Brendan McManus SJ – författare

Many people are good people and genuine “searchers”, but often lack the practical methods and ‘tools’ to know how to deepen their faith.  Often the idea about ‘faith’ that they have inherited is not helpful, and they need something real and experiential that helps with the complexity of contemporary living.This book redefines spirituality as about “channelling the inner fire”; there is some God given desire within us that seeks expression. Our goal is to become fully alive and human, just like Jesus was, by tuning into our inner world of feelings and desires. We are called to live like Christ, tuning into God’s plan for us and how we could serve the world. This book synthesizes the Ignatian system into 15 easy to understand concrete aspects.God is at work in each of our lives right now. Our job is to uncover the subtle messages that God is communicating to us, to be in dynamic relationship with God, and engaged with the world. It is a lot more about “letting go” and abandoning ourselves to the reality of what is, rather than trying to make things happen through our efforts. This is a personal journey that everyone has to make for themselves, though having companions and support is crucial to making it possible. This book spells out the practical steps and techniques developed by St Ignatius Loyola that allow us to find God in our experience and change our lives to be active agents for change.

Modern lives can be very busy, saturated by technology and media, but there isn't always time for happiness. As this book proves, it is the time out, the ability to look back and understand life events that brings about deeper, more satisfying living. Life is difficult but not impossible, and can be rich and fulfilling. Difficult situations of conflict, stress and worry arise, as do pleasant situations, but there are ways through the challenges. It is essential to believe that there is something positive in everything, that God is in it somewhere, and that we can get through with help. The spirituality of St Ignatius teaches us that God holds us close, loves us and desires the best for us. It is a solid foundation that we can build our lives on, it is an anchor in the storms of life, and it brings me though even the darkest hours. These mediations can be used by readers as a daily prayer source, for morning, daytime or evening prayer. They are also ideal for parish groups who might read a reflection and then come together for discussion. The book's accessibility makes it an excellent step on the spiritual path for someone seeking or returning to acknowledge God in their lives. In this way it would make a perfect gift for someone inviting another to consider "God in all things".

The summer of 2022 saw an unprecedented heatwave in Spain and the author, a Jesuit priest was accompanying a Dublin taxi driver on a walking retreat on the Ignatian Camino to Manresa, near Barcelona. This book tells the story of that testing pilgrimage: trying to find a way through severe heat; the challenges of walking together, finding accommodation and negotiating unexpected hurdles; and the retreat that they did together that looked at faith, prayer and blocks to progress. On one level it is a story of friendship between two very different personalities, and also a story of two souls on a spiritual search for God.As in his other books, Brendan highlights the Ignatian learning points (e.g. how to discern in a heatwave), outlines the spiritual journeys of the people they came across including a contemplative nun, and narrates the many adventures they went through to cope with exceptional circumstances. The pressure of the intense heat forces them to adapt their walking and find balance and discernment in making good decisions on the road. The pilgrimage took in some key Ignatian sites such as Montserrat and Manresa, but readers are given a unique perspective into the experience of St Ignatius Loyola through the eyes of these two pilgrims’ unique journey, as well as illustrating how a customised Ignatian retreat works. This is a pilgrimage story of finding God in the messiness of less than ideal situations, developing a heartwarming friendship, and finding a way through using Ignatian principles of reflection and flexibility.

At the darkest hour the dawn arrives again anew, just like always, but we forget so easily. This post-pandemic world of uncertainty, drought, war and death is not the end. It’s not all of reality as it proposes to be but just a temporary place of growth and purification. We need to be open to learn about humility, compassion and grace. A person, the Christ, has lifted us up. Our true destiny is revealed, to be with the Light, breaking open the clouds of weary, often isolated existence.Emerging from the Mess is essentially the experience of how suffering and pain alternates with great joy and fulfilment. Especially when we reach the limits of our strength and endurance (Richard Rohr calls this ‘liminal space’), we need to remember to hang on, to be patient and faithful in prayer. This book’s challenge is to live every day like a resurrection day. It is all about gratitude: to see the absolute giftedness of every moment, the wonder of every encounter, the silver lining on every cloud. We have structured this book in sections to mirror this exact same process of desolation to hope, darkness to light, and 11th hour rescue from death into resurrection.

The authors have worked for some years as Camino Companions, a ministry for welcoming pilgrims in Santiago de Compostella. In the course of their work they noticed that as well as providing a space for pilgrims to tell their unique Camino stories while in Santiago, pilgrims wanted help to reflect on the importance and relevance for their lives back home (the real Camino!). This book is a suggestion as to what pilgrims might do on returning home in terms of keeping that Camino spirit alive. Inevitably it is written from the Christian perspective of its authors, but it can be used by pilgrims of all faiths and none.We are all pilgrims in the world and our challenge is to live life as a journey, not buying into the consumer mentality but keeping our hearts open. Back at home we easily forget this and can drift along on autopilot. But we have a choice about how we live and love. God (or Mystery, or Spirit) is always with us, and can be seen especially when looking back on our experience. Hence the importance of reflection and taking time out to get perspective. The Camino ‘feeling’, or the spiritual dimension is always there, but we have to walk our road of trust as best we can wherever we find ourselves. The ‘Camino will provide’ even back at home.

This is the eagerly awaited follow up to the best selling, Finding God in the Mess. In this new collection the authors address tough issues such as fear, anxiety, suicide, anger etc. They have received much feedback from workshops based on the first book, and these are some of the topics on which people have asked for help. As well as offering a meditation or a way of praying, in the book the authors suggest scripture and a simple ritual. Once again the book is based on Jim and Brendan's own unique combination of practical prayer and Ignatian spirituality. Like the previous volume, this book is illustrated with their beautiful photographs. This is sure to fly off the shelves.

The best way to prepare for the Camino is with one of the world’s greatest pilgrims, Ignatius Loyola.In Contemplating the Camino Brendan McManus SJ prepares you spiritually, emotionally and practically for the task of walking the Camino de Santiago. Drawing on his own experience of this walk, and his background in Ignatian spirituality, he develops an approach to the Camino inspired by the teachings of Ignatius Loyola.Focusing on the balance of grief and joy in our lives, and thechanges in our own emotions, Contemplating the Camino isa key to the challenges and triumphs of pilgrimage.