Vessels of Love: Prayers and Poems for the Later Years of Life

by Joyce Rupp

Have you ever thought of yourself as a “vessel of love?” This image speaks to what I envision for the elderhood years. The vast life experiences of the past provided countless opportunities for our love to grow and mature. The persons we have known, what we have done or had done to us, the beliefs stretching our minds and hearts, what we gained and what we shed, the results of our choices and decisions, our deliberate participation in the evolving history of the world―all this and more we bring with us into the final decades.

During this lifetime, whether we’ve been aware or not, a Presence of immeasurable love has been flowing through those experiences, quietly filling the vessel of our inner being. Like vats of matured wine, our ripened goodness has readied itself to move outward. The Beguine mystic, Mechthild of Magdeburg, trusted that “the great flood of divine love never ceases. . . . It flows on and on effortlessly and sweetly and without failing until, finally, our tiny vessel becomes full and spills over.” Now is the efficacious time to tend “our tiny vessel” so this graced goodness strengthens in us and benefits the life of those we encounter.

181 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2024

About the author

Joyce Rupp is well known for her work as a writer, a spiritual "midwife," and retreat and conference speaker. She has led retreats throughout North America, as well as in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Joyce has a B.A. in English, a M.R.E. in Religious Education, and a M.A. in Transpersonal Psychology. She is a member of the Servites (Servants of Mary) community and was a volunteer for Hospice for fifteen years. She currently resides in Des Moines, Iowa. A list of Joyce's works can be found in the left column of this page. Click on the book title to find out more information about that title.

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was humbling to be given a book on life as we are aging. But in the pages of VESSELS OF LOVE, I found calm and peace.

At first I wondered, am I of age to need a book on “later years”? Well, the truth is we never know.

VESSELS OF LOVE is a book of appreciating life, every aspect of life, including ourselves, those around us and of course, Our Heavenly Father.

So, VESSELS OF LOVE is NOT just for us in the 60++ age group.

If you have parents in or approaching their 60’s, 70’s or older, or even if they are younger and you are noticing changes in their behavior— forgetting more often and maybe they don’t remember they have forgotten an item, a thought, their location—VESSELS OF LOVE can help you understand what they MIGHT be going through.

VESSELS is beautifully written and soothing to read.

Just what I needed, Kirsten. Thank you.

[Bonnie Westmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve loved each and every one of Rupp’s books and they keep getting better! I had preordered this one, waiting with anticipation for my Amazon delivery. It didn’t disappoint me. The prayers and poems are descriptions of everything I think and feel as I get older. It’s as if she took all my thoughts and put them into beautiful art forms. I could identify with each one. What a beautiful gift to know I’m not alone in these feelings. I hope she continues to write, because her words seem to speak to me as if coming straight from God. Each is exactly what I needed to hear. God continued to speak to me through books, poetry, art, nature, animals, and the voices of those present and no longer with us physically. These readings were no exception. I devoured this book in only two days because it touched me so, that I couldn’t put it down.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading this book slowly over the past few months and finally finished it a few days ago. Beautiful book of poems and prayers which often are exactly right when thinking about and living with aging. I am now starting again at the beginning of the book.

[Michael C Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real treat

Some lovely thoughts to be saved and pondered over and returned to. I’m glad I found this book. Especially beautiful given the contentious times we live in.

[Brace1737 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that you will want to read if you are age 60+. A book that you just have to read if you are age 70+. You don't have to be Catholic to gain a great deal from the wisdom of Joyce Rupp.