De cow-boy a trapense

by M. Raymond

DUST JACKET AND PAGES ARE CLEAN AND TIGHT!!!! EXCELLENT PRICE!!!!

Genres: Catholic, Biography, Nonfiction, Religion

Unknown Binding

First published June 1, 1988

About the author

Fr. Mary Raymond Flanagan, O.C.S.O.

Born Joseph David Flanagan in 1903, he grew up in Massachusetts. He joined the Jesuits in 1920, teaching at Holy Cross College from 1927 to 1930 and later serving as retreat master. In 1936, he joined the Order of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists) at the cloister of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemane in Kentucky where he received the name he is most know by today, Fr. Mary Raymond. He wrote twenty-two books as a Trappist, many dealing with the subject of how the laity could achieve sanctity.

Reviews

[Christopher]

I first read about John Green Hanning in Thomas Merton's history of the Cistercians/Trappists, "The Waters of Silence," and was interested to read more on the wild cowboy turned strict monk. Unfortunately, the treatment given to the life of Hanning by the author was far too hagiographic and saccharine, especially in its middle school level of storytelling. There are obvious gaps and silences in the biography of a solitary man like him but the most interesting and valuable portion of his life is told in the most parochial way. The few facts that are known about Hanning are relatively inane and I think much more could have been accomplished by describing the real hardships of the cowboy life on the border before he quit it to return home to face the family he fled a decade earlier. The interior conflicts going on in Hanning must have been tremendous and they are hardly touched upon except in the most simplistic manner. There's really a great story waiting to be told about him, perhaps a fictionalized telling may be more effective. A flat disappointing 2.5 stars

[Damien Rappuhn]

A book that needs to be appreciated with a contextual understanding of the time it was written in. When the author talks about the cultural restlessness of the '80s, he is referring to the 1880s--the decade in which most of this book takes place. It tends to swerve into hagiography at times, as it is very clear that the author is trying to single-handedly advance his cause for canonization (and I may have knocked a star off my rating of this book for his comparing the main character, Manning, with Father Damien of Molokai, at the expense of the latter to try to benefit the former). This book is written for those who are patient and don't mind storytelling. What could be construed as the author's condescension is a product of his time; it's the way stories were told, and there is something quaint in reading it and getting caught up in it again. I quite enjoyed it and will be recommending it to a few friends.

[Ann-Marie]

I really enjoyed this book - quite unlike anything I've ever read before. The real life story follows the life of a man who enters a Trappist monastery. But not before setting fire to his family's barn, running away, and living as a cowboy for years. He is known for his temper and his great desire to "get even" with those he feels have wronged him. It is a beautifully told story - probably greatly elaborated on, I couldn't tell for sure. It is definitely a story of grace - the grace of God and one individual responding to grace. He works for years (and literally years) to conform his will to the one who his soul loves. It is a fun peek into a monastery. I especially enjoyed some of the more creative penances he received from his superior.

[Wanda]

A book about Brother Joachim, a wild Texas cowboy who became a Cistercian (Trappist) monk. I hope to read it if I ever find a copy.

[Mckinley]

The author got in the way of the story.

[William Kirejczyk]

One of the best books I’ve ever read. An amazing story of one man’s journey from angry young man to his life as a Trappist monk at Gethsemane Abbey in Kentucky. A true reminder how God is silently, and sometimes not so silently working in all of our lives!

[Amy Gieser]

Another inspiring story of a monk from Gethsemani. Raymond shows us how much a person can change in cooperating with God’s Grace in in the story of this fiery, unbelieving cowboy turned monk.

[Debbie Womack]

Read this book!