YEAR OF PRAYER (2024)
“For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”
— St. Thérèse of Lisieux
“In the New Covenant, prayer is the living relationship of the children of God with their Father who is good beyond measure, with his Son Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit… Thus, the life of prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the thrice-holy God and in communion with him.”
— Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2565
After the year dedicated to reflection on the documents and the study of the fruits of the Second Vatican Council in 2023, Pope Francis has asked that 2024 be marked as a Year of Prayer. The Holy Father announced its launch on Sunday, January 21, 2024, on the fifth annual celebration of “Word of God Sunday.”
The Year of Prayer is about preparing the groundwork so that the Jubilee Year of Hope in 2025 can spiritually enrich the life of the church and of the people of God, and become a concrete sign of hope for the world, said the head of the Vatican office in charge of coordinating the Holy Year.
Pope Francis has written that “From now on I am happy to think that the year preceding the Jubilee event, 2024, will be dedicated to a great ‘symphony’ of prayer. First of all, to recover the desire to be in the presence of the Lord, to listen to him and adore him.” In preparation for the Jubilee, therefore, we are invited to promote the centrality of individual and community prayer during this year.
PRAYER RESOURCES (BOOKS)
Personal Prayer: A Guide for Receiving the Father's Love by Fr. Thomas Acklin, OSB & Fr. Boniface Hicks, OSB
Habits for Holiness: Small Steps for Making Big Spiritual Progress by Fr. Mark Mary Ames, CFR
It's Personal: Cultivating Your Relationship with God by Fr. Mike Schmitz
Introduction to the Spiritual Life: Walking the Path of Prayer with Jesus by Dr. Brandt Pitre
Prayer for Beginners by Dr. Peter Kreeft
Prayer: The Great Conversation - Straight Answers to Tough Questions about Prayer by Dr. Peter Kreeft
Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer by Fr. Thomas Dubay
Prayer Primer: Igniting a Fire Within by Fr. Thomas Dubay
Fire Within: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross and the Gospel - On Prayer by Fr. Thomas Dubay
Ten Ways to Pray: A Catholic Guide for Drawing Closer to God by Carolyn Pirtle
Lord, Teach Us to Pray: A Fulton Sheen Anthology by Ven. Fulton J. Sheen
The Better Part: A Christ-Centered Resource for Personal Prayer (4-volume set) by Fr. John Bartunek
Searching for and Maintaining Peace: A Small Treatise on Peace of Heart by Fr. Jacques Philippe*
Time for God by Fr. Jacques Philippe*
In the School of the Holy Spirit by Fr. Jacques Philippe*
Interior Freedom by Fr. Jacques Philippe*
The Way of Trust and Love: A Retreat Guided by St. Thérèse of Lisieux by Fr. Jacques Philippe*
Thirsting for Prayer by Fr. Jacques Philippe*
Fire & Light: Learning to Receive the Gift of God by Fr. Jacques Philippe
The Fulfillment of All Desire: A Guidebook for the Journey to God Based on the Wisdom of the Saints by Ralph Martin*
The Art of Praying: The Principles and Methods of Christian Prayer by Romano Guardini*
Into Your Hands, Father: Abandoning Ourselves to the God Who Loves Us by Fr. Wilfrid Stinissen*
The Parish as a School of Prayer: Foundations for the New Evangelization by Fr. Scott Traynor, JCL*
Spousal Prayer: A Way to Marital Happiness by Dcn. James Keating, PhD*
Praying Scripture for a Change: An Introduction to Lectio Divina by Tim Gray
A School of Prayer: The Saints Show Us How to Pray by Pope Benedict XVI
A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass: The Eucharistic Wisdom of Venerable Bruno Lanteri by Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
And You Will Find Rest: What God Does in Prayer by Fr. Wayne Sattler
Into the Heart of the Father: Learning from and Giving Yourself through Christ in Prayer by Leonard J. DeLorenzo
Breath of God: Living a Life Led by the Holy Spirit by Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR
Into the Deep: Finding Peace Through Prayer by Dan Burke
Appointment with God by Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR
The Imitation of Christ by Thomas À Kempis (translated by Fr. Ronald Knox & Michael Oakley)
Prayer: The Great Means of Salvation and Perfection by St. Alphonsus Ligouri
The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion edited by Lisa M. Hendey & Sarah A. Reinhard
Bless Us, O Lord: A Family Treasury of Mealtime Prayers by Robert M. Hamma
* Recommended by Dcn. Joe Michalak during our “Lord, Teach Us to Pray” Lent Small Group series.
PRAYER RESOURCES (VIDEOS)
Featuring (many) videos from Fr. Mike Schmitz, the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, the Sisters of Life, and more!