30 Days with the Irish Mystics
ISBN 9781935302667
eISBN 9781618900739
ASIN B009ZNHLMI
I stumbled across another volume in this series, 30 Days with Saint Paul, while doing research for a volume from the Great Spiritual Teachers series from Ave Maria Press. I enjoyed that volume on Saint Paul so much that I picked up both other volumes from Craughwell. I really enjoyed this volume and am looking forward to exploring other Catholic works from the pen of Thomas. Back to the volume at hand:
The description of this volume states:
“As pagans, the Irish people were passionate about song and poetry. As Christians, they passion, combined with a fiery love for Christ, produced some of the finest and touching spiritual poetry of the Church. In "30 Days with the Irish Mystics", join Thomas J. Craughwell as he meditates on the works of the great Irish saints.
From the well-known (Saint Patrick and Saint Brigid) to the obscure (Saint Molaise an Saint Ita), the prayerful poetry of the Irish Mystics is uplifting, beautiful, and devotional. Supplemented with prayers and meditations for each day, "30 Days with the Irish Mystics", is not only a deeper look at the majesty and holiness of the great Irish saints, it is a fine devotional, walking you through 30 days of prayerful song.”
The chapters in this volume are:
Introduction
Day 1: The First Step
Day 2: Pleasing God
Day 3: The Happy Family
Day 4: The Mystery of the Mass
Day 5: Guard My Tongue
Day 6: The Light of the World
Day 7: Shielded by the Saints
Day 8: Shielded by the Saints
Day 9: Christ’s Death and Resurrection Brings Eternal Life
Day 10: God’s Protection
Day 11: Ambassadors for Christ
Day 12: Hail Mary!
Day 13: Make Haste to Help Me
Day 14: Christ’s Yoke
Day 15: The Liturgy in Heaven
Day 16: The Pure in Heart
Day 17: The Spirit of the Lord Is Upon Me
Day 18: Dwelling in Safety
Day 19: St. Michael the Archangel
Day 20: The Sun of Righteousness
Day 21: The Good Shepherd
Day 22: Love Your Brother
Day 23: The Bread of Heaven
Day 24: A Foretaste of Heaven
Day 25: The Joy of Christ
Day 26: Pray for Priests
Day 27: The Beautiful Mystery of the Holy Trinity
Day 28: Mary’s Never Dying Fame
Day 29: Come, Holy Spirit
Day 30: The Ultimate Mystery
The Saints
About the Author
The section titled The Saints has brief biographies of:
St. Aengus the Culdee (died c. 830)
St. Brigid (c. 450–525)
St. Colman of Cloyne (c. 522–600)
St. Columba (c. 521–597)
St. Columbanus (c. 543–615)
St. Cuchumneus (died c. 745)
Abbot Donogh Mór O’Daly (died 1244)
St. Ita (c. 475–570)
St. Maelmuire O’Gorman (died c. 1167)
St. Molaise (died c. 639)
St. Patrick (c. 387–c. 464)
St. Sechnall (c. 372–457)
A sample day is:
“Day 13: Make Haste to Help Me
My God, help me. Give me love of thee, O Son of my God. Glorious King, swiftly bring love of thee into my heart that it may be whole. Lord, give what I ask of thee—give, give speedily, O bright and gleaming sun.
St. Maelmuire (Died C. 1167), “Deus Meus Adiuva Me” (“My God Help Me”)
Be pleased, O God, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me! . . . May all who seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee! May those who love thy salvation say evermore, “God is great!”
PSALM 70:1, 4
TODAY’S MEDITATION
There is no darkness that the light of the Lord cannot dispel. There is no danger that the power of God cannot drive away.
PRAYER
My God, I ask you for so many things—help with my family and my work, good health, relief from financial anxieties. Today I ask you to fill my heart with love for you.St. Maelmuire, and all you mystic saints of Ireland, pray for me!”
Another sample day is:
“Day 14: Christ’s Yoke
O helper of workers . . .
I beg that I, a little man
trembling and most wretched,
rowing through the infinite storm of this age,
may be drawn by Christ to the lofty,
most beautiful haven of life.
St. Columba (C. 521–597)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
MATTHEW 11: 28-30
TODAY’S MEDITATION
In a busy week, religious obligations can sometimes seem to be just one more onerous, time-consuming duty. But perform them anyway. Mass on Sundays and holy days (and maybe a bit more frequently, when possible), daily prayer, fasting and abstinence, acts of charity; all combine to change you for the better. The change may be imperceptible day to day, but over time the difference will be dramatic.
PRAYER
Renew my fervor and devotion, O Lord, so that I let nothing distract me from loving and serving you. St. Columba, and all you mystic saints of Ireland, pray for me!”
I shared that second one because I highlighted the whole day and it was so appropriate and needed the day I read it. I highlighted a few passages while reading this volume. Some of them are:
“The pagan Irish were fond of poetry and music, and after their conversion to Christianity, many Irish poets and musicians used their gifts to praise God, the Blessed Mother, and the saints. You’ll discover that the Irish style of addressing God and the saints is very personal, as if they were speaking to an Irish king or warrior. And the poetic element is striking. For example, St. Maelmuire calls God “O bright and gleaming sun,” and St. Columba speaks of heaven as “the lofty, most beautiful haven of life.”
“This 30 Days booklet introduces you to the poetic, intensely personal prayers, hymns, and meditations of the Irish mystics. Since most of these saints will be unfamiliar to most readers, we have included an appendix with capsule biographies of the saints quoted here.”
“A Christian is expected to submit his or her will—meaning wants and desires—to the will of God. It isn’t easy. One of the consequences of original sin is our stubborn, demanding willfulness. But those who strive to submit to the will of God find that their faith in Him is greatly strengthened. And they acquire another virtue, too: humility.”
