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My Other Self: In Which Christ Speaks to the Soul on Living His Life
Clarence Enzler's aim in this book is to unfold the meaning of union with Christ and the implications for the individual and for society. Emphasis is placed on the need of the individual to identify with the Lord in the present moment and to act as Christ would.
166 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1940
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 13, 2019
This book has changed my life. Not as much as Jesus has, but significantly changed my life nevertheless. It has given me new ways of seeing my life in Christ, or Christ in me, and it has given me tools to live the life that Christ made me to live. Full disclosure: I am friends with one of the author's daughter. Further disclosure: I am not Catholic, so I just skipped over the parts about the Mass, the Eucharist, and references to the Holy Mother. Nevertheless, there is great value in this book.
April 29, 2022
I picked this book up for a couple of reasons. First a few people I trust and respect had mentioned that they greatly enjoyed it. And second, because Enzler’s everyone’s way of the cross is one of my favourite versions and been a mainstay since the late 80’s when it was still called everyman’s way of the cross. This year during lent I was promoting several different Stations and found out that Enzler had a few other volumes available. The preface of this volume states:
“Since the style of this book is somewhat unusual, a few remarks concerning its structure may be helpful. I have, to a great extent, adapted the mode of presentation followed by the author of the Imitation of Christ. Thus, the reader will find Christ speaking to him in intimate conversations, seeking to make him fully aware of what it means to be a Christian, “another Christ,” Christ's “other self.”
My aim has been to unfold, as fully as I can, the meaning of union with our Lord and all that it involves both for the individual and for society. I have sought to show that the present moment is Christ's moment, the time for each individual to identify himself with the Lord and to act as Christ. If this book realizes this goal, even to the slightest degree, it will have fulfilled my purpose.”
But the book begins with a preface written by Enzler’s children, called Biographical Introduction. It states:
“We write this reflection about our dad from the perspective of being born into a close-knit Catholic family under the guidance of unparalleled parents, Kathleen Crowley Enzler and Clarence J. Enzler. They were married in Washington, DC, in 1937. Mom was a native Washingtonian; Dad, who grew up in Dubuque, Iowa, attended Columbia College and received his doctorate in sociology from Catholic University in the mid-1930s.
Our dad grew up with a speech impediment, a debilitating stutter that kept him from public speaking for many years. He eventually became an excellent speaker and International Toast Master contestant. Seemingly, his impediment spurred him on to develop excellent writing skills. He spent thirty-two years as an Information Specialist/Speechwriter for the Secretary of Agriculture. He was ordained a deacon for the Archdiocese of Washington in 1972 and served at St. Mary, Mother of God Catholic Church in the heart of Washington until his untimely death in 1976.
…
How does a man work overtime for the government; write four books, numerous articles, and a devotional Stations of the Cross; be involved as a leader in his parish (particularly as a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, where he visited and took care of the elderly and poor); yet make time to attend Mass every day and spend quality time with each of his thirteen children during each stage of our lives? His legacy is strong and powerful as a deacon here in Washington, as a dedicated civil servant and as a man of kindness and love for all. His real legacy was his devotion to our mom during their thirty-nine-year marriage and his absolute, unconditional love for each of his children.
Dad lived the words of My Other Self and he lived them well. He was a model Christian, an outstanding Catholic, a defender of the faith, a gifted and skilled writer, a fabulous husband and an unparalleled father. But most of all, he was a man of God. The word you are about to read speak of his faith, his union with the Lord and his love for Jesus. Enjoy the spiritual reflections and come to know how one man endeavored to be Christ's other self.”
The chapters in the volume are:
Foreword by Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.
Biographical Introduction
Preface
The Priestly Prayer of Jesus Christ
Part I: THE CALL
1. The Goal of Life
2. Abandonment
3. Be What I Desire
4. Christ in Us
Part II: THE MEANS
5. Detachment
6. Virtue
7. Prayer
8. Avoidance of Sin
9. The Mass and the Eucharist
Part III: THE END
10. The Final Goal
Notes
I read each of the 10 in a sitting or two and took a few days to reflect on it before moving on. I highlighted a few passages my first time through, they were:
“Believe that I am goodness itself. Believe that I want your happiness far more than you yourself want it. Believe that I can and will give you happiness.”
