ENFOLDED IN CHRIST: The inner life of a priest

Inspired by words of St John Vianney, the famous Curé d'Ars, “the priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus”, I wrote this book to focus on the ‘being beneath the role’ as an aid to clergy, spiritual directors, ordinands and those considering their call. It doesn’t address ministry but ways of developing a healthy spiritual life.

It draws on different spiritualities including Benedictine, Franciscan and Ignatian and seeks to help priests cultivate spiritual practices and habits that will nurture awareness of Christ, sustain holy living and foster personal well-being. 

Fr Raymond Avent writes:

‘I suppose I've read many books , booklets and articles on the ministerial priesthood over my life - from two that had an immense influence on me when my vocation was being formed, through to more theological treatises, but never one so inspiring and practical as yours.  In fact I don't think there has been one that will help young neophyte priests as they respond to their vocations so much as yours.'

https://canterburypress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9781786220462/enfolded-in-christ

Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus (and, to an extent, the Heart of Mary) is hardly known amongst non-Catholics and may seem to be a rather exotic, excessive, out of date devotion of little value to the ‘modern’ church – yet this book sets out to reveal just why it is of value to all Christians. 

This book sets out, in nine chapters, to shed light on the fount of that love which is the essence of God. The heart offers a world-wide image which speaks to all but the book also looks at how it can be easily corrupted and how we can address that.  

Chapters include:

- The Heart of Jesus as an image of God’s love
- Mary’s heart – wonder and joy at the presence of the divine
- The call of the heart – intimacy and vocation
- Change of heart - what conversion means
- Heartfelt – the spirituality of compassion
- Lonely hearts – suffering and emptiness
- The oratory of the heart – the place of prayer and encounter
- The heart of the Eucharist – sacraments and spirituality

- The Cosmic Heart – creation’s divinity 

 'Heart of my own Heart' is a beautifully attentive reminder that God's name is Love, and that Jesus is God's love made manifest to us, and to our hearts. This book recapitulates the Christian life as one of honest pilgrimage, of seeking the Love which in Jesus sought and found us. ' (The Rev. Canon Jarel Robinson-Brown)

https://canterburypress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9781786225795/heart-of-my-own-heart

 Concerned with faith formation this book is intended for individuals or groups who want to understand more about the Christian Faith. Written for an ‘average’ reader it uses the Creed to explore the essentials including material on the nature of the Triunity, prayer, the sacraments, worship etc Foreword by the Bishop of Salisbury. Canterbury Press have produced a video: https://youtu.be/k114d_eVzPoBr. 

Fr Carl Turner, Rector, St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York, USA  writes:

'John-Francis draws on a life-times reflection as a pilgrim on a faith journey.  His own journey has taken him from living in community, encouraging vocations, to pastoring a community as a parish priest.  Now, as an experienced spiritual director and retreat conductor, his teaching and pastoral ministry combine in this accessible introduction to the Christian Faith.  In the same vein as Michael Ramsey’s lovely book ‘Introducing the Christian Faith,’ this book is both simple yet profound and allows the reader to be immersed in the great traditions of the Church, whilst making connections with the world around us.  As Jesus himself says, “Every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.'

https://canterburypress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9781786221803/the-mystery-of-faith 

  This book explores some of the treasures that Religious Life offers the church and world. Emerging from the 19th. (Anglican) Catholic Revival, the development of this Life was a pastoral response to the terrible slum conditions in many cities, folllowed by the development of monastic and contemplative life. This book seeks to share some of the treasures of faith they built up which are easily overlooked but of vital importance as the church seeks to reach out in our times.

The Very Rev. Dr. Frances E F Ward Obl.OSB, former Dean of St Edmundsbury, and author of Like There's No Tomorrow: Climate Crisis, Eco-Anxiety and God and other books writes:

‘To enter this book is to find oneself in another world soaked by the presence of God; it is to realise that all life, communal and individual, and indeed the natural world around, participates in a greater reality of love and there finds meaning and purpose. In a time of global pandemic, the ancient way chosen by Religious in answer to the deep question ‘What Do You Seek?’ is more relevant than ever, and I firmly predict we shall see a renaissance in vocations to the religious life in coming times. John-Francis Friendship brings all his experience and wisdom to open up the rich hinterland of the religious orders that have contributed so much to church and society in this beautifully written book which will inform and inspire in equal measure.’  

https://canterburypress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9781786223456/what-do-you-see

Whilst Anglican and Roman Catholic clergy and most Religious are required to pray the Daily/Divine Office, and many laity do so as part of their spiritual discipline, it’s likely only a few have received any instruction in its place in the spiritual life. Whilst clergy from other church traditions find it of benefit most lay people may be oblivious to this form of prayer – or think it is not intended for them. This 80 page booklet is intended for all who want to understand the riches of this daily prayer. Written by someone with half a century’s experience of the Office in many forms, the booklet uses that structure of hymn, psalms, canticles, readings, and prayers common to most contemporary traditions to enable it to speak to a wide readership, both clerical and lay. 

It seeks to explain the benefits of this form of daily prayer whose main roots reach back into the world of the Old Testament. Beginning with a chapter concerning the rich treasury of the Psalms and how these informed Jesus’ own prayer it then considers how best to pray the Office as it connects us with the movement of times and seasons and how this natural cycle relates to prayer. Addressing the place of the Canticles, Hymn, Readings, and Intercessions it also looks at the way some might ‘choose’ which format to adopt as well as addressing the relationship between the Office and the Eucharist.

The Very Rev. Andrew Nunn, Dean of Southwark Cathedral writes:

Fr. John-Francis Friendship’s book is born out of a similar experience and from his own use of the Office brings deep reflections which can help all of us understand more of the prayer which is at the heart of the church and is a gift to those who seek to know God and follow our Lord Jesus Christ.’

PUBLISHED BY DLT - but only available at present from the author: jff2209@yahoo.com

(Copies available at £6.75 p&p inc. - RRP £7.99)