Call Him Father
How to Experience the Fatherhood of God
Revised and Expanded Edition
Edward G. Maristany
Scepter Publishers
ISBN 9781594173318
eISBN 9781594173325
ASIN B07H6CP4HR
This book was first published in 1999, I read and reviewed the first edition of this book back in 2006. And I loved it. It was a little volume that I have read a number of times over. When I found out that a new revised and expanded edition came out in the spring of 2018 I had to read it. When I reviewed the first edition of this book I stated: “Fr. Maristany has written another great book. My only regret is that this, and Loving the Holy Mass, are the only two books I can find by Fr. Maristany.”. That sentiment remains after reading this revised and expanded edition.
In this expanded edition the book has been broken into three key sections, and has 19 numbered chapters in those sections. It follows a similar order for the material as the original volume. The contents of this new edition are:
Introduction
PART ONE
We Are Children of God
1. God’s Original Plan
2. Baptism
3. The Good News
4. A Unique Love
5. What the World Needs Now
PART TWO
Experiencing Our Divine Filiation
1. The Role of Parents
2. The Role of the Holy Spirit
3. The Role of Jesus
4. The Role of Mary
5. Developing the Habit of Piety
6. Addressing the Father in Our Prayer
7. Trusting God in Times of Difficulty
8. Worshipping the Father in the Mass
9. Awareness of the Father’s Presence
10. Becoming Like a Little Child
11. Contrition
12. Working with a Right Intention
PART THREE
Keeping the Experience Alive
1. The Danger of Activism
2. The Danger of Routine
Conclusion
It is still not a large volume and is easily read over a long afternoon or if read in sections over a few days. Fr. Maristany draws from a few key source materials for his work, the Catechism, scriptures and the writings of Saint Josemaria Escriva. The focus of the teaching is that of sonship, or the concept of 'divine filiation' or, in simpler terms, we are God's children. Drawing from the Popes he states:
“See how beautifully Pope St. John Paul II put it while addressing a vast throng of young people: “We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son Jesus.”
And Pope Francis completed the idea: “Our condition as children of God is the fruit of the love of the Father’s heart; it does not depend on our merits or on our actions, and thus no one can take it away, not even the devil! No one can take this dignity away.””
One of the greatest reminders for me in the book was:
“Every now and then throughout the day, exert yourself to take note—and advantage!—of the fact that your heavenly Father is keeping you company. Never fail to do this at night, when you go to bed. Put the burdens of the day aside—tomorrow will be another day—and go to your heavenly Father for refuge, comfort, and love.”
This is an amazing little book. The new revised edition is available as both a physical volume and an eBook. It is one of those books I have read many times and will read many times more. Even though Father Maristany has not published a large volume of work, his books are little treasures that will help you grow in your spiritual life!
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2018 Catholic Reading Plan!
Books by Father Edward G. Maristany:
Call Him Father: How to Experience the Fatherhood of God
Call Him Father: How to Experience the Fatherhood of God Revised Edition
Loving the Holy Mass
Spanish Editions:
Amar la Santa Misa
Llámale Padre
Call Him Father
Edward G. Maristany
Scepter Publishers
ISBN 1889334332
Fr. Maristany has written another great book. My only regret is that this, and Loving the Holy Mass, are the only two books I can find by Fr. Maristany. Drawing heavily upon scriptures, The Catechism and St. Josemaria Escriva, we are shown the importance of the concept of 'divine filiation' or, in simpler terms, we are God's children. That is one of the most important things we can learn and take into our hearts. We must not just know it, we must experience it.
Fr. Maristany examines this subject from a number of different angles and perspectives. They are:
- We are children of God
- God's original plan
- Baptism
- The Good News
- A Unique love
- What the World needs now
- Experiencing the reality
- The role of parents
- The role of the Holy Spirit
- The role of Jesus
- The role of Mary
- Developing the habit of piety
- Prayer
- Trusting God in times of difficulty
- In the mass
- Awareness of the Father's presence
- Becoming like a little child
- Contrition
- Working with a right intention
- Two dangers
He states: "let me say it again: it is not enough to know that we are children of God. Millions of people know it and still live in darkness. Many who could give lectures on the subject have not made divine filiation the foundation of their spiritual lives. And as a result, their spiritual lives are shaky." p.19 It is stressed again and again, that this cannot be just head knowledge, we must come to experience it and live it or it really means nothing.
In the section on the Role of Parents, Maristany declares: "It is the role of a father to introduce each child to the love of our heavenly Father. In the decisions he makes as head of the family, in his way of answering a question, in his unselfish way of action, in the hugs and protection he gives his children, a good father becomes the natural reflection of the wisdom and love, the power and providence, the mercy and forgiveness of God." p.21 We have no greater role than to be the example of God's love to our children, and our friends and family. We can only do that if we know and experience that love firsthand ourselves.
In quoting St. Josemaria Escriva, we are told: "Presence of God, awareness of our divine filiation; everything else is a way of achieving this." p. 59 Then we are encouraged to put this into practice in our own lives and then to teach it to others. We could have no greater responsibility.
If you want to grow as a child of God, this book will help you understand and grow in that relationship.
Books by Father Edward G. Maristany:
Call Him Father: How to Experience the Fatherhood of God
Call Him Father: How to Experience the Fatherhood of God Revised Edition
Loving the Holy Mass
Spanish Editions:
Amar la Santa Misa
Llámale Padre
Loving the Holy Mass
Edward G. Maristany
Scepter Publishers
ISBN 1594170428
Fr. Maristany packs a lot of punch in this little booklet. Right at the beginning he says: "And yet … how can I blame people who want to spend as little time as possible in church? I remember how, when I was a kid, we loved those midweek holidays when 'you don't have to go to school, and you don't have to go to Mass' Why did we cradle Catholics ever start going to Mass? Because we were told to. It was our duty. " p.7 Yet mass can be so much more than that, and Fr. Maristany helps us to see some of them.
He outline's some things we should consider if we find mass boring and shows us some of the benefits and attractions to attending mass.
1. Jesus' Plan
2. A Sacrifice
3. A Real Presence
4. A Meal (Holy Communion)
5. How to Live and Love the Mass
These are the chapters, and each of them is packed full of spiritual nourishment.
Fr. Maristany draws from many sources, J.R.R. Tolkien, the Catechism, the Summa Theologica, Saint Ambrose and Saint Augustine and so many more. I have already read this book three times and plan on reading it again and again until I internalize the message.
This is a great little book for any Catholic to help them understand the importance and centrality of the Mass to their spiritual life.
I have only found one other book by Fr. Maristany Call Him Father which I reviewed also and recommend just as much as this one.
Books by Father Edward G. Maristany:
Call Him Father: How to Experience the Fatherhood of God
Call Him Father: How to Experience the Fatherhood of God Revised Edition
Loving the Holy Mass
Spanish Editions:
Amar la Santa Misa
Llámale Padre
