Like the First Morning: The Morning Offering as a Daily Renewal

by Michael J. Ortiz, William E. Lori (Foreword by)

Overview

In Like the First Morning, acclaimed author and teacher Michael J. Ortiz presents both a literary and a deeply personal approach to the Morning Offering, a popular form of daily prayer practiced by millions of Catholics worldwide. The book reveals the depth of this simple devotion, showing how a daily offering up of prayers, works, joys, and sufferings renews every aspect of life, and inspires the reader to live each day with greater intentionality and joy.

Like the First Morning reflects upon the Morning Offering, a popular and beloved Catholic devotion prayed at the start of each day to consecrate the day to Christ. Michael Ortiz, a religion and English teacher and author of Swan Town, draws from theologians, popes, poets, novelists, philosophers, mystics, and saints to help readers to become more fully aware of the beauty of God’s creation and be more open to his grace.

This unique book of Catholic spirituality consists of fourteen short, lyrical chapters, each centered on a key phrase of the prayer. The fresh approach to this ancient practice will appeal to those who seek inspiration to continue this form of daily prayer, as well as those who are unfamiliar with the devotion who want to deepen their prayer life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781594715921
Publisher:	Ave Maria Press
Publication date:	04/17/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Michael J. Ortiz teaches religion and English at The Heights School in Potomac, Maryland, where he has taught for thirty years. He has a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Anselm College, and a master’s degree in English from Georgetown University.. Ortiz has received three grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, one of which was an independent fellowship. The Massachusetts native is the author of Swan Town: The Secret Journal of Susanna Shakespeare. Ortiz and his wife, Kathleen, have four children. They live in Washington, D.C.
Most Rev. William E. Lori is Archbishop of Baltimore and formerly served as Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Table of Contents

Foreword Most Reverend William E. Lori xiii

Introduction xvii

1 Jesus 1

2 Immaculate Heart 11

3 Prayers 19

4 Works 27

5 Joys 35

6 Sufferings 41

7 This Day 51

8 Sacred Heart 61

9 Holy Mass 69

10 Thanksgiving 81

11 Reparation 91

12 Apostolate 101

13 The Holy Father 109

14 Amen 119

A Final Offering 127

Appendix 1 A Weekly Plan for Living the Morning Offering 129

Appendix 2 Reflection Questions and Observations to Guide Your Reading 137

Notes 151