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Life Everlasting: Catholic Devotions and Mysteries for the Everyday Seeker
The time-honored practices in this inspiring book will guide you in unlocking the power of Catholic devotions— prayers, meditations, and even very simple, small actions you can take right now that will bring you closer to God and also offer reassurance that we are never, ever alone. The mystical practices of mindfulness and heartfulness presented can help anyone find solace, healing, and direction during difficult times.
In Life Everlasting readers will discover that lost causes can be won by meditating with St. Jude; healings can occur by praying with the Virgin Mary; and the Holy Spirit can assist us in making important decisions. The Catholic art of devotion can help us experience miracles in all aspects of our daily lives including our health, finances, and relationships. By praying and taking our attention off our own problems for just a few minutes a day, we can take the first steps toward abandoning fear and living a life of forgiveness, abundance, and perpetual gratitude. In other words, we can experience a little heaven on earth, a little life everlasting.
In Life Everlasting readers will discover that lost causes can be won by meditating with St. Jude; healings can occur by praying with the Virgin Mary; and the Holy Spirit can assist us in making important decisions. The Catholic art of devotion can help us experience miracles in all aspects of our daily lives including our health, finances, and relationships. By praying and taking our attention off our own problems for just a few minutes a day, we can take the first steps toward abandoning fear and living a life of forgiveness, abundance, and perpetual gratitude. In other words, we can experience a little heaven on earth, a little life everlasting.
304 pages, Paperback
Published March 13, 2018
20 people are currently reading
217 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 13, 2018
Everyone knows that praying the rosary is a very Catholic thing to do. But it is just one of the many options the Catholic church offers to help people find their way to God both in prayer and in living everyday life. This was really a revelation to me after my conversion. I loved trying out different devotions as I came across them, seeing which fit my life and which didn't, incorporating them into my journey with God.
Gary Jansen takes us along on his personal journey of discovery in this book of prayer and devotions. It includes insights, general guidelines to help prayer, insights, and examples from the lives of the saints. The devotions range from basic Catholic touchstones like the rosary and Stations of the Cross, to lesser known devotions such as the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Jesus Prayer, and the Miraculous Medal. It also includes something which can be hard to find, a lengthy appendix of prayers for every need.
I enjoyed Jansen's way of leading us into each devotion by coupling the history with his own personal experience. Although these devotions are often rooted far back in time, he shows us that they can be vital in our own lives today. Jansen also casts a wide enough net to surprise those of us who feel we already know all about devotions. For example, I have long had a devotion to my guardian angel but it never occurred to me to ask him to pray with me. Here's a person you never have to feel shy about praying with. I was especially touched by the prayer in step 3 of the explanation.
I had several such moments when reading this very enjoyable and inspirational book. This would be a great gift for people entering the church but it will also be a good refresher for those who, like me, thought they knew all about devotionals.
Gary Jansen takes us along on his personal journey of discovery in this book of prayer and devotions. It includes insights, general guidelines to help prayer, insights, and examples from the lives of the saints. The devotions range from basic Catholic touchstones like the rosary and Stations of the Cross, to lesser known devotions such as the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Jesus Prayer, and the Miraculous Medal. It also includes something which can be hard to find, a lengthy appendix of prayers for every need.
I enjoyed Jansen's way of leading us into each devotion by coupling the history with his own personal experience. Although these devotions are often rooted far back in time, he shows us that they can be vital in our own lives today. Jansen also casts a wide enough net to surprise those of us who feel we already know all about devotions. For example, I have long had a devotion to my guardian angel but it never occurred to me to ask him to pray with me. Here's a person you never have to feel shy about praying with. I was especially touched by the prayer in step 3 of the explanation.
Guardian angel, pray with me. Lead me closer to God. Protect me and give me direction throughout the day.The prayer not only covers all the bases but leads us to a new intimacy with someone who has known us since the day we were born.
I had several such moments when reading this very enjoyable and inspirational book. This would be a great gift for people entering the church but it will also be a good refresher for those who, like me, thought they knew all about devotionals.
August 29, 2019
The author gives his take on Catholic faith and beliefs. His discussions includes the practice of praying to the saints for intercession, novenas, devotionals, and the stations of the cross. Several prayers are scattered throughout.
February 6, 2019
I have always believed in the power of prayer. After reading Life Everlasting, I now have a renewed and refreshed appreciation for my faith. This book is a personal journey which explores our relationship with God, his Blessed Mother and the saints. It is a book that I am grateful to have read.
March 23, 2018
Beautifully written. He's a great story teller. Great to supplement your prayer and meditation life.
June 12, 2018
An in-depth and thoughtful look at devotions and how to incorporate them into your life. A very good book full of personal experience.
April 4, 2021
4/5.
I'm Anglican, Anglo-Catholic at best, which is why I thought this would be an interesting read. Thankfully, I was right. This was the first time I have read an explanation of the Roman Catholic Rosary that actually made sense. I also loved the reflections of the stations of the cross, and I feel like that's something I will pull out each Holy Week to try and delve deeper into my faith during that time.
Unfortunately, because I don't believe all Roman Catholic teaching, I had a hard time digesting everything that this author was talking about. But, I did keep in mind that I'm not the target audience of this book.
All in all, this book is a really good resource on Mary, the Saints, the stations of the cross, the Rosary and includes tons of prayers for different reasons. I think I'll be reaching for this book again and again in the future.
I'm Anglican, Anglo-Catholic at best, which is why I thought this would be an interesting read. Thankfully, I was right. This was the first time I have read an explanation of the Roman Catholic Rosary that actually made sense. I also loved the reflections of the stations of the cross, and I feel like that's something I will pull out each Holy Week to try and delve deeper into my faith during that time.
Unfortunately, because I don't believe all Roman Catholic teaching, I had a hard time digesting everything that this author was talking about. But, I did keep in mind that I'm not the target audience of this book.
All in all, this book is a really good resource on Mary, the Saints, the stations of the cross, the Rosary and includes tons of prayers for different reasons. I think I'll be reaching for this book again and again in the future.
November 22, 2019
I really love Gary Jansen's writing style. It's simple, but elegant. And that's what you get in this book, a lot of elegant prose and ideas. This really isn't a simple book of Catholic devotions, but a guide to building a spiritual life that is both practical, fun, and thoughtful. You can bounce around from chapter to chapter in this book without losing anything in the telling. Everyone should read one of his last chapters on an encounter he had at St. Cecilia's in Rome one evening. It's like he's channeling the ghost of Jack Kerouac. Great writing. Two big thumbs up for this book!
July 12, 2022
Quite readable, with anecdotes that supported the various displayed devotion practices. While Jansen tried to make this book for everyone, it really is a Catholic book. So, if you aren't Catholic, the book starts out a bit more general, but you may not find the second half of the book to your liking.
February 13, 2019
Very readable. Some good insights and ways of looking at spiritual matters. Inspiring devotions and suggestions.
November 4, 2019
This is an incredible book. It has been closely read and is a great reference book. I am willing to read anything Mr. Jansen has written.
July 2, 2023
Excellent guide and encouragement to prayer. Worth having on my bookshelf.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews