A Contemporary Celtic Prayer Book

by William John Fitzgerald

Book Overview

A Contemporary Celtic Prayer Book by Fr. William John Fitzgerald134 page hard cover edition.A Contemporary Celtic Prayer Book is a new prayer resource based on a very old way of prayer. Like the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0879462191
• ISBN13: 9780879462192
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: ACTA Publications
• Length: 148 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.0" x 7.4"

Customer Reviews

Harmony between Man, Nature and God

"A Contemporary Celtic Prayer Book" is a collection of prayers and devotions in the Celtic tradition. Celtic spirituality emphasizes the harmony between mankind and the natural world. Due to the long isolation of the Celtic world, its spirituality arose out of the Celtic traditions, not those of the Roman Empire, as is the case with many other European cultures. This book consists of a Celtic Liturgy of the Hours, the prayers for morning, noon and night, prayers to Celtic Saints, and prayers and blessings for special needs. This book helps bring the reader, particularly us Celts, into harmony with the traditions which we may have lost over the centuries. It helps us look at life in a different way, a way helps grow closer to God through His world.

I bind unto myself today...

Celtic prayers are prayers of everyday life blended with the mystical and holy. Celtic sensibilities combine a strong sense of place and people and history with the current experience of people in their ongoing struggles for peace, harmony and connection with the ultimate. William John Fitzgerald has combined the ancient and modern together is a beautiful little collection of prayers. The book is divided broadly into two sections: A Celtic Liturgy of the Hours (daily prayers), and special Celtic Prayers, Blessings and Rituals for life events and occasions. The Liturgy of the Hours has a distinctly catholic feel to the structure, which comes as no surprise given the strong identification of the Celtic (particularly Irish) with ritual and liturgical forms of Christianity. The three portions of daily prayer lifted out of the particular days, appearing at the front of the section, are the Magnificat, the Our Father, and the Hail Mary (prayers that are far more general than the Celtic community). Each day then proceeds with brief prayer rituals for the morning (Lauds), the mid-day (Nones and Angelus), and the night (Compline). These include blessings of self, the world, and God, periods of silence, periods of petition and prayers of reverence. The section for special blessings and occasions includes blessings for babies, children and grandchildren, blessings for friends, those departing on journeys, meals, and even a houseblessing. There are prayers for important times in life -- birth, death, sickness, wedding and engagements, as well as prayers tied to the liturgical seasons (Lent, Advent, etc.). There are also special sections for saints, particularly those of note in the Celtic community, such as Patrick, Brigit, Columbanus, Colm Cille, and more general prayer for groups ('prayer to the vibrant women of Celtic lore'). There is a useful glossary of terms at the end of the book, including liturgical and religious terms as well as Celtic words and terms. Fitzgerald served as a parish priest in the Archdiocese of Omaha before retiring to Arizona, where he continued to serve in a priestly/chaplaincy manner even in his retirement community. Many of the prayers come from his own family background (which includes McCarthy, Garrahan and O'Bryne ancestry in addition to Fitzgeralds). This is a wonderful, pocket-sized, useful resource for daily prayer for groups and individuals. It has a wonderful, vibrant spirit that combines the unique with the familiar. It is a blessing indeed.

Non-Denominational Inspiration!

With The Contemporary Celtic Prayer Book, William John Fitzgerald has accomplished an amazing and sensitive feat of balance: he has created a spiritual celebration that crosses denominational borders. This book is a true celebration of the Celtic spirit, regardless of specific denominational upbringing. There are prayers and inspirations for every occasion, from the every day to life-changing events. I bought this book for the wonderful "Prayer to the Vibrant Women of Celtic Lore" - but I quickly fell in love with the rest of it. (excerpted from my review for The Irish News and used with persmission)