I've just finished reading 'All for Jesus' by Fr. Frederick Faber. This is not just a good book. This is a great book.

Frederick William Faber (1814 – 1863) was a noted English hymn writer and theologian, who converted from Anglicanism to Roman Catholicism in 1845. He was ordained to the Catholic priesthood subsequently in 1847.

Written originally for distribution amongst members of the Confraternity of the Most Precious Blood, which Fr. Faber introduced to England in 1847, and transferred to the church of the London Oratory in 1850 when he became an Oratorian, this book is primarily an introduction to a deeper prayer life. It is all about developing our relationship with God, with others, and with ourselves. It is about the inner work.

It is also a book for what Fr. Faber describes as the 'Religious Middle Classes', those who will probably never reach a state of spiritual perfection in this life and yet are more advanced than the beginner. This is important because of what it implies - that the practices and attitudes suggested can be taken up by any faithful follower of Jesus.

Fr Faber lays the ground by identifying what he sees as the three instincts of the saints - eagerness for the glory of God, touchiness about the interests of Jesus, (which Faber says are the glory of His Father, the fruit of His Passion, the honour of His Mother, and the esteem of grace), and an anxiety for the salvation of souls.

What the book succeeds in doing is opening hearts to an abundance of new ways to relate to God, be that in supplication, intercession, adoration, praise, oblation, or thanksgiving, as well as the release of the souls in Purgatory.

I found the book challenging to read at first because I had no idea where it was going. But like most great books it can be compared to climbing a mountain - arduous at first but wow, the views from the summit are stunning.

This has to be one of my top ten Christian books, and was purchased because of recommendations on Goodreads, its high rating on Amazon, and its appearance on a number of 'top 100' Catholic books lists. ( )

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Prsented to Stapehill 15 Septmber 1879