Louis M. Savary

I LOVE THIS BOOK and have purchased it many times to give to others. Louis Savary, a former Jesuit priest, wrote this book decades ago (it is still available under a new title, "Prayer Medicine") and it is FULL of guidance, advice, original and creative ideas about weaving prayer into all the moments of life. All of the advice is in keeping with Catholic teaching, though the book is not overtly "religious," nor does it purport to convert or convince anyone of any particular ideology.
Louis show more and Patricia (84 and 86, respectively) are still writing and serving their faith community in Tampa, Florida. She is a psychotherapist who has put her skills and gifts into the service of others in both clinical and academic settings.

Audience: Anyone. This book is for literally anyone -- teen to very elderly -- it's so accessible and full of hope and practical wisdom and suggestions. show less

This book provides a Teilhard-ian overlay to the classic Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, bringing to bear beautiful, forward-looking ideas while respecting (and conserving) the theological truths of the Catholic faith. I find Savary and Teilhard (and even St. Ignatius) to be so open-minded and inclusive as to be worthwhile for any faith-seeking / faith-inclined individual. There's no judgment, no prerequisites (there's no "believe what I believe!" subtext), and nothing show more inaccessible about the writing or ideas. The New Spiritual Exercises is full of prayers, practices, and perspectives that can be used "a la carte" or more systematically, over a period of time / course of study.

Audience: Persons who have completed the traditional 19th Annotation of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and want to reengage the Exercises with a Teilhardian slant. Not for everyone, but will work for contemplative types, fans of Teilhard, and those who want to re-experience the Exercises in a fresh way. show less

This lovely little book is perfectly in keeping with Louis Savary and (wife) Patricia Berne's classic, "Prayerways" (also on this list). In it, they explore the seven distinct stages a person goes through in the process of "diminishment." One key idea that runs through the book (and, frankly. all their writing) has to do with aligning oneself with the God of Life at all times -- even when death never ceases to be part of our lives.

The book is threaded through with the wisdom of Pierre show more Teilhard de Chardin, SJ, whose perspectives on The Living God are fresh and as applicable as ever, even nearly 100 years after he conceived them.

Audience: This book is written for all those who suffer and specifically addresses itself to the reader as such; however, the book probably works best for therapists, "death doulas," Hospice workers, and spiritual directors. Having read it, I am not sure it's for the dying person unless he / she / they are fairly far along in their own spiritual work. show less

This is an excellent textbook for those who are trying to weave together their Christian faith and dream work. The authors have a solid basis in both faith and psychology, offering 37 different ways one can approach dreams. This book challenged me to move beyond a superficial approach to dream work and really spend time exploring the characters, symbols, and timing of dreams in order to better understand why the Holy Spirit and my dreaming mind offered this dream at this time.