Books

'The Glenstal Book Of Prayer: A Benedictine Prayer Book

Reviewed by Mary-Jane Donnellan

Contents - Nov 2001 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Synod of Oceania document imminent - 'Ecclesia in Oceania' - Peter Westmore Tenth Synod of Bishops: Bishops called to courageous witness to the Faith - AD2000 News: The Church Around the World A young Catholic's views on the state of the Church in Australia - James Connolly Brisbane liturgy director calls Vatican document "a betrayal" - Michael Gilchrist Pastoral letter: Taking up John Paul II's concerns about the Sacrament of Penance - Archbishop Barry J. Hickey Cardinal Ratzinger's latest book-interview - 'God and the World' - Zenit News Service Winter school: Evangelising in a "post-pagan" culture - Fr Anthony Mastroeni Opinion: Catholics before and after Vatican II: separating fact from myth - John Young Letters: Forgotten teachings - Fr John Speekman Letters: Catholic women - Errol P. Duke Letters: Immigration policy - George F. Simpson Letters: Classification Guidelines - Mrs Carol V. Phillips Letters: A response on the Creation of Man - Gerry Keane Letters: Catholic teaching - John Schmid Letters: St Thomas Aquinas - Valentine Gallagher Obituary: Lew Bennett R.I.P. Books: 'The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Jewish Origins of Christianity', Carsten Theide - Anthony Cappello (reviewer) 'Those Terrible Middle Ages', by Règine Pernoud - Christopher Quinn (reviewer) Books: My Dear Young Friends: Pope John Paul II Speaks to Teens on Life, Love, Courage - Mary-Jane Donnellan (reviewer) Books: 'Pardon And Peace: A Sinner's Guide to Confession', by Fr Francis Randolph - Christopher Quinn (reviewer) Tapes: Thomas More Center Brisbane Winter School, July 2001 Books: 'The Glenstal Book Of Prayer: A Benedictine Prayer Book - Mary-Jane Donnellan (reviewer) Books: 'STICKY THE DOG', by Robert Wheeler - Catherine Sheehan (reviewer) Bookstore: New Titles from AD Books Reflection: All Souls Day and a Christian response to bereavement - Fr Dennis W. Byrnes PP

THE GLENSTAL BOOK OF PRAYER:
A Benedictine Prayer Book
(The Columba Press, 2001, 159pp, $27.95. Available from AD Books)

The Glenstal Book of Prayer, subtitled "A Benedictine Prayer Book," is clear and readable, drawing on the rich resources of Benedictine liturgy, the Scriptures, the Church's accumulated wisdom and the Celtic tradition of the Irish monks who have produced this inspirational little book.

Glenstal Abbey is a Benedictine Community located in County Limerick, Ireland. It was set up in 1927 from Maredsous in Belgium and was the first Benedictine Community in Ireland since the Reformation. It was founded in memory of Abbot Columba Marmion, a Dublin priest, recently beatified.

The book is divided into sections on Daily Prayer, Familiar Prayers, Ritual Prayers and Additional Psalms and Readings from the Rule of St Benedict. It marks out the key feasts celebrated throughout the year - Christmas, Lent, Easter - all drawing the reader more deeply into the life of Christ, including His passion, death and resurrection.

The Familiar Prayers include the Lord's Prayer, Apostles' Creed, Angelus, Stations of the Cross, Rosary and many more. Under Ritual Prayers we find Prayers for Various Occasions and Blessings. Some of the Ritual Prayers were written by St Ignatius of Loyola, St Thomas Aquinas, St Teresa of Avila and St John of the Cross, while others are described as "traditional". The Blessings cover a wide variety of occasions, circumstances and needs - the home, the family, the elderly, the sick, and others.

The concluding section of this highly recommended publication comprises a Calendar of Saints and Feasts for the whole year.

Mary-Jane Donnellan is a Melbourne Catholic writer.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 14 No 10 (November 2001), p. 18