Conversion: Spiritual Insights Into an Essential Encounter with God

by Donald Haggerty

Contemporary spiritual writer Fr. Donald Haggerty offers penetrating observations of the phenomenon of Christian conversion. Arranged as a collection of concise, meditative reflections, this book discusses the essential elements of a soul's return to God, including the repercussions of sin, the proper understanding of mercy, and the importance of a more radical response to God's will. Fr. Haggerty also explores the fruits of conversion that make the difference between a mediocre relationship with God and a truly holy life. He identifies these special graces as love for the poor, simplicity of lifestyle, and devotion to the Eucharist. The author's treatment of a ""second conversion"" is a unique and thought- provoking contribution to his subject. The ever renewed invitation to embrace a deeper passion for God is the thematic undercurrent of this inspiring work.

Genres: Spirituality, Catholic, Prayer

180 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2017

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it!!:)

[Maggie Lunsford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me uncomfortable in a good way, and gave me a lot to ponder. Father Haggerty says it like it is which is so necessary in this very watered down Christian era we live in.

[Mary Helen Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a challenge, a necessary challenge that I’ll probably be referring back to for a while; the challenge of not letting my conversion(s) pass by haphazardly but to make an attempt at fully entering into them regardless of how small they may seem or how uncomfortable they may be. I highly recommend, if you want to be challenged in such a way.

[Sophie Zell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a hiatus about halfway through this book- it is quite heady. (And in the season of transition I’m in, it was a lot to take in) but overall, I really loved it. I go back to the idea of continued conversion a LOT in my prayer, so it was nice to have Fr. Haggerty’s insights into this vision for a continued understanding or mercy, sin, transformation and simplicity. I especially loved his words on the aftermath of conversion and love for the Eucharist. As someone who experienced a powerful reversion, it was incredibly impactful to walk through these ideas of the totality of conversion in my own prayer! I recommend if you’re looking for a new, deep spiritual read!

“Lasting conversions from great sin retain this memory of a rescue and always have this trait in common: they do not forget the shock that God one day bent down into the dust to touch the hopeless ruin of their scarred lives.”

“Conversions always infuse a quiet urgency into the life of charity.”

“All serious relations with God in prayer depend on the remembrance of our own nothingness without him.”

[Kevin W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still think Father Haggerty is one of my favorite modern spiritual writers. His spirituality seems to be a mix of Augustinian and Carmelite. His wisdom is incredible for those who desire to become contemplatives in the 21st-century. While this book was great, I still enjoyed his other books “Contemplative Provocations” and “The Contemplative Hunger” more.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book by Fr. Haggerty! Its the type of book you read more than once and slow your pace so you can contemplate the wisdom coming off the pages. I'm now a big fan of Haggerty and will eventually read his other books. Enjoy and cheers!

"The great insight in looking back upon past sin is to realize that God did not descend out of nowhere upon the hour of conversion. He was an unrecognized companion even while we walked the dark path. Many times he gave quiet hints of himself, which we did not see." Fr. Donald Haggerty

"God can be rejected and a soul may lose faith again, but God cannot be simply forgotten once a genuine depth of faith has awakened in a soul. This truth has a further consequence, that happiness in any purely worldly pursuit is no longer possible." Fr. Donald Haggerty

[Cecilia Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars not 5 because of page 145 but other than that, this book gave me a lot to reflect on in my own life and offered great perspective for how I think about the students I encounter and their lives.

“Our effort to ‘win souls’ to God ought not to seek the satisfaction of conquest and personal triumph. Rather, we must participate in the powerlessness of divine love before the freedom of a unique soul.”

[Reuben Nuxoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr. Haggerty offers a well-prayed collection of inspired thoughts regarding different aspects of conversion in the spiritual life. It is worth reading and meditating on, and a second reading at that! For anyone serious about their spiritual life, this work is quite helpful.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and used it as a point of meditation, I will be getting more of Donald Haggerty's books because he sure seems to understand the progress of a soul.

[Marian Bart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short sections = excellent for holy hour contemplation. I underlined so much of it. 🙂

[Abby Noel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely wrote in the margins “this verifies my reality” at least a time or two.