J. Philip Newell

Following the pattern of his bestselling Celtic Benediction, Philip Newell provides lyrically beautiful and profoundly theological prayers for morning and evening for each day of the week. Each begins with a Beatitude and is followed by a Prayer of Awareness, Scripture readings for meditation, a Prayer for the Life of the World and a Prayer of Blessing. It is richly illustrated throughout. Their theme could hardly be more critical. Divisions between Jews, Christians and Muslims are at the centre of much of the world's most serious places of conflict. Yet all three share the same spiritual descent from the household of Abraham. Praying With the Earth articulates the longings for peace that are closer to the heart of the world's spiritual traditions than their divisions. Morning and evening we open ourselves to the wisdom of our inherited Scriptures, to be enriched by others' understanding of the one God whom we call by different names, and especially to pray for peace.

A prayer book that draws from riches of Scripture and Celtic Christianity Celtic Treasure is a daily prayer book for readers of all ages. In language that is striking in its simplicity and beauty, J. Philip Newell provides a retelling of a Scripture passage along with prayers inspired by the Celtic tradition for each day of the week. Over the course of seven weeks, these daily readings cover the whole arc of Scripture, from the stories of creation and Israel through the life of Jesus and the New Testament letters. Celtic Treasure will enable families to draw regularly from the great riches of Scripture and Celtic Christianity; it can also serve as a refreshing resource for individual or small-group prayer. Exquisitely illustrated with images from the medieval Book of Kells as well as children's vibrant interpretations of Celtic art, Newell's Celtic Treasure will transport readers from the noise and busyness of everyday life into the mystery and wonder of the God who has created us and loves us.

We as Jews, Christians, and Muslims share a common spiritual descent, yet painful divisions between us lie at the center of much conflict and war in the world today. Praying with the Earth: A Prayerbook for Peace articulates the deep longings for peace that unite these great spiritual traditions. For each morning and evening of the week, John Philip Newell provides strikingly beautiful and profound prayers that call us to be the people Jesus named blessed: -those who know their need, - -those who weep, - -the humble, - -those who hunger for earth's oneness, - -the forgiving, - -the clear in heart, - and -the peacemakers.- Whether prayed alone or with others, these richly illustrated, simple liturgies invite and inspire us to live as those whose hearts yearn for peace.

Newell explores the way Celtic spirituality is characterised by listening for God within ourselves, others and the whole of creation. He illustrates his book with writings such as the Carmina Gadelica, a collection of traditional folk poetry.

Christ of the Celts "I explore the Celtic image of Christ as the Memory of what we have forgotten. He remembers the dance of the universe and the harmony that is deep within all things. He is the Memory also of who we are." --from the Prelude "Diagnosing the human soul with a longing for peace in the face of fear and fragmentation nurtured by global political forces and fundamentalisms, Newell offers the ancient traditions of Celtic Christianity as a way forward in healing humankind and the earth." --Publishers Weekly "This graceful, wise, and important book is a superb introduction to the treasures of Celtic Christianity for our time." --Marcus Borg, author, The Heart of Christianity

Christ of the Celts "I explore the Celtic image of Christ as the Memory of what we have forgotten. He remembers the dance of the universe and the harmony that is deep within all things. He is the Memory also of who we are." --from the Prelude "Diagnosing the human soul with a longing for peace in the face of fear and fragmentation nurtured by global political forces and fundamentalisms, Newell offers the ancient traditions of Celtic Christianity as a way forward in healing humankind and the earth." --Publishers Weekly "This graceful, wise, and important book is a superb introduction to the treasures of Celtic Christianity for our time." --Marcus Borg, author, The Heart of Christianity

By the author of Celtic Prayers from Iona In Celtic tradition, the "Book of Creation" is where we "read" what the Creator has said to us. J. Philip Newell here reflects on the seven days of creation in Genesis, using them as a guide to the practice of Celtic spirituality. Each day explores a different aspect of creation as a manifestation of God, revealing divine presence at the heart of everyday life. Newell begins by tracing the history of Celtic spirituality and how it clashed with Rome, then he goes on to draw from a rich and diverse selection of Celtic sources on creation: Eriugena, Pelagius, the Carmina Gadelica, novelist George MacDonald, poet Kenneth White, and Iona Community founder George MacLeod. Newell also includes meditation exercises that may be used by either individuals or groups. Newell is quickly becoming one of today's most authoritative and inspirational voices on Celtic spirituality. His book is perfect for prayer groups, seasonal parish programs, small faith communities, religious communities, spiritual seekers, anyone of Celtic heritage, and anyone interested in creation spirituality.

