The Sublime Round Tower: Contemplative Prayer

The Sublime Round Tower is a exploration of John Cassian's writings and his integral ”˜sublime tower' metaphor which is a pedagogical masterpiece in presenting an ”˜Icon' for this spiritual journey into contemplative prayers. It images and compares powerfully the reciprocal dynamic between the foundation, walls and uppermost cone of the tower, with the three transformational stages of the spiritual journey in prayer. Namely: foundational purification of he heart, gradual illumination through conversion of lifestyle, leading into contemplative union with God respectively.

For Cassian, imitation of Christ is the way to recover the full image and likeness of God in the perfection of love. He wants to encourage his readers to move beyond Jesus' instruction on prayer, or example of prayer in his earthly life, to real participation in the Resurrection Consciousness of the Glorified Christ. In this book, the author proposes that this could be a timely clarion call for renewal in the Church today.

Sr Kathleen Lynch is a Franciscan Sister of the Divine Motherhood with an MA in Spirituality from the University of Wales, Lampeter. She worked in education on the missions for twenty-five years, and has been involved in the Pastoral Ministry of the ”˜New Evangelisation' since her return to Ireland