Hearts on Fire: Praying with Jesuits

by Michael Harter (Editor)

A book of prayers based on Ignatian spirituality - the most influential spiritual tradition of modern times. The prayers compiled in this unique book are gleaned from the rich tradition of Jesuit reflection on the human hunger for God.

Genres: Religion, Spirituality, Prayer, Theology, Poetry, Catholic, Christianity

100 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[7jane]

3.5 stars, really, mainly because it’s clearly for retreats, though there are good poems and prayers within. Not necessarily essential, but worth still the read.

Meant mainly to be used for a 4-week Ignatian retreat (with each with having its own introduction), this is a prayer collection from 450-year tradition of Jesuit reflections, and a good view on all the varieties of expressions from many people within that history, from St. Ignatius of Loyola onwards. The aim is to grow in spirituality, to find God present in all things and become closer to him. Besides prayers there are poems, lists of scripture passages to use, and a way to do the Examen (in week one’s texts). The authors are listed at the end.

Even outside the retreat system, one can easily use what one sees is helpful, even reword some a bit to make them more helpful. Some may open better in later rereadings, or in repeated readings.
I found quite a few useful prayers to use, and found one quote fitting enough to be saved into my Christian things notebook for separate reading occasion(s), good to have here at review’s end:

In the shadow of death may we not look back to the past, but seek in utter darkness the dawn of God.
- Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ

[Martin. Martin.]

I've been reading, praying with this book for, what 20 years? It has challenged, inspired, fueled my plodding, uncertain, erratic growth in faith in a god of boundless love.

It is my go-to gift for any occasion for any friend with even a twinkling of an interest in things spiritual. Check out "Patient Trust"

[Daniel Morgan]

The prayers are organized into 4 main chapters based on 4 weeks of the Spiritual Exercises (the love of God, contemplation of the life of Christ, contemplation of the Passion of Christ, and the joy of Christ), along with a few litanies and set prayers at the back. Overall my feelings were mixed - some of the prayers made me tear up at their beauty, and some of them seemed far too flowery to really speak to me. However, there is a huge variety of prayers and a great spatial and temporal diversity of authors, and by shear volume you will probably find a lot of prayers that help your prayer life.

[Alicia Shafer]

A mixed bag as far as prayer books go. Some great, powerful and meaningful prayers and meditations. Some others that felt a little juvenile. I guess some prayers work for you and others don't. As a book though it is worth a try.

[Susan Peterson]

Favorite words from a Jesuit Priest:
Enfold Me in Your Heart
Lord, enfold me in the depths of your heart;
and there hold me, refine, purge, and set me on fire,
raise me aloft, until my own self knows utter annihilation.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

[John]

A great collection of prayers from Jesuits - arranged to use with Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises, but you can use them as you will.

[Scott Burns]

This is a great little book. It is a collection of prayers that coincide with the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. There are some truly beautifully and profound prayers in this book. It’s been a wonderful source of devotional material for me.

The material is Catholic. While most of the prayers are universal some do address Mary in a way that others (eg protestants) May be uncomfortable with. For non-Catholics, you will find some rich material her, though you may have to adjust some of the prayers to match your theological perspective.

A beautiful resource that I will use for years to come.

[David Doel]

I read this book of prayers as I might read a book of poetry, and like a book of poetry, there were highs and lows. The highs were enough for me to award it 5 stars. I particularly liked many of the prayers associated with the first and fourth week of the spiritual exercises; but there were high spots throughout.

[Carola]

This book is designed to accompany someone who is doing the Spiritual Exercises, and perhaps it is better used in that setting. I found a few prayers that resonated with me, but there is a certain amount of repetition, and some of the prayers felt like clunky paraphrases of the standard prayers taught in most Catholic religious ed classes.

[John Teske]

The prayers in this book are modeled on the "four weeks" of Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius. That being said, the prayers in general were wonderful, and can be read in any format. This is a wonderful prayer book!

[Karith Amel]

This little book accompanied me on my 2019 8-day silent retreat (at the Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat House in Colorado). Not always the most well-organized, it still contains some beautiful treasures.

[Ernst Lanzer]

My favorite little prayer book to keep by the bed.

[Sparky Shelton]

teilhard de chardin clears everyone, naturally. some really amazing stuff in here, a master class in brevity

[Cynthia Wheelehan]

A lovely selection of poems that I am using during Adoration... Highly recommend

[John]

meditation,religion,nonfiction

[Michelle]

Recommended by the Jesuit who directed my 8-day retreat this summer.

[Eduardo]

Excellent daily meditational.