Romancing God: Contemplating the Beloved

by Ramon Llull

A prolific writer, scholar, philosopher, and theologian, Lull traveled throughout Italy, Africa, and France with a burning desire to inspire conversion through education and instruction, enabling people to defend their faith without violence. The excerpts in this volume were written expressly to the faithful of Rome.

Romancing God offers a glimpse into the life of a devoted soul conversing with his Creator, a learned man finding the meaning of life through his own search and discovery of God's love. Lull's timeless wisdom and guidance, edited for the modern reader by Henry L. Carrigan, Jr., are as relevant today as they were 700 years ago.

Genres: Christianity

122 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Ramon Llull (c. 1232 - c. 1315), T.O.S.F. (Anglicised Raymond Lully in Latin Raimundus or Raymundus Lullus or Lullius; in Castillan Raimundo Lulio, in Portuguese Raimundo Lulio) was a Majorcan writer and philosopher, logician and a Franciscan tertiary. He is credited with writing the first major work of Catalan literature. Recently surfaced manuscripts show him to have anticipated by several centuries prominent work on elections theory. He is also considered a pioneer of computation theory, especially given his influence on Gottfried Leibniz.

Within the Franciscan Order he is honored as a martyr. He was beatified in 1857 by Pope Pius IX and his feast day was assigned to 30 June and is celebrated by the Third Order of St. Francis.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed. The preface introduces the book as "an attempt to guide the mystically-minded reader in the practice of mental prayer".

While it was interesting to see some of the prayers used by the author during the 1200's, I did not encounter a great deal on the practice of contemplation. Perhaps being separated from the author by some 800 years I did not adjust or tune my thinking accurately enough to appreciate his writings.

I will reread some of Merton or Dubay to get back on track.

[Theresa Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is beautifully written. I suggest reading it slowly so you can take in the words and contemplate your own relationship with God. The author writes poetically using descriptions to bring out the nature of God on all levels. Anyone from any faith could read this book and come away with a better understanding of the essence of a creator who formed us in His own image. The wonder and profound awareness discovered in these pages is well worth a few months of reflection and meditation.