- ISBN13: 9780829421200
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
A book of prayers based on Ignatian spiritualityó-the most influential spiritual tradition of modern times. The prayers compiled in this unique book are gleaned from the rich tradition of Jesuit reflection on the human hunger for God.
Hearts on Fire: Praying with Jesuits
Tags: Publisher, Condition, hearts on fire, human hunger, book of prayers, Praying
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I discovered this book on retreat at St. Ignatius Retreat House on Long Island, NY, and when I have the courage and faith to sit down with it and read a prayer or two, I am always filled with the Spirit. Great to keep in your briefcase or on your nightstand–you can use the healing power of prayer anywhere.
Presented in the form of St. Ignatius’ “Spiriutal Excercises” this small and wonderful compilation offers some of the most thought provoking, challenging and exciting prayers I’ve spent time with. If you are old fashioned and done growing in your spirituality, please ignore the prayers (my favorites) Forgiving God? and A Humble Request. This book is well worth $7. Omnia Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
As a junior at a Jesuit High School, the adminstration gave me this book as a gift for leading the upcoming freshman retreat. I had already fallen in love with the Jesuit spirituality, but this book sealed the deal. For Lent, I promised myself I would read one prayer each morning, and I have, and enjoyed it. It makes everyday worthwhile. As the Jesuits believe, we choose each day to make a journey towards or away from God. This book helps make that journey. Ad Mejorem Dei Gloriam.
It is seldom that I actually like a book of prayers, rarer still that I enthuse, and only once or twice ever would I actually rave about such a work to my friends. I don’t normally think prayer books help; they are after all someone else’s prayer and I see prayer as an intensely personal thing that cannot be attained ‘second hand’.
Thats probably why, even before joining the Jesuits, I came to appreciate Ignatian Spirituality and the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola. For the Exercises [often called SpEx in shorthand by Ignatian retreat directors) are not prayers you say specifically but guidelines on how to do the prayer yourself. Even here, in Harter's book, this is clearly the purpose...
In effect, Harter brings us meditations on the four Weeks of the SpEx that clearly serve to aid us in our prayer. We read these meditations - from Ignatius, Xavier, Rahner, Teilhard,Hopkins et al - not for themselves [though the glorious quality of their language makes it aesthetically worthwhile even without praying]but for how they might ignite in our hearts (to use the title’s metaphor) our own spiritual encounter with God.
Of course it is not the same as making the full Spiritual Exercises (30 days) or the SpEx in Daily Life (8 months to a year, with 1hour of prayer per day) or even doing an 8-day Ignatian retreat. Though it is certainly a book one could take on such retreats (as, in fact, I did recently). The beauty of this little book is that it can be used by pretty much anyone, anywhere. One hopes, as I am sure Fr Harter hopes, that it will also draw more people to encounter God through the Spiritual Exercises.
I find this book to be an excellent prayer book; for all stages on one’s faith journey. It can be adapted for group prayer or contemplated on an individual basis. It makes a wonderful gift to give or receive.