PRAYING THE PASCHAL MYSTERY
by Brother Tom O’Dempsey
The use of a Religious Brother’s prayer-poems for daily reflection
An exercise in living the Paschal Mystery through contemplation
The focus is on “Paschal living – Our Ascension to God in Christ … Humanity uplifted to the Divine”
I have given over this space on my website to allow the publication of poetry by Brother Tom O’Dempsey, who is now in his seventies. This poetry is deeply prayerful, and springs from his many years as a Secondary teacher, as a full-time teacher in prisons, and as a contemplative. His background is Catholic, and his poetry reflects this. Yet the poetry is deeply ecumenical and Gospel-based.
The number of these PDFs will grow as the months go by, for Brother Tom has been prolific in his writings. He offers them as a gift to anyone who wishes to imbibe their spirit of prayerfulness and joyful openness to Jesus Christ.
Feel free to copy any of these poems for personal or group use, but not for publication.
Brother Tom says:
“Heartfelt thanks to Mr Patrick Oliver, my spiritual director since 2002, on whose website all my poetry is generously on offer.
Heartfelt thanks also too Br Kev McDade CFC, my friend since 1967, who has so very selflessly typed my poetry (1300 poems to 2018!).”
Br Tom O’Dempsey, now in his 70’s, has been a member of a Catholic religious Order for fifty years plus, in Queensland, Australia. His life has been divided into three key ministries:
Firstly, his calling as a Secondary Teacher of religion and humanities subjects, for sixteen years.
Secondly, his calling to a full-time teaching prison ministry, with courses on self-knowledge, personal relationships, anger management, and drug and alcohol education. This was also for sixteen years.
Thirdly, a perhaps deeper call to a contemplative prayer ministry (seventeen years) – hopefully as A Praying Heart For Others, sans frontiers.
The enduring focus of these prayer-poems is the Paschal Mystery, with a particular emphasis on Abba’s Embrace of the Ascended Jesus – and thus, of us. This Embrace is the focus of all our prayer, of our being en-Spirited for Mission, and of communing in the intimacy of the Fellowship within the Trinity.
These poems are arranged chronologically: 1960 … 2016.
FINDING A POEM
Poems are written in chronological order. P.1 = Poem 1.
From 1959 onwards …
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet A.pdf
Folio 1: Poems 1-20 Folio 2: Poems 21-40
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet B.pdf
Folio 3: Poems 41-60 Folio 4: Poems 61-80
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet C.pdf
Folio 5: Poems 81-100 Folio 6: Poems 101-120
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet D.pdf
Folio 7: Poems 121-140 Folio 8: Poems 141-160
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet E.pdf
Folio 9: Poems 161-180 Folio 10: Poems 181-200 Folio 11: Poems 201-220
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet F.pdf
Folio 12: Poems 221-240 Folio 13: Poems 241-260 Folio 14: Poems 261-280
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet G.pdf
Folio 15: Poems 281-299 Folio 16: Poems 3090-319 Folio 17: Poems 320-339
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet H.pdf
Folio 18: Poems 340-359 Folio 19: Poems 360-379 Folio 20: Poems 380-399
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet I.pdf
Folio 21: Poems 400-419 Folio 22: Poems 420-439 Folio 23: Poems 440-459
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet J.pdf
Folio 24: Poems 460-479 Folio 25: Poems 480-499 Folio 26: Poems 500-519
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet K.pdf
Folio 27: Poems 520-539 Folio 28: Poems 540-559 Folio 29: Poems 560-579
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet L.pdf
Folio 30: Poems 580-599 Folio 31: Poems 600-619 Folio 32: Poems 620-639
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet M.pdf
Folio 33: Poems 640-659 Folio 34: Poems 660-679 Folio 35: Poems 680-699
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet N.pdf
Folio 36: Poems 700-719 Folio 37: Poems 720-739 Folio 38: Poems 740-759
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet O.pdf
Folio 39:Poems 760-779 Folio 40: Poems 780-799 Folio 41: Poems 800-819
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet P.pdf
Folio 42: Poems 820-839 Folio 43: Poems 840-859 Folio 44: Poems 860-879
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet Q.pdf
Folio 45: Poems 880-899 Folio 46: Poems 900-919 Folio 47: Poems 920-939
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet R.pdf
Folio 48: Poems 940-959 Folio 49: Poems 960-979 Folio 50: Poems 980-999
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet S.pdf
Folio 51: Poems 1000-1019 Folio 52: Poems 1020-1039 Folio 53: Poems 1040-1059
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet T.pdf
Folio 54: Poems 1060-1079 Folio 55: Poems 1080-1099 Folio 56: Poems 1100-1119
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet U.pdf
Folio 57: Poems 1120-1139 Folio 58: Poems 1140-1159 Folio 59: Poems 1160-1179
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet V.pdf
Folio 60: Poems 1180-1199 Folio 61: Poems 1200-1219 Folio 62: Poems 1220-1239
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet W.pdf
Folio 63: Poems 1240-1259 Folio 64: Poems 1260-1279 Folio 65: Poems 1280-1299
Praying the Paschal Mystery – Booklet X.pdf
Folio 66: Poems 1300-1319 Folio 67: Poems 1320-1339 Folio 68: Poems 1340-1359