Books

I The Lord Am With You Always: Prayers and Meditations for Eucharistic Adoration

Reviewed by Msgr Peter J. Elliott

Contents - Oct 2003 - Buy a copy now Editorial: The role of the Catholic in public life - Peter Westmore After 25 years: the impact of John Paul II's pontificate - Michael Gilchrist News: The Church Around the World - AD2000 Ethics: Bishop Fisher and Dr Philip Nitschke in Sydney euthanasia debate - Frank Mobbs Saints: The Beatification of Mother Teresa of Calcutta Youth: Thomas More Winter School in Sale Diocese has Eucharistic focus - Michael Casanova Melbourne Archdiocese responds to John Paul II's Year of the Rosary - AD2000 Report How fatherhood is crucial to children's faith - Fr Robbie Low Why Catholic teaching on marriage is 'good news' for all humanity - Eamonn Keane AD2000 readers' generous response to Queensland Lourdes appeal - Jenny Davies and Nicole King Orthodox US Catholic colleges and universities continue to flourish - Julia Duin Letters: Original Sin (letter) - Niall Browne Letters: Individual confession (letter) - John Cassar Letters: Clerical celibacy (letter) - Gerard Wilson Letters: New bishops (letter) - Anne Lastman Letters: Thomas Groome (letter) - Dr Susan Moore Letters: Education crisis (letter) - Alex Sharah Letters: New RE program (letter) - Paul Chigwidden Letters: Inspiring hymn (letter) - Kevin O'Hagan Letters: Footy Show (letter) - Alan A. Hoysted Books: I The Lord Am With You Always: Prayers and Meditations for Eucharistic Adoration - Msgr Peter J. Elliott (reviewer) Liturgical Time Bombs In Vatican II, by Michael Davies - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) Books: Crisis In Religious Education, by Eamonn Keane - Damien Tudehope (reviewer) Books: Great books at the best prices! Reflection: Why the tabernacle should be centrally located in our churches - Fr Sebastian Camilleri OFM

I THE LORD AM WITH YOU ALWAYS:
Prayers and Meditations for Eucharistic Adoration
Compiled by Christine McCarthy
(Second Edition, 2003. Available for $12.50 + postage from The Convenor, Society for Eucharistic Adoration, 142 Victoria St, Ashfield, NSW 2131, fax (02) 9797 2273)

The appearance of a new edition of this collection of prayers and meditations for eucharistic adoration will be welcomed in growing circles of Catholics who adore Our Eucharistic Lord. Since it first appeared in 1999, this lovingly crafted compilation by Christine McCarthy (Convenor of the Society for Eucharistic Adoration) has spread beyond Australia. Readers already familiar with this useful book may wonder what is new in the second edition.

What stands out first of all is the extensive use of the Holy Father's recent gift to the Church, Ecclesia de Eucharistia. Mrs McCarthy has skilfully selected appropriate sections that call us to pray before the monstrance and tabernacle, adoration Pope John Paul II wants to see everywhere.

There is a sixth chapter for children, useful for those making their First Communion and Confirmation. This raises the need for parents, teachers, catechists and clergy to explain and promote Eucharistic Adoration among children. Adoration is included in the Melbourne-Sydney religious education texts, To Know, Worship and Love. In France an extensive network is promoting adoration among children, skilfully adapted to cultivate their awareness of the Real Presence.

Apart from a reordering of the second chapter of eucharistic hymns, some translations of little-known poems by St Thérèse of Lisieux have been added to this edition, Their style reflects the piety of her times, and the attempt to make the verses rhyme in English is unfortunate, but the poems give us an insight into the eucharistic focus of the interior life of St Thérèse. This central dimension of her daily life as a religious is sometimes lost in studies of her spirituality. Her awareness of the liturgy is particularly interesting, focussed around signs and symbols.

Some delightful reflections by St Josemaria Escriva have been taken from Christ Is Passing By (pp. 30, 50). His eucharistic writing speaks to us "directly", where we are in our daily lives, so characteristic of the energetic founder of Opus Dei.

Once again I am pleased to be able to commend I the Lord Am With You Always. This book should be available in every parish.

Msgr Peter J. Elliott is the Episcopal Vicar for Religious Education in the Melbourne Archdiocese.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 16 No 9 (October 2003), p. 16