The New Jerusalem Bible: Saints Devotional Edition (Hardcover)

~ Bert Ghezzi (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This highly accessible translation of The New Jerusalem Bible features inspiring quotes from the saints. Within the pages of this solidly bound text readers find a convincing testament to how the saints steeped themselves in Scripture. "You will see it in what they said, what they wrote, and above all in what they did, for in all things they concentrated on conforming to God's Word," according to the introduction. The 200 assorted readings from the saints (100 for the Old Testament and 100 for the New Testament) are delightfully diverse, including commentary, reflection, preaching, testimonies, poetry, hymns, letters, and more. The one commonality is that all the quotes emphasize or illuminate various passages of the Bible. For instance, in the Book of Ruth, Saint Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167) speaks to when Moabite ordered his reapers to discreetly leave ears of corn in the field for Ruth to find, so she could collect his charity without shame. Saint Aelred uses Moabite's compassion as a measurement for how to give generously and respectfully to friends.

Along with a complete text of the ancient canon of the Scriptures, this also includes a mini course (20 brief lessons) on the teachings and experiences of the saints. The final pages offer biographical sketches of each of the 90 saints quoted in the text, a yearlong calendar of the saints, as well as a listing of patron saints (such as Adelard and Dorothy for gardeners and Joseph of Cupertino for air travelers). --Gail Hudson

Review

?The best of modern scholarship joined with a deep reverence and devotion for the Bible as the Word of God.? Christianity Today

?The best of modern translations.? The Living Church
-- Review

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 1632 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday Religion; First Edition edition (May 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385500661
• ISBN-13: 978-0385500661
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.8 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #441,661 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful spritual food, June 14, 2002

By	Allan Engelhardt "Just Another Reader" (Bedfordshire, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"There are many people whose spirits are in their bodies like corpses in their tombs. And, just as God will, at the end of time, raise up dead bodies by his word, so he now gives life to dead spirits by the power of his word." (Blessed Humbert of Romans, 1200-1277)

This work combines the great Jerusalem translation of the Bible with 200 extracts from the writings and teachings of the Saints, each extract placed at the appropriate place within the Bible. There are 100 extracts for the Old Testament, 100 for the New, and an additional 20 texts that allow the Saints to speak about their love and devotion to Scripture reading.

Addtionally, the volume contains a brief biographical sketch of each of the 90 saints featured in the texts, and a topical index to the extracts covering 96 toics from Almsgiving to Worship. A calendar of saints and a list of patron saints is also included.

This is a wonderfuly inspirational volume that shows how, thorughout the ages, the Word of God has inspired men and women to live holy lives filled with the Spirit and in communion with the Church. In this way it encourages us to read and re-read the Scripture, finding in it inspiration for our own lives and providing the Holy Spirit with "the raw material...to work with when he wants to inspire our thoughts".

I would have given it five stars had it (a) been the full study edition of the New Jerusalem Bible text with all the notes and (b) contained a more comprehensive biography and suggested readings for the saints. However, this does not detract from the inspirational value of this book -- truly spiritual food.

Indeed, as Jesus said, "human beings live not on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." This is better than the finest bread.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Helpful, July 19, 2005

By	Madeleine A. Mccarty (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this for my husband who is an ordained Deacon in the Catholic Church. He likes the Jerusalem Bible translation. He gave his old one to our son. He especially likes the addition of the Saint's writings. He finds it helpful when planning his homilies to read what they had to say. It gives him new insights and often a jumping off point on which to expand.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT BOOK !!!, August 4, 2004

By	ALBERT A. ROMERO (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is the best bible I have ever had ! I am extremely happy with this great Bible. I have used this bible over and over and love to read the Saint's input which is so great a blessing to have in a bible. I would recommend this bible to anyone who is interested in what the Saint's have to say about Holy Scripture
and in conjuction with their Master.