Five Loaves and Two Fish (Hardcover)

by Van Thuan (Author), John-Peter Pham (Author), Phanxico Xavie Van Thuan Nguyen (Author)
Key Phrases: dear young people, John Paul, Nha Trang, Holy Spirit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Italian

Product Details

• Hardcover: 99 pages
• Publisher: Morley Books; 1st edition (May 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966059751
• ISBN-13: 978-0966059755
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #925,628 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound and simple meditations, September 2, 2001

By A Customer

This is a treasure of a book. The prayers and meditations contained in it are jewels polished by long hours of suffering. Archbishop Van Thuan spent 13 years in prison in Vietnam, and 9 of those years in solitary confinement. His great love for Christ and for his people illuminated the darkness of his suffering and now shine from every word. His heart was crushed in the winepress of sorrow, and the wine of his words will bring life to your spirit. They are simple and spare, pure and joyful, rich and sparkling with eternal wisdom. This is a small book, but profoundly beautiful.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five loaves and two fish- food for the soul., April 13, 2008

By	Dr Neil MacNeill "Dr Neil MacNeill" (Ellenbrook, Western Australia, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Five Loaves & Two Fish (Paperback)

Father Francis Xavier Nguyen survived the worst that the communist re-educators could throw at him, including nine years of solitary confinement, and he retained his faith due to strong system of values and beliefs. Guidance came from the words of Monsignor John Walsh, imprisoned in China, "I am not going to wait, I will leave each present moment, filling it to the brim with love". Engaging his guards in conversation caused a major discipline problem for the communist authorities.

This small book is packed with inspiration, and the loaves and fish title draws on the Biblical story of Jesus feeding the crowd of five thousand.

The seven homilies are:
The first loaf: Living the present moment;
The second loaf: Discerning between God and god's works;
The third loaf: A fixed point of reference;
The fourth loaf: The Eucharist- my only strength;
The fifth loaf: Love and unity- the testimony of Jesus;
The first fish: My first love- The Immaculate Virgin Mary; and
The second fish: I have chosen Jesus.

Conducting the Eucharist, even in isolation using bread crumbs and "stomach medicine", enabled Father Francis not only to survive but help others also.

One stands in awe of this priestly man who survived, both physically and spiritually, when others would have fallen by the way.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting, September 16, 2008

By	S. Teo (Vancouver) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Five Loaves & Two Fish (Paperback)

A short but powerful book by the author that inspires us to dwell not in our knitty-gritty stuff that clogs our life but to surrender what we have to God. Suitable piece for young & old. One you could read over and over as a prayer.