While still trying to finish Rice's work, I made the mistake of opening up *Father Arseny*. Woah. Unbelievably beautiful account of a Russian priest's faith, sufferings, and life of prayer in one of Stalin's special camps. It will leave you in tears and astonishment. Only half-way through and its one you just can't put down. A huge thanks to Deaconess Bowers for pointing me to it (and lending me her copy - but I have to get my own now, so I can lend it out!). So now, as soon as I'm through with *Father Arseny* THEN back to the fabulous Rice work.
http://tinyurl.com/b53r5
11 comments:
Indeed! I received it as a gift (retirement) from the Deaconess and started it last evening! It makes accounts of Fr Roman Braga's experiences come alive!
It gives whole new meaning to any idea of "prison ministry" doesn't it?
Fr Edward Wolfe
I read this book several years ago. It is quite an inspiration. Several memorable moments from that book.
Deb
I've been thinking about getting this book, and now my mind is made up. Thanks!
Fr. Shane R. Cota
What is "Rice's work"?
so, you are going to go out and buy the copy for me to borrow from you at Waterloo on St. Timothy's Day, right?
pax,
Leistico
The follow up to "Fr. Arseny" is good, but it is disappointing by comparison. FYI.
The [Anne] Rice work is likely her new book "Christ the Lord" which is a fictional stab at the childhood life of Christ where the Gospels are silent. From what I have heard, it is pretty traditional and "orthodox" in its theology- as is Anne Rice herself now since finding her way back to the Catholic Church of her youth.
I'm not sure what is meant by "follow up" - the accounts of the spiritual children? I've heard they are not as moving as the accounts of Fr. Arseny himself. I haven't quite got there yet.
And yes on the Rice book.
The follow-up book for the first Fr. Arseny book is called "Father Arseny: A Cloud of Witnesses" From what I've heard on the boards, its quite good.
Deb
I hope you will post something on Anne Rice's book when you have completed it. I really liked it and I would be interested in your reaction.
One unexpected consequence of reading it was the light it shed on issues like the perpetual virginity of Mary. Before reading the book I was interested in the doctrine, but it never made much sense to me. Or, more accurately, I didn't think it was necessary. But now, after reading this book, the doctrine makes a lot of sense in the context of the story. Especially when one thinks of Mary as the ark of the new covenant. No one touched the old ark, after all. And the guy who did got in serious trouble.
I guess I still think that semper virgo is founded in part on a suspicion of sex (how would it be defiling Mary is Joseph had normal marital relations with her?), but it at least makes much more sense now.
the concept that Joseph would "defile" Mary by sexual relations with her should be looked at through the lens of St. Paul's teaching that marriage is good, but celibacy is better. Why is it better? This is a teaching that is honored mainly in the breach by traditional Lutheranism, unfortunately, due to fear over monastic works-righteousness.
It is interesting to note the use of "undefiled" of Mary in the hymnody of Lutheranism.
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