Shenandoah Brown has done a beautiful service to the Church in preparing Lamp Unto My Feet. In a straightforward and systematic way, she lays forth the truths of our faith. This book truly is a lamp that will allow those inquiring into the fundamentals of the Catholic faith to see the beautiful truth of the Catholic faith — Monsignor D. Raun.
Do you sometimes feel lost on what the Church teaches? Or do you just want to know more about the Church and what she teaches? Are you non-Catholic and interested or curious about what Catholics believe? Or are you responsible for introducing others to the mysteries of our faith? Then let this book, by Shenandoah Brown, SFO guide you in an exploration of heart and mind about the teachings, beliefs and disciplines of the one true Church founded by Christ. Explore such questions as: Why is the Bible hard to understand? How did the Church start and get where it is today? What is the Mass? What are Sacraments? Who is God and why do we need Him? Why is pro-life important?
This book discusses teachings and practices plus their relation to Holy Scripture. It includes scriptural exegesis, Bible study questions, prayer forms and devotions for spiritual formation over 409 pages and 32 chapters. It is written for use by seekers and students from the High School level and up. It’s an ideal tool for a personal exploration of the Faith or as a valuable resource for parish teen and adult study groups such as Inquiry or RCIA. Its organization makes it an ideal companion for the Catechism of the Catholic Church for those involved in these formal classes.
The author brought to the development of this book many years of experience as a catechist. Shenandoah Brown, SFO, was professed into the Secular Franciscan Order in 1989 and she served her Fraternity first as Vice Minister and later as Minister. She’s taught classes in Catholic subjects for several years and served civilian and military parishes as facilitator and RCIA coordinator, including the RCIA at Camp Foster MCB and Kadena AFB on Okinawa, Japan from 1995-97. Her husband and helper, Jim, is a retired US Navy Religious Program Specialist with a BS degree in Business and Religious Studies from Regis University. Jim has taught religious education at all levels for over 30 years in civilian and military parishes worldwide and he served as a consultant on this book. The couple has allowed their years of practical experience with and as students of the faith shape this book’s presentation of Catholic doctrine and practice.
What is unique about this dynamic new book is it’s inclusion of progressive spiritual formation along with accurate doctrinal information and Biblical exegesis in between one set of covers. A pedagogical modal for classroom usage is also included.
Lamp Unto My Feet has four sections following the organization of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Part 1, “Beginning – General Basics” — six chapters covering the Bible, the nature of the Church, creeds, history and what we believe about God, the Trinity and why. Spiritual formation for this section consists of monastic antiphonic responsorial prayer plus the Our Father. Part 2, “Intermediate-More Catholic Topics” — eleven chapters covering the Mass, liturgical life, monasticism, pro life, Marian dogmas, the Rosary and Catholic devotions. Spiritual formation for these chapters consists of monastic prayer, prayers of the saints and the Our Father. Devotional prayer and the Rosary are introduced. Part 3, “Sacramental Life of the Church” — seven chapters covering the sacraments, what they are, what they do, why we need them and their relation to Scripture. Spiritual formation here looks at devotional prayers and introduces litanies. Part 4, “Mystagogia” — eight chapters covering advanced prayer, mysticism, Catholicity in daily life, conscience, forgiveness, suffering, domestic church and apologetics. Spiritual formation here consists of guided contemplative, meditative, iconic and scriptural meditative prayer.
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