Nine Days to Welcome Peace

by Jacques Philippe

Peace of heart is not only a blessing but also a necessary condition for the growth of our spiritual lives. How do we not only find peace but then keep it? Step by step, in a period of nine days, Fr. Jacques Philippe describes how to welcome this inner peace in all areas of our existence. He shows us how to rest in the deep resonance of God’s holy peace amidst the highs and lows, ease and struggles of everyday life. Allow your heart to be guided by Fr. Jacques toward a more peaceful existence that penetrates every area of your life and calls you to a deeper relationship with the Lord.

This is the second of Fr. Jacques’ books in the “Nine Days To” series.

Genres: Faith, Catholic, Spirituality

104 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2020

About the author

Jacques Philippe was born into a Christian family on March 12, 1947 in Lorraine, France. After studying mathematics in college, he spent several years teaching and doing scientific research. In 1976, he met the then recently-founded Community of the Beatitudes and answered the Lord’s call to follow Him through this vocation (see below for more information on the Community of the Beatitudes). He then spent several years in Jerusalem and Nazareth immersing himself in the study of Hebrew and the Jewish roots of Christianity. In 1981, he traveled to Rome to study theology and canon law and also began his work as a spiritual director, working in the formation of priests and seminarians of the Community. In 1994, he returned to France, where he assumed various responsibilities including spiritual direction, the development of training in the Community, and participation in its General Council. He has also preached retreats regularly in France and abroad and has consolidated his principal retreat themes into five books on spirituality. In recent years, he has devoted himself primarily to spiritual direction, preaching retreats, and working for the development of the Community in Asia and Oceania, where he travels frequently.

Reviews

[Klara Rawdanowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though these messages are age-old and you have probably heard them before, this self-lead retreat book, when approached prayerfully, has the power to be a real tool of refreshment and revitalisation in your spiritual life. Our human forgetfulness means that these basics of faith such as peace of heart and surrendering to Divine will need to be returned-to constantly throughout one’s life. I found this little book really useful for that 🙏🏼✨

[Bloodorange · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this was a novel, but comforting experience.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My introduction to the writings of father Jacques Philippe was Time For God, which I first read 12 years ago. I have reread that book four times now and every time I read it, I get something more out of it. And when he has a new book come out in French, I eagerly await it being available in English. This time it looks like the two editions are publishing at the same time, in January of 2020. But this is the second volume in the ‘Nine Days …’ series by Father Philippe. There was an earlier volume that I missed picking up, Nine Days to Rediscover the Joy of Prayer, but even before I finished this one, I had purchased it to read as soon as this one was completed. This is an excellent little volume and one I know I will return to again and again. Father Philippe states about this series that:

“The “Nine Days to” collection offers a guided retreat to be lived at home or on vacation, in the subway or on the train, for people who have little time but wish to devote ten minutes a day to spiritual growth.

Each book in the collection offers nine days of inspiring meditations that surround a specific theme for advancement in the spiritual life. Each serves as both a school of prayer and an authentic tool of self-transformation.

Two meditations are offered for each day. One can be experienced in the morning and the other at any opportune moment during the day or evening.

The journey includes reflection exercises, the Word of God, a meditation from a saint or another great spiritual author, and a resolution—all geared to help the participant dive into an authentic spiritual experience.”

The first time I worked through this volume I did part in the morning and part at lunch. Returning to it at lunch helped to focus my afternoon in a new way.

The chapters in this volume are:
First Day:
The Urgency Of Interior Peace
Second Day:
Peace, A Gift From God
Third Day:
The More Peaceful I Am, The More God Acts
Fourth Day:
Prayer, A Place For Peace
Fifth Day:
Peace, Fruit Of Trust
Sixth Day:
Humility, Source Of Peace
Seventh Day:
No Forgiveness, No Peace
Eighth Day:
To Find Peace, Accept Life As It Is
Ninth Day:
To Find Peace, Live In The Present Moment

And each of the nine days follows this pattern:

Invitation To Contemplation
Sign Of The Cross
Prayer To The Holy Spirit
Meditation From Fr. Jacques Philippe
Prayer
A Grace To Request
Light From A Faithful Witness
Meditate On The Word

The section Light From A Faithful Witness some times comprises quotes from more than one source. And before each day is a full color photo. We are not told where the excerpts from Father Phillipe are from, or if they were written specifically for this book, or this series. But in the grand scheme of things that does not matter. In the preface to the other volume it states that these meditations are available as a pamphlet or on CD. So I assume the original French versions come from retreats that father Philippe has lead. And even if in English we do not have access to the audio, the book itself makes a wonderful 9-day personal retreat. Or it could even be used by a group or family.

This is another wonderful resource for spiritual growth from Father Philippe. And I know I will be reading them all as the series becomes available and will return to them again and again. An excellent little volume.

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Fr. Jacques Philippe.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Susan Peek · Rating 5 out of 5]

In keeping with Father Philippe's ever-gentle and consoling style, this little volume is a masterpiece. It's small but packed with nuggets of gold, and would take years to fully exhaust its beautiful meditations. This is definitely a book I'll return to many times. I felt as if Our Lord was speaking straight to my heart on each page. I highlighted so many passages that I might as well just have taken a yellow paintbrush to the whole thing! I've just ordered extra copies to give to friends. Thank you, Father Philippe, for yet another priceless treasure!

[Florence Bernice · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We don't believe enough that God wants our true happiness... God knows better than we do what will make us grow, and He wants our true happiness even more than we do."

[Reanne - (Faith, Fiction, Fact and Fluff) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had to make a list of ten books to take with me on a deserted island, this would be one of them.

I don’t think there’s any doubt that true peace is something we all desire. Peace of body, mind and soul. Peace that doesn’t leave with the next depressing news article. Peace that truly makes its home in our heart.

In this book, Fr. Jacques Phillipe takes us through nine short meditations that help us realize that this peace is possible. Using scripture, quotes, and prayers, each day provides so much to reflect on.

Whenever I start to feel anxiety and fear creep into my heart, I start reading this book again. It reminds me that peace is a gift from God and the fruit of trusting completely in Him. Fr. Jacques has a gift for speaking truth in such a simple and profound way, and I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just fabulous. It’s formatted to fit nine days of prayer. Each day has brief opening prayers to place oneself in God’s presence, then a meditation on some aspect of peace, quotes from people on peace, then a Bible verse to pray with. It is simple but moving. Somehow in this small book he manages to cover broad strokes of how one can find God’s peace, even in (and especially in) normal life. I recently purchased a couple for college graduates. It would be wonderful for all ages (I can envision reading it out loud with elementary children, who might not catch it all, but would grab seeds), and the depth will still touch souls far along the path.

[Faith Elizabeth Hough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly good. I highly recommend using it, as I did, as a postpartum at home retreat! Somehow each day's reflection was exactly what I needed at each of those moments. (Obviously it would be amazing for non-mothers as well.... :)

[Cameron Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a peaceful lake perfectly reflects the Sun, so a peaceful spirit is receptive of the actions and movements of the Spirit.

[C Manejero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of wisdom

A very good book for daily meditation. Full of wisdom. You can keep re-reading
it daily. Very handy to have.

[Fr. Peter Calabrese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Worth redoing every once in a while

[Gonzaga Escauriaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Como todo lo que leo de Jacques Philippe me ha encantado.

Soy un enamorado de sus enseñanzas y me gusta leer sus libros y releerlos.

Encuentro un buen libro para llevar de viaje y encontrar un rato para dedicarlo

a hacer una meditación diaria.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love his writing! This book is so easy to read everyday and I plan to read again!

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for meditation. I will reread this one a few times!