Guide to Religious Freedom and the Law - Neil Addison - CTS Explanations

Guide to Religious Freedom and the Law

CTS Explanations 

Neil Addison

Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860829086

eISBN 9781784693664

ASIN B073H2ZWLX

CTS Booklet EX49

This is the first volume from Neil Addison that I have read, and I believe he only has five other books published. They all deal with religions and laws. This is the sixth volume that I have read in the CTS Explanations series. In the last few years I have read over 200 books and booklets from the Catholic Truth Society. Based on the CTS number for this book EX49 and the list at the back of the book there are at least 49 books in this series. Prior to reading this one I thought it was 21. Some have eBooks, some are out of print, and a few are still available both in print and digitally. This is a fascinating series, it tackles some hard questions. And they give clear and concise summary of Catholic Teachings on those topics. But this one is a little different. It is a primer on British law and how it applies to Catholic or Christian organizations. The description on the back of this book is:

“This booklet considers areas of the law relating to Religious Freedom and Discrimination, which are of specific interest to Catholic institutions and individual Catholics; in particular the exemptions in Discrimination law which apply to religious organisations in England, Wales and Scotland. The author offers a helpful introductory tour of the key issues and areas to be aware of, primarily for a Catholic audience though it may well be of assistance to members of other religions and Churches since many of the legal questions are common across religious boundaries.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction

General Principles of Discrimination and Human Rights Law

      Human Rights

      Discrimination

      Direct and Indirect Discrimination

      Varieties of Discrimination

Religious Organisations - Services and Membership

      Legal Exemptions for Religious Organisations

      Exemptions Relating to Religion or Belief

      Exemptions Relating to Sexual Orientation

      Exemptions Relating to Restrictions on Membership

      Advice Regarding Premises and Letting Agreements

      Catholic Charities

      Canon Law Relating to Catholic Charities

Employment Rights

      Catholic Organisations, Rights as Employers

      Employment Exemptions for Catholic Organisations

      Catholic Employees’ Rights

      Harassment at Work

      Medical and Health Care Personnel

University Students and Free Speech

Same Sex Marriage and Civil Partnerships

Appendices

      Equality Act 2010 (Selected Sections)

      Exemptions From Equality Act 2010

      European Convention on Human Rights

      Motu Proprio “On the Service of Charity”

      List of Websites and Other Information Sources

Endnotes

The beginning of the introduction states:

“This booklet is an attempt to provide information on aspects of the law relating to religious freedom and discrimination which are of specific interest to Catholic institutions and individual Catholics. It is not intended as a guidance on the totality of the law.”

And further on:

“This booklet deals with the legal situation in England, Wales and Scotland. The Human Rights Act applies in Northern Ireland but not the Equality Act 2010 since Northern Ireland, for historical reasons, has its own quite specific legislation dealing with religious discrimination.”

There were parts of this book that were fascinating, and parts that were very dry. The appendices were very dry, but I did make it through them. As a Canadian this book was not particularly relevant to me. But the information was very interesting. The information is based on laws as they existed on October 31st 2013 but the author provides likes for where he will keep the information updated. I can see that for the intended audience this book would be excellent. And especially as the author is keeping the information updated. But as someone from across the pond, it was not terribly applicable to me. 

An interesting read. A good book in a great series.  

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Books by Neil Addison:

Guide to Religious Freedom and the Law – CTS Explanations

Sharia Law or 'One Law for All'?

Religious Discrimination and Hatred Law

Left of the Clowns in Me

Religious Discrimination and Hatred Law

Harassment Law and Practice

…

Books in the CTS Explanations Series:
Marriage Annulment in the Catholic Church
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Does the Church oppress Women?
Organ Transplant – and the definition of Death
Abortion

Be Yourself An Explanation of Humility - William Lawson SJ
Gene Therapy – and Human Genetic Engineering
Prenatal tests
Gift of life and Love
Islam
Euthanasia
Infertility
Homosexuality
Cloning and Stem Cell Research
Contraception and Chastity
Freemasonry and the Christian Faith
Intelligent Life in the Universe
Spirits, Mediums & The Afterlife

The History of the Mass Explained - Father Charles Dilke

Whatever Happened To Marriage
Witchcraft, Sorcery & Magic
Understanding the Ordinariate

Guide to Religious Freedom and the Law

Science and Religion The Myth of Conflict

Contraception and Chastity

Exorcism: Understanding Exorcism in Scripture and Practice

The Problem of Evil

20 Answers End of Life Issues

A Question of Death & Life

Wicca And Witchcraft Understanding The Dangers

What is Truth?

