Awake My Soul: Contemporary Catholics on Traditional Devotions [Paperback]

James Martin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2004

In Awake My Soul, editor James Martin, SJ, offers a meaningful collection of fascinating essays focusing on Catholic devotions and their place in the life of contemporary believers. Originally published as part of a Lenten series in America magazine, each essay discusses a favorite Catholic devotion, its history, its place in an individual's life, and its role in the life of today's Catholics.

Awake My Soul features some of today's top Catholic writers celebrating traditional Catholic devotions such as the rosary, the stations of the cross, holy water, novenas, relics, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and more. Contributors include Ron Hansen; Emilie Griffin; Joan Chittister, O.S.B.; and Eric Stoltz.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As the liturgical reforms of the last four decades have given much of Catholic worship a decidedly Protestant patina, many Catholics have continued to find meaning in such distinctive devotional practices as praying the Rosary and venerating the saints. These traditional observances are examined in this little collection of short essays assembled by Martin, a Jesuit priest and associate editor of America magazine, which first published a shorter version of the series. Martin invited 19 contributors, some in their 30s and 40s, to reflect on practices that hold particular meaning for them. Aware that many younger Catholics are rediscovering devotions that had been abandoned by some of their elders in the wake of the reforms of the Second Vatican Council of the early 1960s, he seeks to bring the practices into the light of contemporary times while explaining their origins and purposes. Most of the pieces are highly informative and place each devotion in the context of the reforming council's teaching on worship. The best incorporate a meaningful personal story, such as Therese Borchard's reflection on "The Stations of the Cross," in which the author compares her yearly ritual recalling her father's passing to the way Catholics relive the events of Christ's suffering and death. Catholics and non-Catholics who are curious about practices like holy water blessings, novenas and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will find this compilation both helpful and enlightening.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"A thrilling guide to the hidden treasures of Catholicism with a delicate balance of history, theology, and personal engagement." -- Robert Ellsberg, author, The Saints' Guide to Happiness

"These authors show that it is indeed possible to reclaim old Catholic rituals without needing to be an 'old Catholic.'" -- Tom Beaudoin, author, Virtual Faith

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 162 pages
• Publisher: Loyola Press; First edition (February 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082941987X
• ISBN-13: 978-0829419870
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #268,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully done, March 13, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Awake My Soul: Contemporary Catholics on Traditional Devotions (Paperback)

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. I'm a Catholic, but knew about only a few of these things--like the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross. But I learned so much not just about the history and the traditions behind these devotions (and others--my favorite essay was on what the tradition of the saints means) but also on the ways that the individual writers find personal meaning in these ways of prayer. My favorite essay was by Christopher Ruddy, a young Catholic theologian, who talked about the Sacred Heart of Jesus as a way of pondering the way that Jesus loved. I really liked that. This is a fantastic book for Catholics interested in learning (and refreshing) an old tradition, that will speak to them today. It would be a great book for almost any Catholic, I think

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Will Awake the Dawn, January 23, 2006

By 

Catholic Pilgrim "Mom" (Pierre SD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Awake My Soul: Contemporary Catholics on Traditional Devotions (Paperback)

Reading "Awake My Soul" is like stepping into the sunshine on the first morning of spring when the smell of new grass fills the air. Father Martin appropriately took the title of this marvelous little book from the opening verses of Psalm 108. Reading it IS an experience of awakening, because the essays bring a fresh perspective to spiritual practices which have enabled Catholics for centuries to experience spiritual intimacy. Unfortunately, in the wake of Vatican II, the meaning behind many of these had been lost as religious leaders sought to make the Faith more relevant to contemporary church goers. Rediscovering their history and the meaning they hold to those who practice them today makes them new again.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book!, February 7, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Awake My Soul: Contemporary Catholics on Traditional Devotions (Paperback)

I didn't know much about Catholic devotions, but this book really helped me to understand things like the rosary, and the saints and relics, etc. It's a great collection of beautiful essays by wonderful writers, and I would recommend it highly. I really liked the essay by Lawrence Cunningham on the saints, in particular. It would be great for book reading groups, too.