[Mrs. Don-o]

Go read the original, and click on the links from Lausanne World Pulse. If you know how to post pictures (Mrs. CyberKlutz doesn't, unfortunately) please put some up. Praise God!

[Mrs. Don-o]

Good News, for once

[Between the Lines]

Left: Interior view of the Virgin Mary;
Right: St Simon the tanner Cathedral showing the projection screen.

Left: A Sanctuary within the Church;
Right: Biblical carvings in St Simon the Tanner's hall.

Left: Interior view of the cave now used for spiritual meetings and events.
Right: Entrance to St Mark's Church and the upper floor Hall showing the decorated dome of the church.

[Between the Lines]

Pope Abraam The Syrian
and Simon the Tanner
The Moving of the Mountain

[NYer]

What a beautiful example of Christ's love at work among the poor. I just began reading this book, and HIGHLY recommend it. This book gives great insight into the Coptic Christians, both Orthodox and Catholic. The author, Mark Gruber, O.S.B., is a Benedictine monk of St. Vincent Archabbey and an associate professor of anthropology at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.

One reviewer wrote:

As a student of Father Mark Gruber O.S.B. at Saint Vincent College, I heard much about how he studied in Egypt for his doctoral dissertation. In due time, while browsing the shelves in the gift shop for the Basillica at the College, I found this book on the shelf. Having heard many good reviews of it from others, I decided to purchase it. Indeed, it was by far a most excellent purchase.

This narrative details the events of his life while he lived among the Coptic monks of Egypt for a year doing research for his doctoral dissertation in Anthropology. However, this is by far more than a story of just his life. It is a story of grace, faith, and coming to know God more through our world. Through all of his experiences in Egypt, Father Gruber's faith was strengthened. The Copts, contemplating God and loving him whole-heartedly, taught Father Gruber not only about their customs and theology but also showed him a living example of true faith in God.

Father Gruber stresses at end of the work how important his time in Egypt was to him. What he gained is not only visible in his personal life. Indeed, as I said above, I have experienced him as a professor. After reading this book, I have realized that many of his lectures in my Biblical Archaeology (Anthropology) class come from lessons he learned from the Copts in Egypt.

In the end, this "spiritual journal" brings to Americans the rich spirituality of the Coptic monks in Egypt. This is by far an excellent book for anyone who wishes to view our Christian faith from a wise, monastic perspective and to be challenged to live out our faith in God more fully.

I am not an avid reader but this book is like a roller coaster ride of west meets east. It is filled with humor, suspense and prayerful devotion. I can't put it down!

[IrishCatholic]

great find. Thanks. Bookmarked for later.

[fishtank]

bflr for later reading

[Marysecretary]

Very interesting. Amazing what God can do, isn’t it? He just needs willing souls to help accomplish His purpose.

[Cronos]

when a community of several thousand Coptic garbage workers were forcibly resettled in an abandoned quarry at the foot of a small mountain.

You know, stories like this about the persecution our Christian brethern face at the hands of Muslims globally makes me wonder why I spend so much time debating about the differences between the various rites in Christianity

[Coleus]

.

[Califreak]

Thanks. That was interesting.