Pilgrim package for Lent

February 3, 2021 in News

Three books by Messenger Publications offer readers insight into a journey of transformation that can enhance the Lenten experience. Parish priest Fr John Cullen helps to connect with God through the Stations of the Cross, a God who cares for all creation offering hope and conversion. Ignatian spirituality, drawn from the pilgrim experience of St Ignatius Loyola, is explored in a practical and academic way by Brendan McManus SJ and Brian O’Leary SJ. Ignatian wisdom complements Fr Cullen’s original meditations that can be a source of aid, relief and wonder in people’s lives as they journey on their pilgrim path.

A Calvary Covenant: The Stations of the Cross by Fr John Cullen

Featuring original meditations on each Station, along with a guide to reflection, prayer and song tailored to each part of Christ’s journey to Golgotha, this book takes an inspired path through Christ’s Passion and Resurrection to a place where we ‘stop, to see and be still’.

The Stations have a potent message of hope and transformation that connect with people in their common humanity. In the story where the Stations unfold, all sources of evil are connected: jealousy, betrayal, cowardice, injustice, cruelty and weakness.

Fr John shows how Jesus connects with people’s messiness and takes everything on himself and assumes all human suffering. The Stations of the Cross is a prayer in motion. It spells out for readers that suffering and death do not have the last word because God cares for all creation.

The Way to Manresa: Discoveries Along the Ignatian Camino by Brendan McManus SJ

This is the story of Brendan McManus’s experiences along the Ignatian Camino in Spain, which runs for 600 km from Loyola to Manresa, following the journey that St Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits, made after his spiritual awakening in his home at Loyola.

Walking in the footsteps of St Ignatius was a special experience for Brendan as a Jesuit. It helped him understand more deeply the wisdom of Ignatian spirituality. He says he wants to share his insights into Ignatius and his writings with those who read his book.

To Love and To Serve: Selected Essays Exploring the Ignatian Tradition by Brian O’Leary SJ

Brian O’Leary is a well-known and much-respected writer on many aspects of Ignatian spirituality. Now, a selection of his essays has been gathered together in a single volume to present a comprehensive examination of many aspects of the Ignatian spirituality tradition.

The essays have appeared in journals across a number of countries and over several years. They vary considerably in content, purpose, and style. Some are short and aimed at a popular readership, others are more academic or written with practitioners of Ignatian spirituality in mind.

The book is divided into five parts: The Spiritual Exercises, The Jesuit Constitutions, St Pierre Favre, Ignatian Varia and Spirituality General.