The Words We Pray: Discovering the Richness of Traditional Catholic Prayers

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Summary: Terrific resource will enrich your prayer life Immeasurably
Review: Most Catholics, whether they actively practice their faith or not, can recite the words to the Hail Mary as instinctively as they tie their shoelaces. They may not know the meaning or origin of the words they pray, but the prayer itself is a part of their core, their identity, their soul. In her latest book The Words We Pray (Loyola Press, October 2004, paperback, 210 pages), Amy Welborn gives her readers a gift - the gift of prayer, of knowing not only the words to our favorite prayers, but the stories behind them and the occasions in life when turning to them can provide solace and joy.

I have long admired Welborn's ability to write. Picking up one of her books, or treating yourself to an article she's written is like a combination of having lunch with a friend and a tutoring session with a knowledgeable mentor. The Words We Pray continues this tradition for me, as Amy Welborn captures so effectively the essence and origin of traditional Catholic prayers. The book opens with Welborn's heartfelt description of her own "journey" towards an eventual embracing of prayers such as the Salve Regina.

The true stars of The Words We Pray are the prayers themselves. Welborn has included eighteen of the most popular and powerful Catholic prayers, and has richly described their histories and traditions. When we as Catholics turn to God in communication using these wonderful gems of our Faith, we take our place in the Communion of Saints who have over countless years turned to these prayers to seek intercession and aid. Welborn's book concludes with an interesting discussion of "where our prayers go" and the value of praying vocally, using traditional prayers. The Words We Pray serves not only as a valuable reference, but also as an invitation to a deeper and richer prayer life.