Cardinal Hume: A Spiritual Companion - Reflections Through the Year Book

When Cardinal Basil Hume died in June 1999 Britain's Chief Rabbi wrote, "When I think of Cardinal Hume, I recall the words of Judaism's early sages. 'They asked: Who is a hero?' They answered, 'One who turns strangers into friends.'" As a monk and the leader of Britain's Catholic community Cardinal Hume attracted people from a wide variety of backgrounds. This handsome little book captures the essence of the cardinal's personality, and so continues his work of drawing people to a deeper love of God. Cardinal Hume was a spiritual companion to his friends, priests and people, and this book is designed to be a spiritual companion through the year. The editor, Liam Kelly, is Assistant General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, and was a close personal friend of the cardinal. Kelly has gathered excerpts from Cardinal Hume's teachings and put them in a sequence to parallel the church year--beginning with Lent and progressing through to Christmas and Epiphany. Alongside the Cardinal's words are prayers, poetry and passages of Scripture which place the cardinal's thought in a wider context. The poetic choices are accessible and the Scripture passages are not only short, but accompanied by a few helpful lines describing their context and background. The whole selection is beautifully laid out for easy and pleasant use. With its accessibility and simple good looks Cardinal Hume: a spiritual companion, like the cardinal himself, will attract both Catholics and non-Catholic Christians.--Dwight LongeneckerRead More