The Way of the Fathers: Praying With the Early Christians (Paperback)

by Mike Aquilina (Editor) "1 All nature is good..." (more)
Key Phrases: John Chrysostom, Clement of Alexandria, John Cassian (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 207 pages
• Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor (December 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879733349
• ISBN-13: 978-0879733346
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #510,498 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Start Here, Pilgrim, November 24, 2000

By A Customer

Arguably the best introduction ever to the prayers and quotes of the early Christians, "The Way of the Fathers" complements Mike Aquilina's earlier book, "The Fathers of the Church: Introduction to the First Christian Teachers."

The early Christians are the 'founding fathers' of the Church that lived from right after the apostolic age through the middle of the eighth century. About 50 ancient writers are quoted, among them are the Great Doctors of the Church: St. Gregory the Great, St. Ambrose of Milan, St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Jerome, St. John Chrysostom, St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory of Nazianzus, and St. Athanasius.

"The Way of the Fathers" is a compilation of 1,000 prayers, quotes, sayings, and poems. Most are one or two lines, and the longest is about 100 words. They are divided into about 50 chapters or themes, such as Creation, Human Nature, The Search, Prayer, Worship, Contemplation, Angels, Mary, and Glory.

What makes of The "Way of the Fathers" a unique treasure is that Mike Aquilina has edited the language into Modern English so that it is accessible to everyone.

Who should read it? Those who are starting their journey, those who want an introduction to the early Christians, and those who want an introduction to eastern Christian spirituality.

Buy the book.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Words of Wisdom, May 17, 2001

By	Mom of a Teen (Idaho) - See all my reviews

This collection of quotes by the Church Fathers is thought provoking and inspiring. The quotes are arranged by subject, such as Eucharist, Persecution, Suffering, etc., making this book very easy to read. If you enjoy powerful concepts presented in a few short words, you'll love this book!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound and timeless riches, January 14, 2008

By	Stratiotes Doxha Theon "2 Thes 2:15" (Richmond, Missouri) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

More than witty little slogans, this is a collection of some of the most profound thought shared concerning the God who loved us so much that he gave us His son. Meditating on these words cannot but provide a deeper appreciation and love for our Maker. Mr. Aquilina's passion for the Fathers of the Church is infectious and his selections in this work are some of the vast riches of that great cloud of witnesses (Heb 12:1). They are arranged by topics such as creation, God, the will of God, sacred scripture, pleasure, suffering, the eucharist, evangelization, and many more.

In the early history of the Church, it seems God gave special graces to those first Christian thinkers and their work is as fresh and thought-provoking today as it was then. We do well to return to that wellspring of Christian thought again and again. Mr. Aquilina makes those trips to the well more accessible to all of us with this wealth of our Fathers. Meditative prayer that truly seeks to know the Father will truly find a start here. A handy reference for stirring us up to love and good works fed by a life devoted to prayer.