Artificial Intelligence

...

The Little Office of Baltimore - Claudio R Salvucci - Traditional Catholic Daily Prayer

The Little Office of Baltimore: 

Traditional Catholic Daily Prayer

Claudio R Salvucci (Compilation)

TAN Books

ISBN 9781505118452

eISBN 9781505118537

ASIN B094W9DLJF

Wow this is an amazing little book. It is so good I now have both the Leather edition and the eBook. I picked up the eBook version for when on the go. And use the leather one at home. But before we get to the contents of the book. The leather edition is very well made. I have used it every day for a few months now and you cannot even tell it has been used. No spine cracking, or splitting. Excellent stitched pages, with cloth spine and headband. Gold gilded fore edge.  And very nice thick heavy weight pages. No onion paper here that will tear and get damaged easily. It is a beautiful book made with skill and care. But stepping aside from the physical production to the contents.

The subtitle of this book is ‘Traditional Catholic Daily Prayer’ and it is a wonderful prayer book. The description of the book is:

“The Baltimore Catechism formed generations of Catholics and provided a solid foundation in the faith for millions. In recent decades, it has enjoyed a renaissance among traditional-minded Catholics, yet few know that the Plenary Council which produced it, the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore, also produced a Manual of Prayers (Imprimatur 1888). This present volume, based on the prayers in that manual, bears the newly-coined name Little Office of Baltimore. With its peculiarly and unmistakable American pedigree, coupled with the fact that it preceded the extensive changes to the Divine Office that occurred throughout the 20th century, it is sure to be welcomed by today’s more traditional-minded English-speaking laity as well as those interested in historical Catholicism. It retains a strong connection to the traditional Roman office which can be traced back, in its essentials, to Saint Benedict. Relying principally on the prayers found in the Manual, when necessary the compiler supplemented with material gleaned from the English translation of the Roman breviary by the Marquis de Bute (Imprimatur 1903). The result: a beautiful new resource for those seeking to deepen their prayer lives or just a greater connection to Traditional American Catholicism.”

And the chapters are:

Introduction

Daily Offices

Matins

Lauds

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

Vespers

Compline

Propers Of The Season

Advent

Christmastide

Epiphany

Post-Epiphany And Septuagesima

Lent And Passiontide

Eastertide

Ascensiontide

Pentecost

Trinity Sunday

Corpus Christi

Post-Pentecost

Thanksgiving

For Saints And Angels

For The Blessed Virgin

For The Holy Angels

For The Church And The Saints

Psalms For Various Occasions

During Sickness

Sorrow For Sin

Confidence In God

Bewailing Our Miseries

Prayer For Deliverance

Praise

Songs Of Joy

Thanksgiving

In Trouble

For Superiors

In Disquietude Of Mind

Shortness Of This Life

The Good And The Wicked

Excellence Of God’s Law

Historical

Seeking After God

For Holy Communion

This is one of those books I know I will be using for years to come. I have a few other prayer books in both physical and eBook edition. But this one with the Daily office is much more in depth than either of the others. The Little Office of Baltimore is based on the prayers found in the Manual of Prayers (Imprimatur 1888) and from the Bute Breviary (Imprimatur 1903) which was produced by the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore. The book is infused with faith. It looks and feels like a prayer book your grandparent or even great grandparent would have handed down. 

This is a wonderful book. I am certain it will be a blessing to you if you pick it up and use it.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!

Free Hearts - Alexandre Havard - Understanding Your Deepest Motivations

Free Hearts: 

Understanding Your Deepest Motivations

Alexandre Havard

Anthony T. Salvia (Translator)

Scepter Publishers

ISBN 9781594173950

eISBN 9781594173967

ASIN B08XY5V1Y7

I have read a few books now from the pen of Alexandre Havard and I believe th is the second translated by Anthony T. Salvia. His books move me and they challenge me. They are well worth the time and effort to read. The description of this volume is:

“Beauty, greatness, love, freedom, mercy, and suffering expand the heart, purify it, and make it burn with love and desire.

