Customer Reviews

Animal Rites: Liturgies of Animal Care

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This book will be a marvelous comfort to those who love animals, especially those who are grieving for a lost pet. Even though it is full of Christian references, the underlying philosophy of the book can bring comfort to those who, like myself, are not very religious in the traditional sense and to those of other faiths as well. There are marvelous and inspiring quotations about animals from many well-known people that are included in the liturgies. For someone whose pet is sick, dying and yes, sadly, for one who's pet has passed on, to those who deal with animal abuse on a daily basis to those who just love animals, this book brings spiritual comfort just by reading a few passages and can also, of course, be used by the clergy as inspiration or even read verbatim. The author's comments on the similarity between our cruel treatment of animals and the trials of Christ are illuminating, and for a Christian who loves animals this book will be of great comfort. And, for the rest of us, spiritual implications in this book affect us all. This book is really a wonderful treasure of spirituality and love.

For those who look to have meaningful Blessings, healings, naming, and liturgies for memorial services for their companion animals, this is THE book to have. As a lay homilst and Lay Eucharistic Minister, this is the best resource available for all Christians.

Linzey introduces Animal Rites with a brief lament of the church's bare cupboard of such ritual practices, and he offers a rich theological rationale for reclaiming an animal-friendly spirituality. The remainder of the book -- nearly 120 pages -- provides rubrics and ritual texts that include "A Service for Animal Welfare," "Eucharistic Prayers for All Creatures," a service of "Covenanting with Animals," "Liturgies for the Healing of Animals," "Litanies of Animal Protection," "A Vigil for All Suffering Creatures," "Forms of Blessing of Animals," "A Liturgy of Animal Burial," "Memorial Prayers for Animals"" and an appendix with additional prayers and readings. There is also an extensive guide to sources and further reading on animals and spirituality. As of the writing of the book, Professor Linzey confessed that, to the best of his knowledge, his book was the first of its kind in the world -- not a point of pride for him because it reflects so badly on the church"s tradition and practice.

For more of my book review of Linzey's ANIMAL RITES you can go to [...]30