Literary Companion to the Festivals: A Poetic Gathering to Accompany Liturgical Celebrations of Commemorations and Festivals

This beautiful volume offers poems and other literary readings to enhance liturgical celebration of the church's Lesser Festivals and Commemorations. Drawn from both the Anglican Calendar of Common Worship and the Commemorations in the calendar of the Lutheran Book of Worship, the book marks almost 120 feasts, including chief ones celebrated in each tradition or together. A short note before each passage offers background on the occasion or figure celebrated and suggests the connection with an idea, image, or story associated with the feast or its readings. The readings themselves are drawn from many centuries and countries - including Britian, Ireland, North America, Africa, and Australia - to bridge literature and liturgy and promote public worship or private prayer through imaginative engagement. Writers include Thom Gunn, Stevie Smith, Niyi Osundare, Charles Causley, Dag Hammarskjold, and may new voices from around the globe.