“Try to realize that I see all your thoughts and emotions, all your troubles and desires. I know you far more intimately than you know yourself. I know you not only as you are, but as you have been, and as you will be; and I know all of this NOW. There is no past or future with me; there is only the eternal now.”
“Abandon your will to mine, and all that happens must speed you along the path to happiness, to holiness, to sainthood. Under my loving care, nothing can harm you. Whatever happens to you by my will is so good that the angels of heaven themselves could not conceive of anything better.”
“This moment is given to me by my Lord that I may show my love for him by uniting my will with his. I could have nothing better than this specific opportunity to serve my Creator in this particular way. This trial, this interruption, this reprimand are permitted by my Lord to strengthen me and to unite me more closely to him. This movie, this game, this program are to relax my mind, to give me joy. All these are sacraments of the present moment, gifts of God's providence. If I use them well they will increase God's life in me.”
“Do not waste these sacraments of the present moment. Order your life to my will as a good musician conforms and orders his playing to the will of the conductor. Submit to my tempo, my beat, my direction. Keep your eyes on me, as the musician keeps his eye on the leader. How else can you know my will? Turn to me often in thought, prayer, and recollection.”
“Do not spend your time in dreaming what you would do if you were someone else or in another state of life. Accept your present situation in all its circumstances. Acceptance, however, does not mean passivity. If you are sick, accept it as my will for the moment; but ordinarily it is not my will that you should do nothing to get well. Do not complain, but take reasonable measures to cure your illness. In the same way, if your present situation is unsatisfactory, accept it willingly, without complaint, for now; but strive to improve it in reasonable, common-sense ways. This is being what I desire. It is doing my will as I would have it done.”
This book was of immense value. There were times it was strange reading it and hearing Jesus speak to us directly. But that is also part of what makes this book so powerful. Because of that style and format the pieces will challenge, encourage and inspire readers. It is an excellent resource for your spiritual toolbox.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!
“Since the style of this book is somewhat unusual, a few remarks concerning its structure may be helpful. I have, to a great extent, adapted the mode of presentation followed by the author of the Imitation of Christ. Thus, the reader will find Christ speaking to him in intimate conversations, seeking to make him fully aware of what it means to be a Christian, “another Christ,” Christ's “other self.”
My aim has been to unfold, as fully as I can, the meaning of union with our Lord and all that it involves both for the individual and for society. I have sought to show that the present moment is Christ's moment, the time for each individual to identify himself with the Lord and to act as Christ. If this book realizes this goal, even to the slightest degree, it will have fulfilled my purpose.”
But the book begins with a preface written by Enzler’s children, called Biographical Introduction. It states:
“We write this reflection about our dad from the perspective of being born into a close-knit Catholic family under the guidance of unparalleled parents, Kathleen Crowley Enzler and Clarence J. Enzler. They were married in Washington, DC, in 1937. Mom was a native Washingtonian; Dad, who grew up in Dubuque, Iowa, attended Columbia College and received his doctorate in sociology from Catholic University in the mid-1930s.
Our dad grew up with a speech impediment, a debilitating stutter that kept him from public speaking for many years. He eventually became an excellent speaker and International Toast Master contestant. Seemingly, his impediment spurred him on to develop excellent writing skills. He spent thirty-two years as an Information Specialist/Speechwriter for the Secretary of Agriculture. He was ordained a deacon for the Archdiocese of Washington in 1972 and served at St. Mary, Mother of God Catholic Church in the heart of Washington until his untimely death in 1976.
…
How does a man work overtime for the government; write four books, numerous articles, and a devotional Stations of the Cross; be involved as a leader in his parish (particularly as a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, where he visited and took care of the elderly and poor); yet make time to attend Mass every day and spend quality time with each of his thirteen children during each stage of our lives? His legacy is strong and powerful as a deacon here in Washington, as a dedicated civil servant and as a man of kindness and love for all. His real legacy was his devotion to our mom during their thirty-nine-year marriage and his absolute, unconditional love for each of his children.
