Out of the Ordinary: Prayers, Poems, and Reflections for Every Season [Paperback]

Joyce Rupp (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 4, 2000

This perennial bestseller is now available in a tenth-anniversary edition that showcases Joyce Rupp's poems, a new preface by the author, and a new design.

Joyce Rupp's characteristic creativity and reverence for the Divine are on full display in this collection of prayer resources for birthdays, holidays, holy days, transitions, and many other occasions, helping readers enter more deeply and reflectively into the liturgical and seasonal celebrations of their lives.

Ideal for personal use, or as a gift for loved ones celebrating a landmark occasion, this enduring spiritual classic is an invaluable resource for ministers, spiritual directors, and lay leaders alike, who turn to its prayers, reflections, and rituals for personal and communal occasions both "ordinary" and profound.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Over the years, I have often wished there were more relevant, life-sustaining, inspirational, and meaningful rituals for Christians to use in a variety of situations. This book by writer and retreat leader Joyce Rupp arrives like a Godsend. With her keen sense of the Indwelling presence of God, the author is truly a gifted spiritual midwife. These soulful poems, prayers, and reflections for group or individual use are designed 'to revitalize the spiritual blood pulsating through the veins of faith.' ...Out of the Ordinary is an incomparable resource for spiritual directors and lay leaders of all stripes." --Spirituality & Practice

"Joyce weaves familiar prayer traditions with contemporary life, gathered around themes that invite us to draw close to God." --Sr. Laura Swan, O.S.B., Editor of The Benedictine Tradition: Spirituality in History

"Out of the Ordinary is no ordinary book, as browsing through it leads to stopping at various prayers and poems which touch one's heart--and may be the perfect solution for opening or closing a gathering." --The Leaven

"Filled with expressions of prayers, sorrow, worry, and trust, this small book is a good one to keep on your desk or prayer space for your 'ordinary' days." ----Spirit & Life --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Joyce Rupp is well known for her work as a writer, spiritual "midwife," and retreat and conference speaker. A member of the Servite (Servants of Mary) community, she has led retreats throughout North America, as well as in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Rupp is the author of numerous books, including the bestseller Open the Door. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Ave Maria Press; 3rd edition (January 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0877939209
• ISBN-13: 978-0877939207
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #749,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Must" reading for all Joyce Rupp fans!, March 4, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Out of the Ordinary: Prayers, Poems, and Reflections for Every Season (Paperback)

Out Of The Ordinary features more than 125 thoughtful compositions drawn from author Joyce Rupp's treasure trove of unpublished work. Herein contained are attentive prayer resources for a wide spectrum of needs and times, including resources for groups, individuals, prayer rituals, guided visualizations, reflections, and poems -- suitably for open or closed meetings, prayer sessions, and days of recollection. When used within the context of worship and small group prayer, they can be duplicated without cost or written permission. Out Of The Ordinary is further enhanced for students of spirituality with a collection of prayerful, Taize-like chants that Rupp composed to accompany the many rituals outlined in her book. The musical notation of these chants is contained in the Appendix, and are also available on CD or cassette.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A contagious passion for worship, August 8, 2006

By 

Laurie Klein "writer, reader, consulting editor" (Deer Park, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Out of the Ordinary: Prayers, Poems, and Reflections for Every Season (Paperback)

"The natural object is always the adequate symbol." Joyce Rupp embodies Ezra Pound's famous quote by using diverse images as springboards for spiritual transformation; in elevating the ordinary, she reveals an extraordinary God.

These meditations and seasonal reflections include prayers of all kinds: from call and response to blessings to holy day invocations. Drawn from her years as a spiritual director and retreat leader, her work gives voice to our common losses and aspirations, our longings and celebrations. Forthright poems emulate traditional religious poetry, and her prose is direct, insightful, and heartfelt.

This is one generous soul. "Use the rituals and prayers as seeds or as whole plants," she writes. "Either way is fine with me." She requests that her poems be preserved intact but graciously offers the other materials in her book -- including the music -- for adaptation for personal or liturgical use. The user need only include the appropriate acknowledgement, as explained in her introduction.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Prayers and poems, liturgical use, meditation use., March 23, 2010

By 

D. Holmquist (Humboldt County, CA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Out of the Ordinary: Prayers, Poems, and Reflections for Every Season (Paperback)

A great value as a used book. It is in very good condition.
Rupp connects spiritual musings with personal conditions very nicely. An ordinary situation can gain timeless depth. A divine thought can gain practical application.
Not meant for a quick read-through. Rather, it's useful for slowing down, centering, connecting to eternal good.