In the words of Alexandre Havard, “A free heart says ‘yes’ to transcendent values, to the divine inspirations and impulses in the depths of our being.”

For our hearts to be free, we must transform our interior selves. Alexandre Havard shows us the way.

His important new book will help you achieve the optimal balance between the heart, the mind, and the will, heal your heart when it is troubled and has been wounded, and enable your most noble aspirations to grow in strength and maturity.”

And the chapters are:

Preface

From the Author

1 The Heart: Source and Center

2 The Spirituality of the Heart 

3 The Rationalist

4 The Religious Voluntarist

5 The Macho Voluntarist

6 The Ideological Voluntarist

7 The Conventional Voluntarist

8 The Voluptuous Sentimentalist

9 The Insane Sentimentalist 

10 The Cowardly Sentimentalist

11 Desiccated Hearts

12 Wounded Hearts

13 Beauty

14 Greatness

15 Love

16 Freedom

17 Mercy

18 Suffering

Conclusion

I have been on a streak lately with some excellent reads. And this is one of the best of those. This is not a long volume but it is packed full of wisdom. Some of the passages that I highlight during my first read through are:

“The human being possesses three centers of freedom and responsibility: reason, the will and the heart. Reason and the will are exclusively spiritual faculties. The heart is spiritual and physical at the same time.”

“A person without a heart does not exist, nor one whose heart is empty, because it cannot be empty. It is always full. It holds the good (vision, drive) and the evil (blindness, impotence), and if the good decreases, the bad increases.”

“Before the West discovered Aristotle, it was St. Augustine—author of the Confessions—who provided intellectual guidance. For him, the heart is a faculty both physical and spiritual, even if he refuses to grant it a value on par with reason and the will.”

“Be that as it may, the West has emphasized the mind and the will in the life of man, whereas the East has paid greater attention to the heart. The West often accuses the East of sentimentalism, and the East often reproaches the West for its rationalism and voluntarism. Both approaches are false if they do not take into account this elementary fact: the heart, the mind, and the will can only function together.”

“One can only practice the good with a pure heart, an enlightened intelligence, and a strong will.”

“Our virtues ennoble our emotions, our vices corrupt them.”

“As Dietrich von Hildebrand wrote: “A person can develop all the spiritual richness to which he is called only if he is penetrated, imbibed by the values which he perceives and only if his heart is stirred and inflamed by these values and responds to them with the fire of joy, enthusiasm and love.””

“Freedom is the quality of a heart accustomed to saying “yes” to transcendent values. The “yes” demands the humility which predisposes us to be attentive to the calls of beauty, truth, and the good. The proud person resists being moved by transcendent values because nothing in this world exceeds himself. He thinks he should do the moving. Pride is the greatest obstacle to the education of the heart.”

“Strengthen your will. Do not renounce the good on the pretext that it could be a source of conflict. Learn to manage conflicts with sincerity and firmness.”

“The experience of beauty, greatness, love, freedom, mercy, and suffering expands and exalts our heart. It purifies it and makes it burn.”

“A humble heart is always listening. It is open and receptive. It is full of gratitude. It is happy.”

As can be seen from those sampling of quotes this book is pack full of wisdom. It is easily accessible. It is great for the scholar, hobbyist, or a general audience. Anyone wanting to grow in the virtues, grow spiritually, and really grow in understanding themselves and others this is the book for you. 

Another excellent read from the masterful pen of Alexandre Havard.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!

Books by Alexandre Havard:

Virtuous Leadership: An Agenda for Personal Excellence

Created for Greatness: The Power of Magnanimity

From Temperament to Character: On Becoming A Virtuous Leader

My Russian Way: a spiritual autobiography

Free Hearts: Understanding Your Deepest Motivations

Coached By Joan of Arc

…

Scriptures of Mercy - Father Adrian Graffy - The Love of God in the Old Testament

Scriptures of Mercy:

The Love of God in the Old Testament

Year of Mercy

Father Adrian Graffy 

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9781784691288

eISBN 9781784693084

ASIN B071WVZF9Q

CTS Booklet SC121

This is the third volume in the Year of Mercy Series that I have read. I believe there are 8 volumes in this series and that 6 of them are available as eBooks. I picked all the eBooks up as soon as I finished the first one. Over the last several years, I have read over 200 volumes from the CTS. I have read books from many series. And many authors. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. This is the fifth book I have read by father Adrian Graffy. It will not be my last. The description of the booklet is:

“Twelve famous Old Testament passages draw out the boundless mercy of God, thus revealing his true nature and challenging popular misconceptions about God and the Bible. From Adam and Eve, Joseph, the Exodus, Jonah, King David, and many others, to the cries of the Prophets, we are acquainted with this mercy time and time again. Pope Francis calls us to return to the scriptures and to divine mercy. This text is especially helpful to those who have limited knowledge of the scriptures and open up for them just how prominent the reality of God’s mercy is in the scriptures.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction

In the Beginning - the Mercy of God

Esau Embraces his Brother Jacob

Joseph Pardons his Brothers

God Sets the People Free

God the Merciful

David Pleads for Forgiveness

The Parental Compassion of God

A Call to Repentance

Jonah Struggles with God’s Mercy

The Eternal Covenant of God’s Mercy

Remember the Mercy of God

God, Lover of Life

With each booklet I read in this series I appreciate it more. This booklet, like the other two I have read in the series, can easily be read over a large mug of coffee or tea. But they are also books that could be returned to again and again. The ‘Year of Mercy’ might be well behind us, but its message is still an important one. In our lives and in the impact we can and should have upon the world around us. And this volume examining the 12 examples of Mercy from the Old testament is a wonderful read. I highlighted a few passages during my first reading of this volume, they are:

“The twelve readings in this booklet provide a wide variety of Old Testament passages which speak of God’s mercy, and the way this mercy is lived out by human beings. There are many other texts which might have been included. God’s mercy begins from the very beginning, and, as Psalm 136 (135) says, “it endures for ever”.”

“The opening chapters of the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, are unique. They address fundamental questions. Through these ancient stories we learn about the goodness of God, the beauty of God’s creation, the place of human beings in it, and so much more. After two stories about God bringing the creation into existence, the man and his wife are in a garden. Everything is provided for their needs. Furthermore, they are given the uniquely human gift of free choice. The story teaches us that human beings can make the wrong choices, that we can choose what is not good, and that such choices have consequences.”

“• How often have you experienced goodness coming from an unexpected source? 

• Is there anyone you can surprise by offering them mercy, just as Esau did to Jacob?”

“As the story of the chosen people continues we are faced with another family crisis. Jacob has a favourite son called Joseph, son of his beloved wife Rachel, and he loves Joseph more than all his other sons. This Joseph is the recipient of the amazing coat with long sleeves. His brothers are jealous and kidnap Joseph, selling him into slavery in Egypt. When famine hits Canaan their homeland, the brothers go to Egypt to beg for food. They encounter a powerful government official who has charge of the food stores. He treats them with kindness. This official is none other than Joseph.”

And the one that had the biggest impact on me was:

“The mercy of God needs collaborators, and can be very persuasive when human beings are slow to respond to God’s call.”

Reading this volume I saw several of these OT events in a different light. Some I had previously thought of as God’s provision, but looking at them through the term of mercy I see them in a new light. And I know this will have an impact on my future readings in both the old and new testaments. 

This book is another excellent read in a great series. The Year of Mercy may be past, but we can all grow in our knowledge of Mercy and of living it out. This book and the series will help us do just that. This book was originally published in 2016 and the eBook released in 2017. It is an great little booklet. And I look forward to reading the others in the Year of Mercy Series.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Year of Mercy Books:

Corporal Work of Mercy – Richard Atherton

Gospels of Mercy – Father Adrian Graffy

Mercy Works – Mark P. Shea

Mercy: The Greatest Gift – Barbara Reed Mason

Rich in Mercy – Pope Saint John Paul II

Scriptures of Mercy Father Adrian Graffy

Spiritual Works of Mercy – Paul Grogan

The Joy of Mercy – Pope Francis

…

Books by Father Adrian Graffy:

A Manual of Hebrew Poetics

Alive and Active: The Old Testament Beyond 2000

Discovering the New Testament

Discovering the Old Testament

Gospels of Mercy: 12 Steps to the Love of God

Scriptural Way of the Cross

Scripture of Mercy: The Love of God in the Old Testament

Trustworthy and True: The Gospels Beyond 2000

Twelve Steps to the Love of God

…

Cold Caller - Edwin Torr - Dead Means Dead Book 2.5

Cold Caller

Dead Means Dead Book 2.5

Edwin Torr

aka J.E. Mayhew

Obolus Books

ASIN B075MHNNMM

I have now read 7 of the 8 books available in the Dead Means Dead series, in under 3 weeks. And a total of 10 others under one of his other pen names. This is a very entertaining series, and this novella is an excellent offering. Torr is one of three names this author publishes under, to the best of my knowledge. But who is he really? I have read all of his adult crime novels published as J.E. Mayhew. I have read one of his Young Adult collections of short stories as Jon Mayhew. And now I have read seven under this pen name of Edwin Torr. Reaching out to the author before reading book one I believe there are 8 stories published under this name and in this series. There are three novels and 5 novella’s or short stories to date. After finishing this I only have 1 novel to go. And since it has been a few years, there are no indications there will be more stories in this series, at least anytime soon. 

This really is a very fun story in what in an immensely entertaining series. While reading this series, I cannot help but think about Cedar Sanderson’s The Groundskeeper Raking Up the Dead and Zombie Death Extreme Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator by Karina Fabian all three authors approaches are very differently the stories are somewhat similar and just as enjoyable and memorable. And yes I have stated that with each review! 

As I have said this story is incredibly entertaining. The main stories in this series focus on a young man named Tom Coffin; he is a Specialist Funeral Director. His job is to put the undead back in the ground. Coffin’s mode of transport is a car called Persephone, a Jaguar XJ hearse a 1995 model, a vehicle that looks like the offspring of a family station wagon and the Popemobile. The description of this book is:

““It’s my ex-boyfriend. He keeps phoning me and telling me that he wants to get back with me and we should be together. I keep explaining that he’s dead and it wouldn’t work but…”

Tom Coffin just wants to curl up and nurse his rotten cold but an undead stalker and a lost zombie dog won’t let him. But where is the cold caller? And why is he making threatening phone calls to some very heavy-duty villains? Villains that become interested in Coffin and make a bad day worse. Another intriguing and fast-paced short adventure from the Dead Means Dead series.”  

I honestly cannot put these books down. It is only an immense effort and great will power that has prevented me from reading these books straight through. I typically alternate one fiction and then a non-fiction. And it was not easy to pause between these stories. And I have recommended these books to over a dozen friends already, even during a lockdown and social distancing. 

Tom Coffin is an amazing character, and honestly one I am sorry to know has a limited run. As a Specialist Funeral Director, he deals with the odd, strange, and unusual. So a zombie dog, sorry Litch, Tom does not like the ‘Z’ word. And a dead guy making phone calls and sending inappropriate pics. Throw in a hypochondriac pet owner, a bit of a mob boss, and a disturbing discover and you have an excellent read. 

Tom at his best, this is another great awesome read in a wonderful series!  

Books as J.E. Mayhew:

DCI William Blake Series:

0.5 Tyger Tyger

1.0 A Poison Tree

2.0 Fearful Symmetry

3.0 The Bones of the Dead

4.0 Cruelty Has A Human Heart

5.0 All the Lies

6.0 Death's Cold Hand

7.0 No Time For Sorrow

8.0 Dark Visions of Torment

…

Books as Jon Mayhew:

Deathmire

Death Road

The Spybrarian

Have a Go 

Dark Tide 

Death Wheels 

…

Monster Odyssey Series:

1.0 The Eye of Neptune

2.0 The Wrath of the Lizard Lord

3.0 The Curse of the Ice Serpent

4.0 The Venom of the Scorpion

…

Mortlock Series:

1.0 Mortlock

2.0 The Demon Collector

3.0 The Bonehill Curse

…

Mr Grimhurst's Treasure: And other Ghost Stories

…

Collins Big Cat Series:

The Merchant of Venice: Band 16/Sapphire

Hamlet: Band 18/Pearl

Romeo and Juliet: Band 18/Pearl

Macbeth: Band 18/Pearl

…

Contributed to:

Beyond the Book: A Collection of Short Stories

Storycraft: How To Teach Creative Writing

Criminal Shorts: UK Crime Book Club Anthology

Make Doves Not War - Forward

…

Books as Edwin Torr:

Dead Means Dead Series

0.0 Blood, Bone and Coffin - 2018

1.0 Demons - 2017

1.3 Cotton Candy - 2017

1.6 The Suitcase in the Hall - 2017

1.9 Remurdered - 2017

2.0 Angel Hunter - 2017

2.5 Cold Caller - 2017

3.0 Jigsaw Girl - 2018

...

Author profile and interview with J.E. Mayhew aka Jon Mayhew aka Edwin Torr.

Mercy The Greatest Gift - Barbara Reed Mason - Meeting the Love of Christ

Mercy The Greatest Gift

Meeting the Love of Christ

Year of Mercy

Barbara Reed Mason

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9781784690939

eISBN 9781784693305

ASIN B072XRXQZQ

CTS Booklet SP47

This is the second volume in the Year of Mercy Series that I have read. I believe there are 8 volumes in this series and that 6 of them are available as eBooks. I picked all the eBooks up as soon as I finished the first one. Over the last several years, I have read over 200 volumes from the CTS. I have read books from many series. And many authors. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. This is the first book I have read by Barbara and I believe her only title from the CTS. But back to this book. The description of the booklet is:

“Pope Francis's call for a Holy Year of Mercy began with a call to spiritual conversion in each of us. What are the spiritual and tangible aspects of mercy? Many Christians today can be unaware that we can keep the supernatural life within us vigorous by engaging with the spiritual works of mercy. This is not a matter of just being good to others only, but of our own salvation. Saint John Paul II said that the greatest gift of mercy is bringing people to savour Christ’s love.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction

Instruct the Ignorant

Counsel the Doubtful

Admonish Sinners

Bear Wrongs Patiently

Forgive Offenses Willingly

Comfort the Afflicted

Pray for the Living and the Dead

This booklet, like the other 2 I have read in the series, can easily be read over a large mug of coffee or tea. But it is also a book that could be returned to again and again. The ‘Year of Mercy’ might be well behind us, but its message is still an important one. In our lives and in the impact we can and should have upon the world around us. I highlighted several passages during my first reading of this volume, some of them are:

“Pope Francis has proclaimed an Extraordinary Jubilee beginning on 8th December 2015 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary) and ending on 20th November 2016 (Feast of Christ the King). He wants this Jubilee to be a Holy Year of Mercy, one that “begins with a spiritual conversion”. 1 For that reason, spiritual conversion is the aim of this pamphlet, and we will use the seven Spiritual Works of Mercy to help unlock the process of conversion.”

“Human beings are more than bodies with rational souls. We are body, soul and spirit, as Pope Benedict XVI explained: ‘May the God of peace make you perfect and holy; and may you all be kept blameless, spirit, soul and body, for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ’( 1 Th 5: 23). We are, therefore, spirit, soul and body. We are part of this world, tied to the possibilities of our material condition, while at the same time we are open to an infinite horizon, able to converse with God and to welcome him within us.””

“The Spiritual Works of Mercy serve this fundamental reality and underpin the Corporal Works of Mercy. They are: 

Instruct the ignorant 

Counsel the doubtful 

Admonish sinners 

Bear wrongs patiently 

Forgive offences willingly 

Comfort the afflicted 

Pray for the living and the dead.”

“You and I can learn a lot about an historical person by reading and studying his or her life. We might become so knowledgeable that we are able to deliver an articulate lecture about that person. We might even hold that person in great esteem. But none of those things can compare to actually meeting that person and establishing a relationship with him or her. It is the same with God.”

“We can also encounter the Lord in personal and community prayer; therefore, neglecting prayer - both private and communal - prevents this possibility. And of course, we meet the Lord in the sacraments - but again, only if we are open to that encounter and if we are ‘well-disposed’. Jesus is always present in the sacraments, but are we present to him?”

“One often gets the impression that some of the baptised believe not only that they can live their Christian life in their own power, but that they can ‘earn’ their salvation by their good deeds! Of course we must perform good works - we are required to do so - but it is only the grace of God and the gift of the Holy Spirit that gives us new life in him: …”

“Those who experience this new life in the Spirit are able to “instruct the ignorant” because they rely not on their human resources alone, but on the spiritual gifts and graces freely given by God to those who believe. Let us have a look at some of these spiritual gifts.”

“Prayer! Never forget prayer. Never! No one, no one realises when we pray on the bus, on the road: we pray in the silence of our heart. Let us take advantage of these moments to pray, pray that the Spirit give us the gift of counsel.”

“How should we admonish sinners? First of all with a motive of love; and secondly, with an acute awareness of our own sinfulness, which includes gratitude to the Lord for rescuing us and restoring us to himself out of sheer mercy. And thirdly, praying first for the gift of counsel for ourselves!”

“Clearly our vocation to live as children of God and disciples of Jesus is supernatural: it requires grace.”

“What is meant by “the afflicted”: anyone who is any pain, suffering or distress. We are asked to comfort the sorrowful! But remember this is a spiritual work of mercy, not merely temporary relief. By a spiritual work we do not mean offering pious platitudes. God’s comfort is a reality.”

“This is the final Spiritual Work of Mercy, which may seem to be the least practical or ‘hands on’ of all the spiritual works. But it is a work of mercy that can be done by anyone of any age, whether healthy or ill, mobile or immobile, and as Pope Francis said, we can pray always and anywhere. It is probably the most humble of all the works: no one knows you are praying except God, and the answers to the prayers can only be attributed to him.”

This book is an excellent read in what is proving to be a wonderful series. The Year of Mercy may be past, but we can all grow in our knowledge of Mercy and of living it out. This book and the series will help us do just that.

This is an excellent little read, and for another great read in the series. This book was originally published in 2015 and the eBook released in 2017. It is an great little booklet. And I look forward to reading the others in the Year of Mercy Series.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Year of Mercy Books:

Corporal Work of Mercy – Richard Atherton

Gospels of Mercy – Father Adrian Graffy

Mercy Works – Mark P. Shea

Mercy: The Greatest Gift – Barbara Reed Mason

Rich in Mercy – Pope Saint John Paul II

Scriptures of Mercy Father Adrian Graffy

Spiritual Works of Mercy – Paul Grogan

The Joy of Mercy – Pope Francis

…

Saint Ignatius of Loyola A Convert's Story - Patrick Corkery SJ

Saint Ignatius of Loyola: A Convert's Story

Patrick Corkery SJ

Messenger Publications

ISBN 9781788123273

eISBN 9781788123310

ASIN B098PGPZWJ

I believe this is the first book published by Patrick Corkery SJ. He made is first vows in 2017 and this volume was published in the Spring of 2021. My son picked Saint Ignatius as his confirmation saint 2 years ago. And since that time we have read a few books together about the saint. With covid related delays to confirmation we have now had the opportunity to give this one a read as well. As soon as I saw it I put it on my wish list, and I was thankful to see an eBook edition released. This was the first book from Messenger Publications that I have read, but it will not be the last. The longer description of this book is:

“Change is an essential part of life. How we meet that change is where it can get interesting. When a person goes through a conversion experience, there is an automatic assumption that they have it all figured out immediately, and they know exactly what God wants them to do. This is not the case. We only have to look at St. Paul. While his conversion was dramatic, Paul tells us in his letters that he had to spend considerable time in the wilderness pondering what had happened to him, and figuring out what exactly God wanted him to do. The same is true of St. Ignatius of Loyola. 

St. Ignatius had a dramatic conversion which shattered not only his leg but all his previous dreams and aspirations. Such a change was not easy to get his head around, and he was forced to enter into his own period in the wilderness. This time of reflection not only brought him closer to God, but it also gave him a greater insight into himself. In this booklet, you will be able to witness the transformation which took place in the life of Ignatius from a vainglorious young man obsessed with his own success, to one who put the service of God and other people before anything else.

This transformation, while dramatic, was not immediate. It took time and reflection and took him across various locations. In all of his travels, Ignatius was focused on one thing, what was God calling him to do? Ignatius conversion will allow the reader to get a perspective on how Ignatius faced the challenges which transformed his life, and hopefully, the reader may be able to make time in their own life to explore things which brought about changes in their life and see how God was operating within this change.”    