Dad lived the words of My Other Self and he lived them well. He was a model Christian, an outstanding Catholic, a defender of the faith, a gifted and skilled writer, a fabulous husband and an unparalleled father. But most of all, he was a man of God. The word you are about to read speak of his faith, his union with the Lord and his love for Jesus. Enjoy the spiritual reflections and come to know how one man endeavored to be Christ's other self.”
The chapters in the volume are:
Foreword by Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R.
Biographical Introduction
Preface
The Priestly Prayer of Jesus Christ
Part I: THE CALL
1. The Goal of Life
2. Abandonment
3. Be What I Desire
4. Christ in Us
Part II: THE MEANS
5. Detachment
6. Virtue
7. Prayer
8. Avoidance of Sin
9. The Mass and the Eucharist
Part III: THE END
10. The Final Goal
Notes
I read each of the 10 in a sitting or two and took a few days to reflect on it before moving on. I highlighted a few passages my first time through, they were:
“Believe that I am goodness itself. Believe that I want your happiness far more than you yourself want it. Believe that I can and will give you happiness.”
“Try to realize that I see all your thoughts and emotions, all your troubles and desires. I know you far more intimately than you know yourself. I know you not only as you are, but as you have been, and as you will be; and I know all of this NOW. There is no past or future with me; there is only the eternal now.”
“Abandon your will to mine, and all that happens must speed you along the path to happiness, to holiness, to sainthood. Under my loving care, nothing can harm you. Whatever happens to you by my will is so good that the angels of heaven themselves could not conceive of anything better.”
“This moment is given to me by my Lord that I may show my love for him by uniting my will with his. I could have nothing better than this specific opportunity to serve my Creator in this particular way. This trial, this interruption, this reprimand are permitted by my Lord to strengthen me and to unite me more closely to him. This movie, this game, this program are to relax my mind, to give me joy. All these are sacraments of the present moment, gifts of God's providence. If I use them well they will increase God's life in me.”
“Do not waste these sacraments of the present moment. Order your life to my will as a good musician conforms and orders his playing to the will of the conductor. Submit to my tempo, my beat, my direction. Keep your eyes on me, as the musician keeps his eye on the leader. How else can you know my will? Turn to me often in thought, prayer, and recollection.”
“Do not spend your time in dreaming what you would do if you were someone else or in another state of life. Accept your present situation in all its circumstances. Acceptance, however, does not mean passivity. If you are sick, accept it as my will for the moment; but ordinarily it is not my will that you should do nothing to get well. Do not complain, but take reasonable measures to cure your illness. In the same way, if your present situation is unsatisfactory, accept it willingly, without complaint, for now; but strive to improve it in reasonable, common-sense ways. This is being what I desire. It is doing my will as I would have it done.”
This book was of immense value. There were times it was strange reading it and hearing Jesus speak to us directly. But that is also part of what makes this book so powerful. Because of that style and format the pieces will challenge, encourage and inspire readers. It is an excellent resource for your spiritual toolbox.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!
November 26, 2014
Even though I normally reserve 5 stars for books that make me laugh and cry, this wasn't really a book that had a story. It was meant to be used as if you were having a conversation with Christ. I did as the foreward suggested - reading a short chapter each time and letting that conversation simmer and dwell within me. Several of the chapters really helped open my eyes on how I live my faith and challenged me to do better. It was insightful on sacrifice and the eucharist. Not all of the chapters moved me, but there were several times when the chapter's message hit home with me. I liked reading a short chapter and tried to do that daily - it made a wonderful pointer for prayer and reflection.
March 17, 2020
A must read! Especially helpful to find peace during this covid-19 outbreak. This is instantly one of my favorites and I will re-read it several times year. Has an Imprimatur. A powerful but easy read I recommend to everyone.
March 11, 2024
This is not a bad book; it's just that my perspective is a bit tainted by books that purport to be Our Lord's voice speaking. This is because I was a Protestant and had MANY occasions to hear the all-too-familiar, "The Lord told me..." So many voices, so many Protestants testifying to the voice of the Lord speaking personally to them, that it was dizzying.
One lady opened her bible, pointed, and found a verse, looked up, and saw the man the Lord told her to marry; another spoke in tongues and interpreted, and that was their sign; so many Protestants talk about how they have a "personal relationship with Jesus" as if He sits next to them and talks to them.
