Alfred Delp, S.J: Prison Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters)

Book Description Classic reflections on the Gospel by a 20th century martyr." Alfred Delp (1907-1945) was a German Jesuit condemned to death by the Nazis for anti-Hitler activities. While awaiting execution Delp composed this series of meditations on Advent, the Lord's Prayer, the tasks of the future, the meaning of happiness, and other spiritual themes. Written on the edge of eternity Delp's reflections continue to bear a special power and poignancy. His words snow the ongoing relevance of the Gospel in an age of idolatrous power and capricious violence. "These are the thoughts of a man who, caught in a well-laid trap of political lies, clung desperately to a truth revealed to him in solitude, helplessness, emptiness, and desperation . . . ."--Thomas Merton Review of this book - "Alfred Delp SJ, 1907-45, was a German Jesuit hanged by the Nazis on 2 February 1945 at Berlin-Plotzensee prison. He had been arrested the previous August, charged with being involved in the July Plot against Hitler. Although Delp was friends with members of the Kreisau Circle, which included some of the plotters, the charges against him were flimsy and he had hopes of being exonerated. However his judge, Roland Freisler, was notorious for his hatred of priests, especially Jesuits, so the outcome of his trial became a foregone conclusion. His execution, ironically, took place shortly before the collapse of the Third Reich itself. These writings include two short diary extracts, meditations on Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, brief essays on the Our Father and on the Holy Spirit and a last, poignant, ‘Letter to the Brethren’, in which he asked their pardon and that ‘care may be given to my aged sick parents.’ Why are these writings so memorable? They are charged with honesty about himself, urgency and originality, written with the knowledge that his life was about to end ignominiously and too soon. In his diary extracts Delp reflected o