The Prison Meditations of Father Alfred Delp

2021 Reprint of the 1963 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition and not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. With an Introduction by Thomas Merton. These classic reflections on gospel wisdom from a modern martyr show the ongoing relevance of the gospel in an age of idolatrous power and capricious violence. Delp was a German Jesuit priest and philosopher of the German Resistance. A member of the inner Kreisau Circle resistance group, he is considered a significant figure in Catholic resistance to Nazism. Falsely implicated in the failed 1944 July Plot to overthrow Adolf Hitler, Delp was arrested and sentenced to death. He was executed in 1945.

Contents:

Introduction / Thomas Merton -- Extracts from Fr. Delp's diary -- Meditations: I. The people of Advent -- II. The Sundays of Advent -- III. The vigil of Christmas -- IV. The people of Christmas -- V. Epiphany 1945. Tasks in front of us: I. The future of man -- II. The education of man -- III. The fate of the churches. Making ready: I. The Our Father -- II. Come Holy Ghost. 5. The last stage: I. After the verdict -- II. Letter to the brethren.

"Disturbing reminders...that pious formulas and clichés are not enough to combat evil."-Xavier Rynne, The New Yorker

"What is most characteristic about these writings...is their absolute honesty and the absolute sincerity of their passion for man....Some of the most powerful spiritual writing of recent times."-Walter Arnold, Commonwealth

"A searching commentary....These meditations of a priest ought to become the foci of those of every layman."-Eldon Talley, Cross Currents

"Must rank as one of the great human and spiritual documents of our time."-The Boston Pilot