So you can imagine my dismay when I opened a book suggested by pious friends and found almost the same voice.
Our Lord says plenty to us in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and He says so much that we don't need a book, with His voice speaking to us.
I would have preferred that this book talk about Our Lord in the third person rather than take on His voice. Because, honestly,
ROMANS 11;33-25
"33 Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments, and how unsearchable his ways! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counselor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and recompense shall be made him? 36 For of him, and by him, and in him, are all things: to him be glory for ever. Amen."
One lady opened her bible, pointed, and found a verse, looked up, and saw the man the Lord told her to marry; another spoke in tongues and interpreted, and that was their sign; so many Protestants talk about how they have a "personal relationship with Jesus" as if He sits next to them and talks to them.
So you can imagine my dismay when I opened a book suggested by pious friends and found almost the same voice.
Our Lord says plenty to us in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and He says so much that we don't need a book, with His voice speaking to us.
I would have preferred that this book talk about Our Lord in the third person rather than take on His voice. Because, honestly,
ROMANS 11;33-25
"33 Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments, and how unsearchable his ways! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counselor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and recompense shall be made him? 36 For of him, and by him, and in him, are all things: to him be glory for ever. Amen."
September 18, 2021
I can’t say enough good things about this little book. Just beautiful and perfect. It gave me a fresh new perspective and deepened my love for Jesus. Must-read for all. Not just for Catholics.
I came across this book one day while at adoration. I was having a bad day and feeling a lot of anguish. I can’t even remember why. But I was on the kneeler praying for help and felt something poking at my belly. I looked down and saw a weathered/worn version of this book. Always open to God’s pokes, I immediately inspected the book and decided it might be something I needed. I’m not disappointed. Thank you Jesus. <3 This is one I will come back to often. Rich in truth.
I came across this book one day while at adoration. I was having a bad day and feeling a lot of anguish. I can’t even remember why. But I was on the kneeler praying for help and felt something poking at my belly. I looked down and saw a weathered/worn version of this book. Always open to God’s pokes, I immediately inspected the book and decided it might be something I needed. I’m not disappointed. Thank you Jesus. <3 This is one I will come back to often. Rich in truth.
December 23, 2021
The role of His child is beautifully presented leading one's spiritual life in check creating an awareness.
The role of His child/follower is beautifully presented leading one's spiritual life in check creating an awareness as a disciple.
The role of His child/follower is beautifully presented leading one's spiritual life in check creating an awareness as a disciple.
June 2, 2022
Beautiful book. Every Christian should read.
June 19, 2023
It was okay. Repetitive and thus, predictable.
July 20, 2024
The most beautiful book that I have ever read. It feels as if Jesus is speaking right to you❤️
November 13, 2025
This was a beautiful little book. As Jesus spoke, it was an intimate, conversational guide to becoming a more faithful and intentional Christian.
June 19, 2012
Definitely one of my favorites. Its straightforwardness and simplicity made it understandable and easy to meditate upon. It helps the reader feel that Christ is talking directly to him/her even though thousands of people may pick up this book. It aids one in understanding himself and conforming his will more perfectly to Christ in order to become His "other self."
It has helped me immensely and I would certainly recommend it to anyone who wants to become closer to Christ.
It has helped me immensely and I would certainly recommend it to anyone who wants to become closer to Christ.
January 16, 2021
Excellant book that actually helped me to feel what being a Christian should be. The author was able to actually share in a small way what his relationship with Christ was and I yearn for that closeness. I want to be His Other Self. I will hold this book as one to change lives and be read over and over.
July 3, 2010
An angel brought me this book while in the hospital recovering from a major stroke. The stroke destroyed my ability to read. Five years later, my language skills are 90% restored, so I was to read and understand it. It was a blessing.
July 18, 2014
Beautifully conceived and very powerful.
July 24, 2015
This book was extremely moving for me and my spiritual life. I highly recommend!
July 31, 2015
A beautiful book unlike any I have ever read before. If you're looking for a boost in your meditative prayer, this book is for you.
July 7, 2016
It will change your life it you let it!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews