Cry of the Deer [Paperback]

David Adam (Author), Jenny Pearson (Illustrator), Peter Dingle (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1989

A series of meditations leading into practical exercises in affirming the presence of God through prayer. These meditations are based on the eternal certainties of the Christian faith, as acclaimed in the translation of the hymn of St Patrick known as "The Deer's Cry".

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Here is a book, illustrated in the Celtic manner, which offers extended 'meditations' on the masterful hymn we know as St. Patrick's Breastplate. The author [calls] us to awareness of basic Celtic knowledge such as being in touch with creation means being in touch with God." -- The Living Church

"Perhaps nowhere else has Adam--one of the leading exponents of the revival of Celtic Christian spirituality--expressed the heart of the experience of the Celtic Christian saints in such a moving, vital manner. Those to whom the Christian life has become a dry, rote recitation of doctrine or those who wish to learn the insights offered by the Celtic saints will find a refreshing perspective in The Cry of the Deer." -- Christianity & the Arts

About the Author

THE REVD CANON DAVID ADAM is one of the best-loved figures in Celtic spirituality. The author of many successful books, he was for thirteen years Vicar of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. He continues to lecture, speak and act as a spiritual director. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Morehouse Group (January 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819214426
• ISBN-13: 978-0819214423
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,523,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I bind unto myself today..., April 15, 2005

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Cry of the Deer (Paperback)

I recently heard someone in the liturgical field talking about the resurgence of interest in things Celtic, but then had to reflect that interest in Celtic spirituality and liturgical forms is almost as old as Christianity itself. David Adam, Vicar of Lindisfarne (famous for, among other things, a wonderful illuminated manuscript dating back to the early days of Celtic influence in Christianity), has a gift for developing prayers and liturgies in Celtic form and Celtic spirit, and this book (first published in 1987, and in its fourth printing in 1998) reflects many of the influences and inspirations in high relief.

Adam begins with a brief reflection on St. Patrick himself; patron saint of Ireland, his first experiences in Ireland were as a kidnapped slave. When he was 16, he was taken to Ireland and spent six years there, often working as a shepherd. He returned home to Britain, but as Adam says, 'Ireland had already captured him in other ways.' He had dreams that the people of Ireland were calling him to return, and after his education and ordination, he returned as a missionary bishop to the people of Ireland, who have been resolutely Christian ever since.

However, Patrick's ministry was not universally accepted and unopposed at the start. The story of his fire burning at Tara during a time when the Druidic festivals of the time would call for all fires to be extinguished is well known; also, one of the Irish kings was warned against Patrick, who was proclaimed a 'falsifier who is deceiving everyone.' When the army plotted to attack Patrick, he escaped by being seen as a deer (local legends proclaimed that Patrick had been changed into a deer). Tradition states that the prayer/hymn text, 'The Deer's Cry', also known as St. Patrick's Breastplate, was composed during this journey.

This famous prayer or hymn is most likely dated several centuries after Patrick. It is oft translated and reworked; Adam includes two translations of the text here (one by Kuno Meyer, and one by Mrs. C.F. Alexander). Adam then uses lines from the text as headings for his meditations, prayers and exercises. Each meditation (there are eleven in all) each derives from a single line of affirmation - 'I arise today' - or through an entire section of the text - 'Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me,....' After each section, Adam leads the reader through a meditative exercise, which can involve silence, recitation, movement, and more. For example, the exercises associated with the first meditation, 'Strength through faith', begins with a silence reflection upon the word 'In the Beginning, GOD', follows through to a practice of the Caim (a kind of physical centering prayer, and concludes with the 5-P exercise (Pause, Presence, Picture, Ponder, Promise).

There are Celtic-inspired line art drawings throughout the text, including images from nature, hagiography, and religious symbolism. There are notes in the back for references, but these are used sparingly throughout the text, very unobtrusively.

This is a book that could be read quickly, but that would be to lose the subtle spirit contained within. Each meditation and practice deserves careful attention and time. This makes an excellent gift for those interested in prayer practices and Celtic spirituality. It is also a gift to oneself, a wonderful way of reconnecting with timeless spirit.

5.0 out of 5 stars St. Patrick's Hymn: Celtic prayers: Simple and Deep, December 2, 2003

By 

Catherine Cherry (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cry of the Deer (Paperback)

This small book uses the hymn attributed to St. Patrick as a basis for presenting a theologically sound incarnational mysticism grounded in scripture and suffused with simple celtic prayers that make it a heart-moving prayerful support for all Christians.