A six day cycle of prayer in the Celtic tradition, incorporating the daily themes used in Iona Abbey - justice and peace, prayer for healing, care for the earth, committment to Christ, the communion of heaven and earth and welcome and hospitality.

For many Christians, the world equates with "worldliness" and it is to be avoided for fear of damage to their spiritual health. Celtic Christianity differs from this in that it sees in all creation the reflection of God's goodness and beauty which sin might mar, but can never destroy. This book explores the Celtic view of creation and each chapter focuses on an aspect of God revealed in creation to transform our view of created matter.

Few issues have caused the church more difficulty through the ages than those surrounding the human body. Throughout much of Christian history, spiritual seekers have considered the body to be, at best, a hindrance to spiritual enlightenment, and, at worst, an enemy to be suppressed. Many of our contemporary negative preoccupations with physical appearance, image, and sexuality derive from this ancient and habitual denial of the notion that we were created in God's image.In Echo of the Soul bestselling author J. Philip Newell finds that the human body, like creation, is actually the dwelling place of God. Using the Old Testament Wisdom literature, which informed Celtic spirituality's positive understanding of what it means to be human, Newell looks at each part of the body as a sacred text that reveals something of the Divine. Looking back to a time before Christians began to distrust their physicality, Newell shows that our most ancient texts challenge modern assumptions about love, beauty, sexuality, learning, wisdom, power, and responsibility, and bridges the body/spirit divide.

This profound and challenging book clears away centuries of misunderstanding, confusion and shame about the human body. Jewish and Celtic Christian insights help us discover its sacredness and transform our assumptions about love, beauty and sexuality.

The little island of Iona in the Western Isles of Scotland is known as one of Britain’s most historic holy places. It is remembered as the cradle of Christianity for much of Scotland and northern England. The Celtic mission from Iona, however, clashed with the sixth-century Roman mission, which represented a radically different way of seeing. This led to the Synod of Whitby in 664 and the tragic displacement of Celtic spirituality to the fringes of British Christianity. It lived on, however, almost as a spiritual resistance movement among the prayers of the people of the Western Isles. These were not so much religious prayers as songs and chants used in the context of daily life. They celebrated the essential goodness of all created life while not being naive or unaware of suffering and the bondage of evil. Celtic Prayers from Iona is an attempt to incorporate aspects of this ancient stream into a pattern of weekly prayer for use today. It was initially written for use by members and associates of the present-day Iona Community, an ecumenical movement of men and women, lay and ordained. It has been made more broadly available in response to the widespread desire to recover aspects of this tradition’s way of seeing. J. Philip Newell and his wife, Ali, were co-wardens of the lay religious community of Iona Abbey in the western Isles of Scotland. There Philip developed this book as an aid to daily prayer. Here is a weekly cycle of morning and evening prayers in the Celtic tradition, with gospel and psalm readings taken from the liturgical year. Each “day” reflects a concern of the Iona Community: justice and peace healing the goodness of creation and care for the earth commitment to Christ communion of heaven and earth welcome and hospitality The beautiful calligraphy sets a welcoming mood and contemplative pace to the prayers.Whether you pray from this book communally or in private, you are sure to be captured by the Celtic sense that God is present in creation, in the events of our lives, and in our hearts. John Philip Newell is a Canadian teacher and author of spirituality based in Edinburgh. In 2011, he was honored with the first-ever Contemplative Voices Award by the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Washington, D.C. He served as Warden of Iona Abbey in Scotland (1989–1992), Assistant Minister at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh (1992–95), Warden of Spirituality for the Anglican Diocese of Portsmouth in the Church of England (1995–2000), and Scholar in Spirituality at St. Giles Cathedral (2000–2002). In 2002, he transitioned into full-time writing and itinerant teaching in cathedrals, universities, and retreat centers on both sides of the Atlantic. He is author of Listening for the Heartbeat of God (Paulist Press).†

Listening for the Heartbeat of God presents a spirituality for today, modeled on the vital characteristics of Celtic spirituality throughout the centuries. The emphasis is on the goodness of creation and of humanity made in the image of God.