Bp Ricken to sign copies of his new book in Green Bay Wed. April 25th

We just learned that Bishop Ricken will be signing copies of his book; "Be Thou My Vision" at St. Catherine’s bookstore near St. Francis Cathedral in Green Bay. He will be there from 4-5pm on Wednesday April 25th. Feel free to spread the word.

Did we know that Bp. Ricken wrote a book?  I can't remember, too much Easter octav-ing.  Let's dig in a bit here.

"Be Thou My Vision" is an old Irish Hymn. The original Old Irish text, Rop tú mo Baile is often attributed to Dallán Forgaill in the 6th century.  The text had been a part of Irish monastic tradition for centuries before its setting to the tune, therefore, before it became an actual hymn.

The music is the Irish folk song, Slane, which is about Slane Hill where in A.D. 433 St. Patrick defied the pagan High King Lóegaire of Tara by lighting candles on Easter Eve. Besides this general connection to Christianity, the folk song has little prior connection to the text. The two were first combined by Welsh composer David Evans in the 1927 edition of the Church of Scotland's Church Hymnary.

Okay, The Compass published the details back in January. 

Bishop David Ricken in "Be Thou My Vision" lays out his view of "the unlimited possibilities of a dedicated and vibrant priesthood and the critical role of the priest in scattering the darkness and hopelessness of the modern world."

The result is a book that deserves a prayerful and reflective reading by all priests. It could even spark some thoughtful discussions in priest support groups or book clubs.

Seminarians would do well to ponder this book and it certainly would fit well into their curriculum as part of a class.

Lay people also would benefit from reading the book, both in coming to better understand Bishop Ricken's basic understanding of priesthood, and, in some places, considering how his advice for priests also could apply to their lives in their relationship with God and their commitment to their vocation and how they live.

First, it must be said that "Be Thou My Vision" is not light reading. The book is written in a more formal and in some places a definitely more scholarly style than Bishop Ricken uses in his columns in The Compass. Still, most people will find the book accessible, especially the way he mixes references to papal documents and doctors of the church with examples from the lives of saints as well as stories from writers such as Willa Cather, Graham Greene and Chaim Potok to illustrate points he is making.

 continue

Found it on Amazon:
"Be Thou My Vision: Meditations on the Priesthood" by Bishop David L. Ricken. IPF Publications (Omaha, Neb., 2009). 160 pp., $14.95.

Alas, it's not on Kindle...  sigh, I may still pick it up.