“In times of trouble it was the custom among the Irish to call upon the help of as many saints as they could think of. They looked upon the kingdom of heaven as the home of a vast and powerful army, ready to protect Christians from all harm, especially from the wiles of the Evil One. Follow the example of the Irish and call upon the saints to help you in all your trials.”
“Come to my aid, all you saints of heaven! Stand between me and all evil. Shield my family and friends and benefactors from all harm. And inspire us to follow your example so that we may all be united together with you in heaven. St. Colman of Cloyne, and all you mystic saints of Ireland, pray for me!”
“O helper of workers . . . I beg that I, a little man trembling and most wretched, rowing through the infinite storm of this age, may be drawn by Christ to the lofty, most beautiful haven of life. ST. COLUMBA (C. 521–597)”
“In a busy week, religious obligations can sometimes seem to be just one more onerous, time-consuming duty. But perform them anyway. Mass on Sundays and holy days (and maybe a bit more frequently, when possible), daily prayer, fasting and abstinence, acts of charity; all combine to change you for the better. The change may be imperceptible day to day, but over time the difference will be dramatic.”
“Of all the gifts Christ gave us, the Blessed Sacrament is especially precious. He dwells—Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity—in every tabernacle of every Catholic church around the globe. We can go and speak with him every day. If we are in a state of grace, we can receive him every day. Have you truly considered how awe-inspiring is this gift?”
“When was the last time you prayed for your parish priests? They have consecrated their entire lives to God to show us the way to Heaven. In spite of the scorn, ridicule, and suspicion they suffer from elements of secular society, these good men persevere in preaching the message of Jesus Christ and attempting to live it in their day-to-day lives. Years ago it was a common custom in Catholic parishes for a penitent to say a prayer for the priest who had just heard his or her Confession. That is a tradition that deserves a revival.”
“Almighty Father, grant holiness, fervor, courage, wisdom, and charity to the men you called to serve you as priests and to the seminarians who are preparing for the priesthood. Send to your Church many more men who love you and long to save souls.”
I hope that sample day and the few quotes give you a feel for this excellent work. I was really blessed to have worked through this book. From the about the author section:
“For the last 30 years, Thomas Craughwell has been an independent scholar of the saints, digging through the autobiographies and letters of the saints, as well the writings of their contemporaries, to get past the sentimentality that tends to surround saints and find the living, breathing, struggling, real-life men and women.”
This was another excellent volume. Being first generation Canadian and with a mix of Irish and Scottish heritage I have always had an attraction to the Irish saints. I have read many volumes by and about them. And this 30 day journey was an excellent experience. This was a great volume to read, and I could see myself returning to it and doing it again in the future.
I really enjoyed this volume. And to be honest am disappointed there are only three in the series from the pen of Thomas J. Craughwell. It was wonderful to work through on my own, but could also be used for a small group of the family. I enjoyed it so much I have already picked up the other 2 in this series and three other titles from Craughwell’s pen. I can easily recommend this volume! It is certain to challenge and inspire. A great read for any Catholic.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!
Books by Thomas J. Craughwell:
30 days with St. Thérèse
50 States
5,000 Years of Royalty: Kings, Queens, Princes, Emperors & Tsars
101 Places to Pray Before You Die: A Roamin' Catholic's Guide
30,000 Years of Inventions
Alligators In the Sewer and 222 Other Urban Legends
America's Great (and Not So Great) Catholic Moments
Baby On the Car Roof and 222 Other Urban Legends
Bad Kids of the Bible: And What They Can Teach Us
Busted: Mugshots and Arrest Records of the Famous and Infamous
Catholic Cardlinks
Cowparade Kansas City
CowParade New York
CowParade Stamford
Do Blue Bedsheets Bring Babies?: The Truth Behind Old Wives' Tales
Failures of the Presidents: from the Whiskey Rebellion and War of 1812 to the Bay of Pigs and war in Iraq
Great Books for Every Book Lover: 2002 Great Reading Suggestions for the Discriminating Bibliophile
Great rescues of World War II : stories of adventure, daring and sacrifice
Heaven Help Us: Saints That Will Change Your Life
Heaven Help Us: 300 Patron Saints to Call Upon for Every Occasion
How Smart Are You Testing Your IQ
How the Barbarian Invasions Shaped the Modern World
How the Irish Brigade Cleared the Way to Victory in the Greatest Brigade American Civil War
Lent and Easter With Mary
Patron Saints: Saints for Every Member of Your Family, Every Profession, Every Ailment, Every Emergency, and Even Every Amusement
Pope Francis
Popes Who Resigned: Benedict Xvi and 13 Other Popes Who Retired
Presidential Payola: The True Stories of Monetary Scandals in the Oval Office that Robbed Taxpayers to Grease Palms, Stuff Pockets, and Pay for Undue Influence from Teapot Dome to Halliburton
Saints Behaving Badly
Saints for Every Occasion: 101 of Heaven's Most Powerful Patrons
Saints Preserved: An Encyclopaedia of Relics
Shakespeare
Stealing Lincoln's Body
St. Peter's Bones: How the Relics of the First Pope Were Lost and Found. . . and Then Lost and Found Again
The Buck Stops Here: The 28 Toughest Presidential Decisions and How They Changed History
The Cat in the Dryer: And 222 Other Urban Legends
The Odds – What Are the Chances
The Rise and Fall of the Second Largest Empire in History
The War Scientists
The Wisdom Of the Popes
This Saint Will Change Your Life
This Saint's for You! 300 Heavenly Allies Who Will Change Your Life
Thomas Jefferson's Creme Brulee
Who are you? Test Your Emotional Intelligence
…
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