Paths to prayer: A Field Guide to Ten Catholic Traditions

Arts & Culture
Paths to Prayer: A Field Guide to Ten Catholic Traditions by Pat Fosarelli (Ave Maria Press, 2010)

pathtoprayerHave you ever heard someone speak of “Augustian spirituality” or “Ignatian Spirituality” or “Dominican spirituality” and not been sure exactly what he was talking about? What does it mean to speak about different schools of spiritual thought?

These are the questions answered in Paths to Prayer: A Field Guide to Ten Catholic Traditions. Pat Fosarelli, a teacher at the Ecumenical Institute of Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, has written a concise, informative guide to Augustinian, Benedictine, Cistercian, Carmelite, Dominican, Franciscan, Ignatian, Salesian, Lay, and Mystical spiritualities.

Fosarelli offers a historical background to each movement and the saints that inspired it. She then goes on to explain its key features. Lastly, she offers well-known examples of persons who have made this spirituality their own, and references for learning more. Her section on “Lay Spirituality” is particularly interesting. Rooted in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, it emphasizes the role laypeople are called to play in the spiritual life of the Church.

While certainly not meant to be an exhaustive study of any of these traditions, Paths to Prayer does provide a wealth of information. As Fosarelli states, “This is a book that is meant to get readers started, so that, having a better understanding of some of the major Catholic spiritual traditions, readers can then move on to traditions they might like to explore.” She has succeeded admirably in that aim.

Advertisement

Paths to Prayer is for anyone seeking a general overview of different traditions of Catholic spiritual thought. It would also be incredibly useful in a college course on spirituality or for use by a Catholic book club.

About the author

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur holds a Master's degree in Applied Theology. She blogs at spiritualwomanthoughts.blogspot.com.

 

Add comment