Prayers and Devotions: 365 Daily Meditations

By Pope John Paul II

Book Overview

This treasury of selected passages from the writings and addresses of perhaps the most impressive leader of the Catholic Church the world has ever known offers, as its editor suggests, a harvest from the mind and heart of Pope Wojtyla. And so here is a chance for the modern reader, engaged in various daily tasks, to spend a few moments with the Pope each day of the liturgical year, contemplating his reflections on the mystery and the example of Christ; and on the church, man, the family, the lives of the saints, the meaning of holidays, and the place of faith in daily life.

His personal concerns as expressed in these passages include such topics as Sharing with Others, To Be in Peace, Consumer Society, Family Prayer, and The Great Divine Trial, about the meaning of his near-assassination. Through these pages of calm reflection each day of the year, all will find a moment of peaceful repose from the occupations of life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140247254
• ISBN13: 9780140247251
• Release Date: January 1998
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.2" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Daily Thoughts

"Prayers And Devotions" is a collection of writings and speeches, written or spoken, by Pope John Paul The Great. There is one for each day of the year, with additional sections for movable feasts. The selections are about 1 page each, more or less. Some are geared to the particular feast being celebrated, some to the season and others just to things important enough to be thought about. Each one is interesting and worth reading. I spent a whole year reading this book and it was a treat every day. Each day I was provided with thoughts worth thinking and inspiring insights. I expect that I will read it again during some future year and may refer to it on specific dates or when I just need a boost. Make it your daily companion too!

Consolation through a season of depression

The words of this man spoke to my soul, like water pouring down the hillside after a fresh rain. During a time I most needed a consoling touch, the words I found here helped to bring peace to my person.

Peaceful time for meditation

After reading the book of poems Roman Triptych and "Memory and Identity", which I liked a lot, I wanted to get another book by Pope John Paul II and it was with great satisfaction that I chose Prayers and Devotions. In each page, there are insightful words by the great man that lead the Catholic Church for 25 years. Diverse and varied themes, all that are subjects of our daily lives in the world around us. It gave me a very peaceful time of prayer and meditation every time I opened the book to read one of the pages. I actually read it all as a volume, but now on a daily basis, I go back and read the page of the day, since it has one for every day of the year. A book that every Christian should have by their bed and a great reading for before bed time - when we have time to think and some moments of silence.

Toughtful meditations

John Paul's writings are so beautiful, thoughtful, contemplative and elegant. Every word is like a precious gift -- to be cherished, savored and embraced.

Quite Simply: The Best Book I have ever read.

Inspirational. Profound. Practical. A companion.A one page/three-minute read every day. And an opportunity to plumb the depths of what it means to be a man or a woman.Philosophy has been called: The Queen of all Sciences. These meditations are from the mind of a brilliant philosopher. A great intellect. An extraordinary human being. A man who has used his mind to reason to Truth. A Truth reflected in his personal life. A life that has transcended and soared above personal tragedy, Naziism, Communism, and Modernism.This book provides the reader with a few minutes each day to reflect on what is most meaningful to each of us: relationships, work, marriage, family, sex, education, success, failure, suffering, tragedy, death, life."Prayers and Devotions: 365 Daily Meditations" is a reflection of other writings by John Paul, such as "Fides et Ratio", which is a treatise discussing the interdependence and complementarity of Faith and Technology. "Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth---in a word, to know himself---so that, by knowing and loving God, men and women may also come to the fullness of truth about themselves."From "Veritatis Splendor": "The splendor of truth shines forth in all the works of the Creator and in a special way in man, created in the image and likeness of God. Truth enlightens man's intelligence and shapes his freedom, leading him to know and love the Lord. Hence the psalmist prays: 'Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord.'"And from "Evangelium Vitae": "The Gospel of life is at the heart of Jesus' message. Lovingly received day after day by the church, it is to be preached with dauntless fidelity as 'good news' to the people of every age and culture.""Prayers and Devotions" capsulizes much of the thought of John Paul. It is a rich treasure with each page providing jewels to be discovered, polished, and reflected upon. A book to be read, enjoyed, shared, and re-read.