Pray for Me: The Life
and Spiritual Vision of Pope Francis, First Pope of the Americas by Robert
Moynihan
This book was provided to me free of charge as part of the
Blogging for Books program.
When I started this book back in November, I was eager to
learn more about our new pope. Unfortunately, the book (through no fault of its
own!) somehow ended up at the bottom of my reading pile. Now, a year after Pope
Francis’ historic election, I have picked it up again.
Pray for Me has
three distinct parts. The first part delves deeply into the first few days of
Francis’ papacy, from his election to his Palm Sunday Mass. The second reveals
some of the elements that have had a deep impact on him and have formed him
into the man he is. The third is a collection of his own writings, revealing
even more about the man who has succeeded Peter.
The first part goes deeply into those first few days, all
the more important to me because during the first five days of Francis’ papacy,
I was on mission without access to technology or information about what was
going on in Rome. Even now, one year later, these events feel new and
eye-opening to a traditional Roman Catholic. In reading this book, have been
reminded again and again of the novelty of Francis and of the gift that the
Holy Spirit has given our Church.
In the first part, Moynihan’s writing is clear and
authentic. He gives us his own take on those first few days and lets us
experience with him all that we, on the other side of the world, missed out on.
Hearing his experiences talking with other reporters and journalists is also
intriguing, it gives us an honest and unique vision of what was going on in
Rome at that time.
Part two goes into his family background and his spiritual
background, explaining events of his childhood, his calling, and listing five
of his “spiritual guides,” (Jonah, Mary, Ignatius of Loyola, Don Luigi
Guissani, and, of course, Francis of Assisi). I think that the range of these
guides can tell us a lot about the dynamic spiritual life that Francis lives
and encourages us to be less narrow-minded in our vision of Heaven. The
Catholic Church is supposed to be “universal,” after all.
Part three is illuminating in the writings of Pope Francis,
helping us to know him better and understand more fully the remarks he has made
since those early days of his papacy.
While I am sure that there are many books out now about Pope
Francis, I think that Pray for Me can
give a unique perspective on the beginning of this papacy, important now and
possibly, more important in the future. I give this book a solid 4/5.