The shorter description sometimes appears as just the first of the three paragraphs above. The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction

1: Ignatius’s World (1491–1521)

2: The Battle of Pamplona (May 1521)

3: Ignatius Returns to Loyola (June 1521)

4: A Time of Change (June 1521–February 1522)

5: The Monastery of Montserrat (March 1522)

6: Ignatius at Manresa (25 March 1522–February 1523)

7: Interlude in Italy (March 1523–July 1523)

8: Ignatius in the Holy Land (September 1523–October 1523)

9: Return to Spain and then to Paris (March 1524–28)

10: Three Lessons from Ignatius

Most chapter’s ends with a section called ‘Time to Reflect’. These sections contain either 2 or three questions to reflect upon. Only the chapter 9 does not have a set. A sample from the chapter ‘A Time of Change’ is:

“Time to Reflect

A great deal has now happened in the life of Ignatius, so pause and take some time to reflect on what you have read:

1. What have you learned about discernment from what you’ve read so far? Can you think of discernments in your own life and what tactics you used to make a decision?

2. Our Lady plays an essential part in the story of Ignatius. Take some time to read John 2:1–11. Mary points the way to Jesus, how do you see Mary doing the same in the life of Ignatius? Perhaps Mary has helped you draw closer to Jesus too?

3. At this point in the story, what are your thoughts regarding Ignatius? Take some time to think about how you feel about him. Do you find that you like him or does thinking about him create feelings of frustration?”

This book begins with these words:

“When the canonisation of Ignatius was being considered, a Roman beggar was consulted. It’s unlikely that he was popular with the great and good of Roman society, but the beggar was someone Ignatius has made an impression on. He described Ignatius as ‘the small Spaniard with a limp who smiled a lot’. I think St Ignatius is often obscured by the image of the ‘soldier saint’. While this image has merit, it misses the warmth that was very much part of Ignatius’s life and character.

On the 500th anniversary of his ‘accident’ at Pamplona, perhaps now is an appropriate time to revisit Ignatius’s life and to reimagine him through the eyes of the Roman beggar. In this booklet, I hope to show you that other ‘smiling’ side to Ignatius. It is a side that many readers may not know.”

And that is what we get in this volume, is a new look at Ignatius. Or an attempt to open our eyes to see Ignatius afresh. Even having read a few other volumes about Ignatius recently. And having read about him and the exercises off and on over the last 35-40 years, I found this a great little volume. It is well worth the time and effort to pick up and give a read. The book ends with these words:

“By making space for something new, Ignatius began to contemplate things beyond his standard frame of reference. He began to consider the possibility that God loved him and wanted to be in a relationship with him. By opening his mind to this, Ignatius was able to make sense of things and see that he was called to a greater form of service than anything he had previously envisioned. The more Ignatius moved into contemplation, the less relevant his previous enjoyments came to be. In their place he discovered real fulfilment and contentment.”

And learning about him might help you do the same. The back of this book highlighted 4 other Messenger Booklets. A few of them grabbed my interest. On the website are currently 21 books in the Messenger Booklet series and several are now on my wish list. This was a great read and introduction to the Messenger Booklets. 

(Note: There are two covers for this book, one in Europe and a different one in North America.)

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For all review of Messenger Publications books and booklets click here. 

Books by Patrick Corkery SJ:

Saint Ignatius of Loyola: A Convert's Story

Willie Doyle SJ: Much in the Presence of God

…

Books about Saint Ignatius:

Saint Ignatius of Loyola For the Greater Glory of God - Donna Giaimo and Patricia Edward Jablonski - Encounter the Saints Book 8

Consoling the Heart of Jesus: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat Inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius - Michael E. Gaitley

Saint Ignatius of Loyola - Pat Corkery SJ - A Convert's Story

Saint Ignatius of Loyola - J.A. Philips - CTS Great Saints

Take Five: On-The-Job Meditations with St. Ignatius - Mike Aquilina and  Kris D. Stubna

Probing the Depths: Ignatian Lessons and Meditations Arranged According to the Liturgical Year - John Paul Thomas

…

(Note: There are two covers for this book, one in Europe and a different one in North America.)