charming and informative treasury of Christian prayers, together with historical accounts of how they came into being and of their common usage.

These great Christian prayers include the prayers of Jesus, e.g., the "Our Father", the prayers of Mary, including the Magnificat, prayers of Simeon, Elizabeth, Zachary, of Peter and the disciples, and the prayers of supplication addressed by people to Jesus.

Among the interesting facts discussed is that use of the sign of the cross was documented by the early Church fathers, that the Te Deum was written as a response to the Arian heresy of the 4th Century, and that the words of the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass, "Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation ..." are taken from the Jewish book of rabbinic instruction, emphasising the Jewish foundations of Christianity.

The Hail Mary, as we know, is of ancient origin, combining the Angel Gabriel's words to Mary, with St Elizabeth's greeting, and a medieval prayer of petition, which parallels the prayer of petition in the Our Father.

Many lesser known prayers are also documented, including prayers of John Henry Newman, Franz Jurstutter (an Austrian peasant martyred by the Nazis in World War II) and King Bauduoin of Belgium.

The book concludes with the author's musical settings of several of the greatest hymns.

Peter Westmore is President of the National Civic Council and the Publisher of 'AD2000.'

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 14 No 4 (May 2001), p. 17